As a New Week Begins...

I begin this week without my staff IT person. I will get most, if not all, the problem calls along with my normal job. I'm dreading it and the mental stress is building.

One of my nephews was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes over the weekend. He is doing good and I know he will be a success story for others with this disease. I also know that one of the challenges he will face at times is remaining mentally positive in his daily routine that comes with diabetes. Please join me in prayer that he will stay positive in his approach to living with diabetes and also that a cure for diabetes will be found in his lifetime.

Our Wednesday night class has been discussing dreaming and what a church with dreams can do. It's been a great study and one that has been encouraging as we talk about how we battle "dream-killers" and how we persevere in attaining our dreams. I read two interesting quotes over the weekend related to this topic.
The first stated, "The richest place on the planet is not some diamond mine or an oil field. It's a cemetary because we bury the inventions that were never produced, the ideas and dreams that never became reality, the hopes and aspirations that were never acted upon." How sad that this happens but it can be overcome. I believe the church in Decatur is preparing to overcome them.
The second quote is from Dr. Benjamin Mays and he says, "The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goals, the tragedy lies in not having any goals to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideals, but it is a disaster to have no ideals to capture." I look forward to hearing the dreams of others and seeing the process begin to bring them to life.
Dream boldly.

A Tough Loss...A Joyful Ending

Our little guys lost again last night after carrying a lead into the last inning of the game. We had our best pitcher on the mound and he just couldn't get it going. Those are tough nights because the kids get so down on themselves. I know he was giving his best effort but it just wasn't working for him last night. My son has had the opportunity to be a hero at the end of the last two games and hasn't been able to get the big hit. It seems the shortstop or 2nd baseman is standing in the way. As coaches, we just want to see the kids succeed, to enjoy the game and have fun. We coach them to try and do everything with perfection but in the end, we just want them to work hard so they can play their best and enjoy what they are doing. It's the joy of the laughter in the dugout or on the practice field that makes it special.

At the end of the game, we saw a great deal of joy from the other team. They had a boy who is developmentally disabled in some way. I don't know what it was but after the game, he gets a bat and goes to the plate. One of the players on the team tosses him a ball to hit and when he hits it, he runs for the bases. The players all "do their best" to catch the ball while kicking it, dropping it and making a comedy of errors while the other youngster rounded the bases finally crossing home plate just as the ball was getting there. There fans cheered, our fans cheered, our kids stood and watched with smiles on the faces as this youngster, not being able to get out and play competitively, had his moment to shine.

What an incredible joy. What a beautiful lesson. I hope I will remember to serve as those youngsters served that young boy. I hope I will help others see and know the joy that I have in being a child of God, a sinner saved by the mercy of Christ's sacrifice.

Don't Drop the Ball

It's tough to watch your kids play athletic events and mess up. Whether it is missing a bump or watching a ball go through the legs, it's hard to watch. I want my kids to do well and when they don't it hurts because a) they've been taught how to do it right and b) I know it will hurt them that they messed up. When the games over and done, all I can do is give them a hug and tell them to keep working and prepare not to make that mistake again.

I think God does much the same with me. He sees the ball goes through my legs and knows I should have caught it. He knows I know what I should have done but for whatever reason, I didn't do the right thing. I'm blessed because my Father will lift me up when I've fallen, He will encourage me with His grace, His mercy, His promise and He will send me back out to try again to live a better life. I'm thankful to have a loving Father.

Coming Home

As I write this, I'm sitting in an airport in Chicago surrounded by people with laptops and cellphones who are much like me - ready to get home. It's been a good week and I've enjoyed the cool weather, sights and sounds and the food in Chicago but I'm ready to be home. I'm looking forward to the first hug (and the second and third), I'm looking forward to being in my comfortable surroundings, I'm looking forward to wide open spaces and hearing the voices of the people I love. It's good to get away sometimes but it's always great to get home. I've missed my wife and kids and I can't wait to see them. I'm trying to avoid looking at my watch because the hands are not moving fast enough. A scheduling error on my part prevented me from catching an earlier flight that might have got home a little earlier so I sit here looking at all these people I will soon be herded and crammed up with knowing that it will be just a few hours until I get where I want to be.
I'm ready to be home.

Hot Here, Cool There

I'm headed to Chicago tomorrow with someone who has never flown. He isn't sure why his seat is across the aisle from my seat but he keeps mentioning his nervousness to several people. We are headed up for a seminar and hope to get in a little sight-seeing and good food while there. I love going to Chicago but there are things I'm already thinking I'm going to miss while gone. I'll miss my wife. I'll miss her being next to me and watching our favorite show during the week. I'll miss the kids and our morning routine. I'm going to miss being in class Wednesday night for a great discussion (and of course the Mexican food before church). It will be a good trip but I'm already knowing it will be nice to be home.
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LTC was great. I'm so thankful for the ladies who organize it and all the people who put so much work into it. One of the most incredible things about LTC is seeing how so many in our church family are at the different events supporting the kids from our church. It's an incredible feeling of family and love that strengthens me.
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I'll try to blog at some point while in Chicago but in the event this is it for the week, I hope you have a good week.

Baseball, Volleyball and Heaven

As a kid, I didn't care much for baseball. It's the only sport I didn't start in so after two years I walked away. Actually, the third year I went to every practice just because it was where my friends were and I pitched batting practice but didn't develop the desire to start playing again. I didn't watch many Major League games, if any. I went to just a handful of high school games when my friends were playing. I just didn't care much for it. Times have changed. I have a new respect for baseball. It started when I moved to Ft. Worth and started attending some Ranger games but it really kicked in when my son decided to start playing. Now, I watch players movements to see how they throw, how they swing, their footwork or whatever else I can take away.
I've never been a fan of volleyball although I've "played" recreationally at times. Times have changed. This year my daughter started playing and I found myself watching the girls and how they approached the ball and hit the ball, the footwork and their placements and areas of responsibility on the floor. I'll probably end up watching some professional or college volleyball on TV when I can find it to learn more about it.
It's amazing how parents can get absorbed by what their kids interest are.
This weekend, my kids are participating in Leadership Training for Christ. They will be singing in a chorus and leading singing. They will be challenged in Bible Bowl and participating in puppet skits. They have been classroom teachers and given brief radio messages. It's been amazing to watch what they have done. My hope, my prayer, is that each of us will become more absorbed in knowing Christ, in living His will, in striving to know Him. I want to know what Christ is teaching me and be able to help my children apply that.
Oh, I love baseball and I'm quickly becoming a volleyball fan. I want to help my kids succeed as long as they want to play. How much more do I want to help my kids succeed in knowing Christ, in knowing His power, His majesty, His love and His mercy. My heart pounds with the desire to help them see what has taken me years to see. I want to help them find the path to Heaven and do all I can to help them attain the glory that awaits them.

Ephesians 3:19

I can't seem to write what I want to say today. This is the one of the many attempts I've made today to try and express what is jumbled in my head and I can't get it out in an understandable format. Yes, I realize some of you think this is normal for me. Anyway, I've decided I'm going the simple, short route until I can get a better handle on what I want to say.

Last night, our class discussed dreams for the work of our church, dreams for what our service to God can be and the fruit of those dreams - the growth we might see. We discussed how we typically measure growth (numbers, money, size) and how God might measure growth. Ephesians 3:19 hasn't left my head since. It says, "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Oh my. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I will have grown in the way I want to and the way God wants me to. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I can live out the dreams God would have us dream. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I will be bold in reaching out, I will be bold in proclaiming the good news, I will be bold in glorifying my Savior. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I will be a warrior fiercely battling evil, I will be a peacemaker helping those in conflict, I will gently touch those who have been scarred, I will securely grab hold of those who are falling. If I can know the love that surpasses knowledge and be filled with the fullness of God, I will be the person I have dreamed of being.
I don't know that I can fully know the love described in Ephesians but I do know I must strive to know more of it every day, every minute, every second. I must grow in my knowledge of that love so that I can exhibit and share that love. I don't know how to measure it but I have a good idea of what it will look like and when I see it, I will know I am growing in the manner that God wants to see growth.
God, help me know your love better, give me strength to find it and courage to share it.

The Devil is Sneaky

He is. He shows up at the oddest places yet always remains in hiding. He's in our churches urging us to bicker about subjects that don't need to be bickered about. He's in our homes urging us to get upset about things we don't need to be upset about. He follows our families, urging one to do something to provoke another. He's at work, follows us at recreation times, during our down time. Satan doesn't take time off. He's always watching us, planning his time to strike.

God, help me remember you are with me always. Lead me to your arms, hold me and protect me from evil. Give me wisdom and give me courage to know when Satan is attacking me in the simplest of ways and give me strength to turn him away. Forgive me when I do fall for Satan's traps. I want to live for you, God. I want to glorify you.

Automatic Transmissions

I remember the first time I had to drive a vehicle with a standard transmission. I worked for Coca-Cola and had to take a delivery van to a store to drop off product and face the shelves (make sure all the product looked pretty on the shelf basically). There were several rough, jerky starts as I learned to use the clutch and get the van rolling. It wasn't a pretty sight at first and I'm sure the Coca-Cola logo was making an indelible impression on the people around me as they watched teh van lurch and sputter but I finally got the hang of it and now I enjoy driving a standard from time to time. However, automatic transmissions make things so easy. It shifts for you and the ride is smooth. There's nothing to think about, nothing to do other than just press the accelerator.

I think we are equipped with standard transmissions. Life certainly isn't always a smooth ride. Often, we deal with problems or do things that make life seem rough and jerky, just like my initial attempts to get the van rolling. Hopefully, we can learn how to get past the rough spots and keep things moving smoothly. Yet if we aren't careful, we can still end up stalling out because we lose focus on what we need to do. That's the way I feel this morning. The day has started off a little rough but I'm reminding myself to focus on God and allow Him to help me and I know things will get smoother. Too often when faced with some difficulty of any degree, I start thinking about me and what I'm going to do instead of turning to God and asking Him what I should do. Today, I will spend some time praying and trusting that the ride will smooth out as I go along.

It's Friday Again

It's another Friday and I feel myself already mentally decompressing early in the day. That's not a good sign for productive work but I'm sure I'll battle through it. Do you have those days when you just want to sit still, maybe even sleep a little, and let the world spin while you do not? It seems we are on the go all the time. I think sometimes we have reached a point where we do so much, we can't sit still because we feel like we are robbing time from something we should be doing. Yet we do, do, do and then feel guilty when we are not doing something. Yet, peace and stillness and quiet are tools to regenerate, recharge, be introspective, contemplate and formulate. Taking these times can truly make us more efficient and happier, more productive and supportive. In business, we often say you have to quit working in your business so you can work on your business. I get caught up in all that I need to do without taking the time to think about what is truly important, what I really need to get done and making a plan to do that.

I need quiet time with God too. I get so busy that I spend too little time with God, too little time contemplating His desire for me, to recharge and be prepared for the opportunities He presents me. I need to spend more time thinking about how to live out His will instead of just doing the things I always do. He has great plans for us if we will seek Him and His wisdom.

I hope you get to spend some time in peace and quiet soon. Use it well.

The Words We Use

I read an article in the Wall Street Journal today regarding the use of profanity in the workplace. It seems that using profanity is now a badge of merit in some companies whereby it shows you aren't afraid to "mix it up" a little. Of course, swearing more than the boss can be bad for your career track. What? When I read something like this, I just wonder what in the world is going on in some people's heads. Even more, what is going on in their heart?
I'm thankful I work in an environment where faith and serving God can be put first.

The End of the Road

Tonight is my last Wednesday to spend time with someone I've truly grown to appreciate. We have been studying David in our Wednesday night class and it has been such a blessing in my life. I have learned so much about David, but even more, I've learned so much about my relationship with God. I see parts of my life played out similar to times in David's life and it has given me a fuller appreciation of the pain we endure when we do wrong and the glory of God we experience when we walk with Him. I pray that I will spend more time walking in the glory of God as the days go by.

I'll miss our study of David because it has brought me to a better understanding of God but I know the stories will always be with. Much more than that, I know that God will always be with me. Even though we are leaving the study of David, we are moving forward with his example of dreaming what big things we can do with and through God. I look forward to these nights of being with brothers and talking about what big things we can accomplish as we live as Christ's hands and feet on earth. I expect amazing, exciting times ahead and thank God that he has brought us together with a body of believers that has a desire and passion to serve.

The Agony of Change

I've suffered through another time change. For some reason, it seems like I have lost a lot more hours than I've gained. I don't like getting out of bed while it's dark outside. I don't like contemplating going to bed while it's still light outside. I don't like driving into the sun on our morning school run. I don't like it when it's 85 degrees at 9 p.m. because the sun has been up longer than it should. As you can see, there are many things I don't like. Fortunately for me, I have a fairly good ability to move ahead and find the things that make me happy. So in a day or two, I'll have forgotten the sleep I lost, get into the routine of later days and go watch some basebll. :)

It's Opening Day for the Rangers and everyone is either anticipating a great year or another mid to late season meltdown. Whatever happens, I enjoy going to the games, looking at the manicured field, seeing all the people eating hot dogs with mustard dripping down their mouths, hearing the crack of the bat hitting the ball and enjoying the pace of another evening at a baseball game.

My daughter's volleyball team won both their games over the weekend. I don't understand why the referees have to do all the hand signals instead of just yelling "out" or "in" but it's fun watching the girls play. My little angel had a good day on the court and that always makes it fun. My son's team split a double-header this weekend. He was 1 for 3 with an RBI so it was a good day for him too. It's fun watching kids play - not so much fun listening to the parents sometimes. And then we had an ump who didn't call it like I saw it. That aside, it was a good day for the boys and we all are seeing improvement.

Now, quit goofing off and get back to work! :)