Author: Kevin Burrell

 

“I have brought You glory here on earth by completing the work that You gave me to do.” 

John 17:4

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HOW ARE YOU PLANNING YOUR LIFE?

 

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

Be Worth Being,

 

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

“Formerly Onesimus was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.”

Philemon 1:11-12

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MOVING FROM USELESS TO USEFUL

 

Two seminary students in New Orleans stopped at a local grocery store one evening while traveling. One of the seminary students was Don Wilton. While in the store, they noticed a young, needy couple with a baby dressed only in a diaper. The Spirit of God moved in the hearts of the two seminary students in a special way to open their wallets and give the young family all the money they had. The total was more than $200. With a gentle voice, Don spoke to the frightened man and said, “My friend, you don’t know who I am. However, I want you to know that my friend and I want to show you in a practical way how much God loves you. Because of what Jesus has done in our lives, we want to give you this small gift from the two of us.”

The man tearfully received the money. Don Wilton thought he would never see the man again. However, nearly a decade later, Dr. Wilton was teaching at the seminary. One of the new students recognized Dr. Wilton’s distinctive South African voice. It was the man from the grocery store! He told Dr. Wilton that their young family was desperate that night. So desperate, in fact, that they had driven from their home in Alabama to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge in New Orleans. They planned to take their baby with them but decided to feed her first, so she would at least die with a full stomach. That’s why they stopped at the store. However, they were deeply moved and encouraged by the kind words and financial gift. That one act of kindness set the man and his wife on a path to salvation in Jesus Christ and a call to full-time vocational ministry. That night, the man’s life was transformed from being “Useless to Useful.”

God’s providential hand saves lives. Onesimus was spiritually lost! He was the fugitive slave of his master, Philemon. Onesimus had robbed Philemon and fled to Rome, a large city where he could easily hide—or so he thought! However, providentially, Onesimus encountered Paul in a Roman prison where the apostle was in chains. Paul led Onesimus to faith in Jesus Christ, and his life was forever impacted and transformed from being “Useless to Useful.”

Listen closely: How about you? Have you ever felt useless? Have you ever had a sense that you have no real purpose or usefulness in life? If you have, you’re not alone. The story of Onesimus is a classic picture of one who tries running from a good and gracious God but instead runs right into His loving arms—just like the man in the grocery store. Through salvation, the fugitive sinner found grace, forgiveness, and freedom that are only found in a ‘right relationship’ with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Be encouraged. Wherever you are in life right now, God’s eye is on you! He knows your name. He knows your need, and He will use ‘whatever’ and ‘whoever’ to intersect your life right where you are. A genuine encounter with the living God will forever change your perspective, your relationships, and your future.

It will transform you from “Useless to Useful.”

Remember:

God has a plan. His plan is far greater than yours. He is writing your story. Don’t steal His pen!

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

Be Worth Being,

 

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because the [news about your faithfulness is being spread throughout the whole world.

Romans 1:8

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YOUR REPUTATION

 

Many years ago, a frozen pizza company was trying to figure out an advertising campaign to bring attention to their product.  They designed a series of humorous commercials where an individual was about to lose his life in some melodramatic fashion.  In each case, they were asked, “What do you want on your Tombstone?” – to which the answer was, “Pepperoni and Cheese, please.”  It was a risky ad since Americans don’t want to hear about death. The company was trying to be humorous with their new catchy name, “Tombstone Pizza Company.” 

 

That leads me to ask you the following question—when you die, what inscription would you like written on your tombstone?

 

Ruth Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, died in 2007 and had this chiseled on her tombstone:

“End of Construction—Thank You For Your Patience.”

 

I like that!  She didn’t pick a favorite Bible verse or a lofty quote from a famous leader. She humbled herself and admitted that her life had been “a work in progress” until she died.

 

Listen Closely:  Character is who you are; reputation is what others think you are.  In an age of the internet, texting, email and social media, what people think about you and what people say about your reputation as a follower of Jesus Christ can be spread quickly.  The reputation of the New Testament believers and their faithfulness spread like wildfire “throughout the whole world.”  Think about that for a moment.  Don’t miss that important detail.  No internet, no texting, no email and no social media, yet their “faithfulness spread throughout the whole world.”  Wow!  That is a godly reputation.

 

When people see you, what is their first thought?  What does your reputation say to them?  Do they immediately think, “Christ follower!” “Not ashamed about his or her faith in Christ!”  “Lives the life of a committed follower of Jesus Christ!”  Or do they not give those characteristics a second thought about you?  I encourage you to be bold.  Be fearless.  Be strong.  Do not be ashamed.  Stand firm and resolute in your faith.  Live the life that the Apostle Paul penned in Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Jesus Christ. For it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.”

 

Let those words be your reputation!

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

Be Worth Being,

 

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

As Jesus was starting out on His way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to Him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must [I do] to inherit eternal life?”  Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” Jesus told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” At this the man’s face fell, and [he went away sad], for he had many possessions.

Mark 10:17, 21-22

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BEING OVER DOING

 

Buying an airline ticket these days is very expensive, especially if you have to travel at the last minute. You feel as if the airlines want all your money—and your firstborn. For example, suppose I want to fly from Atlanta, Ga., to Dallas, Tex., but I find the cost is too high for my liking. So, I decide to create my own ticket. It looks just like the real thing. It has the correct airline, flight number, gate number, seat number, and departure time on it. In fact, I did everything correctly, but I created my own ticket. However, if I’m foolish enough to present the created ticket to the TSA agent to get through the TSA security checkpoint, it would be rejected as invalid. No amount of trying to persuade the TSA agent will help. I would be left out and likely thrown into jail. In a similar way…

This story in Mark 10 began beautifully. A fine young man, rich and well-educated, came to Jesus, bowed before Him, and asked a very important question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Don’t miss that! Most people came to Jesus to get something, such as healing or food for themselves or help for a friend or loved one. But not this man. This man was different. He was interested in spiritual matters. However, the story ended on a negative note, with the rich young man leaving “sad” by the response of Jesus. You see, this young man did everything right. He kept the law perfectly, and Jesus knew it. He prioritized “doing” over “being.” So Jesus cut to the heart. He knew this man’s crutch—and his crutch was his wealth, his riches, his possessions.

So what was the young man’s problem?

First, he loved his wealth more than he loved God. Possessing wealth is not wrong or sinful in and of itself. However, allowing wealth (or anything else) to stand in the way of complete surrender to God brings spiritual disaster.

Second, and even bigger, the young man misunderstood God’s way of salvation. He believed he was “good enough,” claiming he had always kept the commandments (doing). He wanted Jesus to tell him one more “good work” he could do that would guarantee him a place in heaven. This man was more concerned about “doing” than “being.” When Jesus told him to give up the one thing that was closest to his heart—his wealth—he could not do it. By that one act, the young man showed that he did not see himself as a sinner in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.

Listen closely: it’s been said that many people will miss heaven by 16 inches—the distance between their head and their heart. What’s most disappointing about this story is that the man walked away from Jesus “sad.” But why? Because, like countless others in our world today, the man refused God’s offer of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone. Jesus plus nothing! The man is never mentioned again in Scripture.

So, allow me to ask you, what is the one thing in your life that is holding you back from complete and total surrender to following Jesus? Is it your money, material possessions, job, position, or relationship? Or are you consumed with earning favor, acceptance, and approval by God for what you can “do” for Him? Don’t make that grave error. You will never be “good enough.” Always remember…

“Doing” for Jesus always flows out of “being” with Jesus.

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as the Lord told me and found the potter working at his wheel.

Jeremiah 18:1-3

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THE POTTER AND THE CLAY

Most people today have never heard of Adelaide Pollard. However, in 1902, at the age of 40, Adelaide Pollard contemplated her situation. She felt, as many do at times in life, that she had reached a point where she was passionate about doing something yet was frustrated by the hurdle in her way. Adelaide sensed a call by God to begin missionary work in Africa; however, she became bitterly disappointed in her drive to raise funds for the needed trip. Through a series of events, Ms. Pollard attended a prayer meeting at a random church one evening, and it was there that an anonymous elderly woman prayed a prayer that germinated deep within Adelaide’s heart and soul, changing her life.

She went home and began writing out a prayer that went on to become a famous gospel hymn. Still today, in 2024, churches all across the world continue singing the hymn Adelaide Pollard wrote:

“Have Thine Own Way.”

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Jeremiah the prophet watched as the potter patiently formed the clay on the wheel. Obviously, he had a goal and purpose in mind for that piece of clay. But some of the clay was resistant and inflexible in the potter’s hands. Therefore, he cast it aside for a lesser purpose.

In a similar way, we are the clay, and God is the potter. He has a plan for each of our lives that is better than anything we have planned for ourselves. We have a choice as to whether we will yield to the will of God for our lives or resist it and become inflexible. Of course, we will have setbacks in life. We will face hardship and tragedy. We will encounter unexpected problems and heartache. However, we have a choice to become bitter or better.

Listen closely: Life is full of surprises. We all know people who had great promise but never reached their potential. Then there are others who did not seem to have much promise, yet God is powerfully using them today. What will you do with the life that God has given you? Will you conform to the will of God, or will you resist Him? Will you surrender to God’s plan and purpose for your life, or will you reject it? Will you say, “God, I want my own way,” or will you say, “God, have Thine own way”? I encourage you, do not be resistant and inflexible.

The choice is yours.

 

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

 

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

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HOPE BEYOND ADVERSITY

A young man was hired to work in a wood sawing workshop where he spent many years of his life.  When he reached the age of 40, he became very significant in the workshop where he had been employed for many years.  Then one day he was shocked when his boss informed him that due to cut backs he was being terminated.  At that moment the man left his place of employment with no intent, no plan, and no hope.  He closed the door to the only occupation he knew and had no idea what he would do for work. 

 

That afternoon, he went home and told his wife what happened.  After discussing it over with her and receiving her blessing, he decided to mortgage their home and take out a small loan to begin a career in home building.  His first project was to build two small houses.  Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.  After dedication, effort, patience and hard work, five years later the man became a millionaire.  His name?  Wallace Johnson, who went on to start and build the Holiday Inn hotel brand, and countless hospitals around the world. 

 

In his diary, Wallace Johnson wrote:  “If I knew where the man lived who terminated me, I would visit him and thank him deeply for what he did.  When this difficult adversity happened in my life, I was hurt and did not understand why; however, now I understand that God wanted to close that door, to open a better path for me and my family.”

 

Listen Closely:  Adversity can come as the result of choices we make, but it can also come in the form of hardships that happen to us.  What kind of adversity have you been going through?  Maybe you lost a job, a child, a loved one, a marriage.  Maybe a health crisis.  Maybe you’re starting a new job or career, raising a child, committing to marriage.  Maybe you don’t have enough money to pay your bills, or you found out that you can’t bear children.  Whatever it may be, remember, adversity will try its best to take you out.  However, if you allow God to lead you ‘through’ your adversity, you will emerge on the other side a more resilient person.   Never think that any adversity or failure in your life as the end.  It isn’t!  God is sovereign.  There are no “oops” with God.  Trust Him!  Never forget:  When you’re looking in the ‘right’ direction, you won’t take the wrong turn.  Fix your eyes on Jesus, and allow Him to direct your path.  There is hope beyond adversity. 

 

Just ask Wallace Johnson.

 

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

 

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

“An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control.”

Proverbs 5:22-23

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AVOIDING A LIFE OF EROSION

I don’t remember very much about high school.  It’s been a minute.  However, one thing I remember very distinctly was an experiment my science teacher performed.  I watched the slow death of a frog in an oversized beaker of cool water. Below the beaker he moved a Bunsen burner with a low flame so that the water heated very slowly.  In fact, the temperature rose so gradually that the frog was never aware of the change.  After a period of time the frog was dead . . . boiled to death.  The change occurred so slowly that the frog never tried to jump out of the water.  Little did I know I learned a profound principle that day in class.  What principle you ask? 

 

Erosion! 

 

What causes this spiritual stagnation and erosion? The answer is often conformity to the world’s methods and values, and compromise with sin. The process of erosion begins in the mind when we allow our thoughts, attitudes, and desires be shaped by our culture. Before long, we begin to conform to the godless and sinful behaviors around us.  Slowly, one rationalization leads to another, which leads to another, which triggers a series of equally damaging alterations in a life that was once stable, strong, committed and reliable.  No one ever wakes up in the morning and says, “I think I’ll commit adultery today” or “I think I will abuse my child this morning.”  It never happens that way.  It happens ever so slowly.  One compromise after another after another after another—and before you know it, you’re living a life of erosion and in a spiritual far country that you never intended living in.  

 

Listen Closely:  God’s word says that sin is enjoyable for a season.  Then payment is due!

 

Never forget:  Sin will take you father than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay.  And, it’ll charge you more than you are willing to pay.  Say “No!”  Flee evil and the very appearance of it.  Stay in God’s Word daily.  Keep yourself surrounded with a godly accountability partner that will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.  Stay out of spiritually unhealthy environments.  Lock eyes with Jesus every day and walk towards Him. You’ll be glad where you wind up at the end of the day.  

 

Avoid a life of erosion.  

 

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

 

Be Worth Being,

 

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

“But it happened after a while that the brook dried up”…

1 Kings 17:7

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WHEN THE BROOK DRIES UP

Many years ago I was sitting along side a small brook watching the water gently flow over the rocks, down stream. The brook had a steady flow of water with no end in sight. Then it happened, some weeks later that same flowing brook had no water at all. What once was a thriving brook was now parched, dry and barren.

In a similar way, that same experience happened to the Prophet Elijah. God told him to go east to the Brook of Cherith and wait for instructions. God would provide for his physical nourishment morning and evening, while Elijah could drink water from the brook. Then one day it happened: the brook dried up! It became dry, parched and barren. No more water to drink. What now?

Have you ever been there in life? Things are clicking along well, you’re cruising through life, everything trending in the right direction—then your brook dries up—a job loss, furlough, health test, divorce, death of a spouse or death of a child. What do you do? How do you respond? What is important to remember during these dry and barren times of life?

When “the brook dries up” it is important to remember:

1) God has not forgotten you! When your Brook dries up, rest assured that God has not forgotten about you. He knows exactly what you’re facing and He knows what you’re enduring. As His child, nothing touches your life unless it is sifted through His hands first.

Read what God said through the Prophet Isaiah: “I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed your name on the palms of My hands.”— Isaiah 49:15-16

God loves His children and He has not forgotten you. You are forever on His mind and His eye is continually on you. Rest in that truth.

2) Wait for God to show you the next step! “Waiting and America” don’t go hand in hand. We live in a culture where everything is instant. We don’t like to wait for anything. We have instant coffee, milk, breakfast, grits, oatmeal, etc…the list is endless of things that bring instant gratification. Listen closely: God doesn’t work like a microwave; rather, He works like a crockpot. He works in His timing and on His calendar, not ours. And it generally requires waiting. Easy to say, hard to do.

Yes, when the Brook dries up we must wait. Don’t run ahead of God. Don’t do it your own way. Patience is vital. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and wait for His direction as you take the necessary action steps, plans and preparations.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us of this.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

I’m not sure where you are in life or if your brook has dried up. However, I do know that God hasn’t forgotten you and He desires that you wait patiently on Him as He moves pieces into place—for your good and for His glory.

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

 

“I have brought You glory on the earth, by completing the work which You have given Me to do.”

John 17:4

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Ordinary to Extraordinary

 

Never underestimate an ordinary life. One who isn’t successful in the worlds eye—A shoe salesmen, a homemaker, a barber, a restaurant server, a grocery store clerk—God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary work in this world. Take for instance the following story of Edward Kimball. Quite possibly, you’re asking yourself at this moment, who in the heck is Edward Kimball? Allow me to explain.

 

Edward Kimball was a dry goods salesman in Boston. A simple ordinary man. However, every Sunday morning at church, Kimball taught a Sunday School class to a group of young teenage boys. He had a particular burden for one of these young men. So one day, Kimball mustered up the courage to reach the young man at his work. He was nervous and scared. He paced back and forth before entering the store where the young man worked. Placing his hand on the young mans shoulder, Kimball shared the gospel message of Jesus Christ with the young man. However, Kimball left the young man’s work thinking he botched his mission.

 

Little did Kimball know, later that night, this young boy would personally invite Christ into his life, and went on to become one of the greatest evangelists. His name was D.L. Moody. On June 17, 1873 D.L. Moody arrived in Liverpool, England to conduct a series of evangelistic crusades. A struggling young minister who was in the audience was so influenced by Moody’s message that his life and ministry was impacted and transformed. His name was J. Wilbur Chapman.

 

Wilbur Chapman went on to become a powerful traveling evangelist in the early 1900’s. He came in contact with a retired professional baseball player, and under Chapman’s mentoring, Billy Sunday went on to become one of the greatest evangelists of his time in American history.

 

Over time, Billy Sunday’s travels led him to Charlotte, N.C. where he held a campaign speaking to thousands. A group of businessmen who were in the audience became followers of Jesus Christ and began a prayer group that would impact not only their lives, but their local community in Charlotte. In October 1934, this group of local businessmen invited an evangelist who’s name was Mordecai Ham to hold a crusade in the local area. On October 8, Mordecai Ham was discouraged, and he wrote a prayer to God on the stationery at his Charlotte, N.C. hotel: “Lord, give us a revival here. … Pour out thy Spirit tomorrow.”

 

On October 9, 1934 his prayer was answered, as a young teenage boy from Central High School went to hear Mordecai Ham. That night, he gave his life to become a follower of Jesus Christ. That young boy’s name was Billy Graham—who went on to become the greatest evangelist in American history and around the world.

 

The faithful obedience of Edward Kimball, a simple ordinary dry foods salesman in Boston, led to countless lives being impacted and changed for eternity all around the world. One life touching another. Edward Kimball > D.L. Moody > J. Wilbur Chapman > Billy Sunday > Local business leaders in Charlotte, NC > Mordecai Ham > Billy Graham.

 

God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things in them and through them. He doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. I encourage you today to never underestimate God’s ability to use you in the life of others. All He is looking for is willing heart to say “I have brought You glory on the earth by completing the work which You have given me to do.”

 

Live your life with the end in mind. You won’t regret it!

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9

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Give It Your All – People Are Watching

 

If you’re an athlete or coach it should be in your nature to compete on the field of competition. If you don’t want to compete then something is wrong and you probably need to get out of the game you love.

 

The apostle Paul gives us an athletic picture and illustration. Look at what he says: “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.”

 

Paul is reminding us to maintain “self-control” in our daily walk with the Lord. We should be guarding our witness and examining our own personal behavior closely. We need to be sensitive to our conscience when it condemns us for wrong doing.

 

Then Paul tells us how to do that. Listen to what he says: “But I discipline my body and make it my slave.”

 

Paul reminds us to make discipline an utmost priority and that we need to discipline our bodies in such a way that we make it “our slave.” We place a guard over what we see. What we do. What we say. Where we go.

 

It is a daily grind, a fight, a competition if you will to beat your fleshly mortal body into submission to the obedience of Christ, pleasing only an audience of One. And why do we do this? So that we don’t become “disqualified” by losing our influence, our impact on others, and forfeit leaving a spiritual legacy in life that will long out live us when we are gone. What a tragedy that would be.

 

Compete! Be Disciplined! Don’t give in! Fight! Our witness, influence, impact and legacy are at stake and demands that we do.

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.