Make it count

Pastor Stan spoke Tuesday night for our Senior High students. He did a great job. I liked how he was true to himself and didn't try to be 25! By the way...he shared that he graduated in 1974 (the year I was born!).

As Pastor Stan spoke I had a cool thought - it doesn't matter how old you are or who you are - what matters is who you know. He spoke on 'making your life count' and that happens when we get to know God's plan for our lives.

He shared a story about a man who was sucessful in life but as he got older had one major regret. His regret was that everyday he was told what to do by an 18 year old. The application was that when this man was 18 years old he decided the course of his life and like it or not that 18 year old's decision would impact the rest of this man's life.

I think so often we are busy deciding what we want to do or asking our friends what they think we should do but rarely ask what is God's plan for our lives.

At our student leadership meeting I challenged our students to memorize Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your plans to the Lord and they will succeed."

I think if we'll do that we'll look back and not regret the decisions we made but celebrate the wisdom God has given us.

basketball practice

Today I took Gabriel (my 7 year old) to a basketball skills practice at his school. When we got to the gym he took off...grabbed a ball and started shooting. I was so proud of how he just jumped in.

During the practice he was taught some basic drills: dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense.

Then came the game a 5 on 5 scrimmage. Gabriel was put on a team and given a jersey. One of the coolest things was whenever Gabriel would score or make a rebound or score he would look over to me to see if I was watching. Of course, I was giving him a handclap and the thumbs up and saying "good - job."

It was a cool father/son moment.

Stand or Sit

My only question to you stand or do you sit?

Let me know?

HERO

There's my little guy...he's got his new Carson Palmer jersey on. Gabriel is 7 and it's like a switch has been turned on when it comes to football. It's football all the time in his mind.

His favorite player - Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals. Gabriel really admires Carson Palmer b/c he's a great football player BUT (thanks Gary Fowler) Palmer isn't my son's hero.

I think we can easily make actors & athletes into heros when in reality we know very little about them.

What is a HERO? My definition - someone who knows the right thing to do in a given circumstance and always does it. Sounds too simple huh?

A lot of know what the right thing is...a lot of of us sometimes know what the right thing is...and a lot of sometimes even do the right thing...however...are you a person who knows the right thing to do in a given circumstance and always does it?

My prayer is that my son will see his dad model that behavior and become his HERO.

The ultimate HERO - Jesus Christ modeled that for me and we are to follow that example.

So are you a HERO?

wow - the middle finger

some people sigh really loud

some people swear under their breath

some people roll their eyes

and some people - throw up their middle finger

i'm not sure why this seems to help but i guess it does...

last night, i was driving home from buying my kids a valentine's gift. i'm in a great mood, feeling like a great dad, there's a cool song on the radio and traffic is heavy. so i ease into traffic like an old man into a bathtub. i put my blinker on, i wave to the car beside me like 'can i please cut in line' when all the sudden, the car behind the car i'm waving at...honks their horn and throws up the middle finger. wow - the middle finger...are you kidding me...are we in 8th grade or what?

i didn't know what to do...again, i'm in a great mood (good dad feeling, cool song playing) so i just look the other way and say outloud 'wow, the middle finger.'

my point: i can't control what other people do. too often we allow other people's sighing, swearing, and rolling of eyes to affect our great day when all we need to remember is no controls your attitude without your permission.

so go have a great day!

evaluate

I want to gain weight.

I want to get healthier.

I want to grow spiritually.

All things I've said and you probably have too - except you probably wanted to lose weight...

But these are all statements that can only LEAD TO FAILURE!

Why? Because they are not measurable.

I'm taking some time this week to evaluate where CLC's High School Ministry is heading in the next year.

Evaluation is tough but necessary. It's tough b/c you have to measure where you are and honestly evaluate what's working and what's not.

Too often we don't like to be HONEST with ourselves and that can only hurt our health.

So how are you doing? Evaluate some things and be honest.

My point: If you want to grow ADD clarity to your process. For example, this year, I'd like to gain 10 lbs. of MUSCLE, eat healthier by adding some more fruits & veggies and less sweets, and I'd like to grow spiritually by reading 12 great books and reading the bible daily.

I had a little pep in my voice...

The other day someone asked me if I've sold my house yet? We are selling our home and it's been quite a LONG process...

Well back to the question: "have you sold your house yet," I answered, "Nope, not yet but I'm one day closer today than I was yesterday." I had a little pep in my voice - trying not be discouraged BUT their response confused me.

They said, "Well you just need to pray harder!"

The reason I'm confused is I'm not sure how to pray harder. Someone told me last week to just have more faith and it will happen...

I really think it's not about praying harder or having more faith it's about simply trusting that God has my best interest in mind and would never let me go through something without a purpose.

My point: I'm not sure how to pray any harder or how to have any more faith but I do know how to just throw up my hands and say "God I trust you!"

How about you? Got any areas that you need to just throw your hands up and say, "God I trust you!"

Great read!

I just finished reading Andy Andrews book, The Lost Choice. It's one of those great reads. I think reading is one of the best uses of your time and the side effects are a plus!

Here's a brief overview...

Book Description
When a young boy finds a mysterious object in the creek near his home, his parents launch an investigation that will eventually link the ancient object to such remarkable figures as George Washington Carver, Oskar Shindler, Joan of Arc, and Alfred Vanderbilt. Separate pieces of the artifact--with different but similar inscriptions--shape the lives of those who possess the object.
With each new discovery come new questions: What is the connection between these objects? Is there is another piece? And, if so, how might this final piece complete the object and its message? Could it, indeed, change the very world with its power and wisdom?
The books ending reveals not only the origin and fulfillment of this amazing artifact, but also the guiding principles behind this story that can be applied directly to readers' lives. (Bio provided by Amazon.com)

Today's walkaway: I'm trying to read at least one book a month and apply what I read to my life. It's been a great discipline and the life applications and spiritual growth are amazing side effects!