Consistency, Tracking, & Accountability...The 3 Keys to Change

Life is interesting as we get older.  Many times when we fall and become broken we become open to change in life.  In every area of major breakthrough in my life, failure came first.  I fell first and then became open to change in life.  Its amazing how a surrendered heart can change, but a hard heart cannot.

First major surrender in life when I gave in and surrendered my faith to Jesus. I surrendered to His authority and begin to pray, read and study the word. Life changed as I stayed consistent, plugged into a faith community and walked that path.  

Second major surrender.  2008 business was slow and we had a part time business opportunity that we began to build on the side.  We were failing in our financial life and had more month than money. We plugged into a debt-buster system and a budget for our finances.  We stayed consistent building our business and tracking our budget and things have changed dramatically 8 years later. But it started with an open mind, a written plan, tracking and a financial class that impacted us dramatically.  Our life changed.

Surrender point number three.  As we began to have kids I gained 10 pounds of unwanted body weight over a period of 5 years.  A few months back I began to track my food intake, monitor my supplementation and make my way to workout 3 times per week. As a Result lost the 10 pounds, energy is up and feeling great.  Its amazing how tracking the progress and finding community in the areas you need help changes it all.   

So many times in life I think I have it all figured out and then I fall. At that point I become open to change.  This is a good thing. I have learned to love change! 

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. - Proverbs 24:16
 

Community changes everything!  Every time we have plugged into a group of people moving in the direction we wanted to go good things began to happen.  There is something about being transparent, saying hey this is where we are at and we could sure use some help.  

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Ecclesiastics 4:9

I have learned be okay with brokenness, open to opportunity and then make the changes necessary to make course corrections.  From there stay consistent, track results and remain accountable to the plan in place.

If You Build it....They Will Come - "Ignite the City with Darryl Strawberry & Ron Sheperd"

The Ball Players Showed Up.....

The last couple days have been life impacting for many people, including myself.  When you get in line with the will of God He will bring you places you never could have even dreamed of or imagined.  Let me tell you a little story... 

This past weekend we had four guests come to town that modeled, lived & preached the gospel in a way that I am sure made Jesus proud. These men and women were the example for many.  It all started on Saturday night when I went to go pick up two great friends by the name of Ron and Janda Sheperd.  We met Ron and Janda in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on an AdvoCare incentive trip and instantly connected, as they had a heart to build God's Kingdom. We talked about the event we had scheduled with Darryl at the House of Missions and Equipping in Sioux Center.  Ron said he played in the MLB with Darryl in the early 80's, while Ron played in the Toronto Blue Jay's organization.   This set in motion an invite for Ron to come to Iowa and later, he took us up on that offer.  They booked flights a couple weeks before the event and a plan was in place.  The Sheperd's flight was suppose to get in at 9:15, but didn't end up getting in until after 11:00 PM - the same time as Darryl & John arrived. They walked out of the gates within a minute of each other and I instantly began to see God moving in a way only He does. The whole weekend started out perfect. Ron reconnected with Darryl for the first time in person since the mid 80's in spring training. 

Next, we have to talk about John Luppo, who is Darryl Strawberry's manager.  John brought the fun, laughter and joy of the Lord into the weekend.  As Believers, I think the Lord wants us to have fun! Between stories of how they met, to traveling together and so much more...  The guy has a gift with people!  The next morning we were off to Orange City to pick up Darryl and John at the Hampton Inn.  Brock Jensen graciously donated two rooms for the guys.  There were five of us packed in Greg's Chevy truck.  When we picked Darryl and John up, I said, "Hey, we are rolling in a pickup. This is Iowa. No limos here!"  They laughed, joked and hopped right on in.  The simple life and they were completely ok with that .  

As we drove from Orange City to Sioux Center for Stop #1 at Dordt College, we got to know each other.  We got out, sparked the guys up and Darryl delivered his testimony in a straight up way that lifted up our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Darryl was a man that had it all - everything a man or woman could want - money, cars, houses, etc.  At the end of the day, his message was similar to King Solomon, nothing satisfied him, but God and that was evident in his message.  Darryl took time, took pictures and autographed a few cards.  On the way out I watched as he saw a young boy.  He said, "Hey! Throw me that football."  They went on for 10 minutes, playing catch back and forth and modeled being a positive role model for the next generation.  After that, we even stopped by our place to meet our kids and say hello! 

Next up... We said, "Hey, we have until 5:00 PM when the main event starts. You guys want to go eat or back to Hampton Inn in Orange City?"  Darryl said, "Let's go eat."  

So off to an empty Pizza Hut we went - not much open on a Sunday in Sioux Center.  

It was interesting... As we ate and began living life together, everyone's composure changed, walls fell down and we all began to share stories. This was where the relationship began to build.  

In life, we are all too often guilty of skipping this step with people.  This is where connection was made.  John made us laugh, as he shared his story growing up in the Bronx and then, being led to the Lord six years ago by Darryl.  He became Darryl's manager shortly after and shared his story of making millions and losing millions and coming into relationship with Christ.  It was amazing to see the radical life change evident in John's life, to watch him share with passion and purpose and have the excitement and knowledge of the word.  Many believers who have sat in church for 30 plus years don't have the passion or knowledge of a guy that has been saved for SIX.  Why?  

He gave his life to Jesus Christ. He surrendered to His Lordship, has been discipled, reads his Bible daily and prays .  This was evident when he spoke to us. His prayers answered prayers we have prayed over the last few years. John was in tune with the Holy Spirit and it was evident all day long. 

Next up... the main message at the House of Missions and Equipping in Sioux Center. The event started out with amazing praise and worship, as many stood to their feet, worshiped and enjoyed time with the Lord.  Liza and the team led strong. The vision of the ministry was shared, along with a couple local testimonies of life change and salvation and the people came!

Then came the THUNDER! A normally soft, well-composed man, Ron Sheperd lifted the roof off the building with the word Hallelujah!  He spoke it over and over again and the crowd rose to their feet. Ron spoke out - "Check your denominations at the door, open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to work." Ron shared for ten minutes in a way that few in our area have ever saw or witnessed before.  

He shared with power and enthusiasm, in a way that only a man who has walked with the Lord -day in and day out - for 33 years could.  It was electrifying and a friend, Lyle came up afterwards and said, "Ron brought the thunder!"  

Ron introduced Darryl and Darryl gave the message needed for the time and hour we live in today.  He shared a message on a verse that has been on my heart for over two years: 

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -2 Chronicles 7:14  

This verse is the key to the future of America and goes right along with the Mission & Vision of the House of Missions: prayer, repentance and restoration.  It fit perfectly.

The other verse that hit me was Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."

Open your bibles believers...If you don't read it, you don't know it.  The night ended as many came forward, left their sins at the front of the alter and walked out with a new chance in life! Freedom was at the House of Missions & Equipping on Sunday night.  

The night ended with some Mexican food at the Schut household. Again, eating, talking, spending time with the families and playing with the kids. Between all the guests - Ron, Janda, John & Darryl the message Jesus lived out was lived out throughout the day.  

Standing on the driveway, Darryl went into when he was saved and the Lord put him on the sidelines for seven years.  He said the Lord wanted him to start reading the bible daily and books written by Billy Graham.  "Billy had a heart for souls," he said. "Billy never fell for the traps of prosperity, fame and fortune, he fell for the Gospel."  Billy is still living it out at age 97.  That is the legacy Darryl wants to leave and it was obvious all day long by the way he lived...

And the greatest gift of the night was the Father showed up... Alive and Well... King Jesus!

For more info and schedule for House of Missions and Equipping (HOME), go to: http://www.sc-home.org/

For Info on Strawberry Ministries go to: http://strawberryministries.org/

We all want to Success..BUT...

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. - Luke 10:2

We planted our first garden this year.  Its been an exciting process to build, plant, water and wait!  Luca, our youngest has been with me every step of the way! A little family history first.  One of my grandfathers was a baker, the other one was a farmer. My father was a business owner and then eventually became a realtor. Both of my grandparents were self employed and part of the great generation that fought through the depression, war and much more.  Through this process of gardening I hope to pass down some work ethic to our children that I have been modeled from both my parents and grandparents.  Here are a few things I noticed as I watched the past 2 generations.

1.  They lived Simply and lived on less than they made

2. They Worked Hard

3.  They were givers, savers, & not big spenders

4.  They cared about their family and others

Its been both fun and a little scary that our kids are watching us the same we we watched our parents and grandparents as we grew up. They are observing, learning and soon will be doing the same things we do.  I once heard a man say.. We all say we love our kids, but do we love them enough to change for them?  I have enjoyed being a parent and watching our kids grow up and it has been a journey that has required change in ourselves and constant observation of what am I doing. Lately I ask myself.. "Is something we would want our kids seeing and doing?"  Change is hard, but being a parent has required me to change for the better.  So many times in life we believe that things will grow and become successful over night forgetting the process it takes to build something great.  Never skip the process, enjoy the journey or success will skip you.  Below is the 90 day jorney to growing a garden, teaching my son to work hard and be consistent. and eventually he will come up with an abundant harvest! God bless & Good day

Step 1.  Building the garden and filling it with dirt. Luca getting ready to bring in the dirt!

Starting to Grow with no weeds Yet!

Checking, pulling weeds and suckers off the tomato plant to make sure we get a good crop.  Luca pulled off a early tomato that day as well,  not ripe and ready at all.

Spending some time watering the crop.  Luca loves it!  You can tell by the smile on his face.

Digging in..Looking for the Red & Ripe One!

90 Days later after planting, Luca is reaping the harvest and the sweet taste of a successful crop.  Took Consistency & weekly work and now we all get tomatoes! DON"T QUIT

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