This post is taking part in Brody’s Positive Post Tuesday!

We we have three boys ranging in ages from 15 to 21. That means life many times can be a challenge. Just when you think you’re over one hurdle and they’re about to grow out of one stage, you suddenly find yourself entering a brand new stage. Of course with each stage, comes a new challenge. I joke with our boys quite often reminding them I use to have a full beard. But, as the years went on and they caused more gray to show up, the beard has been trimmed back to a goatee. But, even in the midst of the more challenging times, there’s always the great surprises that come along the way too. Such was the case a couple weeks during church.

For those reading this blog who don’t know, my wife and I are Pastors of a church plant called Fresh-Wind Ministries. Two of our sons are on the worship team with my wife and I, while our youngest son has floated around doing a number of different things in church pretty much trying to find his niche. Two weeks ago as I picked him up from the radio station where he works Ben told me he thought he had the message for the day. I asked him to give me a brief outline of what he was pondering, and I said, “Okay, I guess you’re preaching today.”

We arrived at the church for service, I didn’t say anything to anyone else about our conversation, we just started to worship and make our way through the service. When it came time for the message, I called on Ben. He came to the front, and gave a great message about the journey we call life. Using a Reliant K song as his jumping off point, Ben outlined how life can present a number of challenges along the way. But, in the end, isn’t it great to know that we are never alone. He even touched on some purpose and destiny imagery too. At one point Ben looked at me when he was talking and said, “It’s like you always say Dad, we all have a purpose and destiny. We just need to find it.” Wow! I have to admit I know I was sitting in the front of the church holding back a tear or two, and I have a feeling Sandra, my wife, was doing the same.

A lot of times in this world many people take their kids for granted. When it comes to doing chores around the house I will sometimes say, “Let the kids do it. That’s why we had them isn’t it?” (Of course that’s said with tongue firmly planted in check.) But, it does bring to light an issue we need to be very aware of – the importance of giving kudos to our kids.

So, with that in mind, my Positive Post Tuesday thoughts today send out huge kudos to Ben…

…our 15, (almost 16 year old), for sharing some great thoughts during church a couple weeks ago.

A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus

One of the cool aspects of the Internet and blogging revolves around discovering some great blogs, and some great ideas along the way. A couple months ago I started taking part in Randy Elrod’s Watercooler Wednesday at his Cultural Ethos blog. From there a few people are discovering my blog, and then I’m in turn discovering other blogs as I read comments. Along the way I found Brody Harper’s In Case You Were Wondering blog and his Positive Post Tuesday. Every Tuesday Brody posts some encouraging words and kudos for people he knows. He then asks others to take part and link in with his blog. So, this post is the first of what I hope to be many in the Positive Post Tuesday genre.

Check out Brody’s Positive Post Tuesday Here!

First off, I love the idea Brody! Kudos to you for stepping out on a limb and starting this feature on your blog. My personal vision/mission statement revolves around encouragement — Empower and encouraging others – With that being my vision/mission, you can well imagine how pumped I was when I discovered your creative use of Tuesday on your blog.

Now, as for this weeks Positive Post Tuesday entry, it comes in the form of a book review and kudos to the author.

Mike Robbins was drafted out of high school by the New York Yankees, but chose to attend college and pitch at Stanford University, where he pitched in the College World Series. He was on the All Conference team and voted “Most Inspirational” by his teammates at Stanford. After college Mike played in the Kansas City Royals organization for three seasons before he blew his arm out, which in turn ended his playing career. Now he’s a released a book entitled Focus on the Good Stuff – The Power of Appreciation. It’s a great book with some fantastic principles in the area of appreciation and encouragement for not only yourself, but those around too.

If you’re looking for some great positive encouragement, and a few lessons on how to encourage others, check out Mike’s book…

Focus on the Good Stuff.

A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus