The BIG Decisions

Age 7 - (setting is my bedroom) "Mom, I would like to accept Jesus into my heart, can you help me?" "yes son... repeat after me..." - BIGd: to accept Jesus

Age 7 - (setting is my parent's bedroom) "Son, where did you get that money to buy that candy?" "I found it in the rocks... promise" (I did find it in the rocks, after I took it from my parents bedroom and threw it into the rocks) - BIGd: first remembered sin

Age - 10 - (setting is on the basketball court during recess) - "if you know what's good for you you'll stay down" (spit hits my chest and face) - BIGd: choosing not to fight back

Age 11 - (setting is after school in Middle School) ... huffing, puffing, "I'll see you at home, Nathan" - BIGd: to run home rather than get beat up

Age 13 - (setting is summer camp) "I believe Jesus is telling someone in this room to commit to Him for the rest of your life!" ... "Yes, Lord, whatever you want for my life, I'll do." - BIGd: gave my future to Christ

Age 13 - (setting is summer camp) "hey, lets go behind those trees and "talk""... "wow, was that your first kiss?" "yes"... giggle... "what's so funny?" "you slobbered all over my face" - BIGd: my first kiss

Age 14 - (setting is Dairy Queen) "here is my application sir." "when can you start?" "today!" - BIGd: my first job

Age 15 - (setting is Temple Baptist Gymnasium) - "thank you so much for bringing me to church." "absolutely, thanks for coming" - BIGd: my first sleep over to bring a few of my friends to church

Age 17 - (setting is West Mesa High School) - "I'm done with this place and with being a no-body, I'm going to Temple Baptist Academy (TBA). At least there I will be able to play basketball." - BIGd: my decision to switch high schools

Age 17 - (setting is in a parked car on a rainy day) - "Son, I am so disappointed in you." - BIGd: first time I heard those words from my father (I had got caught trying to steal sunglasses from a department store)

Age 17 - (setting is a room full of teachers/faculty of TBA) - "Danny, people are going to follow you whether you lead them up or down... which will you choose?" I just looked at him, full of pride - BIGd: first time I really realized I had a gift of leadership

Age 18 - (setting is New Mexico State University) - "Dad, this is my school!" - BIGd: choosing the college I'd attend

Age 18 - (setting is my first visit home from college) - "he is the one that ruined his life... now I have to help him!" - BIGd: allowed bitterness to rule (my brother had recently been shot while robbing a Subway Sandwich shop and was paralyzed from the waste down)

Age 18 - (setting is a youth group activity - over night activity) - "you should be a youth pastor, you are really good with us." "thank you, I never thought about that before." - BIGd: to go into youth ministry

Age 22 - (setting is by my brother's bedside in a medical facility) - "so, you forgive me?" "ya, I forgive you" - BIGd: to free my brother from his guilt

Age 23 - (setting is alone in an office) - "but dad, this is what I want to do forever" "okay son, but I think there will be time for this, just finish school" - BIGd: to leave school early to pursue youth ministry

Age 25 - (setting is the alter) - "I do" - BIGd: marrying Melissa (short time knowing her and even shorter engagement)

Age 27 - (setting is on the phone) - "yes, I accept your offer" - BIGd: to move to Indiana to take on a full-time youth pastoral position

Age 28 - (setting is a coffee shop) - "hello, so you're doing a Bible study huh?" "yes I am, please, sit down" - BIGd: fell to temptation that led to destruction

Age 30 - (setting is a hospital room) - "it's a girl!" - BIGd: to be a good father

Age 31 - (setting is my office at the Bridge Church) - "Rick, I've got something to share with you..." - BIGd: to confess a specific sin

Age 31 - (setting is outside a classroom at White River Christian Church) - "i've really messed up and I was wondering if you would meet with me." "yes I will... how about 5p today" "absolutely" - BIGd: to choose healing

Age 31 - (setting is the counselors office) - "I wanted to do this here so that there were witnesses and a safe environment... Daniel, I'm filing for a divorce." - BIGd: to let Melissa go

You might have read some of these decisions I've made and thought, "that wasn't that big of a deal" or "wow, that was a big one", and I would say, yup, you're right. But there is one common truth bleeding through this blog... all of these were my decisions to make. Every decision I've made my whole life has brought me to this place... good or bad, wise or foolish, sober or intoxicated, with help or alone... they were all mine. I must give account some day for all my choices and so will you! So, before you make that next one, just think... "I will have to take full credit/responsibility for this choice, do I really want to make this one?"

Age 33 - (setting is in an airplane on my way to NM with my daughter and a ring, while on one knee) - "Julie, will you marry us?" - BIGd: to marry the perfect person for me... my best friend! (I choose you, Julie)