OK, I’ve been feeling an internal nudge to start writing a blog about my relationship with God. Honestly I’ve had the thought for a while, but was a bit nervous about doing it. I know in the “Public Speaking World” we’re advised not to talk about Religion, Politics and Sex. I remember Zig Ziglar saying years ago that he read his Bible and watched the news so that he always knew what both sides were doing. LOL. That cracked me up. He also said that if we never talk about them we will reach a point that when we die that we will lose our opportunity to talk about them. When is a good time?
For me the time is now. An occurrence last week along with two new movies that are out now pushed me a bit over the edge and finally start writing this blog. I’m curious what people think, so if you have an opinion, please post it after this article. I have recently seen God’s Not Dead, three times and Heaven is Real three times. They both moved me in different ways.
I’m still figuring out my own thoughts, beliefs and relationship with God. I don’t have all of the answers. In fact, I’m still searching for many of them. I’m hoping my search and openness about it, helps your journey. Why now?
Last week, I had a flat tire on my motorcycle. (pic, motorcycle) I bought a air pump that I could plug into my car cigarette lighter and filled it up to see if it would hold air. The next morning it was completely flat again. I knew I had to get it to the shop and have them fix it. I decided to pump it up and have Regine, my office manager, follow me to the shop with the air pump in case we needed it. I made it safely, no problem.
Shadow, my repair shop contact called me up and said there was a piece missing on my motorcycle and it would be about $39 for the new part. Repair and do-it-yourself is not my strength, so I said, “No problem I told him, please fix it.”
When I picked up my motorcycle Shadow took me outside to show me what was missing. With passion and enthusiasm he said to me, “Dude, you are lucky to be alive. That missing piece held the rear wheel on. If it moved at all the bike would have thrown you…You are not supposed to be here.” He kept shaking is head and proceeded to tell me those pieces don’t just fall off and were essential. He told me several times how lucky I was.
I thank God for that flat tire or probably would not have gone to the shop and would have never noticed the missing piece. It was not obvious to me. I never would have seen it.
I also wonder how much the small cross my mother made from palms was asking God to protect me. I keep it in a small compartment on my motorcycle. The flat tire helped save me. I wonder how many other times, that I’m not aware of I was protected as well. Hmmmmm.
A flat tire can be a blessing. Maybe some of the things that happen to you are really blessings. What seemingly negative things that happened to you turned out to be blessings?
Thank God for truth, love & laughter,
Darren
P.S. Please post your “blessing” story OR your thoughts on my writing this, good or bad!
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Aloha e Darren: If you asked anyone who knew me as a child they would tell you what a “good” obedient kid I was. What they didn’t know was I was raised in the Baptist Fire & Brimstone church and believed that if I did anything wrong a lightning bolt would come out of the sky and get me. Wrong motiviation but if you do anything long enough it become part of you. I heard a story a few years ago that made me smile – a mom saw a storm brewing and decided to drive the few blocks to school to pick up her daughter. While waiting at the school she saw the other children leaving and finally saw her daughter but every few steps her daughter would turn around the other way and stop then continue – this happened several times and when she finally got to the car her mom said – what were you doing? The little girl said “I was posing because God was taking my picture” – now I love that she thought God loved her so much He was taking her picture when the lightning would flash – glad I too have that type of relationship with God – much aloha/love – Donna “Dahmia” Komidar
Darren,
I love your new blog! People will read it or not as the Spirit moves them. You were moved to write it. Someone who needs to read it will do so because YOU wrote it! Thanks for your courage!
Dianne
YES!!! (does Happy Dance)…
BEEN There, Done That, Very Grateful…!
Go for it.
After all, strictly speaking, there are no taboo subjects,
just unskilled / ignorant / discourteous presenters!
And if anyone DOES get mad at you, remember:
“God is a brave man’s hope or a coward’s excuse.” – Plutarch
Stay in Category 1, please…and know I’ll be praying and rooting for you!
– M.
Thanks for the new Blog Darren and the inspiration. You know my story, after writing my memoir I wanted to start a blog about it, but to scared to do it, now I will. Thanks for sharing your message and courage to be who you are.
Last week I received a call from a young lady who heard my story last year. Because I had the courage to speak my truth she shared hers and is now getting help. She inspired me beyond words and I felt so compelled to write about it, following is what I wrote on my Facebook page after I talked with her.
People have told me I talk too much about it … Some have said I shouldn’t talk about it … Some have said I am obligated to talk about it … I am a Sur-Thrivor of Child Sexual Abuse and every time I share my story someone – Men and Women come to me and whisper — that happened to me but I am afraid to talk about it, I feel so ashamed and guilty. It is not your fault. I encourage YOU to seek help to talk about it, you can reclaim your life.
To all of you who have shared your story with me because I shared mine with you … Thank you and God Bless you for being strong and sharing your story with me I feel so honored you trusted me enough to do so, please keep talking about it …. You will save a life from suffering in silence and shame, Most Importantly YOURS! Talk and take back your life. Love Rena. His Puppet No More! a memoir by Rena Groom Romano
God Bless you Darren, Some will say you talk to much about God, Some will say you shouldn’t talk about God, Some will say you are obligated to talk about God. Thank you for sharing your story with me and inspiring me. I encourage you to keep talking about God, You will save a life from suffering in silence and shame, Most importantly YOURS Darren. You are loved more because of your courage and determination to be AUTHENTIC and speak your truth.
Rena
Are you kidding me?? Do you know how many times God has used your blog to move me? He uses us even when we don’t try to be used. Yes! I am happy you’ve decided to openly discuss your relationship with God. I don’t know how well it will or won’t be received, but I do know it will inspire others to do the same and share about their relationship with God.
Recently, I attended my daughters dance recital. The audience was quite modest and really didn’t interact with the dancers (i.e. calling out to their favorites, clapping when dances incorporated lifts, etc). I know how much the kids (and most performers) thrive with audience feedback, so for the last dance (which is a country themed big production number) when the audience didn’t clap along, I looked to my son sitting next to me and said, “Watch this.” then I started clapping to the music, then my son joined in, then those around us. Within seconds, the entire audience was clapping along. The stage “lit up” with excitement as the dancers and audience began to interact. I leaned over to my son and said, “THAT, is how you become a leader. It’s that simple.” Great parental moment, right? Thinking myself a good teacher, I was quite proud of myself, only to be humbled over the next several days as over and over I witnessed similar examples with God seemingly saying, “That leadership thing applies to you too!” Sometimes being a leader simply means what the name implies . . . being the one who is willing to go first. 🙂
Thank you Darren, for being a great teacher and a great leader for all of us.
Darren,
My step-dad was a fallen catholic priest and he used to tell me that The Lord hates a coward. I don’t believe that but I do believe that we must be courageous and do what is in our hearts regardless of what others may say or think.
God Bless You my friend
Great post, Darren. Thanks for sharing. I don’t believe in coincidences – just messages that we don’t always pick up on or understand the reason for.
My ‘blessing in disguise’ happened several years ago when I spent 3 weeks in the hospital on an IV. When I was being released and having the IV removed the nurse told me that when I had been admitted, they didn’t think I was going to survive. Since then, every single day of my life, regardless of what it brings me, I am grateful for another day. Even on my worst day since then, when my mother died, I could find things that day for which I was grateful. God obviously has a plan for me down here. I’m thinking it is to spread the ‘be grateful’ message. I hope in my own small way that I am accomplishing His mission.
We are always told to speak about what we know the best or love the most. Darren, thank you for illustrating both. Being Notable (notorious, in your instance LOL) or readily recognizable by many, requires balance for sure. Response and responsibility are close and closely scrutinized by the public.But if we are not speaking in public, are we still saying anything?
Darren, please remind your readers (especially those who are nervous about stepping out into whatever they are hoping to step out into(?)) one of my favourite quotes by Rev. Michael Beckwith:
“God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”
Thanks again for all you do.
Darren! Pretend I’m giving you a hug right now. I’m so proud of you! I think it takes guts to listen to our Creator’s nudges and go ahead with them- especially those with risk attached. And you’re right it’s true- there comes a time when there IS no time so there’s no time like now.
I have more blessing stories than I can count. Many are not fit for public consumption. lol
Last year I wrote a blog and I wove my faith, speaking, parenting, my past and my living into it. It was a liberating experience to publicly discuss all of these things- scary and liberating. I have more than a few blessing stories in there.
http://www.ayearinthelifeofatoastmaster.com
I hope this happens for you- in fact, I’m sure it will.
(Just an fyi, it wasn’t organized religion Christ had a problem with- it was the folks RUNNING the organized religion.)
I am looking forward to this blog as much as your speaking blog. Perhaps more. 🙂 Love you my friend.
http://ayearinthelifeofatoastmaster.com/2012/08/25/and-who-do-i-think-i-am/
Here is a blessing I received from you Darren.
Do you know how many times I’ve told the story of when you were here in Cleveland and your computer wouldn’t work for the huge district event we planned? In the midst of the stress you felt, God showed up. Now, THAT would be a great topic for your God Blog. 🙂 I tell it from my side, but I’d love to read your side of the story. 🙂
Darren. Congratulations on the new blog! You always recommend great stories and give sage advice. I was only able to find the trailer for — “Heaven is for Real.” The movie looks fabulous though and I look forward to when it arrives in Canada.or on Apple TV.
My blessing story happened a couple of months ago. I was driving along in the middle lane of a busy freeway in Vancouver. I was going the speed limit — around 80 km/hr or in USA terms around 50 mph. Suddenly, I could not see a thing out of my front window. I turned on my wipers but it only made the situation worse. I didn’t understand! I had no idea what was happening ahead of me or if there was anybody or anything ahead on my right or my left. All I could see were big hunks of something falling on either side. And I could see cars rapidly coming up behind me and knew if I stopped suddenly there would be a major crash. What to do? Pray of course but with my eyes open not that it mattered I couldn’t see out. I was able to slow down and pulled off to the right hand side. Thankfully I didn’t hit anybody and nobody hit me. It turned out the transport truck ahead of me had a backhoe on his trailer. The backhoe was too tall to go under the over pass. When the backhoe hit the overpass the hydraulic fluid flew all over my windshield. The hunks flying on either side where hunks of cement from the overpass. The driver on my left pulled over to see if he could help. He said, “Boy Lady you must have a guardian angel. A big piece of cement was heading straight for your windshield. I though you were going to be decapitated.” It was a freak accident and I am definitely feeling blessed. Thank you God!
It must be a Catholic/Old Country i.e. Poland and Czech tradition. To put palms from Palm Sunday in your vehicles for safe travel. My mother always made us put one on the car visor. I haven’t done this myself for 5 or 6 years… but I will start back up again.
I encourage you to continue to incorporate your spirituality and religious beliefs and experiences. Because you don’t push people into your views, you just ask them to look at your perspective. People only get offended when they feel insecure about themselves, and feel that it uncovers holes in their beliefs. Keep the faith Big D.
Darren,
I have read and re-read your blog entry several times. Each time it warms my heart. Thank you so much for being bold and sharing from your heart and soul. I’ve followed your blog for awhile now, gotten daily emails, heard you speak and learned so much from you, and could see your authenticity through it all. However, in sharing your faith, you’ve become not only more authentic (if that’s possible) but you’ve blessed us and helped us realize that it’s okay, preferable even, to share our whole self with the world, not just parts and pieces, in order to really make an impact. You are living your passion and your purpose.
Rock on & God bless,
Jean
WOW! Dear Darren,
No doubt, you have been affirmed in your decision to share your relationship with God by many people who love and respect you. God placed the desire to share in your heart and He will bless you for starting your God Blog which will stream around the world. God bless you!
Gloria
Darren,
Sorry it has taken me this long to comment. I thought the blog post you wrote about living on $10 for the week because you were taking the Dave Ramsey course was the best one you ever wrote. It encouraged me a lot! Keep writing the God Blog!
As to people criticizing you for writing on this topic, here is one of my favorite verses: Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
Okay, this blog convinced me. I am moving forward with the desire and calling God has placed on my life and in my heart. Tonight I was searching for a mentor to assist me with winning the World Champion Public Speaking title for 2017; I searched several sites of names well known in Toastmaster’s, all of whom are amazing speakers and we both know, fantastic people. But, your courage in stepping out and starting a God Blog, convinced me that the stirring in my spirit to check your website was leading from God.
I will check in to the training resources you have available and looking forward to meeting you in person.
Blessings;
Audrey Tyler-Creasey
Toastmaster’s International
District 62
I believe there is definitely guidance and protection upon us for there are purposes to be fullfilled by each one of us. Isnt it wonderful to know that in the midst of circumstances that are difficult to understand, the understanding is there to be searched out? I was forcefully removed from a 20 year position that was supposed to go 30. But it actually seems like there have been so many blessings that have come out of this as well as questions and difficult emotional setbacks. I believe in ALL these things we have a CHOICE to see what there is to see. And i try to always look for what I can learn and where i am to go next.
Excellent! God will show you how to share your faith in Him in ways that people will be able to receive it. He is a creative God and deals with everyone uniquely. He gave you the gift of speaking and the sphere of influence, He will guide you! I was so happy when I heard you reference your Pastor in one of your talks. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you and reveal amazing things to you!