tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51817780187365618052024-02-07T01:35:53.180-05:00What's Shakin'?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.comBlogger292125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-63232661126812087302015-08-06T18:14:00.002-04:002015-08-06T18:15:29.104-04:00Baptism: Obedience Has its Rewards<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nFLNq58HfNDQN4JjeNDpd1q3pqC2mxw8uqUjhGagtq9oau37HaHanClVwAqTWmZrVKEpat0b7VQQYKKwlQZ2fEI5S2Sl_HEHXnHxvlefAuocCUTcYXm81X9-TPHOfllqEyOzR4_Tt4c/s1600/water-wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nFLNq58HfNDQN4JjeNDpd1q3pqC2mxw8uqUjhGagtq9oau37HaHanClVwAqTWmZrVKEpat0b7VQQYKKwlQZ2fEI5S2Sl_HEHXnHxvlefAuocCUTcYXm81X9-TPHOfllqEyOzR4_Tt4c/s640/water-wave.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">February 2004: It was
a Friday afternoon. I was just doing work in my office, when BAM! – the Lord
threw something on me like a ton of bricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no escaping this time.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let’s rewind the clock to 1993, when I began dating Amy –
who is now my wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She attended a local
Baptist church, and I started to go with her on Sundays when I was home from
college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only been in a Baptist
church a few times before (I grew up going to United Methodist churches), and
some of the ways they did things was foreign – and even a little bit
uncomfortable – to me. One of those was baptism.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This church really made a big deal about baptisms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor would put on a white robe, and he
would get inside this fancy glass baptistery, and he would dunk fully-clothed
people in the water. I mean, I knew what baptism was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just wasn’t the way I was accustomed to
seeing baptism performed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was sprinkled. My parents essentially dedicated me to the
Lord when I was two or three years old, and in the United Methodist church,
infants are sprinkled over the head with a cupped handful of water when they
are baptized. That is the baptism I experienced.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, when I saw fully clothed adults being dunked, and the
crowds really cheering, it seemed rather unusual to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not in a bad way…just in a different
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me uncomfortable. In fact,
I can remember shifting in my seat, then doing my best to avoid the topic.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When Amy and I were married, we began to look for a church
home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had heard about this great
church called “NorthStar” that had just started, and so in March of 1997 we
began attending. As we attended more and more over the years, I began to notice
that baptism was a pretty important part of this church’s culture as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard about baptism frequently – and the
pastors – Dr. Ike Reighard and Mike Linch – were always mentioning it. Once
again, I really didn’t want to think about it. “I’m good,” I kept telling
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have been baptized.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And, I continued to tell myself those same things until that
fateful day in 2004, when the Lord laid it on thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember looking out the window of my
office, and I suddenly felt a burden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
felt like a thousand pounds were on my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, the Lord spoke to my heart: “You need to be baptized.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The following Sunday night, I was baptized along with about
25-30 other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were probably
50-60 people in attendance that night to support those of us who were being
dunked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recall being lowered into the
water as I heard the words, “Buried with Christ in his death…” And, when I came
up out of the water, I heard the words, “Raised to walk in newness of life,”
followed by the loudest, most raucous cheers I have ever heard. And guess
what…that heavy burden I carried had vanished!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the years since, the Lord has done quite a remarkable
work – not just in me, but through me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have had the privilege of baptizing my two kids, my parents, friends, and my
kids’ friends. By obediently following my heart and the Lord’s prompting, He
freed me, in turn, to be a blessing to countless others.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Maybe you have struggled with the decision of baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here to tell you: don’t fight it – just
follow your heart and let the Lord work in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward
decision to give your life to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a pretty big deal, but it’s in your hands to follow through with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll be shocked to see how much
your story will impact others!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-13145640454324087872015-07-14T16:39:00.003-04:002015-07-14T16:41:24.621-04:00Addition by Subtraction<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For years, I played the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A game where legends are born. Men’s Open
League Softball.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I began my career playing for my then-girlfriend’s church
team. I was the “young stud” at 19 years of age, and I played a pretty amazing
shortstop if I must say so myself. That season in 1993 would be the first of
many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ultimately would put my own team
together, managing and playing for nearly a decade. I was even out on the field
just a few days after my first child was born. I would play through root canals
and kidney stones and gout (yes – I was in my 20’s!).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB3lksxGnLPHfqFYodRkdZ42vv6zbCHpaUVsAI8zTebo7gQFxoEPvdO20fPkoXWomv5cp9ZzwN8QZyBAy8vcSgJd0m8L1LBqK1yRgh6Mj9NOmol-rX_kEd9T3r4b0PHrS2JRisUiP8Ts/s1600/add_sub.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB3lksxGnLPHfqFYodRkdZ42vv6zbCHpaUVsAI8zTebo7gQFxoEPvdO20fPkoXWomv5cp9ZzwN8QZyBAy8vcSgJd0m8L1LBqK1yRgh6Mj9NOmol-rX_kEd9T3r4b0PHrS2JRisUiP8Ts/s200/add_sub.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, one day, my son turned five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it was his turn to play, and I would
hang up my cleats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can remember my
wife and me talking about the fact that I was not playing softball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie with
the other families who attended the games, as did I. This was something that
had been a part of our lives for many years, and it was tough to put it aside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can recall discussions about figuring out schedules so I
could still coach my son, while still managing the softball team and continuing
to play through the spring and summer. But, the more I considered how that
would impact our schedule, the less interested I became in trying to make it
work. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was certainly the right decision for our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a five year old now playing baseball,
and with me coaching, along with an almost two-year old son in the picture, we
didn’t need to add anything to our plate. Not without subtracting something
else. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All too often, I see families who compromise themselves by
continuing to pile on the activities and the commitments, while never
eliminating something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just
pull out the proverbial shoe horn and wedge it in. At the same time, they
convince themselves that the sacrifice is worth it because “it’s for the kids.”
And, while little Johnny may now be on the elite travel team, and sister Jenny
is now a concert pianist at age 8, the family dynamic is disjointed and chaotic.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You see, sometimes good things (like softball) need to be
removed so that better things (like my son playing baseball) don’t get
slighted. Perhaps for you it’s a hobby that you truly love that is causing you
to miss out on quality time with your spouse or kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you have allowed your kids’ activities
to crowd out things like participating in a small group Bible study. Or, the
occasional “girls night out” has evolved into a weekly gathering that pulls you
away from those who love you the most.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, there is some great news! You hold the key to changing
things and aligning your heart’s priorities with your life’s activities. It
will take some adjusting and maybe some difficult conversations. But, in the
end, you’ll win – and so will your family.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-77722433437285344052015-07-06T14:49:00.001-04:002015-07-06T15:03:45.591-04:00Humility Doesn't Need to be Humiliating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT01Tchsh4fhEmRPm0dLdiawAHSdVVzYf7lqVIt-NKtSjGRleDenjzCHKpVo1nJ-sEj7PGaDayEwoXIwBhhCRcQ-SLadzrl7haFTeDiorenIO6ybGYAjc3fIn5ZITP0pv9_WRnP5XzEA/s1600/humility1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT01Tchsh4fhEmRPm0dLdiawAHSdVVzYf7lqVIt-NKtSjGRleDenjzCHKpVo1nJ-sEj7PGaDayEwoXIwBhhCRcQ-SLadzrl7haFTeDiorenIO6ybGYAjc3fIn5ZITP0pv9_WRnP5XzEA/s640/humility1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's a quality we all want to possess, but generally we don't want to live through the circumstances that aid us in acquiring it. Humility.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dictionary.com defines humility as <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">a "modest</span> <span class="oneClick-link">opinion</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link">estimate</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">one's</span> <span class="oneClick-link">own</span> <span class="oneClick-link">importance,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">rank,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">etc." Its most direct opposite is pride.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link">It's a Catch 22 with humility. If you believe you are humble, generally you are not. If your life is truly marked by humility, you likely are not even thinking about yourself. You are considering others first.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link">But, this doesn't just happen on its own. Many times devastating, life-altering circumstances are what lead one to become humble in nature. Perhaps a health issue. A job loss. A broken relationship. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link">Sometimes, even good things can stand in the way of God's best for us. The great Charles Swindoll once referred to these good things in our lives as "crutches" that hold us up artificially. And, like only God can, He can kick these crutches out from under us so that the only way we can keep from falling is to lean on Him, and Him only. This brings about the humility God wants so desperately for our lives to flourish.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link">The Bible talks an awful lot about humility, so it must be pretty important. Here's just a small sampling of these scriptures:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="bible-item-title-wrap"> </span></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>True <b>humility</b> and fear of the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> lead to riches, honor, and long life. Proverbs 22:4 (NLT)<br /> </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Pride leads to disgrace, but with <b>humility</b> comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Haughtiness goes before destruction; <b>humility</b> precedes honor. Proverbs 18:12 (NLT)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the <b>humility</b> that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 (NLT)</i></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="bible-item-text">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="bible-item-text">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Often, when bad things in life come our way, we tend to live in humiliation rather than in humility. A close synonym for humiliation is shame. We live in shame, punishing ourselves, rather than allowing ourselves to give it over to the Lord. This is not what God wants. He desires humility, not humiliation. Meekness, not shame. Modesty, not degradation.</span></div>
<div class="bible-item-text">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="bible-item-text">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I cannot emphasize enough that humility is a process. It will not happen in an instant...but, in an instant, our lives can certainly be transformed from a life marked by pride and selfishness to one that begins to gravitate toward living how Jesus lived.</span></div>
<div class="bible-item-text">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="bible-item-text">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Phil-2-3" id="en-NIV-29395">Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,</span> <span class="text Phil-2-4" id="en-NIV-29396"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Phil-2-5" id="en-NIV-29397"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:</span></i></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-05">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Phil-2-6" id="en-NIV-29398">Who, being in very nature God, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Phil-2-6">did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;</span></span><span class="text Phil-2-7" id="en-NIV-29399"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>rather, he made himself nothing </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Phil-2-7">by taking the very nature of a servant,</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Phil-2-7">being made in human likeness<sup>. </sup></span></span><span class="text Phil-2-8" id="en-NIV-29400">And being found in appearance as a man,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Phil-2-8">he humbled himself</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Phil-2-8">by becoming obedient to death—</span></span><span class="indent-2"><span class="indent-2-breaks"> </span><span class="text Phil-2-8">even death on a cross! <b>Philippians 2:3-8</b> (NIV)</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span class="indent-2"><span class="text Phil-2-8"><br /></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="indent-2"><span class="text Phil-2-8">Don't set a goal of becoming more humble. It won't happen. Instead, try to live your life in such a way that others can see God at work in and through you. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="indent-2"><span class="text Phil-2-8"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="indent-2"><span class="text Phil-2-8">Brokenness leads to humility, and humility leads to riches, honor, and life (Prov. 22:4). Who doesn't want that trade-off?</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="bible-item-text">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-16095204825693392992015-06-24T17:29:00.001-04:002015-06-24T22:59:49.719-04:00Get Out of Cruise Control, then Hand Over the Keys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblCOmkfusowfL-hBv-hWYYmfT5AXfkYFXA1XgRJTdYdbVhkmCCDXcRbQpFfQSMLsGLtiYgVoa0XxCg2J8CXyIWiTQ3rC6uu2RMYB9516R_As1_l-Ul_VF__O8hWaTJRQ0TVHFEuaGu9M/s1600/handing-over-car-keys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblCOmkfusowfL-hBv-hWYYmfT5AXfkYFXA1XgRJTdYdbVhkmCCDXcRbQpFfQSMLsGLtiYgVoa0XxCg2J8CXyIWiTQ3rC6uu2RMYB9516R_As1_l-Ul_VF__O8hWaTJRQ0TVHFEuaGu9M/s200/handing-over-car-keys.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When things are going well in our lives - when we are on cruise control be-bopping down the highway of life - we really become self-sufficient. I mean, even if you are a Christian who follows the Lord, surely you struggle with really hungering and thirsting for God when all the stars are aligned in your world. I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I believe we have this tendency to use the same routine or formula that has been working for us, day in, day out. After all...it is working. Why change things up?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, we go about our lives, and because we love God, and we know He loves us, we sprinkle a little bit of Jesus here and there in the equation...just for good measure. We think, "Things are peachy. I love my life. And, because I am a good Christian, I am going to give a shout-out to Jesus every now and then and make sure he's with me on this ride."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't honestly believe that we consciously THINK those things...but I do believe that is our approach most of the time. When things are hunky-dory, our life looks like this: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>We Achieve Success >> We Experience Happiness >> We Have a Positive Outlook on Life >>We Thank God</b></i> (sometimes).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, when life sours a bit, and knocks us off the merry-go-round, the cycle looks a bit different. Perhaps it looks like this:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>We Experience Failure or Adversity >> We Experience Sadness or Anger >> We Have a Negative Outlook on Life >> We Desperately Seek God</b></i> (perhaps after we have tried to figure it out ourselves).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's in these arduous moments when we think and say things like, "I have never needed God more in my life than I do right now!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And, while we certainly FEEL that way, it's not entirely accurate. Even in the midst of our anxiety, sadness, dismay, and torment, we don't need Him more than we need Him when we're experiencing elation and accomplishment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We need exactly the same amount of Him all the time, regardless of what life throws our way. Just because we FEEL like we need Him more doesn't mean we need Him more. We just become aware that we need God when we cannot move forward on our own.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I challenge you today - whether you're at the pinnacle, or you're in the doldrums - to seek the Lord with all your heart, and ask him to be your Guide. You'll find more peace when you hand over the keys and the Lord is in the driver's seat. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-55335785819948269152015-06-17T11:05:00.000-04:002015-06-17T11:05:02.413-04:00Through Life's Ups and Downs, Giving Your Very Best is Critical to Perseverance<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We live in our own little cocoons, where we see what we see, hear what we hear, and feel what we feel. We are consumed with ourselves. As Donald Miller, in his bestseller <i>Blue Like Jazz</i>, put it: it's as though we are the star in our own epic feature film, and everyone else comes in and out of the frame as a supporting cast. We are the hero or heroine of this movie - our own story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Like any well-written novel, our personal story will involve peaks and valleys, comedy and tragedy. Good moments and bad. And, we really like the good moments: when we get the girl, land the job, win the prize. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But what about when things aren't great? What then?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I tend to be even-keeled. I don't have "high" highs, and I don't have "low" lows. I stay in the middle for the most part. But, like everyone else, I much prefer for things to be going well. To be "in the zone." To be well-liked. To be appreciated and valued. To be praised and acknowledged. I really like for good things to come my way. It's so much easier, right?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There's a serious problem with this, however. All of this provides a false sense of security and self-worth. In looking to others (and things) for affirmation and adulation, we miss the boat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are built (by society) for accomplishment. We aim to please. We do things in the hopes that someone will notice and let us know how great we are. We are attention-seekers and like to be rewarded for a job well done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, what happens where there is no tangible reward? What do we do when we give and serve and love, and no acknowledgement is offered? What if there's no "atta boy" or high five?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The answer is not easy, but it is simple: we keep giving our best. And, when possible, we give even more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Colossians 3:23-24</b> says this: <i><span class="text Col-3-23" id="en-NLT-29501">Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.</span> </i><span class="text Col-3-24" id="en-NLT-29502"><i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.</i> (NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Col-3-24" id="en-NLT-29502"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Col-3-24" id="en-NLT-29502"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is another element of faith - not seeing our reward, but being confident that the Lord sees our devotion to Him, and that He will reward us in His own way - which will be infinitely better than anything we could receive here.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Col-3-24" id="en-NLT-29502"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you find yourself in this place right now, I want to offer you some encouragement. Your spouse may not see your efforts. Your boss and co-workers may not appreciate what you are doing. Your clients and customers may not understand the decisions you make, and are looking elsewhere for a place to give their business. But, if you are working with an attitude and heart that serves Christ, you will be at the head of the class. He will notice, and He's got your back. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Col-3-24" id="en-NLT-29502"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Don't base your attitudes and work ethic on your feelings. Have confidence in the Lord and His abilities to provide exactly what you need, when you need it. </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-88335773758561655902014-11-24T14:18:00.001-05:002014-11-24T14:20:37.921-05:00Mark Richt's Got it Right<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I slam down the remote. I yell. I kick my heel against the couch. "What in the world!??!?!" I groan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yep. It's a typical Saturday afternoon watching a little Georgia football in my living room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As a season ticket holder, I enjoy home games from the friendly confines of Sanford Stadium. And, for some reason, I am mild-mannered and keep my composure quite well when I am standing among 95,000 other Bulldog faithful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, in my own home, I am an ogre when we turn the ball over. Or hit the ball carrier late for a 15-yard penalty. Or miss a chip shot field goal. Or go three and out. Or, heaven forbid, LOSE the game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, suddenly, the TV camera pans to the Georgia sideline. We've just given up a first down on yet another third and long, and there's Head Coach Mark Richt. Calm. Stoic. Seemingly care-free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, I have seen Coach Richt get fired up. When officials really screw up, he gets upset and lets them know about it. But, that is not the norm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know Dawg fans just get ticked off when they see Richt so calm and peaceful on the sidelines in the midst of chaos - both on the field and in the stands. They think to themselves, "He doesn't even care. He needs to have more fire out there. I care more about the football game than HE does!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, yes and no.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I doubt there's anyone who truly cares more about what happens on the football field than the head coach - especially a man like Mark Richt. But, to obsess about something and to care about it are totally different.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was listening to his call-in show a couple weeks ago after the Kentucky game. It was the week leading up to the Auburn game, and one particular caller said something like this: "Great job, Coach. The team is really playing well, and with getting Gurley back this week, I think we're all going to be sitting here really happy next week after another big win."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Richt's response (paraphrasing): "Well, I'd hate to think that someone's happiness is based on that...but I guess it helps."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That kind of response infuriates people who eat, breathe, and sleep Georgia Bulldogs football. To suggest that a Dawg fan could possibly be happy even if we lost a game?!? That's crazy talk!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, the truth is, that response is EXACTLY why I pray Mark Richt coaches at Georgia for another 15 years. His perspective is not the perspective that maybe Nick Saban has. Or Urban Meyer. Or Steve Spurrier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you find that, not only is your entire Saturday ruined...but your entire weekend, or even the next week...because the team you root for lost a GAME, you really do need help. If you allow the outcome on the field to dictate your mood or countenance beyond the 4th quarter (or overtime), there's a problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The answer to that problem can be found in the peace that Mark Richt has. A peace that is available to all of us, if we seek the One who can grant it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This Thanksgiving, I pray for peace in my own heart - but I pray for peace in yours, too. And, I thank the Prince of Peace for loving me...even when I love Georgia Bulldogs football a little bit too much.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-66472073646164128372014-11-18T09:10:00.003-05:002014-11-18T09:14:02.339-05:00Joy in a Small Plastic Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A few years ago, I received one of the best Christmas gifts ever. It wasn't valuable. It wasn't expensive. It wasn't an electronics device or designer name shirt. It was a small, clear plastic cube.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I remember opening the gift and immediately noticing that there was a $20 bill in the center. The cube itself is approximately 4" x 4" x 4" - not much larger than a Rubik's Cube. But, the solution to Rubik's Cube paled in comparison to the fight I had before me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Between the outside of the cube and the center - where the $20 bill was located - is a complex maze, and a small silver metal ball. The only way to open the cube and remove the $20 bill is to move the ball through this clear plastic maze and position it in one very specific spot to release the lock.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It seemed like child's play at first. "How hard can this be?" I said to myself as I began to roll the little ball around. Click. Clack. Ding. Ping. Grrrrrrrrr. Dead end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After about ten minutes, it was back around to me - we always go around the room and open gifts one at a time. My turn had come up again. But I was only focused on the puzzle. "You can skip me," I said. I had some business to take care of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I studied the plastic demon intently. It was not going to get the best of me. Three centimeters left. Two down. Four right. Turn cube. Five millimeters forward. Flip cube. Beads of sweat on my forehead, I would not be deterred.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The problem with staring at a clear cube for 20 minutes is that you begin to hallucinate. You begin to see openings that don't really exist. And so it was that I continued to toil with what had become my arch enemy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ultimately, my mind was just too strong for this weak opponent. I mastered the cunning plastic cube through will and determination. I could not be defeated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I still remember when I finally had the silver ball in the sweet spot, and the cube clicked open. Sure, I was appreciative of the $20 gift inside. But, the true joy came from the challenge to acquire it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">John Ortberg once wrote, "Challenge produces joy." While I don't always embrace the challenge like I did with the clear plastic cube, I can say that when I look back at the times in my life that I faced adversity - and overcame it - the joy I felt was exhilarating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sometimes, we take the easy way out. The path of least resistance. We don't have the time, we don't have the patience, and we don't have the desire to battle. But I think we cheat ourselves when we throw in the towel so easily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you don't believe me...you can borrow my clear plastic cube and test yourself. I still have it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, you'll have to get the 20 bucks somewhere else.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-76875284581873545832014-10-15T15:02:00.000-04:002014-10-15T15:09:06.060-04:00Learning the Hard Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yesterday, I wrote about something we all have in common: our humanity. Another word for this is depravity: the notion that we are born with a proclivity towards sinful behavior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As my son's baseball coaches try to beat into his team's brains - not IF, but WHEN you fail...and you WILL fail.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76UqHmLtyg3eRU_FT_VEIw4ccGE4MyH_eRSZQkf4LsutBO6zxuro1FnmWHV9mZTfkBTawHTM0sBtTwUizpxIslOxRlMMzZr5mCKJwTr29pSaxn1EUlTSzQ_eexOeyYll_aDo4Xh4_qE0/s1600/failure-and-success.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76UqHmLtyg3eRU_FT_VEIw4ccGE4MyH_eRSZQkf4LsutBO6zxuro1FnmWHV9mZTfkBTawHTM0sBtTwUizpxIslOxRlMMzZr5mCKJwTr29pSaxn1EUlTSzQ_eexOeyYll_aDo4Xh4_qE0/s1600/failure-and-success.png" height="168" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, we're all gonna screw up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, we do have the ability to limit the mistakes we make. One of those ways is to learn from the mistakes of others. Whether it's an issue of addiction, lying, cheating, stealing, negligence, ignorance, or greed, we can all heed wise counsel from those who have gone before us into those murky waters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, do you want to know the sad truth? We rarely look at what has happened to others as a result of their poor choices. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was listening to a sports talk show a couple years ago. The host was debating with callers about one particular athlete's proclivity toward making bad decision after bad decision. And, the host of the program made an interesting statement. He said, "There are countless examples of other athletes who have made poor choices that he (this athlete) could have learned from. But, the fact is that we only learn from our own mistakes."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Much has been said about Todd Gurley and Jameis Winston these past several days. Every talking head on TV or radio has brought up Johnny Manziel, A.J. Green, Cam Newton, and others who have been in the spotlight, and have made unwise choices. They say things like, "How could Gurley have done this - especially after what happened to Johnny Football last year?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Simple - he didn't have guardrails in his life, and he drove off the cliff. He decided to take things into his own hands instead of looking for wise counsel. He rationalized, rather than using reason. Reason is the first thing to go out the window when temptation comes calling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Could Todd Gurley have thought about others who have made the same mistake he was about to make? Sure he could have. All of us have stories of our own failures and miscalculations that we could use to implore others to make better choices. But, ultimately, they have to choose to apply this wisdom, not ignore it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I find it interesting when I hear people making such harsh remarks about OTHER people who slip, fall, or fail. It's really easy to be the judge when they are up on that high horse. Normally, when I hear judgmental and ultra-critical remarks from someone, I can almost always tell you where it's rooted: pride and an over-abundant sense of self-worth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Being puffed up with self-pride is in indicator of a lack of humility. You know what kind of person has humility? A broken person. Those who have been broken - and who have admitted that they are broken - are the most joyful, appreciative people in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are cynical, critical, and harsh, my bet is that you have never experienced that brokenness. You do have the opportunity to change, and learn from others who may have pushed others away, lost friends and family, or created an attitude of bitterness that hovers over them. Or, you can disregard those examples, and learn the hard way. The choice is yours. But, understand that the fallout of your choices reaches further than you may be able to see in the mirror.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-57969877702104852942014-10-14T14:44:00.001-04:002014-10-14T14:49:08.960-04:00You, Gurley, and Chubb Have Something in Common<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju968XSppTPt2N1sCeHy_JELHvICRfsOqaMguzwml7Vgesk3be669bxeoTJ55Ezosq9_g7Z9Q1U-rsmk6af1S_4KpapuBdasy38satb__B5ArMNJjfhMXZ1Q0mAOh2To8wBBGAa6FOwQ/s1600/gurleychubb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju968XSppTPt2N1sCeHy_JELHvICRfsOqaMguzwml7Vgesk3be669bxeoTJ55Ezosq9_g7Z9Q1U-rsmk6af1S_4KpapuBdasy38satb__B5ArMNJjfhMXZ1Q0mAOh2To8wBBGAa6FOwQ/s1600/gurleychubb.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This article is not about Todd Gurley in any way. It applies equally to all of us. But, let me use last week's story about Todd Gurley allegedly accepting money for autographing memorabilia as the springboard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the most ignorant statements I saw last week after the story came out, and Gurley was subsequently suspended, was made by one of the most die-hard Dawg fans in the land, and it said this: "In Chubb We Trust."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, it may have simply been a supportive remark to help rally the Bulldog Nation around the freshman tailback, who was named the starter for this past weekend's game. But, it hit me a bit differently. Todd Gurley, as far as we have known, has been a terrific example to many both on and off the field. Until last week, Todd Gurley was probably the Heisman front-runner. He is a hard worker. He serves the community. He visits sick kids in the hospital. He is humble. He is a great teammate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, here's the truth about Gurley: he is human. He made a mistake. He made them before he signed memorabilia for money. He will make more mistakes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And, here's another bit of truth: Nick Chubb is also human. He has made mistakes, and he will make many in the future. Hopefully, he won't make the mistake Gurley made (or another NCAA or team violation), but he will mess up some time in his life. Maybe not at UGA - but somewhere down the road. We all do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, to say, "In Chubb We Trust" just didn't seem right to me. How can we place our trust in another human being, just hours after we discover what Gurley had done? Why would we want to?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matt Chandler, in his book <i>The Explicit Gospel</i>, talks about how we, as fallen creatures, always seem to look in the wrong places when we are trying to find pleasure and satisfaction in this life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"The majority of human beings believe that people and circumstances exist to make them happy," he writes. "We believe the brokenness inside will be satisfied by things outside. If we're not happy, who's to blame? People and circumstances. Do you see how this doesn't even make sense - broken people expecting broken people to fix them or expecting <i>good</i> things to do <i>God</i> things for them? It's a ridiculous notion, if we can think rightly about it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are all broken, sinful people. You are. I am. So, if we are all in this quandary together, why do we look to have faith or hope in one another? If the transmission in my car goes out, do I want to swap it for a vehicle that is missing an engine? Of course not. I want to find something more reliable, something safer that can get me where I need to go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you continue to put your hope (or happiness) in people, your life will look a lot like the Scream Machine roller coaster. You'll subject yourself to high highs, low lows, dips, turns, and you will get jerked around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, there is an alternative. The true Life Giver is always there for us to guide, protect, and comfort us. And, He alone can fill our hearts with the joy for which we so desperately search.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In God We Trust.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-23210617052723594272014-09-25T14:23:00.000-04:002014-09-25T14:26:22.033-04:00Behind the Wheel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are just days when I lament over it. It's an inconvenience at times. It eats up a good bit of time. It is money we don't need to spend. It isn't even necessary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am talking about taking my kids to school every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We pay taxes to cover transportation for our kids getting to and from school. The easy thing would be just to put them on the "big cheese wagon" every day and head in to work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, years ago, my wife and I made the decision to drive the kids to school. Every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It used to be less of an inconvenience - especially when they were attending the same school for two years. But, these days, I am driving an additional 16 miles in the morning. And I am going AWAY from my place of employment by dropping my older son off at high school. When you figure we also are picking him up four times per week from football, we are driving in excess of 140 miles per week just to the high school and back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, why do it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have asked this question many times of late. Particularly on those days when traffic is jammed on 41, or when the car line is 20+ minutes long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the end, we made this decision years ago because we felt it was the right decision for our family. But, there was one benefit that never occurred to me until recently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Andy Stanley, the Senior Pastor at Northpoint Church, talks quite a bit about the cumulative effect of the choices we make. Essentially, like interest on a bank account, consistent small amounts add up to something significant over time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have taken my older son to school since he was two years old. He is now 14. In those 12 years, I have had the opportunity to spend an extra 10-20 minutes per day with him that I would have missed out on. If that time averages to 15 minutes per day, multiplied by 180 school days per year, over a 12-year stretch, that adds up to 540 hours of additional time I have spent with my older son. That figure is 360 hours for my 10-year old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Discussions about school. About baseball. About the Braves, the 49ers, Bulldogs. About vacations. About what was for lunch that day. About the plans for the evening. About friends and family and church. Precious time and precious words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am less than a year and a half away from my older son having a driver's license. Sure, that may be convenient for me or for my wife when he can drive. But, I will also miss out on that extra 15-20 minutes of "father-son" time I have been privileged to spend with him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you, Lord, for allowing me this gift through the years! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-80471852426741384482013-11-06T14:33:00.000-05:002013-11-06T14:41:35.526-05:00Joy Does Not Equal Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you ask anyone what they want in life, one of the more popular answers will be "happiness."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you speak with couples early in their relationships, and ask why they are with their significant other, he/she will almost always say "they make me happy."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even the wise sage Bobby McFerrin capitalized on this emotion: don't worry, be happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Easier said (or sang) than done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We desire happiness, but if we're honest, there's a great deal of time in our life spent unhappily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Happiness is contingent upon our circumstances. We're generally happy when we have our way. Conversely, we're unhappy when things don't go our way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One definition of the word "happy" says this:<span id="hotword"> delighted, <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">pleased,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">glad,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">over</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">particular</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">thing.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">Sometimes we can confuse happiness for joy. While they are similar, I believe there's a rather profound difference in the two words.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">The same dictionary defines the word "joy" as follows: </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">emotion</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">great</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">delight</span> </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">caused</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">something</span> <u><span id="hotword" name="hotword">exceptionally</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">good</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">or</span> </u><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><u>satisfying</u>. Read that again. Now re-read the definition of "happy". They're not the same.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">In "C.A.'s abridged dictionary," I would define happiness as a feeling you have when you get what you want. Joy, on the other hand, is much deeper. While happiness is typically something we feel when something happens <i>to</i> us, joy is something working <i>in and through</i> us. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">The source of happiness is clearly my circumstances. I am healthy. I got a bonus at work. My son hit a home run. I got ten cents off at the pump with my membership card today. The sun is out. I got to eat at my favorite restaurant. My boss told all of us to cut out of work an hour early. I am happy.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">The source of pure joy, however, is not dependent upon my circumstances. It is a gift given by the One to whom we need to be anchored. Especially when things do not go our way.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">Consider the following scriptures that speak of joy:</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><i>The hope of the righteous brings <b>joy</b>.</i> <b>Proverbs 10:28</b> </span></span> </span> </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my <b>joy</b>.</i> <b>Psalm 43:4</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Our hearts ache, but we always have <b>joy</b>. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.<b> </b></i><b>2 Corinthians 6:10</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great <b>joy</b>. </i><b>James 1:2</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Say what? When trouble comes my way, it's an opportunity for what? For anger? For revenge? For scorn? For bitterness? No. For Joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know! I am with you! It just doesn't seem to make sense. But, when does God ever work in ways that make sense to us? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, here's the deal in a nutshell. When we consider that the source of our joy is the Lord, the picture begins to clear a little. When we then consider that our Lord is the source of hope, we are yet a step closer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is precisely how we can be so distraught, yet remain joyful, in the midst of a storm. Our hope is not in our salary. Our hope is not in our spouse. Our hope is not in our kids. Our hope is not in our health. Our hope is in the Lord God Almighty, and was given to us through Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'd like to leave you with words from someone who knew intimately about the joy that only comes from the Father. His name is Paul. He killed Christians. But, then Jesus confronted him. Blinded him. Stripped away everything he knew. Then, he filled him up with Himself, transforming this "chief of all sinners" to the man who, aside from Jesus himself, had the most profound impact on the spread of the Gospel. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-15-13" id="en-NLT-28278">I pray that God, the
source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you
trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the
power of the Holy Spirit. </span></span></i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-15-13" id="en-NLT-28278">Romans 15:13</span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-15-13" id="en-NLT-28278"><br /></span></span></i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-43613570066944337852013-11-05T13:16:00.001-05:002013-11-05T15:18:43.263-05:00Opportunity Costs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You may not realize it, but there is a cost associated with everything you do. I am not talking about money here, although many times our decisions do involve dollars and cents. No, I am referring to opportunity costs - those things we give up when we make a decision. Each and every choice we make costs us something we are NOT doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In terms of our budgets, the decision to buy a car likely means we cut back on eating out, trips to the movie theater, or a family vacation. Those are all costs of buying a car, in addition to the amount you are paying your bank or a dealership.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, while financial decisions are concrete examples of costs that hit our wallets, there's a resource far more valuable in terms of opportunity costs: time. When we choose to spend our time one way, we relinquish our ability to spend it another way. And that means the stakes are high. Sometimes we can earn or make the money back that we spend. But, we cannot get the time back.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you choose to spend an hour browsing the internet, what are you giving up?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you live on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, etc - what are you surrendering?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you watch Judge Judy, Days of Our Lives, Dr. Phil, and Ellen each day, what are you missing out on?</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Conversely, there are also costs associated with our supposed "wise" choices in life:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you go on a four-mile hike, you may sweat, ache, and burn - you are giving up relaxation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you serve at a concession stand at a high school football game, you are allowing parents watch their kids play...but there are other things you could be doing - Friday night movie? A night out with the boys? A date night with your wife?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you coach your son or daughter's team, you are pouring into kids who need positive influences in their lives. But, you are sacrificing some things as well - sitting on the sidelines as a fan, not having to worry about lineup cards, dealing with umpires/officials, planning for practices and games.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Generally speaking, I don't believe people weigh their choices. Most times we just fly by the seat of our pants. We are not intentional. We make choices in the moment, rather than contemplating the possible ramifications of our decisions. And, in the end, most of us just wind up doing what appeals to us the most. Meanwhile, we surrender our ability to make calculated investments in the lives of those we love the most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, here's the question: What is greater - the rewards you receive for the small sacrifices you make, or the potential you've squandered by chasing things that matter little?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Everything has a cost. You just may never see it until it's too late.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-87568226739008845352013-10-29T15:25:00.000-04:002013-10-29T15:25:20.996-04:00The "Little" White Lie<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"It's no big deal."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"No one would care."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I'm only protecting him/ her."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"It's not hurting anyone or anything."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"No one needs to know about that."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"It's just a little fib. At least I am not killing people." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These are the rationalizations that echo in our minds and hearts when we make the decision to tell a lie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I understand that no one wants to hurt someone's feelings when they ask, "Do these pants look good on me?" But, this is not what I am talking about. I am talking about a good (bad) old-fashioned lie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As a parent, I am having to deal with this subject. Just this week, I had a "family meeting" with my kids after I was informed about a conversation my youngest son had at a friend's house. Essentially, he and his friend were talking about lying. I am not sure exactly how it came up, but my son said something to the effect of, "I don't tell lies very often...but when I do, I get away with it." He's still trying to pry his size 4 Reebok out of his mouth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If that wasn't bad enough, he went on to justify these fibs by saying that lying "isn't that big of a sin." He said there are much worse things he could be doing than lying...almost as if he's doing us a FAVOR by "only" lying! Deep breath. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wasn't present when he had this conversation, but it was relayed to my wife, who in turn filled me in. The string of emotions I felt ranged from disappointment to anger to disbelief to sadness. And, while my initial tendency was to get upset with him, more than anything else this discovery led me to think more deeply of my role as a parent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One morning this week, I drove my son to school, and I brought up this not-so-fun subject. I explained to him what I had heard, and he pretty much admitted what he said. I asked him if he said that lying wasn't that big of a sin, and he also admitted that to me. Instead of body-slamming him and screaming to the top of my lungs, I decided to use this as a teachable moment. I told him that "sin is sin," and that ALL sin is wrong, and it makes our hearts yucky. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I proceeded to say that while sin is sin, that the consequences of our sins depend on the violation (I used more 4th-grade friendly words for him). Lying is a sin. Murder is a sin. Adultery is a sin. Idol worship is a sin. The penalty for my transgression will vary greatly from situation to situation. But, while on the surface lying may seem like a "small sin," it has the potential to be just as devastating as any other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I told my little boy that developing a pattern of lying behavior is not a road he wants to travel. I asked him what can happen when he lies, and gets away with it. He had some great answers! First, his friends and teachers could label him as "the kids who lies." Second, he could begin to lie more and more. Third, he would have to humble himself and apologize and ask for forgiveness. Next, he would lose credibility with the people who matter to him the most. Finally, he would lose privileges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Obviously, the list could go on and on, but I think my little buddy got the point. And, while the topic of sin and lying is never a fun one to deal with, I must say that having these frank conversations with my family has truly been a highlight of my week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My eyes need to be opened to what my kids are facing. And, they also need to be opened to my role and responsibilities as a parent - to love and train my kids to not just believe in Jesus, but to be like him.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-22155161090223041782013-10-15T14:42:00.000-04:002013-10-15T14:44:02.262-04:00Let 'em Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjOgbh8VqLvTrvG1gbQudi3znoCWVc2cYKrVkR7JC_3ynDdivA5jQkA2dNi3zZ3tMFcKFKBHnwwx7JHrV9katMy486QhDmdY5b4OOjcXB-swiF6P04aMugYilzKMiyUA-2mYo3zeZx9E/s1600/GloveBall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjOgbh8VqLvTrvG1gbQudi3znoCWVc2cYKrVkR7JC_3ynDdivA5jQkA2dNi3zZ3tMFcKFKBHnwwx7JHrV9katMy486QhDmdY5b4OOjcXB-swiF6P04aMugYilzKMiyUA-2mYo3zeZx9E/s200/GloveBall.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A few years ago I had the privilege of meeting sports psychologist Jack Llewellyn. He had spoken at our staff meeting on a couple occasions, and he had given us each one of the books he had written as a parting gift. One of those books was entitled <i>Let 'em Play</i>, which was written to parents of kids who play youth sports.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Being a dad of two boys who play baseball and basketball, I was very interested to read the book. In a nutshell, Dr. Jack claims that having kids participate in ultra-competitive sports at a very young age is likely a bad thing. First, it can put too much pressure on them. Second, it can burn them out. Third, they don't have as much time to participate in other sports or activities. Fourth, it often turns sensible parents into monsters. And, fifth, you as a parent leave less margin in your own life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I enjoyed the book so much, and believed in what he shared to the point that I asked him if he would get me an additional ten copies of the book. I gave each family on my baseball team a copy of the book to read for themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That was part of the reason that we waited until age 12 for my oldest to participate in travel baseball. I knew the time commitment involved - both for him and for me (as well as my wife). I also had heard and read about so many young athletes who quit playing before high school because they just wanted some of their life back. They spent ten months non-stop playing 100+ games with no time for anything - friends, family gatherings, church, other hobbies. I didn't want that to become my family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think back to when I was a kid. I was one of the better baseball players and basketball players during my time. On average, I would play 12 regular season baseball games, and maybe another 6-8 All-Star games, from age 10 up to age 14. So, that was less than 20 games total! For basketball, I played eight regular season games, and a tournament at the end of the year. So, maybe 11-12 games total. In all, I played in 30 contests in a given year for two sports!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today, some kids are playing in excess of 120 games if they are playing travel baseball and competitive basketball. That doesn't take into consideration the practices. This leaves little time for anything else. Further, it truly can get them exhausted before they ever enter high school - the years that TRULY matter most when preparing to play at a competitive level (if you hope to play in college).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Most of all, I want my kids to have fun. As a parent, I want them to excel and I push them to do their very best. But, I can get carried away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Recently, I was playing basketball with my two sons in the driveway. I was wanting them to work on dribbling properly, squaring their shoulders up to the basket when they shoot, pivoting and bounce-passing to their teammate. What I was instructing them to do was absolutely correct. But, sometimes my timing couldn't be worse. My kids just wanted to have fun with dad in the driveway. And, I almost missed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I remember taking the ball out and "checking it" with my older son. I was harping on his younger brother for not doing something the correct way, and his older brother says, "It's OK, dad. We're just playing for fun." His words pierced my heart and about knocked me over. I felt so ashamed of myself for spending these 15-20 minutes I had with them pointing out everything they were doing wrong instead of just enjoying our time together on the "court."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the end, Dr. Jack is right. We just need to "let 'em play." There's a time for hard work - but it doesn't have to happen in the driveway with dad all the time. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-1689486923946098902013-08-28T11:04:00.002-04:002013-08-28T15:19:00.849-04:00An Unusual Way to Increase Your Lifespan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1xPs0qnMlf43ZVqsfcw0HBNLnEDCjBY3SbESGCcvZ5QSTpjhcN6oC5tpmFYgA394WbCDJwevjNHLXo8H8iiZBz2mO5QuZ4-RRM3jJ7V2Z8QzIm9FecPz2sWjz8pkRRnD4x-j4TcHxPY/s1600/connect-dots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1xPs0qnMlf43ZVqsfcw0HBNLnEDCjBY3SbESGCcvZ5QSTpjhcN6oC5tpmFYgA394WbCDJwevjNHLXo8H8iiZBz2mO5QuZ4-RRM3jJ7V2Z8QzIm9FecPz2sWjz8pkRRnD4x-j4TcHxPY/s200/connect-dots.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For years, I was what you might consider "detached." My wife and I had married, and in my early 20's, I lived a rather inconsequential existence. I went to work, came home. I played softball on Wednesday nights. I went to church occasionally - maybe once per month. It was probably an "ordinary" way of life for most people. But, it was dull. Meaningless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Three and a half years into our marriage, we had a son. Obviously, he became the center of attention, and being a parent was certainly new and exciting and tiring. But, still, life was rather ho-hum. At the time, I likely didn't realize it, but I was missing something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It wasn't until around 2002 that things began to change in my life. I began to serve on Sunday mornings at the church. I was the "bulletin guy." I stood at the side entrance to the worship center and handed you the worship guide as you entered. I was there every week for nearly two years, missing maybe two Sundays in that time. I began to connect with a devoted group of faithful servants - Mike Davis, Brian Dodd, Pete Brumfield, among others. I looked forward every week to arriving at 9 a.m. to see these people and to serve at my post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Around that same time, I was invited to attend a Bible study, which was led by Mike Linch. At the time, Mike was the Associate Pastor at my church, and through our occasional interaction on Sunday mornings, I had come to enjoy talking to him - mostly about sports. At the age of 28, I was by far the youngest guy in this "Executive Study." But, I was welcomed, and made to feel like an important part of the group. I spent four years in that group, and learned countless lessons from the wisdom shared by those guys, most of whom were in their late 40's and 50's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I could write hundreds of more pages about what has transpired in my life in the decade since. In a nutshell, it's just been God at work in me and through me. But, how did it start? What was the powerful force that ignited the flame within me? Two words: being connected.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Before 2002, I knew only two people at our church. And, Amy and I really didn't have friends we hung out with. We sort of did life on our own (and with family, which lives nearby). But, we were missing out big-time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mother Theresa once said, "Loneliness is the leprosy of modern society." The issue here is not that we disagree with this statement. The issue is that we rarely see ourselves as lonely creatures. But, if you are disconnected from other human beings, you likely are lonely - whether you know it or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Studies by a Harvard social scientist have proven that connected people live longer than lonely people. That's probably, in and of itself, not a surprise. But, did you know isolated people are three times more likely to die than those who have strong relational connections? Also, did you know that people who are in poor health, or who have developed poor health habits, live significantly longer than healthy individuals who are isolated? Finally, that same study showed that people who were not connected in any groups, but who got connected into just one group, cut their risk of dying in half over the next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm sure glad that I took advantage of the opportunities I had more than a decade ago to get to know more people, and to actually belong. Those decisions have changed the course of my life and my family's lives - more than words could ever say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are just coming and going, trying to do life all by yourself, you're missing out. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Take a step. Join a group. Get connected. You'll be better for it. And, so will those all around you.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-60388035460474125932013-08-19T14:18:00.001-04:002013-08-19T14:25:35.794-04:00Clean it Up<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of my biggest pet peeves is walking through a parking lot and seeing shopping carts strewn about. It's as eye sore. And, for years, I have stated that it's just plain lazy. But, as it turns out, it's much more than laziness that leads to people leaving a shopping cart in the middle of a parking lot. Or, throwing a soda can on the side of the road. Or, littering the ground with a candy wrapper. Let me explain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am currently reading <i>The Tipping Point</i> by Malcolm Gladwell. In the book, he demonstrates how seemingly insignificant factors can make a huge difference in creating an epidemic (or reversing one). The example I am currently reading about is how New York City was able to turn around its crime epidemic, which peaked in the late 1980's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At that time, the subway system was a wreck - dirty, disorderly, and in poor shape. Further, drug use was escalating, and felony crimes throughout the city - particularly on the subway - were at an all-time high. Additionally, a practice known as "fare-beating" was prevalent at subway stations. Teams of young men or teenagers would jam turnstiles, then force passengers to give them their subway tokens or money to earn passage through a gate. Because of violence, theft, and fare-beating, the general public lost confidence in the subway system and hundreds of thousands of people stopped using it.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn-IwGzp2MPydyBa11gQ6rbP9aFDsyQrPwaTbxm6KMiyu4CM3WCySXLRRMwGVs8eDLrJ0h0yJiGoypXuJwZeUoe_hMts9p-Ik9Y1zG5_ES9dh9x2PPP-Wb-ESECi2V7b1UBrRDOEVPfg/s1600/broken-window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn-IwGzp2MPydyBa11gQ6rbP9aFDsyQrPwaTbxm6KMiyu4CM3WCySXLRRMwGVs8eDLrJ0h0yJiGoypXuJwZeUoe_hMts9p-Ik9Y1zG5_ES9dh9x2PPP-Wb-ESECi2V7b1UBrRDOEVPfg/s200/broken-window.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the mid-1980's proponents of "Broken Window" theory decided to try an experiment to clean up the subway system - and the city. According to Gladwell's writing, Broken Window theory says that "crime is the inevitable result of disorder. If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge. Soon, more windows will be broken, and the sense of anarchy will spread..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The City of New York tested this theory. For years, subway cars were covered in graffiti. The city decided that graffiti was one of the primary deterrents to people riding on the subway. Graffiti sent a negative message. So, car by car, they began to remove and repaint over the graffiti. When cars were taken out of service, teens would spend hours painting graffiti on these cars late at night. After they had completed their works of art, the city would come with paint cans and rollers and paint over it. The graffiti artists began to realize their efforts were wasted. And, after doing this for six years (until 1990), the city had won the graffiti battle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They also put resources in place to put a halt to the fare beaters, but they found that cleaning up the subway system was most attributed to putting a stop to the graffiti.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, what does this have to do with shopping carts and litter in parking lots? Well, it's the same principle. If certain retailers and neighborhoods would put their foot down and demonstrate that cleanliness is of huge importance, it would send a message. A dozen carts standing alone in a parking lot tells shoppers many things. But, putting personnel and resources in place to keep carts either in cart holders, or to be returned easily, would also result in contagious behavior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you live in an area with lot of broken windows (literally or figuratively), you have a choice to make. You can move to another area that has nicer windows, or you can help change the attitudes and behaviors by doing your part to keep your neighborhood clean and safe. Trust me...others will notice, and will likely follow suit!</span> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-71248822203229659892013-07-09T09:32:00.003-04:002013-07-09T09:36:02.455-04:00Where's the Evidence?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Seems that the world is just full of believers – people who
say they believe in God (whatever you may call Him).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of these say they believe that Jesus
Christ came to earth, died, and was resurrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have read a couple different statistics on
this, but the most recent Pew Research study indicates that 84 percent of the
world’s population “has faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Approximately 32 percent of the world’s population considers themselves
Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, what does this really tell us? If 2.2 billion people
believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and that only 16 percent of the
people in the entire world don’t have faith of any kind, what can we glean? If
you ask me, it’s simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not good
news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What it means is that people’s
beliefs and actions are not in alignment.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Somewhere along the way, we decided that our actions just
weren’t as important as the belief we professed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, scripture is clear that must first
BELIEVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it’s also clear that works
cannot save us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the Bible also
paints the picture that our actions follow closely with our belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salvation requires repentance, which is
turning your back on your old life and beginning to walk in the opposite
direction. This means change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means
sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means discomfort at
times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The problem for most Christians is not that they don’t want
to change, or that they don’t want to do the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s that <u>wanting</u> to do it, and <u>actually</u>
doing it are completely different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s
say you love your spouse with all your heart. Day after day you thank God for
him or her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are on your mind
constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, you always work late.
You rarely speak an encouraging word. You never tell her how much she
means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never plan a date night. You
rarely smile at home. But, wait…you love your spouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You adore them. But, your actions don’t line
up with your feelings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In James, we read that faith without good works is a dead
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not “no faith,” but a dead one.
Lifeless. Pointless. Dormant. So, if your faith is pushing up daisies, who even
knows that you have faith? What evidence is there to support that you believe?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I read a quote in a magazine article a couple years ago that
has stuck with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To paraphrase, the
author said that the biggest gap that exists in the life of a Christian is not
the gap between what we know and what we need to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest gap is between what we know and
how we live. Ouch.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You may not know the entire Bible from cover to cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may only know a couple of the
Commandments – that you’re supposed to love your neighbor, not murder, not
steal, not covet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what are you doing
with what you know? How are you living?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What choices are you making to demonstrate your beliefs?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I recently read a book entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not a Fan</i> by Kyle Idleman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is incredibly well-written, and
equally convicting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Idleman claims that
most Christians are “fans” of Jesus. We like to associate ourselves with
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even agree with everything
Jesus says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, we just don’t want to
actually follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t want to
give up control. We don’t want to go “all in.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We think if we go “all in” we’ll have to give up some
things. Maybe so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think if we go “all
in” we’ll have to act differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think that going
“all in” will change our identity. Definitely so! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After all, isn’t that why you accepted Christ in the first
place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">John 14:15 simply says this: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you love me, obey my commands.</i> (NLT)</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Your spouse wants you to cherish her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your kids want you to spend time with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your friends want you to be
trustworthy. Your co-workers want you to be dependable.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, God wants you to obey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because He loves you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows what is best for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, He knows you love Him when you do what
He asks. And, everybody else will too!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-48987062269204917202013-07-08T16:52:00.000-04:002013-07-08T16:54:07.320-04:00Lazy Kids, or Lazy Parents?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There was really no way to prepare myself for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No self-help book, YouTube video, blog post,
or podcast could possibly have done the trick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most days, I feel like I am Velma, blind as a bat and scrambling on all
fours trying to find my glasses on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This harsh reality is starting to sink in: I am now the parent of a
teenager.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can barely remember when I was a teenager at this
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I am not yet in my 40’s, my
teen years are distant memories. I can recall events, people, places. I
remember games, parties, school trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What I have a tough time remembering is what it was like to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>be</u></i> a teenager. The
awkwardness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The growth. The increased
appetite. The hormones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pimples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, I remember the pimples a
little more…especially those I got between my upper lip and my nostril – OUCH!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I keep hearing people say that it’s so much tougher being a
parent of a teenager today than it was when I was an adolescent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there’s the technology – internet,
social media, camera phones, texting, and the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that teens today consider their
phone an appendage. I get that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, is
it really tougher to be a parent today than 25 years ago?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not convinced it is.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Since the Garden of Eden, there have always been ways for
people to get into trouble – both adults and kids alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called making poor choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “device” or snare may be different, but
essentially it’s the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forbidden
fruit of yesterday is a multitude of pleasures and vices today. Temptation has
been around forever. But does more temptation mean you parent differently?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Sure, smart phones, Xbox 360, tablets, laptops, and of
course HDTV have collectively given kids of all ages more ways to spend (waste)
time than when I was a kid. Shoot, my summer break was spent watching reruns of
The Jefferson’s and Gilligan’s Island all morning long, then playing the
occasional game of Missile Command on my Atari.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because these were the only forms of media I had available, I spent a
lot of time playing baseball, basketball, football, and riding bikes outside.
You don’t see that as much from kids today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, is that because moms and dads have a tougher time parenting?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />If you ask me, it’s simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today’s kids are not tougher to parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That isn’t the issue here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technology
hasn’t made it more difficult to be a parent of a teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the exact opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technology has made it easier for parents to
become lazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s opened the door for
mom and dad to not have to be hands-on with their kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of coming up with ways to be engaged
with their kids, parents use the TV, iPod, tablet, or phone to babysit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, so far it is working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When parents allow this to happen, they are
essentially being replaced. It’s sad.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />You may be wondering, “Does your teenager have a phone? Does
he have a nice gaming system? Does he text? Does he watch TV?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer to all of these questions is
“yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, here’s what I can tell you:
the amount of time he watches TV is limited, as is the amount of time on the
video game. The phone is never kept in his room, and his texts are not
“private.” We do not have a “video game room” that our kids disappear into for
hours on end. My wife and I watch them like hawks.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The best parenting advice I think I have received was from
Nick Person, who used to serve as the Middle School Pastor at my church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my son was about to enter sixth grade, I
told Nick I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to handle being the parent of a
teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughed and said, “Just
keep loving him like you have been, and stay in his business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids who have the most trouble are the
ones whose parents back off and don’t stay involved in what’s going on in their
lives.”</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>So, that’s what I am
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not want him to get swept up
in the current that will likely toss some of his classmates out to sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I will have to choose my battles, and
will even have to allow him to fail and make unwise choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I will be with him every step of the
way, and I will love him so much that it might mean I am not as cool as
everyone else’s parents in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />And, I am OK with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can handle the attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
could someone please help me with the B.O.? </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-34270829488879494472013-06-25T14:03:00.002-04:002013-06-25T14:16:11.531-04:00Take a Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nTN5lU54n3TAL3aZsNMrVrVMFOSmsEN6rLc2siaI_mICuNUSRtPFLuEx-UgSuFyNtvMGi_MQddVB5Ru3u_cXgmFT1OEW2N8QqbdsiyhzHRmJk7XAgBo2ZKo_zKzjKUFrpenHvn2XiY8/s1600/cannons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nTN5lU54n3TAL3aZsNMrVrVMFOSmsEN6rLc2siaI_mICuNUSRtPFLuEx-UgSuFyNtvMGi_MQddVB5Ru3u_cXgmFT1OEW2N8QqbdsiyhzHRmJk7XAgBo2ZKo_zKzjKUFrpenHvn2XiY8/s320/cannons.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had many reasons not to.
I was exhausted. I had things to
do – mow the grass, edge, weed, remove bird poo from our porch and sidewalk
(bird’s nest – sheesh), shop for Mother’s Day, get kids to school, pick up kids
from school, haircuts, laundry…just to name several. Everything in my brain, and every ache on my
body was telling me not to. But, I did
it anyway. I took a hike.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of my favorite spots to hike is up Pigeon Hill to the
top of Li’l Kennesaw Mountain, and that is where the story begins. It was a crisp spring morning, but just warm
enough to throw on some shorts. I began the steep climb up the hill, a rather
wide, gravelly jaunt in the shade just across Burnt Hickory Road. The first 50
yards were great, but I quickly began to feel the burn in my thighs and
heaviness in my lungs. I hadn’t even
been out there two minutes.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had the picture of cannons in my mind…cannons that marked
the pinnacle of this particular journey. The ones located at the top of Li’l
Kennesaw Mountain. I looked up at the
incline ahead of me, and immediately I began to make concessions. “I’ll just go far enough where I can look out
and see the land below. I don’t have to
make it to the cannons.” The cannons seemed so far away.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After just five minutes, I was questioning my will to press
on. I had done this trail in the fall a
couple times, and I just didn’t recall it being so steep. Every ten paces or so, I would look up and
doubt myself. After what seemed like an eternity, I came to the end of the path
and began the arduous climb up the rock.
This is not like REAL rock climbing, but in the most literal sense, I
was climbing/walking up nothing but granite for several minutes. My feet
pounded. My heart did the very same. And, before long, I reached the top of
Pigeon Hill.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shortly after reaching the top of Pigeon Hill, the path
transitioned from rock to soil/pine straw, and back to rock again. And, it narrowed considerably. As I pressed
onward and upward, I noticed patches of Poison Oak reaching in, trying its best
to nip at my ankles. I carefully placed each foot on the rocky path, carefully
avoiding the pesky leaves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Before long, I was having difficulty putting much weight on
my left ankle. Any step down/in that
caused my toes to be higher than my heel resulted in extreme pain. So I began
to climb more gingerly, putting the bulk of the strain on my right foot and
ankle.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I realized that perhaps hiking today was not the wisest
choice I could have made. But, at this
point, I was a mile up the mountain. What choice did I have now?</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I made the decision that the only way I could continue was
to keep my head down. Keeping my head down accomplished two things: first, it
was the only way to avoid injury, given the terrain; second, if I kept my head
down, I was less likely to be discouraged by what I saw ahead.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I began to focus almost exclusively on the music playing on
the iPod, developing a rhythm with my steps. I soon reached the lookout point,
and I knew I was fairly close to the top.
I pushed my body and my mind harder, inhaling deeper, more controlled
breaths with each pace along the path. As I neared my destination, my pace
quickened, and my spirit soared. I was
in the zone. </span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I made my way through a final rocky clearing, then around
one last bend…and there they were: the cannons.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perhaps you are facing an uphill battle in your life. You have legitimate reasons for delaying the
journey. You ache, you are tired. Every
time you begin to face it, you are discouraged by what you see ahead. You have convinced yourself that you will
never get there. So, you
compromise. You feel like you are
pressed in. Obstacles are strewn about,
trying to trip you up, and cause your footing to slip. You feel alone. </span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, there is hope.
You can keep the vision you have for your life in your mind. Play it over and over again. Don’t look up at the obstacles ahead. Keep your head down, and take it one step at
a time. It may require delicate steps
and careful planning, and some voices of encouragement to help you find your
rhythm. But, in the end, if you
persevere, there will be a clearing.
And, you will experience the exhilaration of knowing that the cannons
are just ahead.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-63202155495095806542013-04-18T14:25:00.001-04:002013-04-18T14:25:31.621-04:00An Extra Cheesy Story<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My son, Chandler, is a picky eater.<span> </span>He really only has one food group:
carbs.<span> </span>He’ll eat breads, cereals,
Pop-Tarts, waffles, and candy.<span> </span>But, not
pasta. No way.<span> </span>Suffice it to say that
it’s a challenge to find things he will try.<span>
</span>Over the last couple years, he will actually try BBQ sauce on chicken.<span> </span>It’s the only sauce/ condiment he will
eat.<span> </span>Not ketchup. Not mustard. Not any
type of dressing.<span> </span>He won’t even put milk
on his cereal.<span> </span>Dry cereal – yes.<span> </span>Cup of milk – no problem.<span> </span>But, you CANNOT mix the two!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For a long time, he would only eat a taco if it was ground
beef on a soft flour tortilla.<span> </span>He
eventually added shredded cheese.<span> </span>But
not ON the taco…on the side, in a little cup.<span>
</span>Gradually, he was willing to put the cheese inside the taco, but it was
a process.<span> </span>A painful one for us as
parents. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3QPNip6ylxy6aOBRsAH25Y07Po5DU8MEovdfnfmvyfnYfYVL0Sfs6YShG4B5Fr4vxxEsAS9Z6SSgLHQQFTzwai5dViMHqNdWxki7ZCAR1GB2BWCwHQattYNoZPvo_nR8-gOVig3ZFmM/s1600/cheesestickb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3QPNip6ylxy6aOBRsAH25Y07Po5DU8MEovdfnfmvyfnYfYVL0Sfs6YShG4B5Fr4vxxEsAS9Z6SSgLHQQFTzwai5dViMHqNdWxki7ZCAR1GB2BWCwHQattYNoZPvo_nR8-gOVig3ZFmM/s200/cheesestickb.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After he was willing to introduce shredded cheese to his
diet, he began to try other types of cheese, and actually liked them. After a
while, he started eating the cheese sticks.<span>
</span>You know…the white individually wrapped “string cheese” sticks that are
packaged as a snack food.<span> </span>Because of his
finicky eating habits, this was a big deal, especially since he doesn’t each
much protein – other than the gallon-plus of 1% milk he consumes each week.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even though he started expanding his world of food, it
continued to be a challenge for him to find things he was willing to eat at
school.<span> </span>He’d purchase a school lunch, and
only eat the bread, and maybe a couple chicken nuggets.<span> </span>So, this year my wife started packing his
lunch at home a couple times each week. That way, we can prepare foods that we
know he likes (and will eat…most of the time).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A typical lunch for Chandler would look like this: shaved
ham or turkey slices (not on bread – the horrors!), a stick of cheese, some
Wheat Thins, raisins, and a couple cookies.<span>
</span>Not too bad of a lunch for an eight-year old.<span> </span>But, many times he’d bring the cheese
home.<span> </span>And, his mom and I would say, “You
need to eat your cheese!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A couple weeks ago, Chandler got a stomach bug, and wasn’t
able to eat much of anything.<span> </span>After
several days, he finally was able to regain his appetite and return to
school.<span> </span>On the way home from school, I
had the following conversation with him:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Me: “Chandler, did you eat your lunch today?”<span> </span><br />
Chandler: “Yes.”<br />
Me: “Did you eat all of it?”<br />
Chandler: “Yes.<span> </span>Well, most of it.”<br />
Me: “Did you eat your cheese?”<br />
Chandler: “No.<span> </span>I gave it to my friend.”<br />
Me: “You did WHAAAAT?<span> </span>Why did you give
it to your friend?<span> </span>Did he have his own
lunch?”<br />
Chandler: “Yes, he had his own lunch.<span> </span>He
just asks me every day if he can have my cheese.<span> </span>So, I give it to him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">OK, timeout.<span> </span>At this
point, I am thinking a couple things.<span>
</span>First, that kid needs to keep his hands off your cheese.<span> </span>Second, I come up with an idea…and I share it
with Chandler.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Me: “Well, you tell your friend that he can have your cheese
if he gives you his cookies.”<br />
Chandler: “OK!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It then hits me what a horrible father I am.<span> </span>Not only am I encouraging my son not eat his
cheese, but to trade it for more junk!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, I say to Chandler, “No, no, no.<span> </span>Don’t do that.<span> </span>(I am already playing out in my mind what my
wife would say if she heard my proposal).<span>
</span>Just tell your friend that your parents told you that you need to eat
your cheese from now on.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chandler: “OK.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Later that evening, Chandler tells Amy that he has been
giving his friend the cheese stick every day.<span>
</span>Amy asks him some of the same questions I asked him, and thankfully
Chandler left out the details of my scheme to score more cookies. Whew!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wake up the next morning, thankful that this little cheese
episode is behind us.<span> </span>I get Chandler his
breakfast (Pop-Tart or dry cereal, of course), and start to pack the lunch that
Amy has prepared for him. I open the freezer to take our one of the ice packs,
and place it in the bottom of his lunch box.<span>
</span>I then open the refrigerator.<span> </span>I
reach up and take the shaved ham, when I notice something peculiar.<span> </span>I immediately wonder if there has been some
sort of mistake. But, then a small grin breaks out on my face.<span> </span>My heart dances, and I shake my head.<span> </span>I reach back up to the top shelf of the
fridge, and stare in wonder at what I hold in my hand: two cheese sticks.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-44146780634335554802013-02-11T13:17:00.000-05:002013-02-11T13:27:11.187-05:00Alex P. Keaton, Potsie, and The Ricker<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’m not too terribly sentimental or nostalgic, but I find
myself longing more for the days of yore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No, I don’t want to be a kid again…but I’d like for my kids to have the
opportunity to enjoy some of the more wholesome things of my youth.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As a kid, I played outside a lot, but also watched a good
bit of TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was WAY before cell
phones, wifi, iPods, HD, and video games with amazing graphics. I was
incredibly fortunate to receive an Atari game system when I was about 8 or 9
years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missile Command, Frogger,
Pitfall, Breakout,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Kaboom! were
games I’d waste the hours away playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who needs PS3 HD graphics with online community gaming capability? </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wqZDpsvN9h91jc8fvf7YNpWMdFCZ_x4abx49_dEpl-LbDc8hDv_xO3NK-zOzKCyTfc_jjrMhKtqBKTpJC-xNw052at4VgInFqdbsHQ_U4mVL6m2pTkM8ROTIYm4-OqGG5cmQcyvoYKE/s1600/potsie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wqZDpsvN9h91jc8fvf7YNpWMdFCZ_x4abx49_dEpl-LbDc8hDv_xO3NK-zOzKCyTfc_jjrMhKtqBKTpJC-xNw052at4VgInFqdbsHQ_U4mVL6m2pTkM8ROTIYm4-OqGG5cmQcyvoYKE/s200/potsie.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But even though I enjoyed the Atari, I was still more addicted
to the remote control than the joystick. I would spend my summer mornings the
same way each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d start off with a
healthy dose <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of I Dream of Jeannie</i>,
along with an episode of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gilligan’s
Island</i>, and follow that up with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bewitched</i>
and an episode of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Days</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Brady Bunch</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorites were Major Healy, the “old”
Darin, Richie Cunninghan, Potsie, and Peter Brady.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As the years passed, the shows I enjoyed in syndication
expanded to include the likes of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Laverne
& Shirley</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silver Spoons</i>, the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeffersons</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diff’rent Strokes</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew to
love characters like Carmine, Lenny & Squiggy, Bentley the “honkey”
neighbor, “The Ricker” – Ricky Schroeder, Willis, and “Weesie.” </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All of these shows were HUGE prime-time sitcoms during the
1970’s and 1980’s that I enjoyed as a kid in reruns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the years passed, I also enjoyed watching
shows such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s Happenin’?</i> (you
gotta love Dwayne – hey hey hey!), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Cosby Show</i>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Family
Ties</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Growing Pains</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who’s the Boss?</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gimme a Break</i>.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What did all these shows have in common, besides the fact
they were sitcoms?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were FAMILY
sitcoms, and there was no reason that elementary-aged kids couldn’t watch
them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were funny (some funnier than
others), had big-named celebrities, and compelling characters. And, believe it
or not, sex, drugs, politics, social agendas, and profanity/ vulgar language
weren’t a part of the script, unless the episode was dealing with one of these
topics in a constructive manner!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As funny as they were and continue to be, shows like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roseanne</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Married…with Children</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Simpsons</i> paved the way for a new, edgier, less family-friendly sitcom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, that was OK for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, today we really do not have any true
family sitcoms that air in prime time during the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can honestly say that there aren’t any
shows that my kids and I watch together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, that is truly a sad thing.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last year, my wife and I saw that a new Tim Allen comedy was
going to be debuting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved Tim Allen
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Home Improvement</i> during my high
school and college years, and remembered how family-oriented that show
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this new show – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Last Man Standing</i> – seemed to fit the
bill. We set up the DVR, and watched the first episode with our kids – ages 7
and 11 at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my dismay, I found
that the show was not appropriate for kids under 13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We forced ourselves through two or three more
episodes to give it the benefit of the doubt, and our feelings were confirmed –
we couldn’t watch the show with the kids without having to hold our breath and
cross our fingers that something inappropriate wouldn’t come up.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You know, I may come across as an out-of-touch
fuddy-dud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’m not as cool as I
used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I have grown even
more conservative with age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, my
honest opinion is that Hollywood is missing out on an opportunity to bring back
sitcoms (or any TV shows) with good, old-fashioned WHOLESOME family
values.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, until that happens, I am
content with my kids watching SportsCenter, The Disney Channel, The Food
Network, or not watching TV at all.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You don’t need to over-use slang words or profanity to be
funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to have teenagers
and adults wearing nothing or drinking or doing drugs to be relevant. You CAN have
a loving, faithful married couple, and you CAN have respectful, responsible
teens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked for Bill Cosby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it can work again. </span><br />
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<![endif]--><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-47354834815149579612012-12-05T10:48:00.002-05:002012-12-05T10:52:33.395-05:00Loners, Leaners, and Life-Givers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Despite the fact that there are more than <span style="font-size: small;">seven</span> billion
uniquely created people on the Earth today, similarities exist among all of us
– physical, emotional, behavioral, religious, intellectual, and many
others. But, when it comes to how we
live our lives, I believe we can categorize people into three primary groups:
loners, leaners, and life-givers. Let me explain.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some people are staunchly independent. Not just in their desire to accomplish things
without anyone’s help, but with respect to their aversion to spending time with
other people. These are the people who
don’t see much value in others. They
believe one of two things: either others are inferior to them, or that they are
inferior (worthless) to others. They have
few, if any, meaningful relationships with other people, and only connect with
others when they absolutely need to (or have to). Further, they have a tendency to withdraw and
isolate themselves – whether out of fear or indifference. They are loners.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The second group of people is almost the polar opposite from
the loner. They are so consumed by
fitting in, by being accepted by others, that they overly subject themselves to
the thoughts and opinions of those around them.
They are worried about their appearance, about whether their ideas will
be valued, and will at times compromise their beliefs and actions to feel
acceptance. Many of these types of
people do not enjoy spending time alone – mostly because they find their
identity in those with whom they associate.
These people often have opinions, but opt to keep them to themselves for
fear they will create conflict, which could ultimately lead to a relational
rift. They are often peacekeepers, and
desperately want to be liked by everybody.
If they believe someone has a negative opinion of them, it will gnaw at
them incessantly. They are leaners. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The third type of individual may slightly overlap into the
loner or leaner category, but mostly they spend their lives absorbing
experiences like a sponge. They enjoy
spending time with others, but also embrace the opportunities for reflection
and devotion that is allowed by time spent alone. Where the loner (superior/ inferior) or
leaner (smothering, needy) can be a “life-sucker,” this type of person breathes
life into others. They use the wisdom they have gleaned from others along the
way to strengthen their connection to those around them. They are not self-centered, but are
others-centered. They never allow an
experience to be wasted. They are
joyful. Others who spend time with them
walk away refreshed and energized. They
are life-givers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are there seasons in life when we may be a loner or a
leaner? Sure. The difference is that the
life-giver is resilient. He takes his desert experiences to learn from them and
bless others, rather than using it as an excuse to “be mad at God” or bear a
grudge, or as a justification for sin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John Ortberg once wrote that there are two types of people:
those who are living, and those who are waiting to live. For the loner, living may mean wandering
outside your comfort zone to surround yourself with others who can breathe life
into you. For the leaner, living may
mean you need to spend time talking with God, finding your identity in Him
rather than in those around you. Perhaps
you have become less concerned with the Creator, and more concerned with His
creation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all aspire to be life-givers. In order to do so, we must admit our
weakness, and seek to fill our lives with the only thing that truly satisfies:
Jesus Christ. He was – and is – the
ultimate Life-Giver. Through him, we can offer that same life, and hope, to
others we see each day.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-23051698772393058002012-11-20T13:35:00.002-05:002012-11-20T13:35:44.308-05:00Laugh it Up!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-mF1kjTrdUIBKcKtFUze4badTd7dbYiYQL8bMfJVQoo7jRHi_8ipMgAhQ18-fS-LFmfk14LtFRh6XODiPjXIVggStObOSjgG4MMALw6eBWE07-VyGKQNlgOX0LMjet6rvOxYWsCLAoU/s1600/laughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-mF1kjTrdUIBKcKtFUze4badTd7dbYiYQL8bMfJVQoo7jRHi_8ipMgAhQ18-fS-LFmfk14LtFRh6XODiPjXIVggStObOSjgG4MMALw6eBWE07-VyGKQNlgOX0LMjet6rvOxYWsCLAoU/s200/laughter.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This year marked
the 20-year reunion for the graduating class of my high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t talk about it too much, but I've been
bitter since Senior Superlatives day, when I was the runner-up in the vote for
"Wittiest" student among my peers. What did they know? I have always
felt like I was robbed. There's no question I was the wittiest! Ironically, I
was a distant 438th in the vote for "Mr. Humility."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That same
year, at our Senior Class dinner/party, I did receive a pretty distinguished
and unique honor: I was awarded the “Most Likely Not to Receive an Award”
Award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, guess who presented that certificate to
me: the girl who is now Mrs. C.A. Phillips!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who’s laughing now?!!??! Bwaaaahahahaaaaaaa…<br />
<br />
But, all maniacal laughter aside, I have always believed that my sense of humor
- even at inopportune times - is an asset that has been genuinely beneficial
over the course of my 38-plus years. And, I just confirmed that notion, as I
took a "humor self-test" online at </span><a href="http://www.queendom.com/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.queendom.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
I scored a 60.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In real life, that is a
failing grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, on the sense of
humor scale, I am up there with Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, and people who
voted for Obama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the web site’s
analysis of my responses:</span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your wacky sense of humor rocks! It appears that you can laugh at
just about anything, including yourself -which is way cool! And hey, if you
can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at right? Just kidding. Of course
you know you have to make sure you're not offending anyone right?! In any case,
most people probably get a kick out of your wit and most likely love hanging
out with you. We think you're pretty funny too!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
<br />
Why does all this matter? Well, scientific studies have proven that laughing
people are more creative and more productive, and hence are better teammates in
a work environment. Further, it has been shown that laughter can add up to
eight years to someone's life! So, I’m really 30 in “laughter years”!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here are some
additional benefits of laughter, as posted by Lonnette Harrell on helium.com:</span><br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones, and increases good
hormones like endorphins, which act as natural painkillers</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Laughter strengthens the immune system, leading to less sickness</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hearty laughter exercises the diaphragm, the abdominals, and
stimulates the heart</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One researcher found that it took ten minutes on a rowing machine
to reach the heart rate produced by one minute of enthusiastic laughter</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Studies by UM Medical Center in Baltimore found that laughter may
prevent heart disease, and also lowers blood pressure<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, how do
you think you'd do on a sense of humor test? Take a minute to take the
10-question exam and see where you stand. You can find it here: </span><a href="http://www.queendom.com/jff_access/the_sense_of_humor_test.htm"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">http://www.queendom.com/jff_access/the_sense_of_humor_test.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If your score
is above 50, then congrats! If you are hovering in the 30's or 40’s, then you
may need to go roll a neighbor’s yard, inhale some helium and talk like a
Munchkin, or rent the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Naked Gun</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Airplane!</i> movies tonight. <br />
<br />
Now, pull my finger.</span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-14709646097441490642012-08-01T14:50:00.000-04:002012-08-01T14:50:11.557-04:00Know Thyself<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
When I started on staff at NorthStar Church back in 2004, I completed a comprehensive personality profile. The goal was to not only help our church management understand how I may best fit in, but also to help me understand myself a little better.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It has been nearly eight years, and I pulled out that file today. I couldn't even remember if I still had it, and I was thankful that I was able to find it. What I read was absolutely spot-on (well, probably 95 percent accurate). Here are some highlights:</div>
<ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<li>I like to develop people and build organizations</li>
<li>I am sensitive to criticism of my work</li>
<li>I influence people with my warmth</li>
<li>I prefer a "team approach"</li>
<li>I like quality social relationships</li>
<li>I like managers to make quick decisions</li>
<li>I like to be involved in the decision-making process</li>
<li>I will not be overlooked nor uninvolved</li>
<li>I am deadline-conscious</li>
<li>I have a positive sense of humor</li>
<li>I verbalize my feelings</li>
<li>I am a good mixer</li>
<li>I need systems to follow</li>
<li>I need strokes for my involvement</li>
<li>I need time for relating and socializing</li>
<li>I am a good "team player"</li>
<li>I enjoy participation in meetings on future planning</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
There's much more, but this list is dead-on when it comes to identifying ways to motivate me and to provide my ideal work environment.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Reading this list was a great way to remind me of how I need to fit in, but the report also gave me some valuable techniques on how to more positively interact with others, and how I can communicate more effectively with them. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you've never completed one of these evaluations, I highly recommend it. Perhaps you can even mention this to your employer as a "benefit" they can provide their employees and the organization as a whole.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5181778018736561805.post-89961197679549580992012-06-13T11:19:00.004-04:002012-06-13T11:42:58.626-04:00What God Did When Sid Slid<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3251567&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_3251567&v=3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0Maw07MP7qI1fzjqIgABm58nBy586_FpChjK1HBsKz3uX_6uMuhOZ2819ZZ-YN1M7zumbOoHJ4p7NhomMOTbi-sUD2fEZ-_W98YSsSMTwR87Dz9pNc6Px1CjqzJ5BCWS_AAifw9AZq8/s400/sid_slide.jpg" width="400" /> Click image to watch video highlight of "The Slide"</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I remember the night. I was glued to the TV with my best friend and college roommate at the University of Georgia that fateful October night in 1992. All seemed hopeless. It was Game 7, and the Braves were down 2-0 in the bottom of the 9th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Doug Drabek had pitched masterfully - 8 shutout innings thus far. </div>
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The Braves' half-inning started with a double deep into the right-field corner by Terry Pendleton. David Justice then hits a routine ground ball to Jose Lind, the Gold Glove-winning second baseman. He boots it. Runners at 1st and 3rd. Sid Bream then walks on four straight pitches. Doug Drabek is pulled from the game. Enter Stan Belinda.</div>
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Ron Gant hits a deep fly ball to the warning track, which plates the Braves' first run. 2-1 Pirates. Catcher Damon Berryhill then walks to load the bases once more. Pinch-hitter Brian Hunter then pops up to 2B, leaving the bases loaded with two outs. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
There was one player remaining on the bench. A kid named Francisco Cabrera, who only had ten at-bats that entire season. He steps in, and laces a pitch down the left-field line - foul into the stands. The next pitch is up and out, but Cabrera reaches out and hammers it to left field. Justice scores easily, but the slow-footed Sid Bream is hoofing it around third base. He makes a wider turn than Braves fans would like to have seen. Bonds fields in left center, then throws home...</div>
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We see Sid pumping his arms, chugging and willing himself toward home plate. The throw from Bonds is up the first-base side of home plate. Catcher Mike Lavalierre has to reach for the throw. Justice and Otis Nixon are begging for Bream to get there...waving their arms up and down, urging him to get down. And Sid slides...</div>
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We hold our breath and lift up a prayer...SAFE! And, the immortal words of Skip Caray ring in our ears..."Braves win! Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!...Braves Win!"</div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
The Braves commemorated "The Slide" this past weekend at Turner Field. On the stage were Sid Bream, Francisco Cabrera, and home plate umpire Randy Marsh. After the brief ceremony - which took me back to my college apartment to relive those amazing moments - Sid Bream addressed the 30,000+ fans gathered at Turner Field.</div>
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I am paraphrasing here, but what Sid Bream shared was something along these lines:</div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
"If we were to go back and do it over again, I am sure Bobby Cox would have put in a pitcher to pinch-run for me. Things may have been done differently. But, God had a plan. He knew that when I scored that I would be able to stand up and tell thousands of people about my personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When Sid slid, the Braves won. But, more than that, God received glory, and many more people - through Sid Bream's testimony - got to hear about a Savior who often enjoys taking the world by surprise - even by allowing the slowest player on the team to score the most dramatic game-winning run in franchise history. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430521465953619322noreply@blogger.com0