Just the other day I was thinking of David in the Bible and a thought rose up in my mind that I have never thought about before. I’m sure we all know the story......

God asked Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel, and ultimately it was appointed that David would be that king. Yet, David was only a boy, and a shepherd at that, therefore, he most likely didn’t fit the mold or meet the expectations of what a king should look like. In fact, there was nothing in his resume or about his physique that would even come close to qualifying him for such a position. Perhaps, these were the reasons why Jesse, David’s father, didn’t even consider calling him in from the fields that day as Samuel evaluated the other sons. In the end, however, in spite of all odds being against him, David was still the royal pick, he was, indeed, the chosen one.

What triggered my mind the other day when I was thinking about this story – call it an epiphany, if you will – was this thought: All the while, even long before Samuel showed up that day, even long before David was called in from the fields, I wonder, just wonder, if David already knew that he was going to be a king. I wonder if deep down inside he had had some kind of premonition of what his life would become. Or, was he in complete shock, utterly stupefied, as Samuel called him out that day and anointed his head with oil? I happen to think that while David was out their slinging rocks, strumming his harp, and tending to sheep, he did have an idea, he did have some secret notion, of what his destiny would soon be. I get the feeling that there was probably a stirring in his spirit that told him something big was about to happen in his life – and all he had to do was wait.

And while he waited, I think there were doubtlessly a lot of barriers he had to overcome. First of all, imagine that his own father could not even sense or recognize the greatness in David. I’m sure at some point David must’ve wondered why he was being ignored and forgotten. Why his father did not initially call him in that day when Samuel came. I can’t help but think of the feelings of rejection he must have felt. Abandonment. Invalidation. And coming from all people, his own dad!

Nevertheless, something kept David’s spirit alive. Somewhere beneath the hurt of abandonment and the feelings of rejection there laid an awareness that his life would not remain mediocre forever. The way others perceived him, especially his own family, should have been stumbling blocks preventing him from finding his destiny. But it did not. David kept doing what he always did knowing that one day his true identity would be revealed.

This thought of David has captivated me this whole week. I can’t seem to shake it.

Did David know? That’s been the question. Did he sit there every day out in the field wondering when that day would come that he would finally become the king he knew he was?

I believe that in each one of us there lives a kid, just like David, and in that kid there is a king. A person with dreams and convictions and a faith that can overcome mountains (and in David’s case, a lion, a bear, and a giant). A creature that believes he is a warrior, a winner, and a world changer. That he can do and be anything. Unfortunately, that king inside of us is not usually who confronts us when we look in the mirror. When we’re faced staring at the reality of our life. In fact, it doesn’t take much for our inner voice of confidence to hush to a whisper when we begin to speculate how we’ll ever reach our destiny.

I wonder, how often does our child-like faith actually enlarge enough that our inner man breaks through the thick shell of our unbelieving, seemingly underachieving, outer man, the part of our being that we perceive as being incapable, unfit, too poor or too old to actually be anything worthy, anything suitable for greatness. Are we fit to be a king? David wasn’t.

I have voiced many times that a man (or woman) will become only what he believes he already is. That means that when a person believes that there is a king living inside of them – and when I say believe, I really mean that they live it out in their spirit everyday as though it was already so – it takes only time itself before that king is manifested into the outward realm of their life.

Let’s not forget, just because David was stuck babysitting sheep for awhile did not change the fact that there was a king living inside of him. Just because David was the youngest in his family, overlooked and overshadowed every time opportunity presented itself, did not keep David from believing in his destiny. David was a king even before anyone else knew it.

Is there a king inside of you? Is there a warrior just waiting to come out? Has there been an undeniable stirring in your spirit that God is calling you to something bigger and greater? Are you simply waiting for a Samuel to walk up to you and tell you who you really are?

If you know there is a king inside you, you may have felt at times like you’re a size 13 foot jammed into a size 9 shoe. Or that you possess Superman potential, but exist in a Clark Kent capacity. Regardless of your current situation or however complex the circumstances may seem, don’t ever lose hope of your destiny. I encourage you today to never give in to your fears or even your impatience. Don’t ever back down at the lion or the bear. Don’t be intimidated by the giant. And don’t be discouraged by the mediocrity of herding sheep or the lack of affirmation from those around you. You know your calling. You sense your purpose. So believe. It’s just a matter of time and faith before that king inside of you is birthed into the world.

Today is Dona and my 3 year anniversary! Which, in case you didn't know, equates to 94,608,000 - just shy of a kajillion - seconds of marriage!! It has been, without a doubt, the best three years of my life. In any relationship, there are highs and lows, but who better to share those expereinces with than the one you love with all your heart. Sweet D, I love you....you are my everything!!!!!!

I know Father's Day is over, but I wanted to share these two quotes nonetheless.

Leave it to Bill Cosby for some good conventional wisdom.

If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right.
~Bill Cosby

Thank you, Bill. I am now perfectly at ease.

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~Clarence Budington Kelland

A father who leads his children well is a father who doesn't just talk about it - he walks about it.

We showed this video yesterday at church and a few people asked me if they could see it again. Well, here it is, as well as the article I read from the Sports Illustrated magazine. The volume on the video is pretty low (I'll have to fix that later), so make sure you turn up your volume to hear the music.

This is such an inspiring story about a dad who accepts no excuses for being a lame father. In spite of the enormous challenges he has faced raising a disabled son, he determines in himself to be the best dad he can possibly be. As you will see in the video, he gives everything he can so that his son may experience life to the fullest. His commitment and dedication as a father has forever ruined me - in a good way. I am challenged to give my 110% to fatherhood no matter what the circumstances.

If you have never heard the Hoyt Team story, I encourage you to read the article first before watching the video.

Sports Illustrated Article: Strongest Dad in the World

When I was a teenager, my dad gave me this poem, and I'm sure he never thought I would ever keep it this long. But it meant something to me then and it still does to this day. At the time, it shed some light into the value and importance my dad placed on being a father, and more importantly, being an example. Now I, too, carry this great responsibility as I look behind me and see a little chap who's following me.

A careful man I ought to be;
A little fellow follows me.
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self-same way.

Not once can I escape his eyes;
Whate'er he sees me do he tries,
Like me he says he's going to be,
That little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine;
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me he must not see,
That little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go
Thru summer sun and winter snow
I'm building for the years to be
That little chap who follows me.

-Author Unknown

Thank you, Dad, for all that you've been in my life. I will never in my life forget your words echoing in my mind......Jeremy, don't just be a wandering generality, but strive to become a meaningful specific. Happy Father's Day, Dad!

In case you don't already know, my family roots trace back to Judaism. (And if you're thinking, "Ahh, that explains a lot," I have no idea what you're talking about). Anyway, somewhere along the line, I believe 4 or 5 generations back, there was a break in the family faith and some converted to Christianity.

So, even though "technically" I am not Jewish, it is still a part of my heritage and I have a great appreciation for its history. Below is a video that talks about the rising of Messianic Jews (Jews that follow the traditions of Judaism, but believe that Jesus is the Messiah) in Israel. I think it's fascinating. Shalom!!

I am currently reading a book by T.D. Jakes entitled, HE-MOTIONS. So far it is a great read. Jakes has long been one of my favorite speakers, but is also becoming one of my favorite authors. He is an incredible articulator and has an amazing gift for telling stories and inspiring hope. As for this particular book, he's got it tailor made for the man who longs for a life that matters. I would definitely recommend it. Also, on my reading waiting list are a few of Max Lucado's books that I'm anxiously looking forward to getting into.

If you don't already know, these books and more can be found at The Branch's Amazon Resource Center. In fact, any book, CD, game, toy, gadget, whistle, or gizmo purchased through the Amazon links or Amazon search box at TheBranchCommunity.com will generate a small, but ever so appreciated, proceed for the church. So shop away!!

My friend, Aaron Powell, brought this story to my attention last week. To say the very least it is shocking, disturbing, aggravating, irritating, appalling, offensive, repulsive......okay, you get my drift.

On April 10, 2007, students attending a mandatory assembly at the Boulder High School in Boulder, Colorado, were encouraged to freely engage in sexual activity and use drugs. In fact, the psychologist that the school flew in to speak at the assembly said, "I'm going to encourage you to have sex, and I'm going to encourage you to use drugs appropriately. And why I am going to take that position is because you're going to do it anyway." He even went as far as saying that if he had the drug Ecstasy right then, he would use it.

How could this bozo get away with saying something so repugnant in a public school where some in attendance were as young as 14? He could because Colorado law now mandates scientifically based standards for all of Colorado public schools. Scientifically based? What? Promoting sex and drugs is scientifically proven to be a good way to reach the kids of America? I'm at a loss. What ever happened to the highly effective concept of abstinence and "Just say no"? What ever happened to common sense?

Sadly, this is the America that we are living in today. And if there is any hope that our children will grow up with some sense of moral direction - it's not going to be because the schools are teaching it - it's going to be because of parents who talk to their kids, and stay involved in their lives, and counter these types of destructive messages with practical, wholesome instruction.

To read more details on this story, click here. To hear some of the actual audio clips of the assembly, click here.

Have you seen that insanely annoying commercial where the guy goes, "I'm thinking of a number....." and it shows a meter moving between the numbers of like 300 to 900? I don't think I've ever watched it all the way through, but I know that they want you to check your credit report through their website.

Over the last few months, my wife has been trying to convince me that Crocs (that weird looking sandle to the left) are the greatest thing since sliced bread. She has gone on and on (and on and on and on and on and......) about how comfortable they feel, how easy they are to keep clean, and how they somehow prevent your stinky feet from smelling them up like an old bag of Doritos.

Well.....I'm a believer now. I broke down and bought the ugly things yesterday and I love them! You can get them online or at Southpark Mall in Strongsville for $29.99. You might look stupid, but your feet will be happy.

Ever since Michael Jordan retired....and then retired again....I never thought I would care to watch another basketball game or follow another player in the same way that I did with him and the Chicago Bulls.

But then Lebron came. Wow.

If he hasn't brought back to the game what MJ left with, I don't know who has. At only 22 years of age, the guy is unbelievable. Last night, playing in Detroit (actually Auburn Hills) for game 5 of the Eastern Conference NBA Semifinals, he was without a doubt in "I'm going to win a championship, no matter what it takes" mode. Scoring 29 of the Cavaliers final 30 points and leading them to victory, James was absolutely relentless, perserving through two overtimes and attacking the rim like only I've seen......well, Michael Jordan do.

It's like Lebron has reintroduced the game of basketball to the world. I didn't think it would be possible to reignite that magic like Air Jordan did, but I must say, it's actually fun to watch a game again.