Do you ever wonder what it would be like to stand on a stage in a large arena with over 13,500 fans awaiting your next word? Maybe you would find that exciting or possibly extremely frightening. The challenge becomes when you begin to think about it and then realize what would I have to say that all these people would be coming to hear?

What would you say if you were given the opportunity to speak to 13,500 people for two hours? What would your message be? Right now, take out a piece of paper and begin to craft your message. Let it flow, develop, take form then share it with someone. You never know where it will take you, who will hear it, what will happen because you dared to share what's on your heart. You might find yourself in the middle of something you never dreamed of - something so awesome you can hardly believe it's happening! Then again you can say to yourself "what would I ever have to say that anyone would ever want to hear?"

We are given a sunrise each day to start to live into the life that we were created to live - start living now! Be who you were created to be! Who knows where you'll go.....

It is with great intentionality

Intentionality: the fact of being deliberate or purposive. Philosophy the quality of mental states, that consists in their being directed toward some object or state of affairs.

Gifts of time are given to us in life sometimes by our own choosing and other times by our circumstances of the moment. What we do with that gift of time can either be productive or destructive. It is with intentionality that we set the course that will determine the outcome of time either lost or gained.

This is one of those times for me personally and for the people of the United States. On a personal level I am entering a time of intentional discernment over the next step after closing one door before opening another with regard to vocation.

For the people of the United States it is a time of either choosing to enter a time of intentional discernment to reflect and consider what truly would be the best for our country. Or to turn this time towards destructive and divisive conversations that will set us on a course that has no positive outcomes. The choice is always ours, the challenge is which path to take. I would suggest neither. Let each of us, blessed with this gift of time, intentionally consider the long-range outcomes of the decisions we deliberately and intentionally make when the results affect not only ourselves, but others as well.

Our modest community holds an annual art festival which is always a delight. It's like attending a family reunion. Many of the artists have been sharing their gifts with us for over a decade. We know each others names, faces and sometimes families. The smiles of recognition and laughter of stories shared fills the air like bubbles on floating in the breeze.

As I was wandering through the various tents I came across an older gentleman. Dressed in blue jeans with button braces and a cotton dress shirt he sat quietly in front of his table of books. He smiled from ear to ear and I just couldn't resist stopping to see what he had to offer. Normally I only shop for something unique, one of a kind, possibly a painting, a sketch, or even a nice piece of pottery. This year I found an even greater treasure in this tale of a diagonal crossing of The Dark Continent of Africa from Malaga to Mombasa. An adventure of being lost in the hottest desert on earth, arduous river crossings, strange and unusual people and the beauty of the rolling step country of East Africa. All experienced through the travel of one man, from Iowa, traveling by motorcycle on a very, very long way from the beaten path.

His trip was taken decades ago, but as he began to talk it was clear that if given the opportunity he would leave tomorrow and do it again! I think this year's purchase was the greatest find yet! Check it out yourself: www.theheartofafrica.com