December 26, 2016 - Change of Game Plan

As I have had so much extra time these past few months to watch football, it has continued to blow my mind how many guys are getting hurt. Every game these warriors suit up knowing there is going to be some pain… and great chance of seasons ending. It causes coaches to have to determine if they are going to sit certain players out for the remaining games to preserve them for the playoffs… and so on.

I guess it is doubly fresh on my mind due to watching a game tonight and then realizing I was watching Monday Night Football, oblivious to the day of the week; then as I prepared to go to bed I realized I had “fumbled” the ball… on the final “play” of year 15 of Monday devotions… so we will pretend we are on mountain time.

To be honest, holding myself upright is a chore at the moment… the fatigue I am experiencing is like nothing I can describe. It is making study and prep very difficult; and to be honest I would prefer to read praise… so a change of plan this week

 

Please respond via the emails, Facebook options, etc, with a special memory from 15 yrs online… or a special memory from over 20 years of outreach in camps, clinics, missions, services, etc

December 19, 2016 - Thank Your Teammates

Today has seemed to have a consistent theme of being thankful for those around you…

As I was watching an interview this morning I listened to former-NFL great Eric Dickerson reminding Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) to show his appreciation to his offensive line. Dickerson reminisced about buying watches, boots, etc. for his guys… (When I hear these types of reminders I always think about Coach Wooden’s rule that you point back to the guy that gave you a pass to score; one player asked, “What if he is not looking?” To which Wooden replied, “He will be.”)

 
A little later I read a Facebook post from my dear friend Bruce Johnson reminiscing and showing thanks to men that have influenced (‘mentored”) his life in major ways. Relatives, pastors, coaches, teachers… that invested in him! It made me start thinking through my “list.”

Of course the daily reminders as I have this health battle of those that have been showering my family with prayer and love… making sure that every need we have is being met, and then some.

We need to be a grateful / thankful people… and we need to let others know it! As I was in my daily Proverbs time the theme continued…

The normal reminders of all our parents have imparted unto us along with an extra special reminder:

Proverbs 18:22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 19:14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

I’m reminded of these verses as I see my wife here at the hospital every day with me; massaging my aching body, comforting when I’m down, etc. In fact she has spent most of the nights sleeping here on a horrible hospital couch… yet still has taken time to take care of the kids and coordinate everything.

(And as I write this week I notice that Coach Jon just posted on Facebook about how cool this marriage thing is..)

So my encouragement to you this week is to find some people to thank! I have many but I must start with it going to my beautiful, kind, giving, sharing, incredible wife.

 

Thanks Lis, “come what may I’m gonna love you; come what may I’m gonna need you; come what may I’m gonna want you by my side… come what may I’ll always see heaven in your eyes!”

December 12, 2016 - Rise Up Strong (Stepping in where needed...)

 

I'm not entirely sure what the ideal introduction to a blog is, or I if there's a specific structure or organization I'm supposed to follow when writing a devotion...But one thing I do know is that in Galatians 6:2 we are instructed to carry one another's burdens, and tonight, my father, Mr. Burden, is in need of such a burden to be lifted. So I, Elisha Burden, will be doing tonight’s devotion. This week has become increasingly difficult as my dad has continued stagnant in his recovery. Often times at this point in the race, it's easy to become frustrated and overwhelmed by our circumstances. But as I'm sure my dad would tell you, this part of the race is the most important. Throughout my life, my dad has constantly encouraged me to “FINISH STRONG” in my every pursuit. These words reflect so clearly what Christ did for us when he paid the ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross. Peter informs us in 1st Peter 2:21 that “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” Did Peter really just say that what my dad is going through is something we're called to do? In the midst of tribulation, it's so easy for anger and resentment to boil against God, but yes, in the preceding verse Peter writes “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God” Knowing this might give our minds the ability to rise above the suffering which we’re experiencing at the moment. It's undeniable to acknowledge my dad's ability to go MAD like never before in the height of his discomfort. Even through the difficulty, we are witnessing God’s capabilities like never before. I encourage you to seek out this same epiphany of God’s utilization. Suffer for God, because sometimes, in terms of spiritual effectiveness, we are strongest when we are weakest.

December 5, 2016 - Delay of Game

DELAY OF GAME!
due to unexpected admittance into the hospital with no computer I am left to attempt to live out the "game plan" on dealing with difficulties...
PRAISE! even though I honestly don't feel like it... It is hard right now... Feel like I need to be in concussion protocol...
BUT HERE IS A SONG MY SON CLAY SENT ME THAT HITS DEEP AND BRINGS WATER OUT OF THESE DEHYDRATED EYES


EVEN WHEN IT HURTS (HILLSONG)
https://youtu.be/hrSJw05dJXg


I will praise you for i am fearfully and wonderfully made...


https://youtu.be/hrSJwO5dJXg