A Dream Will Cost You

As a kid, we would often head to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. It was 800 miles so sometimes we would leave at night. It was fun to be carried to the car half asleep and wake up the next morning almost half way there. We closed our eyes at home and opened them over 400 miles away. Cool.

Some people think about their future like that:

• I can't wait for my dream job. It's gonna be fun when I can afford the flat screen, the new car, the boat...
• I'm praying and hoping for my future. I know God has big plans for me. I know it's on the way!
• Someday, I'll have a wonderful family with a spouse that loves me.  I can't wait.
• I have my phone on because I'm expecting that call that will change my life!

As people get older, sometimes disillusionment sets in. People get discouraged and sometimes give up. We soon begin to realize that a destiny is not a destination. Dreams don't just come true without effort. Diligence is required. Dreams cost something. 

• Your dream job may mean going back to school. That will cost you money, time and sleep.
• God's big plans for you may cost you some years in obscurity like Moses, David and Paul.
• Your "dreamy" family will cost diligent effort to maintain healthy and loving relationships. Otherwise, your dream may become a nightmare!

Dreams will cost you something. The bigger the dream, often the higher the price will be. But it's the journey that God wants us to enjoy. Don't just close your eyes and hope for the best. Keep your eyes wide open all along the way. Every mile there's something to learn about Jesus and His friendship with us. And whatever the cost is, as long as you're walking with Jesus it's worth it all!

Manifesto

While at the Billy Graham Training Center last week,all around me I saw the evidence of a life well-lived. Billy is in his 90's. Shea and Barrows, his ministry partners, are still around and the thing they share in common is life with character intact--as far as I can see. How?

One of the things they did in the early years that proved to be key to ministry integrity was the so-called "Modesto Manifesto." It was while in Modesto that they pledged to each other these four commitments. They had observed the bankrupt character of some other ministries and wanted to protect the same thing from happening to them.

Here's an abbreviation of the Manifesto:

1) We will never criticize, condemn or speak negatively about others.
2) We will be accountable, especially in finances, with integrity according to the highest standards.
3) We will tell the truth, be totally honest, especially in reporting statistics.
4) We will be exemplary in morals__careful to avoid the very appearance of any impropriety.

By the grace of God, they attempted to live by these and as a result they are leaving a legacy of strong character.

What is your Manifesto?