too cute to pass up.

I ran across this photo and couldn't resist sharing it with you all. I don't care who you are, you just cannot deny this little guy is oober cute. If only it were socially acceptable for 23 year old men to dress like this!

I Am Second Day [15] and [16]

Good evening folks! I know my posts have been few and far between lately but work and life have been keeping me super busy...and stressed. I hope to get back on track soon, as I have some awesome stuff to share with you all.

For now, check out the two latest challenge videos from the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge. Simply click here for Day [15] and the here for Day [16]!

Day [14] of I Am Second

Those who are seconds trust Jesus to change their weaknesses into strengths. Has Jesus changed something in your life? Work? School? Tell a friend how Jesus has helped you change. To watch the video and take today's challenge, click here!

I Am Second Day [13] - slacking.

"Sorry" is not even close to the feeling I feel for keeping you all hanging with the latest challenge. Hopefully you all took the initiative to start doing it on your own, but if not here it is for Day [13]...simply click here!
why must we be second?

life.
Nothing about life is easy.

Fear. Anxiety. Depression. Worries. We all have problems of one type or another. How we deal with them is what makes us different. Many of us are crippled in some way by things like drug or alcohol addiction, pornography, eating disorders, pride, even suicide. You may not be struggling with these exact things, but chances are something in your life has taken over. We need to be set free, but just cannot seem to do it alone.

desire.
Everything is never enough.

The truth is, we live life to satisfy ourselves. "I am Number One" is how we live. The problem is that once we achieve or accomplish the things we thought would bring us happiness, we find ourselves as empty as before. It never seems to never be enough. Why? Because the emptiness we feel is spiritual, not just physical or emotional.

satisfaction.
It's not about you.

The spiritual hollowness we feel can be filled only by Jesus Christ. Jesus is first because He really is the one and only Son of God that can save us from ourselves. He died for us because God loves us so much and He sent Jesus to take the power away from our sin nature – the nature we were born with that leads us to make bad choices and ultimately leads to our death. Jesus said, "God so loved the world, that He have His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

understand.
Jesus Christ died for you.

We are all born into sin and the payment for sin is death and separation from God. Jesus died to pay the penalty in full for our sin nature. Yesterday, today and forever. He was buried in a tomb and raised from the dead with power over sin. He offers all of us the gift of eternal life and an intimate relationship that starts the minute you invite Him into your life. All you have to do is believe He is really inside of you. Get to know Jesus daily and talk to Him about everything in your life.

submit.
Decide that you need him.

How can you become second? Allow believers just like you to answer that question. Watch their responses!

If you believe these things, tell God. You can pray something like this. "God, thank You for loving me. I know I have sinned against You. I believe that Your Son, Jesus, died to pay for my sins because of Your great love for me. I believe you raised Jesus from the dead. I now put my trust only in Jesus to love me and forgive me for my sins. Help me put Jesus first. Thank you for our new relationship and the gift of eternal life. Amen."

Day [12] of I Am Second

why must we be second?
life.
Nothing about life is easy.

Fear. Anxiety. Depression. Worries. We all have problems of one type or another. How we deal with them is what makes us different. Many of us are crippled in some way by things like drug or alcohol addiction, pornography, eating disorders, pride, even suicide. You may not be struggling with these exact things, but chances are something in your life has taken over. We need to be set free, but just cannot seem to do it alone.

Laura Klock reversed her own cycle of unhealthy activities by finding fun things to do with her daughters. Today's challenge? Plan a fun, positive, healthy activity with someone in your life. To see the video for the day, click here!

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." -Philippians 4:8-9 

red lights. and today's challenge.

Ever been in such a big hurry that it feels like everything and everyone is out to slow you down? I felt just like that yesterday when I was out visiting schools for my new job. I had an appointment at 9:00 am and thought I had allowed myself enough time for travel. However, I started noticing that every, single stoplight between my house and the school...was red.

Needless to say, I was a bit ticked off. I kept getting stopped and the time kept slipping away; I was positive that I would be late.

As I was stopped at the final intersection before my destination, I heard a whisper: "Slow down." I chuckled as I became aware of exactly what was occurring. God was showing off his sense of humor...unfortunately it took me too long to figure it out.

I sat humbled by how intentional God used those glowing red lights to draw me closer to Him. I get caught up in where I have to be and what I have to do, and I lose myself in my selfish cravings of success, that I tend to forget to sit and praise my Creator for allowing me to have all of these plans.

This awareness is not something that will come overnight, but I pray that the Father continue to bless me with red lights, stop signs and long trains, in hopes that I can sit in His presence. Click here for today's I Am Second video challenge, and be inspired by Shannon Culpepper's story and her struggle with craving something other than the Father.

I Am Second Day [10]

What's up guys and gals?! We've reached Day [10] of the I am Second Challenge. Thank you all for keeping up with it with me; I've loved the encouragement. Keep sending your comments, prayer requests and anything else you'd like for me to know. Also, I'm going to be taking your suggestions/recommendations for some awesome challenges I should do to add to my blog-o-adventures! In the meantime, check out today's challenge video by clicking here!

Have you ever struggled with anger? Ever felt that extending compassion to someone was near impossible? I know I have, which helps me relate to Victor's story. Bitterness and revenge captured Victor after his sister disappeared. Peace came when he gave it to Jesus.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." -Ephesians 4:31-32

What pain do you need to ask Jesus to take from you today?

I Am Second Day [9]

Sorry for the delay folks! My email has been acting up lately and I didn't receive the challenge until late.

Anywho.....to check out the latest challenge video, click here! In today's video, you hear how Claude was God’s answer to Richard’s prayer of “send someone to help me.” Who is someone you can encourage today?

"So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them." -1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Day [8] - I Am Second Challenge

Good evening guys and gals! Sorry this post is coming so late in the day, but between errands and the JMU v. WVU game, I've been pretty busy. And though Madison didn't walk away with a victory at FedEx Field, I think today's challenge video is a definite winner!

Movie star Bailee Madison (quite possibly one of the cutest kids ever) shares how her faith influences the roles she accepts and how important it is to her that she stand firm in her faith. This young one is truly inspiring and is an encouragement that a strong foundation in God has no age requirement.

In the video, you'll hear how another actress got a role that Bailee really wanted. But God helped her forgive and become friends with the other actress. So ask yourself, "Who do I need to reconcile with today?" Call, text or email them as first steps to reconnect.

I Am Second Day [7]

For Wayne Hiuzenga, money wasn't enough. His life needed to be about something bigger. To hear his story and to take today's challenge, click here!

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” -Acts 20:35

 
How will you make today different from yesterday? Use your money or time for something bigger. Give, donate, volunteer. Do something better with your money today!

I Am Second Day [6]

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," -James 1:19

I really enjoyed hearing today's challenge message from Karen Green. Watching the emotions spread across her face as she tells stories from her past made my heart ache. The pain she endured, and the sites her son was exposed to, makes me value and cherish the life I've been blessed with.

Karen chose to make a drastic change in her life when she turned herself in after a warrant was issued for her arrest. It's not often you hear of someone doing this, but the way she urgently sought after God and His will for her is inspiring.

"That's when I surrendered...because I didn't know what else to do. ... I didn't know how to change but I knew I had to change. And God, through His Word began to change me. ... And I said, 'God, if you are who they say you are, then change me. CHANGE ME.'"

To check out today's I Am Second challenge, click here!

Karen faced abuse, poverty, and a broken family. What do the people in your life face? Make today a day of listening. Ask questions, listen, be quiet. Listen to their stories. Pray for them.

I Am Second Day [5]

Everyone, in some form or another, struggles with addiction. For some it's alcohol. For others it may be drugs, food or images on the Internet. In today's challenge video, MLB player Josh Hamilton reveals his struggle with alcohol and how God delivered him.

To check out today's challenge, click here!

James 4:7 tells us, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." What is your addiction? Drugs, food, TV, porn? Take the first step towards healing. Tell a friend about your addiction. 

Shar

I Am Second Day [4]

"And laying there, just in a complete state of brokenness, I told God, 'Okay, I get it. I can't do it. It's not me. And so, God, if you can use me, if you want me to stay, if you want me to work on this, if you really want me to do this, then I'll stay. And I'll give it all to you.' And from that point forward, things began to change."

Today's I Am Second Challenge video highlights The Biggest Loser winner Michelle Aguilar. Her story and testimony is one that I think a lot of people can relate to. To take today's challenge, click here!

"The scale wouldn't define me. My weight wasn't going to define me. .... But God, all along, was defining me."

Who needs to hear this story? Share this video and challenge with them. Michelle battled with food. What is your relationship with food? Make today a day of health.

I Am Second Day [3]

 "What I needed was for God to just grab me and say, 'I've got this. I've got you. And I'm I'm in control and you don't have to be anymore.' "

Today's I Am Second challenge video is incredibly convicting. I really encourage you all to check it out and continue to spread the word about this movement, as well as the Word of God. To take today's challenge, click here!

"Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." -1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

 
Appreciate the unappreciated. Love the unloved. Compliment someone today who would otherwise go unnoticed.

Sha

I Am Second Day [2]

I'm incredibly pumped that you all are continuing to support this blog and I pray that you're able to join in on the I Am Second movement. For today's challenge video, click here!

Buy coffee for the janitor, call your mom, have a conversation with the homeless guy. Love someone extra today. John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

Share this video with someone that you feel God is placing on your heart.

Sh

[22] day challenge.

I Am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled.

I first learned about this movement a little over a year ago, and recently stumbled across one of the videos on Youtube. After being convicted by the story I heard, I knew I needed to dive deeper. I registered online, downloaded some materials and accepted what's called the [22] Day Challenge.

Here's what you do for the challenge:

• Watch the I am Second film of the day.
• Send a link to that film to someone that comes to mind.
• Take the Action Step for the day.
• Pray for people in your city to experience the freedom of living Second.

You will be encouraged, just as I have been, as you watch each day's I am Second focus film. You will grow stronger as you take each day's action step. You will have the fun of forwarding I am Second's films to others. You will see change as you pray for your city.

We are Second when we put Jesus First. Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others. Are you ready to become a stronger Second? I invite you all to prayerfully consider joining me in this challenge! I will do my best to post the link here to the daily challenge, but I encourage you to look at the website to learn more. Click here to visit iamsecond.com.

Day [1] Challenge : click here.