BE LIKE JEREMY LIN!

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. - Proverbs 27:17

     Ok, so the title has nothing to do with this Bible verse.  But I love the Jeremy Lin story!  No one's ever heard of him, he goes on a tear....and he doesn't stop.  Everyone loves the rags to riches, coming out of nowhere story.  We all love to see the underdog rise to the occasion because, partly, it reminds us that we can be that underdog.  Everyday is a new day with a whole new adventure, and that day might be our day.
     Maybe we won't become the starting point guard for the New York Knicks.  But, it might be our day to really affect somebody's life.  It might be our day to turn our marriage around.  It might be our day to do our job a lot better.  It might be our day to recconnect with God.  And yes, it might be our day, when all the world will recognize us for something we've done.
     So, sharpen another friend today.  Who knows it might be their day too!  (See how I tied it all together!)

RAMBO MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD IT FIGURED OUT!

You say, "I am not allowed to do anything" - but everything is good for you.  You say, "I am allowed to do anything" - but not everything is beneficial.  Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.  1 Corinthians 10:23-24

     Maybe it's the lack of sleep, but I was reading this and thinking, "What the...."  Those first two lines make no sense whatsoever.  I know God has a pretty good idea on grammar, but I don't get.  So, let's do what all great readers do, and SKIP IT!  
     Now, that second part, I get it!  Think about what is good for others.  Whatever you do, ask this, "How is it going to affect others?"
     Whoa!  That's a little revolutionary.  In our world that loves the song, "I Did it My Way" - we might actually think about what others need before ourselves.  In our world that values the independent, powerful, confident (which oftentimes just means selfish), and individualistic - God is saying "NO!"  It's about community, empathy, selflessness.
     Challenge:  Go through the day with this lens: What do the people around me need?  

BE A DORK ON VALENTINE'S DAY!

There was a believer in Joppa names Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas).  She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. -Acts 9:36

     Do you think Dorcas ever got made fun of?  Why not just name your kid Geekas?  Or Moronas?  Or Nerdas?  (Just think if you added another "s" to her name!)
      But, one thing you can never make fun of is someone who is always doing kind things and helping the poor (see that tie in?).  Actually, I think Dorcas would have been my kind of Christian.  I like those people who do kind things and help the poor.  Those people who are in Bible studies, they're o.k.  Those people who don't swear - I could take them or leave them.  Those people who who are always at church but are never the church - you can have them.
     Give me a bunch of Dorks who just love God, want to do kind deeds, help the poor, and we'll change the world!  Maybe we'll call this the Dork Revolution!  We're just dorky enough to do it!
      Is anyone with me?  
     If so, send me an idea like this one: Get your family and nine other families to sponsor a backpack ($25 at sixseeds.org).  Let's do this!

SOME OF US CHURCHGOERS ARE WIMPY!

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. -James 1:2-4

     What is trouble?  That is the question!  Is it losing a football game?  Is it being sick?  Is it having to get your kids to a bunch of different events?  Is it having to get up early?
     My buddy Julio Cuomo likes to say, "We don't know trouble.  The disciples - they knew trouble."  They knew that if they followed Jesus they could get killed.  Now that' trouble.  So, when James says, "When troubles come your way" I think he had a little different view of what trouble was.
      I love our church people.  I love the folks who hang out with God on a daily basis.  But, if I have one criticism, their view of trouble seems a little warped.  I'll just say it, There are a lot of wimps out there!
     Now, that's not bad.  James is saying right here - no matter what "trouble" is to you - it can help you grow.  But, maybe this is also a good reminder that "trouble" is supposed to test your faith, supposed to grow your endurance.  If it's not doing that, then maybe it's not trouble.

GET SOME REST!

Sleep in!  (No Bible verse today - the book is downstairs)

     4 o'clock a.m.  That was the first time I woke up and decided to lay back down.  It is now 7:07 and I am still in my house.  I didn't go to the gym.  I didn't get off to work.  I just slept......AND IT FELT GOOD.
     No long speech today.  No interesting tidbits - just this.  Don't be afraid to rest every now and then.  John Ortberg put it like this: "For six days you work hard, you give it your all.  But, on the seventh day, you rest!!"
     Stuff will get done!  You body won't go to pot if you skip a day.  You won't be a worse person if you take one day off!

THAT SUPER BOWL REALLY GETS IN THE WAY!

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  - 1 Corinthians 13:7


     You know when love is tough?  When the SuperBowl is on.  You've got a wife that's sick, a dog that needs walking and some kids who want dinner.  And the Patriots are playing the Giants in a game the "everybody" is "supposed" to watch.
      I'll just break it to you - I didn't love well.  I was distracted by the Giants comeback.  I put Tom Brady's last drive in front of my daughter's desire to have Freddie come up stairs.  I let my daughters do to bed without Tebowing with them.  
     Would love do that?  Would love let any distraction get in the way?  Would love put anything in front of listening to the people you love the most?  Would love let anything get in the way of meeting their needs?
      I think God should have added another line to that verse - ", and love doesn't run down to the basement to watch the SuperBowl."

WHO'S YOUR SAMARITAN?

Jesus replied with a story, "A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho.....Then a despised Samaritan came along."  -Luke 10:30, 33

     I've been hearing a lot about Samaritans lately.  You know the story - couple guys pass, then the one guy you least expect, the one who is most different from the injured person - he helps!  
     It's really forced me to ask how I help those who are most different from me.  And maybe even more importantly, how often do I even stop?
     Really, how often do I even hang out with  people of a different race?  How often do I hold a conversation with those who English is not their first language?  How often do I  listen to someone I know does not share the same beliefs or attitudes as I do?
     I was challenged this week by Jesus's commission to go into all the world. All the world pretty much means all different kind of people.  It pretty much means getting out of your comfort zone.  It pretty much means you've got to help your Samaritans.

TIM TEBOW DOES IT AGAIN!

Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth - a stranger, not your own lips.- Proverbs 27:2

     Everything Tim Tebow does is gold!  I guess when he was young, his parents put in a rule.  They could only talk about themselves if asked.  So, no bragging about something they did on the football field, no boring people with what they ate for dinner (there goes Facebook!), no responding to a story with a story of their own.
     I want to be Tim Tebow!  Don't talk about yourself unless someone else asks.  That would be fun wouldn't it?  
     You'd have to think about questions to ask other people, comments from things that they've said, and maybe it would even force you to really listen to what they say.
     This is something you don't find in the world too often - Facebook really has become a symbol for Americanism.  Talk about yourself - even if no one else wants to listen.  Hmmm, I think we may be on to something here.

THERE'S NO TONY IN TEAM!

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. - Romans 12:4-5

     Do you think God was serious when He came up with this "many parts of one body" stuff?  I mean the whole trinity thing, the whole "where two or more are gathered", the whole community of believers - is that for real?
     I think it is!
     Don't get me wrong.  I wish God would have said stuff like, "When you are at work, just focus on what you need to get done.  There's no time to talk with coworkers."  I'm good at that.
     I wish he would have said, "Don't waste your time picking up phone calls or responding to friends.  There is enough to do during the day without interuptions."  Good at that one too.
      Why didn't he just put a, "You have everything you need for this world - you don't need other people" quote in the Bible?  I'd be all over that!
      But, instead God keeps telling us (me) that other people are important, community is important, relationships get more "done."  Really, it's too bad; because life the other way is sooooo much easier.

GOD'S SCOREBOARD!

This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  - Joshua 1:9

     There are a lot of scoreboards in life.  There's the Money scoreboard.  There's the Friends scoreboard (sponsored by Facebook).  There's the Success scoreboard.  There's the How Good Looking Are You scoreboard.  There's the Parenting scoreboard.  There's the Smarts scoreboard.  There's the Athletic scoreboard.  There's the Christian scoreboard.  And then there's God's scoreboard.
     Tony Dungee talked about that last one this morning.  I was sitting in our Ikea chairs trying to figure that one out.  What does God keep track of?  What's important to God?  Because that's all that really matters (Sorry Mrs. Neisus, I just started a sentence with a preposition!)
      I guess there are a lot of ways we can judge ourselves in this life, but the only way that matters is how we are judged by God.  Are we getting up every day and doing our best to serve Him?  Are we spending our day listening to Him and trying to follow?  At the end of the day would God say, "Well done"?  That's our scoreboard! 

I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO GOD! I WANT GOD TO LISTEN TO ME!

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

     I don't want to blog about this today.  I want to talk about why my basketball team gets blown out every time we play.  I want to ask, "What am I doing wrong?"  This Bible verse is just words on a paper because it doesn't apply to my life right now....at least I don't think it does.
      Maybe that's my problem.  I'm realizing that too often I talk to God about what I want to.  I ask Him for answers to my questions.  I let my life drive the ship.
      Instead, maybe I should take it from a different perspective.  Instead of thinking about how this verse relates to what is going on in my life, I could ask what God is trying to teach me.  Instead of asking God to work in my situation, I could think about His situation and think about where I fit in.  Instead of looking for answers to my questions, I could ask God the question, "What is important to you?"  
      Too often I turn this relationship with God into a quest to "Make My Life Better."   Crazy thing is that my life would actually be better if I didn't focus on it so much.

WE DESERVE TO SERVE!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.  And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.  And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:7-8

     Have you ever wished you could just relax?  I think we all have, and I think we all should.  There should definitely be a time when we give our mind, body and soul a break.
     But, have you ever thought you deserved a break?  Have you ever felt like it was your God-given right to have a life free of stress, of time pressures, of hard work?  No offense to McDonalds, but you you know what we deserve? WE DESERVE TO SERVE!  (I just came up with that - pretty good!)
     I heard a guy talking yesterday about the need for Big Brothers and Big Sisters volunteers - 4 hours a month.  I know for a fact we are in desperate need of people to volunteer at the homeless shelter.  I know that our school could use as much help as we can get.  There are so many things to do, so many things to get involved in, so many great ways to spend your hours.
      So, why are TV ratings so high?  Why do movies still make so much money?  Why do restaurants fill up every weekend?
      I think it's because people (I think it's because I) think, "What can I do to relax?" before they think "What can I do to bless someone?"
     We need to relax. TV and movies are not bad.  However, I would like to spend more time thinking about how to help than how to relax.  
     The Bible verse above reminds us that there is a time coming for relaxation.  But, that time is after we finish the race!

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:31-32

     I know the truth.  I teach it to my daughters.  I teach it partly to my students.  I try to live it out in my life....or do I?
     I wonder if you really analyzed my thoughts, my actions, my words on a daily basis - do I really believe what Jesus said?  
     We were talking about the fruits of the spirit last night, and a life that results from that: joy, peace, self-control, love, faithfulness, power.  Is that what I see when I look in the mirror?
     When I wake up do I look at the day the way Jesus would?  
     I think the way I answer those questions really answers what I believe.  And what are those answers, I'm not really sure.

BE YOURSELF!

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  - Romans 12:2

     There are a few things I wish people would have really told me when I was a kid.  
1) This Jesus thing is the real deal.  He really knew what He was talking about!
2) Don't worry.  God is really going to take care of you - He knows what He's doing!
3) Don't worry about what other people think.  Just be yourself.  God really made you the way you are for a reason!
     Tony Dungee says it better than I will right now, but the point is the same.  We are who we are!  The sooner we realize that and stop trying to be something we're not, the faster we will learn that God's will for our lives really is good and pleasing and perfect.  
      What do you like?  What are you good at?  DO THOSE THINGS!
      What don't you like?  What are you horrible at?  STOP DOING THOSE THINGS!
      I think it's pretty simple really!

MOST OVERUSED SCRIPTURE IN HISTORY!

Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?  You do not belong to yourself, for God ought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

     Maybe it's because I like to drink Coca-Cola.  Maybe it's because most of my eating comes from restaurants where you can "Supersize it."  Maybe it's because I'm a little overweight...and don't really care. But, I have to tell you, I don't think God is too concerned about what goes into a person's body.
     There it is - I said it! 
     "It's not what goes into a person's body that makes them unclean - it is what comes out. "
      Guess who said that.  Wasn't me!  It was Jesus.  
     "A glutton and a drunkard."
     Guess who those words were used to describe.  Wasn't Satan.  It was Jesus.
      OK, does God want us to take care of ourselves and make sure our bodies can do whatever it is that He wants us to do?  Yes!  Does God want us to have energy and strength and a positive outlook on the day - all things that come with healthy eating and exercise?  Yes!  But, is that how we honor God with our bodies?  NO! NO! NO!
      We honor God with our bodies by taking them where people need us to make earth a little more like heaven.  We honor God with our bodies by doing things with them that help others.  We honor God with our bodies by keeping them pure from truly evil things like lust and greed and revenge.  We honor God with our bodies by being willing to let Him lead them.
     Here's my question - would God rather have an overweight person who just loved folks or a buff, vegetarian who cared only about himself?  
     So, take care of your body, but more importantly honor God with what your body does and thinks and says.

JUST USED THIS ONE YESTERDAY!

When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do." - Mark 2:17

     If you really want to improve something about your life, is it better to try real hard or ask God?  If you really want to stop doing something in your life, is it better to try real hard or ask God?  If you want some part of your life to change, is it better to try real hard or ask God?
     My daughters knew the answer real quick.  We were at the dinner table yesterday and asked the same exact question.  And faster than Kenny Williams kid could fumble a punt return, faster than Billy Cundiff could hook one right - they said, "Ask God!"
     Here's the deal - we're all sick!  We all have somethings we need to improve, things we need to stop, things that need to change.  But, we also all have a doctor who is more than willing to help heal all those things. 
    The problem comes when we either a) don't realize we're sick or b) try to handle it on our own.  My suggestion - listen to Sofia and Grace!  They come from good genes!

I REALLY BELIEVE, DESPITE MY LACK OF PARENTING SKILLS, MY DAUGHTERS WILL TURN OUT ALRIGHT!

We live by believing and not by seeing - 2 Corinthians 5:7

     I just had a friend ask for any tips on "not having a job for a while" and dealing with the financial stress.  I just talked to a kid about forgiving someone who had something mean to them.  I just went sledding when I had a whole bunch of work to do.  I just finished volunteering at the homeless shelter, where there are people who have been living on the streets for five years.  I wake up most mornings thinking that I'm a pretty special person that can do incredible things.
     I try to live by faith and not by sight.
     Most days, I don't worry about sickness or what might happen to my body.  Most days I don't think about how others perceive me.  Most days I don't really think about what I'm going to do for a job or what the future holds.  And most days I don't think about money or how we're going to take care of the things we need.
     I try to live by faith and not by sight.
     I really believe, despite my lack of parenting skills, my daughters are going to turn out alright.  I really believe that what I'm doing in my classroom will make these students better people.  I really believe that people are more important than money, time, stuff.  I really believe that Jesus was right when he said _________________.  I really believe God wants what's best for me.
     I try to live by faith and not by sight.
    

IF EVERYONE WAS LIKE YOU, WOULD THE WORLD BE BETTER?

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11:1

      Let's say everyone was just like you - had the same attitudes, spent their free time the same way, had the same character, treated people like you treat people.  Would the world be a better place or a worse place?  For most of us, except for a few select folks who help out at PADS, I bet the answer would be "Yes!"  But, just in case, this is a Choose Your Own Adventure blog.  If you say "No" go to the next paragraph.  If you say "Yes" skip down to paragraph three.

     CHANGE!  Don't you realize that people are watching you.  People are going to do what you do.  People are going to be what you are  It's pretty easy actually.  In fact just last night I was telling God, "I really want to change but I can't.  I need your help!"  That's really all it takes.

      BE CONFIDENT!  If you know that you are doing what God would want you to do, then trust in that.  There are too many people who are afraid of certain situations (me included).  There are too many people who get nervous to say things or do things (me included).  There are too many people who are intimidated by "nonbelievers" (me included).  Paul was confident enough to say, act like me just like I act like Christ.  We should walk in the confidence too!

     

SHOULD I CALL MY PRINCIPAL LARRY?

Submit to the governing authorities.  For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling agains thwat God has instituted, and they will be punished. - Romans 13:1-2

     I would always call my old principal Mr. Hartman.  Even after we would meet every Friday to discuss life at a local bagel shop, even after our families hung out together to make gingerbread houses, even after he drove to my house and we hung outside talking about our roles as parents and husbands.  To this day it feels weird to refer to him as Tom.
    He is my friend, but he was also my boss.  There was a certain amount of respect I thought he deserved as my boss and so I would call him by his last name.  And for the most part, I do feel like I honored that relationship.  There were times that I questioned his decisions in a respectful way, but I "bought in" to his role as a leader.
    Now I am older and "wiser."  I've started calling people by their first names - parents from my school, staff (I didn't even use to do that at my old school), and sometimes even.....my principal.  That still seems weird, but I do it.  As I'm typing this, I don't like it.  Call me old fashion, but I think your boss should be called by their last name.  I think it shows respect. 
     Thoughts?

YOU DON'T HAVE TO FORGIVE!

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you.  But, if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. - Matthew 6:14-15.

     There are some times when you can justify unforgiveness (is that even a word?)  Really, if have a parent who's done some things to you that a parent just should not do, forgiveness really isn't an option.  Think about it - if a friend stabs you in the back it's only natural to stab right back, or at least treat that person the way they deserve.  What about a spouse who is always on you and never has a kind word?  You have the right to be cold and uncaring in that situation.  And don't tell me it doesn't feel right when someone who has wronged you get's a little payback!
     NO!  THAT IS THE WISDOM THIS WORLD WILL OFFER!  THAT IS THE WISDOM I TOO OFTEN FALL INTO!  THAT IS THE WISDOM THAT LEADS TO ALL THE NEGATIVE THINGS IN THIS WORLD!  God said that we need to forgive because that is what's best for everyone - ourselves, others, this world, the Kingdom!  
    I know it seems ok to treat others poorly who have treated you poorly.  I know it seems ok to justify your negative thoughts because of past or present behaviors.  I do it too.  But that does not make it right and it does not make it good!
     What if we did have a world that forgave?  There's something you don't hear often at the water cooler - yeah the boss messed up, but we all do.  You won't hear this in the kindergarten pick-up line, "Yeah my husband just sat around all day while I took the kids everywhere, but it's ok."  You don't hear too many middle-schoolers saying things like, "That dude just called me a __________________, but I know it's not true and there must be some reason he's like that."
     You don't have to forgive, but the world will end up a worse place for it.  Unforgiveness is not a word - and that's for a reason!

ONE THING I'D LIKE TO PASS ON...

You must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.  The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. - Matthew 12:36-37

     I was thinking the other day, "What do I really want to pass on to my daughters?  What are the things I really want them to learn and apply to their lives?"  I don't know why I was thinking that.  Oh, yes I do - the movie "Courageous" - GO SEE IT!
     Anyway, one of the things I came up with is for them to be women of their word.  If they say something you can count on them to do it.  If they tell you something you know it's going to happen.  When they talk, the words they choose will be thought out, and they won't say things without thinking of the impact.
     I'll be honest, it was a very short list of things I came up with, but this was one of them.  It's important to me.  It's important to God.  And hopefully it will be important to my daughters someday.

I WAS ANGRY THIS MORNING!

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. - Proverbs 16:3

     I was angry this morning.  I pulled into McDonalds to do a little stuff before work while enjoying a nice, healthy McDonalds breakfast.  But, I forgot my wallet at home.  That followed a night when I went to the library to check out Pro Football Weekly but forgot my wallet, and then when I went in there couldn't find the magazine and needed help.  That followed us not being able to find our iPod.  It was like everything I had planned didn't work.
     I'll be honest.  I was really looking forward to hanging out at McDonalds.  I love getting a drink, firing up the laptop and going to "work."  I was really excited about Pro Football Weekly too.  I asked the library to subscribe to that about 6 months ago - and they did.  When I heard they had it, I couldn't wait to check it out.  And the reason the iPod is such a big deal is because that's what I listen to every morning at the gym and now with the snow - is there anything better than shoveling while catching up on football news?
     See, everything I wanted to happen, didn't.  And then Tony Dungee reminded me that we don't commit the Lord to our actions, we commit our actions to the Lord.  It's not our plan that will guarantee success, it's Gods.  Instead of making out plans and then getting angry when everything doesn't work out, it might be better to figure out God's plans and then do those.  
     I'm not as angry anymore, but man a sausage biscuit would have tasted good!

WHO ARE YOU - REALLY?

Anyone who listens to the word but does ot do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  - James 1:23-24

     Do you know who you are?  Not what people say about you, not what people think about you - but who are you?  What do YOU like?  What are YOU good at?  What do YOU dislike?  What are YOU not good at?  Do you know?  Do you have a good handle on the truth?
     One of the best compliments I ever got was, "What you see is what you get."  (Thanks Fr. Ron).  And I think I've always (well, post high-school) had a pretty good handle on who I was and who I was not.   After high-school, I was pretty good at knowing what I should be doing and what I shouldn't.  I was pretty confident in just being myself.  After high school, I had a pretty good sense of "this is who I am - take it or leave it!"
     Know what happened after high school?  I really started to get into the God thing.  See, I don't think you can really know who you are without a little help from the Savior.  He's like the mirror - giving an accurate reflection of yourself. In fact, I don't think you can really know who you are unless you read the Bible and figure out who God says you are (He did create you after all).
     One of the most draining and frustrating activities is trying to be someone you are not - stop draining yourself.  Think about who you are, just be that person and then go watch TIM TEBOW (he will also show you the truth!)
     

PUT THE FEET UP!

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.  Later, Simon and the others went out to find him.  When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you." - Mark 1:35-37

     Football coaches are crazy.  They are known to spend nights in their offices sleeping on the couch.  They go to bed late and get up early planning for a game on Sunday.  Some business folks are crazy.  They work till the late hours of night, only to get up early and go back in to start the day.  Teachers can be crazy too.  I have known a few to be at school until 3 o'clock.....in the morning.  
     That seems to be the American way.  Push harder.  Work longer.  Put in more hours.  Go! Go! Go!  
     But right here, in this blog, I want to tell you that IT'S OK TO REST!  It's ok to put your feet up every once in a while.  It's ok to have some time where you are doing nothing.  No guilt!  No feeling of wasted time!  No feeling like you "should" be doing something.
     In fact, not only is it ok - but it's better for you.  I have found that it is in those times where God can do the most work - not only on you but in situations.  
     I've been getting up early every morning to read this Tony Dungee book, and I have to be honest - it's good, it's real good.  It's one of the few times when I am not listening to something, doing something, helping someone.  And it does seem to make the day go better.
      My advice to all of us - don't be crazy!  Put our feet up - we might just get more done!

HOW GOOD A FRIEND ARE YOU?

After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathon, the King's son.  There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathon loved David. 1 Samuel 18:1

     I was reading the start of Tony Dungee's book - you know the part where it tells you "how to use this book."  I know, I know, nobody reads that, but I had some free time.  Anyway, he seperates his book into 7 themes - I guess the 7 things he thinks are most important.  They are things like Family, Potential, Faith, etc.  Well, while I'm reading this I actually think to myself, "I hope he doesn't have friends on that list."  I remember the thought popping into my head hoping that friendship wasn't that big a deal.
      Why?  BECAUSE I STINK AT IT!  Even as I was walking out of the gym this morning, I noticed that I made the choice to not even say "Bye" to the guy at the counter.  Instead, I put on my headphones and walked right by.  I do that a lot.  I just walk right by people.  I don't stop by people's rooms at school.  I don't call people just to talk.  I don't go "hang out." 
       Part of it is that I'm focused on work and stuff I do.  Part of it is self-esteem stuff.  Part of it is people sometimes bug me.  There's a lot that goes into it, but I'm just not that good of a friend, and it's really not that big a deal to me.
     But, I think Tony Dungee is on to something.  It's a big deal to him, and it's a big deal to God - especially how you can build up the people around you.  So, maybe I don't need to be Norm from Cheers, but it is possible that I might be more open to how God would want to use me in other people's lives.

SELF-CONTROL

In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely - Titus 2:6

     I am drinking a pop!  It's 6:45 and this will be the last pop I drink today - it's a matter of self-control.  
     Yesterday at church I taught the kids about Proverbs 28:25 which says something about if a person lacks self-control they are like a city with a broken down wall (wow, I should remember exactly what it says).  Basically, it's saying you can get attacked if you lack - self-control of course!  So, I challenged the kids to think of one thing they could do to show self-control, and then ask God to help them.
     Guess what Tony Dungee talked about today?  Self-control (actually, I was supposed to read it yesterday, but I forgot).  He talked about how a lot of young men today lack that ability, and I agree.  I notice a lot of people who can't control themselves.  They have a lot of excuses, a lot of labels, a lot of reasons why, but really it comes down to self-control.
     But, what's more disturbing is that I notice I am becoming one of those people.   That's why I'm drinking this pop.  Hopefully, it will lead me toward more self-control and more reliance on the one who put it in the Bible.

WHO'S BETTER - ME OR TONY DUNGEE?

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  - Matthew 6:33

     I'm taking the Tony Dungee Challenge - are you?  Tony (not me, Dungee) wrote a book that challenges you to spend a little time with God every day.  By "spending time with God" he means reading what he wrote about a Bible verse.  So, I figured I'd do the same thing.  I'd write about the same Bible verse, and then, if you're doing the challenge too, you can vote who's is better (ok, it doesn't really matter who's is better, it just helps me to cement this verse into my heart).

     This morning, I was supposed to get up at 5:30.  I laid in be until about 5:45, but in that time I got a great idea about how to do a Science Experiment today.  Little thing?  Maybe not?  See, I've been doing a lot of "going to bed with a headphone in my ear" lately.  How can you not?  With the Bears firing Jerry Angelo and the Cubs trading Carlos Zambrano, I have to be caught up on all the latest news - even if it comes while I'm sleeping. 

      However, that doesn't leave a lot of time for quiet in my life.  This morning at 5:30 I finally had quiet......and little things about my day started to come into focus.  Maybe that works everyday!  Maybe that quiet gives God time to speak!  Maybe!

2012 DON'T THINK OF OURSELVE!

     First, I kow selve is spelled wrong, but it looks more like twelve.

     Second, I have to give credit to my sister Cammy.  She came up with it.

     We were all sitting around at 11:50 talking about our New Years Resolutions.  I had not firmly established mine up until that point, but then I came up with a brilliant idea - NO RESOLUTIONS!  None!  Not one!  Nothing I'm going to work on!  Nothing I'm going to try and improve!  Nothing for me to focus on!

     Let me give you a little background.  Last New Years we sat around a table, passed around the Cokta, and made resolutions.  I had 8 of them - all of which I intended to keep.  On January 30, I was looking at that bottle and I realized that I had only done one of them, and that one I had to cram in December to accomplish! 

     I also realized that all these goals that I set just make me focus on myself more.  It's one more thing I have to do, one more thing to concentrate on ME. 

    So, no more!  When I look back on 2012 there will be no guilt, no disappointment and hopefully, a whole lot more focusing on others.

    Now, I will still go to Ethiopia.  I will still take Tony Dungy's challenge to spend time every day with God.  I will still do the Healthy Eating Challenge with my class and I will join Jeff Wayne in listening to my wife.  But, those aren't my goals. 

     My goal in 2012 is to think less of myself.  But it's not a goal, it's not a resolution.  That would ruin my whole plan!