In the Interim

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

I have relied heavily on this passage over the past few weeks as there have been things that have caused me to doubt and to think about what's going on in this time of my life. Work is stressful, we are far away from family for the first time ever during the holidays, our pastor passed away, I've had a death in the family, and it seems the list goes on and on.

I know that I am truly blessed. I have more than I could ever need or should want. However, life still isn't easy! We all have struggles and times in our lives when we question ourselves, others and even God. We don't know what we're doing or where we're going. 

So, what do we do in the interim? Well, we listen to the passage above. God knows where you are and where you will be and what you are and will be doing! Acknowledge that fact, and a lot of that doubt should immediately dissipate and eventually be gone completely. 

I am trusting God with my job, family life and Church. That's all I can do. I can't fix it all in the interim. It's a journey that we are on. Our lives are merely a vapor of time. We can be here one minute and gone the next. So, fix your eyes on Jesus. Hand your interim worries over to the living God and live, laugh and love for Him.  It's not always easy; however, it's not meant to be. 

Faith is amazingly easy to have, but extremely difficult to maintain when life's circumstances get in the way. All of a sudden our worldly problems become more important or bigger than anyone else's. We dwell and end up "stuck on a stump," (you'll understand if you've ever taken your truck or ATV off-roading). You can stay there...or, you can "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

Until next time, have a great Friday and God bless!

- Ray

My Biggest Blessings

As I drove home from a hectic Black Friday at work, i didn't think that I could be more tired. All I wanted was to come home, grab something to drink and eat, catch up with my wife for a few minutes and go to bed. 

However, that plan quickly changed with one phone call. It was my wife telling me not to pull into the garage yet when I got home. You see, my 2 year old daughter wanted to go see the Christmas lights that some in the neighborhood had put up. Admittedly, a part of me thought "Oh man, I just want to go inside and unwind!" As I pulled in the driveway I saw, through the front door, my little girl running toward he garage. She had the biggest smile on her face as my wife carried her toward me. I opened the door and she sat in my lap and said "Daddy, wet's go see wights!"

Instantly, my heart melted. I grasped her as hard as I could without compromising her ribs or our safety as I drove! She oohed and aaahed all the way around the neighborhood. 

As we stopped to see the many inflated decorations that so gloriously (in her eyes) littered a neighborhood yard, I couldn't help but say a prayer and thank God for my little girl and the memories that we were making. All of the stress, worry, fatigue and anger that comes with working in retail around Thanksgiving dissipated immediately. It was like it all never happened! Why? Because there is more to life. I'll never have that moment back. I'll always have work to do, but I won't always have a 2 year old girl to ride in daddy's "twuck."

That's just one story. There are many more memories like that, but this one was special. It reminded me that my time with my family is special and shouldn't be taken for granted. It reminded me that children are a gift from God. I mean, Psalm 127:3 tells us "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."

I still am challenged at time with not taking those moments for granted, as is any parent in the world. But, it's the big moments that make us step back and appreciate the little ones (pardon the pun)even more! 

Remember, parents, no matter your child's age the memories are not just yours! The memories belong to your children as well! Make the most of each moment. As Chuck Swindoll, Senior Pastor at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, said "Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children!" 

Until next time, goodnight and God Bless!

- Ray

I (We) Know the Where and the Why...

The title is simple, yet complicated. My family and I left our home in Fletcher, NC in March of this year to come to the Greater Nashville, TN area. We prayed a lot about the decision and felt called here. So, the decision was simple. The title is simple in that way...We were called to Nashville by God (Where) to further glorify His Kingdom (Why). The latter wasn't so clear until recently, which is hard and almost shameful to admit.

The complicated part comes in the "What" and "How!" That's the part that I haven't quite figured out! Maybe Kimberly has? Well, she hasn't shared it with me. Today was a tough day at Church as we reflected on the life of our Pastor, David Landrith, and what's next for our Church. One thing is for sure, God will let us know what's next when He is ready, not when we are ready!


Back to my point, as I plan on reflecting on the impact that David Landrith had on my life in such a relatively short time in a post to come. As the guest speaker today made an altar call, I felt something pull me that way and knew that the question of "What do I (we) do and how do I (we) do it?!?" wasn't something that I can handle on my own. I was a little hesitant and worried at first. But, as I made the journey (of about 15 ft) to one of my Pastors, I suddenly felt a calmness come over me. I felt like Jesus was right there with me. I wasn't calling Him into my boat during this storm,  He was calling me to Him to get out of my boat and walk out onto the stormy sea I see in front of me and walk toward Him (see Matthew 14:22-31).

Did I get my answers of What and How? No, I didn't. It could be that I did, though, and I just haven't unwrapped it yet. Or, He is waiting for the time to be right. It's all based on His timing. For now, I know that I have to do all that I can to glorify Him and the Kingdom of God. Colossians 3:23(NIV) tells us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

There are a few things that I have learned on this journey from Where and Why to the What and How...
- I am a better father, husband, son and friend
- I am a better Christian
- I feel more purposeful in life
- I love life more than I ever have

The question of "What's your WHY?" comes up a lot. Well, at least I got that part figured out! And, it certainly is the most important, right? Until next time, God bless!

- Ray

Making the Move as a Leader

About a month and a half ago I was contacted by another company about a job. Learning from my past mistakes and "what ifs," I decided to take the opportunity to at least interview. It became pretty evident through the entire process that I was the guy that they wanted.

I was told a job offer was coming. I was under the impression that the job was here in Asheville and I was 100% planning on turning down the opportunity. You see, for a retail manager, Asheville is not the land of opportunity! It's too small of a market and, on top of that, it's a remote market. There just isn't a lot of exposure for someone looking to advance their career outside of a store in the retail industry. 

Well, the day came and I got an offer. However, the offer was contingent on me and my family moving to Nashville, TN. Sounds like a great fit for us! We love everything that we know about Nashville! 

A move like that is a big life changing deal. We couldn't take it lightly. We talked to our families, friends and confidants about the decision. We put everything on the table and started to pray about it. We asked our friends and families to pray about it. Every day and every night I prayed that we would make the right decision. 

One night I got a call that a close colleague of mine had been diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. It was gut wrenching. I didn't know what to think or do. After talking to her and seeing her positive disposition and outlook on life, I decided that this was my chance to take a leap of faith. My chance to take a risk, a make or break risk nonetheless. 

So, I accepted the offer and, with a heavy heart, turned in my notice. My team means a lot to me. They are family. Many weeks, I see them more than I do my own family! There have been tears and hugs all week. All in all I have realized how easy it is to impact someone's life. In just a little over 18 months we have accomplished a lot! I have had many difficult discussions and made some people mad. I thought most people would be indifferent to my leaving. That wasn't the response I got! The main thing I heard, especially from the tenured folks, was that they would miss me because they finally had a leader who showed a genuine interest in their lives and made the workplace and the team for more like a family than a business. It brought me to tears. 

When I asked what I did to make it like that the answer was overwhelmingly simple! Most commonly it was that I always asked "How are you?" "How was your weekend?" etc. Or, I always said "Thank You," "Yes, sir/ma'am," "Hey!" and so on! Or, it was the fact that I knew them for who they were outside of the workplace and always talked to them about their interests, kids, families, other jobs, etc. I'm no super boss or leader, I have just come to learn that people are more than employee IDs or taskmasters. They are people and they want to be treated as such. 

If you truly want to engage a team and lead them, then you need them on your side. You need them to relate to you and respect you. If they don't know you and you don't know them, then there will be minimal respect and minimal engagement! 

I took the time to write each and every member of my team, whether I would see them again or not, a thank you note for everything that they have done for me. They have made a much bigger impact on my life than I could ever imagine. They have taught me how to be a better leader and a better person. Thank you, team, for a wonderful, memorable and successful year and a half! 

By the way, the numbers you see next to names are for the number of cards I needed, not a ranking list! 

Goodnight and God bless!

Priorities...

1. FAITH

2. FAMILY (including friends and community)

3. ME

4. THE REST

That's my list of priorities going forward. A year ago, that list would have been all kinds of jumbled. It probably changed daily. Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (ESV)." When I heard this for the first time in a book, I re-read it about a million times. The next week, it was the topic of our sermon at church. Then, the next book I read was based on this verse! It's crazy, because I have had some tough decisions to make over the past few weeks and I have made them based on putting my priorities in that order. 

Without a lot of prayer, discussion and thought I probably would have made some terrible decisions. Without God, I have nothing. Without Jesus in my heart, I am empty. I have been the happiest I have ever been over the past 6-7 months since I have made some spiritual changes. I have always believed in God and that Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins. However, I didn't necessarily live that way! 

Some will say that "THE REST" is too vague and that things in there (work, especially) should be higher on the list. I mean how else can I take care of me and my family without money and how can I have that money without a good paying job? Well, the answer to me has become pretty simple...In order to have the life I want and provide for my family the way I want, then I have to fulfill God's purpose for my life. Everyday when I get to work I say a little prayer thanking the God for another day on earth and for this job that allows me to provide for my family and touch other people's lives! I don't thank NC State for the degree required for my job, or the recruiter that handled my paperwork. I thank the Ones that is responsible for me having the job that I have, God and Jesus.

It's pretty simple for me. If I live for and follow Jesus, then the rest will be taken care of. Of course, it requires hard work on my part. Faith is faith, not a crutch to rely on. However, the powers of prayer, God and Jesus are much stronger than the powers of Ray Guy. 

Since, I made the decision to put my Faith first, I have been more fulfilled. I have a better family life. I have had more opportunities in this half year or so than I have ever had in my entire life! It's incredible what Jesus can do when you let Him in and allow Him to live in your heart. I am a more motivated individual in all areas of my life (spiritual, emotional, professional, socially and personally)! I read more, I write more (obviously) and I am just more well rounded. 

Thanks for reading! Good afternoon and God bless! 

Here's a glimpse into my next post...Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

New Year's Reso..Theme?

This year I decided that I would do something a little different. As opposed to having a New Year's Resolution that I wouldn't take seriously and I would just forget about, I decided on a New Year's theme. Now, I know what you are saying, "Wow, Ray, that's got to be pretty vague!" Quite the contrary! And, it sounds even more weird that this post is about 22 days late!

Anyway, here is how it works. I selected a theme and then listed goals that had payoffs that would lead me to get to accomplish that theme and make it a realization. To me the "resolution" is to see it through to the end. It's a process, so why not select a theme and work on several parts of my life to make me more whole?

All two of you who will read this are asking at this point, "Well, what's your theme, buddy-o-pal?!?"

Simply put, it is to be a more Godly man! How do I get there I asked myself? The answer is, myself. I must work on myself in several different lights in order to live out this theme in 2014. I can't do it alone. I would love to think so. However, I need to keep my eyes focused on the present and future. I need to leave the past where it is...In the past! I need to understand that my sins have already been atoned for by Jesus. My slate was wiped clean about two-thousand years ago on a cross. That doesn't give me a "license to sin." Though, it sure does make temptation a little less tempting knowing that I have the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

So, for accountability purposes and maybe a little inspiration for you I have my New Year's theme and Goals listed below! Enjoy!

Theme: To be a more Godly MAN

Goals
1. To be a better husband, father, son, brother and friend
     A. How?
         1. Be the spiritual leader in my house, allow my wife to flourish in her walk with Christ, impress upon my children the love of Jesus Christ.
         2. Be there more for my family and friends. Make myself available more. Listen more, talk less (or, when needed).
         3. Tell each and everyone of them just how much I love them every chance that I get.
     B. Payoff - Better more fulfilling relationships. Happier life!
2. Focus on my personal well being
     A. How?
         1. Focus on writing (off to a slow start...oops!) and reading
         2. Walk or run for at least 30 minutes a day and increase activity level month by month.
         3. Pray Often...Pray Hard...Pray Through
     B. Payoff - A better Ray...My wife asked, "Is that even possible?!?" HAHA!
3. Focus on the task at hand
     A. How?
         1. Focus on goal 1!
         2. Be more focused at work and see things through
         3. Pray for opportunities that I want and stop reaching for every straw that I see on the market!
     B. Payoff - I will be happier at work, happier at home and happier in between. The people around me (family, friends, direct reports and peers) will be happier and get more out of what I have to offer.
4. Be more active in the community
     A. How?
         1. Stop deleting those e-mails from church asking me to get involved in Upward, prison ministry or parking attendant!
         2. Devote at least 1 hour a week to the local Boys & Girls Club (What an amazing organization!)
     B. Payoff - Better community, bigger sphere of influence, stronger family, stronger families and what an early influence for my children!

Of course this is not all encompassing. There will additions and subtractions to what I have notated on the first page of my prayer journal. But, it will lead to a much better 2014. Not that 2013 was bad, but I know I have much more to offer than what I have been delivering in recent years. Anyway, I have taken enough of your time. Until next time, enjoy and God bless!!