Your Life Counts

When I get up each and every day, I am reminded that if it were not for some key people who made an investment in my life, I'd be sunk by now.

Visit this idea with me as I share one of Max Lucado's devotional reading, I have a thought for you after...

People Who Make A Difference

“Good people have good things in their hearts.”

Matthew 12:35

Name the ten wealthiest men in the world.

Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.

How did you do?

I didn’t do well either.

With the exception of you trivia hounds, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday too well.

Surprising how quickly we forget, isn’t it?

And what I’ve mentioned above are no second-rate achievements.

These are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies.

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Here’s another quiz.See how you do on this one.

Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile.

Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.

Easier?

It was for me too.

The lesson?

The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern. (from the book "And The Angels Were Silent")

Here are some of the people who have invested in me, and I thank God for them...

~My Kindergarten teacher. Miss Wilma was her name, still remember all these years later.

~Mr Haney, philosophy teacher. He taught me to love a book by writing in it.

~Mr Martus, the shop teacher who recommended me to my future employer, he was instrumental in getting me a management job. That job led me to Indiana where God wanted me to start Gilead Ministries.

Miss Marla Jackson, she saw something in me I still wonder about. She challenged me to read to grow myself and write what was on my heart so I would make the world better with my ideas. She also pointed out my spelling errors. It's one thing I still need today.... LOL.

Mr Nuss, my High School baseball coach. The first person to take a risk and put me in a leadership position. I will forever owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Mel Nuss, I am the leader I am today, because of the seeds he planted in my young heart.

Mr. Lindsey Duncan, the man who affirmed my call to ministry after I had struggled for years to figure out whether I should be in ministry or not.

Mr Bob Taylor, the first boss to give me a chance and later promoted me to a management position. That management position was another step in bringing me to Indiana.

Mr Chip Sekulich, the man who told me God would use all my previous experience to bring me to a place I could honor God and serve others. I now use every job skill I ever learned to lead Gilead. Thanks Chip for the encouragement when I was still forming my ministry convictions.

Mr Jack Brady, no other person, besides God himself, has made the impact on my life like Jack. I will not attempt to write all I think of him here, he knows it and I continually tell him how much I love him as a brother.

Mrs Teresa Brown, the one person who has traveled with me for all 20 years of Gilead's existence. Her attention to detail and servant leadership allows me to challenge others to be a better believer. It also challenges me to become a better follower of Christ as well...

There is an incomplete list, I tried to do the "famous" list, but I have to admit, these people mean more to me than any celebrity I could name...

Have a great week!