I was leading a seminar this week and we were talking about the importance of understanding just how precious time is and how so little of it we actually have in life.  We seem to live our lives as if we have “all the time in the world.

‘In other words it's very easy for us to put off the really important things that we say that we will ” someday” get around to doing.  You know the kinds of things I'm talking about-the” bucket list.”

In case you haven't seen it the movie featuring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman titled the bucket list is the story of two men who discover they are about to die and they go on an adventure of accomplishing all the things in life that they wanted to but they had put on their bucket list.  The places they wanted to visit, the things they wanted to see and do, and healing the relationships that had been broken in their lives before it was too late.

So as we were talking about this in the work shop a gentleman raised his hand and he said to the audience what would you do today if you knew that you were going to be dead at midnight?  If you knew this was the last day that you have on this earth what would you do are smart who would you talk to?  What would you say?  Where would you go?

Obviously a question like this is very powerful to consider.  The only problem with it is that we don't seem to ever stop and consider these kinds of questions in our lives.  But the reality of it is today could in fact be the last day that we have on planet Earth.

So let me repeat his question at this time directed to you-how would you treat this day if you knew that you were going to be dead by midnight?  Take a moment and write down three to five things that you would be surer that you would do.  That you would regret and drink into eternity having not done these three to five things.

So let me ask-what things on that list can you do today?  And what's stopping you from doing it?  None of us are guaranteed tomorrow?  So maybe today it's time to take care of these things.

Let's just hope that were not  “Dead by midnight.”

As a man with many responsibilities, (husband, father, business leader, local church, small group leader, etc.) it is easy to sometimes feel overwhelmed with everything that is on my plate.

There never seems to be enough time to meet all the demands placed on me, and very rarely seems to be any time for me to do things other than fulfill my various responsibilities.

Add on top of that all the crises and problems in our world today, there is plenty to worry about.

So,  I have been thinking a lot lately about how important it is to truly take in the precious moments of each day.  It hit me about a month ago one night when I was working with some 10 year old boys as part of my son's baseball team.

We were conducting indoor hitting practice, and candidly I had a lot on my mind from the day.  But as I was bending over picking up baseballs to throw them back into the bucket, I felt the Lord speak to me.  I am not saying I heard His audible voice, but it seemed close to that. I felt a very clear presence speaking to me saying "Ray, you are doing EXACTLY what I want you doing, be present in the moment, take it all in, love these boys, and show them my love!"

Since that night, I have diligently focused on really being present in the moment.  I have noticed a totally different mindset in my business meetings.  Rather than thinking about all that I have on my "to do" list, I am doing a much better job of engaging myself in each conversation. I have been truly listening to what the other person is saying.  I am asking much better questions.  And I find myself learning from each person.

In my family, I am enjoying the time with my bride and 3 children in new ways.  I am taking it all in, realizing how much of a blessing each moment I have with my children truly is.

I am reminded of the following truth:

When we live in the past- it is easy to be consumed with guilt. Guilt over mistakes made or things we should or should not have done.

When we live in the future- it is easy to be overtakent with fear.  Fear of the unknown, or fear of what is to come.

It is only living in the moment (being present) that we can truly enjoy life and experience the peace and presence of God's spirit in our lives.

So take in each moment- and BE PRESENT!