A scientist who has been studying sharks all his life made a big discovery. Accidentally, he turned a shark upside down and he observed that the shark went into some kind of hypnotic trance. The shark became completely helpless.
Some killer whales off of the California coast have also made the same discovery. They now have the upper hand in the food chain as they are ramming the great white shark and then turning them over. Once the great white is on its belly, a single killer whale can hold onto it until it suffocates.
We can use this same method found in nature to wipe out our past memories. We need the right tools to do this and it is just as effective as turning a great white on its back. It does not matter how old the memory is or if the people in the memory are dead.
The solution to turning a bad memory upside down is to ask Jesus to do it. He has the ability to time travel into the past and visit the memory as you relive it in your mind. In order for Him to turn the memory upside down, you must let go of it first. Once the memory has been turned over, it no longer has its destructive ability that has been haunting you. The memory is still there but as long as it is upside down, it cannot hurt you.
Do not attempt to take the bad memory back. Leave it with Jesus. If the memory ever turns back over, it's negative effects will return. Jesus was the greatest fishermen ever. It is best to let Him catch all the bad memories from your past. Are you ready to go fishing with Him?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Twas the Month Before Christmas
I received this poem yesterday. It reminded me of the "Frog in Hot Water" (see earlier post). We have four weekends until we celebrate the most important birthday of all times. Let's resist society's attempt to remove Jesus from this season...
Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The Bones
Ezekiel is one of my favorites from the Bible. He was given the ability to see with God's vision and speak with the voice of the Spirit. In chapter 37, God asks Ezekiel to speak on His behalf and amazing change takes place. I remember the first time I read the first fourteen verses to my wife. She told me it was an interesting story about a bunch of dried up bones. She did not see the deep meaning of this bone story.
The Bible is filled with amazing stories and most people never discover that it is alive. What I mean is that Jesus is the Living Word. These stories come to life when we discover that we are part of the story and that Jesus is actually speaking to us. The Holy Spirit shows us how we are part of the story just as He showed me in my first Bible lesson (see earlier post).
Jesus does not have the time and space boundaries that we have. When we read the Bible, He is able to move from the pages we are reading to our hearts. This cannot be explained in human terms but the effects can be seen.
The story of the bones is a great example of how we can see changes in others when they invite Jesus into their hearts. I have witnessed this myself many times as I shared the meaning of the bones to others.
Before you read the story of the bones below, picture yourself in the middle of the plain that is full of bones. This chapter is for you. You are the bones and God is speaking to you as you read the story. This story can come alive inside of you. He is calling you out of your cave just as he called me out of mine just ninety days ago. It is time for you to live. He wants all of us to unite and be ready for Him when He returns just as He told the naked cave man. You are the star of the bones story.
The Spirit will come into your heart just as Jesus promises in the fourteenth verse, but only if you decide to unlock the door to your heart and let Him in. Are you ready to come out of the cave?
Ezekiel 37
The Valley of Dry Bones
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath [a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' " 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
11 Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.' "
Footnotes:
1. Ezekiel 37:5 The Hebrew for this word can also mean wind or spirit (see verses 6-14).
The Bible is filled with amazing stories and most people never discover that it is alive. What I mean is that Jesus is the Living Word. These stories come to life when we discover that we are part of the story and that Jesus is actually speaking to us. The Holy Spirit shows us how we are part of the story just as He showed me in my first Bible lesson (see earlier post).
Jesus does not have the time and space boundaries that we have. When we read the Bible, He is able to move from the pages we are reading to our hearts. This cannot be explained in human terms but the effects can be seen.
The story of the bones is a great example of how we can see changes in others when they invite Jesus into their hearts. I have witnessed this myself many times as I shared the meaning of the bones to others.
Before you read the story of the bones below, picture yourself in the middle of the plain that is full of bones. This chapter is for you. You are the bones and God is speaking to you as you read the story. This story can come alive inside of you. He is calling you out of your cave just as he called me out of mine just ninety days ago. It is time for you to live. He wants all of us to unite and be ready for Him when He returns just as He told the naked cave man. You are the star of the bones story.
The Spirit will come into your heart just as Jesus promises in the fourteenth verse, but only if you decide to unlock the door to your heart and let Him in. Are you ready to come out of the cave?
Ezekiel 37
The Valley of Dry Bones
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath [a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' " 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
11 Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.' "
Footnotes:
1. Ezekiel 37:5 The Hebrew for this word can also mean wind or spirit (see verses 6-14).
Friday, November 27, 2009
Family Time
Yesterday morning, my daughter could not wait to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. She made her request earlier in the week and at 9:00 am sharp she was ready. During the parade, we gathered together to set up our Christmas tree and decorations. By the time the parade was over, our home had been transformed for Christmas.
My wife moved a special vase into our bedroom so that we could have room for our manger downstairs. On the front of the vase is a verse from Issiah 40:31 about hope..."But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." This is the feeling I had inside of me as I was spending quality time with my wife and children. It is the Spirit of Christmas that all of us desire to have with us as we prepare for Jesus.
At the end of the parade, Santa Claus appeared. He was the final act in the three hour parade. The parade was fun and there was much nostalgia. I thought to myself that time is moving quickly and these moments will not last much longer. My children will grow up and be on their own.
When the parade was over, it was time to visit my sister and her friends for a Thanksgiving feast. Everyone at the table took turns sharing what they are thankful for. There is nothing better than to be out of the cave and connecting with family and friends. When it was my turn, I shared that I have never been more in love with my wife than I am now. She stood by me when I was in the darkness and the light of Jesus that shines inside of her is more visible than ever. It does not seem logical that someone can appear more beautiful as time passes, however, when you look at someone the way Jesus sees them, your blindness disappears.
During our conversation, my sister commented on someone close to the family. She talked about a gift this person has. It was strange to me that my sister recognized the gift even though the person is still completely unaware of it. This is why it is so important to unlock the door to your heart and invite Jesus in. Your vision of the world and the people around you changes. It is as if you can see with X-ray vision. You can see the beauty in others that maybe they cannot see. You can see yourself as the person you are created to be. You get the desire to come out of the cave and connect with the beautiful world around you. You appreciate family moments like watching the Macy's parade. When Santa Claus appears in the finale, instead of seeing someone dressed up in a red suit, you can see Jesus. Yes, He is the final act. He is the one with the real gifts...Faith, Hope and Love. He doesn't need a chimney to bring you these gifts. He is outside the door to your heart right now and I hear him knocking. All you have to do is unlock the door and let Him in...
My wife moved a special vase into our bedroom so that we could have room for our manger downstairs. On the front of the vase is a verse from Issiah 40:31 about hope..."But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." This is the feeling I had inside of me as I was spending quality time with my wife and children. It is the Spirit of Christmas that all of us desire to have with us as we prepare for Jesus.
At the end of the parade, Santa Claus appeared. He was the final act in the three hour parade. The parade was fun and there was much nostalgia. I thought to myself that time is moving quickly and these moments will not last much longer. My children will grow up and be on their own.
When the parade was over, it was time to visit my sister and her friends for a Thanksgiving feast. Everyone at the table took turns sharing what they are thankful for. There is nothing better than to be out of the cave and connecting with family and friends. When it was my turn, I shared that I have never been more in love with my wife than I am now. She stood by me when I was in the darkness and the light of Jesus that shines inside of her is more visible than ever. It does not seem logical that someone can appear more beautiful as time passes, however, when you look at someone the way Jesus sees them, your blindness disappears.
During our conversation, my sister commented on someone close to the family. She talked about a gift this person has. It was strange to me that my sister recognized the gift even though the person is still completely unaware of it. This is why it is so important to unlock the door to your heart and invite Jesus in. Your vision of the world and the people around you changes. It is as if you can see with X-ray vision. You can see the beauty in others that maybe they cannot see. You can see yourself as the person you are created to be. You get the desire to come out of the cave and connect with the beautiful world around you. You appreciate family moments like watching the Macy's parade. When Santa Claus appears in the finale, instead of seeing someone dressed up in a red suit, you can see Jesus. Yes, He is the final act. He is the one with the real gifts...Faith, Hope and Love. He doesn't need a chimney to bring you these gifts. He is outside the door to your heart right now and I hear him knocking. All you have to do is unlock the door and let Him in...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving Message from the Cave Man
Happy Thanksgiving from the cave man and his family. As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, our family is thankful for all of you. Thank you for your prayers and for keeping in touch. The video clip was made this morning.
May you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3:16)
May you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Black Hole Mystery is Solved
The two pictures in this post have a lot in common. The picture to the right is from the popular Stargate series. Every week the characters go through a worm hole and visit worlds all over the universe. The picture on the left is also connected to some type of a worm hole but at times it works more like a black hole.
My wife dials up a series of codes on these devices. When the timer goes off, most of the items return safely. Every once in a while, something disappears. I have always wondered where the missing items go. Could aliens on distant planets be wearing my socks?
Yesterday, I found the other side of the black hole. It is located in the second drawer on my side of the dresser. Until I made the commitment to get organized, I never spent much time in this mysterious drawer. It contains all my socks including the ones that lost their mate in the home version of Stargate located in our laundry room.
Instead of just looking on the surface for the first pair of matching socks, I changed things up and completely emptied the drawer. It took about twenty minutes to match up the socks. I also found about four pairs of socks that belong to my wife that have been missing for months.
This mystery may not seem like a big deal but it shows what can happen when you make small changes in your life. Do you have any black hole mysteries to solve in your life? The answer may be as simple as cleaning out a drawer.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The Voice of One Crying Out in the Wilderness
Today's post comes from John the Baptist. Like me, he spent time in the wilderness preparing for his role. He lived in caves and spent most of his life praying for direction.
John knew that people were looking for hope. He also knew that most were distracted and far from God. As he baptized people, he did his best to get them focused on changing their ways. He wanted them to find a path to our Savior.
One day, Jesus came to John and asked to be Baptized. The two were cousins. John knew who Jesus was, even while still in his mother's womb. He knew what his job was and his time in the wilderness helped him to prepare to lead others to Jesus.
My mother gave me a book, "John, Son of Thunder". The author made me feel like I was there in the time of Jesus. It was based on actual events but focused more on the emotions of the people. It was a time when people were not sure what to think of Jesus.
Over time, John's role diminished. Once Jesus revealed Himself, John knew his job was done. When Jesus returns, my job as the cave man will also be done. For now, I am one voice crying out from the wilderness and I am here to remind you He wants you to prepare for His return.
Do something every day to get ready for His birthday. It is so much more than presents. While you celebrate, remember what He did for you and how much He loves you. You still have thirty two days to get ready for His birthday. Will you be ready?
John 1:23
He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.
John knew that people were looking for hope. He also knew that most were distracted and far from God. As he baptized people, he did his best to get them focused on changing their ways. He wanted them to find a path to our Savior.
One day, Jesus came to John and asked to be Baptized. The two were cousins. John knew who Jesus was, even while still in his mother's womb. He knew what his job was and his time in the wilderness helped him to prepare to lead others to Jesus.
My mother gave me a book, "John, Son of Thunder". The author made me feel like I was there in the time of Jesus. It was based on actual events but focused more on the emotions of the people. It was a time when people were not sure what to think of Jesus.
Over time, John's role diminished. Once Jesus revealed Himself, John knew his job was done. When Jesus returns, my job as the cave man will also be done. For now, I am one voice crying out from the wilderness and I am here to remind you He wants you to prepare for His return.
Do something every day to get ready for His birthday. It is so much more than presents. While you celebrate, remember what He did for you and how much He loves you. You still have thirty two days to get ready for His birthday. Will you be ready?
John 1:23
He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Preparing for Christmas
This morning my wife and I decided on a location for our Christmas tree. We are going to put it up on on Thanksgiving morning. It is the only day our whole family will be together to prepare our home for Christmas. This special day is only thirty three days away.
Before I met my wife, I used to wait until Christmas Eve to do all my shopping. The year before we got married I got a high fever the day before Christmas. My wife to be said it was a shame that I didn't prepare better and she sent me out to shop. The stores were crowded with all the last minute shoppers and the selections were few. As I made my final purchase, I wished I had done a better job of getting ready for Christmas.
Procrastination is not a good attribute. It starts with making choices. Every time I say tomorrow instead of today, I am letting this bad habit rule my life. This laziness is such a bad example for my family. This is the year I have resolved to prepare properly for Christmas.
Preparing for Christmas is so much more than putting up decorations and buying gifts. It is about preparing my heart for Jesus. It is about being a better example for my family and my peers.
This year I am planning on presenting my family with a list of things we can do to be ready when we celebrate Christmas. His birth changed everything. It is time to prepare now so I am ready to celebrate properly. How about you? There are only thirty days until His birthday. What are you going to do to get ready?
Before I met my wife, I used to wait until Christmas Eve to do all my shopping. The year before we got married I got a high fever the day before Christmas. My wife to be said it was a shame that I didn't prepare better and she sent me out to shop. The stores were crowded with all the last minute shoppers and the selections were few. As I made my final purchase, I wished I had done a better job of getting ready for Christmas.
Procrastination is not a good attribute. It starts with making choices. Every time I say tomorrow instead of today, I am letting this bad habit rule my life. This laziness is such a bad example for my family. This is the year I have resolved to prepare properly for Christmas.
Preparing for Christmas is so much more than putting up decorations and buying gifts. It is about preparing my heart for Jesus. It is about being a better example for my family and my peers.
This year I am planning on presenting my family with a list of things we can do to be ready when we celebrate Christmas. His birth changed everything. It is time to prepare now so I am ready to celebrate properly. How about you? There are only thirty days until His birthday. What are you going to do to get ready?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A Tribute to my Father's Parents- Victor and Alice Mulligan
My grandparents on my father's side are pictured to the left. Like my mother's parents, they played an important role in helping me become the person I am today. It was my granddad who pulled over to the side of the road one day while we were spending the day together. The field we were observing had just been cut and he stopped to smell the aroma that filled the air. I was about ten years old but that memory is so vivid in my mind almost forty years later that I can still smell the fragrance from that special moment. I also remember the time he took me to the store to get a baseball glove. We weren't celebrating Christmas or a birthday, just a quality day with my grandfather and he loved sharing his wisdom with me. He really enjoyed learning. His poodle named Poco was always at his side. I have never seen a dog as well trained as his little buddy.I have written about "Grammy" in previous posts. She compiled a book of poems for all her children and grandchildren and I rediscovered it yesterday as I was organizing my house. As I read "Ingredients for a Mulligan Stew", I thought about how tough it must have been for my grandparents to lose a young child. They brought ten children into the world. Grammy's poems helped her to express what was in her heart and the lessons are timeless.
My aunts and uncles are very special people. They all came together when my father was sick just as they did when there brother was fighting his battle with leukemia. I know that my grandparents and some of my dad's siblings were waiting on the other side when it was time for my father to join them.
My cousins are a reflection of my grandparents. I see special gifts in each of them that come from the generations before. When these gifts are nurtured, the world is better. Below is an excerpt from my Grammy's collection of poems. I especially like the last line because it reminds me of all the good acts that these two special people did while on this earth. They are a tough act to follow...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Letting Go of the Rope
There is a special peace that comes from letting go of the rope. Letting go means giving up control. We live in a society where letting go is frowned upon. It can be seen as a sign of weakness. In my younger years, I thought that letting go meant failing. It meant I was not carrying my own weight. It meant giving up independence.
It is a scary feeling holding on to the rope and having that sense that you are slipping. I could hear a voice inside of me telling me to let go but I never listened to it. I knew I was slipping. As the end of the rope got closer and closer, I prayed harder. When I got to the end of the rope, I knew something was going to happen. I could listen to the voice inside of me telling me to let go or I could keep hanging by a thread. I could also feel all the burdens on my shoulders that made holding onto the rope more difficult.
The day I invited Jesus into my heart is the same day I finally let go of the rope. It is strange to share this because it does not seem logical. It is as if someone was knocking on the door to my heart but the door was locked. I was the reason the door was locked! The only way for the door to unlock was to let go of the rope. If I had known this sooner, I would have let go of the rope a long time ago.
Letting go of the rope does not mean that your troubles suddenly disappear. It means that someone else is in charge. It means that you have peace inside of you that brings comfort and joy.
Today's blog got interrupted by a conflict between two of my teenage children and my wife asked me to intervene. As I was talking with my children, I kept thinking about today's message. Instead of showing anger, I told my children that I was the problem. I asked them how could I expect them to have a clean room when I am such a bad example. I shared with them my commitment to be a better example and gave them a day off from chores. Then, I gave each one a hug and asked them to forgive me for anything I did in the past that hurt them. I repeated this with my wife and I could see that special look in her eyes as I promised to be a better husband and father.
My teenagers were on the floor laughing. They asked me what web site I visited that caused this behavior. I told them I let go of the rope and that even though I am the head of the household, God is really in charge.
Watching my children hug each other and asking one another for forgiveness brought tears to my eyes. This moment would not have happened if I was still holding on to the rope.
I am going to spend the rest of the day cleaning and organizing. While I am dragging boxes around, I will be thinking of the Cross that Jesus carried for me so that I could have eternal life. It will make my load seem lighter. I will also thank my Savior for repeatedly knocking on the door to my heart and for encouraging me to let go of the rope.
If you find yourself at the end of the rope, let go. Invite Jesus into your heart. Today is a great day to unlock the door and let Him in.
It is a scary feeling holding on to the rope and having that sense that you are slipping. I could hear a voice inside of me telling me to let go but I never listened to it. I knew I was slipping. As the end of the rope got closer and closer, I prayed harder. When I got to the end of the rope, I knew something was going to happen. I could listen to the voice inside of me telling me to let go or I could keep hanging by a thread. I could also feel all the burdens on my shoulders that made holding onto the rope more difficult.
The day I invited Jesus into my heart is the same day I finally let go of the rope. It is strange to share this because it does not seem logical. It is as if someone was knocking on the door to my heart but the door was locked. I was the reason the door was locked! The only way for the door to unlock was to let go of the rope. If I had known this sooner, I would have let go of the rope a long time ago.
Letting go of the rope does not mean that your troubles suddenly disappear. It means that someone else is in charge. It means that you have peace inside of you that brings comfort and joy.
Today's blog got interrupted by a conflict between two of my teenage children and my wife asked me to intervene. As I was talking with my children, I kept thinking about today's message. Instead of showing anger, I told my children that I was the problem. I asked them how could I expect them to have a clean room when I am such a bad example. I shared with them my commitment to be a better example and gave them a day off from chores. Then, I gave each one a hug and asked them to forgive me for anything I did in the past that hurt them. I repeated this with my wife and I could see that special look in her eyes as I promised to be a better husband and father.
My teenagers were on the floor laughing. They asked me what web site I visited that caused this behavior. I told them I let go of the rope and that even though I am the head of the household, God is really in charge.
Watching my children hug each other and asking one another for forgiveness brought tears to my eyes. This moment would not have happened if I was still holding on to the rope.
I am going to spend the rest of the day cleaning and organizing. While I am dragging boxes around, I will be thinking of the Cross that Jesus carried for me so that I could have eternal life. It will make my load seem lighter. I will also thank my Savior for repeatedly knocking on the door to my heart and for encouraging me to let go of the rope.
If you find yourself at the end of the rope, let go. Invite Jesus into your heart. Today is a great day to unlock the door and let Him in.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Team Work
Yesterday I listened to some CD's by Zig Ziglar. I found them at the office while I was searching for file folders to get my desk organized. Zig told the story about how much weight a horse can pull all by itself. The interesting thing about horses is that when you put two together the total weight they can pull as a team is more than what they can do individually. Once some training is added, the team can reach almost three times the productivity.
I am so thankful for the team of people I am around every day. Our achievements come from a desire to work together and help each other. One partner shared the treasure box with me (see yesterday's post) and that will allow my family to save money on groceries. Another partner shared how he is able to buy food from a restaurant wholesaler and he is going to share some pointers with me.
Our Zoom Autos magazines are being delivered in Las Vegas starting today. This is because of team work. The people in our Salt Lake city office reached out and helped the people in Las Vegas so they could have a successful launch. Our staff in San Diego is handling all of the production duties and they continue to work in harmony.
The biggest lesson I have learned from working on a team is that so much more can be accomplished when the team figures out how to work together in an efficient manner, called synergy. This lesson also applies to families. It starts with communication. Give your kids and your spouse an extra hug today and let them know how much you love them and watch them flourish. Thank the people you work with for all they do. Have a great day.
I am so thankful for the team of people I am around every day. Our achievements come from a desire to work together and help each other. One partner shared the treasure box with me (see yesterday's post) and that will allow my family to save money on groceries. Another partner shared how he is able to buy food from a restaurant wholesaler and he is going to share some pointers with me.
Our Zoom Autos magazines are being delivered in Las Vegas starting today. This is because of team work. The people in our Salt Lake city office reached out and helped the people in Las Vegas so they could have a successful launch. Our staff in San Diego is handling all of the production duties and they continue to work in harmony.
The biggest lesson I have learned from working on a team is that so much more can be accomplished when the team figures out how to work together in an efficient manner, called synergy. This lesson also applies to families. It starts with communication. Give your kids and your spouse an extra hug today and let them know how much you love them and watch them flourish. Thank the people you work with for all they do. Have a great day.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Treasure Box
Next week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. It is a special time of the year. I can already smell the turkey and can't wait to enjoy a day with family. It is also important to do something to help those around us who are searching for a new job.
We all know at least one family that is going through some tough times. Today's blog is about sharing. There is a group that puts together treasure boxes for just $30 (the retail value of the food is $75 to $100). One treasure box can feed a family of four for a week or one person for a month! You can order as many boxes as you want for your family or to give as gifts. There are volunteers that set up distribution points and you pick up the treasure boxes once a month on Saturday. The order deadline for the December 19th pickup is December 6.
Can you imagine the look on a young child's face when they open the door and see this treasure box full of food? If you can spare an extra $30, why not make a difference in the world? I am already planning to get one of these for my family and use the savings on my food bill to get an extra one for someone very special.
Here is the website to order a treasure box:
www.thetreasurebox.org.
Have a great day.
We all know at least one family that is going through some tough times. Today's blog is about sharing. There is a group that puts together treasure boxes for just $30 (the retail value of the food is $75 to $100). One treasure box can feed a family of four for a week or one person for a month! You can order as many boxes as you want for your family or to give as gifts. There are volunteers that set up distribution points and you pick up the treasure boxes once a month on Saturday. The order deadline for the December 19th pickup is December 6.
Can you imagine the look on a young child's face when they open the door and see this treasure box full of food? If you can spare an extra $30, why not make a difference in the world? I am already planning to get one of these for my family and use the savings on my food bill to get an extra one for someone very special.
Here is the website to order a treasure box:
www.thetreasurebox.org.
Have a great day.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Alive Again
This morning I was especially touched by the song and google searched using a couple of lyrics so I could find out more about it. It reminded me of the darkness I lived in before coming out of the cave. As I searched for the song, I found this video on YouTube that another person created. She added awesome pictures to go along with the song and it is posted for your benefit below.
The second video is an interview with Matt Maher that was done at 5:00 am near Arizona State on a mountain called A mountain. I spent my last two years of college at Arizona State University and this particular interview hit me hard because I spent time on this mountain meditating about my life. It is just one more "Godincidence" that I will add to my list since coming out of the cave.
One of the things that touched me about Matt's interview is the way he sort of gets out of the way so the camera can focus on the sun coming up. That is really my role here as the cave man, publish all the good that Jesus has done and point the way for others so they can see the Son. Today's song is just one more good thing Jesus has done for me and I thank Matt for sharing his testimony. Have a great day.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Little Things Make a Difference
It has been really fun these last couple of months reconnecting with old friends and family members. One of the things I have observed since leaving the cave is that one small change in one area of my life seems to benefit other areas. For example, giving up Mountain Dew and all other soda products has contributed to getting better sleep. Better sleep has helped me to be more productive at work. Increased productivity has allowed me to better serve my customers. My new energy levels enable me to be more involved with my family. This is possible by making one small change like my food choices.
I have decided to make another small change today and that is my attitude towards being organized. It seems that no matter how many times I list this as a goal every year, I find myself falling short. Every morning I am going to tell myself that I am getting better at being organized and I will find one small thing each day that I will do to make a difference.
I think the reason for my past failures in this area is because I have always viewed getting organized as a chore or as something too big to overcome. I have special drawers where I put things to get them out of the way and then I leave them there until I need to find something. My garage is the same way. I start out with an annual cleaning and then pile stuff on top of stuff until I can barely get around. The trunk of my car also needs some attention. My desk at work is in a public area and people love to put stuff there because they know it will be safe and untouched.
I mentioned setting up a poster board in an earlier post. This has been an amazing tool to help me and my wife focus on areas of our lives that we want to improve. Today I am going to add "I am organized" to my vision board. If this small change works as well as getting rid of Mountain Dew, this weakness will turn into a strength. Yes, I am going to have fun getting rid of all the clutter in my life. How about you? What is the little thing in your life that you are going to change today that will make a difference?
I have decided to make another small change today and that is my attitude towards being organized. It seems that no matter how many times I list this as a goal every year, I find myself falling short. Every morning I am going to tell myself that I am getting better at being organized and I will find one small thing each day that I will do to make a difference.
I think the reason for my past failures in this area is because I have always viewed getting organized as a chore or as something too big to overcome. I have special drawers where I put things to get them out of the way and then I leave them there until I need to find something. My garage is the same way. I start out with an annual cleaning and then pile stuff on top of stuff until I can barely get around. The trunk of my car also needs some attention. My desk at work is in a public area and people love to put stuff there because they know it will be safe and untouched.
I mentioned setting up a poster board in an earlier post. This has been an amazing tool to help me and my wife focus on areas of our lives that we want to improve. Today I am going to add "I am organized" to my vision board. If this small change works as well as getting rid of Mountain Dew, this weakness will turn into a strength. Yes, I am going to have fun getting rid of all the clutter in my life. How about you? What is the little thing in your life that you are going to change today that will make a difference?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Planting Seeds
In a way, all of us are farmers. When we do a good job of preparing the soil and planting seeds, we can expect a nice harvest. I spent a summer in Arizona working in the cotton fields. My job was to get up at 4:30 am every morning and find the weeds in the fields. At times the temperature would approach 120 degrees. The owner of the cotton fields received a better price when the cotton was free of weeds.
In life, we reap what we sow. It takes a great deal of patience to wait for the harvest. If we fail to plant enough seeds, we get poor results. A new year is just 45 days away. This is the time to plan what type of harvest we want in our future. The seeds we plant may be cultivating our relationships with others. We may want to exercise more. Whatever we choose to plant, we must fertilize and water our seeds so they can mature.
Make sure you use a hoe to get rid of any weeds that try to interfere with your harvest. What you plant today will be your reward. Make a list of all the seeds you want to plant and get started right away. The sooner you plant your seeds, the sooner you will reap your reward.
In life, we reap what we sow. It takes a great deal of patience to wait for the harvest. If we fail to plant enough seeds, we get poor results. A new year is just 45 days away. This is the time to plan what type of harvest we want in our future. The seeds we plant may be cultivating our relationships with others. We may want to exercise more. Whatever we choose to plant, we must fertilize and water our seeds so they can mature.
Make sure you use a hoe to get rid of any weeds that try to interfere with your harvest. What you plant today will be your reward. Make a list of all the seeds you want to plant and get started right away. The sooner you plant your seeds, the sooner you will reap your reward.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Date Night
We live in a hectic world. It is so easy to take the people you love for granted. Children and jobs fill up our calendars. I needed to make some adjustments to make sure the one I love knows how special she is in my life. Today's message is especially for all the married couples out there.
My wife and I block out one evening per month that is designated as date night. My wife came out early to the tennis courts to watch me and our daughter play in the mixed doubles social. My wife was planning on being my date for the potluck but everyone left once the tennis was over. We refused to let that stop our designated date night and joined with another couple for dinner and a movie. We shared our food that we made for the potluck and had a great evening.
If you haven't had a date with your spouse in over thirty days, get out your calendar and plan one. Make a commitment to do this every month and watch your marriage come alive. The best thing you can do for your children is to show them how important your spouse is and actions speak louder than words.
Have a great day!
My wife and I block out one evening per month that is designated as date night. My wife came out early to the tennis courts to watch me and our daughter play in the mixed doubles social. My wife was planning on being my date for the potluck but everyone left once the tennis was over. We refused to let that stop our designated date night and joined with another couple for dinner and a movie. We shared our food that we made for the potluck and had a great evening.
If you haven't had a date with your spouse in over thirty days, get out your calendar and plan one. Make a commitment to do this every month and watch your marriage come alive. The best thing you can do for your children is to show them how important your spouse is and actions speak louder than words.
Have a great day!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Belief Meter
Everybody on this planet has a belief meter. Picture yourself holding a pencil on your forehead that is pointing down towards your nose. When the "belief meter" is 100% vertical, that symbolizes a zero on the scale. Anyone who is not sure there is a God would be in this position on the scale. An agnostic would fit into this category. Move in any direction and you move into an area of belief whether it is belief in something existing or not existing.
A new billboard went up in my city this week reflecting the views of those who believe there is no God. There are probably levels of "disbelief" just like there are levels of "belief". Most of us, regardless of where we find ourselves on the "belief meter", are motivated by two things, hope for gain and fear of loss. These two motivators can lead to changes in our belief meter.
I am still trying to figure out the motivation for spending $6,200 on a sign that tells the world something does not exist. Wouldn't it be more fun to take a nice vacation since there is nothing to look forward to once you die if you don't believe in God? Do you really want to surround yourself with people who do not believe in eternity? The social events might be fun for a while but what happens when nonbelievers get old or sick? The sign claims "you are not alone". I may be blind here but isn't there something ironic about that statement?
The agnostic searches for answers. Like Thomas who wanted to see proof of Jesus coming back from the dead, an agnostic wants scientific evidence before he will change his location on his belief meter. He will go left or right depending on the evidence. The rest of us go with our belief system.
My belief meter moved drastically once I invited Jesus into my heart. There is no other way for me to explain how my views of the world have changed. In fact, before my conversion, this group of non-believers was on my hate list. I classified them as dream killers or party poopers (I am referring to past conversations of Heaven). How dare they attempt to destroy my vision of eternity! Thank God that I no longer have prejudice toward this group. It is probably wrong thinking like this that pushed some people to the left on the belief meter. It is also sad that the actions of believers have contributed to the growing numbers of nonbelievers.
We live in a free country. Regardless of where you find yourself on the belief meter, you are a part of the puzzle. It is not right for any of us to fight with one another because of our belief or non-belief. It is my prayer that those of us on the right side of the belief meter will shine a light that may attract those on the left side so they may no longer feel alone. That is what God is all about, connecting all of us together so that we may spend an eternity with Him.
May your life be an example for others so that they can see the Creator in you and believe.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Zoom Update
Yesterday, we had our first official sales meeting at ZoomAutos.com since my return two months ago. We invented a new method for posting ads to fifteen websites in addition to our own website/magazine. The most popular of these sites is Craigslist. This new Zoom+ package will assist our customers during these tough economic times at a price that will fit their budgets. We have been working on this program for two months and it is unique to the car business. It will reduce labor costs for dealers who post ads on their own and drive more traffic to the dealerships without breaking the bank.
Zoom is also officially launching Zoom Autos Las Vegas on Friday, November 20th. We will be working double shifts starting today and all of next week in order to have a successful launch. Soon we will be announcing more cities as we expand on a regional level.
I wanted to thank all of my friends and family members for their continued prayers. I made a promise to Jesus that I would publish all the good that He has done for me and that includes Zoom. He has been with me every day and He gets all the credit for bringing the pieces of the puzzle together. Our survival in this market is nothing short of a miracle. The individuals we have at Zoom are the best in the country. Soon, we will be able to add more people who are on the sidelines due to Goliath's downsizing.
Please continue to pray for all of the people at Zoom and for their families who will be missing them this week as we go into launch mode. Pray also that we can create more jobs for those that are unemployed. We will do our best to help this great country get back on its feet again. Thank you, Jesus, for all the good you have done for us. Have a great day.
Zoom is also officially launching Zoom Autos Las Vegas on Friday, November 20th. We will be working double shifts starting today and all of next week in order to have a successful launch. Soon we will be announcing more cities as we expand on a regional level.
I wanted to thank all of my friends and family members for their continued prayers. I made a promise to Jesus that I would publish all the good that He has done for me and that includes Zoom. He has been with me every day and He gets all the credit for bringing the pieces of the puzzle together. Our survival in this market is nothing short of a miracle. The individuals we have at Zoom are the best in the country. Soon, we will be able to add more people who are on the sidelines due to Goliath's downsizing.
Please continue to pray for all of the people at Zoom and for their families who will be missing them this week as we go into launch mode. Pray also that we can create more jobs for those that are unemployed. We will do our best to help this great country get back on its feet again. Thank you, Jesus, for all the good you have done for us. Have a great day.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Caveman Comments
Today's blog is in response to the incredible support that I have received since coming out of the cave. Many of you have recommended books and websites to help me and others on our journey together. It is a great feeling to know that there are people out there who really have a desire to know the meaning of life and who want to learn more about the Creator.
I am really surprised to discover just how blind I have been for most of my life. There is still so much of God's puzzle that I cannot see. I am 100% certain that my new life outside of the cave is for your benefit. This certainty comes from my faith which cannot be explained logically or scientifically. It also comes from observing the changes that have taken place since I asked Jesus to come into my heart.
All of those stories in the Bible are there for us. We can read about the early followers of Jesus who came to Him searching for healing. Jesus loved the outcast. He was drawn to those who had no hope. He raised people from the dead. My own life is an example of what can happen when you let go of the rope and let God be in charge.
There will be some more videos coming soon. I will also add to the fictional story of the cave man and his tennis buddies. For now, I just wanted to say thank you for encouraging me to develop this blog.
Stay connected with the people God has placed in your life. Work through your differences. Life is too short to be holding grudges. Make a choice to come out of your cave and live your life to its fullest. Have a great day.
I am really surprised to discover just how blind I have been for most of my life. There is still so much of God's puzzle that I cannot see. I am 100% certain that my new life outside of the cave is for your benefit. This certainty comes from my faith which cannot be explained logically or scientifically. It also comes from observing the changes that have taken place since I asked Jesus to come into my heart.
All of those stories in the Bible are there for us. We can read about the early followers of Jesus who came to Him searching for healing. Jesus loved the outcast. He was drawn to those who had no hope. He raised people from the dead. My own life is an example of what can happen when you let go of the rope and let God be in charge.
There will be some more videos coming soon. I will also add to the fictional story of the cave man and his tennis buddies. For now, I just wanted to say thank you for encouraging me to develop this blog.
Stay connected with the people God has placed in your life. Work through your differences. Life is too short to be holding grudges. Make a choice to come out of your cave and live your life to its fullest. Have a great day.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Happy Veteran's Day
My father's ashes rest at Ft. Rosecrans. Like all of his brothers, he defended our freedom by serving in the military during the Korean war. He chose to be a marine. I loved hearing his stories. The day that we laid him to rest at Ft. Rosecrans, it was flag day. The huge flag pictured to the left was flying at half mast as we placed his urn in its final resting place. The large flag climbed all the way to the top of the flag pole. As I watched the flag ascend, I pictured my father's soul rising up to Heaven after saying good bye to all of us. It was a peaceful moment.
Ft. Rosecrans is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. It overlooks the ocean and there are large trees everywhere. As I look at all the gravestones throughout the cemetery, I think of all the brave men and women who made sacrifices for our freedom. Today is a federal holiday. It is time for all of us to slow down and remember our veterans.
I am planning on visiting Ft. Rosecrans today and I will say a special prayer for all the souls that rest there. I will also pray for all veterans and their families. If you see a vet today, show your appreciation. Happy Veteran's Day!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Chapter 3- The Cave Man's Past
(Read the first two chapters first)
It seemed liked yesterday when the three tennis buddies shared their views on the rainy Wednesday. All three were eager to meet again and learn more about each other. Max and Alex were both full of questions and could not wait to talk once they were done playing tennis.
Mad Max made it through the evening without breaking any of his rackets. Alex was especially curious and told the group that his wife would be joining us in the cyber cafe for our discussion. It was the first time she watched her husband play tennis in our group and he was on fire. The tennis ended when Alex ran around the net post to hit a backhand for a winner. His wife Becky cheered from the upstairs balcony as he high-fived his partner Max.
Alex was the first one to ask a question and it was directed at the cave man. He told the group that he and his wife were very interested in knowing more about why believers believe. The cafe was going to close in about an hour and it would take that long for the cave man to answer the question.
The cave man described his life as a child in a christian family. The pastor's thick accent made it difficult for the cave man to understand him. Church was more of a chore than anything else and he only attended because it was a requirement. As a teenager, the cave man went to church alone so he could sit in the back room known as the "crying room". One of his friends from high school also liked going to the Saturday service and it was a successful service when the two were alone in the special room so they could turn off the sound.
Once the cave man moved out, he pretty much stopped going to church. He became what many called a CEO (that means going to church on Christmas and Easter Only). His views on marriage were tainted due to the many divorces he observed. The one that hit the hardest was watching his own parents separate and divorce. He promised himself that he would never put himself in such a vulnerable position. It was better to live in a cave and be unhurt than to go through the pain of a divorce.
The cave man surrounded himself with people that shared the same values. When one of his closest friends asked him to be a best man at his wedding, a big fight started. The cave man actually tried to talk his buddy out of his marriage plans. Once his friend demonstrated absolute certainty that his plans were the best for him, the cave man accepted the job of best man. The marriage did not last and the cave man blamed himself for not doing a better job of explaining the dangers.
The cave man's journey to Jesus took an unexpected turn when he met his future wife. His group of friends went out once a week to socialize at a place called Malarkey's. This really great song came on and all of the cave man's friends headed for the dance floor. That is when the cave man saw his future wife for the first time. He pointed to the dance floor and smiled. That was the beginning of a bright future.
The two were inseparable. That included going to church once a week. The cave man found himself enjoying the time in church and spent the hour thanking God for his new girl friend. When it came time to get married, the cave man needed to find a pastor who could help him overcome some of his negative religious views. He was relieved when he found someone who could guide him.
Mr. and Mrs. Caveman were married in the Midwest in the same church where his wife was Baptized. The whole town came out for the celebration. The couple had three children and shared their faith with them. For the cave man, his faith could be best described as lukewarm, that is, thankful that God gave him a great wife and kids and willing to do some volunteer work to repay God for the good He had done in the cave man's life.
Alex, Max, and Becky leaned a little closer when the cave man described the vision he had while at a retreat. The two tennis buddies recalled the time the cave man missed tennis to be at the retreat but the cave man never talked about what happened until this evening.
The three were stunned by the experience that the cave man shared. Even though Alex and Becky were non-believers, they were touched by the cave man's story. They wanted to know more about the cave man's visions of the future where all the people were gathered in one place waiting for Jesus to return.
Alex was having trouble picturing himself with this group that was waiting for Jesus. His logic was getting in the way. Becky was thinking about her best friend that she lost to breast cancer. It was especially hard for her because she and her husband were both atheists. She could not accept the fact that she would never see her friend again and the cave man's story gave her hope.
It was mad Max that pointed out to the group that he noticed something different about the cave man after that retreat. The biggest change was that the cave man stopped swearing after missing a shot on the tennis court. The cave man added that most of the changes came from the inside. The biggest change was being able to let go of past grudges.
The cave man shared that he had been invited to speak at several retreats. He was speaking in front of people from his "team" at his church. He also got invited to another church in a town close by. It was the first time he shared his faith with strangers. One lady came up to him after his talk about meeting Jesus and told him she could not believe the boldness or lack of fear the man had. The cave man answered that he had nothing to do with it, that all the credit went to the Spirit that now lived in the cave man's heart.
The conversation in the cyber cafe was the first time that the cave man was speaking in front of non-believers. Mad Max was a believer but he was angry at God, so his presence was what the cave man considered to be another "Godincidence". The evening ended when the cave man disclosed that his life's purpose was to lead others to Jesus. He scribbled his blog address down for the group to check out and he told the group it was OK to share the site with others.
Becky thanked the cave man for sharing his past and told the cave man she wanted to bring a friend with her next week. Max and Alex enjoyed the cave man's story but they were not ready to change their views. They still had more questions. It was time to go home.
(note: you may join the cyber cafe group at any time, just email your questions for the group or invent your character and ask to join. Remember, this blog is for YOU and you are welcome to participate.)
It seemed liked yesterday when the three tennis buddies shared their views on the rainy Wednesday. All three were eager to meet again and learn more about each other. Max and Alex were both full of questions and could not wait to talk once they were done playing tennis.
Mad Max made it through the evening without breaking any of his rackets. Alex was especially curious and told the group that his wife would be joining us in the cyber cafe for our discussion. It was the first time she watched her husband play tennis in our group and he was on fire. The tennis ended when Alex ran around the net post to hit a backhand for a winner. His wife Becky cheered from the upstairs balcony as he high-fived his partner Max.
Alex was the first one to ask a question and it was directed at the cave man. He told the group that he and his wife were very interested in knowing more about why believers believe. The cafe was going to close in about an hour and it would take that long for the cave man to answer the question.
The cave man described his life as a child in a christian family. The pastor's thick accent made it difficult for the cave man to understand him. Church was more of a chore than anything else and he only attended because it was a requirement. As a teenager, the cave man went to church alone so he could sit in the back room known as the "crying room". One of his friends from high school also liked going to the Saturday service and it was a successful service when the two were alone in the special room so they could turn off the sound.
Once the cave man moved out, he pretty much stopped going to church. He became what many called a CEO (that means going to church on Christmas and Easter Only). His views on marriage were tainted due to the many divorces he observed. The one that hit the hardest was watching his own parents separate and divorce. He promised himself that he would never put himself in such a vulnerable position. It was better to live in a cave and be unhurt than to go through the pain of a divorce.
The cave man surrounded himself with people that shared the same values. When one of his closest friends asked him to be a best man at his wedding, a big fight started. The cave man actually tried to talk his buddy out of his marriage plans. Once his friend demonstrated absolute certainty that his plans were the best for him, the cave man accepted the job of best man. The marriage did not last and the cave man blamed himself for not doing a better job of explaining the dangers.
The cave man's journey to Jesus took an unexpected turn when he met his future wife. His group of friends went out once a week to socialize at a place called Malarkey's. This really great song came on and all of the cave man's friends headed for the dance floor. That is when the cave man saw his future wife for the first time. He pointed to the dance floor and smiled. That was the beginning of a bright future.
The two were inseparable. That included going to church once a week. The cave man found himself enjoying the time in church and spent the hour thanking God for his new girl friend. When it came time to get married, the cave man needed to find a pastor who could help him overcome some of his negative religious views. He was relieved when he found someone who could guide him.
Mr. and Mrs. Caveman were married in the Midwest in the same church where his wife was Baptized. The whole town came out for the celebration. The couple had three children and shared their faith with them. For the cave man, his faith could be best described as lukewarm, that is, thankful that God gave him a great wife and kids and willing to do some volunteer work to repay God for the good He had done in the cave man's life.
Alex, Max, and Becky leaned a little closer when the cave man described the vision he had while at a retreat. The two tennis buddies recalled the time the cave man missed tennis to be at the retreat but the cave man never talked about what happened until this evening.
The three were stunned by the experience that the cave man shared. Even though Alex and Becky were non-believers, they were touched by the cave man's story. They wanted to know more about the cave man's visions of the future where all the people were gathered in one place waiting for Jesus to return.
Alex was having trouble picturing himself with this group that was waiting for Jesus. His logic was getting in the way. Becky was thinking about her best friend that she lost to breast cancer. It was especially hard for her because she and her husband were both atheists. She could not accept the fact that she would never see her friend again and the cave man's story gave her hope.
It was mad Max that pointed out to the group that he noticed something different about the cave man after that retreat. The biggest change was that the cave man stopped swearing after missing a shot on the tennis court. The cave man added that most of the changes came from the inside. The biggest change was being able to let go of past grudges.
The cave man shared that he had been invited to speak at several retreats. He was speaking in front of people from his "team" at his church. He also got invited to another church in a town close by. It was the first time he shared his faith with strangers. One lady came up to him after his talk about meeting Jesus and told him she could not believe the boldness or lack of fear the man had. The cave man answered that he had nothing to do with it, that all the credit went to the Spirit that now lived in the cave man's heart.
The conversation in the cyber cafe was the first time that the cave man was speaking in front of non-believers. Mad Max was a believer but he was angry at God, so his presence was what the cave man considered to be another "Godincidence". The evening ended when the cave man disclosed that his life's purpose was to lead others to Jesus. He scribbled his blog address down for the group to check out and he told the group it was OK to share the site with others.
Becky thanked the cave man for sharing his past and told the cave man she wanted to bring a friend with her next week. Max and Alex enjoyed the cave man's story but they were not ready to change their views. They still had more questions. It was time to go home.
(note: you may join the cyber cafe group at any time, just email your questions for the group or invent your character and ask to join. Remember, this blog is for YOU and you are welcome to participate.)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Chapter 2- The Conversation Continues
(See yesterday's post for chapter one)
The naked cave man and his buddies continued their conversation that started the previous week. Their tennis had been canceled due to a large storm. The meeting took place in the Cyber Cafe located in the upstairs clubhouse. The cafe was almost full due to the bad weather. Many of the customers were taking advantage of the free wireless internet and the free self-serve coffee. There was one empty table in the corner and the three sat down.
Mad Max started off by talking about the San Diego Chargers and their big win against the Giants. Atheist Alex only follows soccer and tennis so his mind wandered as Max recounted the final drive that led to a victory. The game had special meaning for both teams because of the history of the two quarterbacks. The Chargers picked first in the draft but their pick said he would never sign with San Diego because they were such a poor team. The fans in San Diego have long memories and the victory felt really good against a quarterback that had shunned this talented team.
Alex started talking about God and posed a series of questions to his friends. The cave man thought his questions were interesting since Alex did not believe in God. His first question was "why do people invent gods?" He couldn't stop thinking about how the Greeks came up with so many gods to explain everything.
The cave man answered as Max interacted with some Charger fans at the table next to us. The cave man shared his thoughts about man's need to find a sense of purpose. Since the beginning of time, man has always sought the Creator of the universe. Just because false gods were made up, does not mean there is no God.
Max followed up sharing that something cannot come from nothing so there must be a God. He was mad because the world was so messed up and he wanted God to be more active at stopping evil. He also resented all the fighting among religious groups.
The cave man told the group that he did not always feel close to God and many of his views used to be like Max's. Then he shared what is was like to live in a cave with these negative thoughts. He commented that the three had been tennis buddies for many years, yet they knew so little about each other. This meeting in the Cyber Cafe was the first time that they had socialized off the tennis courts.
The meeting went on for nearly three hours. By the end of the evening, the three friends had a better understanding of each other. It became clear to the group that their different views on religion were not going to change in one meeting. Alex wanted to base everything on science. The cave man talked about his best friend who happens to be an agnostic. Ralph has one of those scientific brains and he went into engineering. Ralph always based his decisions on scientific methods.
The cave man told Alex that if he wanted to base his beliefs on science, then being an agnostic seemed more appropriate than being an atheist. After all, atheists have a "belief" that there is no God and agnostics could go either way, depending on the evidence. Alex had never looked at this question from this point of view.
Max agreed with the cave man. He added that a believer uses faith to explain the existence of a Creator. An atheist cannot have faith since he claims there is nothing to believe in. If faith is taken out of the equation, the agnostic makes the most sense. If you have evidence to show there is a God, an agnostic accepts the facts. If there is evidence to show there is no God, an agnostic accepts the facts. What if you show proof of God's existence to an atheist? Alex was silent.
The cave man recounted something he watched on YouTube that had to do with an atheist who had a near death experience. This man had been an atheist all his life until he had a heart attack. His near death experience was horrible. He was trying to recite prayers from his childhood to deal with the evil spirits around him and when he said the name Jesus, the spirits around him fled. Then Jesus appeared out of nowhere and lifted him up. When the man awoke, he was changed.
Max was intrigued and wanted to watch the video. Alex said it was another illusion and that his lack of oxygen to the brain is the reason for his "vision". It was late and time to go home. The group agreed to meet again the following week.
The naked cave man and his buddies continued their conversation that started the previous week. Their tennis had been canceled due to a large storm. The meeting took place in the Cyber Cafe located in the upstairs clubhouse. The cafe was almost full due to the bad weather. Many of the customers were taking advantage of the free wireless internet and the free self-serve coffee. There was one empty table in the corner and the three sat down.
Mad Max started off by talking about the San Diego Chargers and their big win against the Giants. Atheist Alex only follows soccer and tennis so his mind wandered as Max recounted the final drive that led to a victory. The game had special meaning for both teams because of the history of the two quarterbacks. The Chargers picked first in the draft but their pick said he would never sign with San Diego because they were such a poor team. The fans in San Diego have long memories and the victory felt really good against a quarterback that had shunned this talented team.
Alex started talking about God and posed a series of questions to his friends. The cave man thought his questions were interesting since Alex did not believe in God. His first question was "why do people invent gods?" He couldn't stop thinking about how the Greeks came up with so many gods to explain everything.
The cave man answered as Max interacted with some Charger fans at the table next to us. The cave man shared his thoughts about man's need to find a sense of purpose. Since the beginning of time, man has always sought the Creator of the universe. Just because false gods were made up, does not mean there is no God.
Max followed up sharing that something cannot come from nothing so there must be a God. He was mad because the world was so messed up and he wanted God to be more active at stopping evil. He also resented all the fighting among religious groups.
The cave man told the group that he did not always feel close to God and many of his views used to be like Max's. Then he shared what is was like to live in a cave with these negative thoughts. He commented that the three had been tennis buddies for many years, yet they knew so little about each other. This meeting in the Cyber Cafe was the first time that they had socialized off the tennis courts.
The meeting went on for nearly three hours. By the end of the evening, the three friends had a better understanding of each other. It became clear to the group that their different views on religion were not going to change in one meeting. Alex wanted to base everything on science. The cave man talked about his best friend who happens to be an agnostic. Ralph has one of those scientific brains and he went into engineering. Ralph always based his decisions on scientific methods.
The cave man told Alex that if he wanted to base his beliefs on science, then being an agnostic seemed more appropriate than being an atheist. After all, atheists have a "belief" that there is no God and agnostics could go either way, depending on the evidence. Alex had never looked at this question from this point of view.
Max agreed with the cave man. He added that a believer uses faith to explain the existence of a Creator. An atheist cannot have faith since he claims there is nothing to believe in. If faith is taken out of the equation, the agnostic makes the most sense. If you have evidence to show there is a God, an agnostic accepts the facts. If there is evidence to show there is no God, an agnostic accepts the facts. What if you show proof of God's existence to an atheist? Alex was silent.
The cave man recounted something he watched on YouTube that had to do with an atheist who had a near death experience. This man had been an atheist all his life until he had a heart attack. His near death experience was horrible. He was trying to recite prayers from his childhood to deal with the evil spirits around him and when he said the name Jesus, the spirits around him fled. Then Jesus appeared out of nowhere and lifted him up. When the man awoke, he was changed.
Max was intrigued and wanted to watch the video. Alex said it was another illusion and that his lack of oxygen to the brain is the reason for his "vision". It was late and time to go home. The group agreed to meet again the following week.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Chapter 1- Friends of the Naked Cave Man
This is a fictional account of ongoing conversations with the naked cave man and his buddies. Mad Max and Atheist Alex are based on a combination of many real life people but the following story is not real. The interaction between the characters is designed to help you on your journey.
As you read about these friends of the naked cave man, you may become part of the story at any time. Just send me an email and ask to join the conversation (to get to the email button click on view my profile on the left column under my picture). You are invited to make up a fictional name and identity so that you can remain anonymous. Create a short bio for your character and give me a list of questions you would like to discuss with the fictional group. If you would rather not be a character, you may pose a question to me, Max or Alex and your question will be brought to the group for discussion.
The real part of the story is my role. I am here because of my conversion experience. Keep in mind that the end of the story has already been written...God wins. The conversations may be very interesting at times but the reality is that Jesus will return and all of us will be there.
Before you begin reading, check out the post titled Mad Max and Atheist Alex. We will begin this story with the meeting of these three friends who are sharing their views about God.
Chapter One- Is There a God?
Another ankle injury forced the tennis group to cut the evening short and just like last week, the three friends found themselves alone at the tennis club once the fourth player went home early. Alex was the first to ask a question, “Why do so many people believe in something that cannot be seen?” Mad Max was quick to answer. “Just because you can’t see something, does not mean that it is not there. You can’t see air but obviously it is there or you would be dead!”
Alex was referring to the gods that man has invented over the centuries to explain why the sun comes up or why nature works the way it does. He was really picking on the Greeks for making up all those false gods. Alex added that man has been wrong about most things for centuries.
The naked cave man asked Alex if he always believed there was no God. Alex talked about growing up in Europe. He felt that many of his friends had been brainwashed the same way he was growing up. Then Max started complaining about man’s role in religion. He was clearly angry about the way man was messing things up.
The cave man told Max that there was a time when he was mad at God. He shared the story about all the prayers that went unanswered during his teenage years. The cave man always believed there was a God...He was just busy running the universe.
It was getting cold, so the group decided to stop the conversation. All three were interested in knowing more about each other so they decided to set aside one hour the following week after tennis to share more. Since the topics to be discussed were so interesting, the group agreed to allow friends to join in. The group went home. Another fun night was over.
Want to join the conversation? Send me an email and you will become part of the story.
As you read about these friends of the naked cave man, you may become part of the story at any time. Just send me an email and ask to join the conversation (to get to the email button click on view my profile on the left column under my picture). You are invited to make up a fictional name and identity so that you can remain anonymous. Create a short bio for your character and give me a list of questions you would like to discuss with the fictional group. If you would rather not be a character, you may pose a question to me, Max or Alex and your question will be brought to the group for discussion.
The real part of the story is my role. I am here because of my conversion experience. Keep in mind that the end of the story has already been written...God wins. The conversations may be very interesting at times but the reality is that Jesus will return and all of us will be there.
Before you begin reading, check out the post titled Mad Max and Atheist Alex. We will begin this story with the meeting of these three friends who are sharing their views about God.
Chapter One- Is There a God?
Another ankle injury forced the tennis group to cut the evening short and just like last week, the three friends found themselves alone at the tennis club once the fourth player went home early. Alex was the first to ask a question, “Why do so many people believe in something that cannot be seen?” Mad Max was quick to answer. “Just because you can’t see something, does not mean that it is not there. You can’t see air but obviously it is there or you would be dead!”
Alex was referring to the gods that man has invented over the centuries to explain why the sun comes up or why nature works the way it does. He was really picking on the Greeks for making up all those false gods. Alex added that man has been wrong about most things for centuries.
The naked cave man asked Alex if he always believed there was no God. Alex talked about growing up in Europe. He felt that many of his friends had been brainwashed the same way he was growing up. Then Max started complaining about man’s role in religion. He was clearly angry about the way man was messing things up.
The cave man told Max that there was a time when he was mad at God. He shared the story about all the prayers that went unanswered during his teenage years. The cave man always believed there was a God...He was just busy running the universe.
It was getting cold, so the group decided to stop the conversation. All three were interested in knowing more about each other so they decided to set aside one hour the following week after tennis to share more. Since the topics to be discussed were so interesting, the group agreed to allow friends to join in. The group went home. Another fun night was over.
Want to join the conversation? Send me an email and you will become part of the story.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Philosophy 101
I will never forget my introduction to philosophy. As I was walking into my first class on my first day of college, I noticed an older man squatting just outside the front door. He wore a brown blazer and had a cigarette in his hand. His hair was uncombed. My first thought was that I hoped he wouldn't be sitting next to me. He offered me a smile as I walked past him.
The bell rang and the man was the last one to enter. He walked past me and headed for the chalkboard. As he wrote his name, he revealed a bright orange pattern that was inside his blazer. This man that resembled Kramer from Seinfeld was my philosophy instructor!
Mr. Hubbard inspired me to think deeply and to study. My mother was one of his students and she loved his class. He dedicated forty years of his life to teaching philosophy. This morning as I was waking up, I was thinking about atheist Alex. I remembered the papers I wrote about the existence of evil and other fascinating topics in Mr. Hubbard's class. I wished Alex could have met my teacher.
Mr. Hubbard never shared his personal views on anything. Instead, he pushed us to learn all we could about philosophy. We spent a great deal of time learning about Rene Descartes who is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Philosophy". It was Descartes who made discoveries by first doubting everything. He stated that "I exist" is impossible to doubt so it must be absolutely certain. Once establishing the we exist, he deduces that God must exist and that it is impossible for Him to be a deceiver.
As I prepare myself for the next philosophical discussion with my tennis buddies, I will draw on my experiences from philosophy 101 and from my own experiences while living in the cave. Mad Max will be easier to deal with because he believes there is a God, he is just mad at the men who distort what God is all about. Atheist Alex does not believe in God. In order to understand him, I am going to use the same method Mr. Hubbard used, asking questions designed to get Alex thinking.
Remember, this blog is all about you. You are here because you are searching for something. Whether you believe in God, or believe but have anger issues like Mad Max, this blog is designed to help you on your journey. If you are not a believer, stay tuned. We are in the boat together and we have a long journey ahead. Descartes discovered that we exist. The question I want to leave with you today is "why do I exist"? Have a great weekend.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Mad Max and Atheist Alex
Today's blog is different from all the previous posts. It is about two friends that the naked cave man has known for a long time. Their names and identities have been modified. These two characters are the real reason why this blog was created. I did not become aware of their beliefs until this week and now I understand that they represent the "lost" and the "fallen" that Jesus is reaching out to.
These two friends will be part of this blog from now on. As you read about them, think about people you know that share the same views. Maybe you see yourself in Max or Alex. It's time to meet these fictional characters...
Atheist Alex is from a European country. He owns a couple of businesses and is happily married. He plays hard and works hard. Alex loves to follow American politics and does not see much difference between republicans and democrats. According to Alex, his homeland has the best health care and the best way of life. He came to our country to pursue his dreams of owning his own business. If it were not for his desire to be an entrepreneur, he would still be in his homeland.
Alex loves to play tennis. He pushes himself to the limit and is well liked in the group. I was surprised when Alex revealed to the group that he is an atheist. That is one thing about being a male, we love to play together but we don't talk much. Alex does not know about this blog yet. He will probably find it humorous that I invented a character based on him. I don't know what will happen in the future but Alex has already opened the door for more discussion on the subject of religion. He will be with us on our journey together here on this blog.
Mad Max is another friend from the tennis group. He gets his fictional name because he has broken more tennis rackets than anyone I have ever known. He has a mean serve. There have been times when I was not sure if I could get up after being hit in the back by one of those 100 mph plus serves. One of my bruises took over two weeks to finally heal.
All of us cringe when Max is on a losing streak. By the end of the night, the neighbors surrounding the tennis courts will have heard one or two of Max's favorite words and a broken tennis racket will be left in the trash bin. Max is also a business owner so he can afford to destroy a racket every now and then.
Like Alex, I did not learn of Max's views about religion until our three-way conversation last Wednesday night. Max knew what church I attend because he asked many years ago when I told the group I needed to be excused for a special event. Max told me and Alex he used to be a part of my "team" but he became disgruntled and moved on. I told Max that I understand his anger and I know many people who think like him. That is the main reason for not disclosing the "label" of my faith here on this blog. In God's eyes, all of us are on the same team. It's man who chooses to divide into separate groups and the Evil One is good at creating chaos amongst believers.
I have played tennis with Max and Alex for many years. Aside from Alex's political pokes at American politics we really don't know much about each other. Tennis has always been the reason we come together week after week and our sessions go for up to four hours.
I am not afraid to reveal my faith to my two friends. As you can see from my YouTube video and this blog, I am not afraid to reveal my shortcomings to the world. Sharing my faith with Max and Alex is just one more step in the journey since leaving the cave.
Mad Max and Atheist Alex will be here regularly. Since God has put them in my life, I will keep you updated. Atheist Alex may want to do a guest commentary when he learns about the naked cave man's blog. Mad Max may have a point or two as well.
Bookmark this site and come back again to find out more about the naked cave man and his tennis buddies. I know how the story ends...God wins. It will be interesting to see what Max and Alex have to say. Have a great day and enjoy this video. John McEnroe and Mad Max have a lot in common...
These two friends will be part of this blog from now on. As you read about them, think about people you know that share the same views. Maybe you see yourself in Max or Alex. It's time to meet these fictional characters...
Atheist Alex is from a European country. He owns a couple of businesses and is happily married. He plays hard and works hard. Alex loves to follow American politics and does not see much difference between republicans and democrats. According to Alex, his homeland has the best health care and the best way of life. He came to our country to pursue his dreams of owning his own business. If it were not for his desire to be an entrepreneur, he would still be in his homeland.
Alex loves to play tennis. He pushes himself to the limit and is well liked in the group. I was surprised when Alex revealed to the group that he is an atheist. That is one thing about being a male, we love to play together but we don't talk much. Alex does not know about this blog yet. He will probably find it humorous that I invented a character based on him. I don't know what will happen in the future but Alex has already opened the door for more discussion on the subject of religion. He will be with us on our journey together here on this blog.
Mad Max is another friend from the tennis group. He gets his fictional name because he has broken more tennis rackets than anyone I have ever known. He has a mean serve. There have been times when I was not sure if I could get up after being hit in the back by one of those 100 mph plus serves. One of my bruises took over two weeks to finally heal.
All of us cringe when Max is on a losing streak. By the end of the night, the neighbors surrounding the tennis courts will have heard one or two of Max's favorite words and a broken tennis racket will be left in the trash bin. Max is also a business owner so he can afford to destroy a racket every now and then.
Like Alex, I did not learn of Max's views about religion until our three-way conversation last Wednesday night. Max knew what church I attend because he asked many years ago when I told the group I needed to be excused for a special event. Max told me and Alex he used to be a part of my "team" but he became disgruntled and moved on. I told Max that I understand his anger and I know many people who think like him. That is the main reason for not disclosing the "label" of my faith here on this blog. In God's eyes, all of us are on the same team. It's man who chooses to divide into separate groups and the Evil One is good at creating chaos amongst believers.
I have played tennis with Max and Alex for many years. Aside from Alex's political pokes at American politics we really don't know much about each other. Tennis has always been the reason we come together week after week and our sessions go for up to four hours.
I am not afraid to reveal my faith to my two friends. As you can see from my YouTube video and this blog, I am not afraid to reveal my shortcomings to the world. Sharing my faith with Max and Alex is just one more step in the journey since leaving the cave.
Mad Max and Atheist Alex will be here regularly. Since God has put them in my life, I will keep you updated. Atheist Alex may want to do a guest commentary when he learns about the naked cave man's blog. Mad Max may have a point or two as well.
Bookmark this site and come back again to find out more about the naked cave man and his tennis buddies. I know how the story ends...God wins. It will be interesting to see what Max and Alex have to say. Have a great day and enjoy this video. John McEnroe and Mad Max have a lot in common...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Resourcefulness
These days, there are plenty of roadblocks in the way of our goals. It is so easy to come up with an excuse for not pursuing our dreams. We can blame the economy. We can blame the banks for their unwillingness to lend. We can come up with all kinds of reasons why success is out of reach. There is another option, resourcefulness. It is what people do when they refuse to fail no matter how difficult the situation.
The first question I like to ask myself when I encounter a roadblock is “How can I make this work?” It takes the focus off of the obstacle and lets my mind explore solutions. Creative solutions come about when you are surrounded by people who can see past the hurdles. Reach out to others. Many of us are struggling with similar situations.
Dream killers do not believe in resourcefulness. They would rather talk about all the excuses for their lack of progress. It is so easy to fall into the trap. Did you ever read the story, "Mike Mulligan and His Steam shovel"? The story had a happy ending because Mike Mulligan found a way to convert his steam shovel into a heating system for the new building when Mary Anne was trapped with no way out of the hole they dug together. That is resourcefulness!
A resourceful person in today's world knows how to adapt. It is time to get creative. Concentrate on solutions and learn to see past the obstacles. You can get to the finish line by jumping over the hurdles, one at a time and one day at a time. Do you have your running shoes on?
The first question I like to ask myself when I encounter a roadblock is “How can I make this work?” It takes the focus off of the obstacle and lets my mind explore solutions. Creative solutions come about when you are surrounded by people who can see past the hurdles. Reach out to others. Many of us are struggling with similar situations.
Dream killers do not believe in resourcefulness. They would rather talk about all the excuses for their lack of progress. It is so easy to fall into the trap. Did you ever read the story, "Mike Mulligan and His Steam shovel"? The story had a happy ending because Mike Mulligan found a way to convert his steam shovel into a heating system for the new building when Mary Anne was trapped with no way out of the hole they dug together. That is resourcefulness!
A resourceful person in today's world knows how to adapt. It is time to get creative. Concentrate on solutions and learn to see past the obstacles. You can get to the finish line by jumping over the hurdles, one at a time and one day at a time. Do you have your running shoes on?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Hope
Just before going to bed last night, I studied my wife's poster board. She pasted a bunch of pictures together showing her goals and her theme is "hope". She placed a quote at the top of her poster that says, "Hope is the dream of a soul awake". Although our poster boards look very different in appearance, we both have goals that are in alignment.
Is your soul awake? Do you have dreams? Do you feel connected? Are your burdens getting you down? Do you have a sense that you are overwhelmed? How can you get hope?
This is what I was looking for the day I opened my Bible and asked God to show me who I am in His eyes. God over-delivered. I was looking for a clue about why I am here on this planet and He gave me a new hope that has transformed me.
When you look at the video clip of "the Naked Cave Man Meets Jesus", you can see that there was no hope in my old life. You can call it blindness, demonic possession or immaturity. The bottom line is that there was no hope and that character was me.
When Jesus got off the boat and met the naked cave man, He removed the blindness, cast out the demons and gave the man hope. This scared all the people who were watching and all they wanted was for Jesus to get back in the boat and disappear. I remember in my teenage years asking Jesus to take me with Him because I could not see hope. In the Bible story and in my real life, Jesus told me to stay here.
The Bible story is what gave me hope because my future and the meaning of my life was revealed. What Jesus showed me in the story is that He will come back for all of us. Jesus tells the truth 100% of the time. When He says He is coming back, I believe it. When He tells me to publish all the good He has done for me so you can have hope, I publish.
I wasted a lot of years by letting other things get in the way of doing this blog but I am thankful to be here now. Take a look at your life and ask yourself if there is anything you can do to make the world better. It is time for your soul to wake up and hope is YOUR dream. My hope is anchored in Christ and in the promise He made that He will return for all of us. May your life be filled with hope.
Is your soul awake? Do you have dreams? Do you feel connected? Are your burdens getting you down? Do you have a sense that you are overwhelmed? How can you get hope?
This is what I was looking for the day I opened my Bible and asked God to show me who I am in His eyes. God over-delivered. I was looking for a clue about why I am here on this planet and He gave me a new hope that has transformed me.
When you look at the video clip of "the Naked Cave Man Meets Jesus", you can see that there was no hope in my old life. You can call it blindness, demonic possession or immaturity. The bottom line is that there was no hope and that character was me.
When Jesus got off the boat and met the naked cave man, He removed the blindness, cast out the demons and gave the man hope. This scared all the people who were watching and all they wanted was for Jesus to get back in the boat and disappear. I remember in my teenage years asking Jesus to take me with Him because I could not see hope. In the Bible story and in my real life, Jesus told me to stay here.
The Bible story is what gave me hope because my future and the meaning of my life was revealed. What Jesus showed me in the story is that He will come back for all of us. Jesus tells the truth 100% of the time. When He says He is coming back, I believe it. When He tells me to publish all the good He has done for me so you can have hope, I publish.
I wasted a lot of years by letting other things get in the way of doing this blog but I am thankful to be here now. Take a look at your life and ask yourself if there is anything you can do to make the world better. It is time for your soul to wake up and hope is YOUR dream. My hope is anchored in Christ and in the promise He made that He will return for all of us. May your life be filled with hope.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The 10 Commandments
Every day when I drive to work I need to remember to turn on my headlights. The road on my commute is one of the most dangerous in my state. There are crosses at every turn. The fine for not using headlights on this road is a minimum of $200. This rule is in place to make the road safer.
Just like the daytime headlight rule, the 10 Commandments were given to us to keep us safe. The first three are designed to strengthen our relationship with the Creator of the universe. He wants us to stay connected to Him.
The next seven have to do with our relationship with others. It starts with our parents. A healthy relationship with our parents helps us to fit into the world better. They made sacrifices to bring us into the world and we need to remember that when they face the fourth quarter of their lives.
The other commandments help us to understand that we need to keep our focus on what each of us is created to do. If we spend our energy comparing ourselves to others, we forget about our own unique place in God's puzzle. This is like being on a football team where everybody wants to be the quarterback. Football teams win when each member of the team knows his place and does his job. If one player forgets his role, the whole team suffers.
The best way to teach these commandments to your children is to follow them. Call your parents. Spend time with them. Let them know how much you appreciate all the sacrifices they made for you while you were growing up. If they did anything to hurt you, forgive them and let go of the past.
Make sure your spouse knows how much you love them. Go on dates. Write love letters. Pray together. Learn your spouse's love language (see earlier post). Praise them for the good things they do and look in the mirror before you get into a fight about their shortcomings. Thank God for all that you have and be happy for your neighbors when they come home in the car of your dreams.
Bring the 10 commandments with you when you go to work. Don't steal from your boss. Give him or her your best every moment that you are on the clock. Why not do more than is expected? There are a couple of people that I work with that do this every day and they never look for a pat on the back. They know their place in the puzzle and Zoom is growing because of their hard work. They have inspired me to carry more of the load.
Turn on your headlights when you drive during the day and do your part to make our roads safer, even if it is not a law or commandment and don't forget to make the 10 commandments a part of your life.
Monday, November 2, 2009
This Blog is for You
The feedback continues to come in about this blog. It feels good to see people close to me giving some of these ideas a try. Change is sometimes difficult to deal with. For me, it sure beats living my life in a cave and my attitude towards change has helped me to deal it.
This blog is for you. Your Creator knows every single hair on your head. He knows your every thought. He knows your dreams and your challenges. He knows what you need. Maybe there is something here in this blog that can help you. It may be something small that appears insignificant. Sometimes it is the little things we do that make a big difference in our lives.
As you read some of the older posts on this site, keep in mind that they have been created for your benefit. This site is designed to get you thinking about what your life is all about. My job here is to be the messenger and to assist you on your journey. I am repaying all the awesome mentors in my life by sharing my life lessons with you.
I leave you with one thought for the day...What is it that you want to do with your life? Think about the unique gifts that you have and decide how you want to use them. Have a great day.
This blog is for you. Your Creator knows every single hair on your head. He knows your every thought. He knows your dreams and your challenges. He knows what you need. Maybe there is something here in this blog that can help you. It may be something small that appears insignificant. Sometimes it is the little things we do that make a big difference in our lives.
As you read some of the older posts on this site, keep in mind that they have been created for your benefit. This site is designed to get you thinking about what your life is all about. My job here is to be the messenger and to assist you on your journey. I am repaying all the awesome mentors in my life by sharing my life lessons with you.
I leave you with one thought for the day...What is it that you want to do with your life? Think about the unique gifts that you have and decide how you want to use them. Have a great day.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
2nd Month Out of the Cave
Thank you to those of you who have been following this blog since it was started just over sixty days ago. Whether you stop by once in a while or you check in daily, this blog has been created to help you on your journey. It is encouraging to see that there have now been over 400 visitors in the last two months.
For me, the biggest highlight during this last month has been the post about setting up a poster board (my wife and my sister each finished theirs today). I am happy to share with you that I have been very consistent at looking at my own poster board every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up. I have already arrived at my desired target weight listed on the vision board and will reach the body fat goal by the end of the year. The key to success is to stay focused. If you haven’t set up your poster board, today is a great day to get started so you can begin the new year right.
Let’s review the last month of blog posts and look at a preview of what is ahead.
1. The Five Love Languages- This post helps us understand how others feel loved.
2. Dream Killers- Beware of others who attempt to discourage you.
3. Talent- You have it. It is important to develop it and share it with the world.
4. Our Military- They need our prayers. 1Corinthians13 is for all those who serve.
5. The Silversmith- The Creator is refining you. He is with you always.
6. The Imaginary Wall- Beware of false beliefs that blind your vision.
7. The Attitude of Plenty- Trick your brain into thinking you have plenty.
8. The Gas Tank- Fill your mind with positive thoughts and keep your tank full.
9. Who Moved My Cheese? - Put on your running shoes and embrace change.
10. Flash Forward- Do you see yourself in the future meeting Jesus?
11. A Glimpse at Eternity- A true story about a friend who met an Angel.
12. Who Will You Bring With You to Meet Jesus? - Meditate on this one.
13. Hand Me Another Brick- Protect your Soul and watch for cracks in the walls.
14. The Frog in Hot Water- Watch the temperature of the world around you.
15. Visualization- A great technique for setting goals.
16. Laugh a Little- Humor makes life easier.
17. Are You the Lost Piece of the Puzzle?-If you feel lost, this blog is for you.
18. The Law of Attraction- Use this universal law to attract what you need.
19. Reticular Activation- Awaken your senses as you set your goals.
20. Unstoppable Force Meets Immovable Object- Use the force.
21. Two Visions Get Connected- Read this to understand it.
22. Affirmations- Fill your brain with positive thoughts.
23. Hot, Cold or Lukewarm? – Go with hot.
24. A Helping Hand- Will you make a difference in someone else’s life?
25. Tribute to my aunt and uncle- Happy 50th wedding anniversary.
26. Role Models- This is a tribute to my mother’s parents.
27. Man in the Mirror- Change starts when we look in the mirror.
28. Wisdom- Ask for it and you will receive it.
29. Godincidences- We are all connected.
30. Peace be with You- Ten pointers for peace in your life.
31. A Clean Slate-Make a list of your enemies and forgive them, it's life changing.
Feel free to comment on any of these posts or send me an email if you have a question or want to give me feedback. I will be working on a series of YouTube videos. They will be incorporated into this blog in the near future.
If you have a personal story you would like to share here, send it to me. Remember, we are all connected and this blog is to help all of us on our journey. We know the end of the story...God wins. Everything else is simply part of the journey and I will keep my commitment to add something new every day. Thanks for staying connected.
I'm off to make my first YouTube video. It will be posted here soon. Have a great day.
For me, the biggest highlight during this last month has been the post about setting up a poster board (my wife and my sister each finished theirs today). I am happy to share with you that I have been very consistent at looking at my own poster board every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up. I have already arrived at my desired target weight listed on the vision board and will reach the body fat goal by the end of the year. The key to success is to stay focused. If you haven’t set up your poster board, today is a great day to get started so you can begin the new year right.
Let’s review the last month of blog posts and look at a preview of what is ahead.
1. The Five Love Languages- This post helps us understand how others feel loved.
2. Dream Killers- Beware of others who attempt to discourage you.
3. Talent- You have it. It is important to develop it and share it with the world.
4. Our Military- They need our prayers. 1Corinthians13 is for all those who serve.
5. The Silversmith- The Creator is refining you. He is with you always.
6. The Imaginary Wall- Beware of false beliefs that blind your vision.
7. The Attitude of Plenty- Trick your brain into thinking you have plenty.
8. The Gas Tank- Fill your mind with positive thoughts and keep your tank full.
9. Who Moved My Cheese? - Put on your running shoes and embrace change.
10. Flash Forward- Do you see yourself in the future meeting Jesus?
11. A Glimpse at Eternity- A true story about a friend who met an Angel.
12. Who Will You Bring With You to Meet Jesus? - Meditate on this one.
13. Hand Me Another Brick- Protect your Soul and watch for cracks in the walls.
14. The Frog in Hot Water- Watch the temperature of the world around you.
15. Visualization- A great technique for setting goals.
16. Laugh a Little- Humor makes life easier.
17. Are You the Lost Piece of the Puzzle?-If you feel lost, this blog is for you.
18. The Law of Attraction- Use this universal law to attract what you need.
19. Reticular Activation- Awaken your senses as you set your goals.
20. Unstoppable Force Meets Immovable Object- Use the force.
21. Two Visions Get Connected- Read this to understand it.
22. Affirmations- Fill your brain with positive thoughts.
23. Hot, Cold or Lukewarm? – Go with hot.
24. A Helping Hand- Will you make a difference in someone else’s life?
25. Tribute to my aunt and uncle- Happy 50th wedding anniversary.
26. Role Models- This is a tribute to my mother’s parents.
27. Man in the Mirror- Change starts when we look in the mirror.
28. Wisdom- Ask for it and you will receive it.
29. Godincidences- We are all connected.
30. Peace be with You- Ten pointers for peace in your life.
31. A Clean Slate-Make a list of your enemies and forgive them, it's life changing.
Feel free to comment on any of these posts or send me an email if you have a question or want to give me feedback. I will be working on a series of YouTube videos. They will be incorporated into this blog in the near future.
If you have a personal story you would like to share here, send it to me. Remember, we are all connected and this blog is to help all of us on our journey. We know the end of the story...God wins. Everything else is simply part of the journey and I will keep my commitment to add something new every day. Thanks for staying connected.
I'm off to make my first YouTube video. It will be posted here soon. Have a great day.
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