Most of us, myself included, are looking back at these last twelve months and we are happy to see this year coming to a conclusion. If you have been struggling, you are not alone.
Although, I did not get the courage to come out of my cave until the 4th quarter of this year, it was the trials throughout this year and in past years that prepared me to finally start this blog and publish "all the good that Jesus is doing for me". Without the trials, this blog may have never been started. Without this long season of Winter, there would not be such a high expectation for a brilliant Spring that is just ahead.
I thank the Holy Spirit for being there every day to guide me on this incredible journey. It was my prayer to the Holy Spirit that led to my personal encounter with Jesus. He inspired me to leave the cave and begin this blog which is now a life-time commitment.
I rejoice that my boat did not sink in this long season of winter. I see the light of Spring that is now just ahead. My role here is to encourage all of you to keep sailing towards the season of Spring. Let's stay in the boat together and share our individual gifts so that not a single one of us drowns. With Jesus as the captain of the ship, we will reach calm waters. That is not my promise, but His promise. I am just the messenger.
For me, the theme for 2010 is "HOPE". I choose to look at this world through God's eyes and not my own. I see these last hurdles in my life as opportunities to develop strong muscles so that I can jump higher than ever and run longer than I ever thought possible. Yes, I have fallen many times but I have chosen to get up every time. If you find yourself on the ground and struggling for the courage to stand again, I extend my hand to you and ask you to get up.
All of us have much work to do in the year ahead. If you bookmark this site, I promise you that I will do everything possible to help you on your journey. Yes, there will always be hurdles, but there will also be opportunities for all of us to find the courage and strength to jump over them and cross the finish line. Let's bring on the New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Quiet Time
I got a new cell phone for Christmas so that I can access my work email while I am away from home and the office. While it makes customer service better, it can also increase the workload throughout the day. The younger generation can text on their phones with two thumbs faster than some of us can on a full key board. I will have to practice in order to speed up the process of typing on a cell phone.
I love all the new technology that is in our world today but sometimes I wonder if the fast pace of this world is good for us. I have decided to block out time each day to just be quiet. I do this in church but that is only once a week and only for about ten minutes.
As the new year approaches, take some time out of your busy day and meditate. Let your brain have some quiet time. I am going to start with 15 minutes a day. Good luck preparing for the new year.
I love all the new technology that is in our world today but sometimes I wonder if the fast pace of this world is good for us. I have decided to block out time each day to just be quiet. I do this in church but that is only once a week and only for about ten minutes.
As the new year approaches, take some time out of your busy day and meditate. Let your brain have some quiet time. I am going to start with 15 minutes a day. Good luck preparing for the new year.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Preparing for the New Year
The new year officially begins on Friday. Most of us will make a list of resolutions and break them before the long weekend ends. It takes hard work and discipline to stick to our goals.
For me, picturing the end result really helps to keep me motivated. The vision boards that my wife and I look at each day also help. Some of our goals will take all year to accomplish. We both have agreed that we need to stay focused each day. We encourage one another to do our best and keep going.
It is better to focus on one or two big goals than to spread yourself too thin. You can always add more goals later once you are having success with your current goals.
Surround yourself with people who will help you remain accountable and take it one day at a time. We are entering a new decade. This can be the beginning of a new life. Go for it!
For me, picturing the end result really helps to keep me motivated. The vision boards that my wife and I look at each day also help. Some of our goals will take all year to accomplish. We both have agreed that we need to stay focused each day. We encourage one another to do our best and keep going.
It is better to focus on one or two big goals than to spread yourself too thin. You can always add more goals later once you are having success with your current goals.
Surround yourself with people who will help you remain accountable and take it one day at a time. We are entering a new decade. This can be the beginning of a new life. Go for it!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Love Letters
If you are interested in a way to stay close to the one you love, give this a try. Why not make it a New Year's Resolution?
Here is how it works:
Purchase a couple of spiral notebooks, one for each of you. In the morning, agree on a topic that interests both of you. For example, on Dec. 31st, the topic can be "how do I feel about the new year ahead?" We usually keep our letters to one page each and the topic changes every day.
There are no "right" or "wrong" feelings and this is not the time to complain about the other, just express what is in your heart.
The Holidays can be stressful and the ones you love may not be getting the attention they deserve. This is the perfect time to improve. It may be one of the best choices I have made and this is now a life-long commitment.
When we are both gone from this world, we plan to leave these special letters for our children so they can know what we were feeling as we were raising them. If you decide to commit to writing love letters, your relationship with your loved one will reach new levels and you will both appreciate each other even more. Have a great day.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Wise Men
Even though the Christmas music has stopped, there is still one big step left during the season of Christmas. The three wise men are following the star and we will celebrate their arrival in the first week of January.
The message for us is that we are to follow in the steps of the wise men and find Jesus. We may not have a star to follow but we have the prophets, the saints, the Bible and church leaders to help us on our journey. We also have the community of believers.
Jesus is getting harder to find in our society. In an attempt to be politically correct and appease those who may have different beliefs, Jesus has been eliminated from many places.
Make sure that the people around you can find Jesus. May you be the light that shines His light for our world to see.
The message for us is that we are to follow in the steps of the wise men and find Jesus. We may not have a star to follow but we have the prophets, the saints, the Bible and church leaders to help us on our journey. We also have the community of believers.
Jesus is getting harder to find in our society. In an attempt to be politically correct and appease those who may have different beliefs, Jesus has been eliminated from many places.
Make sure that the people around you can find Jesus. May you be the light that shines His light for our world to see.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Beach
My favorite place on the planet is the beach. When I was young, my family visited San Diego every summer. The cool ocean breeze felt so good after traveling almost 400 miles in our VW van and crossing the hot desert.
I remember looking out the window and longing to see the ocean. Many times I thought I could see the water, but the mirages would soon disappear. Once we made it over the final set of mountains, the air cooled and we all knew we were finally out of the desert. Soon we would be building sand castles and playing with our cousins as we listened to the ocean waves roar while the birds sang joyfully.
A couple of nights ago, we were driving through our neighborhood at night and I noticed that many of the homes were dark. It made me think of the time I was driving through the desert with my family on our way to our summer vacation at the beach. Christmas was just hours away and I could not wait for the day to arrive but so many homes were dark and desolate.
It is no fun being in the desert. I am sure that many of these families just didn't feel like celebrating or maybe they needed to conserve on their electric bills. I have never seen so many homes dark during Christmas.
For those of us that are lost in the desert, we need to remember that Jesus came to help us find our way out. If we are in darkness, He is the One who will light up our world. His birthday yesterday is just the beginning for all of us.
Just like the beach that always seemed so far away when we were crossing the desert, our bright future may only look like a mirage. Our Savior promises that what is ahead is not a mirage. He promises us eternal life. We may have to cross the desert to get there but there is a Heavenly beach that has been prepared for all us, including the ones who are in the darkness right now. Lets promise to share this good news with those around us who have their lights off...
I remember looking out the window and longing to see the ocean. Many times I thought I could see the water, but the mirages would soon disappear. Once we made it over the final set of mountains, the air cooled and we all knew we were finally out of the desert. Soon we would be building sand castles and playing with our cousins as we listened to the ocean waves roar while the birds sang joyfully.
A couple of nights ago, we were driving through our neighborhood at night and I noticed that many of the homes were dark. It made me think of the time I was driving through the desert with my family on our way to our summer vacation at the beach. Christmas was just hours away and I could not wait for the day to arrive but so many homes were dark and desolate.
It is no fun being in the desert. I am sure that many of these families just didn't feel like celebrating or maybe they needed to conserve on their electric bills. I have never seen so many homes dark during Christmas.
For those of us that are lost in the desert, we need to remember that Jesus came to help us find our way out. If we are in darkness, He is the One who will light up our world. His birthday yesterday is just the beginning for all of us.
Just like the beach that always seemed so far away when we were crossing the desert, our bright future may only look like a mirage. Our Savior promises that what is ahead is not a mirage. He promises us eternal life. We may have to cross the desert to get there but there is a Heavenly beach that has been prepared for all us, including the ones who are in the darkness right now. Lets promise to share this good news with those around us who have their lights off...
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas from My Family to Yours
Merry Christmas from the Mulligans!
Linus from Charlie Brown does a great job explaining what this day is all about in the video below. Make sure you take a moment to wish our Savior a happy birthday.
I want to thank my wife and three children for all the support they have given me on this blog and for their permission to post this family photo. Although I have been out of the cave for several months, it is important to respect the privacy of my loved ones and I promise that I will never share a story without first getting permission.
All of us wish you a Merry Christmas. May your life be abundantly blessed.
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