Thomas Alva Edison is remembered most for the electric light, his phonograph and his work with motion pictures. However, he also invented several devices that greatly improved the telephone. He improved several kinds of machines called generators that produced electricity. He improved batteries that hold electricity.

Bing Crosby is one of America’s most popular entertainers of all time. In 1931, Crosby launched his hugely popular radio show. He soon started starring in films, winning an Academy Award for Going My Way in 1944. Throughout much of his career, Crosby dominated the music charts with nearly 300 hit singles to his credit.

Halle Maria Berry is an American actress. Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the romantic drama film Monster’s Ball, becoming the only woman of African American descent and the only woman of color to have won the award.

Larry Bird, in full Larry Joe Bird, American basketball player who led the Boston Celtics to three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships (1981, 1984, and 1986) and is considered one of the greatest pure shooters of all time.

George Washington Carver was a world-famous chemist who made important agricultural discoveries and inventions. His research on peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other products helped poor southern farmers vary their crops and improve their diets.

Dennis Wagner ??

You??

I have spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the past 40 years or so of my life. The ups, downs, losses and more. I am in what I hope is the middle of my life and I have 50 years to go before I go to the mansion. I have often wondered how I might be remembered. Have I done “enough” or done something that has had impact on someone or even somewhere?

Just how will I be remembered? Will I be remembered? These questions will take you places you forgot, or possibly hoped you had forgot. They will take you deep within your soul and even test you a bit. It might reveal something surprising, or it might reveal nothing. Only you can decide what you are remembered for and when it comes to being remembered, well that cannot be answered as easily. I know someone created zippers, but I don’t know who that was. I know we have had four US presidents assassinated, but I only know two of the names. I even know that someone had to be the first to swim the English Channel, but who was it? I don’t know.

Being remembered is a tricky thing. You will most likely be remembered for the impact you have had in your immediate sphere of influence and or family. But, does that mean you will be remembered in another state or country? Does that matter? Each of us has a story, each is unique and can only be told by us. I believe each of us will be remembered based on that story we tell – throughout our lives. Our story is always changing, always moving and just when a chapter ends, another will begin.

I want to be remembered by what I have done, who I have helped, who I have coached and more. But I really want to be remembered because of my story. The story that started when God stepped in and I was born. My mom calls me her “miracle baby,” I say I am just whoever our God wants me to be and He saw that my mom and dad’s story included me! I am blessed to have had loving parents raise me, surround me with loving grandparents and aunts. But see my story doesn’t begin and end in being born. No, God has walked me through each day, one step at a time through the good and the bad. The devastating and joyful moments of life. My story has many chapters and is always growing.

A chapter to be highlighted in my life is the invite to church. It came from my then girlfriend, now wonderful wife. The giving of my life, my everything to my Lord and Savior. Not because I had to – I wanted to and I get to. Eternal life with Him is so much better than the alternative. I could share more of my story, but that is for another time.

I want you to think about your story……….how will you be remembered?

Thanks for stopping by the fire,
Pastor Dennis