Archive - Life RSS Feed

Consider This For Your New Year…

January 1, 2012 in Determination, Life, Perspective, True Stories with 0 Comments

At first glance, I didn’t think it was weird to see someone in the gym on crutches because the gym is a perfect place for those who are attempting to rehabilitate from an accident or injury; however, my second glance revealed that this was not a normal injury.  The man only had one leg.  I’ve seen some unique things at the gym over the past year, but this situation really made me think.  Was it an accident?  Was it a war-related injury?  Was it caused by sickness or disease?  I know it is not polite to stare, but I did.  I was curious.  What can a guy with only one leg do in a gym?  I watched as he moved from one weight machine to another, developing the other muscles in his body.  It was pretty amazing.

This guy possessed something all of us need to practice this coming year.  Instead of focusing on what I don’t have or what has been taken away, I will use what God has given me.  In a world that is always in pursuit of what they don’t have, maybe it is time to finally forget what cannot be changed and determine to do my best with I have.  You may be entering this year with less faith and more scars…fewer accomplishments and more regrets.  You have two choices: live another year mourning what is missing or live this year developing those things which are certain.

A Tough Moment in My Life

September 6, 2011 in Life, True Stories with 2 Comments

Two weeks ago, I drove away from the middle school where I had just dropped off my son for his very first day in the sixth grade.  I had to fight back the tears as it seemed like yesterday that I was scooting him off to his first day of kindergarten.  Leah and I had spent the last several weeks preparing him for the upcoming change of schools and even rehearsed potential situations he may encounter.  Ty listened attentively and seemed to absorb our instructions, but I was still uncertain if we had covered everything…girls, bullies, girl bullies, etc.  The night before his first day, the entire family sat down together to discuss morning routines and last minute issues concerning the new school year.  We then prayed and asked God to help both of our kids have a great start to their year.  God answered our prayers and school is off to a wonderful start!

Even though school has begun and my kids are settled into a routine, I still feel like they are growing up so fast.  A part of me is excited to watch them grow up, but another part of me wants them to remain young.  Through all of these feelings of uncertainty, God has been teaching me that time is short and there is no time like the present.  The past is history.  The future is yet to be lived.  But the present is within my grasp.  I pray that I would make the most of my time.  My son will never be in the sixth grade again (I hope).  I can never get back moments I have already lived, so I need to make the most of the time I do have…and that is now.

Don’t live in the past.  Don’t depend on the future.  Make the most of this moment.

“For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).

I Am Hated!

May 12, 2011 in God, Life, Readiness, spiritual warfare, Thoughts with 2 Comments

I’m not certain about this but I don’t think there are a lot of people who hate me, although there are many who probably dislike me.  Hatred is a pretty strong feeling and implies that one individual is hopeful for the demise or destruction of another.  I have honestly done my best to maintain peace in my relationships and would never relish in others hating me.  Some people enjoy being hated.  I don’t.  However, while studying yesterday I was reminded that I am hated by Satan.  He hates you too.  Peter, one of Christ’s apostles, wrote the following words to the first century church, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Today, Satan is actively seeking your demise.  He is going to use temptation, disappointments, and persecution to destroy you.  He is going to chase down your character, your family, your insecurities, your ministry, your past, and your thoughts so that he can move in for the kill.  That’s how he rolls.  He hates you.  He hates God.  He hates what is good and right.

So, how does a follower of Christ combat the devil’s hatred for them?  Peter answers that question with these words, “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (1 Peter 5:9, NLT).

1. Stand firm against Satan. Don’t back down from the fight.  God, who indwells all who believe in Christ, is greater than Satan’s lies and deceit (1 John 4:4).  Through God’s power and strength, believers can stand firm against Satan’s attacks.
2. Be strong in your faith. The best way to resist the devil is to remain obedient to the ways of God.  A holy life is no match for the onslaughts of Satan.
3. You are not alone. Many others, like you, are being attacked by Satan and his oppressors.   You have not been singled out, but the devil is doing his best to wage war against God and any who love Him.

You must be watchful and alert to the attacks of Satan.  He hates you.  He wants to destroy you.  You don’t have to sit back and take it.  Stand firm.  Be strong.  You are not alone.

Top 5 Ways to Finish the Year

November 23, 2010 in Holidays, Life, Thoughts with 1 Comment

I absolutely love this time of the year.  Although the next five weeks are extremely busy, I love every minute of it – the energy, the buzz, the spontaneity, the crowds, and the spirit of the season.  We have already decorated for Christmas, watched Elf, and have spent some time listening to Christmas music on Pandora.  The only thing missing is some snow, but I think it is on the way.  I realize that everyone may not share my sentiment for the holiday season, mostly because of potential stress brought about by this time of year, so I wanted to challenge you with the Top 5 Ways to Finish the Year.

Focus on relationships rather than responsibilities. I understand that you cannot drop all of your responsibilities, but you can prioritize tasks which emphasize important relationships in your life.  Instead of grocery shopping by yourself for all the Thanksgiving food, call a friend and go shopping together.

Do something spontaneous. A little spontaneity can create lasting memories.  Wake the kids up after they have gone to bed and drive around looking at Christmas lights.  Give an unexpected gift (I can send you my address if you need it).  Do something random for someone you don’t know.

Enjoy the moment. If you are like me, your mind runs 90mph and sometimes I am “there, but not there.”   Do what it takes to set aside work, stressful circumstances, and personal differences in order to be fully present in the moment.  You cannot relive the day so you should make the most of it.

Attempt to restore a broken relationship. Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who brings reconciliation with God to those who receive Him by faith.  If we celebrate forgiveness and restoration during this time of year, why not follow the example of Jesus?

Commit to some changes. The new year is quickly approaching and it is imperative to evaluate what we need to change for the year ahead.  A new start can be the beginning of something great.

Anyone want to join me in committing to one or all of these?  Do you have any to add?

Living Life at a Snail’s Pace

November 1, 2010 in Contentment, Determination, Leadership, Life, Perspective, Prayer, Thoughts, Wisdom with 2 Comments

What do you do when progress is slow?  The relationship isn’t moving fast enough.  The business is lacking customers.  Your church isn’t growing as fast as the one down the street.  The frustrating habit hasn’t been broken.  An unmet desire seems unreachable.  Your prayer is yet to be answered.  Your day job has taken time away from your passion.  When these situations occur, you need to ask yourself five honest questions.

  • Is it worth it? If the final result is important, stick with it…no matter what.  Although your strategy may need to change from time to time, you should chase after goals that will pay off in the end.
  • Do I need help? No one likes to ask for help, but all of us need it at certain points of our life.  There are plenty of people who can relate to your circumstance, so why not learn from them?
  • Should I take a break? A day off or change in schedule can often break up the monotony and provide your mind a much needed rest.  If taking a day off or getting away doesn’t fit into your schedule, set aside some time for prayer or meditation.  Alone time with God has a unique way to refocus priorities.
  • Is there a better way? If you have determined that your goal is worth it, does your approach need to be adjusted?  You may have become immune to the strategy.
  • Am I being impatient? Anything worth attaining is worth the wait.  Reaching a goal often requires hard work, endurance, and patience.  Overnight success is the exception, not the rule.

Progressing at a slow rate is not always a negative thing.  Use the time as an opportunity to ask yourself some honest questions.

Monday Morning Hangover

October 18, 2010 in Attitude, Determination, Failure, Faith, Life, Perspective, Relationship with God, The Church, Thoughts, Transformation with 0 Comments

You left church yesterday with the best of intentions, right?  Your Pastor talked about something relevant to your life and you decided to make a change in response to the truth of God’s Word. You really meant it.  This week was going to be different…but then you woke up this morning…Monday morning.  You already feel horrible because you aren’t sure that you can make a change in your life.  Doubt starts creep in and you begin to question if you really meant it.  Before you know it, you have given up and rationalized away those feelings of yesterday.  That morning after feeling is normal for all of us, including me.  So, how do we fight off these feelings and submit to God’s work in our heart?

Feelings must be overtaken by fact.  You may not feel as if you can make the necessary change to walk in obedience to Christ, but the fact is that God “…is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us….” (Ephesians 3:20).  God’s ability to change you far outweighs your feelings of doubt.  If God began a work in your heart yesterday, He is capable of bringing it to pass today.

Yesterday, God laid the foundation.  Today, construction begins.

Video Blog – Things You Should Know About My Past

October 5, 2010 in Failure, Forgiveness, Guilt, Life, Personal Stuff, Sin, Thoughts, Video Blog, Weakness with 0 Comments

Yesterday, I wrote about dealing with your past. If you didn’t get a chance to read my post, you can get a little video preview here and if you would like to read the original post, you can read that here. Forgive my first attempt at a video blog, but I’m trying a few new things here. Enjoy your day!

Things You Should Know About My Past from Tom Hogsed on Vimeo.

Things You Should Know About My Past

October 4, 2010 in Failure, Forgiveness, God, Guilt, Life, Personal Stuff, Relationship with God, Sin, Thoughts, Weakness with 12 Comments

Letting go of the past is, well, not so easy.  Looking back over my life, I could list numerous regrets and sins which I would be ashamed to admit; in fact, some of those things have been hard to release from memory.  Although I have sought God’s forgiveness from my past sins, I still find it complicated to forgive myself.  How could I be so stupid?  Why did I let that area slip?  I knew better.  This morning as I was sitting down to pray and study for my Sunday message at The Summit, something from my past popped into my head out of nowhere.  At first I wondered, “Where did that come from?”  In that moment, I began an honest prayer to God and claimed His forgiveness. I know God had already forgiven me, but all the memories flooded my mind again.  Through the years, especially when regret plagues my soul, I have often reminded myself that the past changes for no one.  The page has been turned.  Yesterday is out of reach.

If your past cannot be altered, why have you been so consumed with it?  Don’t get me wrong, I understand that sin brings consequences, but does God really desire for you to live in a continual state of regret for things you cannot change?  I really do not think so.  Once you have turned from sin (repented) and received God’s forgiveness, you must release the sin.  Isaiah wrote concerning this very topic, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Listen, you have done some terribly stupid things in the past.  So have I.  God knew you would break His commandments and sometimes stray away from Him, so He took drastic measures 2,000 years ago when He treated His own Son, Jesus, as if He had committed those sins you actually committed.  Those very sins which have consumed your life, have been shouldered by Jesus Christ.  He shouldered that divorce.  He shouldered that lie.  He shouldered your perversion.  He shouldered your secret sin.  He shouldered your cheating.  He shouldered your deception.  He shouldered your failings as a parent.  He shouldered that lust.  He shouldered that bitterness.

There are a few things you should know about my past, but thankfully my past has been erased.

MapQuesting God

September 22, 2010 in Communication with God, Disappointment, Faith, Fear, God, Life, Perspective, Relationship with God, Thoughts, Tragedy, Trials with 2 Comments

Why does God feel distant?  Why is God remaining silent?  Why does it feel like God has abandoned me?  These are questions I have asked plenty of times since becoming a follower of Jesus.   Typically these questions begin surfacing when an unforeseeable circumstance arises and the outcome cannot be governed by me.  I may pray for divine intervention, but when rescue does not arrive quickly I doubt God’s nearness.  I may search the Scriptures for peace, but when the answer is not clear I am overcome with confusion and bitterness.  I may seek wise counsel for clarity, but when the explanations are unsatisfactory I am filled with uncertainty.

I’ve been contemplating this dilemma lately.  Is there a way that these questions can be reconciled?  I believe there is a clear answer.  My feelings do not determine truth. In other words, the way I feel is not an accurate reflection of reality.  David, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote these words in Psalm 37:25, “Once I was young, and now I am old.  Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned….”  According to Scripture, God NEVER forsakes or abandons the righteous.  Although I may feel alone in my circumstance, the truth is that God will NEVER leave me.

God’s proximity is not measured by my perspective, but by His promise.

My Story of Weight Loss

September 21, 2010 in Determination, Leadership, Life, Motivation, Personal Stuff, Random Thinking, Thoughts, Transformation with 2 Comments

Yesterday, I wrote about the Secret to Weight Loss (and more) in a blog post and today I wanted to share a little of my story regarding the statement, “make daily decisions consistent with your future, desired result.”  I’m a firm believer in the power of faithfulness, hard work, and patience in many areas, but over the past few years I began to ignore my health.  My motto was, ” You only live once so why not enjoy it.”  Exercise and eating in moderation were not high on my list of priorities.  I slowly gained about 40 pounds  over the course of 11 years.  Although the extra weight bothered me, I continued to ignore it.  At the end of last year, I determined to change my overall health and made a new year resolution to lose 20 pounds by the end of March 2010.  The first few weeks of counting EVERY calorie and exercising 30 minutes daily was a shock to my system.  My body didn’t like it, but I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t quit.  By the end of March, I had reached my goal and I genuinely felt better in many areas; in fact, exercise and eating better has become a new habit.

I learned a lot about myself and the value of faithfulness, hard work, and patience during the first 90 days of this year and I wanted to share a few of those things.  Although these principles are related to my weight loss, I believe they can apply in numerous areas.  So, here is what I learned.

  1. Set goals that are challenging, but attainable. Although I needed to lose 30-35 pounds, I started with losing 20.  Also, I kept the time period short so I wouldn’t become frustrated by the length of time.
  2. Stay committed even when progress is slow. There was a period of 2 weeks right in the middle of the 90 days when I didn’t lose a pound.  Quitting was not an option.
  3. Set short term goals, but keep the end result in mind. Again, I wanted to lose 20 pounds so instead of striving to lose 20 pounds, I reminded myself that I needed to lose just a little more than a pound a week.  I celebrated those small victories, but kept my end result in view.
  4. Enlist someone to hold you accountable in your endeavor. My wife was a huge help.  She really encouraged me along the way.
  5. I can sometimes accomplish more than I think I can. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could lose the weight, but now I know I can.  This means that the next time a challenge comes my way, I have the confidence that I can do it.

I really hope this helps!

Page 1 of 41234»