Know your place !!!

I don't know my place. Do you know yours? I once knew my place, it was where ever the party was. Where ever rules are broken and lines are crossed, that was me. I had some strange sense of purpose there. My purpose was, wait for it, the example of lack of purpose. I know what your thinking," Paul must be where the party is right now", no I'm ok. When I was the shallow guy with no real purpose I didn't have to worry about disappointing folks or hurting their feelings or being a bad example. That was what was expected of me. Any small good thing I did seemed awesome because I mostly did bad. Like George Costanza, I was the bad boy friend, the bad employee, the bad friend, the bad citizen, the bad choice, the bad example, the bad son, he bad brother, the bad...fill in the blank. I knew my place, and as sick as it was, I found comfort in that. Now not so much, I have no idea where my place is now or where it will be tomorrow, but in that uncertainty I have found comfort. I don't have to know my place as long as I'm making a place for God in the place I'm in. What ever he sends my way, big or small, that's going to be my place. As for worrying about being the bad...fill in the blank, I guess the best way to get over that is to stay on the course he sets for me. If I do that then I can't be any of those things, no matter what other people may think. Wow I guess I know my place after all, in his service surrounded by his grace. Hey, how about making this your place to? There is plenty of room.

Are we friends?

What would happen if the last time we saw each other was just that, THE LAST TIME. What did we talk about, was it meaningful or at least memorable? Did we laugh, cry? Did we solve the worlds problems or at least a problem of a friend? Was I mean to you or short? Did I hurt your feelings or make you uncomfortable? Do we have unfinished business? If you had to think of friends to call in a time of need, would I make the list? When you see me coming does it make you happy, sad or do you just want to hide until I'm gone? Is our relationship an asset to a liability? Why am I asking you all these questions? Do I really want to hear the answers?
Recently, in the past six months, I've lost friends that I'll never see again. I've made friends that I hope to keep forever, and I've cried for, prayed for and stayed awake nights thinking about friends that are hurting in someway. I know my short comings, I'm right there in your space. I have allot to say, but not nessisarily the right things. I tend to step on toes in some cases if I feel strongly about the subject. With all this said, know that when I call you friend it is not something I take lightly. I accept it with all the things the meaning of friend implies. I'm not one to hide my emotions, I'll trough a hug on you in a minute. I will also speak to you like we have already met even if we havn't, in my mind I have already made you a friend.
Am I a nut, more than likely. One day we will have our last talk, share a last laugh, I'll tell one last unbelievable story and yes I'll give you one last hug. Regardless of which one of us is still here know this, Paul Frazier loves you and called you friend and this means more to Paul Frazier than Silver or Gold. Please enjoy the hugs, the love and the friendship. Take advantage of it if you will. I don't mind. When all is said and done the one thing I'd want to be remembered as is a FRIEND.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

"Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance."
-Proverbs 27:17

"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses."
- Proverbs 27:19

""A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure."
- Sirach 6:14

"Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share troubles?"- Proverbs 17:17

"An honest answer is the sign of true friendship."
- Proverbs 24:26

"The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them."
- John 15:13

"A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope."

7 Days

I firmly believe that if every Christian man woman and child were to take 7 days each year and commit to using all of their resources, talents and time to answer the call that God puts in our hearts we could change the direction of this world FOREVER. 7 days of pooling funds and blowing past the red tape. 7 days of making needs known and finding the solution. 7 days of sharing and support. 7 days of getting people back on their feet. 7 days of LOVE. 7 days of worship and praise. 7 days of standing in the gap for others. 7 days!

A group of 45k +/- college kids just spent 4 days and managed the knock a hung dent in child trafficking. 4 days, just kids, most with little to no money. 4 days, just faith love and desire to live for Christ with total abandon. 4days of letting God be God through them. 4 days of him showing up BIG.

What could happen if we all gave it 7 days? Can you just imagine? If we only had the faith to follow their lead.

Once upon a time I could fly

Did you know at one time I could fly? Not in a plane but streight up superman style. Yep there was a time everything from towels to bed sheets were capes and when ran fast enough and jumped off something high enough I, Paul Frazier, could fly. It was the greatest time of my life. The possibilities were endless. Then one day a well meaning person took time out of their busy day to explain the whole gravity thing and right there my ability to fly died. I think of my old superpowers sometimes when I hear well meaning people help kids out of their superpowers. I've even been that well meaning person myself. You know the most awesome things happen when young people with superpowers make them happen. Look at Jonathan, he was just hanging out with bud (weapons barrier) and said " let's roll over there and see what those dudes are doing". Next thing you know they won the war of Israel. David , taking lunch to his bros. and end up busting that big dude in the head. These guys made it happen when all the over informed, well meaning folks were explaining why it couldn't or shouldn't be done. Everything is possible until we place our fears and insecurities on those who are blessed to not be burdened with them yet. I suggest that instead of us killing the awesome powers that our youth have that we just guide them to use them full force for the glory of God, in who nothing is impossible. If they keep their eyes on him they have nothing to fear and we, as hard as it is, have nothing to fear for them. Even Peter had the awesome power of walking on water until he took his eyes off Christ. So let them fly, and if you want to go out on faith yourself, fly with them:-)