Your Story, His Glory
1Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught. (Luke 1:1-4)
Good morning Y’all! Over the weekend, my Georgia National Guard unit was treated like royalty, along with the GAARNG’s SFAB (Security Forces Assistance Brigade) and a soon-to-be-deployed Sustainment Company, for a dual mission Yellow Ribbon event. For my unit, the MCP-OD (Main Command Post-Operational Detachment) and the twelve SFAB soldiers, it was a post-deployment Yellow Ribbon; for the Sustainment Company, Saturday was their pre-deployment briefing. The Guard put us up in the swanky Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, GA. Alpharetta is an affluent town northeast of Atlanta that has grown over the years due to the growth of the south’s biggest city. The Avalon area is a small strip of high-end shopping and restaurants that one of my battle buddies accurately labeled as the “Beverly Hills of the South”. It was, by far, the nicest venue the Guard has ever doled out money for. Every other Yellow Ribbon I have attended was held at Fort Stewart and families were stuck staying at the lodging within the base. Every soldier I talked to over the weekend was pleasantly surprised at the GAARNG’s choice of Avalon, which is a beautiful city center to visit, if you ever have the means and desire to stay in between the beauty of the north Georgia mountains and want to avoid the business of being in the heart of Atlanta.
Well, we were once again treated to the speaking of Dr. David Anderson, who I wrote about last June when he spoke at the MCP-OD’s pre-deployment event. Dr. Anderson is a professional marriage counselor/public speaker, and he spoke several times over the last two days. His opening segment jumped out at me because this go round, he did not hold back on referencing God’s work within his own life. He shared Matthew West‘s song “Truth Be Told” within his opening speech and I could feel a collective eyeroll within the audience, but not from Mrs. Z and I. When Dr. Anderson asked the crowd if they were familiar with the song, Mrs. Z and I exchanged a look and smiled, as we know that song well. While most of the soldiers I talked to seemed to not be impressed by Dr. Anderson, I truly enjoyed hearing him lift up the name of Christ throughout all his talks. I was so pleased with his opening remarks that I went out of my way to thank him for speaking truth to life and let him know, that for at least Mrs. Z and I, his words truly resonated to us.
We all have a story to tell. We have all witnessed the works of God playing out in our lives. We cannot be ashamed or silent in sharing what we have experienced in our lives. Find your platform. Lift up your story. Remind the world that God is still working, actively turning what is meant for evil into good for those that love Him. That’s why I get on here and type away. I could be sleeping in, but I make the decision every morning, or afternoon to remind you all that God is out there, He is active, He is alive, He is preparing His Kingdom for Jesus’ glorious return. Tell your circle today how God has had His hand over your life. Like the good doctor Luke above, who realized that he had to put together his collection of events to share the Gospel, we each have a story to tell, to share with an unbelieving world. Do not wait to tell that story. The world needs to hear it more than ever.
During our drive up to Alpharetta, we got caught up on the most recent podcast episode from the Holy Post. Click the image below to hear another crucial conversation about the current political climate from Phil, Skye, and special guest, Esau McCaulley, who is one of the most brilliant co-hosts The Holy Post has within their ranks.
On our way home, I tried to put a dent in the massive amount of amazing new Christian music released on Friday, but there is A LOT. There are at least six albums/EPs that were released among the sixty plus singles that were dropped. I am currently listening to the wonderful remix album from Brooke Ligertwood called INFINITY. But perhaps the most appropriate song to share for today comes from Sean Curran‘s new album, “Basic Faith“. The single “Same Jesus” reminds us all, that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The story is still the same, age after age, Jesus’ redemption song still plays. Share your story with the world today. We may be facing new giants, but the same Jesus who saved the world nearly 2,000 years ago is still saving souls today, and there is no stopping Him.
Common Sense Reborn 