You ever feel like this? Life is moving fast. There is a ton of stuff to do. The stress is piling up because people are depending on you. If you don’t come through, stuff just might fall apart. I know I am not the only one.

All that to say this. I am thankful for the stress. It means I have a job that allows me to provide for my family. It means I have worked hard and gained responsibilities. Yes. People are counting on me. That is how it is supposed to be. It means that I have important work that I need to do. I know I am not the only one.

I am stressed, but thankful. I hope you are too.

“What in the #@$& is going on here?”

Jennifer looked up just as a hand was coming down across her face. She stumbled back and did her best to get away. Off the side of the bed and through the doorway she went as she heard the sound of the gun go off. Her lover was dead.

Naked and alone, she ran quickly down the hall and to the front door.

“Come back here #@$@ you.”

She could hear him closing in behind her. She ran through the front yard and across the street. The neighbors would help. She prayed they would.

He came out the front door just as she made it onto the neighbor’s porch. Their door was open and he could see that she was slipping inside. Gun aimed he took his shot. With satisfaction he watched as she slumped into the neighbors arms. He had hit his target as she was taken out of his sight.

“The cops will be here soon,” he thought to himself.

With that Timothy Vargas was not seen again.

As with many song lyrics that I post here, I wrote this several years ago. I hope you enjoy.

Verse 1

The heavens declare Your glory, the works of Your hand. Your wonder and Your majesty we struggle to comprehend. Your ways are not our ways and we are humbled to know that Your Spirit is with us everywhere that we go.

Chorus:

You are our God, may Your name be lifted up. All of our days will never be enough to express our gratitude and love to You our Lord, our God.

Verse 2

It is hard to describe the sacrifice You made when You stepped out of heaven to come to our aid. You did for us what we were unable to do. Where our sins demanded justice Your mercy cam through.

Chorus:

You are our God, may Your name be lifted up. All of our days will never be enough to express our gratitude and love to You our Lord, our God.

Tag:

We sing to You our praise, for it is You that we love. For all of our days, we can never get enough.

Chorus:

You are our God, may Your name be lifted up. All of our days will never be enough to express our gratitude and love to You our Lord, our God.

You remember that scene from Remember the Titans don’t you? It is the semi final game. Petey is making excuses about why he can’t cover his man like he should. For the entire movie Coach Yoast has gone easy on him, but no more. He confronts Petey in front of the team. He says, “If you want to act like a star you have to give me a star effort.” Petey whimps out and another player is brought in to play in his place. A less talented player named Allen who gets the job done because he gives the effort required.

Petey comes back to the coach before the next game and tells him he is ready to play for the championship. Coach Yoast tells him he is going to sit on the bench and cheer for the team and he will have a chance to play the next year. It is only after the less talented player give Petey his spot that Petey has a chance to get back in the game and finally give a star effort. The Titans win the championship. They wouldn’t have if Petey hadn’t learned his lesson and been given another chance.

I see a lot of Petey in myself. I know there are things that I am talented at. I know that I have the potential to be really good in a few areas. I even act like it sometimes, but have I really given a star effort to go along with the star act? Don’t get me wrong, I have worked hard on many things and been successful, but there are areas of my life that I have been slacking. One of the glaring spots where I don’t put in as much effort as I should? Public speaking.

If you have seen me speak, you might wonder what I am talking about. I have been in Toastmasters for 8 years. I achieved my Distinguished Toastmasters award. I have given over 200 presentations in that time. How can it be that I am not putting in the effort? Let me explain.

I am one of those people. You know the ones I am talking about right? Those weird people who have always felt comfortable in front of a room. From as far back as 2nd grade, I remember being in front of large groups and not being that bothered by it. Sure, it was strange, but having the room stare at me was always kind of cool.

For many people, that is the thing they have to get over. Talking in front of people is one of the most fear inducing things known to man. That is why they join Toastmasters. They had a problem they needed to address and are able to get through it. It is always an honor to see folks do this too. It is a serious achievement.

At this point, what would be a serious achievement for me? Knowing that I had put all of my heart, soul, and practice into a presentation and figuring out what my real potential is. Maybe I am close to it now. I have a feeling I am not. Either way, I want to give that star effort and forget about the star act.

I have a contest that I am participating in next Saturday. This is my self nudge to get it done. I may even record it and post it here. We will see what applying maximum effort will do.

Verse 1

It’s graduation day. Yes, it’s finally come. You’ve walked across the stage and now your life has begun. How things go now depends on the choices you make. At this fork in the road which path will you take?

Chorus

Will you? Will you take a stand? Will you live your life at His command? Will you be all He wants you to be? Will you come when He says “Follow Me”?

Verse 2

So please make you decision and carry on your way. For the future you look forward to starts here today. If you choose to follow Christ, if you choose to lay it down He will walk you through this life and reward you with a crown,

Chorus

Will you? Will you take a stand? Will you live your life at His command? Will you be all He wants you to be? Will you come when He says “Follow Me”?

Bridge

I’m not saying it is easy, that it will never be. Sometimes life is hard and you will long to be free. But I know that through your life there is a hope for you. His name is Jesus Christ, He is the one that will see you through.

Chorus

Will you? Will you take a stand? Will you live your life at His command? Will you be all He wants you to be? Will you come when He says “Follow Me”?