This week I was at the Story Conference in Chicago. Ben Arment and a team of volunteers put together a conference designed to help us creatively tell the story of Christ’s redemptive love for the world. I was challenged personally to be a better storyteller.
It got me thinking though…
We all have a story…. We should share some of them…
Let’s share some of them today.
Here are 10 questions…Comment on this post to answer them….Answer all…one…or as many as you want to answer…
What is the hardest decision you have ever made?
What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer?
If you inherited $1 million, what would you do with it?
If you could go back to any period of your life, where would you go? Why?
Who is a friend from the past you would love to connect with again?
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced?
How did you meet your spouse/girlfriend or boyfriend?
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it?
Let’s have some fun learning our stories. Again, answer as many as you want…or all of them…
1was to stand up for myself and reach out while being in a tough (danger environment) and I knew I had to do something about it, In the past, I would say it okay that I will get through it til the next time.. A hard lesson had been learned.. 3 I would pay all my school loans off. than donate to some organizations and put some toward my organization that I want to open in the furture that God has put on my heart. 4 My 9th grade year, because that where a lot of my issues started to come out. I would of loved to make different choices and put my foot down to some people in my life. That were making things harder for me. I'm thankful that I didnt drop out of high school. 8Trying to rebuild my life, because I stood up for myself and got out of the bad environment. But, I have an amazing brothers and sisters in Christ that have been a great encouragement.
10Is following my heart and doing what God has called me to do with my life.. I fight it by doing what is right even those my family doesnt understand why I do what I do or what I believe. Even those there has been times in my life that I tried to explain but we live different life. This summer was the first time I really put my foot down and followed my heart and Listern to what realy God was telling me.. Even those I wasnt getting the support from my family.
Keep following your heart and do what God tells you to do. Can't lose that way.
I'm so glad you stood up for yourself. Keep living the Christ life. It is hard, but will never disappoint you.
Thanks for the encouragement….. It just dispointing and hurting when it ur parents you have to stand up too..
The hardest, and easiest, decision my wife and I ever made was moving to Dallas to attend seminary. I blogged about it (http://ht.ly/1V3Je) a few months ago, but it's still fresh because we're living it every day.
By the way, this might qualify as an answer for the following questions, too:
What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer?
If you could go back to any period of your life, where would you go? Why?
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced?
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it?
Thanks for sharing that link.
What is the hardest decision you have ever made?
i think i'm in the midst of making it right now. it's crushing me, and i'm still not convinced i'm gonna make it to the other side of this one…
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
i'd make myself more outgoing and extroverted.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
moved to africa when i was 19
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced?
my husband's infidelity and decision for divorce
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it?
that i'm not enough. some days i seem to lose the battle, others my faith and hope carry me through…
//
i'd love to hear your answers to any or all of these, ron!
Thanks Alece for sharing this stuff…it's hard…but I can read even with this limited information that you are a strong person of conviction…you have a big heart…
Did I nail that one?
nailed it. 😉
still bummed we didn't meet up in chicago. i'm in nashville for the next couple weeks – lemme know if you'll be coming through here/franklin at all…
Absolutely…Will try soon.
Twitter: LaSundrassong
says:
What is the hardest decision you have ever made?
A:The hardest decisions that I ever HAVE to make are the ones that have to do with destiny. They involve lots of risk and inevitably someone is hurt. It's a cross between only needing to please God, but not being arrogant to say "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK"…when in fact you can place much weight on what others think or say according to Galatians 1:10. Every decision takes prayer!
What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer?
A:I think the one question that I would ask is why I'm an introvert, but involved in an highly extroverted ministry!
If you inherited $1 million, what would you do with it?
A: I'd make sure I'd received it with wisdom first, and set it aside until I received word from God on what to do with it. Pay my tithes…& I would definitely not tell anyone…that would avoid me gaining fake, and unwanted friends.
If you could go back to any period of your life, where would you go? Why?
A: I would go back to high school and I would know what I know now. Why-because I would have made better choices and would have not been such a class clown.
Who is a friend from the past you would love to connect with again?
A: Now that the truth has been revealed about most of the friendships of my past…I would have to say none. I know that is sad right, but I believe they left me for a reason…or the other way around. I know my answers seem skeptical, but I have been on this path of dealing with and being responsible for the regret that tried to linger in my life…I loved them, and loved genuinely and got burned…it's a life lesson that does not make me want to love less, but love with the Love of God, which incorporates wisdom & boundaries.
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
A: In certain things…I'd like to be a bit more spontaneous…but I am a planner to the core.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
A: Out on the road, at night, by myself, out of town… for a snack.
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced?
A: Betrayal…and the process of forgiving the betrayer.
How did you meet your spouse/girlfriend or boyfriend?
A: Have not met him yet…
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it?
A: Not pleasing God… How do I fight it? With faith, and I try for immediate reconciliation (where possible) and forgiveness regardless of another persons response.
This is good insight…Thanks for sharing.
What is the hardest decision you have ever made? Moving out to Colorado to help out with a church plant. It’s very difficult at times but rewarding. I really love it. I’m praying that God provides me with the right team so that I may do the same in the future.
What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer? Why me Lord? Haha
If you inherited $1 million, what would you do with it? I would tithe a tenth into our church and start investing.
If you could go back to any period of your life, where would you go? Why? None. I’m happy with my life and how things are turning out for me.
Who is a friend from the past you would love to connect with again?
I didn’t really have friends. I was a shy kid haha.
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be? If I changed my personality I wouldn’t be my fun, sensitive, dominant, loving self.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done? Free climbed. Never done it but it was worth reaching the top and looking at all the wonderful things God has created.
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced? The season I’m in now; I’m ready for my breakthrough Lord!
How did you meet your spouse/girlfriend or boyfriend? Don’t have one.
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it? Dying of cancer; avoid all second and third hand smoke as much as possible.
I can identify with the church plant decision. That is huge! Thanks for letting me get to know you better.
1) – "What is the hardest decision you have ever made?" — to drop any legal action to get access to my daughter. The nature of any system that focuses on "winning" rather than "the right thing" is not "of God", and I realized that no judge could order my daughter to love or trust me — and that was much more important than winning the case. ____2) – "What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer?" — I tend to be selfish and self-centered, so why does God often put me in positions of having to reach out to and love the "unlovely"?____3) – "If you inherited $1 million, what would you do with it?" Tithe, to begin with
That's a tough call to make. Thanks for your heart and transparency!
What is the hardest decision you have ever made?
—To not contest full custody of my kids during my divorce. It hurts me every day not having them here but my youngest son has autism and to take custody meant taking him away from a therapist that was making great strides with him. His future was more important than my temporary feeling of comfort having him with me.
What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer?
—Why am I going through all of this if God's not using me to help others through it?
If you inherited $1 million, what would you do with it?
—10% would go into a "mission fund" that draws interest where the interest each year would go to ministry projects. Then, I'd pay off all my debt. I'd set up a college fund for my oldest son and a care fund for my youngest son. After that, I'd pray and let God tell me. 🙂
If you could go back to any period of your life, where would you go? Why?
I'd go back to when I was a teenager and stop me from watching porn.
Who is a friend from the past you would love to connect with again?
—I had so few friends the ones I've wanted to keep in touch with I've kept in touch with…
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
—More confidence.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
—I can't tell you that! This is a Christian forum! I'll just say I didn't get saved until I was 24 and we'll let your mind wander from there.
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced?
—The last six months of 2005. (divorce, two dead grandparents, apartment fire)
How did you meet your spouse/girlfriend or boyfriend?
—MySpace.
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it?
—Dying and having my life mean nothing. Right now, I'm not fighting it very well.
Thanks for helping us know you better Jason
The hardest decision I've ever made is to stay in a job where I don't really feel happy. I could have moved on to something else, but it most certainly would have been a pay cut and I have a family to provide for.
One Question yet to answer; Life used to make sense and doing the right thing always seemed to have a positive outcome; why is it no longer that way?
If I had $1 million I would give 10 % to the Lord up front, I would set aside another percentage for some long term giving, I would have my wife quit her job, I would become debt free, I would take my family on a wonderful vacation, I would save.
I would go back to the start of my marriage in order to do things so much better than I have done.
I haven't seen my good friend Gerald in about 8-10 years. I'd love to connect with him again.
I'd change the bad attitude that has done so much to damage my marriage.
I'm not sure I've ever done anything really crazy.
Biggest trial is the brokenness of my marriage.
My wife and I met at a new job I had started almost 30 years ago.
My greatest fear is losing my wife. I fight it by constant prayer, showing my wife a changed man, humbling myself before God and my wife; putting them first, and trusting in Him.
These are good insights. Thanks for sharing.
If I had a Million dollars, I would building my God a house to serve Him in and go on TV and Radio and reach as many people with His love and cause them to fall in Passionate Love with Him Help those that have stood with me in ministry to become debt free. Praise the Lord.
Thanks for sharing your dream.
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be? I want to be more loving and forgiving.
How did you meet your spouse? We met in a Singles Retreat. We were both part of a theater play.
What is your greatest fear in life? Uhm, I guess right now, losing my husband. When I finished reading "In the presence of my enemies" by Gracia Burnham, I just started bawling when I came to the part Martin died. I knew he was going to die coz I knew the story but it still made me CRY!
These are good. Thanks for sharing!
1.)
Moving to east Atlanta after college in 2008, I knew God called me to go work at a church in that area, but I did not want to go for a lot of reasons.
2.)
Why God uses me when He has so many others that He could use
3.)
Pay off my debts, and support a few worthy ministries that I have worked with over the past few years.
4.)
I really enjoy the present, but if I had to go back, maybe college years, 20-23 was a fun time in my life.
5.)
Too many to name.
6.)
I am too honest, and sometimes I get into trouble.
7.)
While shooting some documentary footage in NYC in 2007, I almost got arrested in the Empire State Building security screening area in line to go up to the overlook. I am scare of heights and they mistook the sweaty, nervous, apprehensive guy for a terrorist when they scanned my backpack and found a large dense mass. They shut down security and I got surrounded and frisked. It scared me pretty bad, maybe not the craziest, but makes for an interesting story anyway.
8.)
When I was 13 years old, I was in a really bad car accident and had to have massive facial reconstructive surgery. Waking up the next morning after the accident and seeing my face completely distorted and busted up and only one eye working properly was a lot to handle. My injuries were so bad that the doctor took pictures and published my case in a medical journal and now my pictures are in medical text books. Over the next two years, God healed me completely, both eyes still work and there are no scars. God is good.
9.)
The church in the metro Atlanta area where I did not want to move. She volunteered in the sound booth doing projection/video stuff, and I was hired as the new sound engineer. I spent a few months convincing her to fall in love with me, and we have been married almost 7 months ago.
10.)
Failing God’s calling for my life, I focus on what He has put in front of me currently and do not worry about the past or the distant future.
Thanks for letting me get to know you better!
I'm too tired to think that deeply! I'll tell you about meeting my wife. We met the first week of our freshman year of college (1977), went on first "date" in October, became engaged the next August (1978), and married in May 1979. For 33 years she has been my closest friend and greatest supporter.
Thanks for sharing. That's a great tribute.
If I inherited $1 million, I would pay off all my debts, invest the rest and live off the interest, go back to school and write/speak full time.
I met my wife at a friend's Christmas party 21 years ago. We've been married for 20!
That's a good plan!
What is the hardest decision you have ever made?
When my wife was pregnant with our son 6 years ago the doctors wanted us to terminate the pregnancy for fear that the baby and her would both die during birth…both are more than healthy now. 🙂
What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer?
What exactly does He have planned for me.
If you inherited $1 million, what would you do with it?
Pay off debt and evangelize.
If you could go back to any period of your life, where would you go? Why?
1860's. The Civil War was what I specialized in during college. Just fascinated with that time period.
Who is a friend from the past you would love to connect with again?
Dave Walker. I met him my freshman year of college. I wasn't a Christian, but he was. He had been delivered of addictions and he really looked out for me.
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
More extroverted.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Depends on who you ask.
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced?
I walked away from a 200K per year job and went to work at a 25K per year job because it was what I believed God was calling me to do. Really had to change lifestyle and priorities.
How did you meet your spouse/girlfriend or boyfriend?
I met my wife in college.
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it?
My biggest fear is that I'll fail. Prayer and more prayer.
Thanks for taking the time to answer. Great to know more about you
These are great questions, Ron. Each one deserves a post of it's own, but since I commented on Jeremy's post about the elderly, I'll stick to the question, "What would you do with a million dollars?"
When my parents' health began to decline in their seventies, I became acutely aware of the way the elderly are easily pushed aside, even by the church. We lived too far away to be of much help to them initially, and when I met with their pastor to discuss how their church might help my mother, who had early parkinsons and severe rheumatoid arthritis, care for my father, who had Alzheimer's and emphysema, the pastor said there was nothing they could do. My father went to therapy a couple of times a week and to an adult day care in the morning. It was physically difficult for my mother to load my dad and his wheelchair in the car. I was hoping that someone from the church could help provide that transportion for my mother, but the pastor wouldn't even consider asking the congregation for help. My mother eventually had to put my father in a nursing home. While we discussed adding on to our house so we could move them both into our small home, my mother's health deteriorated rapidly and my father died from a nursing home acquired infection within 3 months of moving into the facility. We moved my mother in with us anyway, where I cared for her until her death. If I was given a million dollars, I would first relieve my adult children of their debt burdens and then I'd put them to work helping us establish a foundation that would provide grants to churches to establish a ministry to and for the elderly and the families that care for them.
This is a great heart. My moth-in-law had that same experience watching her mother die. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your family story. I was blessed to take care of my grandmother that raised me and my 3 siblings until her death. I had to do everything for her and gave up my home in Dallas and moved to Beaumont Tx to live in her home, which I now own, and it was damaged by the storm, and being repaired. She was like my baby, it changed my life but gave me a purpose to live for by taking care of her and her need. I miss her greatly. She was my ministry for then, I gave up invitations to be a pastor for her, but now i have a small house church for now, but expecting God to move for me.
This is a great calling when people are asked to care for a loved one like this, and requires a special heart. Thanks for sharing.
What is the hardest decision you have ever made?
– To tell the truth I convinced myself I kept hidden for those I loved.
What is one question about how your life has turned out that you have yet to answer?
– I'm glad my story is not done being written. I've got many questions with multiple answers coming.
If you inherited $1 million, what would you do with it?
– Redeem the time…We're supporting minstries we believe in with what we have. I'm sure we'd have fun entrusting them with the lion's share.
If you could go back to any period of your life, where would you go? Why?
– I'd go back to when I started in ministry…if I knew then what I know now…wow!
Who is a friend from the past you would love to connect with again?
-If I can't track you down on facebook, Twitter or linkedin, I never knew you.
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
-My motivation for insecurity
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
-This week? Turned down a job I could do to stay focus on what I feel God wants me to do.
What is the biggest trial you have ever faced?
-The death of my dad with Bulbar ALS…when we believe God is Good and is will is to heal. We had just left the church to move to New Zealand when we got the diagnosis.
How did you meet your spouse/girlfriend or boyfriend?
-At a Bible study in University
What is your greatest fear in life? How do you fight it?
-A friend asked me yesterday if I have a fear of sucesses. I had to say "no". The two fears that motivate me (negatively) are being insignificant and being controlled.
This is a great list of answers. Thanks for sharing part of your story
Twitter: Jeremy_riggs
says:
To answer just one of these questions will tell you the most about how my values have been shaped. I think the question that may tell you the most about me is “What would you do with a million dollars?”
I would buy a huge house and adopt as many children from across the world as the law would allow. I would also set up a foundation to help families realize the need for adoption and help them finance it. James is very clear about this: True religion is taking care of widows and orphans in their time of need. If the church really believed this, why do we have foster kids in our county with no homes?
So now you know a little about my passion.
I like this answer, Jeremy. I'd do something similar, only my passion is the widows…the elderly. I'd provide financial help for families to be able to care for their own widows and elderly, rather than having to place them in nursing homes where they are often forgotten.
Thanks Patricia. I like it!
Thanks for sharing part of your story Jeremy. Great heart.
Jeremy Riggs, u definitely have a passion for true religion and heart for the orphans, follow your Passion, that is your path your success in life and it's up to God to provide the source to help you. Keep the faith in His Word.
Thanks for encouraging others through this post.
The hardest decision ive made is which college to attend. Coming from virignia, many of my peers stayed in state, and followed their parents dreams, or friends girlfriends. I let god decide, and im grateful hes placed me in the right shcool,Baylor.
I have yet to answer the question of why god would allow Islam to become so powerful, when i rezlized the depth of this religion, i became atheist, my ways have changed now, but it still lingers inside
I would invest the 1 million into ways to help those with disabilities and special needs, maybe support a few churches, i would save some for myself mind you but really the money is gods
I would go back to the first day i smoked weed, worst decision i ever made, i havent been as close to god since…
I would love to reconnect with my old friends from Texas, elementary school days, i hear hes in rehab now im sure he could use a friend
I would change my desire to be loved, im very social, sometimes too social, when someone speaks ill on me, i cant handle it i take hard to hate, i want to be liked by everybody, this is bad ha
One time i chugged a gallon of syrup.. its on video too ha
The biggest trial i ever faced was dealing with my anorexic brother last year its hard, but lord willing well survive
Im single
My greatest fear is turning people away from the lord through my actions, i fight it by reading my bible on the daily
thank you sir i dont know how you found me but i thank god really i do thanks
Thanks for sharing. Making those life altering decisions is tough. My sister-in-law is a new professor at Baylor. You've shared a lot of your heart and story here. Thanks!
thats awesome my brothers went to wheaton, ones now a youth pastor maybe hes heard of u pray for me and whats her name what she teach?
Laurie Burney…teaches accounting
Also, Adair Baggett is there. She's the twin sister of my son's fiance'.