A Tribute to my Wife of 34 Years

It was a sunny afternoon in October of 1978 in the cafeteria at International Bible College, San Antonio, TX. She stood at the sign in board for the weekend meals. I approached with a cockiness that can only be honed by being a preachers kid. The obvious question was, "will you go out with me? The unexpected answer was, "leave me alone, you just a freshman." It was those words that sealed her fate. That day I began the tactics that only could be found in, "The Art of War." 

Daily, I was waiting outside the girls dorm to walk her to class. Daily I waited outside of her classroom to walk her to lunch. Daily she ignored me. Daily I waited as she returned from work. Daily she ignored me. Get the point? I didn't, I was on a mission. Stephanie Byars worked a few nights in the school library, I studied more than 4 years of high school and definitely more than the year of failure at the University of N.C. at Asheville, N.C. 

All I can say is that persistent pays off. My quick wit...did not win her. My jokes...did not win her. My looks did not win her...well maybe a little? What won the love of my life was persistence and the fact that I told everyone on campus she was mine and off limits to anyone else. August 18, 1979 we were married and began our life together. 34 years later, two kids...Lindsey Joy and Justin Andrew and two grandsons...Jack Preston and Leo Garner Young, we are that happiest people ever. 

Through all the years Steph has been my helpmeet. Through times of blessing and times of failure, she has stood strong. In times that I failed and sinned she has stood and faced the demons of hell and said..."you cannot take my man." If there was ever a person that deserved better, it is her. If there was ever one that deserved less, it was me. But God, in his ever increasing love and favor has allowed me to be in union with the best woman ever to walk this earth.

Marriage is a covenant that has kept me from hell, and I honor my wife, Stephanie Byars Garner today. Sweets, you are the best, and I will be at your side till Christ's calls us home. Remember, you had me at..."leave me alone."

Your Man Max!

Wise use of Time enhances your Ability

I posted this in my... "theaddictschurch.blogspot.com/" blog also, but wanted to share it with you. Releasing your true God-given ability will take time. This time is to be used wisely and with great passion. 

I have a need, a need for Speed

This line from the movie; Top Gun 1986, will always be one of my favorite lines. When we want to go somewhere or do something, we always want it to happen quickly. Although this may be normal, it is not always possible. Some things just take time. It is this time that we must consider.

1. Time is the same for everyone: We all have the same amount of hours in the day. Some seem to accomplish more than others. Some seem to handle time delays better than others. We all have the same amount, yet do not handle the same way. Time is something that must be mastered, and that takes time.

2. How do we master Time? The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that time plays no favorites. To master time we must allow ourselves to see it as a blessing and a challenge. Blessing, in that we can plan and prepare. A challenge, in that we can create a "time table" in which to operate.

3. Time as a Blessing: We all have experienced situations when we say..."time is of an essence" which usually means, we need to hurry up. Yet, if we see time as a blessing we can use it to our advantage. The problem comes when we do not honor or appreciate time. We must treat time with respect. To write a book takes time. To mow the yard takes time. Everything takes time. Use time wisely and be blessed.

4. Time as a Challenge: When my job calls for something to be done, I challenge myself to get it done in record time. This "time table" is my outline for success. I plan for success, and you should also. Planning your time will always lead to success. 

Remember the tortoise and the hare? Speed does not always win the race. Sometimes the best speed is Consistency and Clarity of purpose.   

Dealing with Uncertainty

I wrote on #StartExp Group 3, an awesome group of people involved in an Audacious project started by Jon Acuff. The post expressed my concern about not being sure how to pursue my dream. That dream is simple in saying, yet difficult in doing. This is what I believe is the beginning of the answer to that question.

Uncertainty: the state of being uncertain; doubt; hesitancy: unpredictability; indeterminacy; indefiniteness.

It is amazing how you can be so sure about something when you just sit around and think about it. When you find someone that will listen to you; you even feel the blood in your veins begin to boil with excitement. I have experienced this feeling many times, and to be honest, it has pulled me through many dark nights of the soul. Sometimes the dream is all you have.

The thing that I am facing now is the rude truth of moving from a dreamer to a doer. This can and will be a place of difficulty. What can you do to offset the depression, and Uncertainty? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Deal with Reality first: The truth sometimes may not be what we want to hear. You may not have all the skill sets needed to do or reach your dream. This fact should not keep you from progress. This truth should allow and even drive you to build a community of friends that will help you. The key is ask, and also be willing to help others.

2. Kick Pride in the Face: Pride is that sneaky little thought that you don't need help. That you will run into your destiny someday. The truth of the matter is that destiny is not a surprise you unwrap, but a life you discover while moving forward.

3. Line upon Line: The true you will be discovered or uncovered as you face the daily grind of living. Keeping a journal of all your ideas will eventually build an outline that can then be turned into a life format. This format is really an expression of how you think and act. It may be that your destiny is hidden in the words and thoughts that have already passed through your mind and heart.

This reality of finding your Ability is more about the hidden treasures God has placed in you. The expression of that destiny is built through relationships. Go find a friend and explore the realities of your Ability.