Shrapnel
Shrapnel is a word picture for significant changes in one’s beliefs, attitudes, or actions as a result of the Pin being Pulled. In this section, you’ll find bite-size descriptions and testimonies highlighting a single core shift in approaches to daily living.
OPPOSITE HIGHWAYS
Once I was making an overnight road trip to Disney World and made a 3 am pitstop. In my groggy state, I got back in my car and started driving in the wrong direction for 90+ minutes - going North instead of South. It made no difference that I was driving perfectly,...
PASS-FAIL TEST
I used to think it was extremely important to know what was right, choose what's right, and to fight for what's right. It could be considered the main thrust of a good life. The better I did, the better my reward in the cosmic game of life. I was willing to like you a...
FAITH vs GRACE
Sounds a little harsh to use the phrase "get stuff," but that's pretty much where I was if I'm being honest. If I needed healing, if I needed provision, if I needed favor, I would whip out the faith scriptures and go to confessing. I don't blame the sincere preaching...
POSITIVE THINKING
I no longer believe in the power of positive thinking. I believe in Jesus, and He makes my thinking positive. There is much to say about a positive person versus a negative person. As a positive person, I certainly feel that I'm more fun to be around than a Negative...
“TOXIC POSITIVITY”
I used to hold back encouragement for fear of persecution for being "overly positive." Before the Pin was Pulled, in the hierarchy of my priorities, looking normal in front of my friends was more important than letting them know the Good News. Too often I would roll...
THE MASTER PLAN
I used to be preoccupied with the way things were supposed to work. How do I make my first million? How do I get God to help me make my first million? Then the Pin was Pulled and I met The Master in a real, near tangible way. The more I am in His presence, the more I...
WHAT A JOKE!
I used to think discipline and hard work were the key to getting me there - where ever "there" was. Then the Pin was Pulled, and Grace took me "there." AND it gets even better, Grace added "discipline & hard work" too. Doesn't seem possible, does it? But it is...
ACCEPTED JESUS’ INVITE
I remember when I used to party hard, I would drunkenly tell people that the happiest time in my life was when I went to church youth group. I would say, “one day I will get back with God.” At my lowest point, I still felt God’s presence. I didn’t feel guilt,...
REALIZE GRACE SUPPLIES
I have served as a pastor most of my adult life. I faced the challenges of mortgage payments, parking lot attendants, and unpaid staff. Working with mostly volunteers there was always the temptation to use guilt and manipulation to get things done. At the same time, I...
MEASURING MY SUCCESS
I was a pastor who measured my success as many do—by the size of my congregation. After all, I wanted to show that God approved of my ministry. I was striving with all my strength to maintain God’s approval and secure His love for me. However, I came to realize that...
THRONE OF GRACE
I was a pastor who grew up in church. I love the local church and have committed my life to serving congregations that gather faithfully to worship and serve God. My problem was in dealing with my personal limitations. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I...
SEVERITY OF SIN
I have heard it said and thought it myself, "I'm just trying to be the best I can." The lie is that there is a cosmic scorekeeper that judges you based on your intent and compares you to really awful people. Once the Pin was Pulled, I began to understand just how far...
SOLD MY GLASS HOUSE
I used to think I was pretty slick. I gave more, read the bible more, and spent more nights in the church each week than many around me. Don't get me wrong, those are all good things to do, but I thought it gave me an edge with God. I was wrong, it did not. I used to...
REST & ACCELERATE
Since my Pin has been Pulled I know that when I rest, He accelerates me forward. I used to stress myself out racing to meet both real and imaginary deadlines. When I rely fully on the Father, the Holy Spirit intervenes for me. The benefits of Jesus' finished work on...
EFFORTLESS FRUIT
Consciously or subconsciously I used to think that my "fruit," which I was confusing with "works," could earn me a spot on the team. Now I realize that my faith in His grace gives me fellowship with Christ. In this pursuit by faith, I am on the Vine and producing...
PRAY vs COMPLAIN
Since my Pin has been Pulled, I am quicker to ask Jesus to intervene instead of complaining. Sure, it might be satisfying for a moment to let "it" ruin my mood, or I could ask God. Every single time I stopped to ask Jesus to help me instead of mulling it over, He...
UNDERSTAND IT’S FINISHED
I used to think that when I said the sinner's prayer my slate was wiped clean, but from that point on I needed to live a holy and sinless life. Failure to do so would hinder my access to God, and put in jeopardy my heaven-bound status. I first accepted Jesus and asked...
HUMILITY TRUMPS INTELLECT
While I still admire intellect and accomplishment, I no longer hold them as the standard to which I measure success. I am much more impressed with a humble person relying on the Grace of God, than a "self-made" man. It now seems that whenever I start to get proud of...
LIKE A TANK
I used to try to be a good Christian by living what I perceived to be a "righteous" life. My heart was right, but it was a futile pursuit dependent on my own strength. I felt like the better my performance the better my relationship with God. After the Pin was Pulled,...
EASY MODE: ON
Since the pin has been pulled, it feels like I'm playing the game of life with Easy Mode: ON. Now that I understand God was never keeping score but showing me how to play with Him, I have much more fun than many folks. I am invited to put on the burden of Jesus, not...
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