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Last night I had the privilege of attending a birthday party for Vicky Ramirez. Vicky is a wonderful woman with a great husband, 5 terrific girls, a couple of grandkids (I can count 5, but might be missing some), and a life that she has invested in working with at-risk boys. The celebration of her life took place at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Denver (swank…great ambiance, and phenomenal meal-yummy scallops).

This morning as I was thinking about the party, I was blown away by the 80 people that showed up to honor her. As I rehearsed the stories that flowed of how her kindness and service has impacted lives, it made me think about what others will say about me when I am 60. Will there be 80 people who want to hang out with me? 80 whose lives I have touched? And, if so, why? What meaningful things would i have invested in their lives…

That is when I had an epiphany. Your legacy does not magically appear. It is intentionally and methodically crafted. And, not by the big things that you do in life. No…the people closest to me will not care about the crowds I preached to, the number of books I wrote and sold, or the number of radio stations that I am on. They will care about the ways that I encouraged and loved them. The ways that I served them with kindness, compassion, and perseverance.

So, today, I am thinking, not about the grand vision that I want to pursue, but the people that I love. And, I have made a decision. I am going to try to find ways to let them know that I care. I am going to kiss my wife, hug my girls, and wrestle with my boys. I am going to call some people just to say “hey”. Next week I am going to write some notes and emails just to encourage.

Let’s face it…when I am 60, I want to know that there are people all around that I have been faithful and loving to. No better time to begin crafting my legacy then right now.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Sean

My family and I just returned from a weekender out in Eastern Colorado. Yuma County has some great folks who spoil my family. We stayed on a farm, the kids rode horses and 4-wheelers in the rain, and they just ran around in general.

It was so nice to relax on the farm and enjoy being around these great people.

May the God of hope fill you with expectation today. “Aslan is on the move”.

Sean

I was reading in John this morning and was really challenged by Jesus’ words to his disciples. He reminded them to “Open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest.”

This entire chapter reminded me that there are people all around that are ready to trust Jesus with their life, all they need is someone to represent Christ to them.

These thoughts led me to pray and ask God to send people there way that will show the kindness of Jesus to them. People that will speak hope and offer acceptance. Maybe I was praying for you. Perhaps you are going to represent Jesus today to someone who has realized that something is missing in their life. Keep your eyes open and be willing to represent Christ when the opportunities present themselves.

Sean

This past weekend represented the last of my summer schedule. The camps and festivals are over for me, my kids start back to school and my life gets a little more normal. Oh, I will still be speaking, but more at retreats, schools, colleges, and churches for the next several months.

Summer was amazing. God touched hearts…mine included. I was both humbled and grateful that God spoke so clearly to so many. I got to be there to enjoy the moments, but God gets all of the glory.

I did walk away from the summer with two key scriptures that I think sum up what God is doing in my heart. Let me share them with you.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18

“And He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” II Corinthians 5:16

Hope you are doing well. Stay close to Jesus,

Sean