Do You See Slavery Today?

April 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I ran across this video today from the End It Movement. Take three minutes and watch it.

See, I wonder what those 60,000 people did after they saw this. I wonder if they got on the website or tweeted about it or posted on facebook about it. I wonder what they did.

But I wonder what I’m doing too. What am I doing to stop stuff like this? What am I doing to remind people that slavery is still happening today and it isn’t the movies.

What do you do when you see this? Do you cry? Do you cringe? Do you wonder HOW it is still happening?

So, now you have seen a glimpse of it. Don’t you want to end it?

It seems so insignificant to just repost something or give a few dollars here and there. But, what a difference it would make if we were to rise up and simply say right to the face of slavery: “We see you. We know what you have done. And we are coming for you.“

Nothing horrible in the world was ever stopped when it remained in the dark. The atrocities that were seen in the world were never averted until they were brought to light. When darkness comes into contact with light, it cannot continue to exist.

Awareness is a powerful thing. Awareness brings light to dark situations. Light ends Dark. What are you willing to do to End It?

Filed Under: Life Updates

Does Your Life Make Sense?

April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I walked into the office this morning and I couldn’t get this passage out of my mind:

“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” – 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

This is such an important and practical passage to me. I can’t get the main question of this passage out of my head: “Does your life make sense to the people of this world?”

Have you ever taken the time to think about that? If I profess faith in Jesus Christ, my life should not make sense in accordance to the ways of this world. Every decision I make, every action I take, should make a person stop and consider why I am doing what I am doing.

See, I know that this can sound ridiculous, it can sound difficult, and ultimately, you may still say that this is impossible. But, I submit to you that, this is impossible to not be true for the believer that truly walks in faith. If a person continually takes the next step of faith in their life, if they continually walk toward Jesus on the water of life and trust Him to provide everything that they need, how can their life possibly make sense?! They’re walking on water!?

My point here is this: If we are walking in faith, then my life will never fail to boggle people’s minds. Faith is not something that comes from this world. It’s not something that I can just muster up. Faith comes from believing. Faith comes from God and God alone. That is a supernatural thing. That is a “foolish” thing in the eyes of men, but it is the only thing that makes sense for those who believe in Him.

So- Does your life make sense? If it does, what are you going to do today that is going to take the next step of not making sense. What is your faith worth to you?

Filed Under: Life Updates, Ministry

Happy Birthday to Me?

April 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Nick and I BirthdayYou know, I remember having a conversation with my college roommates about the validity of us having birthday celebrations for the people whose birthday it was. It seems kind of senseless considering all I had to do was make sure I was head first out the chute and my work was done on April 14, 1986.

Nate would always say something to the effect of, “Happy Birthday, tell your mom thanks.” And he was kind of right. See, we congratulate the one who was born on their birthday, but if we were really honest about our lives, we would probably have to stop and recognize the people that had gotten us to where we are today.

See, I don’t have a birthday without some hard work by my mom. And I don’t have many other birthdays after that without some more hard work by my dad. And I don’t have a spiritual birthday without some hard work from my Savior. And I don’t have an opportunity to help others have spiritual birthdays without the Holy Spirit continuing to tell a story through me. And NOBODY has birthdays without the work of God to create it all.

But, practically, there are so many people that have been with me and have played a part in the story to this point. As we were sitting at dinner last night, my mom handed me a card that I thought was from my grandparents. No, it was a handwritten card from Vicki Stevens, my fourth grade teacher at OxBow Elementary. Mrs. Stevens (used to be Mrs. Rupe) has sent me a birthday card ever since I was a fourth grader. Needless to say, she’s played a pretty important role.

There are countless others. People who have invested time, wisdom, money, life, to get me to where I am today. So, on this day, I say thank you: For the innumerable kind words, but more for the life that you have given me.

The question is: Have I grown up yet? Have you?

Filed Under: Life Updates

Changes Have Come to GeoffCocanower.com

April 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

GC Logo MOTTOIn light of yesterday’s post about CHANGE, I’m pumped to announce a couple new things that are going to be happening at GeoffCocanower.com. These are changes, that I believe, will help focus some of my work, provide a better vehicle for me to express what I’m passionate about, and ultimately give this place a fresh look.

Soon, you will begin to see some new elements, some new names, and hopefully find something here for you. I have to thank Michael Yoder and Joel Runyon for their help, inspiration, and the resources to be able to create this new space and new, fresh vision.

I’m excited to see where this goes and hope that you will join me on this journey. Maybe even be a part of the fun along the way!

Filed Under: Blog, Life Updates

Your Words Could Have More Weight

February 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I read a lot of words in one day. So many that I rarely remember even some of the most important ones that get said to me. But, I do remember a lot of what people do.

That’s ironic because we hear quotes of words that impressive people have uttered and cherish them. But do we cherish them because of what is said, or who said it? And why do we care who said it if we really aren’t affected by the words themselves.

The reason is, the people that are quoted, represent something; something deeper, something much more significant than a few catchy words put together to create a cliche’ of some sort.

The reason certain people have words that sink our hearts is because of how they lived. Most times, their words were only a representation of something they had already lived. These types of individuals understand one principal:

“Your words are a product of your life because lives are never the product of words.”

Think about it- the most significant words you have heard were ingrained into your life because of the person who said them.

So, instead of asking does my life line up with my words, maybe we should be asking: What is my life allowing me to say?

It’s time to turn the tables!

Filed Under: Leadership, Life Updates
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