I sometimes think something is wrong with me!! Am I the only one? I think the world around me sometimes lives with 3-D glasses. People make life much more difficult than it has to be. Seems like much effort goes into complicating life, when in reality it's meant to be much simpler. And simpler usually means happier! Here's some things that I think help keep it simple.
>Be Content. Find satisfaction in the job you have now. Look for the good in your husband/wife. Put an air freshener(new-car scented) in the old car you are driving. Be satisfied with the side of the fence that you find yourself at this time of your life.
>Be Consistent. Stop chasing every little fad that comes along. Stop changing your mind with every new philosophy that Oprah or Dr. Phil is pumping into the mainstream. Every new idea that comes along is not the ideal for your life.
>Be Considerate. Consider the other person before you consider your own. Think of the needs of others before you set out to satisfy your own. Put others before you. Live your life to better someone else's!
It's easy for any of us to get caught up in the disarray of our day. Life at it's simplest can get crazy sometime! But I'd rather live without all the self-induced complications. It really is a Wonderful Life!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
PUMPED!!!
Happy New Year! 2009 - It's hard to believe! Who would have ever thunk we would have made it this far? This time in history seemed so far away just a couple of decades ago. Some of you may remember the 80's pop song by Prince - "1999". Here we are, going on 10 years after the catastrophic entry into the new millennium. Remember Y2k? It was chaos, right? Not even a glitch!
The new year always brings us to a place of fresh starts. Another opportunity to do the things that you didn't get done last year. I truly hope that is a reality for your future, and not just another empty resolution. For some reason I am filled with excitement and anticipation as we start into the new year. With all of the doom and gloom that is being pumped into the conscious of our world through the media, you would think that there is nothing to be excited about. I can't really explain why I'm pumped about what's ahead, but I am!
Maybe it's because I'm just an eternal optimist. I am just the kind of guy that sees the glass as always being half-full. Nope!
Maybe it's because I'm so smart that I've got everything figured out. Even if the whole thing comes apart, and life as we know it changes forever. I don't think so!
Or, maybe it's because I have the right contacts that keep me up on the latest events, and I have the resources to confront whatever comes next. Wrong again!
I think the answer is really too simple! I am in relationship with the God of all the universe! And if he is with me, then what do I have to worry about? If He is on my side, then what do I have to be afraid of? What? You tell me what can rise up and take on my God, and have a "snowball's chance in hell?"
No wonder I'm so PUMPED!
The new year always brings us to a place of fresh starts. Another opportunity to do the things that you didn't get done last year. I truly hope that is a reality for your future, and not just another empty resolution. For some reason I am filled with excitement and anticipation as we start into the new year. With all of the doom and gloom that is being pumped into the conscious of our world through the media, you would think that there is nothing to be excited about. I can't really explain why I'm pumped about what's ahead, but I am!
Maybe it's because I'm just an eternal optimist. I am just the kind of guy that sees the glass as always being half-full. Nope!
Maybe it's because I'm so smart that I've got everything figured out. Even if the whole thing comes apart, and life as we know it changes forever. I don't think so!
Or, maybe it's because I have the right contacts that keep me up on the latest events, and I have the resources to confront whatever comes next. Wrong again!
I think the answer is really too simple! I am in relationship with the God of all the universe! And if he is with me, then what do I have to worry about? If He is on my side, then what do I have to be afraid of? What? You tell me what can rise up and take on my God, and have a "snowball's chance in hell?"
No wonder I'm so PUMPED!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wannabe a "Want To"
Man I love this time of year! In our part of the world, the cold, crisp weather is certainly a bonus to the holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend a couple of days in neutral, before the high gear of the Christmas celebration kicks in. Surely you have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
I'm thankful for my family. It is so easy to take for granted those that are closest to us. Take time to let your family know how grateful you are for them during this time.
I'm thankful for my friends. I've heard it said that you can count your real friends on one hand. The longer I live, the more I think this is true. Try to count your friends this Thanksgiving, and if possible, show them some gratitude for their friendship.
I'm thankful for the people who "want to." I know everybody can't be my "friend." But I have really grown appreciative of the people that are allowed to cross my path who truly have the "want to." They "want to" live life to the full. They "want to" live a life that makes a difference. They "want to" be a breathe of fresh air in a truly stifling world. They "want to" infect their world with an attitude that is encouraging and uplifting. They "want to" give back to the people of their world, not just take all the time. If you are a wannabe of the "want to's" then I'm thankful for you on this Thanksgiving Day!
I'm thankful for my family. It is so easy to take for granted those that are closest to us. Take time to let your family know how grateful you are for them during this time.
I'm thankful for my friends. I've heard it said that you can count your real friends on one hand. The longer I live, the more I think this is true. Try to count your friends this Thanksgiving, and if possible, show them some gratitude for their friendship.
I'm thankful for the people who "want to." I know everybody can't be my "friend." But I have really grown appreciative of the people that are allowed to cross my path who truly have the "want to." They "want to" live life to the full. They "want to" live a life that makes a difference. They "want to" be a breathe of fresh air in a truly stifling world. They "want to" infect their world with an attitude that is encouraging and uplifting. They "want to" give back to the people of their world, not just take all the time. If you are a wannabe of the "want to's" then I'm thankful for you on this Thanksgiving Day!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
No More 'Mr. Niceguy' - 2
I have had problems posting over the last month. Excuse the delay. Please read my last blog, if you haven't already, before reading this one.
Now, back to the subject of a college football coach. I have several thoughts as to why Tommy Bowden didn't get the job done at Clemson. You may care less about the subject in mind here, but I believe some of these thoughts are applicable to any walk of life. I'm expressing these only as a matter of opinion, so take it for what it's worth in terms of validity. But this is why I think he didn't reach his potential. So here goes!
1)He got comfortable. I think anybody can come to a place in life where they are simply satisfied with their state of existence. When that happens the, desire and hunger for improvement can be found lacking. Progress becomes a thing of the past. They become fat, settled, and satisfied! That's where a lot of people live.
I believe Tommy Bowden is a great man! Maybe he's just too nice to be a college football coach. We need more men like him! Maybe his next gig will be much better for him. But for now, it's "So long... Mr. Niceguy."
Now, back to the subject of a college football coach. I have several thoughts as to why Tommy Bowden didn't get the job done at Clemson. You may care less about the subject in mind here, but I believe some of these thoughts are applicable to any walk of life. I'm expressing these only as a matter of opinion, so take it for what it's worth in terms of validity. But this is why I think he didn't reach his potential. So here goes!
1)He got comfortable. I think anybody can come to a place in life where they are simply satisfied with their state of existence. When that happens the, desire and hunger for improvement can be found lacking. Progress becomes a thing of the past. They become fat, settled, and satisfied! That's where a lot of people live.
2)He played safe. There are so many people who try to live life without taking risk. Those are the people that will never reach the potential that God has placed within them. You will have to get out of the boat if you're ever going to walk on water. But it will be risky!
3)Maybe He was too Nice. God never called Christians to just be "nice". Now don't take me wrong. Neither did he call us to be rude, crude, mean, and obnoxious. But, I think there are times that our actions may not be perceived as "nice". Just ask the money changers in the temple if they thought Jesus was nice that day he cleaned out the courtyard(See Mark 11).I believe Tommy Bowden is a great man! Maybe he's just too nice to be a college football coach. We need more men like him! Maybe his next gig will be much better for him. But for now, it's "So long... Mr. Niceguy."
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
No more 'Mr. Niceguy'
If you have read the blog before, you probably have picked up that I am a fan of the Clemson Tigers. Yesterday was a day that all tiger fans were either delighted, sad, or found themselves somewhere in between. Tommy Bowden, the head football coach for the last ten years, resigned from that position under heavy pressure from a disgruntled fan base. He has to take a severance package of only 3.5 million dollars. I don't know how he will make it on that meager income.
Maybe we should consider a food pounding for him next week?
I'm surely not trying to serve as the reporter for what is old news to most of you. But I do want to get something off of my chest concerning some of the comments and mindsets that I've observed over the last couple of weeks when it comes to people's opinion of a college football program and the fate of its coach.
First, is the thought that is out there that just because Tommy is a devout Christian, he probably can't be successful in a dog eat dog world like college football. Boy, what a slap in the face of any Christian who knows that God has called us to more than just attending a religious church service once or twice a week! That kind of thinking comes from the perception that Christians are supposed to be "soft." Milk-toast, pansy Christians. Well if you have that perception, then maybe you need to go back and study the life of Christianity's founder, Jesus Christ. You will find out that he was anything but "soft" or weak! He was a Man among Men, who had the strength to give his life for the world in an agonizing torturous death, even when he didn't have to. Tommy's Christian life had nothing to do with his inability to win a stupid football game.
Second, is the thought, even among Christians, that Tommy had his priorities out of order. He has made it clear over the last few years that he believed his calling was to help shape and form the lives of the young men that he had the privilege to coach in football. Man, what a noble concept! And for that, he has been criticized. What would happen if every Christian embraced that concept? Disciples maybe? That should be the heart-beat of every Christian! It's pathetic that Christians would find fault in a person using the platform that God has given him to influence another person with the character and virtue of his Christianty!
I do have my opinions as to some of the reasoning why this coach did not achieve the success that was necessary in this arena of our culture. I'll share those on the next blog! I think it may be of value to you even if you could care less about this whole scenario.
But for me, this is one way for me to say good-bye to "Mr. Niceguy!"
Maybe we should consider a food pounding for him next week?
I'm surely not trying to serve as the reporter for what is old news to most of you. But I do want to get something off of my chest concerning some of the comments and mindsets that I've observed over the last couple of weeks when it comes to people's opinion of a college football program and the fate of its coach.
First, is the thought that is out there that just because Tommy is a devout Christian, he probably can't be successful in a dog eat dog world like college football. Boy, what a slap in the face of any Christian who knows that God has called us to more than just attending a religious church service once or twice a week! That kind of thinking comes from the perception that Christians are supposed to be "soft." Milk-toast, pansy Christians. Well if you have that perception, then maybe you need to go back and study the life of Christianity's founder, Jesus Christ. You will find out that he was anything but "soft" or weak! He was a Man among Men, who had the strength to give his life for the world in an agonizing torturous death, even when he didn't have to. Tommy's Christian life had nothing to do with his inability to win a stupid football game.
Second, is the thought, even among Christians, that Tommy had his priorities out of order. He has made it clear over the last few years that he believed his calling was to help shape and form the lives of the young men that he had the privilege to coach in football. Man, what a noble concept! And for that, he has been criticized. What would happen if every Christian embraced that concept? Disciples maybe? That should be the heart-beat of every Christian! It's pathetic that Christians would find fault in a person using the platform that God has given him to influence another person with the character and virtue of his Christianty!
I do have my opinions as to some of the reasoning why this coach did not achieve the success that was necessary in this arena of our culture. I'll share those on the next blog! I think it may be of value to you even if you could care less about this whole scenario.
But for me, this is one way for me to say good-bye to "Mr. Niceguy!"
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Catching Up
I would like to think that there are plenty of you that have been lost without the blog. Maybe I would be surprised? But here we are again, with time passing by so quickly that it's hard to believe it is October. I love this time of the year! The cooler weather, along with hunting and football, is wonderful.
Here's my take on a couple of things:
1)The presidential election that is coming up is a really intriguing thing. The two most mentioned names, when it comes to the candidates, are Obamah and Palin. You would think that she is the presidential nominee. The choice that you make, come the first Tuesday in November, could have long lasting effects on the moral status of the USA, considering the possibility of replacing four Chief Justices over the next four to eight years. My hope is that believers will vote according to morality rather than their pocketbooks. Do I believe that one candidate has stronger convictions than the other when it comes to morality? PLEASE!!!!!!!
2)The economy in our nation is really at a critical point. We are truly facing crisis on this front, that has not been experienced in our land in the majority of our lifetimes. This could be the best of times and the worst of times all together. We are so pampered in America. It may be best for us in the long run if we have to cut back on some of the conveniences of our time. I know it would be an awful thing to have to be without, say ... cellphones. But believe it or not, we did survive without them. I'm not in any way trying to make light of a grim outlook. It's just that we could do with a lot less than we are used to.
"Shoot! I remember when we had to walk to school, in the snow, uphill - both ways, backwards, and in the dark!"
Maybe it's not so bad after all!
Here's my take on a couple of things:
1)The presidential election that is coming up is a really intriguing thing. The two most mentioned names, when it comes to the candidates, are Obamah and Palin. You would think that she is the presidential nominee. The choice that you make, come the first Tuesday in November, could have long lasting effects on the moral status of the USA, considering the possibility of replacing four Chief Justices over the next four to eight years. My hope is that believers will vote according to morality rather than their pocketbooks. Do I believe that one candidate has stronger convictions than the other when it comes to morality? PLEASE!!!!!!!
2)The economy in our nation is really at a critical point. We are truly facing crisis on this front, that has not been experienced in our land in the majority of our lifetimes. This could be the best of times and the worst of times all together. We are so pampered in America. It may be best for us in the long run if we have to cut back on some of the conveniences of our time. I know it would be an awful thing to have to be without, say ... cellphones. But believe it or not, we did survive without them. I'm not in any way trying to make light of a grim outlook. It's just that we could do with a lot less than we are used to.
"Shoot! I remember when we had to walk to school, in the snow, uphill - both ways, backwards, and in the dark!"
Maybe it's not so bad after all!
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