Blessed

Today I am reflecting on just how blessed I am. God has given me so many opportunities. This morning, at my home church, I will be preaching about change (sermon notes to come). And God really has a funny way of doing things because I actually just got offered a job as a children's minister at a church in Paris. I would have to leave my church and the people I love to go somewhere else...to a new church to call home. But I've had to learn how to "practice what I preach" because my sermon is all about how change isn't bad and change helps us grow in Christ. I'm scared and I'm apprehensive...but God tells to be bold, and do not fear. I can't wait to preach today. I remember as a child saying, "I want to do that!" Now, I am. It's so hard to believe. I also cannot wait to begin this new job and see what He has in store for me. I know He has great things ahead.

After my sermon this morning I will post my sermon notes! Stay tuned! :)

Shooting Star

I always love those moments when you witness a beauty that God has presented to us here on earth. Like those amazing sunsets over the water, or a clear star filled sky at night, or a shooting star. This past week has been pretty crazy for me. Last Tuesday morning I got a call from my mom that my Grandpa had gone home. It hit me real hard, I mean my Grandpa was doing so well just two days prior, and just so quickly, he was gone. Today I had the honor to be a pallbearer at the funeral, and it was a great testament to my Grandpa's life.

My Grandpa was one of a kind. He raised 12 kids in a small house on the east side of Detroit. He taught all of them good values and morals. When he passed, his 12 kids were all still living, and he had 28 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Talk about a great life, and a great legacy he left behind. What I want to talk about is the LIFE Joseph Kramek lead. I believe the biggest impact you have in life is to lead people to Christ. My grandfather raised all his children in the church, and showed what it means to be a follower of Jesus. He was the greatest man I've ever met.

In today's society, being rich in successful is most often-times related to your financial success you've had in your life. My Grandpa though, was one of the richest men who ever walked this earth. Not rich in dollar signs, but rich in the spirit. Raising 12 kids, working 60 hours a week just to make sure everyone is fed. He stayed married to my grandma for almost 70 years, and was just as much in love with her the day he died as he was the day he got married. For me, when my time comes to leave this Earth, I hope I would have had a similar impact on lives that my Grandpa did. Not saying that I am going to have 12 kids, or 30 grandchildren or whatever, I'm hoping that I can be a true follower of Jesus, and leave this world knowing that I let His love shine through me.

Today, on this beautiful March day in Detroit, my Grandpa was buried. As all of us who were at the funeral watched as the casket was shut, and taken away, we all had that same feeling you get when you see a shooting star. What do you do when you are lucky enough to get a glimpse a shooting star? Witnessing a shooting star is a moment where you just feel so grateful and blessed to get to see something so beautiful. Then you usually look around at the people who are with you, and instantly you know they saw it too, and you get to share this wonderful moment with them.

Today when we saw his casket close, we all looked around, and were so grateful to be blessed with knowing, and loving a shooting star which was my Grandpa. I love you Grandpa! Thank you for showing me what it truly means to be a man.