Lost a lot of sleep last night. Replaying Bil's Message on Sunday in my mind.
Broken sounds so final. So negative. God wants us to be happy, doesn't he? I guess being broken before God means exactly what it sounds like; being injured, or damaged, before the Lord. And I think that it means, pretty much, laying out everything that you have before God. Being broken, you give everything up to God. You set it before Him and say, "I don’t know what to do, please help me.”
Simply put, brokenness before God is just a complete surrendering of everything to God. The key word being everything, which is a tough pill to swallow (Thanks again God for that "free will" thing…LOL). A broken man comes before God resigned to the fact that all they have is God but also with the knowledge that all that they need is God. A broken man has nothing and hopes only in the Lord for glorious victory!
All we need is Him! Sorry prime time TV, cool electronics, social events, that hot new ride.
Side note: Please don't forget to bring your gift to Jesus Christ this season.
God is Great!!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Jesus is Our Leader
”Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When their breathing stops, they return to the earth, and in a moment all their plans come to an end. But happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God. He is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He is the one who keeps every promise forever." (Psalm 146:3-6).
Monday, October 13, 2008
Obama Mocking the Bible
We need to get the word out to everyone who is of age to vote on November 4. Also, please don't forget to early vote!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Someone Needs to Strangle Chicken Little
I've had a number of phone calls over the past several months asking what to do about the stock market. I repeatedly tell them "Maintain a disciplined investment approach." Translation: don’t get spooked by market volatility.
Unfortunately, individual investors rarely heed that advice. What's up with that? Walmart has a 30% off sale and everyone flocks to the store. The stock market has the same sale and everyone avoids it like the plague.
Indeed, many studies show that investors often panic in the face of market uncertainty and sell at exactly the point when they should be buying. The news media certainly does its part to stir up anxiety about the markets. After all, "Market Crash of 2008!!!" sells more headlines than "Stay the course." This barrage of panic-inducing messages makes it that much harder for investors to remain calm and focused on their investment plan and their time horizon.
People need to be reminded again and again that during times of volatility, the best course of action is to stick to a well-designed game plan.
Unfortunately, individual investors rarely heed that advice. What's up with that? Walmart has a 30% off sale and everyone flocks to the store. The stock market has the same sale and everyone avoids it like the plague.
Indeed, many studies show that investors often panic in the face of market uncertainty and sell at exactly the point when they should be buying. The news media certainly does its part to stir up anxiety about the markets. After all, "Market Crash of 2008!!!" sells more headlines than "Stay the course." This barrage of panic-inducing messages makes it that much harder for investors to remain calm and focused on their investment plan and their time horizon.
People need to be reminded again and again that during times of volatility, the best course of action is to stick to a well-designed game plan.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Instant Replay
"Our lives are a mere dot on the long line of eternity."
Driving in my truck this past weekend, my two backseat drivers (Emily, age 8 and Katelyn, age 7) noticed that I went through an intersection and when doing so, the light turned from amber to red. We had a short discussion as to whether or not I ran the red light. Jokingly, I told Emily that we could look at the “instant replay”. She innocently asked me if we really could. I told her that there was indeed instant replay, but we would not be able to see it until we get to heaven. Katelyn jumped in “like they have in NASCAR?” Emily quickly responded “yeah, but probably with a lot more cameras.”
What a great, but simple lesson that fell right into my lap that I was immediately able to teach my girls. Every action we take, whether or not there is someone there to see it, is recorded. God sees everything we do and hears everything we say. Before we take action, or react negatively to a situation, we need to ask ourselves…what is this going to look like on instant replay?
Simply take a count of five before reacting to a situation (if that doesn’t work, take a count of fifty!). As you will agree, most of us find it is hard enough to change ourselves. It is even more difficult to change others. So if you're getting stressed over other people's actions, change how you react, rather than expecting others to change. As you change, watch the people change around you! I promise you this will look exceptional on Heaven’s instant replay!
Driving in my truck this past weekend, my two backseat drivers (Emily, age 8 and Katelyn, age 7) noticed that I went through an intersection and when doing so, the light turned from amber to red. We had a short discussion as to whether or not I ran the red light. Jokingly, I told Emily that we could look at the “instant replay”. She innocently asked me if we really could. I told her that there was indeed instant replay, but we would not be able to see it until we get to heaven. Katelyn jumped in “like they have in NASCAR?” Emily quickly responded “yeah, but probably with a lot more cameras.”
What a great, but simple lesson that fell right into my lap that I was immediately able to teach my girls. Every action we take, whether or not there is someone there to see it, is recorded. God sees everything we do and hears everything we say. Before we take action, or react negatively to a situation, we need to ask ourselves…what is this going to look like on instant replay?
Simply take a count of five before reacting to a situation (if that doesn’t work, take a count of fifty!). As you will agree, most of us find it is hard enough to change ourselves. It is even more difficult to change others. So if you're getting stressed over other people's actions, change how you react, rather than expecting others to change. As you change, watch the people change around you! I promise you this will look exceptional on Heaven’s instant replay!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
I Believe
Ann's sister send this to her and I think it deserves a good read. Enjoy!
Birth Certificate shows that we were born. A Death Certificate shows that we died. Pictures show that we lived! Have a seat, relax, and read this slowly .
I Believe...
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.
I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.
Birth Certificate shows that we were born. A Death Certificate shows that we died. Pictures show that we lived! Have a seat, relax, and read this slowly .
I Believe...
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.
I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Not “When”, but “How”
This week I lost two great individuals who played a part in my life who I greatly admired. One an American, and one a Canadian. One a great teacher, and one a great business man. One a complete stranger, and one a good friend. Both created by God with a predetermined number of days on this earth.
Randy Pausch, an American Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book, died Friday. He was 47. Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 garnered international attention. In the lecture, Pausch celebrated living the life he had always dreamed of instead of concentrating on impending death.
George Voisin, a Canadian attorney and real estate genius that when not spending time serving his clients played golf and spent quality time with his spouse Elaine, and their four children. If you could look in the dictionary under healthy, you would see his picture. He passed away most unexpectedly while enjoying a round of golf with friends Tuesday afternoon.
These two gentlemen did not live their lives “When”, but “How”. None of us know how long we are here on this earth. But Jesus certainly gave us the blueprint on how to live while we are here.
Life is too short not to make the best and the most of everything that comes your way everyday of your life. Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or golf, or spending time with the people you love. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, then get out of it.
Hug your kids. Help your neighbor. Kiss your wife. Share God’s word. Forgive that person. Don’t hold on to that vintage bottle of wine. Quit putting things off. Go fishing. Share a meal. Keep all promises. Don’t regret. And Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!).
Randy Pausch, an American Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book, died Friday. He was 47. Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 garnered international attention. In the lecture, Pausch celebrated living the life he had always dreamed of instead of concentrating on impending death.
George Voisin, a Canadian attorney and real estate genius that when not spending time serving his clients played golf and spent quality time with his spouse Elaine, and their four children. If you could look in the dictionary under healthy, you would see his picture. He passed away most unexpectedly while enjoying a round of golf with friends Tuesday afternoon.
These two gentlemen did not live their lives “When”, but “How”. None of us know how long we are here on this earth. But Jesus certainly gave us the blueprint on how to live while we are here.
Life is too short not to make the best and the most of everything that comes your way everyday of your life. Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or golf, or spending time with the people you love. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, then get out of it.
Hug your kids. Help your neighbor. Kiss your wife. Share God’s word. Forgive that person. Don’t hold on to that vintage bottle of wine. Quit putting things off. Go fishing. Share a meal. Keep all promises. Don’t regret. And Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!).
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