Hindsight: Add Value

 I'm older today. Though not exactly old. This last year has brought a few unexpected, yet God-ordained, transitions that have been wonderful blessings in their own right. I've learned a lot of stuff in my life. But it all boils down to this.

Learn how to add value to people's lives and you will never be without friends, job, cause to live for, something that matters, purpose that wakes you up in the morning, and a reason to keep on breathing.

Life is about more than just yourself. Life is about more than having the latest things, wearing the latest things, driving the latest things, knowing the latest things. Life—and the only thing that really matters right when you boil it all down to the bare essentials—is all about connecting to others, and helping others connect to God. The best, broadest, purest, and the simplest way is to learn to live, love, and add value to another person's life.

Life lived for yourself is a roller coaster, up one day and down the next—good and bad, great and worse. But life lived for others is never about you. It keeps the eye on the prize. It keeps the main thing the main thing.

You can never go wrong not living for yourself. You can never go wrong putting others first.

Another word we use for that sometimes is humility. Sometimes people think humility is about thinking less of yourself. That's not true. Humility is about thinking of yourself less.

What could be more humbling than a life lived in pursuit of adding value to the lives of others. Agree? Thanks for reading. God bless.

Peace Out 2014

2014 Is Over. The last year of our lives has been a roller coaster of awesome. As we get ready to ring in the New Year with family and friends I thought I'd jump on the ol' blog to share a brief summary of some of what stuck out for the Kings over the last 12 months.

1. Life will always be crazy. Just when you think you have a handle on the wild ride and adjust to the new normal, it all changes again.

2. Enjoy the crazy life. If you don't enjoy your crazy life, we'll be honest with yourself, it's the only one you have, and are ever going to have. Make the most of it. Cherish the awesome. Learn from the not-so-awesome.

3. Money is just money. Make it. Spend it. Save it. Give it. But certainly try not to love it, or even like it.

4. We are just one breath away from heaven's gate. It's been a long time since I was reminded of this truth in such a personal way. Make all of your breaths between this one and that one mean something special to those around you.

5. Nothing worth doing comes without work. That doesn't mean it always has to be hard work, but chances are, if something is actually worth the attempt it will require effort, time, and maybe even a little personal sacrifice.

6. Better not bigger. You don't necessarily need to make something bigger to feel fulfilled. Start by making it better.

7. Hard things are better with friends. Whether you're camping out on a sidewalk at midnight outside of a Guatemalan hospital or talking the loss of a loved one through with your mentor, hard things are softened by the company of people who love you.

So long 2014. You were pretty good to us, but we are really excited about 2015.

Why I'm Thankful for My Mistakes

Mistakes hurt. Sin hurts. This stuff creates pain in our lives. Many times, after God has helped someone come through a difficulty, they want to forget it and act like it never happened. Of course not everyone is like this, but it happens. Most of us are guilty of doing just that from time to time. I'm not happy about the awful things in life that I have done; the bad judgment calls, the willful disobedience of the Father, the selfishness, or the legalistic idolatry, and many, many, others that would be impossible to remember and/or quantify. I'm not happy about my mistakes. However, I'm exceedingly grateful for where I find myself in life in spite of my many failures. There is a part of me that recognizes this journey that I am on, and is entirely thankful for my mistakes.

Jamie and Ethan are the world to me. Nothing else I do in this life is as important, or should be, ministry included; and I would have never been in the place to meet this awesome woman of God if not for a series of monumental errors in my life. In fact, the biggest mistake of my life set me on the path that lead, not only to this incredible relationship and family that I adore so very much, but also to this ministry that means the world to me.

I don't glorify my sin. I also don't pin it to myself for all to see, so that I might somehow wear it as a badge of honor. But I don't run from it either. I realize the errors I have made, and at times still make. I seek forgiveness. I repent. I share the truth of my many failures in moments when I feel that they might make a difference in someone's life. Above all of that, I offer up continuous thanks to the wonderful Father who continues to shepherd me through it all. Him I do glorify, as best as I know how.