Counterattack

The Evil One already knows about the counteraattack.  The legions are not happy.  I put off this story because I know the dangers and the costs.  Perhaps my own fears get in the way.  Not so much for me but for those close to me.  Well, today is the day that I share publicly I'm all in and the counterattack is underway.  My personal battle has been ongoing for about as long as I can remember.  The Dark Side is powerful but not all powerful like our Creator who is also all knowing and all loving.

The Enemy is using a three-pronged attack to attempt to destroy my life.  This counterattack is not of this world where the dark side seems to have the upper hand for now.  I'm sitting here in my basement in the Midwest sharing my life with you.  My godmother is at home in hospice.  I know she has been praying for me since the moment she and her husband of nearly sixty-three years lit a candle for me at my Baptism.  The same is true of my mother who never stops praying for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  There are some amazing prayer warriors in my life who also guard me with their love and their prayers.

I cannot share publicly about my personal battle for privacy reasons.  If and when the Dark Side exposes their attacks, I promise to keep going no matter how staggering the losses may be.  For now, I'm shining a great light on the counterattack.  The enemy knows this is where he is vulnerable.  He fears the light.  Here goes:

Dear Lord, 

In the name of Jesus and powered by the Holy Spirit, I ask you and your angels who follow you to hear my pleas for Divine help.  Please inspire me with your love and your hope and protect me and my loved ones.

I declare, Jesus, that God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.  2 Timothy 1:7.

I declare, Jesus, that if I present my request to you, through you, my requests will be known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7.

I declare, Jesus, that if I trust you with all my heart and lean not on my own insight but in all your ways acknowledge you, that you will make straight our paths.  Proverbs 3: 5-6.

I declare, Jesus, that you know the plans you have for me...plans for welfare and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

I declare, Jesus, that God has thrown my sins as far as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12.

I declare, Jesus, that when I am weak you are strong within me. 2 Corinthians 10.

I declare, Jesus, that you can reach down from on high and take hold of our children and draw them out of many waters. 2 Samuel 17

I declare, Jesus, that all your promises find their yes in you and not one of your promises has ever failed.  2 Corinthians 1:20.

I declare, Jesus, that you, who by the power at work within us, are able to do far more abundantly than all we  ask or think.  Ephesians 3:20.

Thank you, Jesus, for hearing my prayers.  Amen

Have a great day.

Happy Memorial Day

Today we are honoring those who died for us in service to our country.  It's also a special day in our household because my wife was born on Memorial Day and today happens to be her birthday.  Congress moved the traditional Memorial Day celebration of May 30 to the last Monday in May in order to allow for three day weekends.  That makes today extra special because today, May 30, happens to be the last Monday in May.  

To all the families who lost a loved one to war, may you be comforted as the country mourns for your loved one and the loss your family suffered.  We will take time out of today's birthday celebration to remember what these brave men and women did for us.  Happy Memorial Day.

How Much Wisdom is Found in Ecclesiastes?

The author of Ecclesiastes, a wisdom book of the Bible, is unknown.  His message is also rather challenging to discern.  He writes about how Solomon, the wisest person on earth, is trying to figure out important truths like the meaning of life.  I'm only on the first day of five podcast episodes and so far it appears like vapor to me.  Solomon pretty much only sees vapor or thin air.  Is that what we can expect?  Vapor?  There has to be more.  Maybe it will show up by day five.  I hope I'm not losing you here because usually I have more to say than vapor.  I suppose I will need to complete the book of Ecclesiastes in order to know more about this world we live in.  Until that time, I'm wishing you a happy Holiday weekend.  Have a great day.

Thank You to the Anonymous Prayer Warrior

 Although the ongoing war in the spirit world may not be seen by our eyes, it is very real and the damage spills over into every area of our lives.  The only weapon we humans have is prayer.  I'm thankful for the prayer warriors in my life who help me during times of attack.

I know one thing for sure about the enemy.  The more you talk about Jesus, the greater the odds of some kind of retaliation from the dark side.  We all have our jobs that we are uniquely qualified for to advance the Kingdom of Heaven.  We need to stand up no matter how great the attacks.  I have a special message to the anonymous prayer warrior who reached out to share that special daily prayers are going out to St. Michael the Archangel who is tasked with defending us in this spiritual war.  Thank you!  I'm headed to my day job feeling a special kind of fire within.  Our time raising money for our local children's hospital is coming to a conclusion at the end of this month.  It's time for a power boost to finish the job.  These kids are worth fighting for.  Thank you for the prayers!  Have a great day.

Gratitude is the Best Therapy

Do you ever have days when you feel down?  It's so easy in these times do feel this way.  For me, the key is to get past these feelings and find a way to get to a better state of mind.  In my opinion, there is no better way than to practice gratitude.  The more grateful I feel in my heart the better I feel all around.  The truth is that no matter how beat up I feel there is always at least one thing I can find that I can be grateful for.

What is one thing in your life you are thankful for.  It doesn't have to be a thing.  It can be a person.  It can be a situation you find yourself in where someone else needs you.  Do you remember a situation in your life when someone gave you a warm smile?  Or a pat on the back?  Can you remember a time when you made someone's life better by the kind words of encouragement you offered?  Today is a great day to be thankful.  Your therapist may agree even though this advice I'm offering today may cut into his or her business.  Have a great day. 

The Enemy You Think You Have is Not the Real Enemy

 There's a reason I cut the cable.  I don't want negative influence in my life.  Even the commercials are designed to get us to behave in a certain way.  News anchors want us to vote the way they vote.  News is longer news.  Now we listen to opinions.  It's all about division.  Think back to the last five years.  I bet that the enemy you think you have is not your real enemy.  Why?  Because the real enemy has sowed the seeds of dissension.  We fight to the delight of the enemy.  Today I'm calling out the real enemy.  This is a great risk for me because the real enemy prefers to live in the shadows.  The real enemy doesn't want the spot light to shine on him.

The next time you have a thought about the enemy you think you have, do me a favor.  Think long and hard about who created this enemy.  Think about something good that is inside this person.  The reason for this is because I want you to consider who created this person.  Can you see God inside this person?  If so, then you can understand this is not your real enemy.  So, who is your real enemy?  Here goes...

Your real enemy is the one who turned away from Heaven long before you were created.  This enemy understands that someday you will be in a glorified body that outshines anything he ever had even though he was once the brightest being in all of Heaven with the exception of the Creator.  This enemy can't stand the thought of you outshining him.  He turns you against others to divide and conquer.  Don't fall for his deception.  Stop fighting your fellow human who will also someday shine in Heaven.  The enemy you think you have is not the real enemy.  Think about this as you go about your day.  Have a great day.

Prayers for My Godmother, Please

 

Nearly sixty-two years ago the most significant moment of my life happened in a small church in Arizona.  I was Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  My parents closest friends, Tom and Ann Daniel, stood with my parents when I first received the light of Christ and became a member of God's family.  Last night I spoke with the family including my Godfather.  He recounted their lives in Yuma, Arizona where they both taught school.  My Godfather was a member of the first Arizona State wrestling team.  I could hear my Godmother's voice in the background requesting that we open a location in her town.  "That may take an act of God," I responded while she laughed.

Ann is at home now in hospice.  She is surrounded by her loving family and husband of 63 years (next month) as she goes through the final steps of her journey on this planet.  It is a most excellent life she is living all the way to the finish line.  Ann inspired my Godfather to become a teacher.  He would come home exhausted after long days working and see his wife grading papers.  He volunteered to help her and found his passion for inspiring others in the classroom just like his beloved wife.  My Godfather coached wrestling for most of his career, helping 142 of his kids get scholarships for higher education.  My Godmother still mails monthly contributions to her favorite charity, St. Jude.  To say that I scored big when I got the Godparents my parents selected is very much an understatement.  These folks are pillars of their community.

My Godfather told me that it was his wife who helped him get closer to God.  I feel the same way about my wife.  I texted a couple of photos including one of my wife and me standing in front of a cathedral in Duluth, Minnesota where I was on assignment last year.  The youth pastor in that church leads millions around the world in a Bible in a Year podcast that we listen to daily.   

I told my Godfather that there were times in my life when I was away from the church.  That candle they lit for me at my Baptism is still on fire in my heart where Jesus lives.  I may be far away geographically but both of my Godparents are in my heart and I'm praying for them now.  They gave me permission to share this story with my readers because they understand the power of prayer.  Thank you for praying for them, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Maybe you can toss in an extra prayer for my day job boss to expand to Yuma and fulfill my Godmother's final request.  That's an assignment I would love to be a part of should God decide to part the Red Sea and send me to help out the same families that my Godparents served in their brilliant teaching careers.  Tom and Ann, thank you for being my Godparents.  I'm asking every one of my readers to pray for you.  I love you.  Have a great day.  ¡Vaya con Dios!

Life through the Lens of a Five-Year-Old

 I've been wearing a picture of Nile on my name badge at my day job since I met him a couple of weeks ago.  He's the champion tasked with raising awareness about our local children's hospital.  He's not the main reason for today's story.  It's about another five-year-old girl who saw his photo and wanted to know more.  Her mother who was standing behind her closed in to hear Nile's story about coming into this world needing all the help he could get just to survive.  At the end of the story I asked the young girl if she would like to donate a dollar to help Nile's friends at the hospital.  The answer was immediate.  Mom pulled out her debit card and completed the donation on behalf of her daughter.  I put a smiley face on the little girl's receipt and told her what Nile's dad said to me, "Every dollar matters."

Never underestimate how the children see the world.  She is one of a small percentage of people who actually noticed Nile.  She cares.  Perhaps that's what Jesus means when he says we must become like little children.  I'm thankful I got to be a witness to this act of kindness.  The movers and the shakers of our company paid us a visit yesterday.  It was nice to see them.  None of them know they were outranked by a five-year-old who gave one dollar to help someone she didn't even know.  That's the one who moved and shaked my heart this week.  Have a great day.

Why the Critic Doesn't Matter

There are two kinds of critics.  The critic who cares about you and wants you to succeed offers feedback to help you improve.  Listen and grow.  Today's story is about the second kind of critic, the one who is envious of your performance.  This critic is about as useful as an air conditioner in Winter.  Tune this critic out.  This critic will only get in the way.  Run away, don't walk.  

I'm really not sure why poor critics tend to hang out together.  It may be related to self esteem.  Maybe they would rather be the biggest fish among minnows than be around those who aren't afraid to take risks.  This is why you need to watch where you spend your time.  If the minnows are gathering at the water cooler, find a new watering hole.  Your peace of mind depends on this.  Find the big fish and swim with them.  Have a great day.

 

Read This if You're Hurting

We all have regrets.  I'm writing this story today so that I won't carry the regret with me of avoiding writing about it because it's a difficult topic.  If this story reaches you and only you, then I'm beyond thankful to share.  If it's meant for a friend or family member of yours and you feel it may help, please pass it along.  Okay.  I'm taking some deep breaths.  Here goes...

Suicide.  It may be on your mind right now.  You're looking around and you don't see any glimmer of hope.  Your loved one betrayed you.  Your employer dumped you.  Your investments have turned into a pile of rubble.  You feel like life sucks.  Your doctor told you that your days are numbered and the end is near.  Is this you?  Do you feel like you can't go on?  Please don't check out.  I've been there.  I also know the exact source of my dark thoughts and this source is out to destroy you because that is all it knows... darkness.  Please, keep reading.

There is someone out there who knows every hair on your head.  If you don't have any hair, this someone knows every thought you have even before you think it.  Maybe that's because this someone inspired me to write this story.  Those dark thoughts come from the pits of Hell.  Yep.  You didn't think them on your own.  The Enemy put them there.  Dark angels interfered with your life.  Don't give them any opportunity for a victory lap.  Someone died on a cross for you so that you can be free.  Death lost.  That's a big one.  Death lost.  Death has no power over any of us.  Hope wins.  God wins.  You can claim victory over any situation you're facing right now.  Turn the light on.  See the hope.  You are a child of God.  Your life matters.  Have an extraordinary day.  Thank you for visiting.

My Inspiration at My Day Job

There is much to celebrate today on my ten year anniversary at my day job.  I'm surrounded by talented teammates who really care about the people we serve.  Every day I get the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life who inspire me with their stories.  I challenged myself to get up and show up every day no matter what challenges I encountered, like the day I woke up to find my Ford Escape covered in a thick blanket of ice that was practically impenetrable.  I actually called my boss to tell him I was frozen in place and would have to miss work.  That didn't stop me from hacking away at the ice shield until I finally broke through and drove to my day job.  This has been my journey every day for ten years.  I'm celebrating ten years with no call outs.  Why?  Because I believe showing up every day is the least you can do to thank your employer for all the opportunity you are given.

There is one inspiration at my day job that stands out above all the rest and this happened last weekend when I met Nile, a five-year old stick of dynamite who commands an audience like no other.  The moment I met Nile my heart melted.  Nile's dad stood behind him watching our interaction.  He said, "Nile, knuckles."  Niles offered knuckles to greet me.  Then he picked up his sign and posed for a photo before offering me one of his cards with his photo on it.  This kid is powerful. His enthusiasm for life is so encouraging for those who cross paths with him.  Children's hospital was his first home for a long while while his doctors and nurses helped him with numerous challenges and overwhelming odds.  Nile makes me want to do my best to serve others because people like Nile are worth showing up for every day.  The next time I hit an obstacle like the one that nearly kept me away from my day job when Mother Nature dropped her ice bomb on me, I'm going to think of Nile and I'm going to fight like Hell.  Have a great day.

Dear Dad

 

Dear Dad,

Today is your 20th anniversary since you departed this world.  I'm writing this letter and sharing it on my blog because I believe in my heart if you were still with us, this is what you would want.  I often think about what it's like on the other side of the finish line.  We have a picture of you from St. Alphunsus High School, Langdon, North Dakota, on our refrigerator door.  You and two of your siblings are in your football jerseys.  You are standing in the back row.  At 5'11 and 3/4 inches you are towering over the others.  Your twin, Mike, is squatting directly beneath you in the middle row and your older brother, Tom, is prominently displayed in the front row sporting large biceps developed from years of training.  Your brother, Dickie, isn't in the photo.  He was the first of your nine siblings to gain early entry into Heaven.  That must have been a painful time for you, your siblings, and your parents, to lose a family member early in childhood.  Dickie waited a long time to be reunited with you, John, Mary, Peggy, and Jimmie.  I miss all of you so much.  Give them a hug for me.  Thank them for the lessons they taught me.  Thank your parents too.  What a pair they were.  

Dad, I want to thank you for coming back to us in your final days when traveling was nearly impossible.  I thank the missionaries in Mexico who helped you get home  I want to thank you for giving me five siblings.  I also want to thank you for giving me a most excellent mother.  It hurt me deeply when you two separated.  It hurt went you left the US in search of greener grass to spend your retirement years so far away.  Perhaps that's why it was so joyful upon your return.  Those tears you spilled out of your ice blue eyes when we met at the airport upon your return really choked us up.  The marine in you apologized for being so overcome but that was one of the greatest moments in my life.  You showed us how much you love us even if words were sometimes impossible to say.

Thank you, dad, for sharing your writing gene with me.  I tried to force it out of my life because I thought writing was a complete waste of time.  It wasn't until I wrote my first love letter to my beloved wife that I began to understand your passion for writing.  The novel you wrote is still hidden away.  I never opened it.  Why?  Because it's the last part of you on this world.  I wanted something from you to hang onto.  I don't want your story on earth to end.  It's really silly but it's the truth.

Dad, I just want you to know what a difference you made by your presence in this planet.  I'm happy to report that all three of our children have your gift of writing.  Other relatives have been inspired to write books.  I'm now about a year shy of 5,000 blog stories.  Helen and I have shared more than 5,000 love letters between us.  Your legacy lives.  Your memories live.  Thank you for being my dad.  I will raise a toast to you when we visit Ireland this year.  May your soul rest in peace.  Have a great day.

Sharing My Heart Tomorrow

 I'm giving you the opportunity to go out and buy a box of Kleenex for tomorrow's story.  You may need it.  Loyal readers know I rarely share about my family here due to privacy concerns.  With the exception of one beloved aunt and one amazing cousin who have granted me permission to include them in my stories, all others are off the table until they are no longer with us in this world.  Well, tomorrow I'm going to share about someone close to me who crossed the finish line of life.  Come back tomorrow and I'll share more.  Have a great day.

Highlight of My Bike Ride

 The picture says it all.  I crossed paths with a doe while cycling yesterday.  We spotted each other at the same time and I immediately hit the brakes hoping to snap a photo before she retreated  into the dense forest.  She observed me the whole time while I slowly pulled my camera out of my travel bag.  It was as if she was posing for the picture.  Her ears tuned in like radar to track my movements.  I got two shots and she darted off like a race horse.  

The bike ride was success.  I'm gradually getting accustomed to the hills and my new bike.  I'm also trying to figure out a way to ride across the state without the support of a team.  One option that is catching my eye is something called bikepacking.  It's like backpacking except your gear is carried in bags attached to your bike.  Most Ragbrai riders rely on others to haul their gear.  If I decide to give bikepacking a try I may get an opportunity to get closer to nature.  Yesterday was a ten.  There are many more training days ahead.  So far so good.  I'm only on the first note of training, doe a deer.  Don't worry.  I won't sing it.  That duty will be left to my musically inclined cousins.  Have a great day.

Long Bike Ride Today

Today's story is my progress report on fitness.  Two out of the three tennis teams I play on are headed to the state championships next month.  Our bench is deep and we are confident we can advance to the next level of competition should we prevail next month.  Meanwhile, I'm cross training in order to raise the bar on my physical fitness.  I'm slowly building new muscle memory for long distance biking.

I encountered two obstacles yesterday regarding Ragbrai.  The first is that the bike ride sold out.  That means I will be riding without the support of the sponsors.  Also, the team I'm riding with is out.  I'm going solo.  Bad weather for training, COVID, and other life events got in their way.  Yes, that's a bit scary because I really don't know what I'm doing.  I'm okay with this because the main idea is to make biking a permanent part of my life and this event in July is only a stepping stone.  My time is blocked off for the week and I'm going to wing it.  That means camping out nightly after fifty to seventy miles a day of riding in hot temps.  All life is an adventure.  This will be an interesting chapter.  Have a great day.

Would You Like Some Great News?

Great news might be an understatement.  The news I'm sharing today is extraordinary.  If you read yesterday's story about the ambush predator, this story is to help you understand just how much you mean to the ambush predator who disguised himself in order to destroy the enemy who is trying to steal your joy.  If you feel unloved, betrayed, hopeless, helpless, depressed, hurt, or just plain lost, this extraordinary news will change everything.  I'm thankful a friend told me about this person who posted the YouTube video below.  If you find it helpful, please pass this along to anyone who may benefit.  Have a great day.

The Ambush Predator Defeated All Principalities and Powers

 It's really easy to get discouraged in these times.  The reason for this is because the principalities and powers are acting up.  Their time is short.  The closer it gets to the end, the more they behave like spoiled children.  They know our playbook.  We don't know theirs other than centuries of havoc they inspired by getting inside our heads and turning us against each other.

Do you find yourself getting mad because of all the division in the world?  Are you mad at your neighbors because they have a difference of opinion?  Every time I see evidence of division I do my best to dig deeper and see if perhaps principalities and powers are in play.  If you find yourself hating another person because of division, you are under the spell.  

I discovered something last week that helped me understand kink in the armor.  Remember when Jesus was on the Cross?  He suckered these principalities and powers into close proximity while he was being crucified.  They were almost gleeful.  Our Savior was about to be snuffed out.  They didn't realize that their favorite weapon, death, was about to be taken from their arsenal.  Yes, death is a power related to the first humans turning away from God.  The ambush predator looked so helpless on that cross.  He used these principalities and powers to destroy death right in front of them.  How humiliating that must have been to be sucker punched like that.  Jesus hid his divinity in order to appear weak for our sake right up until the moment of death.  Now we are free from the power of death.  

The harassment will continue until the ambush predator returns.  Until that time we must be cautious of what's coming.  Your enemy is not your neighbor.  Your enemy is the one who turns neighbor against neighbor, father against son, and mother against daughter.  Your enemy is the one who incites violence.  Don't let the dark side influence you.  Have a great day.

Congratulations to all the Graduates

 Numerous families are celebrating graduation this time of year.  Congratulations to all.  This is a big milestone.  Education is the key that unlocks the door to unlimited opportunity.   It's the one thing no one can ever revoke.  As important as education is, what's more important is understanding that learning should never stop.  This is a lifelong project.

I may be far removed geographically from the nephews, nieces, second cousins, and friends who are graduating but I can assure you that my heart is with every one of these graduates and their parents.  I'm thankful to see photos of these loved ones on their special family day.  If you are a parent of a graduate, make sure you look in the mirror and give yourself a nod of approval for a job well done.  The world is in dire need of these graduates.  Enjoy your special day.  Have a great day.

Happy Friday the 13th

 If you're feeling a bit superstitious today, this may be a day you're not sure about.  It seems like it's been a while since we've seen a Friday the 13th.  I'm thankful the thermometer will probably stay below 90º today.  It's pretty much a regular day for me, perhaps because the one I follow is in charge and I trust him 100% with my life.  Whatever you believe or don't believe, I do wish you a happy day today.  Have a great day.

It's As Good As It Gets When You Hear These Words

 Imagine you died and you're standing in line to meet Jesus.  It's your judgement day.  When it's your turn, all you want to hear is, "Well done good and faithful servant.  Come and spend eternity with me."  Pull this off and you're in.  Fail and that will be the last time you will ever see Jesus.  Here's some good news for you.  No matter what you've done, there's still time for you to turn into a good and faithful servant.  

I do have a caution for you before you begin your quest.  Remember that there is an enemy out there and he's watching your every move.  He wants you to fail.  Why?  Because he knows he will never hear Jesus tell him, "Well done good and faithful."  He only hears, "Get behind me, Satan."  That's not good.  He blew it.  And if you've blown it or you think you can't change your ways, maybe you need to say what Jesus says to the dark spirits trying to stop you.  Today is a great day to get on the path to your final destination, the only place that really matters.  Have a great day.

10 Year Day Job Anniversary in 10 Days

 I dreamed of this moment ten years ago when I was hired at my day job.  For those willing to pay their dues, there are some nice perks.  Longevity is rewarded.  For me, vacation time is at the top of my list.  My wife is also a big fan of time off.  I'm super thankful that my bosses have encouraged me to go the distance, especially during the pandemic when serving others was rather challenging.  It really does feel like all of this happened in the blink of an eye.  I would also like to thank my teammates for putting up with me these last ten years.  Have a great day.

When Surrender is Not Defeat

 Ten years ago I surrendered the last hold out in my life, finances.  I simply let go.  Outsiders lamented my white flag.  All the signs of defeat were there for all the world to see.  It was epic.  News of my demise spread quickly among my creditors.  They were nervous.  I was too.  I was about to leave familiar surroundings and enter the complete unknown.  A part of me felt defeated.  Something happened during the next ten years.  That's how long it took for the surrender to turn into new life.  

Does a caterpillar surrender when it goes into the cocoon phase?  What about a bear when it hibernates?  Is it surrendering to the lack of food and warm weather ahead?  What about a soldier who leaves his family to fight overseas and leaves his loved ones behind?  Or Jesus, who voluntarily gave up his life in the most horrific way possible?  All of these situations have one common theme, new life.  Surrender is a necessary step in the process.  If I hadn't let go of my old life I would still be a lost caterpillar or a bear who skipped hibernation and starved to death.  And if Jesus hadn't surrendered his life then none of us would have new life.

Is there something in your life today that could use the surrender option?  Please don't even consider what others will think of you when pondering this question.  Their opinion doesn't matter.  What's important is that you become the butterfly.  You may need to retreat from your current life to get there.  I recommend that you go all in.  Have a great day.

Can You Correct Mission Drift?

If you are human, odds are you will encounter mission drift.  If you aren't aware of this happening you can drift away for years and end up far away from your goals.  It's like playing on the offense for a football team.  Your goal is to score but something happens and your penalties cause you to move backwards.  

Mission drift is best dealt with early on so you have time to get back on course.  Today is a good day to review where you are and where you want to go.  How are you doing in 2022?  Are you closer or further away from your mission on this planet?  Look for even the smallest signs of mission drift.  It may be hitting snooze when you need to hit the ground running.  You may be around others who specialize in mission drifting.  If they have no desire to reach their goals, you may be negatively influenced.  Have a great day. 

A Sign from Heaven on Mother's Day

 We lost my wife's mother to cancer during the first year of our marriage.  She was diagnosed during our engagement.  Her greatest joy was bird watching, especially when the yellow finches appeared for a brief visit in late Spring.  Last night we left our blinds open to soak up all the beautiful signs of Nature in our back yard.  Then it happened.  Out of nowhere, hundreds of these gorgeous finches descended upon our back yard feeding on the weeds that sprouted from the incessant rainfall this season.  These gorgeous birds are a sign from Heaven that put a huge smile on my wife's Irish eyes.  Me too.  Check out the pictures below.  Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in this world and above.  Have a great day.  Mother's Day Finches video

Could You Rearrange the Seasons of Your Life?

 Most of us live our lives according to four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.  People come and go during each season.  We learn, we grow, we decline, and we die.  What if your seasons could be rearranged? What if you could defy Mother Nature?  This is not science fiction although this idea does need a bit of imagination.  I shared the idea with my wife after waking up from a strange dream where the seasons of my life got rearranged.  She pointed out that her favorite season, Autumn, was missing from my vision.  

Assuming you make it to age one hundred, each season of your life would be about twenty-five years.  For me, my Spring included my childhood in Arizona up to the point where I met my future wife and got married at age 29.  That's when I entered the Summer stage.  We moved to Southern California and raised our family.  Summer ended twenty-two years later when we moved to Iowa.  Sorry, honey, but there was no Autumn.  Only Winter.  We're still in the midst of Winter which has now lasted ten years.  Looks somewhat normal so far with the exception of no Autumn, right?  This is where the real fun begins because in my dream I saw a second Spring.  Yep, a second Spring.  Why?  Because I'm hopeful that all my research into longevity pays off and I get my mulligan, a second chance to experience Spring in my advanced years.

There is a happy ending to this fairy tale story I'm sharing today.  It may be especially helpful for those who are in Winter.  By the way, Winter doesn't have to be a bad season.  I know this first-hand from living in the frozen tundra of Iowa.  Winter may be cold but you can still have a warm heart when you're surrounded by loved ones.  My last point here is that the one I follow actually got a mulligan when he rose from the dead after an exceptional Winter period that ended at age 33 when he was crucified.  He came back from the dead.  That's not science fiction.  That's the truth.  His second Spring lasts forever.  Everyone gets this opportunity, even those who do not believe.  The choice is eternity in Spring or Winter.  You get to decide.  The catch?  Let Jesus be in charge of your seasons if you would like Spring.  Have a great day.

Cancel Your Regrets Before it's Too Late

 How many regrets have you accumulated in your lifetime?  If you were to make a list, what regrets are in your top ten?  The question of the day is  "How can you cancel those regrets before it's too late?"

I had some big ones on my list.  The number one regret was my perceived inability to forgive.  I thought I wasn't capable.  That's why most people have regrets.  They really don't believe they can cancel them.  I bet if you made a second list and labeled them "excuses," you could see a pattern in your life.  You must cancel your excuses before you can cancel your regrets.  Take action.  Once you cancel your top ten regrets, move one to the smaller ones.  Wipe them out.  Have a great day.

Day 125 BIAY

 How are you doing with your priorities in life?  I find there are times when I fail on a daily basis.  Those who play it safe never fail because they avoid difficult situations.  I really didn't know when I started listening to the Bible in a Year on a daily podcast how the journey would be.  I imagined obstacles like I encounter on other goals, like writing books.  Maybe what's happening is some kind of Divine intervention because I'm surprised how easy this is to accomplish.  It helps that this is one of the first things I do in the morning before life gets in the way.

Think back to a time in your life when you wanted to try something new.  Did you stay with it or give up?  I really believe the lessons I'm learning from BIAY are helping me to understand a little bit more about who God is.  If you're having any trouble at all with taking care of your daily priorities, make BIAY your top priority.  It seems counterintuitive to add something to your day when you're already maxed out, but don't worry.  The time you give God is rewarded with bonus time in your day.  Why?  I don't know.  I really don't understand God's ways.  What I do know is your life will be improved when you connect with God.  Have a great day.

Try This When Searching for Solutions

 I need all the help I can get.  For those of you who don't know, the name Mulligan means "do over."  It fits.  I'm a champion of the "do over."  Not once.  Not twice.  Not even three times.  I'm in the thousands when it comes to "do overs."  In all my failed attempts I have learned one valuable lesson to minimize my search for solutions.  I'm not the first person to discover this.  If you study the life of King David, you will find that when he hit it big it was because of one solid "maneuver" he used in his decision making process.  The more you use this method, the better it works.

Ask God.  Yep.  Ask God.  Bring your thoughts and ideas to God and then follow whatever instructions you receive.  Trust God with the solution.  Don't be afraid of what others may say.  Yes, you will get criticism.  That's okay.  The only opinion that matters is what God thinks.  There is a reason we pray, "Thy will be done" in the Our Father prayers.  If you trust that God wants what is best for you, make sure do make this a way of life.  Have a great day.

New Discovery in Back Yard

We weren't searching for them.  Many Midwesterners seek them out during this time of year.  They were right in our back yard waiting for us to spot them.  The conditions must be near perfect for them to grow.  It's all about the temperature, rainfall, and location.  These edible treasures are called morel mushrooms.  I'm sharing a photo of the first three we found last night while on a family walk.  If you can't find them in your back yard, search for them online and give them a try.  Have a great day. 

Day 2 of Ragbrai Training

 Day 1 was a success last week.  My feet reach the pedals.  My body is healthy.  I'm ready to log some miles on my new bike before another storm hits later today.  The idea for day 2 is to find some hills and navigate them while slowly increasing the distance of my training rides until July when I bike across the state for seven days.  

New habits aren't easy, especially when your brain is fighting you for couch time on days off.  Mother Nature is also my nemesis with her frequent storms and below normal temperatures.  My plan is to take it slow for the first training rides until I build confidence.  Stay tuned for the progress reports.  I have a long way to go to get ready for Ragbrai.  Have a great day.

It's Children's Miracle Network Month at My Day Job

 Our annual fundraiser begins today at my day job.  We ask our members to help us with donations and our company adds to the pot.  Although I'm behind with releasing my next two titles, the proceeds will eventually find their way to this important charity.  I had the choice of releasing the books according to my preset timeline which I blew by a long shot, or keep refining until I have something others may benefit from. I kept visualizing readers listening to my scratching the chalk board with inferior books and opted to make the reading experience a bit better.

I would like to thank all of you for being so patient with me.  There is a special place in my heart for those sick kids who need our love and support.  Keep them and their families in your prayers.  Have a great day.