Going beyond yourself

I have began training for another Half-Marathon. This will be my forth in Prescott, so I am familiar with the course and the prep needed. However...and that's a big HOWEVER, this time seems much harder.

Perhaps it's the 10 extra pounds. Maybe it's the 48 years of life. My times are greater and so are my aches and pains. I wouldn't want it any other way!

What the heck are you talking about? Harder, older, slower and more painful and I wouldn't want it any other way. I have begun to appreciate the VALUE OF STRUGGLE more now than ever before. If I am doing things that are BEYOND MYSELF, then I am in a position to depend on God and others to make it! I will do my part and at the end of this race day, I still have to run the entire 13.1 miles but mentally I am depending on God to get me through.

What was the last thing you attempted that was "beyond yourself"? Maybe you should do something physical like running a long race or taking a big hike? Maybe you should speak to someone you have been avoiding or giving something away that is valuable to you. Maybe your "someday I will do ????" just needs to start today!

Do something today that is SO BIG that you must rely on the Lord to see it done! Good luck and keep moving. You have a friend slowly running up and down the mountains of Arizona who understands.

Every trip has a destination!

As God began to unfold His plan for the Coyne family, He faithfully provided words to encourage us. These words were recorded thousands of years ago by the Prophet Isaiah. Here is what God said...

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

We knew without a doubt that God was moving us FROM United Christian Youth Camp TO something new. Our destination was unknown and required a new level of faith to see it through. He provided financially. He provided housing with family. God gave us peace when we were very uncertain.

What I have learned is that a JOB or MINISTRY is not the destination that interests God. I wanted those things because of the stability, but God knows better. As I write this post, we are 17 months into following God in the wilderness. He is making a way for us and providing streams where we never would have expected them. I cannot say it has been easy, but I can say, "It has been good"!

What is our destination? I don't know! Maybe we are going to wander for a long time and I'm okay as long as God is leading us through! You will find the same to be true when God begins something new for you! Enjoy the Trip!

When the road is unclear...

October 2014, Lori and I heard clearly from God to leave the camp ministry that we loved and home that we loved for something new He was doing! Wow! Without doubt we knew that God was at work, but this "leap without a landing spot" is scary and frustrating. I have left a ministry for another ministry, but this is the first time we are leaving without knowing what is next!

Over the next few posts I will un pack a few of these lessons, but what I can say today is: If God is moving you, like he did with Abraham, to a "land that I will show you" then I can appreciate more than ever the journey of Faith that you are traveling. Buckle up because it gets good...and very hard!

Simple life

The most challenging part of the trip to Switzerland for me was how simply the people lived. Hard work and provision for family plus time with family was the order of each day. It was amazing to find greater value in people instead of things! American culture does not do us any service by...

How would you finish this statement? Isn't it time that we consider what is really most important and live like it!

A good looser

Growing up with Joby was the amazing! We were the best of friends since grade school. We have so many great memories together that I cannot hardly remember them all.

We were brothers. I could not have asked for a better young man to grow up with!

It was because of this relationship that I learned to be a good looser! You see, Joby was a great athlete. He was tall and strong, left-handed and a great work ethic. During those early baseball years, he was an All-star and was able to play at a high level of success!

Joby was brilliant. He did amazingly well in school and graduated top of our class! Joby cared for people and was in church every weekend with his family. He served his parents/family by watching over his two younger siblings.

Bottom line: Joby excelled at everything and I was not! However, he won and excelled with such dignity that I learned to loose well. He was such a great winner, that I learned to be a good looser! To try and fail against such a humble person was the best thing this ego-filled young man could have ever experienced!

I thank God that I grew up with Joby Taylor. God has helped shape me through his influence in so many ways!

I was reminded of Joby and our friendship as I rode my motorcycle and thought about my childhood. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Who are you grateful for? Have you taken the time to tell them? Do it today!

Of all places to put this!

Recently I was visiting a camp near where I live. During a quick restroom break I had a funny experience!See if you can figure it out by looking at the picture!

Give up? Let me shed some light.

At the top of the frame you will notice the air-freshener. You will also notice its placement directly over the toilet.

As I was standing there using the bathroom, the air freshener decided to spray...right on top of my bald head. I just started laughing trying to understand who would put it right there!

Life lesson? "Don't take things so seriously, have some fun." Keep an eye out for what makes you laugh and tell someone today! Enjoy life!

My head smelled great! LOL

Becoming a servant

My best friend Joby and I mowed grass for years in Oklahoma. We created TC Lawncare and worked many days during the summer taking care of peoples yards. While it was work, it taught us about serving others! The Skaggs family would be nervous if their grass grew half an inch that week, so we took care of their lawn about every 5 days. We have so many stories about our adventures in mowing.

I bring it up now because cutting grass and a few church "mission" trips helped me to see the world differently! During our Senior year of High School, Joby and I both went to Haiti for a work trip. We helped construct a church building in the mountains.

I learned that I make weekly mowing lawns the same as an adult in Haiti makes annually! That truth rocked my world! God was forming in me a need to serve! To this day, I look back at trips like Haiti and mowing grass all summer as furtile ground for Servant training.

Who are you serving today? How has your past shaped your servant response to those around you? You can serve the less fortunate and well as the extremely wealthy, because God's love must be shown to all! You can serve those far away, a neighbor across the street and inside your own household. 

Don't forget to serve!