Author: Kevin Burrell

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

---

 

Being a Friend

Having friends are important. However, I believe being a friend is even more important. We go through life thinking we have countless friends, but do we really? I would venture to say that most people have many acquaintances, but not many true, authentic friends—especially during the storms of life.

 

A couple years ago I had a conversation with my good friend, Ralph Reyes. Ralph has been a MLB scout with the Los Angeles Angels for many years. While chatting by phone, Ralph said he was making a three-hour drive north from Miami to have a late breakfast with his friend who is struggling through his own personal life storm. He is in need of a friend he can talk to and who will listen. I was quickly reminded: to have friends we must be a friend.

 

Ralph then made this important statement;  “As a baseball scout, we don’t think twice about driving three or four hours to evaluate a player who turns out not to be a prospect. Then get back in the car, drive back home, only to do it all over again the very next day. Why wouldn’t we do the same thing for our friend who is in need?”

 

My friend Ralph—he gets it! Jesus reminds us in the verse above about the value of being a friend. He reminds us that a “true friend sticks by you like family.” They don’t just give a wink, or a nod, or a pat on the back, or a “hang in there, I’ll say a prayer for you” vote of confidence. The cost of true friendship requires action and is willing to be interrupted in order to serve the needs of their friend. Jesus goes as far as reminding us that a true friend will lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). That is a friendship that knows no boundaries.

 

I am not sure what you are struggling with in your life today. However, we all need a trusted friend, and we all need to be a trusted friend. When the storm clouds gather, we cherish those people who we know we can turn to, who will always be there with a hug, a kind word, a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on if we need it. May I remind you today there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and that friend is Jesus Christ. Lean into Him today—and then be that same kind of friend to others who are hurting, struggling and in need of hope and encouragement as they endure their storm in life.

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

---

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

---

 

The Priority of Planning

Planning in life is vitally important. Those who go through life “winging it” will run into many challenges, disappointments, discouragements and defeats. Wars are planned, weddings are planned, funerals are planned, retirements are planned, vacations are planned, meal plans are planned, careers are planned, conferences are planned, meetings are planned, flight plans are planned, graduations are planned, births are planned, etc… You get the idea. The list could be endless.

 

Benjamin Franklin once said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

 

John Maxwell said: “If you fail to plan, then plan to fail.” However you want to say it, it’s important to plan!

 

While it’s important to plan as we go through life, it is even more important to understand that it is God who determines the steps of your plans through life. It is God who connects the dots. It is God who is writing your story and it is God who will establish your plans. All He asks of us is to “plan” and then trust Him for the results. God sees from beginning to end, and it is God that will guide you step by step. Don’t rush ahead.

 

I’m not sure where you are in life at this moment—however, I do know that God is holding you right in the palm of His mighty hand, writing your story, and establishing His will for your life. Lean into the Lord. Obey Him. Trust Him. Make wise choices and decisions. Don’t quit! Don’t throw in the towel because your plan hasn’t worked out in your time! Don’t give up! And don’t stop planning!

 

Because when you can’t trace God’s Hand—Trust His heart as He determines your steps.

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

---

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.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:40

---

 

What is Your “PCR” Report?

For nearly eight years our son, Zach, has been a licensed Paramedic in the State of Georgia and is also a Nationally Certified Paramedic.  One of his important job responsibilities is to write and maintain accurate, high-quality and detailed documentation regarding the patients he cares for on his EMS calls.  These are referred to as “PCR” reports (patient care reports).  At a minimum, there are seven marks or key elements that are identified as essentials for documenting a well written and complete “PCR” narrative:

• Dispatch and Response Summery
• Scene Summary
• Patient Physical Exam Summary
• Interventions Summary
• Status Change Summary
• Safety Summary
• Disposition Summary

Yes, Paramedics (and all Healthcare Providers) have a responsibility to provide high-quality, accurate and detailed summaries of all patient encounters.  These components and indicators are vital in evaluating a quality “PCR” report.

In a similar way, there are seven vital key components or indicators of a “Fully Trained” disciple of Christ who is replicating the “Conduct” of Christ in their daily life.  Observe closely:

• Member – Do I belong to a local church by being in a large group weekend environment and prioritizing a small group environment?
• Magnifier – Am I spending time worshipping God in private when I’m alone, and in public in my local church?
• Minister – Am I meeting the needs of people in my local community, in my occupation, and in my local church?
• Maturing – Am I spending time alone with God, growing in my Fellowship and Faith with Him through reading, studying His Word, and prayer?
• Manager – Am I managing my time, my calendar, my talents, my relationships, my treasure and my body in a God honoring way?
• Messenger – Am I actively seeking out opportunities to share God’s message of love and salvation with others, inviting someone to church, small group, or discipleship group?
• Multiplier – Am I leveraging my influence by reproducing and multiplying more disciples with the life and time I’ve been given here on earth, am I making disciples that make disciples?

Listen closely:  If your target is to become a fully trained disciple, then all seven marks of Christ should be present in your life.  These seven marks may not be all the marks of a fully trained disciple, however all seven marks are evident in Jesus’s life, evident in the disciples’ lives, and evident in the life of the Church.  Not one time in the past 2000 years has being a disciple not included these seven marks of Christ’s life.  That should give you the motivation to want those marks present in your life.

What does your “PCR” report indicate about your life as a “Fully Trained” disciple?

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

---

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.

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”
John 14:27

 

We live in a culture and society today that has everything – except “Peace.”  Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older every year.  People with anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.  It’s not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

One of my good friends, Gary Dickinson is a pilot and flight simulator instructor for Delta Airlines. I asked Gary the following question: “What avionics instrument would be the worst to lose and go out during the flight?” His answer was the “Artificial Horizon Indicator.”  Gary said: “Without it we would be unable to keep our wings level if we entered weather—clouds or anything which obscured the horizon.”  You see, the Artificial Horizon Indicator is an extremely important cockpit instrument gauge. It gives you an instant, truthful indication as to whether your aircraft is turning, climbing or descending, and should be trusted over all other senses if you are disorientated or lost. When this instrument is working properly, it provides a great sense of “Peace” to the pilot flying through poor visibility or disorientation.

In a similar way, the “Peace of God” that only He can give is the instrument gauge that will navigate you through the storms of life when you can’t seem to find your way. Without it, our lives become disoriented. We are instead controlled by anxiety, depression, troubles, worry, doubt and fear, which inevitably will lead us to crash. However, Jesus reminds us in the verse above about the “Peace” that only He can provide. It transcends all earthly understanding. Read it again closely . . .

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be anxious, troubled, or fearful.”

The “Peace” that Jesus gives is the very instrument gauge that will guide you through the loss of a job, parents, child or spouse. It is the instrument gauge that will guide you through overwhelming challenges, difficulties and the storms of life.  Because it’s not a matter of if, but when you’ll encounter the deep valleys of life—and it is then that you must rely on the greatest spiritual instrument gauge:

“The Peace of God.”

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

---

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.

On that very day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And a great storm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
Mark 4:35, 37

---

It was July 12, 1977. I woke up that morning excited, getting ready for my all-star pony league baseball practice later in the day. I remember it was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining. Not a cloud in the sky. My dad left for work. My mom was at home working around the house. My 4-year old brother was attending Vacation Bible School that morning.

The day was going great—and then it happened. Later (that very same day) a storm hit our family. My little brother, back home from VBS, accidentally slipped into a friend’s pool and was lifeless, floating on the top of the water. He was rushed to children’s hospital in San Diego, where, later in the evening, he was gone and went to heaven to be with the Lord.

In the verses above the disciples experienced a storm as well. Read it for yourself again. Their morning started out well. Great ministry was going on. Exciting things were happening all around, and then, “on that very same day” when evening had come they were in the middle of a fierce storm, battling for their lives.

Here is the reality: we do not know what a day will bring. A beautiful morning—only to end with a storm-filled evening. Our life is like a vapor. Life is precious and life is short. However, what we do know or should know is that Jesus is in the middle of the storm. It never catches Him by surprise. He allowed it to happen to the disciples and He allows it to happen in our lives as well. He reminds us: “In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”

He is holding on to your hand. He doesn’t promise to keep us from the storms of life; however, He will guide us through the storm. Abide with Him. Trust Him. Allow your soul to anchor in Him. Every storm runs out of rain, just like every dark night turns into day. However painful, storms draw something out of us that calm seas never will.

Hang in there. Be strong. Be courageous. Do not fear. Do not quit. Keep making progress. Trust in the One who has you right in the palm of His Mighty hand.

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

---

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.

 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

---

There is an old legend that speaks of a conversation between Jesus and the angel Gabriel, after Christ’s ascension back to heaven:

Gabriel: “How bad was it on earth for the 33 years you were there?”

Jesus: “Oh Gabriel, it was awful.”

Gabriel: “How bad was it going to the cross? We stood ready, your legion of angels stood watch in the garden of Gethsemane, waiting for your call, while watching you in agony praying to The Father while all your disciples were asleep.”

Jesus: “Yes Gabriel, the pain and suffering was awful, and separation from The Father was agonizing. It was horrendous.”

Gabriel: “What plan did you make for completing God’s mission of telling everyone throughout all of time about how much God loves them?”

Jesus: “I asked Peter, James and John, and a handful more in the region to make it their life’s mission to tell others. And then those are to tell others, and the others still others, until every person has heard the Good News and their life becomes transformed by it.”

Gabriel stood in deep thought and meditation as though he saw a flaw in Jesus’ plan.

Gabriel: “Yes, but Master, suppose after a while Peter forgets and goes back to fishing and John loses his enthusiasm.  And what if their successors, down in the 21st century get so busy or so timid that they do not make the time or have the courage to tell others? What will you do then?”

The voice of Jesus answered quietly and confidently—

Jesus: “I haven’t made any other plans Gabriel. I am counting on them. There is no plan B.”

May I remind you as well that there is no plan B. Plan B is plan A!

As you are going through life—Go, And Make Disciples!

Be who God created you to be. Never forget, If Satan can’t make you bad—he will just make you busy. Be busy about the right things. The things that truly matter in this life. Go and tell the message. Work His plan—and His plan will work!

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

---

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.

When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.

Matthew 9:36, 38

---

Recently my wife and I were in a restaurant enjoying a date night out. While talking with the young lady who was our server, we learned she was struggling to make ends meet at home because her husband was out of work and they had young children to feed and care for. We saw a lady who was doing her best while walking through a dark valley in her life. We felt compassion for her. Sadly, it stopped there, until the Spirit of God said “That is not enough, Kevin.”

I have learned through the years in my walk with the Lord that Kindness = Seeing + Feeling + Action. All three steps are required. Needless to say my wife and I acted. We saw a need, felt compassion for the need, and took action to fill the need.

In the passage above Jesus was no different. Look at the progression. Jesus saw the crowds. He had a feeling of compassion for the crowds. However, He didn’t stop there. He took action by “Sending Out More Workers” into the crowds.

 I heard it said long ago, “The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm.” There is no truer statement!

We must first see a need > It must touch our heart to feel compassion for the need > And it must drive us to action by showing God’s love in a practical way to fill the need.

See a need …. fill a need!

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

---

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.