Goal Check

The year is half over.  If you happen to be a pessimist, you may be thinking, dang, I blew it on my goals again.  And if you're an optimist, you're thinking, I still have six months to get on track.  Either way, the time remaining is now six months.  Today is a good day to evaluate where you are in relation to the goals you set.

Regular goal checks help you stay on track.  My wife and I are both listening to daily Bible podcasts labeled BIAY or Bible in a Year.  My wife says maybe the name should be changed to Bible in Two Years because she's a bit behind.  I slip every now and then.  As of today, I'm exactly where I need to be at the six month mark.  I told my wife that even if it takes an extra year, it's a big deal to complete the Bible cover to cover.

Whatever your goals are for this year, please take a moment and do a goal check.  Find a way to make adjustments.  Remember why you set those goals.  Have a great day.

Is it Time to Get Uncomfortable?

It's within our nature to seek comfort.  The cars we drive.  The clothes we wear.  The situations we seek.  Aren't most of these a result of seeking comfort?  I believe there is a problem with getting too comfortable.  Comfortable people don't change.  Why change when your world is exactly the way you want it to be.  I have one thought for you to consider regarding your comfort zone.  What about the people around you who are uncomfortable?  They may not be visible to you because you're so darn comfortable that you don't even think about this.  

Change never happens until you reach a point where you find yourself uncomfortable.  Sorry.  This story may make you twinge a bit.  Consider for a moment the people in your life who unnerve you.  Maybe there is this deep hurt in your past and you are doing everything in your power to forget about it so you can be comfortable.  If there are people in your past or present that you need to forgive but this thought makes you uncomfortable, I want you find a way to get uncomfortable and revisit the moment you were hurt.  Here comes the most difficult part.  Ready?  Forgive.  You don't have to face the person directly to get the maximum benefit out of this uncomfortable situation.  All that is necessary is to forgive the person who hurt you.  Let go of every grudge.  

You may be challenging me on this.  Maybe you're not ready to get uncomfortable.  Just think about it.  You will never be the best version of yourself you can be until you decide to get uncomfortable and forgive those who hurt you.  If the list of people and hurts happens to be lengthy, make a list.  Write all the names down.  You can attack the list any way you want.  You can start with the deepest hurt first or the least painful hurt.  Keep going until you cross off every name and every hurt.  Do this properly and then you can enjoy real comfort.  Have a great day.

The House Across the Street

Take a good look around.  No matter how great you think your neighborhood may be, there are people on your street who are going through something that looks like a horror movie.  It's possible that this is your life.  Only God knows what's really going on.  Human trafficking.  Drugs.  Alcohol.  Abuse.  The people inside feel trapped.  They stare out the windows and see the house across the street.  This house is different.  The family plays outside.  There is laughter, fun, games, everything one could long for.  

Imagine what life would be like if one day you got a knock on the door and it was the dad who lives across the street.  You've never spoken to him and you really don't know him.  You answer the door and the man who lives in the house across the street asks you a question.  "How would you like to come live with us?"  You don't even pack.  You're out the door running across the street to move in with the family and you leave everything behind.  You have been saved from the prison you've been living in.  

Does this sound like some kind of fairy tale?  I heard about this house from someone who grew up in somewhat of a prison cell.  He was abused as a child and no one in the family knew.  He wanted to be free but he was held against his will until one day he got a knock on the door and the man across the street set him free.  

Like it or not, the powers and the principalities are in charge.  They will do everything to destroy neighborhoods.  The reality is that these powers and principalities are not to blame.  We are.  Yes, us.  Long ago the first humans made a decision to turn away from the perfect neighborhood.  We are all captives.  The man across the street left paradise to knock on your door and ask you to come back home with him where you belong.  He sacrificed everything for you.  He will fight for you.  Why?  Because that's how much he loves you.  The house across the street is very real.  The powers and principalities  want you to believe your life doesn't matter or that you will never be free.  No matter how bad your neighborhood may be, never lose hope.  When the man across the street knocks on your door, you already know what to do.  Have a great day.

Meet Kim and Randy

What does the American dream look like to you?  If you reside inside the borders, you may have one perception.  And if you happen to be on the outside looking in, perhaps another.  A long time ago one of my first cousins decided to change his venue.  He deported himself south of the border.  That's when everything changed.  He decided to help others through his musical talent and his generous heart.  I got an invitation to join Mark on a mission trip to Guatemala.  The dates were already booked and I declined letting him know I would be interested to go at a later date.  It's not the type of vacation most people would consider, especially since the amenities are practically non-existent, at least through the lens of human eyes.  

Jesus cautions that our ways are not God's ways.  Sure, there are hints.  If you can get past the first layers of stories and discern the deeper meaning, perhaps you can see why my cousin sees the world so differently.  So do Mark's friends.  I haven't met many of them due to my geographical separation from Mulligan's Island.  Mark responded to one of my FaceBook posts about playing tennis on the rooftop in Wisconsin.  He commented that his friends, Kim and Randy Tews, live in Verona where we are opening a new location at my day job.  It's highly likely these folks have a different idea about the American dream than how we were taught growing up.  I sensed God was trying to get my attention through Mark's friends and the work they do so I ordered a copy of Kim's book.  Warning.  If you read this book you may change your idea of the world and how you fit.

Would you like to meet Kim and Randy?  Maybe you could meet Mark, too.  They are birds of a feather.  Here's a couple of ways to get started.  Check out www.outreachforworldhope.org.  If you are looking for new reading material, order a copy of Kim's book, Tears Water the Seeds of Hope.  If you get the opportunity to meet these folks, make sure to ask who their favorite acoustic guitar duo is who sing Jimmy Buffet songs.  There's a chance one of these men undeported himself and snuck into a roadside bar and grill in Wisconsin to sing a song or two for Kim and Randy.  Small world, huh?  I hope to meet Mark's friends when I return to their hometown next month.  Have a great day.

Mother Nature Interrupts Championship Match Play

Mother Nature did it again.  She pounced on us with lightning, thunder, and buckets of rain forcing our championship showdown indoors yesterday.  My role on the bench was to prepare my teammates during the warmups and be ready should I be needed.  Five minutes before match play my captain informed me I would play due to an objection about eligibility concerning our top singles player.  Our season officially ended last month with the final regular match of the year and new rankings were now in play for post season.  The last minute substitution was necessary to avoid a possible forfeit since the other team lodged an official objection.  I was ready.  It didn't matter that the stakes were high and that I pretty much have been a doubles player since relocating to Iowa ten years ago.

I entered court six not far from where the spectators were seated.  The tournament director asked us to please limit our warmup time to ten minutes and keep the changeovers between games short in order to accommodate a full day of match play.  I promised myself I would play my best and push myself to my limit trying not to think about the last time I played competitive singles which was many, many years ago.  The stakes couldn't have been higher.  Our team captain prepared all of us for moments like these and dreams of advancing to Oklahoma City for regional play have been on his radar since last year when the team came up short.

The first set was dead even for the first seven games with each player holding serve.  My opponent broke my serve in the eighth game and then held to win the first set, 6-3.  It was disappointing.  My only consolation was seeing my opponent's shirt drenched in sweat from the high humidity and the prolonged points.  I never sat down between games and felt great at the start of the second set.  I did my best to stay in the game and counter everything my superior opponent fired my way.  I won six games in a row to even the score and set up a super tie breaker for the match.  The super tie breaker ended 10-7.  I thanked my opponent for his superior sportsmanship during the match.  I didn't mean to paint the lines so close but he played fairly all the way to the end.  I was happy to come out on top but sad my teammates did not prevail.  Our opponents will move on.  We will move back to the practice courts and do our best to come back again next year.  Thank you, Jim, for all your sacrifices leading us all these years.  Have a great day.

Showdown on the Indoor Courts Today

 Today is the battle of the two top tennis teams in the Men's 40+ age group in the 4.0 division.  The winner advances to the next round where the top eight teams in the Midwest face off.  I'm excited to rejoin my teammates after my recent rooftop experience in Wisconsin while on a day job assignment.  It looks like we may be playing indoors due to inclement weather.  That's okay.  We've been mostly indoors for about the last eight months due to Mother Nature's fickle ways.

It's time to hit the showers and drive to West Des Moines for our morning match.  I'm on the bench today but I'll be ready in case I'm needed.  Things should be heating up indoors by the time this story goes live.  I'll share more about the showdown in my next story.  Have a great day.

Meet Herky the Dog

 

My heart melted when I met Herky, a shiatsu/ terrier who may break the record for oldest pet dog in America.  Owners Ellen and Larry may hold the keys to their pets amazing longevity which is now the equivalent of a 119yr-old human.  They pamper Herky with top of the line food and caress him with gentle strokes while he watches over them.

You never know who you're going to encounter  while working in a new state.  That's why it was such a delight to meet this Hawkeye family while on assignment in Wisconsin yesterday.  

Herky is named after the world famous mascot who entertains crowds at sporting events in my homestate of Iowa.  By the way, Larry wrestled against Hawkeye coach Tom Brands who went on to win the Olympic gold metal.  Larry didn't tell me the outcome.  Maybe his friend, Dave Van Dusen, a retired Iowa wrestling coach can spill the beans.

Before we close out today's tribute to Herky, I would like to give a shout out to Ellen and Larry's granddaughter, Freja, who beat the odds in her early childhood with some great help from Children's Hospital.  

Thanks again for stopping by today, Ellen, Larry, and Herky.  And thanks for permission to post your pictures.  I'm asking all my readers to pray for your beautiful family.  Have a great day.

I Woke Up to a Godincidence

 

Do you ever hear God's voice?  It's not easy when you are ensnared in traffic or you find yourself mired in nonstop activities that drain your energy.  No matter what you may be doing, God is always trying to get your attention.  I hear God's whispers when I remove all the noise.

Last night I was alone on the rooftop hitting serves.  I found it odd that the best place to play tennis was only 450 feet from my hotel.  I'm in Verona for a day job assignment and I was hoping to squeeze in some tennis while away from home.  What a surprise.  It was my first mountain top moment.  The second one I consider to be even bigger.

My cousin, a world famous singer, shared that his friends live in Verona when he spotted my post all the way from Mulligan's Island south of the border.  This morning my cousin Mark Mulligan replied to my rooftop post shown here and told me about his friends living in the community we will soon be serving.  These folks are a rare breed.  The wife is a writer.  I'm reading her book on my phone.  That's some kind of a Godincidence moment!  I'll share more as this story unfolds.  Have a great day.

Lessons from Castaway

 The character Tom Hanks played in Castaway demonstrates an important lesson I'm slowly grasping.  Timing.  No matter how hard Tom and his buddy Wilson tried to flee, it wasn't going to happen until the conditions were favorable.

How many times in your life have you tried to force something before the winds changed in your favor?  I'm with you.  I know all about this.  I have a hint.  Try reaching out to the Creator of the universe for help.  Learn patience.  Let the fruit of your labor ripen before you delight in your harvest.  Plant seeds and wait.  Use your time on the island to improve your skills.  Have a great day.

Maximum Sunshine Today

 Welcome to the longest day of the year.  It's the summer solstice.  These are the kinds of days I live for.  Maximum sunshine, maximum opportunities, and maximum potential.  I'm a big believer in improvement.  When additional sunshine is on the calendar I like to harness that opportunity and turn it into greater productivity.

What are you going to do with maximum sunshine today?  The follow-up question is a bit more challenging because it has to do with the next six months when we gradually lose sunlight.  So, how are you going to adjust?  I like to visit warm weather places and soak up the sun when it's scarce in my part of the world.  It helps me maintain adequate levels of Vitamin D which seems to help with my sense of well-being.

I'm enjoying day two of my road trip.  Wisconsin is a great place to be on the longest day of the year.  I'm hoping to find a tennis court after my shift ends and get some serve practice in before sunset at 8:41 here in Verona.  Have a great day.

Road Trip

I'm on the road today.  It's a day job assignment in Wisconsin.  I'm excited to meet new teammates and be reunited with others who I've teamed up with in the past during our expansion efforts.  I'll be back in time to support my tennis teammates in our quest for a state title in the men's 40+ age category.  My role will be to back them up during warmups and be ready to go should anyone in the starting lineup get hurt.  It feels good to be playing competitive tennis at this stage of my life and to be pushing the boundaries in the longevity arena.

The next five days will be on the road.  Stay tuned as the adventure continues.  Have a great day.

Happy Father's Day

 If you're a dad, today is your day.  Happy Father's Day.  May you be surrounded by loved ones.  If your dad is still with you, may you enjoy special time with him today.  And if your dad is departed, like mine, may you be comforted knowing he paved the way for you to be where you are today.

For those of you who had a challenging relationship with your dad or if you didn't know your dad, remember there is an ultimate Father out there who loves you.  You may not be able to see him but he sees you and he's watching over you.  You will see him some day.  Until then, do your best every day to help others be better dads.  Be the example.  Happy Father's Day.

The Fine Art of Failing

 If you're feeling down right now, this story may not be for you.  I'm not here to pile on top of your failures.  This message is for those who avoid failure.  If this is you, please read on.  Failure is a necessary ingredient in the learning process.  The more I fail, the more I learn.  Why, then, do so many stay out of the arena where failure is going to be on the daily highlight reels?  Is it fear of what others may think when the mistakes are there for everyone to see?  Please get over this.  The audience on the sidelines doesn't matter.  Just because they chose to sit out doesn't mean you are required to join them.

Fail big.  Fail often.  Entertain the peanut gallery with your gaffes.  The big picture is for you to be the absolute best version of yourself that you can be.  Laugh at your mistakes.  Some day they will turn into triumphs.  My number one foe is really on me these days.  He's inside my head reminding me of my flaws.  Perhaps this Evil One doesn't understand just how big our Creator is.  He celebrated every time Jesus fell while hauling that Cross up to Calvary.  Three times Jesus fell.  Three times he got up.  Then he died.  What a party the Dark side on that day.  Looked like one big failure for the Kingdom on that day, didn't it?  Well, it was a clever disguise because what looked like utter failure to the Dark Side was actually a strategic play that gave all of us victory over death.

Learn the fine art of failing.  Make failure part of your life.  Your failure today will open doors to something the spectators on the sidelines will never know.  Ready.  Set.  Fail.  Repeat.  Have a great day.  

How Do You Rank Your Priorities?

Consider your top three priorities.  This is probably where you spend most of your time.  Depending on your current situation, you may find yourself modifying the order of these priorities.  I found that what works best for me is keeping the order fixed in all circumstances.  This requires daily discipline.  For me, my top three are God number 1, family number 2, and work number 3.  

What is your top priority?  If you answer work, think about the consequences of this.  Sure, you may get a bigger paycheck or a promotion, but at what cost?  Putting God in a lesser position has consequences.  Should you sacrifice your relationship with God in order to pursue your career, you may lose your way.  Without God in the first position, everything else eventually fails.

What happens when you put family in the first position above God.  Sadly, you are teaching your loved ones to also put God in a lesser position.  Whatever you put in first place becomes your god.  

Make a commitment to put God in first place for the next thirty days of your life and see what happens.  Why not consider making family your second top priority over your work and try this for the next thirty days?  If you see an improvement, make this permanent.  Good luck with your experiment.  Have a great day.

Buckle Up

 Do you sense another storm on the horizon?  I'm not talking about Mother Nature.  This storm is something else.  This is the kind of storm that can wreak havoc on those who aren't ready.  I'm probably a bit more sensitive to the signs than most because of what I've weathered in the past.  Like The Great Barrier Reef, the more pounding you get the stronger you become.  This is a good time to prepare for the challenges ahead.

If you don't have an emergency fund, set one up today.  Stock up on food that won't spoil in storage.  Fund an emergency account.  Pay off your bills.   If the storm should pass quickly, pat yourself on the back for your preparedness and take a deep breath.  Should the bottom fall out, be sure to keep your budget tight until the sun comes out again.  Whatever you do, don't be afraid.  Have a great day.

Forgive Me, I'm a Work in Progress

No books yet.  Sorry.  I feel like a kid who forgot to return my overdue library books and the fine is growing every day I'm late.  As bad as my deadline situation is, I'm not giving up.  Instead, I'm revising the release date.  This is very necessary because both books stink in their present state.  They are not ready for prime time.  I'm letting go of everything and putting these projects in God's hands.  These twins are still growing inside the womb of my mind and the vision of who they are to become is slowly coming in to focus.

There are two foes in my life that are doing everything they can to stop me.  They are powers and principalities.  You may have heard of them.  They are a common enemy to all of us.  I'm learning that these invisible forces have a low tolerance for those of us who know who we are and what our purpose is.  I've been honing my skills for 4,675 days as a blogger.  Before that, my wife and I penned a combined 5,000 love letters to each other.  These daily rituals are similar to learning how to play a musical instrument.  My music has been subpar.  Be thankful you live far away and you don't have to put up with my daily scales unless you happen to be a glutton for punishment.  You can skip my stories any time and I don't blame you.  I tried walking away from my next books because these powers and principalities are getting on my nerves but every time I get the urge to quit, something out of this world snaps me out of my misery.

I'm trying once again to set up a soft target for my books which I plan to release simultaneously.  The idea is to coincide with my own perceived idea of credibility which is now 325 days away.  It's eleven months from now when the window of opportunity opens to help the sick kids at our local children's hospital.  That's where the proceeds from the book sales are headed.  I would like to be able to raise enough funds to make a difference.  Until that happens, please forgive me, I'm a work in progress.  Have a great day.

Poker Chips – How are You Playing Them?

 Life is a poker game.  Somewhere along the way you find your seat at the table surrounded by other players.  Your poker chips are allotted.  This is usually where you can hear rumblings.  Why?  Because the chips seem to be distributed in unequal amounts.  That's another story.  Today I would like to focus on your chips and how you're playing them.  

Like it or not, you're in the game.  Everybody plays.  Everybody.  If you think not playing is a choice, guess again.  Not playing your chips is a choice but it's not the best choice.  Burying your chips in the sand will get you in a lot of trouble.  So will playing your chips when greed creeps in.  It happens.  Criticizing the other players is also in bad taste.  You may be tempted to judge them or gossip about how pathetic their strategy appears.  Avoid the temptation.  

Disclaimer.  I didn't write the rules of the game.  I watch other players and learn from their moves.  Like the woman who came to the table with two chips.  Other players scoffed at her.  She went all in.  A voice from above whispered, "Well played."

The way you play your chips says everything about you.  It's never about what you have or don't have.  What matters is that you show up and you play the game to the best of your ability based on your current understanding.  Sharing your wisdom about the game with others is encouraged.  At some point you may figure out that you win the game by losing.  You win by going all in just like the poor woman who gave it all with her two chips.  That's right.  Your chips represent your time, talent, and your treasure.  Give these chips freely and you win.  Sorry.  You don't get to claim your reward until you die.  Have a great day.

BIAY Catch Up Day Today

 I'm still recovering from my time warp experience a couple of days ago.  It's really easy to get lost especially when you're dealing with the consequences of the aging process.  I'm doing my best to minimize the process through proper nutrition, sleep, exercise and molecule supplements.  Meditation also plays an important role in my life.  I do believe that above all else, a healthy spiritual life is absolutely critical.  It would be foolish to attempt to fix things without consulting an owner's manual.  I have no excuse for not reading the Bible cover to cover but it is better late than never.  I'm thankful I discovered the Bible in a Year podcast.  The daily podcasts are my number one commitment for this year.  I was doing really well until the time warp knocked me down.  

Today is a spiritual recovery day.  It's the first day I feel like I have enough time in the day to work on what's really important.  There are those who argue that the Old Testament isn't really that important because it mainly applies to the Jewish people.  Modern day denominations emphasize the New Testament because that's where Jesus enters the picture.  After spending nearly six months in the Old Testament, I can honestly say that the Old Testament is a big deal.  It's worth exploring, especially if you have a guide to help you navigate.  

How are you doing with your goals for the year?  The half-way point is only a couple of weeks away.  If you're behind like me, don't worry.  You can make the adjustments to get back on course.  Remember why you set those goals in the first place.  Don't give up.  I'm thankful to be almost half-way through the owner's manual.  If you want to understand yourself better and you want to figure out what your purpose is, try the Bible.  Have a great day.

My First Stint at Time Travel

 It's Sunday.  Again.  Two back-to-back Sundays in a row.  If you read yesterday's story, "Time Warp," you already know how I did it.  Before you send me to the asylum, let me explain what happened...

I woke up yesterday at approximately 6am.  My mind and body felt recharged after one of the busiest days I've witnessed at my day job.  It was so busy that I came home thinking it was Saturday.  I wondered about my tennis team and why they hadn't checked in about the district match they were playing in for the state championships in the 18+ age group.  I checked my cell phone one last time for the results before retiring for the evening.  I remember being excited to sleep in the following morning which I believed to be Sunday.  I meditated for close to an hour and then chatted with my wife about my trip to Arizona, still believing it was Sunday.  I didn't discover my mental lapse until 9am when my wife revealed it was Saturday and my shift already started.  

I got dressed and rushed out the door after sending a quick text to let my boss know I was late.  My aunt Helen and I have been playing phone tag.  I decided to give her another try while commuting to my day job.  She got a good laugh about my time travel stint and we talked about a future visit.  Her mother used to tell me, "If I don't see you in the future, I'll see you in the pasture."  

My aunt Marcie on my mother's side of the family quipped that my time travel stint is also known as a "senior moment."  As warped as my brain is, and as much as I enjoy science fiction, I must say that experiencing two back-to-back Sundays in a row is rather amusing.  My wife already knows I'm "out there," especially when I'm meditating with my head phones on every morning before I get out of bed.  She asks me where I've been and I share my out-of-body experiences, usually to distant galaxies, or local places I plan to visit when I'm back in my own carcass.  

Whatever the future may bring, I'm happy to keep sharing my life with you.  Only God knows if time travel may or may not be in my future.  All I can say is today is a glorious Sunday, just like yesterday.  Have a great day.

Time Warp

 Greetings.  You can cancel the missing person alert.  I just returned from a time warp.  Yep.  I was visiting with my wife.  It was a deep conversation.  I shared highlights of my trip to Arizona.  She kept telling me, "You better get going.  You're gonna be late."  I got up to go downstairs and write my story in time for Sunday service when she said, It's 9am, aren't you supposed to be at work."

"It's Sunday," I replied.

The wife is always right, especially today...On Saturday.  I'm at work now.  Yes, a bit late.  I confessed this to my dad's youngest sister, also named Helen.  "What is my penance for being late to work"?  I asked.

Aunt Helen said it's between me and the Lord.  By the way, Sunday is also an exceptional day.  Just wait.  You'll see.  Break's over.  Time to get back to work.  Have a great day.

Seat 32B

 Imagine you won the lottery.  What would you do?  Where would you go?  Where would you live?  Would travel become a big part of your life?  I have a feeling you wouldn't be sitting in the economy section on a no frills flight like me when I was returning home to Iowa yesterday. 

I made my way to my seat and discovered I would be sitting between two people in the last row.  The guy at the window seat had no window.  They don't offer windows in the last row.  The girl in the aisle seat was sporting a mask.  She did everything in her power to keep her distance in our cramped space.  The only time she spoke was to ask me to please lower the arm rest bar.  The only way my feet could fit was to tuck them under my personal bag.  I forced myself to do some intermittent leg raises to keep the circulation going.  The miniature tray table was designed to open just enough to allow for a drink.  I wasn't going to pay $3 for a bottle of water so I left the tray table in the upright position for the duration of the flight.  

The driver in charge of fueling our plane ended up going to the wrong gate causing a thirty minute delay.  One of the flight attendants walked by us and commented how much hotter it was in the back of the plane.  Aisle girl was fanning herself with a magazine to stay cool.  I appreciated her free cross breeze she gifted me.   Windowless guy next to me was already asleep.  Maybe he was a Phoenix native like me because the heat didn't seem to bother him.  As for 32B, only my toes were sleeping under the weight of my travel bag.  

I saw a message from my high school tennis coach who commented about how planes aren't allowed to take off when temps reach 120º.  Memories of that dreadful day on the tarmac at sky harbor when temps hit 120º swirled around like a dust devil.  The baby two rows ahead of us made a strange noise while the mom was burping him.  He spewed.  Good thing the flight attendants were so close that they could respond with the speed of Jimmy John's offering to hold the baby and clean up in aisle 30.  Mom got a free bottle of water for her trouble.  Once the mess was cleaned the door was closed and we departed the Valley of the Sun.

My seat belt was tested at 35,000 feet when we hit turbulence.  The captain announced we would climb another 2,000 feet to stop the turbulence and his plan saved the day.  We landed without incident.  Both passengers got chatty once we were on the ground knowing that their nightmare was about to come to a conclusion.  Once outside I found my freedom.  For those of you in the Valley of the Sun who vacation in San Diego, the feeling I had was like reaching the final mountain top coming in to San Diego when your body senses about a thirty degree temperature drop.  I rolled my windows down and let the 70º breeze flow.  It was good to be home.  Seat 34B is now a memory.  I'm thankful to be home.  I'm also thankful for the time I spent with my mother and some special people in my life.  Have a great day.

One More Funeral Today and Wheels Up

 This is my last day in the Valley of the Sun.  We're saying goodbye to a long-time family friend.  The Heavenly stands seem to be filling up with friends and family.  We are left behind to fill their shoes and do whatever needs to be done to advance what they started.  

I'm headed home at the conclusion of the service.  Thanks,  mom, for hosting me on short notice.  It's been a great visit.  Have a great day.

Chauffeur Assignment Today

 It's time to say goodbye to my Godmother today.  I'm driving my mom to Yuma for her funeral and to offer our condolences to the family.  I'm looking forward to seeing my Godfather and his family.  I'm also looking forward to visiting with my mom on our road trip.  I would like to thank my boss for granting time off to make this possible.  Have a great day.

Day 2 in the Valley of the Sun

 The heat is on.  The high in Phoenix is expected to reach 106° today.  Temps will increase every day while I'm here.  This morning I woke up in my childhood bedroom after a full night of deep sleep.  It's going to be a great day to take a dip in my mom's swimming pool and spend the day chatting with her.

It's funny how visiting your past surroundings stirs up memories.  This morning I'm reflecting on my childhood prayer requests.  There were so many times when my heart was filled with anger because I felt my prayers seemed to vaporize in the summer heat.  With the exception of my best friend who visited yesterday, most people in my life were unaware of my trials.  

My mother, the eternal optimist, reminds me of all the times when my prayers were answered.  That's what I reflected on this morning...answered prayers.  I have some new prayers to add today and I trust they will be answered according to God's will.  My emotions are no longer tied to the response.  What's important is knowing there is a God who loves us.  He hears every prayer.  Today he is waiting to hear from you.  As for me, I won't ask God to cools the temps here in Phoenix but I will ask for help coping when the heat is on here in the valley of the sun.  Have a great day.

The Most Powerful Woman I Know

 She opened the front door at 12:01 am to greet me this morning on 6/6. I said, "happy anniversary."   Mom chuckled. They stopped celebrating when their marriage ended.  Let's just say there were times when dark forces descended upon our family and there were times we all felt we were in some kind of a war zone.  Even the family priest stopped visiting.  That didn’t stop mom from loving her six children.  She never ceased praying for us.  Her power strengthened as she grew closer to Jesus.

I have the pleasure of spending four days with the most powerful woman I know.  We are attending two funerals together before I return home.  I get the honor of being mom's chauffeur on the three hour drive to Yuma for an important funeral, my Godmother.  My parents chose their closest friends to be my Godparents.  It will be good to see my Godfather in the flesh and thank him for getting me started in my faith.

If you ever get the opportunity to meet my mother, do not be deceived by her slow steps or her quiet ways.  This woman wields great power.  I know the source of this power.  It is the same power that can make a lame man walk, a blind man see, and a dead man rise from the dead.  It is also a power that can forgive an ex who left the battlefield when the heat was on.  Forgiveness.  This is a supernatural gift.  I understand it's power.  I learned it first-hand from the most powerful woman I know.  This will be an amazing four days.  Have a great day.

Wheels Up Tonight

 The first funeral I attended was for my great grandmother on my mother's side.  In those days they dropped the casket into the ground while the crowd watched.  I suppose that's okay unless you happen to have a wailer in the family like we did for "Abuelita" meaning little grandmother.  My great aunt howled like no other while the casket descended before our teary eyes.  The memory of that first funeral haunted me for most of my childhood.  My perspective about funerals has changed since that first episode.

Funerals are meant to celebrate a life well-lived.  It's a time to comfort the families who are dealing with loss.  It's also a time to reflect on the work we need to do before we are laid to rest.  For believers, it's a time to dwell on what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross breaking the chokehold that death once had on all of us.  Death is no longer the final chapter.  I imagine all the people who have passed ascending on an escalator to heaven, their bodies now free of their earthly ailments.  I see my abuelita dancing with angels while trumpets blast giving glory to God.  The heavenly stands are filling up.  These folks are cheering for us to complete our mission so we can reunite when it's our turn to get called up.  Wheels up.  It's time to celebrate two lives in the state where I grew up.  I'll see you soon, mom.  Have a great day.

The List

 The first big list you probably found out about was Santa's list.  He was checking it twice to see if you were naughty or nice.  Nice meant you got the rewards on Christmas day.  Naughty meant nothing.  My Godmother maintained her own list.  My mom found out during the final conversation with Ann Marie Daniel that her name was on Ann's list.  This list was like gold because it meant Ann was praying daily, even while Ann was dealing with her own struggle with leukemia for the last ten years of her amazing life.  

Jesus also has a list of names.  These are the people who know his voice and follow him.  He will leave 99 people on the list in search of you, the lost one, so he can claim you.  If you listen carefully, you may hear Jesus calling you, especially in times of distress.  Those of us who are part of the 99 who are already on the list are tasked with sharing how good it is to be on the list.  

I'm heading to Arizona tomorrow night after my shift ends at my day job.  I'm going to pay my respects to my Godmother and her family.  Before I return home, I'm going to a second funeral for another family friend who helped us in our time of need.  I know deep within my own heart that these two faithful servants are on the list.  Jesus called them and now they are home.  

I want to assure you that no matter where you are right now you can be added to the list simply by asking Jesus to add you.  Add your name today and do everything in your power to share how good it is to be on the list with others who may not know Jesus.  Have a great day.

This is Not the Time to Fold 'Em

 I've been staring at my cards a long time.  Many in my age group have already folded them.  Well, I can say with 100% certainty that this is NOT the time to fold them.  Something in my gut tells me it's not your time either.  You wouldn't be visiting here if you were the folding type.  Sure, there are all kinds of reasons to doubt what I'm saying.  The world is truly upside down.  In my opinion, it's going to get much worse before we see the light.  If this is so, why not fold 'em?

The world needs players who are willing to stay in the game.  Our job today is to inspire others to play their hands.  The cards you are holding are meant for you and only you.  If you fold, the world loses something that is unique to you.  The world needs your contribution.

Something really odd happened yesterday at my day job.  A nurse came in to join near the end of my shift.  She told me she works in oncology at the local hospital.  Her eyes welled up when I told her about our fund raising efforts for the sick kids and offered a picture of our local champion, Nile.  I told her my Godmother passed away a few days ago.  My Godmother battled leukemia for ten years refusing to fold her cards.  The nurse shared that her nephew was diagnosed with leukemia and he is still fighting.  While she was signing up one of her nurse friends walked up.  A few minutes later, a mutual patient joined the conversation.  The nurse seemed shocked that all of this was happening right before our eyes.  Once everything calmed down the nurse joined our family and became a member just in time for my shift to come to a conclusion.  The last thing she said to me was that she would pray I could get time off next week to attend my Godmother's funeral in Yuma, Arizona.  My cards don't look too good for this to happen.  All I can say is I'm not folding 'em.  God dealt me these cards and I'm playing them.  Have a great day.

Beautiful Day Ahead

 Today is the kind of day I long for when there's a foot of snow on the ground and the winds are howling.  The temperature is just right and the light breeze is the cherry on top.  I'm headed to my day job thankful for my surroundings.  The grass is about as green it gets and the skies are the perfect shade of blue.  I would like to thank my friends and family for all the prayers for my Godmother.  Maybe she gave Mother Nature her elbow and asked her to be nice today while loved ones mourn her loss.  It was my own mother who nudged me to call my Godmother.  I heeded mom's advice just in time.  Have a great day.

The Executive Producer, The Fireflies, and the Actors

Long before the actors arrived there was an executive producer and  countless fireflies.  Life was good.  The executive producer shared an idea for a new script where the fireflies would play a supporting role on a massive stage about 46 billion light years across.  One of the fireflies rebelled against the idea and convinced  others to bail out.  This didn't stop the executive producer from bringing the script to life so he got busy and built a new stage out of nothing.  Something out of nothing is very possible when you are the executive producer.  He even created his own actors.  The executive producer started with a solo guy but the actor needed a co-star in order to feel fulfilled so the executive producer created the perfect actress to join the actor.  The first production was some sort of a documentary.  The actors were free to ad lib their lines as long as they stayed within certain boundaries.

One day a mosquito arrived on set.  He was a disgruntled firefly who lost his way and transformed into a mosquito once he turned down the role of supporting cast.  The mosquito's downfall was worse than that of a heroine addict.  No longer a shining star, he decided to mess with the new actors, often tempting them to rebel against the script.  One day the actors on the set violated the roles and found themselves stung by this pesky mosquito.  The executive producer discovered what happened and shut down the production casting the actors away.

The actors lost their way and found themselves prisoners of the mosquitos.  They were nothing without an executive producer to guide them and nurture their talents so they wandered around aimlessly.  The wayward actors started a family.  They soon discovered they weren't living up to their potential without a great script to follow.  The mosquitos taunted them daily.  The executive producer loved his actors and devised a plan to rescue them.  

Several other actors showed up.  They were more like visionaries.  Gabe chatted with a young girl from a poor neighborhood about an idea the executive producer had for her.  The role seemed less than desirable but Gabe said she was perfect and the executive producer believed she could be a game changer.  She said yes.  Her son was born nine months later.  I can't explain how it happened but this girl's son was actually the son of the executive producer.  It seemed scandalous but it was necessary for the son to live in obscurity to keep the mosquito in the dark.  There was a group of actors who were part of the guild that had been groomed for generations to play a major role once the perfect actor was ready for his role.  The actors knew from people like Jerry and Zeke, who were also visionaries like Gabe, that everything would change when a certain actor showed up.  The disguise was perfect.  No one knew that this actor was going to change everything.  

The mosquitos figured out who the new guy was and they set out to kill him.  Little did they know, this is exactly what the young actor wanted.  This actor was sent by the executive producer to make things right.  The mosquitos needed to lose their sting and stop pestering all the other actors.  So, the young actor had the mosquitos right where he wanted them.  They inspired all the other actors to crucify him and they did exactly what the actor desired.  At the moment of death the mosquitos recognized something special about the actor.  He had a special power.  This power is over death, a favorite weapon of the mosquitos.  When the actor said, "It's finished," what he was really declaring for everyone to hear was that the executive producer's script was done.  All the actors were suddenly free at last to someday meet the executive producer.  Jesus himself was going to return from the dead on the third day.  Death lost its sting.  The mosquitos would soon be confined to the swamplands forever once the actor who rose from the dead returned for a final curtain call.  The end.  Have a great day.