June 30th, 2009
I’ve been using the same ballpoint pen for months now. It has simply become the first one I grab not because I’m attached to it, necessarily but because it is there and easy to get to. However, the other day it started to stop writing. I would be in the middle of a letter and there was no ink in the impression that was being left. I licked it, scribble on a scrap piece of paper and tried to write on the rubber on my shoe to “break loose” the ball. Ah, there it is, now that is more like it.
Uh oh, it is writing again. More scribbles and a few more lines of ink. This kept up for more than a week! Finally, I looked to see how full the ink was and there was plenty. So, I kept at it some more. Then it dawned on me; I have more pens, I don’t have to keep being frustrated with one that works sporadically!
That revelation was followed by another related to my spiritual life. Why do I put up with my familiar, sometimes broken way of dealing with life and circumstances? Those thoughts caused me to remember the riches of grace and how my Father owns the cattle on a 1000 hills. He also has provided life in abundance and everything I need for life and godliness. I don’t need to settle or get into same old ruts because God’s mercies are new every morning. What a great reminder. Now where did I put my new pen…
Tags: life, new, old, spirit
Posted in God, Jesus, accountability, change, christianity, life, prayer | No Comments »
June 8th, 2009
We are so glad summer is here. Everyone wants to stay up late, get up late and go to the pool.
Last summer we we noticed something peculiar about our pool visits and it eerily occurred again this year. Upon arrival we sign in, find a spot to stack our stuff, don goggles and other pool gear then jump in. However, before we can get acclimated to the water the whistle blows and it is time for a life guard break! What is crazy is that the breaks occur at 10 till the top of the hour and like clock work we seem to arrive at 20 till. This seems to happen 9 out of 10 visits!
Now, I guess we’ll have to plan better or just wait to leave for the pool more strategically. Sometimes that is life; the timing is unexplainable. Things happen and plans change so then you deal with it from that point on. You might try to find God’s sense of timing in it. There several Greek words for time used in the Bible. Two of them are: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to time in a more general way while kairos refers to a specific period of time. Maybe God has something specific for us/you at a specific time… What is God up to in your life? your family’s life? Do you find yourself in circumstances that seem a little out of the ordinary or with a sense of timing that grabs your attention. Explore it.
I will be thinking differently now before and during my swim.
Tags: Add new tag, God, kids, life
Posted in family, fun, kids, life, random | No Comments »
May 28th, 2009
I read a little of everything in just about any form. The other day on a candy wrapper I read the phrase, “Eat breakfast for dinner.”
As a family we have breakfast for dinner every so often, usually on a weekend when us adults are tired and breakfast seems easy.
But what about dinner for breakfast? I could only think of pizza really but what else…?
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May 20th, 2009
I just returned from a great conference called Catalyst One Day. It was a great time spent listening to 2 church leaders, Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel, talk about momentum as it pertains to church and personal spirituality. In the midst of all of the points and illustrations I would catch myself watching the people in the audience during the sessions and at the breaks.
A couple of rows in front of me a guy is shopping for wireless microphones or something similar. Over and to the left a couple of seats is a guy checking email. In the middle of one of the talks in walks a guy with a bag full of books from the conference bookstore. I guess he didn’t want to wait in line. On top of that they have twitter up and running so I couldn’t tell if people were texting other people or trying to get a question to Andy or Craig.
One of the funniest moments was when I thought I needed a little sunshine and stepped out during one of the breaks. I barely made it outside the door before being in another group of people all talking on their wireless devices. It reminded me of someone taking a break to get a quick drag on their cigarette before heading back indoors.
We left with a parting object lesson about couches. You know, the ugly, 20+ year old couch that is in someone’s house because it has so many great memories associated with it. It was then brought full circle to the ministry arena, what are our “couches” ugly, faded, not working programs…? Get ready for change.
Posted in application, change, church | 1 Comment »
April 20th, 2009
That is the cry of every parent who has a middle schooler (and beyond) taking math. How many careless errors would be caught if they would just check their multiplication or subtraction one more time? Surely they would see 204-39 doesn’t equal 175! Is it just a fact of life that we don’t and we won’t? Oh, for one test that reflects some progress in this area…
Don’t quit! Keep up the good work parents. We may be missing an important skill if we don’t constantly remind our children and ourselves to “check your work.” It is the skill of evaluation. It is the way we improve our skills and produce excellence (why do there have to be some many bad tests to learn this principle, I don’t know).
Next time you’re nagging your child to double check and recheck remember why and take a look at how you’ve been doing. Hear yourself say to your children “check your work” and do so, too, in fact let them “catch” you checking your work.
Paul was able to say something like, I’ve run the race and not been disqualified… and that comes from the discipline of evaluating. Confession might follow which is like test corrections but that is another topic.
Tags: evaluation, homework, parenting, school
Posted in conscience, disciplines, habits, kids, parenting, responsibility | No Comments »
April 6th, 2009
One of the things I like about the spring time are the many colors. Often it is the simple shades of a color that cause me to stare in wonder. Recently I was stopped at a red light and looked down the street…There were the greens of pines and other evergreens but then there were all of these shades of green that seemed to brighten up the air.
As these new leaves begin to show, the shade is just the lightest green. I noticed the oaks, ash, pears, some sweet gums and hickories too.
You can really get a good look if you are driving on one of the overpasses near Houston just be sure not to look too long.
Tags: Spring
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February 18th, 2009
I was driving to work or back home or somewhere important like that and for some reason I glanced at my windshield stickers. I checked the oil change, good to go. Then, I saw the inspection sticker, uh-oh! It had a big 1 and 09 on it and it was already 2/09.
For some reason I didn’t have time or didn’t make the time for about 2 days and that was all I could take. Every time I got on the road I found myself looking left and right, checking my mirrors and looking around at stop lights for a constable. I deliberately did everything right for those few days…complete stops at stop signs, followed the speed limit to the mph (even in school zones), signaled every lane change and had my seat belt buckled before the wheels touched a street. The dread that I felt when I saw a constable hundreds of yards away was incredibly heavy and foreboding. I even chose routes that I thought would take me on streets least likely to encounter the authority. I felt a little “safer” during the dark hours but that’s not saying much.
One afternoon I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw the silhouette of lights on the roof of a cruiser and my shoulders immediately tensed up. I maintained the 35mph of the zone and stopped at the stop sign as he rolled up behind me. (A bead of sweat dripped down my forehead, I’m sure.) Pulling away I stuck the needle on 35mph again drove the mile to my turn and glanced back…whew, he went straight.
When I finally got the inspection done and sticker on, i found freedom again. I actually re-enjoyed driving. Since then, I’ve been looking for extra errands to run. I still observe stop signs and maintain the appropriate speeds but now there is no need to look over my shoulder or check my surroundings. Freedom.
Doing the right thing has its privileges and freedom is one of them. Aren’t we all looking for that sense of freedom? It is different from the thought that says we are free to do whatever we want and whatever feels good. God set up some rules and limits, and He “says” righteousness remains the most freeing. Then, you also won’t have to dread it when you see God coming. Within those “posted signs” joy can be found, no sneaking around.
Tags: cars, driving, God
Posted in God, accountability, conscience, freedom, life, responsibility, sin | No Comments »
February 2nd, 2009
I recently heard that Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest day of food consumption behind Thanksgiving! We eat and eat and eat. The holiday 10 becomes the broken resolution 20 and on we go. I also heard that more avocados are consumed on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year. I had some last night…
What else?
I had meat balls, wings, lil smokies, queso, 7 layer dip, rice krispy treats, blond brownies and white chocolate popcorn, cereal M&M mix that was incredible. Oh and a few veggies, too.
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January 26th, 2009
I was reflecting on the day late last night and it dawned on me, it has been a month since Christmas. Wow, I know time flies but come on, that was fast. Those thoughts made me inventory my life since Christmas and specifically the impact of Christmas.
I still have a couple of gift cards left, I’ve used a couple of the gifts, eaten the candy and worn some articles of clothing but what about Jesus’ entry into our world. Am I already back into the same old rut and daily pattern?
I definitely sensed a “nearness” throughout the holidays. It was in the songs, sermons and devotionals. Family and friends made great memories, too. However, the focus that led up to December 25 was replaced with a focus on new tasks and due dates. I needed that reminder last night to celebrate Jesus is here! Don’t miss it no matter how great and thoughtful the gifts were or what’s next on your calendar. What lasts beyond the big day is Jesus…everyday.
Tags: christmas, focus, Jesus
Posted in Christmas, Jesus, family, focus, life | No Comments »
January 19th, 2009
…stopped at a business because it has an inflatable ”thingy” outside? I was driving down the road and saw one very tired looking “dancing man” type attention getter and wondered who would stop by that complex because of the gimmick. I know attention is the first step but if I’m driving around looking for a good deal on _________, does a 2 story gorilla make me want to spend my money there? I might question the wise use of the budget to rent a giant T-rex…
Tags: advertising, shopping
Posted in random, trivial | No Comments »