Wow! Another year is about to be put in the books. Can you believe it? We are about to enter the year 2011! Did you ever think that we would see such a year? I guess WOW is a pretty good way to describe the year and all it held.
I know that 2010 was a pretty amazing year for some of you, and for others it’s been, well for lack of a better word, really crappy. My wife will read that and get on to me for using such foul language in a blog, so please forgive the crudeness. But it’s true, there were some really great times and there were some not so great times during the past 12 months. There have been births and unfortunately there have been a few deaths. But the birth of a child is an amazing experience and you remember the moment for ever. Especially the Mother! She remembers the first kick, the way the baby laid on her side during the pregnancy, the trip to the ER and how the Father drove like a mad man to get there. She also remembers the fear of giving birth, the agony and the pain she felt during the delivery of her new baby boy. But she also remembers the joy and excitement of hearing that baby cry for the first time, the peace of knowing that the pain she felt was over and the rush of emotions that flooded her as she held that new baby in her arms for the first time. Such a WOW moment!
The Father remembers things as well. He can recall the waiting for nine months, the smells he encountered while standing/sitting in the ER waiting for the Doctor to begin the procedure. He also remembers the first incision the doctor made across his wife’s stomach, the site of human organs and the agony of fighting faint. But as he watched the procedure he also remembers the fear, the worry and the doubt he felt as he reflected on what was happening. Will I be a good father? Will I be a better man to my wife? What will I be after this happens? Will I be able to afford this? But the most amazing thing a Father remembers of during the birth of his child is the sight of that baby being taken out of his Mother, being cleaned up and placed in his hands for the first time. You talk about a WOW moment!
We have all experienced some negative things in 2010. Some lost jobs, benefits, marriages, and even family members during the year. If someone was to ask those folks what they remember most of 2010 the first thing that would come to mind is the negative events. Some may be angry, bitter, upset and even downright disappointed that the year turned out the way it did. But let’s look at it another way. YOU were not alone in your battles. If you were to look back with your mind’s eye, you would see that during your time of agony, pains, depression and torment you were surrounded by friends and family. Some of you may have even developed a closer relationship with other family members, friends, church and even God through the experience you’ve had this past year. There is always a bright side and a WOW moment in every dark situation. You just have to want to see it.
Although 2010 wasn’t a bad year for me and my family, it wasn’t the best of years either. But isn’t that how life goes? You have good days and bad days, rainy days and days the sun shines brighter than ever. However; I’m looking at the New Year as new, expecting parents look at the arrival of the new baby. With great joy, expectations for new experiences and the chance to allow God to use me to bring much joy, peace, love, strength, and support into the life of someone else. I’m looking for 2011 to be filled with many WOW moments. Not only for me, but for others.
Just my thoughts on a page...
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Is This Love....?
I think this blog is going to have several parts to it...Here goes part one.
Over the last few weeks I’ve had this question going over and over in my head. Is it LOVE? You hear the words “I love you” all the time from many different people in your life. But are the words really meant or is it just a phrase that people say to make the person hearing those words feel better? In 1987 a rock group by the name of WhiteSnake had a hit single called “Is This Love” that went to number two in the single chart making this song their second biggest U.S. hit. I guess that question is one of the biggest questions that people ask themselves. No wonder the song went to number two in the charts. People want to know “Is This Love”?
For those of you who actually know me you’ll understand the following research method. I went to Webster’s dictionary to get some clarification and Webster defines “love” as the following: 1 Strong affection or liking of someone or something: 2 A passionate affection of one person for another. If you noticed the definition there is one word that is the same in both descriptions…affection. So, I went to Webster’s again. Affection: 1 fond or tender feeling. Another word that caught my attention was the word passionate, which means having or showing strong feelings. Passion is any emotion as hate, love, fear, or intense emotional excitement, and my favorite, the object of any strong desire. The OBJECT of any strong desire…so there has to be something or someone that you SHOW your tender, fond feelings to. Not only is there a showing of this feeling but there is someone who receives it.
I’m sure that there are some of you out there that hear those words and the first thing that goes through your mind is, yeah right. I know that I’ve heard it from people and I think you don’t even know me how can you say you “love” me? People have said those words before and had no reason to say it. They just said it because it sounded right at the time. It made the person sitting across from them feel like they were important and had meaning in their life. Maybe that’s the way the people that said it to me wanted me to feel, like I was important and had meaning to them. There has to be another way to make people feel like they are important to us...but that's another blog.
I guess the best example of love we have is that of Jesus Christ. No greater love has ever been displayed. Even though he cried out to God, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless….he followed through with it. That is love! That is a true display of strong affection, passionate affection of one person to another. Isn’t the definition of “Christian” to be “Christ like”? When was the last time you actually went through a "crucifixion" for someone you allegedly “loved”? Some of you can answer that with the statement that you’ve been through hell and back for the people you love. You’re the kind of person I want in my corner. You’re not afraid to fight for what you want. You’re the kind of person that I seek out to be my friend. You're tough, determined and will not let anything stand in your way. Even if the people you're fighting for don't return the same affection, you're showing YOUR love, not theirs.
When Christ says He loves us, we know he means it because he showed how important we are to him. When you fight for your spouse, your children, your friends and you tell them you love them, they understand those words because they know what you've done for them or where you've been for them. They know the sacrifices and dedications you've made for them. There is no question when the words I love you are spoken because they know just how important they are to you. You've shown it.
So, to answer the question asked "is it love", I guess you have to ask yourself another question. Am I willing to "die" for this person? If you can answer yes to that question, then yeah, it could be love...but these are just my thoughts on a page.
Over the last few weeks I’ve had this question going over and over in my head. Is it LOVE? You hear the words “I love you” all the time from many different people in your life. But are the words really meant or is it just a phrase that people say to make the person hearing those words feel better? In 1987 a rock group by the name of WhiteSnake had a hit single called “Is This Love” that went to number two in the single chart making this song their second biggest U.S. hit. I guess that question is one of the biggest questions that people ask themselves. No wonder the song went to number two in the charts. People want to know “Is This Love”?
For those of you who actually know me you’ll understand the following research method. I went to Webster’s dictionary to get some clarification and Webster defines “love” as the following: 1 Strong affection or liking of someone or something: 2 A passionate affection of one person for another. If you noticed the definition there is one word that is the same in both descriptions…affection. So, I went to Webster’s again. Affection: 1 fond or tender feeling. Another word that caught my attention was the word passionate, which means having or showing strong feelings. Passion is any emotion as hate, love, fear, or intense emotional excitement, and my favorite, the object of any strong desire. The OBJECT of any strong desire…so there has to be something or someone that you SHOW your tender, fond feelings to. Not only is there a showing of this feeling but there is someone who receives it.
I’m sure that there are some of you out there that hear those words and the first thing that goes through your mind is, yeah right. I know that I’ve heard it from people and I think you don’t even know me how can you say you “love” me? People have said those words before and had no reason to say it. They just said it because it sounded right at the time. It made the person sitting across from them feel like they were important and had meaning in their life. Maybe that’s the way the people that said it to me wanted me to feel, like I was important and had meaning to them. There has to be another way to make people feel like they are important to us...but that's another blog.
I guess the best example of love we have is that of Jesus Christ. No greater love has ever been displayed. Even though he cried out to God, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless….he followed through with it. That is love! That is a true display of strong affection, passionate affection of one person to another. Isn’t the definition of “Christian” to be “Christ like”? When was the last time you actually went through a "crucifixion" for someone you allegedly “loved”? Some of you can answer that with the statement that you’ve been through hell and back for the people you love. You’re the kind of person I want in my corner. You’re not afraid to fight for what you want. You’re the kind of person that I seek out to be my friend. You're tough, determined and will not let anything stand in your way. Even if the people you're fighting for don't return the same affection, you're showing YOUR love, not theirs.
When Christ says He loves us, we know he means it because he showed how important we are to him. When you fight for your spouse, your children, your friends and you tell them you love them, they understand those words because they know what you've done for them or where you've been for them. They know the sacrifices and dedications you've made for them. There is no question when the words I love you are spoken because they know just how important they are to you. You've shown it.
So, to answer the question asked "is it love", I guess you have to ask yourself another question. Am I willing to "die" for this person? If you can answer yes to that question, then yeah, it could be love...but these are just my thoughts on a page.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The right track....You on it?
Recently I had a friend of mine comment on my face book wall and said I missed my calling. I've had a lot of time to think about that comment and maybe I didn’t miss my calling but I’m not responding to it appropriately. But then I think that maybe I am responding to it just not in the way that I originally thought I was supposed to. With that said, I think my calling hasn’t been developed as well as it could be, thus the subject of this note.
Over the last twenty four years I've felt that my calling was to be a preacher or teacher of sorts. I must say that I've grown up in church and I’ve been raised in the Pentecostal faith. But I've never had a desire to preach or teach...until February 1987. When that happened I didn't hear angels sing or a bright light shine down on me with a voice telling me to "SPREAD THE GOSPEL", but I did feel that I had a gift that God wanted to use. I went to my Pastor and he put me in a Sunday school class room teaching Middle School kids. I felt at home...I felt like I had a purpose and that Pastor understood what I was feeling. And he did know. That’s why what he did for me helped me tremendously over the next few years. I felt like he was developing me or mentoring me to face things he knew I’d face over the next few years.
I'll cut to the chase and skip the next 15 years because during that time period I know that I was being developed and trained by the best. I was given many task and responsibilities. Some I did well with and some, well, let's just say I could have done better. But I was being developed....bottom line.
So what happened? Why am I not preaching across the country or even Pastoring a church? Why am I not standing in front of a group of people every Sunday teaching, training, and developing others? Well, I really don't know, so I'll just say that some of it may be me or my fault and some of it may be the fault of others. However, that should never get in the way. If God truly called me, then I shouldn't let what others think or their ideas or opinions get in the way of what God wants, right? (that’s another issue for a later time.)
I think to many of us get to the point where we put our trust and confidence in the wrong thing. That one thing is spelled S.E.L.F. We get to a point where we think we are ready to hit the streets or the Churches and start preaching, teaching, singing, sharing, or whatever. We also get to a point where we expect MAN to use us because we KNOW we are ready when in actuality we aren't.
I believe that we MUST be accountable to someone. We must have someone in our life that we can trust, talk openly with, discuss the opportunities and failures we face with and above all be accountable to. We must have someone in our life that can give us direction and guide us. We need someone that can speak directly and freely to us because remember; you just received a calling, nothing extra. Your calling was a request from God to use the gift he gave you at birth and the person that you should have leading you is the person that has been where you are and understands the things you're facing. The one thing that God didn't do when he called you was develop the gift inside you, that's what this person will help you do. God opened your eyes to the gift and put a desire in you to use it, but he never developed it into what it could be. That's what we are supposed to do.
How do we develop our gifts? To answer that question I'll ask some others. How does a great violinist develop his talent to play? How does a great vocalist develop his ability to sing? How does a great actor develop a character? They practice, practice, practice! They have mentors in their life that they can call on. These mentors have been through the things that the mentee is facing and they talk with them, they share the experiences and procedures that they used to overcome. Then the discussion, the advice, the suggestions are put into practice. They don't just take the advice and go immediately into Carnegie Hall expecting to play with the orchestra. They don't go directly to the Grand Ole Opry and expect to be put on the next weekend’s bill. No! They develop the talent. They use the advice and practice in a small group or in a small venue. Then as the talent gets bigger and better, so does the venues and groups. The same can be said about developing our calling. Yes, it's been identified that there is one. Yes, it can be said that we have talents and abilities that God has given to us to use for His purpose. But we must be willing to say, I don't know how to develop this gift into what He intended for it to be and then be willing to submit to those who do know.
Who are you leaning on? Who are you allowing to be the mentor that can help you develop the gift God has given you? If the answer is no one then you’re going to be frustrated and eventually give up. Find a mentor and share your calling. When you find them….LISTEN TO THEM….and put it into practice.
Just a thought on a page…..
Over the last twenty four years I've felt that my calling was to be a preacher or teacher of sorts. I must say that I've grown up in church and I’ve been raised in the Pentecostal faith. But I've never had a desire to preach or teach...until February 1987. When that happened I didn't hear angels sing or a bright light shine down on me with a voice telling me to "SPREAD THE GOSPEL", but I did feel that I had a gift that God wanted to use. I went to my Pastor and he put me in a Sunday school class room teaching Middle School kids. I felt at home...I felt like I had a purpose and that Pastor understood what I was feeling. And he did know. That’s why what he did for me helped me tremendously over the next few years. I felt like he was developing me or mentoring me to face things he knew I’d face over the next few years.
I'll cut to the chase and skip the next 15 years because during that time period I know that I was being developed and trained by the best. I was given many task and responsibilities. Some I did well with and some, well, let's just say I could have done better. But I was being developed....bottom line.
So what happened? Why am I not preaching across the country or even Pastoring a church? Why am I not standing in front of a group of people every Sunday teaching, training, and developing others? Well, I really don't know, so I'll just say that some of it may be me or my fault and some of it may be the fault of others. However, that should never get in the way. If God truly called me, then I shouldn't let what others think or their ideas or opinions get in the way of what God wants, right? (that’s another issue for a later time.)
I think to many of us get to the point where we put our trust and confidence in the wrong thing. That one thing is spelled S.E.L.F. We get to a point where we think we are ready to hit the streets or the Churches and start preaching, teaching, singing, sharing, or whatever. We also get to a point where we expect MAN to use us because we KNOW we are ready when in actuality we aren't.
I believe that we MUST be accountable to someone. We must have someone in our life that we can trust, talk openly with, discuss the opportunities and failures we face with and above all be accountable to. We must have someone in our life that can give us direction and guide us. We need someone that can speak directly and freely to us because remember; you just received a calling, nothing extra. Your calling was a request from God to use the gift he gave you at birth and the person that you should have leading you is the person that has been where you are and understands the things you're facing. The one thing that God didn't do when he called you was develop the gift inside you, that's what this person will help you do. God opened your eyes to the gift and put a desire in you to use it, but he never developed it into what it could be. That's what we are supposed to do.
How do we develop our gifts? To answer that question I'll ask some others. How does a great violinist develop his talent to play? How does a great vocalist develop his ability to sing? How does a great actor develop a character? They practice, practice, practice! They have mentors in their life that they can call on. These mentors have been through the things that the mentee is facing and they talk with them, they share the experiences and procedures that they used to overcome. Then the discussion, the advice, the suggestions are put into practice. They don't just take the advice and go immediately into Carnegie Hall expecting to play with the orchestra. They don't go directly to the Grand Ole Opry and expect to be put on the next weekend’s bill. No! They develop the talent. They use the advice and practice in a small group or in a small venue. Then as the talent gets bigger and better, so does the venues and groups. The same can be said about developing our calling. Yes, it's been identified that there is one. Yes, it can be said that we have talents and abilities that God has given to us to use for His purpose. But we must be willing to say, I don't know how to develop this gift into what He intended for it to be and then be willing to submit to those who do know.
Who are you leaning on? Who are you allowing to be the mentor that can help you develop the gift God has given you? If the answer is no one then you’re going to be frustrated and eventually give up. Find a mentor and share your calling. When you find them….LISTEN TO THEM….and put it into practice.
Just a thought on a page…..
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sounds like an ape!
I haven't posted a new blog in a while mainly because I just haven't felt like it. I could have written about some issue at work or written about some things going on at church, home or someone else’s life but just really didn't feel that any of those things would be a big deal for anyone. I felt as if I would be doing more gossiping than helping someone. Which gossip has been a topic around our house here lately, so rather than be a gossip, I wanted to write something about the topic itself.
Gossip: Webster defines it as one who chatters idly about others. Now, I like to know what words mean so I looked up the word "chatter". Chatter, as defined by Webster's, is to make short, rapid, indistinct sounds, as apes do. 2) To talk much and foolishly. The word "idly" in the definition of gossip was also a word I wanted a little clarification on, so I looked it up. Idle: Useless, futile, unfounded, rumors, inactive, not in use, lazy.
So from what I get out of the definition of the word gossip is that it's someone who sounds like an ape, hasn't got a clue what it is their talking about, what their saying doesn't make sense, the story they are trying to tell usually hasn't been confirmed, and that they are usually unemployed or choose not to work. What about those that are employed, you ask? Well, maybe they're employed but do they really work. Look at their performance. Do they really put forth any effort into the job they have or are they on the phone or computer all day? Okay, I'm not going there with this note....but I sure could. Bottom line is a person who is gossiping isn't doing it to help someone, their doing it to hurt them and to make themselves feel better about their slackness.
When I speak, write, discuss, I want it to be about things that make sense. I want people to leave the conversation with a feeling of self worth, uplifted, and encouraged. I don't want them to leave with a feeling of doubt, worry, depression, and last but not least I don't want them feeling like they can't trust me, which is really what a gossip is saying....you can't trust me! I want people to know that there is hope for them and that there is help and a life with peace and joy for them to experience. Basically, I want to build people not destroy them.
The next time you listen to someone who starts saying things about someone or starts trying to get a conversation going about someone's integrity, lifestyle or choices made; I want you to not only hear the words, but hear the cries of the person they are talking about. Hear the agony in the screams from the knife that is being stabbed and twisted into their back. Feel the pain, feel the torment of being trampled on and kicked then ask yourself this question. What if it was you that was feeling that pain? Would you want someone to help stop the pain? You can help stop the pain! It's by saying one very small word….Stop!
I don’t mean to be preachy, but Colossians 3:12-17 says this: Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and FORGIVING one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, so YOU also must do. But above all these things put on LOVE, which is the bond of perfection. And let the PEACE of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. And whatsoever ye do in WORD or DEED, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Bottom line….is what you say going to be tender, merciful, kind, and meek? Is it going to be longsuffering, uplifting encouraging? If someone has wronged you, betrayed you, hurt you, can YOU forgive them? Is the peace of God ruling your heart? Can you honestly say that what you are about to say or do could be “blessed” by saying in Christ name? Only you can answer those questions. As for me, I want to show LOVE and support to those I’m around. And I want others who are around me to feel that love and support.
I’m not a babbling ape….
Just a thought on a page….
Gossip: Webster defines it as one who chatters idly about others. Now, I like to know what words mean so I looked up the word "chatter". Chatter, as defined by Webster's, is to make short, rapid, indistinct sounds, as apes do. 2) To talk much and foolishly. The word "idly" in the definition of gossip was also a word I wanted a little clarification on, so I looked it up. Idle: Useless, futile, unfounded, rumors, inactive, not in use, lazy.
So from what I get out of the definition of the word gossip is that it's someone who sounds like an ape, hasn't got a clue what it is their talking about, what their saying doesn't make sense, the story they are trying to tell usually hasn't been confirmed, and that they are usually unemployed or choose not to work. What about those that are employed, you ask? Well, maybe they're employed but do they really work. Look at their performance. Do they really put forth any effort into the job they have or are they on the phone or computer all day? Okay, I'm not going there with this note....but I sure could. Bottom line is a person who is gossiping isn't doing it to help someone, their doing it to hurt them and to make themselves feel better about their slackness.
When I speak, write, discuss, I want it to be about things that make sense. I want people to leave the conversation with a feeling of self worth, uplifted, and encouraged. I don't want them to leave with a feeling of doubt, worry, depression, and last but not least I don't want them feeling like they can't trust me, which is really what a gossip is saying....you can't trust me! I want people to know that there is hope for them and that there is help and a life with peace and joy for them to experience. Basically, I want to build people not destroy them.
The next time you listen to someone who starts saying things about someone or starts trying to get a conversation going about someone's integrity, lifestyle or choices made; I want you to not only hear the words, but hear the cries of the person they are talking about. Hear the agony in the screams from the knife that is being stabbed and twisted into their back. Feel the pain, feel the torment of being trampled on and kicked then ask yourself this question. What if it was you that was feeling that pain? Would you want someone to help stop the pain? You can help stop the pain! It's by saying one very small word….Stop!
I don’t mean to be preachy, but Colossians 3:12-17 says this: Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and FORGIVING one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, so YOU also must do. But above all these things put on LOVE, which is the bond of perfection. And let the PEACE of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. And whatsoever ye do in WORD or DEED, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Bottom line….is what you say going to be tender, merciful, kind, and meek? Is it going to be longsuffering, uplifting encouraging? If someone has wronged you, betrayed you, hurt you, can YOU forgive them? Is the peace of God ruling your heart? Can you honestly say that what you are about to say or do could be “blessed” by saying in Christ name? Only you can answer those questions. As for me, I want to show LOVE and support to those I’m around. And I want others who are around me to feel that love and support.
I’m not a babbling ape….
Just a thought on a page….
Friday, July 30, 2010
Missed opportunities....
Well, it's that time again. It's time to update the ole blog page and write down what's on my mind for the entire world to read. Well, I could only hope the world would want to read it. So far I've only got two followers. That says a lot for my writing skills. Either I'm a terrible blogger or my family members are just having pity on me...LOL. Either way I'm having a blast doing this.
Well, what are my thoughts this week? I'm glad you asked. We recently went on a vacation to Dallas, Texas for a few days and had a blast while we were there. We were able to go to a Rangers game with some great friends, see the "Bodies" exhibit and just walk around in the "West End" for a while. We visited the location of JFK's assassination and went into an old church that's now a museum. We had a really good time. However, the highlight of the vacation wasn't the exhibit, it wasn't the West end and it definitely wasn't the JFK assassination location. The best part of the vacation, at least for me, was the Rangers game.
A baseball game, you ask? Yes, a baseball game. Okay, I have to set this up. We get to the stadium, get our tickets, go into the stadium and find our seats. Me and Collin, my youngest, go down to the dugout and just hang out hoping that one or more of the players will come out and sign a baseball Collin brought. No, players showed. We were a little disappointed, but not giving up on having fun. However, by now it's almost time for the game to start. Donna had come down to take a few pictures of me and the boys and the security guard tells us that the players will not be signing autographs. Oh well, we're there for the game and to make some memories and believe me we made some.
It's about the 4th or 5th inning and by now I've seen several pop ups caught by players tossed into the crowd. I'm thinking, wouldn't it be great to catch one of those? That would be sooo cool. Well, then I hear someone say that if you stand up and yell at the player making he catch and you get his attention, he may throw the ball to you. I'm thinking that it can't hurt to try, right? I mean, if they will throw it to a person three or four rows into the stands they'll surely throw one 36 rows into the stands. So I tried it.
It's the bottom of the sixth inning. The Rangers are in the field and they have one out left. The Angle's, that's who the Rangers are playing the night we went, have a player at bat and he hits a high pop up to the short stop, Elvis Andrus. Elvis makes the catch! And as he is running to the dug out I stand up, throw my hands in the air as if I'm reaching for a pair of beads from a crew member on a Mardi Gras float and I yell "HEY" as loud as I can.
Now you have to picture this. I'm sitting in a section directly behind the dug out. I'm 36 rows back and there are hundreds of people sitting ahead of me. But when Andrus caught that ball and started running toward the dugout, it felt like I was the only one standing. There didn't appear to be anyone reaching out asking for the ball and I felt as if I was alone in a crowd of people....LOL! But as luck would have it I got his attention and he THROWS ME THE BALL! Yes! I got the attention of a Major League Baseball player and he is throwing me an MLB baseball that was used in a televised game seen by millions of people. Oh what a joy it was going to be to tell the story of catching such a great prize. What fun it would be to tell all my friends that "I" caught a baseball thrown to me from Elvis Andrus at a game. I would be able to give the ball to my boys and they would be able to share the story of a lifetime with their friends at school, at church and family gatherings and explain to them how great their Dad was to give them such a wonderful gift.
But they won't be able to tell that story. They won't be able to say how great their Dad was because Dad didn't catch the ball. It was a perfect throw! No one standing in front of me, no one waving their hands in my face, it was a "perfect opportunity" and I missed it. The ball hit my right hand just below the pinkie finger. I was so upset with myself. I couldn't believe it. I missed a ball thrown right to me! I missed a great chance to be a hero. I missed an opportunity to be great in the eyes of my kids. I missed what I thought was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
Isn't that like life though? Hasn't there been times in our lives that we thought we had everything right and for what ever reason things just didn't go the way they were suppose to? It would appear that everything was perfect in whatever setting we happen to be in and then out of no where something happens and it's no longer a perfect situation or setting, but a ruined event.
But all isn't lost. Yes, we have blunders in our lives and we have missed opportunities but we can't let a missed opportunity or a blunder be the reason we quit trying. So we "dropped the ball". We've all done it. But just because we "drop a ball" doesn't mean we won't go back to the stadium. Just because something goes wrong doesn't give us the right to just quit. We must learn from it. Learn from the mistake, learn from the blunder, learn from the missed opportunity then go back and try again.....You must keep trying! We'll never be successful in achieving our goals if we quit every time something that isn't planned or expected takes place.
What did I learn from missing that ball? What did I learned from an unplanned or unexpected issue that interfered with my achieving such a great prized possession in what would appear to be a perfect setting at an MLB ball game?
Next time I'll carry a glove!
Just a thought....C-Ya!
Well, what are my thoughts this week? I'm glad you asked. We recently went on a vacation to Dallas, Texas for a few days and had a blast while we were there. We were able to go to a Rangers game with some great friends, see the "Bodies" exhibit and just walk around in the "West End" for a while. We visited the location of JFK's assassination and went into an old church that's now a museum. We had a really good time. However, the highlight of the vacation wasn't the exhibit, it wasn't the West end and it definitely wasn't the JFK assassination location. The best part of the vacation, at least for me, was the Rangers game.
A baseball game, you ask? Yes, a baseball game. Okay, I have to set this up. We get to the stadium, get our tickets, go into the stadium and find our seats. Me and Collin, my youngest, go down to the dugout and just hang out hoping that one or more of the players will come out and sign a baseball Collin brought. No, players showed. We were a little disappointed, but not giving up on having fun. However, by now it's almost time for the game to start. Donna had come down to take a few pictures of me and the boys and the security guard tells us that the players will not be signing autographs. Oh well, we're there for the game and to make some memories and believe me we made some.
It's about the 4th or 5th inning and by now I've seen several pop ups caught by players tossed into the crowd. I'm thinking, wouldn't it be great to catch one of those? That would be sooo cool. Well, then I hear someone say that if you stand up and yell at the player making he catch and you get his attention, he may throw the ball to you. I'm thinking that it can't hurt to try, right? I mean, if they will throw it to a person three or four rows into the stands they'll surely throw one 36 rows into the stands. So I tried it.
It's the bottom of the sixth inning. The Rangers are in the field and they have one out left. The Angle's, that's who the Rangers are playing the night we went, have a player at bat and he hits a high pop up to the short stop, Elvis Andrus. Elvis makes the catch! And as he is running to the dug out I stand up, throw my hands in the air as if I'm reaching for a pair of beads from a crew member on a Mardi Gras float and I yell "HEY" as loud as I can.
Now you have to picture this. I'm sitting in a section directly behind the dug out. I'm 36 rows back and there are hundreds of people sitting ahead of me. But when Andrus caught that ball and started running toward the dugout, it felt like I was the only one standing. There didn't appear to be anyone reaching out asking for the ball and I felt as if I was alone in a crowd of people....LOL! But as luck would have it I got his attention and he THROWS ME THE BALL! Yes! I got the attention of a Major League Baseball player and he is throwing me an MLB baseball that was used in a televised game seen by millions of people. Oh what a joy it was going to be to tell the story of catching such a great prize. What fun it would be to tell all my friends that "I" caught a baseball thrown to me from Elvis Andrus at a game. I would be able to give the ball to my boys and they would be able to share the story of a lifetime with their friends at school, at church and family gatherings and explain to them how great their Dad was to give them such a wonderful gift.
But they won't be able to tell that story. They won't be able to say how great their Dad was because Dad didn't catch the ball. It was a perfect throw! No one standing in front of me, no one waving their hands in my face, it was a "perfect opportunity" and I missed it. The ball hit my right hand just below the pinkie finger. I was so upset with myself. I couldn't believe it. I missed a ball thrown right to me! I missed a great chance to be a hero. I missed an opportunity to be great in the eyes of my kids. I missed what I thought was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
Isn't that like life though? Hasn't there been times in our lives that we thought we had everything right and for what ever reason things just didn't go the way they were suppose to? It would appear that everything was perfect in whatever setting we happen to be in and then out of no where something happens and it's no longer a perfect situation or setting, but a ruined event.
But all isn't lost. Yes, we have blunders in our lives and we have missed opportunities but we can't let a missed opportunity or a blunder be the reason we quit trying. So we "dropped the ball". We've all done it. But just because we "drop a ball" doesn't mean we won't go back to the stadium. Just because something goes wrong doesn't give us the right to just quit. We must learn from it. Learn from the mistake, learn from the blunder, learn from the missed opportunity then go back and try again.....You must keep trying! We'll never be successful in achieving our goals if we quit every time something that isn't planned or expected takes place.
What did I learn from missing that ball? What did I learned from an unplanned or unexpected issue that interfered with my achieving such a great prized possession in what would appear to be a perfect setting at an MLB ball game?
Next time I'll carry a glove!
Just a thought....C-Ya!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Getting past the "one times"
Today I had an opportunity to attend a mens conference in Mt. Pleasant Tx. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of the host church or the Pastor, but I do know the speakers. Rev Carl McLaughlin and Rev Charles Chargois.
Both did an outstanding job. But of course, I must pay tribute to my Pastor, Rev Charles Chargois. He did an outstanding job ministering "Morality is a Mindset". He does an outstanding job of challenging me which is why I'm posting this tonight.
I'm trying to make changes to be and do better. I'm trying to be a better father to my boys, a more compassionate, understanding, loving, listening husband to my wife, and a better employee for my employer. Not that I haven't been good in these areas, but I'm striving to be better. However, I'm finding that making those changes is sometimes difficult...seriously!
I realize that change is something we all want to do. Some want to change their looks by loosing weight, cutting or dying their hair, growing a beard or even getting a tat. Some want to change jobs, change where they live, change churchs, change cars, or change their name. Foot, some times folks just want to change to change. Look at whatever it is your wanting to change in your life and ask yourself these questions. Am I really ready for what it's going to take? Am I ready to except the challenges and consequences of that change? Am I willing to committ? If the answer is yes to all of the above mentioned questions, then as Michael Jackson would say, "make that change". (lyrics taken from the song "Man in the Mirror")
The last couple of weeks I've tried to make a change in my character. I've tried really hard to focus on NOT letting myself get to a point of over reacting to quickly, by listening to what is being said and thinking before I respond, holding my tongue and keeping my opinions and comments to myself. But wouldn't you know it, the last couple of days I've had everything under the sun try my patience. I've had every idiot in the world push every button I have and I've managed to keep my cool...well, except for one time.
When we are trying to make changes in our life or to ourselves isn't that all it takes for us to question the change we are trying to make, messing up one time? You mess up one time and you step back and think "I can't do this". You mess up one time and you tell yourself that "it's just not worth the fight". You give in one time to your old way of life and think "I'll be this way forever". But that's not true. How many times did you fight the urg to give in and won? How many times did you walk away from the temptation of really letting someone have it and yet you kept your mouth shut? How often did you stop your self from going places or doing things you said you weren't going to go or do? ONE TIME?! REALLY!? You did AWESOME!
I think we are too hard on ourselves. I know I am. I beat myself up so much that sometimes I feel like I have two black eyes and a busted rib or two. To often people hang their head after a screw up and they tell themselves, "I'm worthless". But that's what we do. We beat ourselves up over and over and over again. We focus on the negative things we've done and not the positives. We look at the "wrongs" we've taken part in instead of looking at the "rights" we've accomplished. Get over the negatives and focus on the positive things you've accomplished. Move on from the "one times" and pick yourselves up and keep going.
Micah 7:8 tells us "Rejoice not against me, o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me". It's taken me all this time to say this. You're gonna mess up! You're gonna fall! You're not perfect! You're gonna have dark days! But the positive to this revelation is this. GOD IS WITH YOU! You just have to get up. You can't stay down. To paraphase Ephesians 6:13-14"when you've done all to stand, stand therefore". Sometimes you just have to stop and stand. And believe me, standing ain't a bad thing. When you're standing you're not down, right?
Again....just thoughts on a page.
C ya!
Both did an outstanding job. But of course, I must pay tribute to my Pastor, Rev Charles Chargois. He did an outstanding job ministering "Morality is a Mindset". He does an outstanding job of challenging me which is why I'm posting this tonight.
I'm trying to make changes to be and do better. I'm trying to be a better father to my boys, a more compassionate, understanding, loving, listening husband to my wife, and a better employee for my employer. Not that I haven't been good in these areas, but I'm striving to be better. However, I'm finding that making those changes is sometimes difficult...seriously!
I realize that change is something we all want to do. Some want to change their looks by loosing weight, cutting or dying their hair, growing a beard or even getting a tat. Some want to change jobs, change where they live, change churchs, change cars, or change their name. Foot, some times folks just want to change to change. Look at whatever it is your wanting to change in your life and ask yourself these questions. Am I really ready for what it's going to take? Am I ready to except the challenges and consequences of that change? Am I willing to committ? If the answer is yes to all of the above mentioned questions, then as Michael Jackson would say, "make that change". (lyrics taken from the song "Man in the Mirror")
The last couple of weeks I've tried to make a change in my character. I've tried really hard to focus on NOT letting myself get to a point of over reacting to quickly, by listening to what is being said and thinking before I respond, holding my tongue and keeping my opinions and comments to myself. But wouldn't you know it, the last couple of days I've had everything under the sun try my patience. I've had every idiot in the world push every button I have and I've managed to keep my cool...well, except for one time.
When we are trying to make changes in our life or to ourselves isn't that all it takes for us to question the change we are trying to make, messing up one time? You mess up one time and you step back and think "I can't do this". You mess up one time and you tell yourself that "it's just not worth the fight". You give in one time to your old way of life and think "I'll be this way forever". But that's not true. How many times did you fight the urg to give in and won? How many times did you walk away from the temptation of really letting someone have it and yet you kept your mouth shut? How often did you stop your self from going places or doing things you said you weren't going to go or do? ONE TIME?! REALLY!? You did AWESOME!
I think we are too hard on ourselves. I know I am. I beat myself up so much that sometimes I feel like I have two black eyes and a busted rib or two. To often people hang their head after a screw up and they tell themselves, "I'm worthless". But that's what we do. We beat ourselves up over and over and over again. We focus on the negative things we've done and not the positives. We look at the "wrongs" we've taken part in instead of looking at the "rights" we've accomplished. Get over the negatives and focus on the positive things you've accomplished. Move on from the "one times" and pick yourselves up and keep going.
Micah 7:8 tells us "Rejoice not against me, o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me". It's taken me all this time to say this. You're gonna mess up! You're gonna fall! You're not perfect! You're gonna have dark days! But the positive to this revelation is this. GOD IS WITH YOU! You just have to get up. You can't stay down. To paraphase Ephesians 6:13-14"when you've done all to stand, stand therefore". Sometimes you just have to stop and stand. And believe me, standing ain't a bad thing. When you're standing you're not down, right?
Again....just thoughts on a page.
C ya!
Monday, July 12, 2010
You can change
Wow! That's really all I can say about the powerful service I was in last night at Calvary. And as I sat there all I could think about was how was I going to leave? How do you experience the grace and mercy of God and not leave different? How do you experience His love and compassion and not leave changed? How have I let myself, after so many years, not give in to what He has for me? Those answers are coming.
All day today I've basked in His presence and I've thought about what I've done with my life. What I haven't done with my life and how I could have been more effective or affective with my time? I've asked my self "why" and "how" so many times today it isn't funny....Why did you do this or that? Why did you let this happen or that happen? How did this get by me? How did that happen? How could I have been a different? How could I have changed?
I'm just thinking, but I bet there are a lot of people out there who have asked those same questions. The problem is, they keep asking the questions but they never stop to answer. Maybe they don't know how to answer. Today I had the questions answered. Here it is.....You change by releasing.
In order for you to be different your going to have to let go of some things. You have to let go of your past, let go of your pains, let go of the hurts, let go of the bitterness you've held onto for 10 years......just let go. And one of the biggest things you have to let go of is your "self". Last night I did just that, I let go, and you know it really feels great. There is a scripture that says He must increase, but I must decrease. That's exactly what I had to do. I had to let Him increase and let my "self" decrease. Was it easy? No...but when you realize that the road your traveling isn't going to bring you to the place you thought it would, you have to change roads.
I started this blog to express and share some of my inner feelings and some personal opinions as an effort to help someone through a crisis or a tough situation they may be going through. I hope that by sharing this short piece tonight that the next time someone is in a powerful presence of God and He shares his grace, mercy, love and shows compassion they let go of what ever it is their holding onto and leave changed.
Just thinking......
C - Ya!
Tim
All day today I've basked in His presence and I've thought about what I've done with my life. What I haven't done with my life and how I could have been more effective or affective with my time? I've asked my self "why" and "how" so many times today it isn't funny....Why did you do this or that? Why did you let this happen or that happen? How did this get by me? How did that happen? How could I have been a different? How could I have changed?
I'm just thinking, but I bet there are a lot of people out there who have asked those same questions. The problem is, they keep asking the questions but they never stop to answer. Maybe they don't know how to answer. Today I had the questions answered. Here it is.....You change by releasing.
In order for you to be different your going to have to let go of some things. You have to let go of your past, let go of your pains, let go of the hurts, let go of the bitterness you've held onto for 10 years......just let go. And one of the biggest things you have to let go of is your "self". Last night I did just that, I let go, and you know it really feels great. There is a scripture that says He must increase, but I must decrease. That's exactly what I had to do. I had to let Him increase and let my "self" decrease. Was it easy? No...but when you realize that the road your traveling isn't going to bring you to the place you thought it would, you have to change roads.
I started this blog to express and share some of my inner feelings and some personal opinions as an effort to help someone through a crisis or a tough situation they may be going through. I hope that by sharing this short piece tonight that the next time someone is in a powerful presence of God and He shares his grace, mercy, love and shows compassion they let go of what ever it is their holding onto and leave changed.
Just thinking......
C - Ya!
Tim
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The start of something NEW.
Okay, I've never started a blog before and this is definitely new to me. I don't normally have a problem sharing my feeling, thoughts or opinions with people. But to actually put them on a page where everyone can see them. Well, that's a little different for me.
The problem with writing a blog is I don't actually know what to write, how often I need to write and who I'm writing too. I don't really know my audiance but I guess if your taking the time to read this your interested in what I have to say. Will a blog offend anyone? Wow, I sure hope not. I think a blog is a place a person can go to share what's on their mind and let off a little steam now and again. But again, that's my opinion. So, will I offend someone. Let's just get that question answered and out of the way now. "Yes" I probably will.
My hope and my goal of this blog is to write something that will help someone, encourage someone, lift someones spirits, brighten one's day, make someone look at a situation a little different and over all make someone smile. I want to make someone laugh, think, look at life in a whole new way. I want people to understand that life isn't always fair, but there is a place you can go to help take the edge of....and it's not a bottle.
So, let's see how successful this blog will be. If you like what I have to say, let me know. If not, keep it to yourself. Cause I'm blogging either way....LOL.
C Ya!
The problem with writing a blog is I don't actually know what to write, how often I need to write and who I'm writing too. I don't really know my audiance but I guess if your taking the time to read this your interested in what I have to say. Will a blog offend anyone? Wow, I sure hope not. I think a blog is a place a person can go to share what's on their mind and let off a little steam now and again. But again, that's my opinion. So, will I offend someone. Let's just get that question answered and out of the way now. "Yes" I probably will.
My hope and my goal of this blog is to write something that will help someone, encourage someone, lift someones spirits, brighten one's day, make someone look at a situation a little different and over all make someone smile. I want to make someone laugh, think, look at life in a whole new way. I want people to understand that life isn't always fair, but there is a place you can go to help take the edge of....and it's not a bottle.
So, let's see how successful this blog will be. If you like what I have to say, let me know. If not, keep it to yourself. Cause I'm blogging either way....LOL.
C Ya!
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