Small Hinges Swing Big Doors!

I heard that quote for the first time the other day and it has had a big impact on me. I really like it because it's true. No matter how big the door, a couple of small hinges can easily swing it open. No matter how big a door, no matter how much it weighs or how expensive that it might be – the door cannot and will not serve its purpose without the benefit of the hinges. The door’s function is predicated on these small, innocuous and oftentimes inexpensive pieces of metal which gives a door the stability to achieve its purpose. If you don’t believe me remove the hinges from all your doors and then you will experience just how important small contributions are.

In other words... small changes can have huge effects!

Those small changes lead to big changes and eventually the successes we so desire regardless of whether or not it is in our spiritual lives, personal relationships, or professional lives. It can also be true in the negative! If we allow small negative details to influence our lives, we soon have major problems to overcome.

However, our goal here is to swing those big doors of opportunity in our favor and bring the successes we dream about daily.

Having a big goal can be very motivating, but when you actually start to take action it can seem like you'll never hit it. That discouraging feeling can destroy your dreams of success. That’s when we have to remember those “small hinges”.

Disney started his business from a garage and created one little mouse, next he owned a studio, then Disneyland and now Disney World and even Euro Disney!

Jim Carrey took a job as a janitor at a tire factory at age 15 when his father lost his job. He also worked as a security guard. To relieve his stress, he visited local comedy clubs, which instilled his love of comedy – and prepared him for a blockbuster career.

Rachael Ray started out working at the candy counter at Macy’s in New York City. She later managed the fresh-foods department, which helped pave the way to her sizzling cooking career.

Robin Williams was a street mime before he got into acting.

If you’re in sales, maybe increasing your networking for just an hour per day will give you the leads necessary for production. Read more or listen to motivational cd's daily. John T. Reed boldly claims that after 6 months of studying something for 30 minutes per day people in your region will seek out your expertise, and after 1 year people nationally will seek it out. Whatever your occupation or dream, there are “hinges” upon which your future successes swing!

The point is…we need to be doing the small things in order to achieve the big things!

Blessed,

Dr. Tim

Open Up, I'm Coming Through!

What's New?

Today, many are beginning a journey through this next year with resolutions to change some things in their life. These New Year resolutions are usually made on the spot, out of guilt, and a misguided attempt to start the year off fresh. It is a valuable thing to take the time to reflect on the past year and ponder the coming year with what we want to create in it.

This year, I have decided to not make any New Year resolutions but to make some New Year commitments! Resolutions say "I'll try" and commitments say "I will"! Someone wrote, "Resolve means to "decide" to do something, but commit means to "devote oneself unreservedly to doing". There is no guilt or regrets from the past year, but there are some things that I want to be different.

My commitments this year are to study scripture more, pray more, become more involved in ministry, and of course....lose weight! Yours may be different, but you will never accomplish them without a commitment!

Here's to you and your blessed New Year. Give God the glory He deserves, serve Him, and regardless of what others say....Jesus is Lord!

Blessed,
Dr. Tim

One thing that will I will not change is my love for the "Crimson Tide"! ROLL TIDE ROLL!

IN SPITE OF THE STORMS!

As the year comes to an end, I am reflecting on some things that I have read on a popular social media site this year that is a little disheartening. Some cannot help but to put their personal lives on the internet for all the world to see. Trouble is, they put the "Woe is me!" way too often.

Realizing that we all have bad days, I would like to share some things that might just help us through those times. Especially those who claim to be Christians.

In Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus rescued the disciples from the greatest storm they had ever faced in their lives. Reflecting on the storms that Christians face today and how God rescues His people in their own storms, I am reminded that:

• Jesus knew the disciples were going out into the greatest storm of their lives yet He sent them out into it anyway.
  
• Jesus left them to struggle in the storm for 8 or 9 hours and chose to leave them fighting the wind and waves.
  
• Jesus was praying on the mountainside alone with His Father, yet He knew exactly where His disciples were and for how long He was going to stretch their faith.

As Christians today, Jesus Christ sees your problems and the issues you are facing, even though it may feel as though He has abandoned you. Like He saw the disciples in the storm on the sea (Mark 6:47-48), this Proverb describes God as He watches over us.

“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

In the storms of life that we face, Jesus keeps His eyes fixed upon us just like He never took His eyes off the disciples in their storm while they were out for hours and hours under pressure.

We may feel that Jesus has left us in the middle of our storms and has abandoned us. But He wants to test our faith. He wants to strengthen us, to see His character and love impressed into our lives before He takes us out of the storm.

“Jesus does not save His children from the storm, He saves them in the storm.” (Spurgeon)

Remember these words of Christ when things seem unbearable in our daily storms:

“Take heart; it is I. ​Do not be afraid.” (Matt. 14:27)

Since it is raining on my parade, I think I'll dance in the rain!

Blessed,

Dr. Tim

Welcome Home!

I know it has been so long since I have posted. But, an urging inside me has once again caused me to put pen to paper (or should I say fingers to keyboard?).

Christmas is only a few days away and so much is happening! Our troops are coming home from years of deployments! Thank you guys (women included) for a job well done and your willingness to sacrifice so much.

As we await Christmas here at the Driggers household, the grand kids are all gathering for what will surely be a "festive" event. For three of them, a special gift will be opened a couple of days before they wake up to gifts left under the tree! Daddy is coming home! He will be sneaked into the house and placed inside a huge box that is wrapped and has a big bow! As the children unwrap the box and remove the bow, my son-in-law will jump out of the box and surprise his three adorable gifts of joy! It is sure to be an emotional event.

For the rest of us, the thrill of anticipation and the joy of participation in this event has been a sense of fulfillment. Knowing that our part will lead to a memory that can never be taken away. Isn't that what we are supposed to do on this holiday?

God gave us a gift that was wrapped in "swaddling" clothes and placed in a "manger" for the world to see. A gift from Heaven to be enjoyed by the whole of humanity. Today, we can take part in sharing this gift in order to see hearts filled with joy and memories that will last a lifetime. Someone somewhere needs the excitement of encouraging words, the filling of a hot meal, the comfort of a family gathering that only YOU can give.

This Christmas, give someone a wonderful memory!

Merry Christmas,
Dr. Tim

WHY?

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

Yesterday, a young Christian lost his life in a motorcycle accident in a small, yet tight knitted, community. Cody was an admired and loved young man and has directly touched many of our lives. Church members, family, and friends are in shock and saddened by the sudden departure of Cody from this life. Some are grieving the death of this loved one.

It is natural to question why God allows disasters and tragedies. After all, He is the Creator of all things and can stop things from happening at any time. Proverbs 30: 4 states He “…has gathered the wind in His fists…has wrapped the waters in His garment.” So why is suffering allowed?

I do not pretend to assume the mind of God in these things. I claim what Scripture tells me and know to be true. Tragic events cause us to acknowledge this is our temporary home and turn our hearts toward eternity. Loved ones can be gone in the blink of an eye and those with whom we spoke yesterday can be in eternity tomorrow. We are forced to think of what has eternal value and reevaluate what is important.

Suffering brings compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). When we have experienced tragedy we are better able to comfort others when they go through the same trials. We can minister and share the Good News with those looking for answers and rescue through difficulties. Often this results in people coming to know Christ through salvation.

Losing a loved one just may be the hardest thing about the lives we live. When you lose someone, you feel as though there is an empty spot in your life. Sometimes it gets filled and sometimes you learn to just remember them whenever you feel the hole.

We humans form an emotional bond with one other, it may be on purpose or solely by chance, but the bond is inevitable and this results in taking certain people in our lives for granted. We assure ourselves that whatever is said and done, each of them is going to be there forever. The empty space left behind can be filled with wonderful memories!

Knowing our loved one was a believer and had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, helps us to know that we will see them again. So, as we remember them, remember those great memories and they will forever be alive in our hearts.

We will miss you, Cody! But... we will see you again!

UPDATE: MY TRUCK IS CLEAN!

I saw a sign yesterday that said, "Early bird special. Car wash $10 from 8:00am - 10:00am." Guess what! I took my truck to the early bird special!!! Now my truck is clean! Beautiful, shiny, Crimson! (ROLL TIDE!)

Those who were there to clean the vehicles were friendly and very cooperative. Just like our lives...there is always someone there to offer the help we need. I realized after seeing the sign, that I could get some help. There were several people working together on my truck to clean it. And it only took a few minutes!

If we would just allow others who have the skills and desire to help us, we could get ourselves cleaned up in just a short while. So, don't waste any more time! Find those who are willing to help, and let them.

By the way, not only did they do a great job, I made some new friends as well!

"Early bird special - I'm willing to help"!

MY TRUCK IS DIRTY!

It is a beautiful day today! I am looking around and admiring the new blooms that some of the plants have already started to develop. Then I see it! My truck. So dirty! No clinging mud or anything like that, just road film and dust from all the dirt roads I have been driving down lately.

My truck is a beautiful "Crimson" color (can you say "ROLL TIDE!"?) when it is clean. But, today it is starting to take on a tan appearance. So dusty in fact, that when you touch it, you leave your mark!

"Wash it!" you say. Well, I want to. It just seems as though every time I tell myself that I need to, something distracts me and takes my attention elsewhere. It has been two or three weeks now since the last wash. The longer I go, the dirtier it gets. The dirtier it gets, the more noticeable it is! The more noticeable it is, the more I am reminded to wash it. I just can't seem to find the time to get it washed!

I think our lives are the same way. We travel down this road called life and get a little dirty. Sometimes it is a full blown mud hole we go through and sometimes just a dusty old dirt road that puts a little "dusting" on us. Either way, we get dirty!

Because of distractions, we put off the washing of our lives. We get dirtier and dirtier. Finally, that dirty life becomes noticeable to us as well as those who have noticed it much earlier!

Isn't it sad that I can find the time to do everything else except wash my truck? An average T.V. show lasts an hour. Surely I could clean my truck in an hour! We could begin with at least an hour a day devoted to "cleaning up" those things in our lives that make us dirty. Bible reading in order to understand the principles of God's Word. Prayer to personally connect with the One who can keep us clean.

I'm sure that those who see my truck would enjoy it more if it were clean! It is so with my life as well. Those with whom I come in contact would enjoy me more if I were "clean". A pleasant personality, non-complaining, happy, caring, and even fun guy!

I am going to enjoy my life! And, in doing so, I will get a little dirty. But, I need to wash my life frequently in order to be presented as "clean"!

Honey, where is the bucket?