"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.  For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." This is how Nehemiah responds to the news that Jerusalem is in shambles.  Even though he is far-removed from where the walls are broken and the gates have been burned, Nehemiah is deeply moved nonetheless. He really shouldn't be. He has a prime job as the king's cupbearer.  He eats and drinks better than most of his fellow countrymen.  He has access to the king.  Life is pretty good for Nehemiah. Except for one thing: God's agenda is in jeopardy.  Even though Nehemiah and his fellow Jews have been in exile for many, many years, his heart is still back in Jerusalem.  Upon his return, Nehemiah says this: "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with…

Dave Dravecky, former San Francisco Giants pitcher and founder of Outreach of Hope said, “I’ll never forget the day I gave my son a blessing in third grade, and I had the opportunity to read that letter in front of his class. It was one of the most precious moments of my life, and one that I will never forget.” Dr. Ken Canfield, National Center for Fathering, writes, “Do you have a letter of blessing from your father? If you’re like me you don’t, but if you did there would be only one word to describe it: priceless. There’s a new movement emerging that is capturing the hearts of fathers throughout the country. It’s called Letters from Dad. Men, it will change your life!”

Fritz Kreisler was a world-famous violinist who died in 1962.  While alive, he earned a lot of money playing the violin but also gave most of it away. While traveling, he found a beautiful violin but wasn't able to buy it because he didn't have the money.  Saving his money, he returned to buy the violin but it was gone.  The seller had sold it to another collector. Kreisler found the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin.  The collector refused.  As Kreisler was about to leave, he asked permission to play the violin.  "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. The collector agreed and Kreisler began playing the violin.  Thew new owner was so moved, he insisted that Kreisler keep the violin.  "I have no right to keep that to myself," he said. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler.  Take it…

Despite the fact that The Beverly Hillbillies aired their last show in 1971, many people -- even those born after 1971 -- can still sing the theme song. How would you like to have that impact? The truth is, you can have that kind of impact.  How?  By being intentional. In Ephesians 5:15 Paul tell us to “Be careful how you live.” Seems simple enough, doesn't it?  Be careful, watch where you're going, look both ways before crossing the street. I'm not sure that's exactly what he meant.  What Paul is telling us to do literally means: “to look at something intensely or to examine something closely.” In other words, "Wake up and pay attention to what you're doing."  Those who leave a lasting impact occasionally do so on accident.  More often, it happens intentionally. "Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed ..."

I think you'll enjoy this video from the Desiring God Pastor's Conference.  The text in the video is straight from C.S. Lewis. Click here to view the video.