SoCalMulligan808

A Different Kind of Valentine's Month

2012-02-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

50% Chance of Rain in San Diego on Valentine's Day.

My wife and I decided long ago that limiting our Valentine's celebration to a single day was unfulfilling. We changed it up and adopted the entire month of February as "Valentine's Month." We take turns every year being in charge of the daily activities. What a great way to celebrate love and romance. This year, we are still enjoying Valentine's Month, however, our hours are filled with activities centered around our move to the Midwest. It's a different kind of Valentine's month.

How do you celebrate love? If you're limiting yourself to a single day, you're missing out. And if your to do list is leaving you no room for romance, take a step back and figure out how to spice up your love life even in the mundane tasks, like driving to the waste dump site to unload your unwanted electronics. Even a run to the dump with a car loaded with garbage can be romantic if you use the moment to share what's going on in your heart.

Even though it may be a little late this year to celebrate Valentine's Month for the full month, it's not too late to take advantage of leap year and finish the month on a romantic high note. Promise yourself you will do something out of the ordinary for your loved one every day for the rest of the month. Do the unexpected. Take advantage of every moment, even if it's saying "I love you" in the middle of a dump yard.

What are your fondest memories of past Valentine's Day celebrations? Use the comment button below if you would like to share. Happy Valentine's Month.

Is Your Head Spinning?

2012-02-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Do you tweet, Mr. President?

Even Presidents get stuck when it comes to change. They are baffled by new technology and look to social media experts to stay connected in cyber-space. The more I learn about the latest trends, the more I realize I'm behind the times. How to you get over the social media headache?

You could throw your smart phone in the river or shut off the internet, however, the world will keep changing - with you or without you. Here's a few ideas to stop your head from throbbing.

Take baby steps. Just because the world is changing at lightning speed, you don't have to. Learn one new thing each day. By the time this year is over, you will be walking confidently and your children and grandchildren will think you're cool.
Watch YouTube videos. If you can get over the fact that most "experts" aren't old enough to drive, you can learn everything you need to know about the latest internet offerings simply by typing your "how-to" request in the search bar and watching a tutorial.
Get a twitter account and search for leaders in your area of interest. I joined the Twitter party late. This is how industry leaders keep in touch. Maybe you will get a tweet from the president once his kids teach him how to use it.

Do you have any ideas to contribute about all the new social media changes? Leave your comments below and join the party.

What flavor is your passion?

2012-02-11T08:08:00.001-08:00

A combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness, this unmistakable smell is as much a part of the book as its contents. ~ Dr. Matija Strlic, a chemist at University College London

If your passion were a food, what would it be? Would it be an appetizer you savor before the main course? Or a dessert you save for the end of the meal after you've finished all your veggies? Are you afraid to eat it because you may become what you eat?

The flavor of my passion is vanilla. Perhaps its scent is what attracts me to old books, just as it attracts Dr. Matija Strlic, a scientist dedicated to analyzing the smell of old books. Besides savoring the sweet fragrance of vanilla, I love to swoosh a spoonful of vanilla ice cream in my mouth before swallowing. It tingles my insides while traveling down my throat, a cool contrast on a hot summer day. When the vanilla reaches my heart, it sets it on fire, driving me to expel it in from my fingertips onto the keyboard of my Macbook Pro.

It would be so easy to skip all other foods, even water, and live on vanilla alone, however, I realize a healthy writer is one who balances his passion with flavors found in other food sources. At last, I've found the proper diet. I begin each day at 5:00AM, unscrewing the cap from my precious vanilla. Even the sound from the cap unscrewing makes me salivate. And when the clock ticks 8:08AM, it's time to put the cap back on my sweetest delight and see what else is on the menu.

What flavor is your passion? Leave your comment below. And if you're like me and your passion is writing, click here to enter my writer's kitchen.

Your Excuse is Invalid

2012-02-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Life is a marathon. I admit I wanted to leave the track once or twice. Thought I had some good excuses for giving up. Then I saw this picture a Facebook friend posted on her wall...

My excuses disappeared. My sour frown suddenly sweetened into a smile, thanks to number 43. Yes, smiles are contagious. You may have an excuse today, a reason why you have a sad face. This young runner doesn't have time to hear your grievance. He ran out of excuses a long time ago. And he doesn't care if he comes in first or last. He doesn't have any excuses to slow him down, they were all disqualified at the starting line. Whatever your excuse is, your excuse is invalid. Got a comment?

50 Reasons Why I'm Happy

2012-02-09T08:08:00.001-08:00

The other day I sat on a swing in my backyard. My bare feet soaked up the sun as if it were a summer day. I closed my eyes and thought of fifty reasons why I'm happy...

I'm married to the love of my life.
I have three precious children.
I have a mother who loves me without fail.
I mended a broken fence with my father before he said his final good-bye.
I discovered why I'm here on this planet.
A higher authority is in charge of my life.
As tough as the journey may be, I know I will cross the finish line no matter what.
I have the best team of business partners in the world.
Even though some of my enemies haven't forgiven me, I've forgiven them...all of them.
I'm surrounded by loving siblings, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and in-laws.
I have friends in my church community who encourage me.
I always get up after every fall.
I have friends all over the world.
New technology helps me to keep in touch with my friends.
My writers critique group is filled with people who are willing to mentor me.
My tennis friends, past and present.
Every person who offered me encouragement, a smile, or a pat on the back.
Every person who read something I wrote and found something of value.
My spiritual role models.
My ancestors.
Those who serve our country in the military.
The firefighters who saved my home against all odds.
Jack Lalanne, who autographed his picture and sent words of encouragement just before his exit.
Bruce Marchiano, plays Jesus on the big screen, lives Jesus on the small screen.
Jeni Stepanek, first best-selling author to say yes to my blog interview request.
Erma Bombeck.
My teachers and classmates from MHT.
My teachers and classmates from SHS, especially "Snora."
My teachers and classmates from Glendale CC.
My teachers and classmates from ASU.
My tennis mentors.
My business mentors.
My Facebook friends.
My Google+ friends.
My Twitter friends.
All things Google.
The sunrises.
The sunsets.
Creative people.
Caregivers.
My neighbors.
Createspace.
Musicians.
Writers and bloggers.
YOU...yes, YOU, the one reading this list right now, wondering if I'm thankful for YOU. Yes, I am. And I will always remember YOU, no matter how far away I'm sent, I will always be thankful for YOU and I will always remember YOU.
My daily bread.
God, the Father, the Creator of the universe.
God, the Son, the One who died for you and me so that we may have new life.
God, the Holy Spirit, the One who inspires me to write about why I'm happy.
Creation...a wondrous marvel filled with infinite reasons for all of us to be happy.

What is your number one reason for being happy? I would love to hear it. It will add to my happiness.

Time for a Mulligan Roast

2012-02-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

My tennis buddies are planning a going away party for me. My doubles partner, Larry, says it's going to be a roast, and I'm on the menu, literally. When I first came to Ramona over twenty-two years ago, I met Elliott Fox, the leader of a men's tennis group that met every Saturday morning for hours of fun on the courts. I asked Elliott to introduce me when I held my book release party at the new library. His kind words touched me. This upcoming roast will be much different. I'm expecting some overhead smashes, a few drop shots, and a rally of words as long as some of the exchanges between my heroes, Nadal and Federrer.

My buddies are going to have lots of fun putting me on the rotisserie. I will have my fun, too. It may not happen right away. Give me a few years. When the time is right, I'll be serving a roast of my own. It will be a novel filled with unsavory characters who have an uncanny resemblance to the chefs at the Mulligan roast. Ahhh, the joy of writing!

Dealing With Stress

2012-02-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Connors scuffling.

I don't have the best coping skills. When another person attacks me on a personal level, I have difficulty recovering. My stress levels are off the charts right now because I'm in the middle of a relocation. My to do list is massive. Others in my circumstances might choose drinking, gambling, or other harmful activities in order to take their minds off the challenges they face. I choose to write.

In high school, tennis was my coping mechanism. It was a great way to have an outlet for my anger. That fuzzy tennis ball got a daily four hour long beating. The ball got thrashed but my sanity remained intact.

There are people close to me who don't understand me. They ridicule me. They offer to "intervene" so I can be saved before I fall off the cliff. The irony of it all is in the solution I found to deal with stress. Just like AA or overeater's anonymous, I created a gathering place for people who can't stop writing, a cyber-space place for people to share their addiction. Every Friday, other guests who are more chronic in their addiction share their passion. The meeting place, Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro, is a light house beckoning others who seek refuge from a world that doesn't understand why they are obsessive compulsive writers. Some visitors remain anonymous while others publicly admit they are destined to write every day no matter their circumstances.

Is there a cure for someone like me? I do believe if I were to stop pursuing my life's passion, it would be like asking my heart to stop beating. The self-imposed writing restrictions from 5:00AM to 8:08AM are a reasonable compromise. I remember the story about Jimmy Connors when he first held a tennis racket at the age of two. His grandmother removed him from the tennis courts every day after his short play time. Young Jimmy was always kicking, screaming and scuffling, refusing to leave. His desire to play tennis consumed him and he couldn't wait to be back on the courts the next day. At 8:08 every morning, my court time is over for the day. I promise there will be no kicking or screaming. No intervention is needed. I think I found a way to deal with my stress. How do you manage stress? Leave your comments below.

Why I Know Prayer Works

2012-02-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Every one of us on the planet has at least one gift. I discovered my wife's gift early in our 22+ years of marriage. She prays daily and God hears her requests. When she first approached me about relocating to the Midwest over four years ago so she could be closer to her siblings, I scoffed. So did our two oldest children. My wife prayed. And God changed our hearts, like changing your least favorite vegetable into your favorite fruit. I'm still shaking my head about the way He positioned all the players on the field so that every Hail Mary my wife threw was caught.

My childhood prayer for wisdom has been answered. No, I don't claim to be smarter than anyone else; I do claim to see things most others overlook, like God answering my wife's prayers. He doesn't just move the mountains, He inspires others to participate in the movement. It's like building a house without having enough money to complete it. Then, out of nowhere, the resources show up just in time for the next phase of construction.

The success of prayers is tied to faith. There must be an expectation the prayer request will be granted. The prayer request needs to be for something that will improve humanity. For example, if you have a heart for helping a neighbor in need but you don't have the resources, ask God to bless you with the tools you need to help the neighbor. Be specific. Have faith. And watch Him answer your prayer. Don't forget to thank Him. Stay out of the limelight. Point the spotlight back to the One who answered your prayer.

Yes, prayer works. And to prove it, check back with me in thirty days and I'll give you my new address...in Iowa, the endzone my wife has fixed her eyes upon during the entire football game. Her teammates are all doing the salsa dance we learned while watching Victor Cruz of the New York Giants at the Super Bowl. Do you have a story to share about how your prayers were answered? Leave your comments below. Here's a video link to one of my wife's favorite books...

Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You

2012-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

John F. Kennedy challenged every American to contribute during his inaugural speech. Click here to read it. If he were still with us today, he would be surprised how many deny his pleas. I confess my guilt. I asked my banks to help me when my income declined and I could no longer meet my obligations. I asked my state to assist me with grant money for my children for college. I'm no longer a contributor but a taker, instead of filling the bucket, I'm a hole in the bucket.

I could blame the banks for their unwillingness to change the terms of my bloated mortgage. I could blame the IRS for charging penalties when I cashed in my retirement account to fund day-to-day expenses. I could even blame congress for teaching me it's okay to just borrow more when you're in a bind. Instead, I remember the words of John F. Kennedy. I remember where the greatness of this country comes from. Today I make this promise to myself, my family, and my country. From this day forward I will be a better example. Here's my pledge:

I will no longer borrow money and live outside my means.
I will cut out all unnecessary spending.
I will ask "what can I do for this country?" and stop asking "what can this country do for me?"

The strength of this country comes from admitting our weaknesses. It's time for my family to be an example. It's time to cut up those credit cards. It's time to ask congress to stop spending money it doesn't have. If every one of us follows the advice of John F. Kennedy, then we can restore our families and our country. Care to comment?

Even Passions Have Their Limits

2012-02-04T08:08:00.001-08:00

The blur between my "online world" and my "offline world" is getting fuzzier. I so love connecting with other passionate people all over the planet. This leads to a time management challenge which I must address. My family needs me. There are chores to do. We are facing a major life event with our move to the Midwest in less than thirty days. Here's my solution:

For the next thirty days, I will put strict limits on my "online world." All writing and social media contact will be handled at specific times...

Writing, blogging, emailing, and social media contacting begins at 5:00AM daily.
Writing, blogging, emailing, and social media contacting ENDS at 8:08AM daily.
At 8:08AM I exit the writing cave and interact in the offline world like "normal" people.
Unless it's an extreme emergency, I will not respond to writing related emails until 5:00AM the following day.
Socalmulligan808 and Caveman Reflections blogs will each maintain a seven day reserve of stories to allow a one week blog "vacation" while I move my family to Iowa. There will be no "online world" contact during this time, although my online friends will still see a steady flow of stories on both blogs at 8:08AM every day, even while I'm on vacation.

Should I be fortunate enough to land a job involving my writing passion, I will modify my schedule in order to serve my blog readers without interfering with my new employer. There is still an outside hope I may be able to turn my writing and speaking "hobby" into a full-time career. This is an interesting topic of conversation amongst other family members. For me, this is where prayers for discernment come in handy.

Thank you for your understanding about my need to put limits on my passions. An amazing adventure awaits and my family is super excited about the changes we face. With the right amount of balance between online and offline activities, I believe the quality of both will improve. Care to comment?

30,000 Pageviews and Counting

2012-02-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

Thank you for reading my daily stories. Your encouragement along the way is much appreciated. Your feedback helps me to offer a better blog experience. 30,000 pageviews. What a journey. And it's really only just beginning. Here's what you can expect from me in the future...

The Caveman in the Mirror, my first novel. Release date is 3/17/13.
A new blog for passionate writers, editors, publishers, literary agents, and social media experts. Click here to visit Caveman Reflections, A Cyber-bistro.
Free Lemonade Stories - A blog dedicated to people who wish to share their story about overcoming obstacles. Top stories will become part of an Ebook, offered free to readers who follow any of my three blogs. The release date is dependent on how many people share their stories.
Consistent blog writing. New stories are posted every day at 8:08AM on this blog and at Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro. I'm now writing over 1,000 words a day.
Free Stuff- Bookmark this site and come by again for free give-aways. Don't forget to visit my new Cyber-bistro and become a V.I.P. member. You will be automatically entered in the monthly drawing for free autographed collector copies.

The greatest lesson I learned is to live your dreams. When I founded my publishing business with my partners, all high achievers, I paid a high price. The first two years as an entrepreneur, I gave back any earnings in the form of capital contributions. We challenged one of the biggest corporations in America. When a second conglomerate entered the picture, we ended up fighting two multi-billion dollar giants at the same time, with limited resources. The other giants have left our turf. My role in the company today is limited to being an investor. My partners now run the day-to-day operations while I pursue my ultimate dream...to impact the world through my writing and public speaking. The 30,000 pageviews really only represent the first mile in my life's marathon. I feel so alive. Thanks for your support. Let's keep running together. The comments section is a place for you to share your journey with me. Carpe Diem!

A Tour of the Cyber-kitchen

2012-02-02T08:08:00.001-08:00

I opened Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro at the start of the New Year to bring people together who share a passion for writing. If this blog is my sandbox for sharing general things going on in my life, consider the Cyber-bistro as a separate place dedicated to writing, editing, publishing, and sharing about social media.

Sometimes, these blogs overlap. Since many of the visitors at the Cyber-bistro don't know me, I decided to invite bistro guests into the kitchen for a one-on-one conversation. Should you decide to become a V.I.P. member of the bistro, click the follow button located on the right margin just below the countdown clock. All bistro members are automatically entered in monthly drawings for chances to win a collector copy of my next book.

Click here to meet me in the kitchen. Thanks for stopping by today. If you have a friend who is a writer, please spread the word about my new blog for writers.

Show Me The Plan

2012-02-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

A good plan needs a strategy for proper execution. I sat down with my wife and youngest son the other day to make the plan for our exit from California. I based the plan on Michael Hyatt's Life Plan. My family is eager for the next chapter of our lives. The plan includes seven projects. Each project has a leader or co-leader and all projects are vital to the success of our move. Here's a few examples of our plan. May it inspire you to write down all the things that are important to you and your family. Don't forget to join Michael Hyatt's subscription list so you can read his Life Plan Ebook.

Close escrow on our home by 2/29.
Stay on top of all school work in Cyber-school (yes- my son attends on-line school) during move.
Get jobs in Iowa.
Find a new home to rent.
Get a moving truck.
Sell any possessions we don't need.
Daily love letters no matter how busy we are during move.
One week ahead on blogs to build a cushion during relocation.
Plan two routes to Iowa - one for maximum scenery, the other in case of inclement weather.
Notify friends and family about our plans.
Pray.
Treat every day like an adventure and savor the beauty of the journey we are on.

When you put your own plan together, make sure you build it around your own life's passions. Never cut back on your visions just because they seem out of reach. Living your dreams requires steady commitment and sacrifice. If you are passionate about your vision, you will find a way to live it. Go for it.

Do You Know Where You're Going?

2012-01-31T08:08:00.000-08:00

Detours often frustrate me. I find myself angry each time I encounter an obstacle blocking me from achieving a goal. One day I woke up and realized I was on the wrong road. Anger and frustration are road signs warning you about where you're headed.

There are road signs for every area of your life. Pay attention to them and you will be better prepared for your future.

Stress is also a road sign. If you ignore it, you may become sidelined. It's your body's way of telling you to change direction or to slow down.

In thirty days, my wife, my youngest son and I will be on the road. The three of us see the same road signs and we know we are headed in the right direction. We spent the weekend mapping out a life plan. We formulated seven key projects we need to develop in order to live our dreams. The road won't be easy. It's not supposed to be. But we will pay careful attention to all the road signs.

How about your road signs? Do you heed them or ignore them? Are you satisfied with where you're going. Leave a comment below if you would like to share about your life's journey.

Living My Faith

2012-01-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

When you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ~ Jeremiah 29:12

The best way I can describe Faith is not with my words but my actions. Faith is invisible. Actions are visible. Words are natural. God is supernatural. So are ideas. And prayer is a way to connect the invisible with the visible.

When I began my formal writing journey almost nine hundred days ago, a tiny whisper ignited a flame within me; I cannot explain how it happened or why the fire consumes every ounce of my being.

I suppose the captives experienced this when they were freed from slavery. An invisible force guided them into the unknown desert. Their enemies pursued them to the edge of the Red Sea and they found themselves trapped. Moses raised his hands high in the air and the sea parted, revealing an escape route.

My friends, I'm on a similar journey today. The part visible to you is this blog, now connected to Caveman Reflections, Free Lemonade Stories, and my next book. It's also the link between the visible and the invisible.

What will happen next? If my past is any indication of my future, you will want to come back regularly and discover it with me and my family. I rarely write about my family for a reason. They prefer to be invisible. The plan God has for me includes a vision for my loved ones; they understand what it means to live their faith. They witness the Red Sea in our daily lives parting on a regular basis. It is so natural for my family that we expect the Red Sea to part every time we appear trapped. God's plans don't end at cul-de-sacs. They are just mountains meant to be overcome. I raise my hands to the heavens and ask God to show me the strategy for removing any barriers to His plans. I can't explain how the mountains move. It has to do with faith.

Have you every faced a mountain in your life that you moved? Leave your comments below.

It's Almost Time for the Leap of Faith

2012-01-29T08:08:00.000-08:00

Have you ever taken a leap of faith? Ever done something that defies all logic and common sense, like the salmon that swims upstream when everyone else is comfortable staying right where they are?

My leap of faith begins next month on February 29. Like an Olympic long jumper, I've been training for many years in preparation for this single jump, a leap into my destiny. This vault will take me past many state lines and I will land half-way across the country in Iowa with my wife and youngest son at my side.

How about you? Have you ever taken a leap of faith? Leave your comment below. And enjoy the video of top athletes demonstrating their leaping abilities.

The Pursuit of Simplicity

2012-01-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

Simplicity is often an elusive American dream. Time-saving devices like cell phones often become obstacles to peace. Here's a great example of how quickly peace is disrupted by an ill-timed phone call...

How do you respond when your life becomes complicated? Do you give up on your pursuit of simplicity? The violinist could have blown up, however, he chose a humorous response that allowed him to stay relaxed. He let go of any anger he may have felt toward the rude guest. The pursuit of simplicity also involves letting go. Here are some simple steps to help you in your pursuit of simplicity:

Remain calm when situations get complicated.
Let go of low priorities on your "to do" list or delegate them.
Avoid arguments and look for common ground when dealing with angry people.
Pray.
Spend time with nature.
Ask for help.
Learn to say no to unimportant requests when you know your yes will make your life more complicated.
Eat simple foods.
Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Take care of your most important daily priority first.

Do you have any ideas you would like to share about your pursuit of simplicity? Comment below.

Becoming Insignificant

2012-01-27T08:08:00.000-08:00

He must increase, but I must decrease ~ John 3:30

There is wisdom in surrounding yourself with people more talented than you. I recall someone telling me that "A's" hire other "A's" while "B's" hire "C's." A person in charge of hiring who is afraid he may be replaced by the new guy ends up weakening his company and his own value. The person who hires the best talent available increases value even if he himself becomes insignificant.

This actually happened at my publishing company. As soon as we launched, I got a call from a competitor interested in joining us. We were too small to hire her at the time, however, I asked her to keep in touch. Eventually, we hired her and she quickly became our top sales rep. Her ability to reach customers outside our established client list earned her a seat at the partner table. When we needed to trim our payroll, one partner needed to give up his job in order to keep our doors open. I evaluated the A+ talent all around me and decided I was the one who was least significant. The only companies who will survive in today's economy are the ones who seek out the best talent.

Want to add value to your company? Strive to become insignificant, meaning, load your company up with so much top talent that you are no longer the big fish everyone depends on. You will gain the freedom to pursue your passion and your business will thrive.

I will apply this lesson to all areas of my life, choosing to surround myself with people smarter, more experienced, and better qualified, even if it means they may end up replacing me. I applied this rule when I found the future Mrs. Mulligan 22+ years ago. The good news is she promised me she would never trade me in.

How about you? Do you have an idea you would like to contribute to today's message?

Making the Transition

2012-01-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

The first time I dared to look in the mirror and ask God to show me who I am in His eyes was the day I discovered my life would never be the same. In order to live the dreams God has for me and my family, I must let go of my old life. God's vision is finally coming into focus. Although I will remain an investor in the publishing company I co-founded with the best partner team in the country, I already let go of my day-to-day activities and turned over my duties to my partners. Now it's time to enter the writing and public speaking world full-time. Pursuing a passion is not easy and there's really never a right time. This move requires a leap of faith. That leap takes place on Leap year, February 29th, when my home closes escrow. My family is ready for a new adventure. This is what it looks like to be in my boat...

As I look back at the last six months of my life, I see very clearly how God lined up all the details in order for this transition to take place. I shared the possibility of a relocation with my writers critique group and they unanimously voted to allow me the opportunity to stay connected to the group through cyberspace. I set up a private blog for members of my critique group and a couple of stories have been successfully edited with this online tool. I'm thankful they will be able to edit my novel, even if I'm no longer living in the same community. And I do promise to keep my daily blog writing commitment, no matter how chaotic my life may get in the boat we're sailing in.

It's no coincidence this year's theme is faith. I really do believe mountains are being moved. If you or your group is interested in a "caveman talk," let's put an event together. I would love to share my faith journey with you and your group. If you are participating in a Bible study, you may be interested in my "Caveman Reflections" presentation, an ideal way to connect with your group in a small, intimate setting from the comfort of your home. Contact me if you are interested.

How about you? How do you discover God's plans for your life? Leave a comment below if you would like to share.

Dr. John Mulligan Endorses Book

2012-01-25T08:08:00.002-08:00

I'm happy to announce my cousin, Dr. John Mulligan, as the first relative to endorse my next book, The Caveman in the Mirror. While conversing with my cousin, I shared the plot about two crazy people who are the main characters in the novel. I told my cousin there's only one other relative outside my immediate family publicly following my Caveman Reflections blog; he happens to be John's younger brother, David (You can see David singing with his band in the YouTube video below). For those of you who read my first book, God's Black Sheep Squadron, you know my dad considered himself the black sheep of the Mulligan family. After my parents divorced and dad moved away, I felt this void. A big part of it was missing those weekly Mulligan gatherings with my cool cousins. John found a way to keep in touch through the dark times my family faced without our dad in the picture.

My cousin told me he has no problem endorsing my work. As an endorser, John will read the final manuscript before sharing his review on the back cover. I first became aware of my cousin's gift for healing others when he nursed my damaged knee after a bad fall on Mulligan Mountain in Prescott, Arizona. We were racing down the mountain while on a grade school break. John out-paced me by a couple of steps. I gave it everything I had and tumbled. The young doctor restored his first patient good as new. Years later, he tells other family members he wished he could've done something for the brain injury. Funny, most people think he's serious, especially the ones who know me.

Thank you, cousin, for giving me permission to disclose our blood ties. I look forward to your review on the back cover. And tell the rest of the clan it's okay to visit me at the Cyber-bistro. I will never share any information about my relatives unless permission is granted first. Thanks for joining me on the planet two months and five days after I was born. That's a lot of years of swimming, camping, playing tennis, and sharing awesome times together. And here's another shout out to your kid brother, David, sitting in the front seat with his band buddies. I thank both of you for supporting my writing efforts.

Marine Hit by Drunk Driver Shows Compassion

2012-01-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

What would you do if a drunk driver who nearly killed you asked you for forgiveness? Could you do it? This is exactly the situation Marine Sergeant David Smith faced when a drunk driver asked him to forgive her at her courtroom sentencing. There is something inside this brave marine that is really special. Check out how he responds to the woman's request for forgiveness.

Marine Shows Mercy in Courtroom

Your Last Hour

2012-01-23T08:08:00.001-08:00


Photo from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

It's easy to know what someone's priorities are. Just look at what they're doing right now. Whatever it is...watching TV, spending time with family, exercising - that's what the priority is. Suppose you were told this was your last hour. Would you turn off the TV? Would your priority change?

Most of us are afraid of that final hour. We're so busy rushing around to complete our checklists, we overlook what's really important. Live each hour as if it were your last and you won't be caught by surprise. Make the hour count. Every hour. Say you're sorry. Phone a friend. Let go of a grudge. Make the hour you are living right now your finest and savor it, every precious minute of it.

Would you care to comment? Share how you would spend your last hour.

Would Jesus Be Your Facebook Friend?

2012-01-22T08:08:00.001-08:00

One of my Facebook friends posted how he got "unfriended." I don't know which hurts more, getting unfriended for your opinions and beliefs, or getting rejected when you ask someone to be your friend and you get the cold cyber-shoulder.

There's this subconscious thing we all do when someone sends us a FB friend request. We check to see how many friends they have and who they are before answering the friend request. Maybe this is why Google+ reached a milestone of 90 million users in a matter of months and is forecast to have 400 million subscribers by the end of this year. Google + allows you to keep your friends private. We can share personal information in "circles" rather than blasting it all over cyber-space.

So the big question is, would Jesus be your friend on Facebook?

His first friends thought Jesus was only for the chosen ones and would surely want to unfriend Jesus if you or I showed up on His friends list. That's how different Jesus is - He invites everybody, even people His friends find unworthy. When Jesus first showed up, everyone wanted to be His friend. Then they noticed He used no discretion whatsoever with the "add friend" button. By the time Jesus was put on trial, His entire circle of followers "unfriended" Him. They didn't understand just how much Jesus wants every one of us on His friends list, no matter what we've done or who is in our circle of friends.

If Jesus sent a friend request to you right now, would you accept? Or would you rather put Him in your Google + circle so you can keep your relationship private? After all, the world wants to unfriend Him in our schools and other public places. Adding Jesus to your friends list is risky. Just remember, when you are down and out, the world may "unfriend" you, however, there is one friend you can always count on. I'm willing to risk being unfriended by others because Jesus is my friend. How about you?

What's the Meaning of John 3:16?

2012-01-21T08:08:00.001-08:00

Why is it all those sign flappers sitting behind the end zone at football games are always flashing their John 3:16 signs? Quarterback Tim Tebow sports the quote just below his eyes for the world to see while TV networks reject commercials featuring references to it. Can someone please help me understand what this is all about?

For those who are looking for answers easier to understand than some of Tebow's offensive play schemes, here's a video that may help. Check it out...

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/10/explain-it-to-me-john-316/

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

How to Downsize and Be Happy

2012-01-20T08:08:00.001-08:00

Got too much stuff? It may be getting in the way of your happiness. If you feel you've got too much clutter in your life, try this:

Disconnect your TV once a week.
Donate any clothes you haven't worn in a year.
Cancel your newspaper subscription.
Disconnect your home phone.
Shut off your cell phone the first two hours you come home from work.
Shut off your social media when a live body is in front of you and keep it off.
Don't bring any junk food into your home.
If you have young children and they are in a bad mood, tell them, "wave good-bye to the grumpies." Don't let them stop waving until they're all gone. My kids still remember this exercise. The grumpies go away really fast when you do this in public.
Make a list of all the things that annoy you. Read the list one time and then shred it. It's time you got over being annoyed.
Find three things in your home somebody you know can benefit from more than you and downsize.

Anything you want to add to the list? Leave your comment below. And be happy.

Out on a Limb

2012-01-19T08:08:00.000-08:00

There you are, out on a limb. You're praying your boss won't follow you up the tree and saw off that branch barely supporting you. Kind of scary, isn't it? And if it's not your boss you're afraid of, maybe it's one of your creditors wanting to collect on a past due bill. That house of yours was once a security blanket. Now the mortgage debt adds so much weight to that limb you're on it appears you could fall at any moment.

The question you ask is "what's the next step?"

You wouldn't be asking this question unless you were outside your comfort zone. Set your creativity free and go to work on a solution. Don't be afraid to fall. Do you trust that the Creator of the universe is watching over you? This is a good time to work on your prayer life. Most people only talk to talk when they're out on a limb. He's waiting for you to have a little faith. Go ahead. Talk to him.

The Human Side of Jesus

2012-01-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

Make sure you block out 1hr 38 minutes of your time before you watch this video. I must warn you, once you start, you won't be able to stop. When you are done, you will know the human side of Jesus that history has failed to portray. Enjoy...

http://updates.ransomedheart.com/replay/

How to be a Winner at Sentences

2012-01-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Photo by Mike Mulligan, handcrafted pieces by T. Mazzola.

Sentences are pawns on a chess board. In the opening, they may advance one square or two. They are capable of destroying an enemy of greater ability- even take down an entire kingdom. In the end-game, pawns themselves can magically transform into unstoppable royalty. An experienced player understands the function of a pawn and how to put him in the right place at the right time, even when the choices are infinite.

I may be new to the sentence chess game, however I've been tinkering with chess since my early grade school days. Many of my opponents were much older than I, however, my knack for seeing patterns enables me to trap the enemy king and force him to submit.

The most challenging of opponents was my dad. He was a master with words, studying them fervently in college and earning a degree in journalism. He made his pawns dance on the pages he penned. His readers heard dad's music and wished to join him on the dance floor. But his chess pieces were incapable of singing or dancing when my pawns advanced on them. Chess was a foreign language for my dad. It was a language he wanted to learn so he could dethrone my precious king. He did what any eager student of the game would do- he secretly purchased How to be a Winner at Chess. He learned cadences. He grasped time and space. And he challenged me with his new knowledge. My dad's moves became more complicated, forcing me to adapt. The result didn't change. Each time, I found a way to corner his king.

The last time we played chess together, he threw his hands up in anger and stormed off to his bedroom. When he returned, he thrust his worthless book at me in a diagonal direction similar to his powerless bishops. He said, "maybe you can have better luck with this."

Dad's chess book inspired my bishops and knights to team up in creative, new ways. My castles joined to make walls too strong for any army. And my pawns, my insignificant pawns, they became the foundation for my future.

Last night at my writers group meeting, Kim offered me a new chess book. I will use it to be a winner at sentences. I will learn to make my pawns sing and dance just as my dad did. I will become a master of sentences. It's my passion. It was my dad's passion. And if I position my pawns in the right space at the right time, maybe my readers will hear them singing in a way that inspires them to join the dance floor.

What's your passion? Do your pawns live up to their potential? Email me if you would like to know more about the gifts Kim donated to our writer's group last night. Or fill out a comment below and I will respond.

The Way He Moves

2012-01-16T08:08:00.001-08:00

I wish I could find words to describe the way God moves. His ways are beyond human comprehension. The nonbeliever looks around and sees chaos. He observes all the world's problems but cannot see any Divine solutions.

Maybe this is the reason God gave us children. We experience sadness when they are away from us and sorrow when they disobey. We dance for joy when they return after a long absence. If we can feel such deep emotions even when we love our children imperfectly, imagine how God feels when He loves us perfectly. Would you deliberately send your son or daughter away to be killed for the sake of someone you don't even know? That's how much God loves you.

Do you want to see a miracle today? Ask God to move your heart. Maybe you need help forgiving someone who hurt you or loving somebody you can't stand to be around. Even though we may not understand how God moves, we can feel our own hearts move when we ask God for help. Give it a try. Don't worry if you can't figure out how God moves, just enjoy the peace He gives you when He moves your heart.

Answers to a Teenage Prayer

2012-01-15T08:08:00.001-08:00

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ~ Proverbs 3:5

Funny how much better your vision is when you look behind you. Reflecting back on my teenage prayer for God to give me wisdom, I clearly see how He answered it. I was so blind I could not see His presence in my life and each day I prayed more fervently for enough wisdom to figure out how to handle life's challenges. I thought God was saying no, however, He was saying, "Okay, my son, here you go. Deal with the problem I'm sending you today and you will receive everything you're asking for."

Wisdom can't be acquired without experiencing challenges. Each prayer request for wisdom led to ever increasing challenges in all areas of my life.

I've heard other people say, "be careful what you ask for because you just might get it."

I'm thankful for the wisdom God blessed me with. Sometimes it came disguised as a caring friend who offered good advice at just the right moment. Other times, it was a collision with a set of circumstances I thought would cripple me. Each time it was exactly what I prayed for....wisdom.

This precious gift I asked for more than thirty years ago really isn't for my personal benefit. No, it's meant for you. I'm here to offer you something you cannot see or touch. Wisdom tells me your life will never be the same if you accept the gift. It's the one thing separating the believer from the non-believer. Should you choose to open the gift, I suggest you hold on to it all the days of your life.

Are you ready? Your gift is standing in front of you right now. His name is Jesus. Believe in Him and invite Him to live in your heart. That's it. You've just received the gift of faith. If you truly believe Jesus is real, everything you ask for will be given to you, including wisdom. Congratulations. You are now part of God's family.

Unguru Says: Blog it and They Will Come

2012-01-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

I laugh when others refer to me as a guru in the blogosphere. The reality is I'm more of an "Unguru," just like 7-Up was the uncola when it was first introduced. Remember the commercial?...

This original blog is approaching it's 1,000th day in cyberspace and now has two younger siblings, "Free Lemonade Stories," and "Caveman Reflections." Thanks to my foray into the world of bloggage, the lessons I learned from penning daily stories enabled me to gain the confidence to launch my first book without needing a traditional publisher. I laugh because I did all this without any formal training or much technical expertise and my total book publishing expenses were under $99! As of this date, I have spent a total of ZERO DOLLARS on my three blogs and website. That's ZERO start-up costs and Zero monthly expenses. I did hire Alex and Cynthia to freelance for me on the book cover and I plan to bring in some experts for my second book, however, I promised my wife I wouldn't give the gurus money to learn how to blog. I guess you can call me the unguru of blogs - definitely much nuttier than the other guys.

If any of you reading this blog are thinking about blogging or perhaps writing your own book, I would like to offer my two cents... blog it and they will come. Your readers may not find you the day you hit the launch button and they may not stay long in the early days. Do not give up. Everyone on this planet has a story to tell, a life lesson to pass along. If you are contemplating getting in the pool with the writers of this world, dive in. The temperature in the water has never been so inviting.

I may not be a blog guru, however, if you take the time to become a follower and want some pointers, I will be happy to offer you a free e-guide with five easy to follow tips to help you get started. This free e-guide, "Blog it and They Will Come Starter Kit" is only available to my blog followers. Once you become a public follower, email me and ask for the free ebook. Just give me your email address and put "Free Blog Starter Kit, Please" in the subject line and you're on your way. If you have a friend who is interested in blogging and you want me to send them a free blog starter kit, just share this story with them and before you know it, your friend will be blogging away, the unguru way!

Blog Follower Contest to Celebrate International Readers

2012-01-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

Want to win a free collector copy of my next book? Go to my new blog, Caveman Reflections and become a follower today. Every month you will get a chance to win. I also want to recognize blog readers from countries far off. Just send me an email and tell me the name of your hometown and country after you sign up to be a blog follower. On Saturday, March 31, I will announce the winner who is the furthest away from Ramona, California. I will write a story about you and feature your life on this blog. If you prefer to remain anonymous, I will keep your name private and will only publish your hometown. When my next book is released on 3/17/13, you will get an autographed copy in your own native language. I will use Google Translate to sign your book. Free international shipping will be included.

You don't have to live in another country to win a free autographed collector copy. Anyone who becomes a follower can win. There is a limit of one prize per blog reader. Are you feeling lucky? Follow my new blog, Caveman Reflections, today and get a chance to win a book every month in 2012. Don't forget to follow this blog, too. In the future, I will be giving away more prizes to followers of Socalmulligan808.blogspot.com.

Good luck!

She Still Loves Me

2012-01-12T08:08:00.001-08:00

It was a sad day on Butler Drive. I still remember it like it was yesterday. My cousins and I were in our front yard playing "Red Rover." It was the last time I recall being taller than the rest of the clan. Most of them tipped the 6 foot mark well before high school graduation. I was still in grade school at the time of the "incident."

On that fateful day, my younger cousin (I will call him Richard to protect his true identity) and I called Red Rover, Red Rover, send Amy right over....(Amy's not her real name either). She went on the witness protection list after we turned the evidence of our pathetic crime over to her parents. Some say she lives on the east coast, far away from the troublemakers.

It seemed innocent enough - call over the bravest cousin on the other side and just let go as she daringly challenged our line at a full-speed attack. That was until she flew right by us and crashed into our VW van parked in the driveway. It was a bloody scene.

I still remember picking up a fragment of Amy's front tooth and dropping it off with her entourage of helpers who were busy cleaning her up. Amy's tooth was eventually restored to it's natural state. She now flashes her tooth-paste commercial smile everywhere she goes, brightening up the lives of others. And she still loves me. She forgave my cousin Richard, too. Good thing her mother taught her to love her enemies, even the ones Amy is related to. I'm really glad she still loves me. God bless her. Blood is thicker than water, especially amongst cousins.

A Courageous Resolution for Men

2012-01-11T08:08:00.002-08:00

Two months ago, I was invited to speak at a Men's Retreat. Our new deacon, Pat Byrne, a retired federal fighter who now fights full-time for God, encouraged our retreat group to see the movie Courageous. If you missed it in the theater, click here to get the DVD for your family.

We were so impressed with the resolutions these men made in the movie we decided to put a resolution together for all the men in our retreat group. Deacon Pat contacted the movie people to get permission and was told there are no copyrights. These resolutions are meant to be shared with all the husbands and fathers of the world. I plan to frame the one I signed in November.

Here's a copy for anyone who wants to add some resolutions to their lives that may impact families for generations...

Resolution

I _______________________________;

WILL resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and
my children.

WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God
as the spiritual leader of my home.

WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay
down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all their hearts,
all their minds, and all of their strength.

WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and
compassion

WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have
wronged.

WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as
a man answerable to God.

WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do
His will.

WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this
resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory. "As for me and my house,
we will serve the Lord." ~ Joshua 24:15

___________________________                           ______________________
Signature                                                                 Date

___________________________                           ______________________
Witness Date

The Gift of Today

2012-01-10T08:08:00.001-08:00

The YouTube video below comes from one of my childhood friends. Thanks, Chris, for sharing this. I encourage you to savor it, then pass it along. Enjoy your gift of today...

From the Sandbox

2012-01-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

It was 9:10 AM on Sunday morning when my wife walked into our bedroom and stared at me with a puzzled look. I had been writing nonstop for just over four hours and completely lost track of time. It was New Year's morning and we were supposed to go to our church service in twenty minutes. I was so engrossed in my writing that I forgot what day it was. Once I snapped out of my trance and got up, I managed to be in the car four minutes later. Thankfully, my wife offered me a banana for breakfast as we headed to church.

My daily writing commitment is for a minimum of one hour per session but sometimes it can go for up to six hours. Part of my time is set aside to pen a love letter to my wife, a ritual that's been going on for over seven years. Combined, our tally is now over 5,000 love messages.

For me, writing is just like playing in a sandbox. My wife checks on me to make sure I remember to eat and drink. When a creative surge hits me, I want to grab onto it and find words to describe the thoughts that fall like raindrops from the sky. The more I write, the more frequent these creative bursts strike me.

Thanks for visiting my sandbox today. My sand castle is taking shape and will be fully constructed in time for the March 17, 2013 release date. For those of you who would like me to share my sandbox experiences in person, be sure to check out Caveman Reflections. This new blog is designed for followers who want to connect in a small group setting. It's a chance to get a sneak preview of this writer before The Caveman in the Mirror is published.

Thanks for visiting.

Seeking Authenticity

2012-01-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

I often wonder why the non-believer is turned off to religion. Their attitudes about faith may be tainted by past encounters with casual believers who don't take their faith seriously. It's like going on a date with someone who is just not into you. To top it off, the steak you ordered for dinner is overcooked. You will go out of your way to avoid another negative experience like a bad date or a restaurant that serves sub-par meals.

My hope for The Caveman in the Mirror is to create an authentic story that even an atheist will enjoy reading. I want to take the bad taste out of the non-believer's mouth and offer something palatable for the most discerning of readers.

Authenticity requires hard work. If my book is going to be served like a gourmet meal, every last detail must be attended to. The atmosphere must tantalize all five senses; the opening chapters are to be succulent appetizers that entice the reader to read on. When the reader leaves my restaurant, I want him or her to say, "I've got to tell my friends about my experience. This book is so authentic."

A Little Bit Every Day

2012-01-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~ Lau Tsu

If you read yesterday's post about savoring the sunsets, did you decide to change the screensaver on your computer? A small change like this may seem insignificant, however, it's that little bit every day that adds up to milestones in your life. There are over 200 million blogs in cyberspace. Many are abandoned after the first day, like most new year's resolutions. In about four and a half months I will be celebrating 1,000 consecutive days of blog writing. How did I get to this point? By writing a little bit every day.

I challenge you to change one small thing in your life, like the screensaver on your computer. If you don't know how, learn how. I ask one of my teenagers to help me when I have trouble doing something new on my computer or watch YouTube tutorials if they're not around. Here is a video demonstrating how to change the wallpaper on your computer for those of you who want to change it...

Savoring the Sunsets

2012-01-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to day 6 of the New Year. The regulars at the gym are wondering if you're coming back. Those little voices in your head are tempting you to abandon all those goals you made when this year started. Your body is mad at you for skipping out on those empty calories you indulged in last year. It's crunch time. What can you do today to keep your resolutions?

Here's an idea that may help you turn this year into a break-out year: change the screen saver on your computer. The sunset you see above was shot on the first day of the new year in La Jolla. I decided to redecorate my laptop with new wallpaper and this image now appears every time it's opened up. It reminds me to savor the sunsets. The bird flying in the left side of the photo symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Every time I look at the bird, it reminds me of the promise I made myself to keep the faith. My nephew is in the lower right side of the picture, staring at the sun. He is my reminder to stay close to my family and friends, to keep my eyes on Jesus, the Son of God.

This picture will be my constant reminder to savor every sunset in the New Year and to keep my resolutions about faith, family and friends. Small changes in your life, like changing your screen saver, can lead to bigger changes. Feel free to use this picture if you are looking for a way to savor your sunsets.

Pass the Mustard Seed, Please

2012-01-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

The best gifts in life are the ones that get used. My all-time favorite is my Webber BBQ grill my dad gave me before he passed away. For most of my twenty-two years of marriage, I avoided the kitchen like it was some kind of sick ward at a hospital. All of that changed recently when I handed over my work duties to my business partners due to a slow-down in our business. In order to keep our business alive in these challenging times, I'm the one who volunteered to move off the company payroll. I'm fortunate to have the best business partners in the industry and my company is in good hands. Now, it's time to use my hands to create new recipes.

While I search for the next step God has already prepared for me in this new year, I'm finding my way around the kitchen and learning how to cook. There is one ingredient in the pantry I plan to sprinkle on every meal I serve my family - the mustard seed. It's barely visible, even when I look at it using my new reading glasses.

Jesus teaches that if your faith can be the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains. A mustard seed may be the tiniest of seeds, however, it's capable of growing into something so large it attracts onlookers from far off.

The New Year's baby has barely opened his eyes and I already see what a blessing he is in my life. At last, I have everything I need to do some great cooking, indoors and outdoors. Yes, faith will be my go-to condiment and I will keep it stocked up. There's a new cook in the Mulligan household...and if you listen closely, you can hear him saying, "pass the mustard seed, please."

Stay tuned for more updates. And if you're one of those people like me who is facing change, here's a video to offer you some encouragement...

Caveman Reflections

2012-01-04T08:08:00.002-08:00

The Caveman in the Mirror may not be released for another 437 days, however, if you go to Caveman Reflections and become a follower today, you will get twelve chances to win a free collector copy with free domestic shipping. This is my way of saying thank you to my blog readers. You can also reserve an autographed collector copy by clicking on the Advance Copy Request button at the top of the blog.

For anyone in San Diego County looking for a Christian writer who speaks, there is a special "Reflections Talk" link on the blog for speaking requests during the first quarter of the new year. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for visiting.

Chara is in the House

2012-01-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. ~ Psalm 16:11

Chara (Χαρα) is the Greek word for joy or happiness. It is also the root word for charis. In English, charis means grace or kindness. When the Greek prefix eu is added, you get eucharist which means thanksgiving. And when you put all three words together - joy, grace and thanksgiving, you find yourself connected to Jesus at the Lord's Supper. Here's what Jesus said as He celebrated the Last Supper with His followers...

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

One could argue that I found Chara by accident. I'm in the middle of my research for my second book. In order to develop the plot, I need to bring in characters who fit the time period the book is set in. I wanted my characters to have names with significant meaning. Chalk this newest character, Chara, up to "Godincidence." Chara is officially in the house. She brings joy and grace to her family and plays an important role in the main character development.

I don't want to give too much away of the story. Let's just say I'm really joyful how everything is coming together. The foundation for the book is the Bible, although my own research into my family genealogy and historical findings will help make important inferences to fill in gaps. I will also rely on my Christian editors to guide me. May you have a "chara-filled" day today.

Below is a morphed photo which resembles Chara's Greek facial attributes...

A Shot of Faith

2012-01-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

“For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord, "they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

The bartender noticed him as soon as the man walked in through the door. He recognized the droopy shoulders and the head tipped downwards, telltale signs the stranger needed something special.

"What'll it be?" the bartender asked.

"Anything. Just make give me a shot."

The bartender placed a shot glass in front of the distraught customer and pulled out what appeared to be an empty bottle with no label on it.

"This one's on the house," the bartender said as he tipped the bottle.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"It's my specialty. Drink up."

The shot was tasteless and odorless. Invisible. The customer was looking around for the hidden cameras, suspecting he was part of some silly prank. Playing along, he asked for another shot.

"What am I drinking?"

"It's a shot of faith."

"Faith?"

"Yes, faith. It's a drink they don't teach you about in bartending school. I discovered it a low point in my life. Ever since I found it, my life has completely turned around."

As the customer listened to the bartender speak, he felt some kind of tingling sensation flowing through his body. His head no longer felt so heavy and his posture straightened.

The bartender looked deeply into the man's eyes and asked, "is everything okay?"

Tears welled up inside the man's eyes and he replied, "you gave me what I needed. You see, I was just laid off from my job and things at home aren't going very well. I was trying to work up the courage to end my life so my wife and kids could cash in on my life insurance policy. I came in here to get a couple of drinks so I could finish the job."

Suddenly, Beethoven's Ode to Joy was blaring from the man's pocket. The man broke down as he pulled out his cell phone and answered the call from his wife.

"Hi love, like the music? I reprogrammed your ringtone while you were in the shower this morning to brighten your day, honey. How is everything?" his wife asked.

"It's the first time my phone rang all day. I'll be home soon. Got some tough news today and we have lots to talk about. Love you."

"What do I owe you?" the man asked, pulling out his wallet.

"I work for tips," the bartender replied. "And the best tip you can give me is to tell your friends about this place. My name is Michael."

"Nice to meet you, Michael. I'll be bringing my wife in next time. Her name is Chara. It's the Greek word for Joy. Every day she does something to remind me of her. I know she's gonna love it. Wow, that faith stuff you gave me is making me feel a whole lot better. I think I just found my new favorite drink."

The man left a twenty dollar bill on the counter and said good-bye to his new friend.

"Come back soon," the bartender said.

"It's a promise," the customer said as he put his cell phone away and headed for the door while humming the music from his new ringtone...

Happy New Year ~ 2012

2012-01-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

There it is. An empty canvas...waiting for you begin filling it up with new visions and dreams. You earned the right to paint a new picture by virtue of all your past experiences. The dark colors, along with the bright ones are what make your own masterpiece so special and unique.

Will the picture you paint this year be a repeat of what you did last year? Or will it be about new adventures and experiences? Avoid the trap of making resolutions you know have no real future and instead look at the blank canvas in front of you and "see" the opportunity. Resolve to bring that picture to life every day of this new year. You are the only person capable of turning your dreams into reality.

My top resolution for the New Year is to finish building my sand castle, The Caveman in the Mirror. There are no distractions at 5:00 AM and I plan to play in my sandbox at least one hour per day until my manuscript is complete. Each day, my accountability partners check in on my blog to make sure my 8:08 morning post is published. They are like the Maytag repair man sitting around waiting for the service call. Make sure your dreams are so durable that a service call isn't necessary. The only broken dream is one that gets tossed in the dirty laundry and doesn't make it through the full wash cycle.

Surround yourself with Maytag accountability partners and promise them your commitment to painting your own dreams will be steady and reliable. Then, get busy on your life's work. In the blink of an eye, this year will be over. Happy New Year.

Close-out Special

2011-12-31T08:08:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to savor a vintage year. A new year is being bottled up right now and many folks will stay up late to drink from the new label. This is your last chance to reflect on all you've done before the calendar flips.

I'm thankful for the lessons I learned this year. The highlight has been getting back in touch with old friends and making new ones. Some people tell me they can't wait to say good-bye to this year and start fresh tomorrow. All of us want to go through life undefeated. It doesn't work that way and this year has taught me valuable lessons about being knocked down. The view is different when you find yourself on the ground looking up. That referee is in your face counting to ten. The Enemy is challenging you to get up so He can throw one more punch.

As I lay flat on my back at the end of this year, I hear voices from those who retired from the ring. Every one of them is saying the same thing. "Get back on your feet."

I turn to the crowd outside the ring and I see my supporters...teachers, mentors, spiritual leaders, friends, classmates, business partners, family members, team-mates, and members of my writers group. They are all chanting..."Stand up!"

The enemy wants to claim victory for this year that is about to close out. If I stay down, He will wear the championship belt. He will use it every day in the New Year to remind me of His victory. Like flashes of light, I see all the ups and downs of this past year. I remember that no matter how tough some of these days were, maybe some of the most challenging of my entire life, there is one thing I did consistently...I got back on my feet after every knock-down. With two seconds to go, I rise up from the floor. My face is bloody as I stare down my opponent. That's right. By getting up from the ground, I get to wear the championship belt one more year.

How about you? Are you going to apply the lessons you learned this year to live your life to it's fullest every day in the New Year. Before this year is sold out, go out and get a close-out special. This year's label is about to disappear. The name on the label for 2011 is "happiness." It's on sale right now. Stock up on it. This is how I choose to remember this year and how I will start the New Year tomorrow. Don't forget to share your close-out special with a friend. Anyone can drink it regardless of circumstances.

The Greatest Gift

2011-12-30T08:08:00.001-08:00

You have been my raincoat during the storm and my rainbow after it passed. ~ Michael Mulligan

The greatest gift you can give another person is love. It's easy to love the people we care about. Consider stretching yourself out of your comfort zone and give the gift of love to a stranger, or even an enemy. Do it when nobody's looking. Avoid putting conditions on the love you give. Just give it away and don't expect anything in return.

If you are struggling in the love department, remember this - God loves you, completely, perfectly and without fail. He loves you even when you don't love yourself. Unwrap His gift to you. Share it with others.

Before I sign off this morning, I wanted to give a shout out to all who showed me what real love is all about this past year. If you supported me as an Angel in the Outfield, signed my guestbook, became a blog follower, purchased my book or sent me an encouraging email, I just want you to know how deeply thankful I am for you. You have been my raincoat during the storm and my rainbow after it passed. I felt your angel wings lifting me on days when I was too weary to get up on my own.

Tomorrow's message will be my final story of the year. Each of these 365 posts was written just for you. Next year's theme will be faith. It's impossible to write about faith without talking about this year's theme...love. Love gives faith its wings. It's your favorite frosting on top of your birthday cake. It's the foundation I will build my life upon. And I will always remember you, the one who labored with me as we poured the concrete together even when we had no idea what we were building. If love is your foundation, you will survive even in the worst of storms. Thanks for lending me a hand this year. You will be in my heart every day. I love you ♥

Focus on the Why

2011-12-29T08:08:00.000-08:00

Is this the year you're finally going to cross those New Year resolutions off your list? I read a report the other day that stated four out of five people who make resolutions will break them and one third won't even make it to the end of January. If you are the one in five who will achieve your goals, congratulations. And if you're in the majority who will end up disappointed...read on.

A good role model can help you make a template for your goals. John Grisham writes five hundred words a day. He is one of my wife's favorite writers. When Grisham was a young boy, he dreamed of being a professional baseball player. At some point, he realized he didn't have what it takes to make it in the big leagues, so he majored in accounting at Mississippi State University. After graduating law school, he practiced law for nearly a decade, specializing in criminal defense and personal injury litigation. One day he got an inspiration for his first novel and woke up every day at 5:00 to write before heading off to work. It took three years to complete A Time to Kill. Like most aspiring writers, John had to deal with the rejection process before getting his first book deal for 5,000 copies. The day after completing his first novel, Grisham went to work on his second book. He sold the film rights to The Firm for $600,000 and the book was on the New York Times bestseller list for 47 weeks.

In order to understand someone like John Grisham, you need to read between the lines of his own life. John believes in keeping promises. Here's a writer who is at the top of his game, cranking out international best sellers the same way my grandmother served up her famous home-made tortillas, a little bit every day, year after year for all those hungry appetites. Suddenly, one day he stops writing and returns to the courtroom for several months. Why? To keep a promise he made to a family of a railroad brakeman killed when he was pinned between two cars. Grisham won the case and earned the family a jury award of $683,500, the biggest verdict of his career. Then he returned to writing. Besides his first two novels, A Time to Kill and The Firm, he wrote The Pelican Brief, The Client, The Chamber, The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, The Partner, The Street Lawyer, The Testament, The Brethren, A Painted House, Skipping Christmas, The Summons, The King of Torts, Bleachers, The Last Juror, The Broker, Playing for Pizza, The Appeal, and The Associate - every one of them international best sellers.

When Grisham isn't writing, he works on charitable causes, like the Rebuild the Coast fund, where he raised 8.8 million dollars for victims of Hurricane Katrina. He also keeps up with his greatest passion, baseball, serving as the local Little League commissioner. Twenty three best sellers out of twenty three attempts. That's an impressive batting average.

Think of your New Year's resolutions as promises. Ask yourself why these promises are important. You and I may not be John Grisham, however, we can pursue our passions the same way John does. Whether it's writing five hundred words a day (BTW, today's post is 774 words...go ahead, call me an over-achiever) or pursuing something that can change the world around you, let's focus on the "why." If you can learn to keep the promises you make to yourself and others, you will join the ranks of those one in five who actually avoid breaking their resolutions. Don't forget to ask yourself why your goals are important to you and ask this question every morning when you first wake up. The day you stop focusing on the "why" is the day you will let the obstacles get in your way.

Another one of my mentors, Tom Hopkins, once told me at a seminar, "success is the continuous journey towards the achievement of predetermined worthwhile goals." So, if it's one book, one home-made tortilla, or even one small moment to tell someone, "I love you," remember to focus on why it's important and take action. Make this New Year your break-out year. You will not be judged by the number of times you strike out each day, only by your home runs. And the number of home runs you hit this year is directly related to the number of times you strike out and keep swinging. Just don't forget the reason why you step up to the plate and why you want to keep swinging after each strikeout.

Writing Pointers

2011-12-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” ~ Ira Glass

My wife and I attended an open house party the other day and I got the opportunity to interact with a christian writer who is working on her first novel. She received a half dozen awards for her work at a local newspaper and recently submitted her completed manuscript for editing.

"How do you do it?" I asked.

"It's not me," she answered. "I just start typing and the words come to me."

Whatever your talent is, the key is to set aside time and put the effort in. For my writing friend, the words flow for her because she spent her life developing her talent and she allowed herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

If you are seriously considering writing a book or learning a new skill, here are some pointers to help you get started...

1. Ask yourself what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning. What makes your heart skip a beat?

2. Block out time on your planner dedicated to pursuing your passion. For me, it's 5:00 AM every day. The minimum time allotted is one hour. You should set aside time based on when you are feeling at your peak. Some people are at their best in the morning and others have more energy later in the day. Take into account the amount of distractions you will face and set a time that minimizes disturbances.

3. Let your loved ones know how important this time period is to you and ask them to respect your time the same way you set aside time for doctor visits or important meetings.

4. Be bigger than the obstacles. You must learn to conquer the objections. If you lack money to develop your gifts, get resourceful. If you're running out of time, cut out the time wasters and make the time.

5. Don't listen to the negative people who don't want you to succeed. Writers once depended on the approval of a publisher before their work found its way to the readers. Self publishing options have changed everything.

6. Join a support group or network that will keep you on track.

7. When you fall down, get back up.

8. Resolve to be a little bit better today at your craft than you were yesterday.

9. Learn one new thing before you end the day and go to sleep.

10. Just start typing and let the words flow...today, tomorrow, and every day. Once you decide to take that first step, keep walking. You're on your way.

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

2011-12-27T08:08:00.000-08:00

When White House spokesperson Jay Carney said "I believe the phrase from the Bible is, 'The Lord helps those who help themselves,'" he gaffed. He was attempting to back up the president's suggestion that God wants policymakers to get busy and create more jobs.

The quote is attributed to Ben Franklin, however, it's roots go back to ancient Greece in Aesop's Fables. Many falsely believe it can be found in the Bible just as they believe job creation is the job of government. The truth is, God helps those who CANNOT help themselves. We're not able to escape the penalties of sin on our own. We need Jesus. He came for the helpless. The blind cannot help themselves. The deaf cannot hear by wishful thinking. Jesus has a heart for you, even as you feel despair creeping in all around you.

It's by God's Grace we find help. It's possible that someday it may not be "politically correct" to read the Bible. People may buy into the false assumption they must help themselves before God will lend a hand. Go ahead... be a rebel. Stand out in the crowd and turn to God for help. He will help you, not because of your works but because of His love for you. He will always help you even when you are too weak or powerless to help yourself.

A Victory Message

2011-12-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

If Satan keeps reminding you of your past, remind him of his future ~ anonymous

A wise man once wrote an important message on the chalk board for all his students to read. He was asked all sorts of deep philosophical questions about the meaning of life and what will happen in the future. When the skies are dark and we are having trouble sorting it all out, take a look at what this professor wrote...

Jesus Wins!

Merry Christmas ~ 2011

2011-12-25T08:08:00.000-08:00

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them...;'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!' ~ Matthew 2:10-11

Merry Christmas. And Happy Birthday, Jesus. May your day be filled with peace and happiness. If you are one of those people shouting, "bah-humbug!" this message is especially for you. All of us at one time or another have experienced the feeling of being locked out. Even Mary and Joseph felt this as they frantically searched for a place to stay. They were locked out of a warm bed. Our God humbled Himself and became man in a manger built for animals. No heat, no doctors, not even other family members to offer comfort. And He did this for one reason... because He loves you. He unlocked the door to Heaven so you don't have to remain in the cold.

Jesus knows how to take the chill out of a cold heart. He knows how to comfort us when we are feeling blue. Today is His birthday. It's the reason for the season. He wants to share His birthday with you. Let Him into your heart. He will light a fire inside you that will never burn out.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

One day to go. Christmas is almost here. The greatest gift I can receive is time with my family. The spirit of Christmas is in our home. It's a time of great joy.

Invite Jesus into your heart today. He can take the chill out of the air. He brings comfort to the downhearted. He offers hope to the lost. His birthday paved the way for eternal life. Share Christmas with Jesus and it will be your best ever.

When Love Fails

2011-12-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

Jesus summarized all of His Father's rules with two commands, love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself. The first murder could have been averted had Cain loved his brother. Every war ever fought is the result of one side failing to love the other side.

I'm guilty of failing to love others. I remember when hatred and prejudice festered inside me. I needed to take a long shower and wash away all my anger. The Holy Spirit provided the soap. Jesus gave me new clothes. My life is different today because love does not fail.

My dad always taught me life is a two-way street. There is give and take in every situation. Jesus offers a different point of view. He tells us to love even when others don't love you back. His ways are not natural for us. As fallen creatures, we prefer to judge and to hold on to grudges. It's natural to want to fight when backed into a corner.

When love fails, everything fails. When we experience the love Jesus has for us and comprehend his deep desire to be in a relationship with us, we view the world differently, even our enemies. In order to experience real love, you must let go of hatred. It's not easy, especially if you've been hurt or felt unloved. Do it anyway.

The Treasure Hunt

2011-12-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

The treasure hunt for new chapters of my book is giving me chills. I'm finding connections the same way a quarterback finds his receivers in the end zone. It starts with daily practice. Every morning I pen a love letter to my bride focusing on what I'm feeling in my heart. The second part of the routine is to contribute something to this blog. The practice time and the drills prepare me for the big game...the treasure hunt for unwritten pages of my next book.

The game clock is ticking. At this moment, it's half time and you are invited into the locker room to get a behind the scenes look at my coach. The Holy Spirit is drawing up some new plays to help me win the game before time expires. The advance scouting report is used to keep the opponent from maintaining possession.

After the half-time pep talk, I run out onto the field all charged up and spot a spectator standing behind the goal post. He's holding up a giant banner that sums everything up... John 3:16. Jesus is the missing link. Without Him, there is no reason to publish a book. By the time the game clock expires everyone will get the message.

The Plot Thickens

2011-12-21T08:08:00.001-08:00

The eternal invitation that Christ extends to us all isto live in a state beyond fear, frustration and shame; with our feetfirmly on earth and our hearts at home in heaven.The Way through the world is more difficult to find than the waybeyond it. ~ Wallace Stevens

A young man from South Korea who grew up as an orphan is my inspiration for today's blog. At the age of three, Choi Sung-bong was placed in an orphanage. Two years later, he ran away to escape the beatings. He lived alone on the streets, selling gum and energy drinks during the day and sleeping in public restrooms and on stairways at night. Choi educated himself and did not enter a formal school until high school. He discovered a passion for singing and entered a talent competition. Ten million viewers have seen him. This homeless young man overcame many obstacles to share his talent with the world.

I understand what Choi is feeling in his heart. I have the same passion for writing. I dream of sharing my books with others and hope I can touch hearts the way this homeless singer did in the video below.

Key elements of the plot came to me as visions throughout the night. When I shared the most recent revelations with my wife, she told me she sees this book as a movie. My writing talent is raw and undeveloped. I will need my team of experienced writers to help refine the plot and polish the story. It's time to take the pictures I've seen in my head and put those pictures into words.

Here is a YouTube video of Choi sharing his passion with the world. In 451 days, I will share mine.

Meet Bedrock

2011-12-20T08:08:00.002-08:00

You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church. ~ Matthew 16:18

In earth science, the solid unweathered rock that lies below the surface is known as bedrock. Jesus gave Simon a new name, Peter, which means rock; Peter became the rock Jesus used to build His church. Another follower, Saul, was also given a new name upon his conversion. Saul's name was changed after he met the resurrected Jesus. Jesus spoke to him in a great light and persuaded Saul to become a follower. We know him as Paul, the prolific writer of fourteen epistles in the New Testament.

Unfortunately, the naked caveman found in Luke's story has no name. I needed to name him since he is the main character in The Caveman in the Mirror. Allow me to introduce Bedrock. Although Peter is the rock who remained with Jesus throughout His three year ministry, Bedrock was left behind. Bedrock's job was to share Jesus with the non-Jewish population and prepare others to meet Him. Except for Jesus' return visit to the caveman, his stories never made it to the Bible. The caveman lived under the radar. He was able to convert his village to Christianity and we know from the end of the Bible account in Luke he was successful in his "publishing" efforts; the whole town was waiting for Jesus when He returned. Peter and Paul are the visible evangelists in the Bible. Bedrock is the invisible one.

The Caveman in the Mirror is about the search for Bedrock, buried just below the surface for 2,000 years. There are twenty centuries of history and genealogical records to sort through in order to find the connection to him. Bedrock has been invisible for a long time. Soon, he will become visible. His fledgling ministry will be unearthed. And his message about all the good Jesus is doing will be published by Bedrock's modern-day alter ego. You will meet the caveman in 452 days. Just like Peter and Paul, Bedrock has a new name and a new life as a member of God's family. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

The Year in Review and a Preview into 2012

2011-12-19T08:08:00.002-08:00

There's no doubt this has been an odd year. Just like tennis, the 2011 blog year started with love, a theme resonating throughout these past twelve months. Dr. Jeni Stepanek offered a mother's wisdom and shared her son's message of peace. Bruce Marchiano outlined his vision for a new Jesus movie he is writing, producing and starring in as Jesus. Just before fitness guru Jack Lalanne was called up to Heaven, he sent me an autographed picture and encouraged me to carry on. And I published my first book. Oh, what a year!

I wanted to give an honorable mention to my tennis teammates. We fell short of our goal to bring home a national championship. 5th place in the country is not too shabby. The road to the finals was incredible. We were known as "Smashin' with Passion." Along the way, we made lots of new friends. I also re-connected with childhood buddies from my old neighborhood and found missing classmates on Facebook. Sadly, one of my favorite friends from high school left this world after a three year fight with brain cancer. Ted Sandy, another former classmate I recently re-connected with is fighting cancer. In the midst of his battle, Ted is writing a guest blog about his faith journey to be posted soon. Ted is asking everyone he comes in contact with for prayers and will have surgery within the next 48 hours.

The highlight dearest to my heart from this past year has to do with a young man who told me he wasn't going to Heaven. The young man theorized his hatred disqualified his entry into Heaven. "You could spend your entire life doing good deeds and you wouldn't have enough credit to get through the door," I replied.

"Then how can I get in?" he asked.

"Jesus is standing at the door to your heart. He holds the key to Heaven. Let Him inside and He will lead you through the door. Not because of anything you have done, but because He died for your sins."

At the end of our conversation, the young man invited Jesus into His heart and asked Jesus to remain with Him forever. I asked him, "where are you going when you die?"

"Heaven."

The year officially winds down in less than two weeks. 2010 was about hope. 2011 featured blog stories about love. And in 2012 the main theme will be faith. Thanks for keeping in touch and reading these stories. 2012 may not be an odd year, however, it will offer us a new set of challenges and opportunities. I look forward to discovering all God has planned for us as a new year unfolds. If you have a faith story you would like to share, contact me and let's get it posted on a guest blog.

Preparing for a New Year

2011-12-18T08:08:00.002-08:00

Most of the hikers in my neighborhood are gone now. The popular trail to the Devil's Punchbowl remains closed. The other day, one of my tennis buddies introduced me to a hidden trail we traversed with my daughter. It was a four hour journey in a pristine area of the Cleveland National Forest.

I used the hiking time to clear my head and think of the possibilities ahead for 2012. Then it hit me. I realized most of the people in my neighborhood stopped hiking because the Forest Service closed the most popular trail in San Diego County. They gave up. They retreated to their homes and missed opportunities to find new trails and new adventures. I don't need to "prepare" for a new year. All I need to do is be in the moment.

When we reached the mountain peak, the four of us in our group took a lunch break. The 360º view included the ocean to the west, snow-covered mountains to the east and a small cave to the north. We decided to explore the cave on our descent. I snapped pictures along the way. We had to leave the path in order to reach the cave. When we approached it I recalled all the days in past years when I lived my life inside my own cave.

The other hikers checked out the inside of the cave while I savored the view on the outside. Then I made a decision about the new year. I promised myself I will seek out new trails and new adventures. I will live each day as if it's my last. I will spend time with nature and appreciate every moment I have with my family and friends. And I will help others to discover how wonderful life can be when you choose to leave the cave and go out into the world. I will fill my life's photo album with pictures like the one I captured below on a special day with my daughter and good friends...

Play a New Song

2011-12-17T08:08:00.001-08:00

Is your own mind trapping you? Take a look at the music you listen to every day. If all you hear is a broken record filled with the blues, maybe it's time to change your tune. Play a new song. Let your brain hear some words filled with hope and encouragement.

You may not be able to change the circumstances you are in due to outside influences, however, you always have an opportunity to play a new song with a happy melody. If you feel like your positive attitude has been incarcerated, please consider today's message your "get out of jail free card." Tell your brain you aren't going to put up with it's negativity any longer and make today your breakout day.

The video below is done by Steven Sharp Nelson, aka the Piano Guy. He spices up a piece inspired by Beethoven, entitled Moonlight. Although my high school piano lessons often crowded out my tennis court time, my piano highlight was learning to play Moonlight Sonata. Nelson plays this classic in a new way. May you find your own new songs that inspire you create your own music.

The Spirit of Christmas

2011-12-16T08:08:00.001-08:00

Many store managers train their employees to say Happy Holidays even when the customers first wish them a Merry Christmas. There is an effort to eradicate the original meaning of Christmas. Some may think it's a waste of time to dedicate an entire season to a birthday that happened over 2,000 years ago.

Yes, Christmas started with a birthday. That was the beginning of something really special for the whole world. When we prepare for this birthday, we are reminded Christ is coming back. Removing His name from Christmas or training people to abolish His name when extending a Christmas greeting doesn't change what's ahead.

Are we going to ask the Jews to stop remembering Passover because it may offend people of other faiths or non-faiths? Are we going to force Muslims to share meals with us at school during their special times of fasting so other kids aren't offended?

The Spirit of Christmas is meant to be about joyful expectation. No other individual has conquered death. Only one God became man. Choirs of Angels sang on that day. People of low status gathered around to see this extraordinary event. When Jesus returns, EVERY knee shall bow. It all started with a birthday...and it ends with a return visit. Every man, woman and child will say, "Merry Christmas." May the spirit of Christmas be with you during this special season and may it remain with you year round.

Holy Family Outtakes

2011-12-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

Every wonder what is was like for Mary and Joseph to raise Jesus, the Son of the Most High God? We're all familiar with His birthday in the manger and His three year ministry. What about those teenage years? The only thing we know about the Holy Family during this time period is that they relocated to Egypt to escape harm.

Here's some Holy Family outtakes I came up with as we get ready to celebrate the most important birthday of the year...

1. Joseph and Jesus are doing some carpentry work together and Joseph asks Jesus, "Maybe we should get your followers together when you are older and build one of those pyramids to bury you after your death?"

Jesus replies, "Thanks dad, however, it seems like a big waste of resources when I'm only going to stay there for three days."

2. Mary asks Jesus, "would you like me to sign you up for some swim lessons?"

"No thanks, Mother, I already know how to walk on water."

3. Mary at the dinner table..."Eat your fish and bread, Jesus, there's starving people back home."

"No problem, Mother, I'll feed them...all of them."

4. Mary to Jesus after one of His wise cracks..."you think you know everything, don't you?"

Jesus replies, "yes."

5. Joseph to Jesus..."Choose your friends carefully. People will judge you by the type of people you hang around. The wrong people can get you in a lot of trouble. If you're not cautious, others will crucify you. And even if they do, don't ever forget to forgive them...most of them have no idea what they're doing."

6. Joseph gives Jesus career planning advice..."Son, I know you want to follow in my footsteps with this carpentry stuff, however, you may want to consider fishing...it's a solid career path because everybody needs to eat. If the economy takes a downturn, people will put off buying furniture but they have to eat. I think you could do very well as a fisherman."

7. Jesus asks His father..."Should I open a savings account for my allowance?"

"That's pointless Son. The politicians believe all your money belongs to them. Back home, Ceasar has his face plastered on all the money. He'd find a way to tax your own dung if He could get away with it. It's not worth it to hold onto money. Better to give it away and it will ease your tax burden."

8. Mary to Jesus..."Son, you're birthday is coming up, what would you like?"

Jesus..."Peace on earth."

9. Joseph instructs Jesus on the cleansing diet..."Son, when life gets stressful, it's always good to go out into the desert and to a little detoxing. Avoid eating while you are alone praying. Your demons will try to get the best of you when you are fasting. Just remember where you came from. Start small... like one day without eating and see how long you can go in the desert."

10. Jesus asks Mary to tell Him about His first birthday...."Oh Jesus, your birthday was the beginning of a new life for me and Joseph. Your dad is such a dreamer. Even your name came to him in one of his visions. There we were... in a manger. It was so cold and everything was all booked up for the census. Your dad found us this little stable filled with cute little animals.

The moment you were born, Angels recited, 'Glory to God in the Highest and peace to His people on earth.' It gave me chills to hear the Heavens proclaiming your name. On that day, I renewed my promise to your Heavenly Father to dedicate my life to raising you in a good home and to help you find your destiny. Happy birthday, Jesus. You make us proud to be your parents. Now, blow out your candles and wish for something big...really big. Make your Father proud."

The Other Side of the Fence

2011-12-14T08:08:00.002-08:00

China has the Great Wall. Germany once had it's wall. And my elementary school had a fence. Whether these barriers are designed to keep people out or in, they separate people. China and Germany had guns to guard the walls. At our elementary school, we had grapefruit on our side of the fence and several of my classmates hurled these yellow bombs at anyone who caused a stir on the other side.

Jesus doesn't like fences. It doesn't matter if it's as small as throwing grapefruit or as big as thermo-nuclear war, there is a simple reason why people build walls. In my life, I built a wall around myself and my family to protect them from a world filled with hatred, prejudice and jealousy. Isolation is another form of fence building. The problem with isolation is that it prevents people from coming together to build bridges.

I'm free now. I'm on the other side of the fence. This freedom gives me the opportunity to see the world from a new vantage point. I understand how powerful love is, especially when we choose to love our enemies on the other side of the fence.

The fence dividing believers and non-believers is the most challenging one to knock down. One side argues that as man increases his understanding of science, God becomes smaller. They search for the smoking gun they call the "God particle." What about the "God Particle" placed in a manger 2,000 years ago? The demons know all about Him. They know where He came from and they are certain He is coming back. When He returns, they will be forced to the other side of the fence for eternity. Not because God hates them, but because the other side rejected Him.

I do believe there is a God particle. It rests inside our souls. It inspires us to break down our walls and live our lives on the other side of the fence. Our job is to help the world find the God particle. When they see how we love our enemies they will finally discover the God particle they are searching for. All we have to do is make a choice to live in peace on the other side of the fence.

It's a Wonderful Life

2011-12-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

Last night my wife told me the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" will be disappearing. Demographics are changing and every year the ratings slip more and more. Although the movie was filmed in black in white, it's rich in colorful pictures painted by George and Mary. It reflects a time period when people said, "Merry Christmas."

I find myself surrounded by people who are hurting or have broken dreams. Like me, they've lost important people in their lives. I think of my father around the Christmas season because he was born on Christmas day and he's no longer with us. I remember my mother-in-law who got called up to Heaven just before Christmas Day and my father-in-law who joined her when our children were still little. Now, my high school classmates and I are reflecting on one of the most positive people we were blessed to know from our high school days. Nancy struggled in pain for three years with brain cancer. Last week she got her one-way bus ticket to Heaven. Those who knew her are grieving her absence.

It's easy to let our broken dreams get the best of us when Christmas is supposed to be a happy time. We turn on the TV and can't find a decent Christmas show even though we have hundreds of channels to sort through.

Even Mr. Positive from "It's a Wonderful Life" needed an angel to remind him of all the good that was right in front of him...someone to show him that he truly found a way to lasso the moon and reel it in for his wife. His treasure was in his friendships. Those who are no longer with us have a message...

"It's a wonderful life. Live each day to it's fullest and stay close to your loved ones. Keep in touch with your friends. We have earned our wings. Now it's time for you to earn yours. Make a difference. Your life is a gift."

The spirit of our departed friends and family members lives on in the lives who were touched. Here's an impersonation of Jimmy Stewart, someone who learned the best things in life are often right in front of you. Merry Christmas.

Different Camera Angles Inspire the Bible

2011-12-12T08:08:00.001-08:00

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ~ 2 Peter 3:8

Sherlock Holmes, a fictional character created by author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, solved many mysteries using his uncanny reasoning skills. He could spend a lifetime attempting to crack the Bible code and still only scratch the surface.

Outside the Bible belt are many skeptics who never made it past the first book, Genesis. Detective work is needed to make inferences believers call the "leap of faith." Clues such as "a thousand years are like a day" help us to understand how God made something out of nothing and how long it took.

Prophets in the Old Testament saw the script in advance before the screenplay was completed and did their best to give readers a sneak preview of the plot. Although the camera angles often appear to be identical for Matthew, Mark and Luke, there is one important difference. Luke wasn't filming his shots as they happened. Matthew and Mark were there in person. Luke heard all the stories and recreated his shots years later. John was given permission to bring his camera into Heaven and capture some scenes the other three didn't get to see. The Movie Director wanted to make sure the audience understood the full meaning of the Bible and all four camera angles were necessary. Like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Luke was not only a writer, but also a physician. Luke is responsible for writing the Acts of the Apostles. This section of the Bible depicts life after Jesus turned over His ministry to His followers. In order to gain market share, the Holy Spirit appeared like a wind to light a fire in the hearts of the followers.

If you're looking for a good mystery, read the Bible from cover to cover. Here is a chart from Wikipedia showing the similarities and differences between the four camera angles used in the New Testament. May it help you understand the story line...

In Memory of Nancy Schwartz, SHS class of '78

2011-12-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

My high school classmate, Nancy Schwartz, has departed this world after forever leaving her imprint. Her legacy is her ability to make the world laugh even in times of trouble, just as she did during her three year battle with brain cancer.

Some of my high school classmates, like Miguel Casa from my Spanish class, got an opportunity to have more experiences with Nancy beyond high school graduation. Their children went through the school system together all the way through high school. Others visited with Nancy during her brave fight with an enemy she was powerless to defeat.

I know this foe very well. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after Helen and I announced our wedding engagement. Myrna departed just before we celebrated our first Christmas as husband and wife.

Nancy had many interests and tennis was one of them. Her tennis team was one of the best in Phoenix and they will be long remembered as one of the best ever to represent Sunnyslope High School. My tennis playing cousin often practiced with Nancy.

I didn't get to see Nancy after we graduated. It has only been recently that I emerged from my cave to reunite with some of these treasured friends. I will remember all the times Nancy made me laugh. The greatest lesson Nancy taught us is by the way she handled her final exam. Her A+ was earned by the manner in which she confronted certain death. I can hear laughter in her voice as she tells us one last time, "pretend you are being tickled even when the pain is overwhelming... and don't forget to flash a smile. None of us can cheat death, however, we can choose how we will fight it."

Nancy, you have left this world better than you found it. May your family be consoled and may your memory live on in all who were fortunate enough to know you. Classmate Jeff Grant recalled our road trip to Disneyland celebrating high school graduation... "After we had been on the road for a few minutes, Nancy grabbed the driver's microphone and welcomed everybody to the 'Pleasure Palace bus'...everybody cracked up and burst out laughing."

Now you are on the bus one last time, headed for the happiest place OFF earth. You will pave the way for those you leave behind. We are reminded our time here is short and we still have studying to do, musical instruments to play, and a bucket list to cross off. Nancy, you have graduated the school of life. You earned your Phd at such an early age of just 51 years. Keep an eye on us from your Heavenly view and if any of us get out of line, grab that microphone and shout out loud for us to carry on, no matter what challenges we face. God bless you, my friend.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?n=nancy-may-pool&pid=154960678

My Latest Google Plus Sandbox Toy

2011-12-10T08:08:00.002-08:00

If you have a gift to share with the world and you're not using my latest sandbox toy, Google + for businesses, you're are missing out on one the biggest cyberspace tools ever invented... and it's FREE!

Google + for individuals has only been around for about five months and it already has millions of users. Yesterday, I saw this button on my Google Plus page that offered a free page for businesses. I created a page for promoting my books in about fifteen minutes. It's a great way for songwriters, authors, artists, small business owners and hobbyists to connect with the world.

Want to be part of my caveman network? Click on the link to my new author talk page and then create yours. Don't forget to invite me to be a part of your circle so you can get some free advertising. I'm going to start a new circle just for people who follow this blog and want to connect with my friends. Anyone who joins my network will be invited to future hangouts. Here's the link...

https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/104541017294002066670/

Between Two Miracles

2011-12-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. ~ Isaiah 40:29

I would like to welcome Mark, Chris and Paul to my blog. They are childhood friends that I re-connected with this week and we've been sharing stories about the games we played while growing up. We invented our own games, like string tag. Every day we picked a different front yard and made elaborate mazes using kite string. The person who was "it" started outside the maze and everyone else had to find a way out without getting tagged. At sunset, we reeled in the kite string and started over the next day with a brand new layout.

Mark recounted his discovery about his home being sold while he visited cousins over the summer. When he came back to the neighborhood, he was shocked when he found out he was moving to another state and only had about three days to pack his bags. All of us were devastated when we lost our buddy. What a joy to be reconnected with these old playmates after forty years of separation.

The Caveman in the Mirror is similar to string tag. I'm inside a giant puzzle searching for a way out. There's an opponent trying to tag me and take me out of the game. Every morning when I wake up, I recall some kind of inkling for the book given to me while dreaming.

I found a large nugget last night at 1:00 AM, four hours into a deep sleep. It's a link to the naked caveman Luke writes about in the Bible. Most scholars don't pay much attention to this man possessed by demons. My life is dedicated to understanding him. For me, he's the missing link connecting me to Jesus and the world. His past, present, and future have many parallels to my life and I see new clues each time I look at my reflection in the mirror.

Today's message is to help readers understand how to find this caveman in their Bibles. Instead of referring to chapters and verses, I want to paint a picture of the encounter. Jesus is in a boat sleeping while traveling to a foreign land. I have a feeling He's dreaming about what's ahead. His dreams become nightmares as He visualizes encounters with demons and His own death on the Cross. This massive storm manifests itself almost causing the boat to capsize. His eyes remain closed while His followers tremble in fear. They shake Jesus until He awakes from His dream state. Jesus is not afraid. It's not His time yet and He trusts His Father completely. He raises His hands and the seas calm. The winds quiet. It's a miracle.

The boat is headed for a land where Jesus is unknown. They set foot between two Bible miracles in a place often misunderstood by the Gospel writers who recorded everything Jesus did. Because they are in an unfamiliar land, the followers give different names to the place where they visited in their individual accounts. For the sake of simplicity, let's nickname the place "pig valley." The presence of pigs in the area is significant because it tells us we are no longer in a Jewish community. Pigs are so unclean that a Jew is not even allowed to touch them.

Jesus is getting ready for the second major miracle which will take place after His return trip home. I'm referring to feeding 5,000 men plus all the women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish. This is one of the most famous miracles of Christ's three year public ministry. Before returning to His people, He must answer the prayers of a lowly caveman, possessed by a multitude of demons.

Jesus and the caveman are the only two who know where Jesus comes from. The followers in the boat are starting to get a clue that this Jesus is really special, yet they still don't know He's the Son of God. The naked caveman knows. Not because he is some kind of prophet. It's because of the demons inside of him, enough demons to make 2,000 pigs go crazy, run off a cliff and drown in the lake. That's a lot of demons.

When Jesus gets off the boat, the naked caveman confronts him and asks, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me!"

These "legions"...multiple demons clearly know who this traveler is. Thanks in part to this possessed caveman, all of the apostles first learn who Jesus really is. They're a little dense, so it takes three years of miracles and a visit from the Holy Spirit before they solve the mystery and follow the caveman's footsteps into public ministry. Meanwhile, between two miracles, on a distant land, a man once possessed by demons becomes a publisher. Every day he tells everyone he comes in contact with from childhood friends to strangers about all the good Jesus is doing in his life.

Sand Castles

2011-12-08T08:08:00.003-08:00

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. ~ Romans 8:14

What happens when you let your child play in the sand and you give him a shovel and a bucket? I think back to the first time my oldest son discovered the beach. He literally covered himself from head to toe, rolling around and burying his whole body in it. When it was time to go home, he tried to cling to it with both hands and refused to let go of it.

I feel the same way about my "sand box" time. When I enter my play area loaded with writing toys, all I want to do is transform the sand into sand castles. This is what happens when you discover your reason for existing.

It's time to bury myself in the sand and create a new sand castle. Soon, the sun will pop up over the horizon and the rest of the world will wake up. I'm thankful for this daily morning time to play in my sandbox. When my masterpiece is complete, I look forward to sharing it with you.

Write Your Own Screenplay

2011-12-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Today's post is dedicated to my daughter, a college student with an undeclared major. In writerspeak, she's a writer with a blank manuscript... or an artist standing in front of an empty canvas. The other day she told me she is signing up for an upper division course - writing screenplays. It could turn out to be another elective or it may open a door to an adventurous writing career.

The challenge for parents is to guide their children to their own destinies. Each of our three children is wired differently and we seek to help them find their unique talents. Parents who try to mold their children into images of themselves or their own unfulfilled dreams are only stifling their offspring. The other danger is living dreams through children while forgetting to write their own screenplay.

Like parents, teachers have small morsels of time to plant a seed. I thank my high school Spanish teacher, "Snora" Ehlers, for introducing me to a fascinating world of words spoken with rolling R's and south of the border spiciness. Even in her retirement years, she is striving to master new languages. Her latest venture is Italian. While she is at one end of the spectrum in her golden years, and my daughter is at the other, both teach us screenplays are to be written at every stage of our lives.

Parents are only granted temporary custody of their children. Letting go of them when they grow up is not easy. I find comfort in the prayer sung by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. It's an original soundtrack from the movie "Quest for Camelot." May it encourage you to remember you are on a quest...to find love and fulfill your destiny. May your life's screenplay challenge the world around you to become better.

The Writing Journey

2011-12-06T08:08:00.001-08:00

I can relate to the blind squirrel who finds a nut once in a while. Those who are around me in the writing world are still trying to figure out my zany methods for putting books together. Who in their right mind puts a time target out there for a book before the first memoir is even completed? And who markets books before they are written? There are probably a few other writers out there just as crazy as me, however, I've never met one who shares his or her journey on a daily basis during the writing process.

For me, writing is like playing in a sandbox. Everyone is invited to join me as I search for nuts while blindfolded. I'm not using my eyes to find the chapters. It's easier to write from my heart. It's like Luke Skywalker from Star Wars. There is a force guiding me. I can't see it but it helps me find the nuts buried in the sandbox. It would be easier to find the nuts with my eyes but I would only see the ones on the surface. The other four senses are needed to discover the nuts hidden underground. Writing is a process that involves creating a gourmet meal with no recipe.

Thomas Edison made the light bulb functional by first discovering all the ways light bulbs don't work. His school teacher called him "addled," meaning confused or mixed up. This ended his three years of official schooling. He went on to apply for over 1,000 patents, publish and distribute his own paper, the Grand Trunk Herald, and founded what is now General Electric. His teacher saw a kid who was wasting time playing in a sandbox. His mother saw a visionary who could find nuts while blindfolded.

No. I'm not claiming to be a Thomas Edison. I'm a blind squirrel searching for nuts in a public sandbox. I promise to deliver a heart-felt story that transcends time and space once I find all the missing nuts and add them to the recipe. The timer is set and my story will be served in 466 days. Thanks for stopping by.

Experience Jesus in 3D

2011-12-05T08:08:00.002-08:00

     In the last days, God says,
   I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
   your young men will see visions,
   your old men will dream dreams. ~ Acts 2:17

Today's message is a follow-up on yesterday's story about inspiration.   For those of you who found this blog because you are searching for the meaning of 808, you may be interested in my latest revelation. I spent part of my day yesterday doing research for The Caveman in the Mirror and I found a YouTube video showing the Gospel of Luke done in a foreign language. It was broken down into separate clips. The odd part is that the clip showing the boat arriving to meet the caveman ends at exactly 8 minutes and :08 seconds. I don't always know how things are related. Every day I learn more about how God is using my number in His plans and how I'm connected to you. Today's story came to me at 2:00 AM. Usually, the inspirations are short and I go back to sleep quickly. This one made me toss and turn for about two hours, disrupting my wife. As she was preparing for work, I shared my vision.   She was no longer mad at me for causing her to lose some sleep. Here's what I saw in my dream...

Experiencing Jesus in 3D is like going to a movie theater with all the latest bells and whistles. I'm referring to seats that shake when there's lots of action in the film. And smells that shoot out from behind. The 3D glasses are needed to get the full effect. When Jesus extends His hand to touch you, you actually feel Him while you are sitting in your seat. At the end of the movie, you want to go out and tell everyone you know about your experience. Some get it and some don't. How can that be?

Those who don't show interest in Jesus can be divided into two categories, those who are afraid everything about Jesus is a lie and those who are afraid everything about Jesus is true. If it's a lie, then seeing a movie about Him is a waste of time. If it's the truth, then the atheist has to change. By avoiding the movie, those in the latter category can maintain their non-belief in Jesus.

If we look at the screen play from God's point of view, we comprehend the script and all the characters involved. Only the Father knows when the movie actually ends. He sent Jesus to be the main character. In the first half of the script, certain people called prophets got to have an advance screening. Their reviews actually became part of the Old Testament. Because they only saw parts of the movie, they limited the reviews for one target audience, the Jews. Critics attacked the Jews because they were jealous about being left out of the script. This led to slavery, murder, and a terrible Holocaust that some critics deny ever happening.

When the lead actor showed up, everything changed. The chosen ones accused Him of being an imposter. He even had the audacity to heal a woman from the enemy camp, an enemy that the Father wiped out in the first half of the movie. The plot twisted and turned causing the target audience to boycott the movie. Outsiders were invited to become stand-ins.

Newcomers from all walks of life were attracted to the movie the same way Happy Gilmore drew in large crowds of misfits to the golf world. The antagonist in the movie was once a rising star and despised getting kicked off the movie set after He tried to re-write the script. He started a smear campaign to keep people away from the movie about Jesus. Sometimes, He shows up at movie theaters disguised as a movie goer. He's that disruptive tall man or woman directly in front of you often talking on His cell phone. He will do anything to ruin your movie experience.

For those having trouble understanding the movie, here's some cliff notes about the script to help you interpret the theme. Although four different writers were used to write the script, each tells the story from his own camera angle. Matthew, Mark and Luke depict their scenes from similar points of view while John relies on key close-ups the other three writers weren't privy to. John also got invited to see a special engagement of the films sequel. This final chapter is mentioned in the script and will be shot on the same location sometime in the future.

If you want to experience Jesus in 3D, get your advance tickets today. They're free and everyone is invited. Don't rely on a bad movie review from a disgruntled actor whose candle burned out long ago or the atheist who refuses to accept the script as reality-based. Don't get stuck in the middle of the fight between believers who are splintered because they interpret the script differently. Instead, experience Jesus in 3D for yourself and form your own opinions about who He is. Should you choose to follow Him, there is a place in show biz just for you. It may not be on the main screen but it's just as important so others can get a great movie experience. Jobs include selling tickets, ushering, serving food and drinks, and clean-up. There's even a job for the caveman once possessed by demons. Jesus told him to become a publisher and tell everyone just how good it is to experience Jesus in 3D.

Finding Inspiration

2011-12-04T08:08:00.001-08:00

Another storm appeared out of nowhere the other day. After the rain clouds passed, I went outside and discovered something in the puddles. It was inspiration, staring back at me as I viewed my reflection in the pools of water. I reached down to touch it and it ignited a spark that electrified my whole body. In my head I could hear new music, a combination of Bach and Beethoven mixed with modern music of our time. An aroma of sweet flowers drifted in with the light breeze swirling around me. I memorized each sensation so that I could return to my writing and find the words to match my thoughts.

I don't know how to describe creativity or the inspiration that allows it to appear out of nowhere. You can't find it with a road map. It finds you in the midst of the winter storms. As I look at the chessboard of my life, I now see how each piece has a purpose; each of the five senses plays a role in sharing the vision with you. Somehow I'm separated from the confines of time and space. I see the moves that are ahead. Now it's time to find the words to match this new inspiration that sprouted from the rain clouds. Today will be a big writing day. I can't wait to share my next book with you.

Change the Light Bulb

2011-12-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

Changing light bulbs can be bothersome. They come in so many different sizes and when they burn out, you have to remember to get the right replacement or live in the dark.

Our souls are like light bulbs. For some of us, the light bulb burned out in our childhood due to some kind of catastrophe. At first, maybe we missed the light but that memory faded and we got used to living with a burned out bulb. Darkness became normal. We associated with others who lived in darkness because we felt comfortable. Will these friends behave like vampires if we change the light bulb in their presence? Are we afraid they will flee and stop being our friends?

Take a look at your light fixtures. Consider replacing all the burned out bulbs in your life. Restore broken relationships. Forgive those who hurt you. Some of these people may no longer be alive, yet you are still living in darkness because you are holding on to the hurt they caused you. Letting go of that hurt is as easy as changing the light bulb.

Pray Big

2011-12-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

What's the deal with that teeny tiny mustard seed you're carrying around? Why aren't you planting it? The truth is, most of us don't really believe in dreaming big. Moving mountains and walking on water is not for us; it's for others.

The demons trolling the world are doing everything to take our eyes of all the things possible in Jesus. It's time to plant that seed and start believing. I'm not talking about a bigger car or a larger home. I'm talking about a one-on-one relationship with the One who created you. He died for you. That's right. For you. Once He's living in your heart, you have the power to do big things for the benefit of others. Pray big. Dream big. And watch miracles unfold before your eyes.

My First Acting Gig

2011-12-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

The other day, my mother told me about a reunion she had with ladies from her woman's church group. "Some of the ladies in my group read your blog," she told me.

I'm thankful for the support you give me. Some of you were around when I played Ebenezer Scrooge at MHT. It was a seventh grade play based on Charles Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol. The lead actor dropped out just before the play was to be staged. I got picked to stand in, the lone sixth grader. I did my best to memorize the script but got lost a few times and the lines were whispered in from the side stage. This was one of the best experiences from my childhood.

Nearly forty years after my first acting gig, I see an uncanny link between Scrooge and the naked caveman. Scrooge was visited by the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present, and the ghost of Christmas yet to come. The naked caveman in the Bible, also known as the man possessed by demons, was visited by the One who has power over all demons. Both characters were never the same after their encounters.

My heart skipped a beat when Mrs. Eerie asked me to play Scrooge. It almost stopped when the Holy Spirit showed me I was God's pick to play the naked caveman. Like Scrooge, my past, present and future were revealed when I perused the Script for the first time. There is no acting involved here as my life is a mirror-image of the first caveman who met Jesus 2,000 years ago.

All of us have a script to follow, a destiny. My role is to set the stage for the Christmas yet to come. The first caveman played his part well. When Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. My role is to gather a crowd for the grand finale...it's a tough act to follow, but a role I was born to play. You can read all about it in The Caveman in the Mirror. This time, I'm not going to forget my lines. May the Spirit of Christmas be with you always.

Avoid the Iceberg

2011-11-30T08:08:00.001-08:00

In the days of the Titanic, everyone had a false sense of security. We all know what happened when the ship hit an iceberg. Not much has changed since that tragic day. Reports are coming in that we just had the biggest Black Friday in recent times and Cyber Monday broke records. People feel safe, just like they did on the Titanic. I'm looking through my binoculars and recommend a course change. It's easier to change course now while there's still time than to hit the iceberg and risk sinking your ship.

The ship I'm referencing is that part of your life you are not paying attention to. It may be your spouse, your children, your finances, your physical fitness program, or maybe even your leisure time. It may be your relationships with others. Take out some binoculars and see what's ahead. That iceberg in the distance can be avoided if you become more vigilant.

I urge you to look past the Black Friday and Cyber Monday reports. See through the materialism that has changed the meaning of the Holiday season. Point your ship to the baby Jesus. If He's on board, you have nothing to fear, even if you should hit an iceberg. Let Him help you with the navigation. He knows where all the icebergs are and He will lead you to calm waters.

The Moment of Truth

2011-11-29T08:08:00.001-08:00

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ~ Romans 8:28

Today's message is a follow up to an earlier post about finding your strengths. If you haven't ordered the book yet, click here. Strengthsfinder 2.0 will help you understand yourself. It will help you identify your five top strengths. You will learn how these strengths can be used to help you reach your potential.

Today is your moment of truth. Your gifts are waiting for you to unwrap them. How long are you going to wait until you discover why you are here?

I experienced my own personal moment of truth the day I asked the Holy Spirit to show me who I am in God's eyes. The book added an exclamation point to the message. All five of my strengths - Maximizer, Empathy, Strategic, Arranger, and Developer, have been given to me to help you discover your gifts and to inspire you to put them into action.

There is no reason for you to remain trapped in the maize. There is a way out. I'm not suggesting that you follow me. Remember, my alter ego is that crazy caveman who was once possessed by demons. I'm like you, searching for all the answers to the meaning of life. If you want to get unstuck, follow God. If you aren't sure how to do that, order Strengthsfinder 2.0 and get your own personal road map. Make sure you order a new copy of this book. The code for the test will only work one time and if you buy a used book you will miss out on the most important part.

If you are visiting this blog from another country, it's important to know the test that is part of the book is accurate for all people and all cultures. You can take this test in your native language. If you decide to order this book, do me a favor and email me. I would like to know there are others out there in cyberspace who want to discover their God-given talents. This is your moment of truth.

Turn On Your Magnet

2011-11-28T08:08:00.001-08:00

Is your magnet on? I'm talking about that invisible force that draws others into your life. If the right people are avoiding you, it's time for you to flip the switch. Smile. Lift up those drooping shoulders. Scrap those scruffy clothes and dress for success. Get involved in your community. Send thank you notes. Compliment the people who brighten your life.

This message was inspired by the sweet lady who served my breakfast while I was competing at the national tennis tournament in Indian Wells. My wife pointed out I was the only one in our group to get a hug from her when we said good-bye on our last day at the resort. Yes, my magnet was on. It's easy to have the switch in the on position when you're on vacation. If you're having a bad day, pretend you're in a happy place in your mind. Your magnet will attract fun people who can cheer you up. Practice this daily and you will develop a "magnetic" personality.

A Memento Connection

2011-11-27T08:08:00.001-08:00

The light bulb went off again last night. My daughter suggested we watch Memento, a movie written and directed by Christopher Nolan about a man suffering from short-term memory loss. Nolan got the story idea from his brother, Jonathon. This film propelled him to the top and he went on to write the original screenplay for Inception.

As I watched the movie, I found a connection to my own writing journey. Memento garnered many awards for it's unique approach in story telling. The viewer sees the final scene first, then a series of episodes in reverse chronological order, told from the perspective of the main character who can't remember what happened before he fell asleep. The connection I found has to do with writing a book without knowledge of how the chapters fit together and sharing that book with you on this blog as it's being written in real time. Since I've only been writing for a short while, I don't really know what all the rules are and I'm fairly certain I baffle my more experienced critique buddies; I'm some sort of an enigma, putting this book together the same way I build puzzles.

I feel a little bit like Leonard Shelby, the main character with anterograde amnesia. He is trying to solve his wife's murder but doesn't have the sound mind to put the puzzle pieces together. I'm seeking the connections we have to our Creator and I'm limited to a human brain. There is an invisible force guiding me. The trail we are on together is not linear, nor is it chronological. I'm following bread crumbs and some days I have to wait for them to fall out of the sky in order to find the next chapter. If you feel a little bit confused, welcome to my world, a world as far-fetched as the movie, Memento. No wonder it's one of my daughter's favorites, she inherited her brain from the naked caveman.

Thanks for following me. I do promise you that The Caveman in the Mirror will make sense once I find all the missing bread crumbs and put this puzzle together. Meanwhile, why don't you rent Memento and enjoy a thriller?

Ancient Connections

2011-11-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

The search for missing puzzle pieces continues. I must uncover ancient connections in order to understand how my next book is to be pieced together. It involves research spanning 2,000 years. It's like walking through a labyrinth. The deeper I go, the more I understand how I am to write this book. The first half of the maize was filled with all kinds of clues and reference points. Nearing the midpoint, the writing on the wall is becoming more difficult to decipher. Time has faded the puzzle pieces and they are more scarce.

The naked caveman stands at the center of this mysterious conundrum. I studied his face while peering into the mirror. I know the caves where he once resided. I know his thoughts. Once I find him, the research will be complete and I will retrace my steps back to the present. Then I will write about my findings and The Caveman in the Mirror will be published for you, the last piece of the puzzle...the most important connection to God's masterpiece. The countdown clock on the right shows when these ancient connections will be revealed. Stay tuned. The clock is ticking.

God Shakes Things Up

2011-11-25T08:08:00.000-08:00

The last thing my buddy, Leland, expected was to be in the epicenter of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake when he visited New Zealand with his family earlier this year. His wife told me she felt like God was trying to get her attention. The family was there to support Leland while he represented the United States in an international tennis tournament. The earthquake destroyed the tennis courts Leland was scheduled to play on that same day. Here are a couple of photos Leland snapped as he evacuated the town.

I believe God is always trying to get your attention. Sometimes it's through Mother Nature. Other times it's through people he places around you. If He's not currently shaking things up in your life, you're probably in the eye of the storm. Brace yourself for what's ahead.

Leland's family made it home safely. I'm thankful the family shared their experiences with me. How about you? Would you like to share what happened to you when God shook things up in your life? Email me and let's post your story on my blog. Check out Free Lemonade Stories for messages submitted by others. Each day, more and more readers are finding this blog from other countries. Let's add your story today. I look forward to hearing from you...

socalmulligan808@gmail.com

The Hidden Meaning of Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:08:00.001-08:00

It doesn't matter where you live. Thanksgiving is for every member of the human race. Sure, the first pilgrims started the tradition of Thanksgiving when they arrived in the New World centuries ago. They wanted the freedom to worship God without persecution. They wanted equality for all, including non-believers.

Politicians may attempt to cover up the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Authorities seek political correctness, changing history books to accommodate those who lack faith. The government is not allowed to take away the freedom to give thanks to God. Your life and everything you possess is a gift from God. When you thank God for all the blessings in your life, you've uncovered the hidden meaning of Thanksgiving.

For me, the biggest blessings in my life are my wife and children. I thank God for every day I get go be with them. On this Thanksgiving day, my family will be together. We will take turns sharing what we are thankful for. When it's my turn, I will say, "Thank you, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to be a husband and father. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to help me get better at these roles with each passing day. And thank you for teaching me the real meaning of Thanksgiving."

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share this Thanksgiving message with readers all over the world. And for those willing to die so that others may gain the freedom we sometimes take for granted in the United States. May God bless you and your family. Happy Thanksgiving.

The Man in the Mirror

2011-11-23T08:08:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson's hit song, "The Man in the Mirror" is a call to action...for each of us to look in the mirror and become a better reflection of himself. The lyrics are powerful. May this song inspire you to make a difference...

Tap Your Strengths

2011-11-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered if you are using your strengths to the best of your ability? I remember sharing my "rubber band theory" with my buddy, Steve, in college. I told him, "all of us are born with different rubber band sizes. The size of our rubber band is not what's important; what matters is how far we stretch it."

Other people focus on our weaknesses. We can spend a life-time trying to improve these areas of our lives. Doing this leads to lackluster performances and misery.

I understand the joy my daughter's guidance counselors expressed when she told them her major is undeclared. All incoming freshman at her school take a Clifford Strengthsfinder test to uncover their five top strengths. Once these gifts are identified, each college student can discover a field of study that matches their talents.

I took this same test recently. It helped me understand what my gifts are and how to tap into them in all areas of my life. Some people close to me have been attempting to mold me according to their specific strength, focus. At heart, I'm a born juggler. If you ask me to juggle just one ball, I become bored. Juggling is my strength. The caveat is to avoid juggling too many balls at the same time.

Think of yourself as a member of a baseball team. Each "player" is gifted to play in a certain position. Asking the pitcher to be the designated hitter and confining him to extra batting practice to improve on his weakness leads to trouble. Let the power hitters hit and the pitchers pitch. Let the coaches manage the players. If each player is placed in the position that matches his strengths and they are properly developed, that team will be a contender every season.

If you want to discover your top five strengths, click on the link and get started with the Clifford Strengthsfinder. Make sure to order a new copy of the book as the code associated with the book can only be used once and you will miss out on the test if you pick up a used copy.

Click here to order your copy.

His Eye is on the Sparrow...and You

2011-11-21T08:08:00.001-08:00

Today's message was emailed by a friend. Enjoy. And remember, His eyes are on you...always. The YouTube video at the end of the story popped into my head as I looked at these stunning photographs.

Birds are so fragileand vulnerable. These amazing photos captured a drama with two of theselittle creatures that is every bit as poignant and heart-wrenching as any humanstory. Kudos to the photographer. The newspapers that carried thesephotos sold out in every country.

HIS EYE IS ON THESPARROW

A female bluebird was hit by a car as she swooped low across the road, and thecondition was soon fatal.

Her male mate broughther food and attended her with love and compassion.

He brought her foodagain, but was shocked to find her dead.

He tried to move her- a rarely seen effort.

Aware his mate wasdead and would never come back to him, Again, he cried outwith adoring love…And stood beside her with sadness and sorrow.

Millions of peoplewere touched after seeing these photos in America, Europe, Australia, and evenIndia. The photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to the mostfamous newspaper in France. All copies of that edition sold out on theday these pictures were published.

You have justwitnessed love and sorrow felt by God's creatures.

The Bible says thatGod knows when a sparrow falls.

Imagine how much Hecares for us!

Live simply, lovegenerously, care deeply, give fully.

The Open Book

2011-11-20T08:08:00.001-08:00

The day I decided to become a blogger, my life became an open book. That was just over 800 days ago. I went through stages. The first had to do with my own feelings of incompetence when it comes to writing. Even as I penned my first story, I remember hoping it wouldn't get noticed for fear of rejection. Joining a writers critique group helped me to overcome my insecurity about writing.

There is something special about discovering your purpose in life. It's like climbing a mountain on a misty day. When you reach the peak and the fog melts away, a stunning view of the world around you unveils itself, stretching all the way to the ocean glistening in the distance.

Other readers, inspired by my stories, are putting on hiking boots for the first time. Some will become writers, others will unleash latent talents stuffed away in forgotten places where childhood dreams once danced in their minds. They long to see the scenery from a new vantage point, to unlock their passions and feel their lungs drawing in fresh air as they make their ascents to their own mountaintops.

Thank you for your willingness to read these pages and for joining me on life's trail. My sights are now set on my own personal Mt. Everest and it will take nearly five hundred days of steady writing, re-writing, and editing to reach the summit. There is no longer a fear of heights, only a longing to encourage others to climb all the way to the pinnacle.

Captain James Starkey

2011-11-19T08:08:00.002-08:00

Captain James Starkey

Captain James Starkey is one of my grandfathers with a bunch of "greats" in front of his name. I found him last night while searching for my ancestors. All those history lessons are suddenly coming to life.

James Starkey was a captain in the army during the civil war era. Unfortunately, his military career ended when he was found guilty of recruiting soldiers under false names. He is not the first ancestor to be exposed. Another one of my ancestors was an Irish king who had an illegitimate son. This son became the first of the Kavanagh clan, a family that ruled part of Ireland for generations until they were scattered when England invaded. The conflict with England led to two hundred years of trouble for my Irish ancestors. From 1600 to 1699, far more Irish were sold as slaves than Africans.

They say two wrongs don't make a right, however, they played a role in the birth of this blog writer, a Mulligan. When James Starkey left the army, he raised a family. His son, Edward, my great-great grandfather, married Mary B. Kavanagh, a descendant of Irish royalty. Mary's family left Ireland and settled in Canada. I'm here today because my ancestors found a way to thrive, even in tough circumstances, like famine. And two hundred years of slavery due to political and religious beliefs.


King Diarmait MacMurrough, Irish king from 900 years ago. His illegitimate son became the first Kavanagh in Ireland.

There are some gaps in my family line, however, I've been able to confirm family members from six generations ago and make inferences about the links to Irish kings all the way back to the year 1100. The inspiration for all this started with a love letter from my great-great grandmother, Mary Kavanagh. Her initials MBK on the poem I released in an earlier message confirm an error made by other family members who mistakenly spelled her last name as Cavanagh. Looks like a mulligan is needed to correct fix this oversight.

Here is a link to my great-great-great grandfather, Captain James Starkey, a contributing author in Glimpses of the Nation's Struggle. I'm in awe at how many writers there are in my family line.

I'm hoping this post will help me find more relatives. All of us are connected. It's fun to discover how we are linked. For those friends and family members interested in my research about our family line, I will be adding some pictures in a future story. Stay tuned.

Bruce Marchiano Plays Biggest Role of His Life

2011-11-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

"It is the single most desperate passionate act of love in human history." ~ Bruce Marchiano commenting on the life of Jesus.

Bruce Marchiano recounted how his vision for his latest project, Jesus...No Greater Love, was born while eating a ham sandwich in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was 1996 and he was on as speaking tour following the release of The Gospel of Matthew, where he played Jesus. Over 150,000 South Africans heard Bruce speak while he toured the country and they were moved to ask Jesus into their hearts.

My youngest son, Shane, suggested the family watch the 2010 movie, The Encounter, while scrolling through Netflix. After watching the movie, I was so touched by Bruce's portrayal of Jesus I decided to look him up and send him a thank you note. I asked him if he would be willing to share some thoughts about his life as an actor. Here is Bruce's welcome video message followed by the phone interview Bruce granted for my blog readers...

"Good morning, Bruce. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions today about your life as an actor. My son, Shane, picked out The Encounter for our family to watch together and you did a great job in the movie. Thanks for agreeing to an interview today."

"How old is your son?" Bruce questioned.

"Sixteen." I replied.

"My fifteen-year-old is also named Shane," he said. (Cue the Twilight Zone music).

Bruce apologized for the dog barking on the other end of the line.

"What kind of dog do you have?" I asked.

"My wife found Paco, a stray, and brought him home. As you can hear, he's part chihuahua."

My hair began to stand up as I told him our youngest dog is also a chihuahua, a stray we adopted from a shelter. That eerie feeling continued throughout the interview, as if I were having a regular conversation with Jesus. Come down to earth, I thought as I asked my first question...

Bruce, can you please share with my readers how it feels to play the role of Jesus as an actor?

Playing Jesus is humbling. There is also this sense of excitement. It's so beyond exciting for many reasons. He is the most pivotal figure in the history of the universe. Knowing the Lord, understanding what playing Him counts for...and at the same time, it's heavy with responsibility. It's the pinnacle of fear and trembling mixed with excitement.

Was there an "aha" moment in your life when the light bulb went off and Jesus became real for you?

There were three moments...the time I gave my life to Jesus, the time period shortly thereafter and the surrounding circumstances; and also during the making of the film. I grew up going to church so I knew all the stories. As a young actor in 1989 I had experienced success...but I fast discovered that success can disintegrate, and it was dangerous to build life on things that could fall apart.

There was this confrontation with truth as stark as boiling water. I knew it was Him. I was on a hill overlooking Universal Studios. Everything below me represented everything in life I wanted, and it was like I had to make a choice what was going to rule my life. I got down on my knees and cried, "Jesus you've got to save me." There was no emotional response, however, there was this weight off my shoulders...no more burdens. I stood up and had a whole new life.

Please share your thoughts on your latest project, Jesus...No Greater Love. How did you get the vision for this project and what is your role?

Currently I have three roles...writer, producer and actor. The writing portion is already done. Because it's such a huge film, I will pass off the producer role to someone more experienced, and I may also pass off the acting role - I'm open to that. At the same time, the vision rests with me, and that is a key spiritual role.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the power of the Gospel on film got results. People were changing en masse. The production quality was low due to insufficient funds. The business interests controlled. I believe the Gospel has to be free to reach as many people as possible. Jesus says you can't serve God and money. The first movie served investors and sales. In the middle of my speaking tours, I thought if I could do this again, another Jesus movie but on a full budget, one that stood up with main stream films, free of conflict of interests, I would do it using the Gospel of John.

The opening scenes of the script came to me while eating my ham sandwich in Johannesburg, South Africa. I scribbled them on a napkin...in the beginning was the word and word was God.

Matthew was a huge film in South Africa. People didn't know He loved them that way...impassioned, the sun rises and sets in you. The revelation of His heart became the cornerstone. People were saying "I didn't know Jesus loved me like this."

As an actor, I study choices that the character makes. A man's heart is revealed by his actions. You can tell who a man is by his choices. He gave up everything to the point of His blood dripping in the sand. Why? Why? Why? What's the end game?

What Jesus did was obvious. He gave His life for YOU.

What motivates you to get up in the morning?

People need the Lord. I thank God every day I don't have an occupation to just earn money. And personally, my kids need their dad.

The non-believers who worked alongside you when you played Jesus were affected by how you portrayed Jesus. Can you share how their lives changed?

Even the believers were blown away. It was the depth of love, both in Matthew and the Encounter. There was a moment in the Encounter where one of the characters rejects Jesus. In character, I began profusely weeping as the character walks out the door. You could hear a pin drop when the camera cut...the guys were blown away. That's how Jesus feels. Imagine how your heart breaks when your kids make bad choices. Multiply that times a ka-billion, and there you have the heart of Jesus.

The mother of the young girl in the movie told me later that her daughter asked her, "is that really how Jesus feels?"

This scene did not make the final cut. It did show Jesus weeping because of the pain He felt.

We filmed Matthew in the villages of Morocco. The workers were all Muslims. Many people who were there came to the Lord. I remember them all saying, "I had no idea who Jesus was until today."

Why is it important to you to share Jesus with the world in places far off like Africa?

People need the Lord. At the end of the day, everything withers...the BMW, the checkbook. All that's left standing is you and Him.

You have witnessed healing in audiences when you are speaking about Jesus. Can you describe the feedback you've received about what happened to these people?

It blows my mind. There's no explanation, not en masse. Wow! That's great, the real thing.

Years ago I was in a village in Africa and this man comes running up. He attended the service the evening before. Years before, his leg was badly damaged in an accident and he could no longer work. But there he was running around. He said, "ask the people in the village, they know me, that I couldn't us this leg. Now I'm healed!"

This past September, the same man approached me. He asked, "remember me?" He rolled up his pants to show me the scars. But his leg works 100%. God is alive.

What is your fondest memory?

My finest moment was standing with my wife and getting married. This is your portion in life. My family is God's hand of goodness. I'm thankful for my wife and kids.

In my acting career, the experience of making Matthew... it was an adventure. There was this fresh revelation of Jesus, and it was like living life as large as life could be lived.

What is your hope for people reading this interview?

That they come to know His heart for them.

How can my blog readers help you with your future vision?

My vision for Jesus... No Greater Love is donation based. If people could log on and give $10 that would be great. An Armenian guy here in L.A. raised $700 from approaching his friends saying, "give me ten dollars for a good cause." So there are many ways to help, and I'm very thankful, because it will take all of us coming together.

At the end of the interview, I asked Bruce if he had any idea when his next Jesus movie will be released and he told me he had thrown his hands up in the air saying, "the sooner the better," but only God knows.

I thought to myself, the last time I remember Moses throwing his hands up in the air, the Red Sea parted and God's people were free. Please click on Bruce's message below and support his vision to share Jesus with the world. Don't forget to tell your friends.

http://www.brucemarchiano.com/

Get Unmired

2011-11-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Here I go again, mangling the English language to express thoughts which have no words. The definition of mired is to be stuck in the mud. This site is an encouraging hangout in the blog world and I'm here to help you get "unmired." Take my cyber-hand and get out of the quicksand you slipped into.

Sometimes, when we fall, we need others to get back on our feet. Don't be afraid to ask for help and please, don't be "a stick in the mud," someone who allows things of seeming enjoyment to pass them by. Life is too short. Get back on your feet. Get unmired.

A Love Letter from my Great-Great Grandmother

2011-11-16T08:08:00.003-08:00

The treasure hunt for past memories continues. My cousin, Mary, is uncovering hidden gems from our family history. She told me this love letter was sent to my Great-Great Grandfather, Edward C. Starkey, from his wife, Mary B. Kavanagh. There are several other love letters and poems in the collection and a few photographs. My cousin sent this to me because she is aware I write daily love letters to my wife, something that is like a morning ritual continuing for seven years straight. I had no idea the "writing gene" goes back at least four generations.

We don't know if Great-Great Grandma Mary used her own words in this poem or if it came from another source, however, it's beautifully written and worth sharing from the family archives, hidden away for about 140 years.

Changing Teams

2011-11-15T08:08:00.001-08:00

My youngest son, Shane, loves football. It doesn't matter who's playing or what level; if it's football, he's engaged. He studies the coaches and the players and can tell me something about every team in the league. Today's blog message is written primarily for my son and for those who like football. I wanted to teach Shane about some people in the Bible who decided to play for God's team. The best way to get his attention is to talk about how God put together a Super Bowl team...

The Romans were a team nobody could beat. They didn't just beat their opponents, they murdered them. It was like what happens when the Raiders come to town to take on the San Diego Chargers. Crime goes up. Families are afraid to go to the stadium. And players are carted off the field. Penalty flags litter the field.

The Raiders have a player on their defense who takes the game very seriously. His name is Saul. Saul's mission is to win the Super Bowl every year. Anyone who gets in his way becomes a target. He blitzes his way to the quarterback and is the all-time sack leader.

One day, Saul is out walking around during the off-season and a bolt of lightning strikes him. He hears a voice asking, "Saul, why do you persecute me?"

Saul becomes blind and wonders if he will ever be able to play football again. He relies on strangers to get help. God tells Saul He wants him on God's football team...the San Diego Chargers, a team Saul hates more than anybody else. When the Raiders find out Saul is blind they put him on waivers.

The Chargers find out Saul is available but they don't trust him. At first, they are afraid Saul is sent to spy on them and destroy the team from within. Saul asks for a new number and a new position. He is so committed to his new team that he wants to completely forget his past, even his old name. His new name is Paul. The Chargers put him on offense.

Every time Paul scores, he points to the sky and gives all the glory to God. No team can stop him, not even the Raiders. The Chargers go all the way to Super Bowl and Paul becomes the team captain. People from all over the world watch Paul and his team on Super Bowl Sunday and they are in awe of his talents. He had those same gifts when he played for the Raiders, but now, instead of killing his opponents, he uses football to talk about how God asked him to play on His team. He talks about what those lightning bolts mean to him. Because of Paul, people from all over the world start liking football. Two thousand years from now, people will still be reading about Paul, the man who changed teams and became a legend in America's finest city.

Why Am I Here?

2011-11-14T08:08:00.001-08:00

On the surface, it seems like a fairly easy question...why am I here? The more you analyze the question, the more complex it becomes. I asked this question over the weekend at our men's retreat. Due to confidentiality that was promised, I'm not allowed to reveal any of their answers. One of the men wanted clarification. "Do you mean why am I here this weekend or why am I on the planet?" he asked.

"The question is open-ended and it's up to the individual to answer it according to what's in his own heart," I replied.

When I was asked to help plan the retreat weekend, I thought of the first retreat I attended with my wife, my sister and my brother-in-law. There was a series of announcements at the end of each church service leading up to the retreat and I resisted saying yes. Thoughts of playing tennis on the weekend and watching football on TV prompted me to reject the invitations. Then it happened. The weekend before the retreat, Tony and his wife Lisa, stood up to give the last commercial. Their children flanked them on each side as Tony spoke about how he became a better husband and father because of attending the three-day weekend. I was hooked. "What are you doing?" my wife asked while standing next to me at the sign-up table after church.

"I'm going to the retreat," I replied. She was shocked and had already decided she was attending even it meant going alone.

Standing behind me was my sister and brother-in-law. Each of us decided we wanted to become better parents and better spouses. That first weekend was life-changing for all of us. I became engaged in my church and learned to be a better man. Now I was given an opportunity to create something from scratch that could provide tools for the men of my church to reach new heights.

Our deacon wanted to include a viewing of "Courageous" at the camp-out, however, the movie was still playing at the theaters and a license to show it during our retreat was out of our budget. Then the rain forecast changed our plans and we decided to spend our first evening at the movies. It set the tone for our three days together. Our three talks...Faith, Calling and Family seemed to compliment the movie. The question and answer period after each talk allowed the men to share their ideas.

On the last day of our weekend, we sat together in church accompanied by our families. Our deacon asked us to stand up before the congregation and acknowledge our renewed commitment to be better dads and better husbands. In his own way, each man found answers to the question..."why am I here?" Invite your spouse on a date and watch "Courageous." It will help you find your own answers to the same question. And your children will thank you.

One in a Hundred

2011-11-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

Our men's retreat will be wrapped up this morning. Yesterday, I got the opportunity to speak to this special group and I shared my testimony of meeting Jesus. Bits and pieces of my life's story are woven in the stories you find here on my blog and also in my memoirs. It's such a joy to discover who you are in God's eyes, and then act on it.

My favorite Bible quote refers to Jesus leaving the other ninety-nine in search of the one who is lost. In a population of 7 billion, that breaks down to 70 million who are searching for something missing in their lives. Those in the "one-in-a-hundred" category are the ones I'm called to publish for. Most don't realize there is something missing until about the age of fifty. They question their non-belief in God and begin to wonder if maybe there is a Divine Creator.

Jesus found a way to take a time-out from His ministry 2,000 years ago, get on a boat with His followers, and go to a far-off land to heal a naked caveman possessed by evil spirits. Besides that first naked caveman, He also heard my distant cries reaching Him from 2,000 years into the future. Time doesn't matter to Jesus. He hears the lost calling out to Him in all time zones and in all lands. He is the Living Word. You can find Him any time you open that pristine Bible sitting on your bookshelf or in the bookstore waiting for you to acquire it. Go ahead. Open it. Read it until the pages are worn. He will find you if you call out to Him.

Be All You Can Be

2011-11-12T08:08:00.002-08:00

Today is an important day for me, my family and a group of men from my church. There are some "God-incidences" in these last twenty-four hours unfolding right in front of me that are so extraordinary, they can only be explained in the spiritual realm.

Several months ago my pastor asked me to speak at a men's retreat. I was originally scheduled to speak to a more general audience, however, the main leader got called away on another assignment and the event was postponed. Before I could blink, an alternate plan for the weekend was in place and I was called to pitch in. During the planning meeting, a thought for my talk flashed before me and I offered it to the group. My talk is entitled, "Calling." The preparation was going really smooth until a jolt of electricity shook my body. It happened while reading a book my pastor gave me this last Tuesday evening. Throughout the book there were all sorts of references to "calling."

The last chapter left me speechless. It was titled...Calling. It was as if the Holy Spirit jumped into the middle of my plans and said, "Michael, your talk for this weekend is a B+. Let me help you be all you can be so that the people of God can be all they can be. I want these men to return to their wives and children after they experience the same thing Moses felt when He met the Father on the mountaintop. These men are being called and lives are about to change. Let me be in charge and trust me."

The icing on the cake was our first retreat night together last night. Our men's group started our weekend with a visit to the movie theater to see "Courageous." The movie perfectly set the stage for today's session. In less than one hour, we will meet for a life-changing day God has already planned for our group. The rains are here and the winds of the Holy Spirit are blowing. He gets all the credit for what will unfold today, all according to His will. I'm eagerly awaiting the rainbow at the end of this special weekend.

My prayer for you today is that you will be inspired to seek the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help you be all you can be. For those of you who look for patterns, today's post happens to be number 808 in-a-row. That's 808 messages floating around in cyberspace, all inspired by the One I serve. May they help you find your way to Him.

Frolicking in the Storm

2011-11-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

The winds are gusting again. It's that time of year. Most people would stay off the tennis courts in this kind of weather. My teammates are not most people. They're the type to go frolicking in the storm, adjusting for the elements and having fun no matter how crazy the weather.

A few thunderstorms in your life may disturb your best plans. You can sit at home sulking or put on a raincoat and go splash in the puddles. That's what the men of my church will be doing this weekend. We planned to go camping, however, Mother Nature intervened. Instead of giving up, we decided to go to the movies tonight and then return to our church tomorrow for a day of fellowship...right smack in the middle of a heavy storm. I'm planning on sharing some experiences dealing with stormy weather in my life. Funny thing about storms... they allow opportunities for the rainbows to come out. Knowing there are rainbows to look forward to can make it easier to frolic in the storm and my prayer for the retreat is that others will learn to splash in the puddles instead of avoiding them, especially if God is calling them to play in the rain.

The Frog in the Well

2011-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

All the frogs around you are croaking. Their sounds are more like moans. Every day is the same old slime. It's dark and overcrowded in the bottom of the well and you long to find a way out. You tell the other frogs of your plans to climb out and they laugh at you, pointing out how high the walls around you are. You don't listen to them and start climbing. After about one foot, you fall backwards and the other frogs gather around you to taunt you for your foolishness.

Each morning, you look at the light from above and are drawn to it. You begin climbing again. Each time, you fall, however, you reach new heights with every attempt and you tell the other frogs there is a way out if you are willing to climb. Your frog legs become muscular and your conditioning improves.

The higher you climb, the brighter the light is at the top of the well. The croaking sounds from below fade. At last, you reach the top of the well. The view is heavenly. You look down at the well and shout to the other frogs hoping they will follow you. The other frogs can't hear you above all their moaning and groaning; they don't even notice you are gone. The sunlight feels so good as you bask in your new surroundings. No longer are you a frog who lives in a well.

The Fight of My Life

2011-11-09T08:08:00.001-08:00

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

I chatted with one of my blog followers the other day and asked her why she liked reading my stories. "You're a regular guy," she said, "and the problems you share are the same problems everyone else has. People can relate to your messages and they find hope."

There is a balance between sharing and maintaining privacy of loved ones. They are relieved to know my second book is about my own personal journey and the only thing I will share about them is a dedication at the front of the book thanking them for the sacrifices they make so I can publish.

The path I'm on now is overgrown with weeds and few before me have ventured this way. I began this journey with a full load of supplies and the attitude of a warrior who is unstoppable. The fight of my life is for those souls who drifted off the main highway and got stuck in the wilderness. The Enemy is tracking my win-loss record and does not like my presence in His territory. He thinks it's His arena but He's wrong. I've heard His press conferences and I know His taunts. The only voice I care about is from Jesus and He promises me the opponent will be forced into retirement... forever.

My face and body resembles a UFC fighter in the cage, the one who is losing. It would be so easy to "tap out." When I'm weak and weary, I reflect on the encouragement my friend gave me during an elevator talk. I think of all the people in the world who are struggling to win their own fight. If I were to throw in the towel and give up, what would the world do? The price of defeat in this spiritual war is too high. I must sacrifice everything and be willing to win this fight. As long as I stay connected to the One I serve and don't turn my back on Him, I will win this fight. Then I will hold the belt high for the world to see... all for the glory of the One who sent me into the ring.

Will you support me in this fight? Become a follower of this blog. Look for the follower button on the right and join His team. The One who trains me is undefeated...even in death. He is my hero.

God-incidence

2011-11-08T08:08:00.005-08:00

How does one define a word that does not exist in our vocabulary? More importantly, how does one describe something when current words are too limited? This phenomenon happens to people who are multi-lingual when they are conversing with someone who only speaks one language. It's like a box of Crayola crayons. The person with the 64 crayon set struggles when he attempts to translate using only the basic 8 pack. There's no word in the 8 pack to describe Mango Tango.

In the spiritual realm, God has an unlimited set of crayons. Can you color a sunrise or a sunset using only the basic set of crayons? So it is with describing coincidences that appear to be more than random events. It's time for a new Crayola color to be introduced...God-incidence. This color can be used anytime you experience a random event that occurs at the perfect time in your life.

Apply this new color to your life. Do you believe your presence in the world is just a coincidence? What if you are a God-incidence? God set you apart from all the other crayons. There is no other crayon in the world that can contribute to God's masterpiece like you can. There is a special place in God's painting reserved for you and only you.

Here's a final thought for you to consider about coincidence vs. God-incidence. How did you find this story? If you do a Google search for God-incidence, you get 4,400,000 results. Maybe there is some kind of Divine influence pushing this story to the top of the first page...just for you. The truth about God-incidences is they are all around you. You are a God-incidence. It's time for you to go color.

Back Home From Nationals

2011-11-07T08:08:00.001-08:00

We dreamed big. We trained hard. And this weekend we returned to the Palm Springs area to play on the same tennis courts where eight months earlier we cheered for Nadal, Federer and other top pros competing in the annual BNP Paribus Open.

We met seasoned tennis players from all over the country. Day one was a triumph; we defeated a solid New York team. That evening, we attended the players party where we hoped to meet Billie Jean King, the co-founder of World Team Tennis. Unfortunately, she was ill and the airlines would not allow her to fly.

Day two was more challenging. In the second round, we battled a savvy team from the Midwest but came up short. Our only hope of advancing to the semifinals was to beat a young team from South Carolina. We faced adversity many times on our road to nationals; to keep our national championship dream alive, we needed another come-from-behind performance from our top aces. With the match even and the final pivotal game tied at 3-3, this time our opponent's shot stayed in. That meant the best we could do was 5th place in the Sunday morning consolation match. Our Jersey opponents brought their youthful players for the final match of our fun-filled weekend. Once again, it all came down to one last sudden death game. This team from a small town in Southern California eked out a 5th place win by just one team point in the final match of a story book season. This writer is thankful for all the memories created along the way. What a remarkable journey this has been.

The beautiful thing about tennis is the longevity of the sport. While competing at Indian Wells, I noticed other senior teams - players fifty and older, and "super" senior teams - competitors at least sixty, competing for national titles in their age groups. As much fun as I have competing with opponents thirty years younger than me, at fifty-one, it may be time to find my place in the senior tennis crowd. I just hope my honorary captain, Elliott, can get out of the hospital soon and return to offer some coaching advice. At 85 years old, he is considered one of the most clever and cunning players to grace the courts.

It's in my blood. I love to compete. Now it's time to start thinking about next year. I wish to give special thanks to my Smashin' with Passion teammates from Ramona for sharing the dream with me. This was the kind of weekend they write about in fairy tales. An amazing chapter ended yesterday. It's time to begin the next chapter of my life today. Whatever the future holds, I'm ready.

Here's a WTT link with the results from the weekend...

http://www.wtt.com/page.aspx?article_id=2928

Deep Sea Fishing

2011-11-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Photo by Mike Mulligan

That's me out there on the horizon, drifting in my dinghy with nothing but a pole, some bait, and a line that extends to the darkest crevices of the ocean floor. Others before me have been fishers of men in these waters. Pleased with their catch, they moved on. The biggest fish remain and they ignore my bait. I chum the waters with the blood of the Lamb and the fish draw closer, however, they refuse to bite and scoff at me by repeatedly bumping my small boat from below.

An offshore wind signals it's time to move on and my heart saddens for the fish I must leave behind. I must fish in deeper waters before the big storm hits and all the boats are ordered to be dry-docked. The winds point me to uncharted waters where the fish do not know me and I rejoice as they take the bait. Once the boat is overloaded with a record catch, I head back to my home port. The shadows lurking below me are a reminder of the big fish that got away. They have chosen to stay in the dark and I must leave them behind as I navigate back to the lighthouse.