The climax of the Olympic Games is just hours away. Canada has been an excellent host country and the U.S. has won more Winter medals than ever. The showdown everyone in North America has been waiting for will be the most watched hockey game ever.
Kudos to general manager, Brian Burke, for putting his young players on notice that they are in Vancouver to win. Many thought he recruited young players to prepare for the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. We were considered a long shot and now we are the only undefeated team left. Team Canada's only blemish is a loss in the preliminary round to our young team.
This is a very big game. Canada is the powerhouse. On average, their players make $3 million more per player than the Americans. Today, 23 young Americans will represent our country in a game that will be remembered for decades. They are not the superior team but they believe they can beat these giants.
The sun is finally shining today and we will be far away from radios or TV when the game starts. My family will be on a long nature hike in the mountains. I am crossing my fingers that I do not hear any news of the game so I can watch it after the hike as if it were live. Could today's game turn out like the "Miracle on Ice" from thirty years ago? Regardless of the outcome, the Russians are probably already training for our reunion in Sochi, Russia four years from today. Team Canada will also be ready. One of us will be the defending gold medal champions. I am hoping that team Canada will be a gracious host. It is already one of the most memorable Olympic Games ever...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Mendoza Line
Baseball season is starting up again. Athletes are in spring training and Opening Day will be here soon. There is an unofficial measuring stick that all hitters strive to stay above known as the "Mendoza Line". Anything under .200 is considered below standard. That means that a player only needs two hits out of ten plate appearances to be at this mark.
In life, you are not measured by your "strike-outs" but by your "hits". These "hits" or successes are directly related to the number of plate appearances you make or attempts. There is no Mendoza Line in life. The only way you can possibly fail is by not stepping up to the plate.
If we were all baseball players in the game of life, most of us would be below the Mendoza Line. That is OK. The key here is to keep trying. We are all in "spring training" and some home runs are ahead for those of us that keep working on the fundamentals. We need to focus on the basics and make a game plan for our future. There will be many strike-outs ahead but our job is to learn from the strike-outs. No matter what curve balls the game of life throws at you, eventually you can hit the ball out of the park and your batting average will be way above the Mendoza Line. Keep swinging the bat.
In life, you are not measured by your "strike-outs" but by your "hits". These "hits" or successes are directly related to the number of plate appearances you make or attempts. There is no Mendoza Line in life. The only way you can possibly fail is by not stepping up to the plate.
If we were all baseball players in the game of life, most of us would be below the Mendoza Line. That is OK. The key here is to keep trying. We are all in "spring training" and some home runs are ahead for those of us that keep working on the fundamentals. We need to focus on the basics and make a game plan for our future. There will be many strike-outs ahead but our job is to learn from the strike-outs. No matter what curve balls the game of life throws at you, eventually you can hit the ball out of the park and your batting average will be way above the Mendoza Line. Keep swinging the bat.
Friday, February 26, 2010
A New Chapter Begins at Zoom
Mother Nature was very good to us yesterday during our move. We expected rain all day but saw mostly sunny skies instead. Today we will complete the transition to our new office. All of us are excited to begin another new chapter in our lives.
There are many empty office spaces all around us. The one bright spot I noticed is that a new deli is preparing to open in our complex. Few businesses are opening during this season of Winter. It appears that this new deli owner is optimistic about the future. Spring is in the air. The cold grip of Winter will be over and sunny days will return.
Keep your hope alive for a new chapter in your life. Some day, we will all look back and remember how these difficult times made us stronger. Have a great day.
There are many empty office spaces all around us. The one bright spot I noticed is that a new deli is preparing to open in our complex. Few businesses are opening during this season of Winter. It appears that this new deli owner is optimistic about the future. Spring is in the air. The cold grip of Winter will be over and sunny days will return.
Keep your hope alive for a new chapter in your life. Some day, we will all look back and remember how these difficult times made us stronger. Have a great day.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A Fellow Christian Offers Hope
Last night I met an old friend after my night of tennis. His story of letting God be completely in charge of his life gave me much comfort. We both recognized that our meeting was part of God's plan.
I will be spending more time with my friend and when the time is right, I will ask him to share his story with all of you. I told my friend that I have been in a war zone these last five years and I feel like I have been beaten up. Then he told me that no matter what struggles you face, when you walk into a room, others can see the light of Christ shining and they want to know what is going on. He told me he has always seen that light each time our paths crossed.
We are not meant to be on the journey alone. I thank God for all the people He has placed in my life to encourage me to keep going and I thank my old friend for the hope he gave me last night. He has a powerful story to tell and when the time is right, I will have him write a guest post so that the light of Christ he has inside of him can be shared.
It is only appropriate that my partners and I are moving into our new office today in the middle of another storm. We have been dealing with Winter for five years now and all of us know deep down that Spring is almost here. Today is no different from any other day at Zoom, we will work together to get this move done in time for our next work week and we will not allow the stormy weather to get in our way. Sunny days are ahead. May you see the light of Christ in others and may that light lead you to your destiny.
I will be spending more time with my friend and when the time is right, I will ask him to share his story with all of you. I told my friend that I have been in a war zone these last five years and I feel like I have been beaten up. Then he told me that no matter what struggles you face, when you walk into a room, others can see the light of Christ shining and they want to know what is going on. He told me he has always seen that light each time our paths crossed.
We are not meant to be on the journey alone. I thank God for all the people He has placed in my life to encourage me to keep going and I thank my old friend for the hope he gave me last night. He has a powerful story to tell and when the time is right, I will have him write a guest post so that the light of Christ he has inside of him can be shared.
It is only appropriate that my partners and I are moving into our new office today in the middle of another storm. We have been dealing with Winter for five years now and all of us know deep down that Spring is almost here. Today is no different from any other day at Zoom, we will work together to get this move done in time for our next work week and we will not allow the stormy weather to get in our way. Sunny days are ahead. May you see the light of Christ in others and may that light lead you to your destiny.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Farewell to Our Family Pet
Today's post is the most difficult I have written since this blog started nearly six months ago. I promised that this would be a place where people can visit when they are searching for hope and I am keeping that promise despite the deep sadness I am feeling today.
If you have ever lost someone close to you, you know the feeling I am experiencing today. It brings me back to the time my father re-entered my life only to find out that he had an aggressive cancer that would limit his last visit to a mere thirty five days. As I looked into my father's eyes during our last conversation, I told him his work here was done and it was time to be with the Creator. That is the great hope, that one day our work here will be done and we can go to a special place that has been prepared for us. Is there any greater hope for us than to be with our Creator in a place where there is no sickness or pain?
When I looked into my father's eyes for the last time, it was so hard for me to tell him it was time to go. Deep down, there was this emptiness. I knew that I would see my father again in Heaven but I did not want to let go. Now it is time to say good-bye to our precious sheltie. Lady's body is shutting down and she is in pain. I sense that my dad is whistling for her. I see him with a bucket of tennis balls that he can throw in the greenest grass you can imagine and I see Lady having the time of her life. My dad has a new body now and he is in a place where cancer does not exist. He waits patiently for his beloved family to one day rejoin him. For now, I will send him our family's best friend. That is what hope is all about, keeping your eyes on Heaven, even when you have to let go of things on earth and knowing that one day the Creator will call your name.
Farewell, Lady. Follow the whistle. Yes, there is a better place for you. Thank you for the joy you brought my family. Tell my dad to save a couple of tennis balls for me. It is not my time yet, I must publish about the place where you are going so that the world can have hope. When I hear the whistle, I will see you again. Good-bye my friend...(R.I.P. 3/3/10)...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Zoom on the Move
We were recently notified that the building we are leasing space in is being sold. Our managing partner wasted no time finding the perfect place for us in a location that is really easy to access. The new location is larger than our current space so there is room to grow as we expand to new cities. San Diego will continue to be the hub city for all production work and we plan to add more jobs in the near future.
We will be officially moving in this Thursday. We will have two days to get relocated before we begin a new production week. I am extra excited because the new office is on the same street where my wife has her job and we will only be about a half-mile apart.
Our customers are reporting improved results for this month and it is just a matter of time before we start breaking sales records. Zoom has a long way to go but it has all the right people to achieve superior results. It is amazing to be celebrating our five year anniversary on March 17th, especially since our competition told everyone that would listen we would only be around for about ninety days.
I wanted to thank all of you who read this blog for your prayers and your words of encouragement. There have been many storms in this journey but all of us at Zoom have hope for a bright future. I especially thank my partners for staying on course even when our ship came close to sinking a few times. There are more storms ahead but our team will stick together and we have hope that this will be a great year. Go Zoom!!!
We will be officially moving in this Thursday. We will have two days to get relocated before we begin a new production week. I am extra excited because the new office is on the same street where my wife has her job and we will only be about a half-mile apart.
Our customers are reporting improved results for this month and it is just a matter of time before we start breaking sales records. Zoom has a long way to go but it has all the right people to achieve superior results. It is amazing to be celebrating our five year anniversary on March 17th, especially since our competition told everyone that would listen we would only be around for about ninety days.
I wanted to thank all of you who read this blog for your prayers and your words of encouragement. There have been many storms in this journey but all of us at Zoom have hope for a bright future. I especially thank my partners for staying on course even when our ship came close to sinking a few times. There are more storms ahead but our team will stick together and we have hope that this will be a great year. Go Zoom!!!
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Little Bit More
Last night team USA fought a big hockey battle against the hometown favorite, Canada. The last time our team defeated Canada in the Olympics, president Dwight D. Eisenhower was completing his second term as president and John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon were in a close battle to take the helm of our country. It was twenty years before our miracle on ice team defeated the invincible giants from our cold war enemy. Yes, it was a very long time ago.
Canada attacked ferociously. Ryan Miller faced forty two shots on goal. He also faced a life-time of hearing how superior Canada is when it comes to hockey. He heard it from fans in Vancouver. His team was the dark horse. The final minutes were knuckle-biting as Canada pulled their goalie to go on an all-out attack. Amazingly, Ryan Kesler was able to get a shot on an empty net after breaking free. The crowd was stunned as the Americans held on. Every American player gave a little bit more.
Goalie, Ryan Miller was interviewed after the game. He said that while this was an important win, there is still a bigger goal ahead. Will this be another miracle on ice? The underdogs believe they can do it. Like so many of our athletes this year, all it takes to capture the gold is to give a little bit more. The difference may come down to a 1/100th of a second or one more save on goal. That is what life is all about, just give a little bit more...
Canada attacked ferociously. Ryan Miller faced forty two shots on goal. He also faced a life-time of hearing how superior Canada is when it comes to hockey. He heard it from fans in Vancouver. His team was the dark horse. The final minutes were knuckle-biting as Canada pulled their goalie to go on an all-out attack. Amazingly, Ryan Kesler was able to get a shot on an empty net after breaking free. The crowd was stunned as the Americans held on. Every American player gave a little bit more.
Goalie, Ryan Miller was interviewed after the game. He said that while this was an important win, there is still a bigger goal ahead. Will this be another miracle on ice? The underdogs believe they can do it. Like so many of our athletes this year, all it takes to capture the gold is to give a little bit more. The difference may come down to a 1/100th of a second or one more save on goal. That is what life is all about, just give a little bit more...
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Why I Fired My Credit Card Companies
When I graduated high school, one of my dad's brothers took me out for breakfast and he shared his views on financial planning. This inspired me to invest regularly so that I could have a great retirement. Along the way, I fell into a trap of using credit cards. The super low offers for almost zero percent financing and the huge lines of credit were too tempting to resist. I have no one to blame but myself for taking the bait.
One morning, my wife and I took a hard look at our financial situation. We felt trapped. Our debt ratios were out of control. One choice was to borrow more on open credit cards to make payments but that meant getting into more trouble. We decided to stop the insanity of living beyond our means. We cut up our credit cards and sent letters of cancellation to all our creditors.
It makes me sick to my stomach to see banks offering credit cards at 80% interest. In ancient times, a jubilee occurred every fifty years. If a landowner had sold his land due to difficult circumstances, his land was returned to him. If someone had sold himself into slavery, he was to be freed in the year of jubilee. All debts were erased and God's people were free.
We are living in difficult times. Banks are reducing lines of credit and calling in loans. They are charging interest rates so high that people are becoming slaves to their debts. Our own government is spending money that it does not have and this is putting our children and grandchildren in a dangerous position.
Life without credit cards is freedom from financial slavery. If you are carrying zero balances on your credit cards, count your blessings. If you have taken the bait and find yourself on the hook for higher interest rates as I found myself, then take action. Call the 800 number on the back of the card and say "YOUR FIRED!" There is hope for you and for our country. Take the first step and declare this year a year of "Jubilee". God is with you and He wants you to be free.
One morning, my wife and I took a hard look at our financial situation. We felt trapped. Our debt ratios were out of control. One choice was to borrow more on open credit cards to make payments but that meant getting into more trouble. We decided to stop the insanity of living beyond our means. We cut up our credit cards and sent letters of cancellation to all our creditors.
It makes me sick to my stomach to see banks offering credit cards at 80% interest. In ancient times, a jubilee occurred every fifty years. If a landowner had sold his land due to difficult circumstances, his land was returned to him. If someone had sold himself into slavery, he was to be freed in the year of jubilee. All debts were erased and God's people were free.
We are living in difficult times. Banks are reducing lines of credit and calling in loans. They are charging interest rates so high that people are becoming slaves to their debts. Our own government is spending money that it does not have and this is putting our children and grandchildren in a dangerous position.
Life without credit cards is freedom from financial slavery. If you are carrying zero balances on your credit cards, count your blessings. If you have taken the bait and find yourself on the hook for higher interest rates as I found myself, then take action. Call the 800 number on the back of the card and say "YOUR FIRED!" There is hope for you and for our country. Take the first step and declare this year a year of "Jubilee". God is with you and He wants you to be free.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Invisible Man
Most of the time he is invisible, that man on the street corner holding up a sign asking for money. We are afraid to look into his eyes and it is easier to pretend he is not there. We start rationalizing. If we give him money, maybe he will just buy booze or drugs?
One of these men thought maybe he was invisible. Days past with no visitors. He was emotionally separated from his family due to a series of storms he faced in his life. The cardboard sign he held up was as tattered as his clothes. He smelled from wearing the same clothes every day and he missed taking a hot shower.
Another winter storm was approaching and the man on the street corner no longer had the energy to hold up his sign. Instead, he just sat down on the same corner and lowered his head. Every morning he prayed that someone would see him and offer him some money for a meal. He barely noticed the man who stopped next to him. As the man got out of his limo, he spoke softly and asked the invisible man where he was staying. The invisible man shrugged his shoulders...he had lost his home after his layoff.
"There is a storm coming", the man said as he invited his new friend to take a seat in the limo. "I am visiting for a while and you can stay at my hotel until the storm passes." The invisible man smiled as they approached the visitor's hotel. The visitor escorted his new friend to the front desk and asked for an extra key. What a surprise to see the visitor push the penthouse button when the elevator door closed.
The room was elaborate. The invisible man focused on the tub that was the size of a mini swimming pool. There was a magnificent view to the ocean. On this special day, the invisible man felt like a lottery winner. He was so thankful to be inside as he looked at a wall of black clouds just off the coast.
The visitor told the man that he would be back in time for lunch and let the man pick anything to wear since they were both the same size. The steam of the hot bath filled the room and fogged the windows. The man sank into the tub and let the hot water warm his thin body. He could not wait to get a real meal.
When the visitor returned, the invisible man was clean shaven and dressed in white. Even the shoes were white and well polished. "Are you hungry?" the visitor asked. The invisible man nodded and soon they were back in the limo.
Once again, the invisible man's eyes lit up as he stared at the menu. He had almost forgotten the taste of steak and lobster. The two chatted for over an hour as they ate lunch together. Mostly, the visitor asked questions about the invisible man's past and what his goals were for the future.
One thing that the two had in common is that they often felt ignored by the world around them. They had survived many storms in their lives. The invisible man started to feel human again as he shared his dreams for a better future. His luck had finally changed and he had a real friend that could see past his own shortcomings.
As the two new friends finished desert, the visitor told the man he would be leaving town soon. The invisible man begged the visitor to take him along but the visitor said that would not be possible. At that moment, the visitor told him that some really big storms were coming, bigger than anything the invisible man had ever seen before. The visitor told him, "the storms ahead are so big that people are going to think the world is coming to an end. More people will find themselves homeless just as you are now." The visitor told him, "I wish I could take you with me but I can only promise you that I will never forget you and one day I will come back for you."
The invisible man had tears in his eyes as he listened to his friend describe what was ahead. He knew that soon his friend would be leaving town and he was afraid. The visitor put his arm around the invisible man and offered him a job. The visitor told the man it was time to come out of the cave he had been living in and share this story with others. The visitor told his friend, "you are to write about what I have shared with you every day until I return. Tell the people that no matter how big the storms are, there is hope."
Two days later, the visitor checked out of the penthouse. The invisible man would be alone again but something inside of him had changed. He was ready to leave his cave and share what he learned with his family and with anyone that would listen to his story. He was ready to publish all the good that this visitor had done for him.
As the visitor gave his new friend a hug good-bye, he gave the invisible man enough money to get through the storms that were ahead. "Consider this an advance for the story I have asked you to share", the visitor said. "A new life awaits anyone who hears your story and passes it along to others. The world needs some good news."
The invisible man shed a few tears as he watched the visitor's plane ascend into the clouds. His life had changed forever and now it was time to publish every day until the end of time. The only way he could repay the visitor for changing his life was to keep his promise and share everything he learned. The invisible man knew that his friend would be back and he wasted no time getting started on his new job, publishing all the good that his friend, Jesus, had done for him.
One of these men thought maybe he was invisible. Days past with no visitors. He was emotionally separated from his family due to a series of storms he faced in his life. The cardboard sign he held up was as tattered as his clothes. He smelled from wearing the same clothes every day and he missed taking a hot shower.
Another winter storm was approaching and the man on the street corner no longer had the energy to hold up his sign. Instead, he just sat down on the same corner and lowered his head. Every morning he prayed that someone would see him and offer him some money for a meal. He barely noticed the man who stopped next to him. As the man got out of his limo, he spoke softly and asked the invisible man where he was staying. The invisible man shrugged his shoulders...he had lost his home after his layoff.
"There is a storm coming", the man said as he invited his new friend to take a seat in the limo. "I am visiting for a while and you can stay at my hotel until the storm passes." The invisible man smiled as they approached the visitor's hotel. The visitor escorted his new friend to the front desk and asked for an extra key. What a surprise to see the visitor push the penthouse button when the elevator door closed.
The room was elaborate. The invisible man focused on the tub that was the size of a mini swimming pool. There was a magnificent view to the ocean. On this special day, the invisible man felt like a lottery winner. He was so thankful to be inside as he looked at a wall of black clouds just off the coast.
The visitor told the man that he would be back in time for lunch and let the man pick anything to wear since they were both the same size. The steam of the hot bath filled the room and fogged the windows. The man sank into the tub and let the hot water warm his thin body. He could not wait to get a real meal.
When the visitor returned, the invisible man was clean shaven and dressed in white. Even the shoes were white and well polished. "Are you hungry?" the visitor asked. The invisible man nodded and soon they were back in the limo.
Once again, the invisible man's eyes lit up as he stared at the menu. He had almost forgotten the taste of steak and lobster. The two chatted for over an hour as they ate lunch together. Mostly, the visitor asked questions about the invisible man's past and what his goals were for the future.
One thing that the two had in common is that they often felt ignored by the world around them. They had survived many storms in their lives. The invisible man started to feel human again as he shared his dreams for a better future. His luck had finally changed and he had a real friend that could see past his own shortcomings.
As the two new friends finished desert, the visitor told the man he would be leaving town soon. The invisible man begged the visitor to take him along but the visitor said that would not be possible. At that moment, the visitor told him that some really big storms were coming, bigger than anything the invisible man had ever seen before. The visitor told him, "the storms ahead are so big that people are going to think the world is coming to an end. More people will find themselves homeless just as you are now." The visitor told him, "I wish I could take you with me but I can only promise you that I will never forget you and one day I will come back for you."
The invisible man had tears in his eyes as he listened to his friend describe what was ahead. He knew that soon his friend would be leaving town and he was afraid. The visitor put his arm around the invisible man and offered him a job. The visitor told the man it was time to come out of the cave he had been living in and share this story with others. The visitor told his friend, "you are to write about what I have shared with you every day until I return. Tell the people that no matter how big the storms are, there is hope."
Two days later, the visitor checked out of the penthouse. The invisible man would be alone again but something inside of him had changed. He was ready to leave his cave and share what he learned with his family and with anyone that would listen to his story. He was ready to publish all the good that this visitor had done for him.
As the visitor gave his new friend a hug good-bye, he gave the invisible man enough money to get through the storms that were ahead. "Consider this an advance for the story I have asked you to share", the visitor said. "A new life awaits anyone who hears your story and passes it along to others. The world needs some good news."
The invisible man shed a few tears as he watched the visitor's plane ascend into the clouds. His life had changed forever and now it was time to publish every day until the end of time. The only way he could repay the visitor for changing his life was to keep his promise and share everything he learned. The invisible man knew that his friend would be back and he wasted no time getting started on his new job, publishing all the good that his friend, Jesus, had done for him.
Friday, February 19, 2010
The 40 Day Love Dare
One of the things that has helped me to be successful in my journey is to surround myself with people who have talent and guts. Many of these people are much smarter than me and I am in awe at what they accomplish on a daily basis. It is one thing to have talent, but to put it into action on a daily basis, no matter how many obstacles get in the way, that is what makes a person a true leader and role model.
I have a special respect and admiration for people who stand up for God in a world that seems to want to put Him on the sidelines. There is one radio station that goes out of its way to encourage its listeners to get closer to God. Klove radio broadcasts commercial free and relies on its listeners to spread the Good News. If you do not get this station in your city, try them online at
www.klove.com
Klove radio recently sponsored a 40 day love dare. A group known as the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries has set up a special website for couples who want to make their marriages stronger. It is based on the same love dare that was featured in the movie Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron from Growing Pains. I saw this movie with my family and it is very well done.
My challenge to all the married couples reading this blog is to take the 40 Day Love Dare. There is a link below which also shows a clip from the movie, Fireproof. Your love journey is a private one, however, this group has provided a message board to ask questions and interact with others along the way in case you need help.
Click this link to get started on your love dare today:
http://www.40daylovedare.com/
When you complete the Love Dare, send me your feedback. I would love to hear how this made your marriage better.
I have a special respect and admiration for people who stand up for God in a world that seems to want to put Him on the sidelines. There is one radio station that goes out of its way to encourage its listeners to get closer to God. Klove radio broadcasts commercial free and relies on its listeners to spread the Good News. If you do not get this station in your city, try them online at
www.klove.com
Klove radio recently sponsored a 40 day love dare. A group known as the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries has set up a special website for couples who want to make their marriages stronger. It is based on the same love dare that was featured in the movie Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron from Growing Pains. I saw this movie with my family and it is very well done.
My challenge to all the married couples reading this blog is to take the 40 Day Love Dare. There is a link below which also shows a clip from the movie, Fireproof. Your love journey is a private one, however, this group has provided a message board to ask questions and interact with others along the way in case you need help.
Click this link to get started on your love dare today:
http://www.40daylovedare.com/
When you complete the Love Dare, send me your feedback. I would love to hear how this made your marriage better.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Go For The Gold
Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso are pictured here. They both overcame huge obstacles to take gold and silver in the Olympic downhill yesterday. Lindsey arrived at the winter Olympics with a badly injured shin. She and her husband communicated by two-way radio just before her race. It was the husband's job to keep Lindsey updated on the racers ahead of her. The hope was that she would hear her husband tell her "ski solid", which means go at 90% and don't take any risks, that will be all that is needed to take the gold. The husband reported that Mancuso had taken the lead and it was going to take an exceptional run to beat her.
Vonn said "it was time to ski aggressively, fight hard and take the gold medal. Otherwise, someone else was going to win that gold." She gave all she had. Despite her lack of training due to her injury, she flew through the air on the final jump and wobbled before crossing the finish line .56 seconds ahead of Mancuso.
These two Americans did not let a back injury or a shin injury stop them from reaching their goal. There are many races ahead before the Olympics are over and they will both push for more gold. They are an inspiration for our country and for the world.
Whatever your goals in life are, don't let anything get in the way. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and give it your best. Be aggressive in the pursuit of your goals, fight hard and take the gold...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Three Timelines
The Mardis Gras parties are over and in my faith, today marks the first day of a journey to Easter. It is a time of preparation. In my church, this day is called Ash Wednesday. We are called to repent and to believe the Gospel. This journey is for all of us regardless of what church we belong to or if we do not follow any particular faith. Easter is all about what Jesus did for everyone that was living in his time, those who died before Him, and those who came after Him.
Lets consider the three timelines of Jesus. Because He is both human and Divine, He has the ability to travel forward and backward in time. This is hard for us to picture because we are "linear", that is we have a beginning and an end and we can only exist in the present.
When Jesus was on the cross dying for our sins, He had the ability to see you in His mind even though you had not been born yet. He could see the moment of His joyful return to be with you in the flesh. He also had the ability to see those who died before Him. As He was on the cross, He was thinking about you.
We can ask Jesus to go back in time for us to a moment where we suffered. We can ask Him to take away the pain of something that happened long ago. Jesus exists in three timelines at the same time. While we are preparing to celebrate an event that happened 2,000 years ago, all of Heaven is preparing for an even bigger event, something that would make Mardis Gras look like child's play. This event is the real deal. It is our greatest hope. It is the day Jesus returns to be with us forever.
Since we do not have the ability to time travel, it is important for us to just live our lives, one day at a time. We can focus our attention on preparing for Easter. We can make sacrifices during this season of Lent to get ready for what is ahead. We can celebrate what Jesus did for us by dying on the Cross and understand that our future timeline includes meeting our Savior face to face. Jesus has already seen that future and He is waiting for you. This season of Lent is a perfect time to get ready to meet Him.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sizing Up the Enemy
Goliath was one of the most formidable enemies of his time. He dared others to stand up to him. He appeared unstoppable.
When young David approached him with only a sling and a few stones, Goliath laughed. David remained focused and undaunted. He sized up his opponent and believed that he would defeat him. The one thing that separated David from everyone else was his ability to "size up" the bigger Giant that was standing right behind him. When God is behind you, every obstacle that you face becomes much smaller. David knew that the Giant behind him was no match for Goliath.
Even though you cannot see God, He is always there. As long as you have faith, you can win any challenge. Do not worry about sizing up the problems in front of you. The Giant behind you is all-knowing and all-powerful. He will give you exactly what you need to win your battles. If that happens to be a sling and a few stones, trust that it will be all you need to bring down Goliath.
As you prepare to fight your battles today, take three weapons with you, faith, hope and love. Even though hope is the theme for this year, the greatest of the three is love. With God behind you and these three weapons with you, any enemy you size up will appear small enough to defeat.
When young David approached him with only a sling and a few stones, Goliath laughed. David remained focused and undaunted. He sized up his opponent and believed that he would defeat him. The one thing that separated David from everyone else was his ability to "size up" the bigger Giant that was standing right behind him. When God is behind you, every obstacle that you face becomes much smaller. David knew that the Giant behind him was no match for Goliath.
Even though you cannot see God, He is always there. As long as you have faith, you can win any challenge. Do not worry about sizing up the problems in front of you. The Giant behind you is all-knowing and all-powerful. He will give you exactly what you need to win your battles. If that happens to be a sling and a few stones, trust that it will be all you need to bring down Goliath.
As you prepare to fight your battles today, take three weapons with you, faith, hope and love. Even though hope is the theme for this year, the greatest of the three is love. With God behind you and these three weapons with you, any enemy you size up will appear small enough to defeat.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Life After Valentine's Day
Today is a continuation of a three day Valentine's weekend for many people. For others, it may be a return to work. Like the fork in the road that I mentioned in a previous post, we now have choices about returning to our old routines or building on the passion from Valentine's Day.
Take a look in the mirror today. Think about the quality time you spent with your Valentine. Wouldn't it be out of this world to keep that passion going for the rest of this month, this year and this decade? What is holding you back?
If you did not have someone special to share your day with yesterday, ask yourself what kind of person you want to attract into your life. Step out of your comfort zone and take a risk. Don't be afraid to open your heart.
If you are married and only feel the passion once a year on Valentine's Day, make a promise today that every day can be Valentine's Day. Yesterday, I read a love story about a couple, ages 94 and 92 that celebrate their love for each other daily. The husband whistles when he sees his lady. That is what true love is all about.
Live your life with passion. Today you are at another fork in the road. One choice is filled with old habits and routines. The other path leads to colorful flowers that bloom. They wait for you to stop and smell their sweet fragrance. Birds are singing and the sunlight warms your skin. This path leads to hope for a life filled with love and passion. The choice is yours.
Take a look in the mirror today. Think about the quality time you spent with your Valentine. Wouldn't it be out of this world to keep that passion going for the rest of this month, this year and this decade? What is holding you back?
If you did not have someone special to share your day with yesterday, ask yourself what kind of person you want to attract into your life. Step out of your comfort zone and take a risk. Don't be afraid to open your heart.
If you are married and only feel the passion once a year on Valentine's Day, make a promise today that every day can be Valentine's Day. Yesterday, I read a love story about a couple, ages 94 and 92 that celebrate their love for each other daily. The husband whistles when he sees his lady. That is what true love is all about.
Live your life with passion. Today you are at another fork in the road. One choice is filled with old habits and routines. The other path leads to colorful flowers that bloom. They wait for you to stop and smell their sweet fragrance. Birds are singing and the sunlight warms your skin. This path leads to hope for a life filled with love and passion. The choice is yours.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day
1 Corinthians 13-
This is the most romantic day of the year. We have been Blessed with a picture perfect day and plan to spend the morning at the beach with our children. There is no place I would rather be on Valentine's Day than at the beach, holding my wife's hand and walking with her as we share memories while creating new ones.
I am not afraid to show my children just how madly in love I am with their mother. It is my hope that they one day discover just how special love is. I want their bar of expectation to be set really high so that they do not settle for anything less than what God has planned for them.
The biggest lesson I have learned about love is that it is not about taking but about giving. No matter how rich or poor we are, we have the ability to give our love. Love cannot be bought or sold. It has no price tag. Share your love and may the love you give come back to you and fill your world with joy.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
This is the most romantic day of the year. We have been Blessed with a picture perfect day and plan to spend the morning at the beach with our children. There is no place I would rather be on Valentine's Day than at the beach, holding my wife's hand and walking with her as we share memories while creating new ones.
I am not afraid to show my children just how madly in love I am with their mother. It is my hope that they one day discover just how special love is. I want their bar of expectation to be set really high so that they do not settle for anything less than what God has planned for them.
The biggest lesson I have learned about love is that it is not about taking but about giving. No matter how rich or poor we are, we have the ability to give our love. Love cannot be bought or sold. It has no price tag. Share your love and may the love you give come back to you and fill your world with joy.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Love of My Life
"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"- Alfred Lord TennysonIn the spirit of Valentine's weekend, I would like to share a few things about the love of my life. In the "Ferris wheel of life", we are sometimes going up and sometimes going down. Whether we are on top of the world, or facing challenges at low points, my wife is always there, holding my hand and encouraging me.
One of my wife's greatest qualities is her selflessness. On Mother's Day, she is the queen of the castle and we grant her anything she wishes. She usually asks to take the family to an amusement park (our kids are so lucky) and we spend the day creating new memories. One time she noticed a giant ride that resembled a Ferris wheel, but you could seat the whole family in a row. We buckled in and soon we flipped upside down. My wife screamed. I will never forget that precious moment.
Yesterday, KLove radio announced the grand prize winner. She was picked among 5,000 entries and the songwriter, Matthew West, wrote a song about the love this special couple have for each other entitled, "Hold You Up". If you visit www.Klove.com, you can hear the interview with the winner and hear Matthew sing this beautiful love song.
As I listened to this song for the first time, I thought of the love of my life. We have not faced anything like the thirty three surgeries Ann and Jim endured in their twenty years of marriage, but we have had some days where we have been at the bottom of the Ferris wheel.
I thank God every day for my wife. I don't care where I am on the Ferris wheel as long as my wife is sitting next to me, even if she is upside down and screaming. I can face anything in life knowing that she is at my side. If she ever gets called up before it is my time to meet my Creator, then I will turn to Him to hold me up.
Enjoy your Valentine's weekend and make sure to listen to Matthew's new song while you are holding your lover's hand.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Chicken Soup for the Soul
There is an entire series of books written by Jack Canfield called "Chicken Soup for the Soul". I read the original book many years ago and it inspired me. Book sales for this series now tops 100 million dollars. The stories are about ordinary people who do extraordinary things.
I found this video clip of Jack Canfield the other day regarding success principles and it is posted below. Jack was a public speaker before he got into the publishing business. It is interesting to see how someone who started out with a couple of strikes against him was able to overcome some serious obstacles. He was rejected by 144 publishers before achieving his goal. This blog is dedicated to people like Jack who want to help make our world better.
If you are looking for a last minute gift for your Valentine, check out "Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love". I have not read this one yet but it is on my list. Have a great day.
I found this video clip of Jack Canfield the other day regarding success principles and it is posted below. Jack was a public speaker before he got into the publishing business. It is interesting to see how someone who started out with a couple of strikes against him was able to overcome some serious obstacles. He was rejected by 144 publishers before achieving his goal. This blog is dedicated to people like Jack who want to help make our world better.
If you are looking for a last minute gift for your Valentine, check out "Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love". I have not read this one yet but it is on my list. Have a great day.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
A Valentine's Day Wish
Valentine's Day will be here this weekend. It is a day of romance and joy for lovers. My wish for you is that the love you share on Valentine's Day spills over into the other 364 days of the year and that your life is filled with passion.
There are many military families in my city and Valentine's Day can be hard when couples are separated by deployments. I pray that you are comforted in your time of separation.
Maybe your spouse has already left this world and is waiting for you in Heaven. May you be consoled as you fulfill your mission in this world and may you be filled with the hope that your reunion will be unlike any Valentine's Day you ever experienced on earth when your eyes meet again.
If you are still waiting to find love, trust that the Holy Spirit will lead you to the one the Creator has made for you and be patient. It is better to wait for the right one than to be spending Valentine's Day with the wrong one.
May your Valentine's Day be filled with love.
There are many military families in my city and Valentine's Day can be hard when couples are separated by deployments. I pray that you are comforted in your time of separation.
Maybe your spouse has already left this world and is waiting for you in Heaven. May you be consoled as you fulfill your mission in this world and may you be filled with the hope that your reunion will be unlike any Valentine's Day you ever experienced on earth when your eyes meet again.
If you are still waiting to find love, trust that the Holy Spirit will lead you to the one the Creator has made for you and be patient. It is better to wait for the right one than to be spending Valentine's Day with the wrong one.
May your Valentine's Day be filled with love.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Prayer from a Blog Follower
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you- Matthew 5:44
In order for this blog site to reach its full potential, it needs participation and sharing from others who visit this site. I received this prayer from one of the first followers of this blog and wanted to share it. Thank you, Mrs. S, for taking the time to pass this on.
Best Prayer I have heard in a Long Time...
Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in
traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day
and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry
and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man
who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college
student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of
not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the
same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to
addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through
the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this
moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last
week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us,
the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with
those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to
us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive,
show patience, empathy and love. Matt 5:44
If you send this to 5 people, then you have a chance to touch 5 people.
Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan
is out of this world!!!
In order for this blog site to reach its full potential, it needs participation and sharing from others who visit this site. I received this prayer from one of the first followers of this blog and wanted to share it. Thank you, Mrs. S, for taking the time to pass this on.
Best Prayer I have heard in a Long Time...
Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in
traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day
and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry
and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man
who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college
student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of
not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the
same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to
addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through
the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this
moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last
week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us,
the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with
those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to
us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive,
show patience, empathy and love. Matt 5:44
If you send this to 5 people, then you have a chance to touch 5 people.
Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan
is out of this world!!!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
A Fork in the Road
"If you don't know where you are going, every road will take you there" -A Chinese Adage
As human beings, we have been designed with a free will. That means that every time we face a fork in the road, we have freedom to choose which path to take. There are millions of possible outcomes for our lives. Each fork in the road leads to more forks and more choices. How do we know which way is best?
Learning about people that have come before us can be helpful. When someone else faced a similar circumstance, we can look at their choices and use their example to guide us. We can also learn from our past choices. Sometimes, a bad choice can give us the feedback we need to prevent this from happening again.
The worst thing we can do when faced with a fork in our road is to "freeze". We need to make a decision and move forward. If our choice is the right one, we will advance to the next set of choices. If it is the wrong one, we need to learn as we move forward.
The Holy Spirit has given me help as I have faced important choices and decisions. God is all-knowing. We cannot see what is ahead on our road, but the Holy Spirit knows which path is best for us. If we trust that little voice inside of us, we can minimize our poor choices and reach our potential.
In order to connect with the Holy Spirit, we need to form a relationship. Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you throughout the day. He can be our friend even if the world around us is falling apart.
The path would be boring if it didn't have so many choices. May you enjoy your journey and make wise choices as you approach each fork in the road.
As human beings, we have been designed with a free will. That means that every time we face a fork in the road, we have freedom to choose which path to take. There are millions of possible outcomes for our lives. Each fork in the road leads to more forks and more choices. How do we know which way is best?
Learning about people that have come before us can be helpful. When someone else faced a similar circumstance, we can look at their choices and use their example to guide us. We can also learn from our past choices. Sometimes, a bad choice can give us the feedback we need to prevent this from happening again.
The worst thing we can do when faced with a fork in our road is to "freeze". We need to make a decision and move forward. If our choice is the right one, we will advance to the next set of choices. If it is the wrong one, we need to learn as we move forward.
The Holy Spirit has given me help as I have faced important choices and decisions. God is all-knowing. We cannot see what is ahead on our road, but the Holy Spirit knows which path is best for us. If we trust that little voice inside of us, we can minimize our poor choices and reach our potential.
In order to connect with the Holy Spirit, we need to form a relationship. Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you throughout the day. He can be our friend even if the world around us is falling apart.
The path would be boring if it didn't have so many choices. May you enjoy your journey and make wise choices as you approach each fork in the road.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Paper Shredder
As my family continues to organize and remove clutter, we have been using our paper shredder quite regularly. It is such a useful tool for getting rid of all the sensitive trash that we want to eliminate.
Have you ever had trouble letting go of something that causes grief? I am mainly talking about past hurts or grudges. When we ask Jesus to forgive us for something we did wrong, He immediately takes our list of sins and puts them in His paper shredder. They are gone, forever. This is easy for Jesus to do because He is perfect. He doesn’t want anything to get in the way of our relationship with Him.
Jesus encourages us to follow His example and place our grudges we have with others in the shredder. Once everything is shred, we can move on and live a more peaceful life. Take a few moments and make a list of all the hurts you are carrying around inside of you. Write down the names of all the people and all the pain they caused. Make sure not to leave anyone out.
The next step is the fun part. Say a little prayer for all of these people and ask God to bless their lives. Once your prayer is complete, place the paper in the shredder so it can disappear forever. Most of the people on the list don’t even know they hurt you. This little exercise is for your benefit, so you can move on and have a happier life.
If you are feeling especially bold, think of the people in your life that maybe you hurt. Write them a letter or call them and ask them to forgive you. This takes a lot of guts and you may have to do some detective work to find some of these people. Most will be willing to put these hurts in their own shredder.
Keep your shredder handy. New hurts will undoubtedly come up in the future. The sooner you put these hurts in the shredder, the happier you will be.
Have you ever had trouble letting go of something that causes grief? I am mainly talking about past hurts or grudges. When we ask Jesus to forgive us for something we did wrong, He immediately takes our list of sins and puts them in His paper shredder. They are gone, forever. This is easy for Jesus to do because He is perfect. He doesn’t want anything to get in the way of our relationship with Him.
Jesus encourages us to follow His example and place our grudges we have with others in the shredder. Once everything is shred, we can move on and live a more peaceful life. Take a few moments and make a list of all the hurts you are carrying around inside of you. Write down the names of all the people and all the pain they caused. Make sure not to leave anyone out.
The next step is the fun part. Say a little prayer for all of these people and ask God to bless their lives. Once your prayer is complete, place the paper in the shredder so it can disappear forever. Most of the people on the list don’t even know they hurt you. This little exercise is for your benefit, so you can move on and have a happier life.
If you are feeling especially bold, think of the people in your life that maybe you hurt. Write them a letter or call them and ask them to forgive you. This takes a lot of guts and you may have to do some detective work to find some of these people. Most will be willing to put these hurts in their own shredder.
Keep your shredder handy. New hurts will undoubtedly come up in the future. The sooner you put these hurts in the shredder, the happier you will be.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The God Connection
I saw the movie, Avatar, with my wife and youngest son when it was released in December. It is no surprise to me that the movie has received nine Oscar nominations including best picture. It is also no surprise that the movie is getting over 70% of its revenue from overseas. In the David vs. Goliath scenario, the primitive people on Pandora stand up to the mighty Goliath, AKA the United States as we battle to take their precious resource,"unobtainium." The world loves to see the underdog win against all odds.
There is something really special about the main character, Jake Sully. He is a marine who fills in for his brother at the last minute when his brother dies. He is untrained and can no longer walk. He is chosen because of the genetic match to his brother and the body he will use on Pandora is made from human and alien DNA. Jake's mission is to get to know how the aliens live so that we can defeat them.
Jake falls in love with the people of Pandora as he learns what they are all about. For me, watching the scene where Jake bonds with one of the banshee animals, made me think about the connection our Creator is attempting to have with us. Once Jake and the banshee have "fused", the two are in harmony. This is the final step in Jake's journey to bond with the aliens.
Jake must rely on Neytiri to teach him how to bond with the banshee. She tells him that he will know he has found the right banshee when it attempts to kill him. He must overcome the banshee's resistance in order to form a life-long bond.
Deep down inside of us, we know that our Creator wants to bond with us. Just like the banshees on Pandora, we resist. Perhaps we are afraid of what will happen if we surrender to our Creator? Our lives will change, but will they be better?
Once Jake Sully is able to bond with his banshee, the two soar like eagles. The connection is everlasting. Our Creator has big plans for us if we are willing to step out of our comfort zone and "fuse" just as Jake fused. God will not force Himself on you but he has already chosen you and wants to form an eternal bond. Are you ready? All you have to do is say yes...
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Blog Counter
“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The other morning as I was waking up, I had a dream that the little blog counter on the left margin of this blog mysteriously began to spin out of control. New visitors were coming to the site faster than the blog counter could tabulate. At the end of my dream, the counter surpassed the 10,000-visitor mark. This marked a huge milestone in my life-long journey to publish all the good that Jesus has done and is doing in my life.
Soon, the 1,000th visitor will be visiting this six-month-old baby blog. If that visitor is you and you would like to be recognized, please send me your first name and a picture that I will publish along with a blurb if you would like to share with this group.
The reality is that anyone out there in the blog world can share on this site. I promised you that I would be bringing in guests to share their stories for the benefit of all. You don’t have to be a movie star or pro athlete to participate. I encourage you to come out of your comfort zone and share your gift just as I have come out of my cave to share with you.
My final request is to ask your help in spreading the good news. Help me to attain my dream of getting 10,000 visitors to this site by the end of the year by coming back often and by sharing this site with your friends and family members. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me on this very special journey. I promise to keep publishing every day until I am “called up”. Have a great day.
The other morning as I was waking up, I had a dream that the little blog counter on the left margin of this blog mysteriously began to spin out of control. New visitors were coming to the site faster than the blog counter could tabulate. At the end of my dream, the counter surpassed the 10,000-visitor mark. This marked a huge milestone in my life-long journey to publish all the good that Jesus has done and is doing in my life.
Soon, the 1,000th visitor will be visiting this six-month-old baby blog. If that visitor is you and you would like to be recognized, please send me your first name and a picture that I will publish along with a blurb if you would like to share with this group.
The reality is that anyone out there in the blog world can share on this site. I promised you that I would be bringing in guests to share their stories for the benefit of all. You don’t have to be a movie star or pro athlete to participate. I encourage you to come out of your comfort zone and share your gift just as I have come out of my cave to share with you.
My final request is to ask your help in spreading the good news. Help me to attain my dream of getting 10,000 visitors to this site by the end of the year by coming back often and by sharing this site with your friends and family members. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me on this very special journey. I promise to keep publishing every day until I am “called up”. Have a great day.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Body Care
My wife's uncle Chuck loved to fix up classic cars. He attended car shows all over the country. Before he passed away, he found an old ford convertible from the 60's that was in very bad shape. He spent years finding the right parts and when he was done, his pride and joy was fully restored to it's original showroom condition and it looked similar to the picture in today's post.
My kids were so thrilled to ride in his red Thunderbird as we drove through the town with the top down. Uncle Chuck had a unique ability to see beauty in vehicles that others had discarded.
If my body were a vehicle, it would qualify for consideration as a classic. I am from the baby boomer generation and we are all approaching the time when we have to deal with keeping our bodies on the road. Some of us have already ordered replacement parts.
If we take care of our bodies like my wife's uncle Chuck did with his classic cars, we can enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life. If you feel like your body is turning into a clunker, lets look at a few ideas to get you back to showroom condition.
The first step is to believe that you can be restored. Visit your doctor and get a check up. Fill up your gas tank with premium gas and get the motor running properly. Get the gas with lots of color, the kind you find in fruits and veggies.
How are those spark plugs? All of us need joy in our lives. Healthy relationships give us the spark we need to energize our engines. Forgiving others that hurt us is like having an oil change. This needs to be done regularly.
Take a look at your tires. The proper tires are needed for the road conditions you face. I recommend a great pair of running shoes for those early morning jogs. If you prefer hiking, get a nice pair of hiking boots and explore nature in your area.
A good road trip is important. Get those RPM's up into the red zone and clean that tired engine out. If your engine has not experienced this in a long time, start slowly so the engine does not overheat. Soon you will be ready to race again.
Whatever your make or model, recognize that it is a one-of-a-kind. Restore it to its factory condition and the world will appreciate its natural beauty. Remember, the world would be very boring if every vehicle looked the same. Appreciate your uniqueness and let it shine as you travel on the highway to Heaven.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Little Things Matter
A smile. A compliment. An act of kindness. All of these things take just a moment to do. They have the power to change the world around us. These little things matter.
I remember the story of how a young man started passing out ribbons to people who were important. The idea was to pass it on to others along with some words of encouragement. These symbols of recognition changed attitudes and lives of the people who received them.
A man who felt un-appreciated at work received one of these ribbons from his boss. It touched him deeply. He thought of his son and decided to give him a ribbon and tell him how much he loved him. The son immediately broke into tears in front of his father. He told his father that this act of kindness came at a critical time in his life. He felt unloved and was planning on committing suicide that same day. All he needed to know what that he was loved.
Yes. The little things matter. Show appreciation for the people around you and watch them light up. Everyone needs a pat on the back. You can make a difference.
I remember the story of how a young man started passing out ribbons to people who were important. The idea was to pass it on to others along with some words of encouragement. These symbols of recognition changed attitudes and lives of the people who received them.
A man who felt un-appreciated at work received one of these ribbons from his boss. It touched him deeply. He thought of his son and decided to give him a ribbon and tell him how much he loved him. The son immediately broke into tears in front of his father. He told his father that this act of kindness came at a critical time in his life. He felt unloved and was planning on committing suicide that same day. All he needed to know what that he was loved.
Yes. The little things matter. Show appreciation for the people around you and watch them light up. Everyone needs a pat on the back. You can make a difference.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Love
Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Restaurants will be overcrowded, flowers overpriced and most couples will only celebrate their love for each other for one day. This is the main reason why so many marriages fail. We let our challenges and other priorities get in the way and we fail to show our love the other 364 days of the year.
I am so guilty of being one of "those" people. I procrastinated until the last minute to pick out a Valentine's card for many years. It is amazing just how many of us men will wait until the last minute to get ready for Valentine's Day.
For me, the best way I can express my love for my wife is to look in the mirror and see my weaknesses and then resolve to change for the better. I never want my wife to feel short-changed.
I promised my wife that she would get a love letter from me every day until the day I die. It is not easy for men to express themselves but it is necessary if a relationship is going to grow to its potential.
The biggest lesson that I have learned about love is that it is a reflection of our Creator. Do not take love for granted. Become unselfish and resolve to show your love for your spouse every day and not just on special occasions. Our Creator thought of the two of you long before you ever existed and your union is sacred. If you are single, He will one day reveal someone very special for you to love. When you discover this emotion, you will get a glimpse of just what is waiting for you in Heaven when you meet the One who knows every hair on your head and loves you perfectly.
May you experience deep love, not just on Valentine's Day, but every day.
I am so guilty of being one of "those" people. I procrastinated until the last minute to pick out a Valentine's card for many years. It is amazing just how many of us men will wait until the last minute to get ready for Valentine's Day.
For me, the best way I can express my love for my wife is to look in the mirror and see my weaknesses and then resolve to change for the better. I never want my wife to feel short-changed.
I promised my wife that she would get a love letter from me every day until the day I die. It is not easy for men to express themselves but it is necessary if a relationship is going to grow to its potential.
The biggest lesson that I have learned about love is that it is a reflection of our Creator. Do not take love for granted. Become unselfish and resolve to show your love for your spouse every day and not just on special occasions. Our Creator thought of the two of you long before you ever existed and your union is sacred. If you are single, He will one day reveal someone very special for you to love. When you discover this emotion, you will get a glimpse of just what is waiting for you in Heaven when you meet the One who knows every hair on your head and loves you perfectly.
May you experience deep love, not just on Valentine's Day, but every day.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Recall Notice
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
(from Melody Beattie)
Recall Notice:
Today's post comes from one of the first followers of this blog and I told her I would share it for the benefit of all. Enjoy and have a great day.
The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype unit's code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.
Some of the symptoms include:
Loss of direction
Foul vocal emissions
Amnesia of origin
Lack of peace and joy
Selfish or violent behavior
Depression or confusion in the mental component
Fearfulness
Idolatry
Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.
The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
Thank you for your attention!
GOD
P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
(from Melody Beattie)
Recall Notice:
Today's post comes from one of the first followers of this blog and I told her I would share it for the benefit of all. Enjoy and have a great day.
The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype unit's code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.
Some of the symptoms include:
Loss of direction
Foul vocal emissions
Amnesia of origin
Lack of peace and joy
Selfish or violent behavior
Depression or confusion in the mental component
Fearfulness
Idolatry
Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.
The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
Thank you for your attention!
GOD
P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Find Your Passion
Is waking up every day a chore? Is it hard to get out of bed? Is what you do every day worthwhile? If you don't like the answers, you may not be pursuing your passion in life.
Take a moment and think about what you would like to do today if you had unlimited time and money. That is your true passion. If you are not pursuing it, you are always going to have that nagging feeling that you are trapped.
If you are a paint, paint. If you are a singer, sing. If you are a writer, write. Even if your current job or activities limit you, make time each week to focus on your passion. Watch what happens as you discover and pursue your passion.
Take a moment and think about what you would like to do today if you had unlimited time and money. That is your true passion. If you are not pursuing it, you are always going to have that nagging feeling that you are trapped.
If you are a paint, paint. If you are a singer, sing. If you are a writer, write. Even if your current job or activities limit you, make time each week to focus on your passion. Watch what happens as you discover and pursue your passion.
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