Random Thoughts

Encouragement & Affirmation

2010-11-03T03:26:00.000-07:00

The moon shines no light of its own. It merely reflects the brilliance of the sun. In the same manner, you have been created in the image of God. You reflect his goodness and mercy, His power and grace. You are a man of worth and integrity, for these are attributes the Father has bestowed on you in Christ Jesus.

Those are some words of encouragement I wrote to a friend this week. I am writing them here because, honestly, I need to see those words, too. I require daily affirmation that I am a man of worth, that despite all my failures and rough edges my Father loves me more than I can imagine. I don't have to be perfect to be a good man. I simply need to exist in relationship with my Sustainer. To live as a courageous warrior in this life, battered, bruised...but victorious. Words of affirmation and encouragement keep me in the battle to fight the good fight.

I take great comfort in knowing that perfection is not my goal. Yes, I try and I try and I try to get it right, as much as I possibly can. Perfection died on a cross so that I would find relief from an endless struggle. The reality is that I may never measure up in earthly expectations. But I keep going forward so that I may "win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).

It brings me immense joy to give away words of encouragement, to give courage and hope to others. I enjoy giving it away more so than to receive it. To build someone up in the name of Jesus...fills my heart like nothing else.

Let me challenge you today...find someone to encourage, and then do it. :)

Confession: Bad Habits, Part I

2010-10-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of confessing lately. God is at work in me like never before and I've realized I've been holding on to a bunch of stuff that's either unhealthy or that is just holding me back from living a life that is fully alive in Christ.

I have some amazing friends and wise counsel walking with me through the healing process. So as I'm ready to speak up or feel led to put these things out there, I will do that here on my blog. I hope by doing so I will gain a few more friends along the way to walk along with me...and so that I may walk with you, in your struggles.

Alright. Let's get this rolling, shall we? Confession #1: I am a stress eater. What? You thought it was something scandalous? That stuff will come...later.

To some people eating is no big deal. Well let me tell you something...its a big problem for me. In time I will talk about many of my struggles, but for now just know that I don't deal with stress, guilt, failure or depression well. At all. Sometimes I don't realize something is going on until I plow through an entire pizza or half gallon of ice cream, followed by a bag of peanut butter cups. Or two bags.

Over the last 2 years I have taken major steps to lose 90 pounds of body fat that I packed on through years of all the mess I was dealing with...or not dealing with, depending on how you look at it. The last few days I have binged on anything I can get my hands on and put in my mouth. Am I ashamed? No. I'm done with shame. Am I concerned? Yes. Am I a little angry at myself? You betcha. This weekend was definitely a wakeup call that I need to deal with the current stress I'm experiencing, instead of reverting to the old way of bottling things up and putting that bottle on a shelf. I need to run to Jesus...for his help, guidance and reassurance. I'd appreciate your support through prayer as well.

Are you going through some trials of your own? Speak up...reach out! Now is the time to have friends come alongside you. Let me know how I can serve you, friend. Can I walk with you?

* Extra note: this verse spurred my thinking on this subject today...

Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (The Message)

Jericho

2009-12-28T11:12:00.000-08:00

I'm currently putting together some thoughts for a new blog entry. In the meantime, I thought I'd re-post a blog entry I did for Westside Family Church-Speedway on March 24, 2009. I hope you enjoy it.

Today I was reminded of the story of Joshua, and the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27). It’s an incredible reminder of the might and power of the one true Living God! If you know the story, you’ll remember how an angel appeared before Joshua. The angel instructed Joshua and his army to march around the city of Jericho one time every day for six days. On the seventh day they were told to march around the city wall seven times, with priests blowing trumpets. When all this was done, the angel said, God would bring down the wall for the Israelites to enter the city and claim it for the Lord.

The story also tells how the Israelites carried the ark of the Lord with them each day…In other words, God was right there with them each day! Joshua and his army faithfully followed the angel’s instructions and God honored their faith. On the seventh day God brought down the wall of Jericho, and the city was claimed for the glory of God!

My friend, are you facing a Jericho in your own life? Do you have a wall of burden that you just can’t seem to move beyond? Let me encourage you to hold fast! The mighty and powerful God of ages past is still the the mighty and powerful God of today, and will always be the same mighty and powerful God of the days ahead. Let that be the certainty in these uncertain times! Take a moment today to lift your heart before the Lord. He will honor your faith, even if it seems as small as a mustard seed. He will be at your side, seeing you through the storm!

Do you need help facing the battle? We’re here for you! Let your Westside family come alongside you, to be warriors of prayer for you. We have a Next Steps area at the Speedway campus, where we will talk with you, pray with you and extend the grace and love of God to you! If you need to speak to someone right away, please call us at (913) 422-8257.

Are you connected to a life group? These small groups are a great way to get connected at Westside. Life groups come in all shapes and sizes, with the purpose to learn, grow and do life together. Find a life group near you

May the God of hope bless you today!

Where to Find Me

2009-12-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

Consider these lyrics from the Watermark song, "Where to Find Me":

= = =
And where could I wander that You wouldn’t be?
Whom have I but You who really knows me?
Proven to be the God that sees
From strength to strength You’ve lifted me…

And I could cry from the depths of the earth
I could stand on a mountaintop
And I can speak Your name out to the wind
And You go before me…
And You fall around me…

‘Cause You always know
You always know where to find me…
= = =

Isn't it comforting to know that no matter what is going on around you, no matter how turbulent the storm, there is a God who knows your every need - even before you do! He knows where to find you, where to meet you at your point of need, and he knows how to lift you up in his merciful arms to let you know that, through it all, he is still there and he is still the God of love and grace who knows everything about you - and loves you anyway. :)

I hope this Christmas season has been an immense blessing to you. It seems each year gets increasingly intense with all the "stuff" of Christmas, and the purpose of Christmas is nearly left in the wake of all the spending, eating, stressing, etc. that this holy day has become.

Take heart and know that the Father of Salvation is able and would love nothing more than to calm the storm. Lean on him for calm, perspective, grace...

Peace and blessings to you, friends.

- John

2009 - This Much I Understand

2009-12-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. Yes, it's Christmas time, but that's not what I'm referring to. It's my birthday. Nothing against Christmas - in fact this is one of my favorite seasons of each year. But, it's my birthday, and because it is so, I have been a bit introspective lately. About this week, about this year, about my life. I go through this spell annually. I don't know if anyone else does, but I suppose I do because my birthday occurs at the end of each year, providing an opportune time to reflect on the events that have been unfolding and to set goals for the future.

By the way, I've taken a lengthy sabbatical from blogging. I've still been active on Twitter and Facebook, because I enjoy the interaction. I just haven't been able to sit down and actually put my thoughts into a constructive form such as a blog. I intend to resume blogging at least weekly.

Here are a few things that have been on my mind lately.

I began 2009 with the challenge of being unemployed, a castaway of a company that could no longer afford my expertise. There have been many highs and lows in this aspect of my life this year. To be honest, mostly lows. Every door knocked upon, every phone call, every email followed up, has resulted in zilch even as of today. There have been moments of near joy, the almost certain moment of receiving word that I had secured employment with some worthy company. Almost.

While this situation has been difficult for my family, it has not been the end of our world. We've learned a lot from all of it. I have learned a great deal about myself and the God I serve through all of it. I've learned to lean on him for his provision, grace and love. He has changed me in ways that I can't begin to put into words. This, among others, has been the true blessing despite the challenge.

I've been afforded the opportunity to realize just how important my family is. At 32 years of age I have finally come to understand what a precious gift life is, and the value of the people in it. Part of this realization includes the mourning of the loss of my grandparents - years after they've passed. My maternal grandparents were the rock of my childhood, the constant in the midst of change. My grandfather (whom I called grandaddy) passed away in 2001, my grandma in 2007. I miss them terribly. Going home to see my family isn't the same anymore. Everyone passed through my grandparents home daily. It was a small town; if you couldn't find one of us at Wal-Mart, you could probably find us at grandma's.

My greatest wish is to know if they are in heaven. Realizing that I am still mourning over them has helped me to understand the importance of loving my family and friends, and to do my best to represent Jesus to them. I am not perfect, and I have many qualities that could use improvement, but I am doing the best I can at the moment. Time brings change, and change takes time.

2009 also brought saw another change in me - a physical change! September 1, 2009 marked the one-year anniversary of a personal revolution. I have taken charge of my health. In fact, as of 9/1/09 I had lost 73 pounds of fat! Today the number of fat pounds gone forever is 84. Slow and steady wins the race!

In addition to losing what seems like a ton of fat, I have discovered a passion for nutrition and fitness! I have been diligently reading, learning and putting into practice as much as I possibly can about the two subjects. My aim is to help others realize their goals through healthier living. Look for good things to come in 2010. I know I will.

This is but a small portion of what has been going on for me this year. This much, at least, I understand. There is more, and there is even more than that...most of which I will probably never fathom. I hope that I have honored God and attributed glory to him, for which he is certainly worthy and I, well, am not. I am looking forward to the continual discovery of the path before me and following it wherever it may lead.

Peace and blessings to you in 2010!

Psalm 27

2008-09-11T20:37:00.001-07:00

I ran across this verse from the Bible this evening and thought it appropriate for this day, the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attack against our country.

Psalm 27:1-3

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.

Sometimes The Best-Laid Plans...

2008-08-17T23:40:00.001-07:00

How does the rest of that saying go? Read on! So, the first ever Riggs family vacation has gotten off to a bumpy start. The beginning of the drive out to magnificent Colorado went fine, with a couple of stops in western Kansas. We even drove past a wind farm, marveling at the large turbines as we drove by. Natalie was fascinted with them.

Our troubles began as we were leaving Burlington, CO. We had stopped at the welcome center there and we were actually getting back into the van to leave when a man approached us about a low tire. Low indeed! It was nearly flat. We drove very slowly back toward I-70, hoping to find a gas station with an air pump so we could get ourselves somewhere to get the tired repaired or replaced. But alas, there were no air pumps to be found! I ended up switching out the now flat tire with the spare.

On our way to Limon, CO as planned. A little frazzled and weary, but safe and sound and ready to sleep. The stay was nice, and the hotel staff was very friendly. The room was suite...I mean sweet! Morning comes, and we are ready to implement our revised plan: limp on over to Colorado Springs and take the van to a Wal-Mart to have the tire repaired/replaced. (Limon is pretty small, and no one is open on Sundays for tire repair.)

Small problem...another flat tire! Holy smokes batman! We are obviously not going anywhere today, which was further confirmed by the hour of numerous phone calls to local and national companies to help us out to no avail. Did I mention we had already checked out of our hotel room? sigh We decided to re-check in to another room. We then trotted on over to McDonald's next door as a treat for Natalie, who was being very good all things considered. Swimming at the hotel pool, naps, and more swimming rounded out the day. Not too shabby, except we are now a day behind on our plans to enjoy the beauty of Colorado and do some tent camping. That, and we didn't come here to camp out at the Holiday Inn.

Anyhoo, please pray that repairs are quick (and not too expensive) and we can get on our way, exploring God's wonderful creation!

My Kind of Gal

2008-08-01T19:08:00.001-07:00

With it being Natalie's birthday today, Michelle asked Little Miss where she wanted to eat this evening for her birthday. Natalie's initial response was to have grilled pork chops at home. Upon learning that we did not have any pork chops at home to grill, she then declared that chinese was her food of choice for dinner.

The ride home also brought some birthday insight when she informed us that she would like very much to do some birthday shopping at Home Depot. That's my girl!

Still Here

2008-07-31T15:03:00.001-07:00

For anyone who actually reads this, I'm still here! Michelle and I are in the process of planning a working vacation for mid-August. Before then, however, we are preparing for Natalie's birthday party this weekend.

On another note, I have been slowly coming to the realization that a lot of the stress I've been going through for the longest time has been caused by....me. It's me. I'm the one who backs myself into a corner, and I'm the one who puts me in a box and says that I can only do or be one thing in life. I'm a creative person and God created me that way. Instead of ignoring that because I don't think it will pay the bills, I should embrace it. I shouldn’t try to run from God’s creation, because I am God’s creation. He has gifted me with talents and I dishonor Him when I deny myself the privilege to fulfill my potential in Him.

So, I intend to purposefully seek ways to use the talents and creativity God has gifted me. I have been thinking about pursuing writing again, mostly songs and freestyle poems, thoughts and journaling.

I’ll keep you posted.