Saturday, March 28, 2009
I.Q. of Zero
I just got my butt kicked by something that has an I.Q. of zero! No, it wasn’t some idiot driver on the road; that would be easier to defend myself against. For a few moments, I got beat up by my emotions. Doesn’t happen often, and I know why…but this time I did.
During my bout with these criminal feelings that attempted to rob me of my joy, I immediately began asking, “Why…why do I feel this way?” And if you’ve ever let negative feelings…with a zero intelligence quotient get the best of you, then you know depression is next.
Some wonder why these crazy feelings seem to just come into our heads without an invitation and then take over…a sort of coup d'état, ganging up on us all-at-once. To keep this post from becoming too lengthy, I’ll quickly share with you what I’ve learned over the years in my journey with Jesus.
I’ve learned that I’m susceptible to all kinds of negative emotions if I’m fearful, fatigued, frustrated, or sinning. And here’s the cool thing…I can control all of these. With fear, I can trust God. Fatigue, I can get rest. Frustration, I can turn to others and God for help. Sin, I can submit to God. Check out Isaiah 41:10 and James 4:7 for Scripture that supports this.
Now, how about you? What do you do when you feel bummed out, beat up, or burned out? Instead of losing your perspective and rationale, why not pause and assess your situation? Do you need to trust God, get rest, ask for help, or submit to God?
That’s what I’m going to do as soon as I’m done writing this. You? You can win over the oceans of emotions by doing any or all of these beginning now!
www.realitychurch.com
Garlic Knots
It was a good choice. Scratch that...it was a great choice. I got to take my wife on a date last night to an Italian joint. Good food, but the best part of it all was their unbelievable Garlic Knots. They totally rocked! Freshly baked, with loads of fresh garlic and parmesan cheese doused in olive oil. Makes my mouth water just writing about it. How 'bout yours?
Bad thing though about those garlic knots. They give you bbbbbad breath. I could have stopped a train with as much as I had. I won't speak for Julie, but she likes the garlic too! It's unfortunate that garlic repels people. And when you eat lots of it, people run the other way if you get near them. It's just the affect that it has.
Funny thing is, there's something worse than strong garlic breath that drives people away when they encounter it. No, it's not onion or milk breath, or even coffee breath. It's not a food and it's not because of poor oral hygiene. No, the thing that repulses more people and causes more of us to turn and run in the other direction is the human tongue and the poor choice of words that come out of it.
The tongue has done and can do unthinkable damage to even the best of friends and lovers. As bad as strong garlic breath is--what's worse is strong words used to do damage to others. This is especially true of those we want most in our lives...our spouses, kids, parents, and friends. Our garlic-knot-bad-breath-of-words is killing the relationships we really want to thrive. So, I recommend a few things.
First, realize you have a problem. Second, ask Jesus Christ to help you overcome the prob. Third, start reading the Book of Proverbs in the Bible; you'll be surprised at how practical and good it is. Four, determine to practice what you find out in Proverbs. Five, do the third and fourth thing again and again and again.
Go ahead; do it and you'll be amazed at the results...and the relationships that get healed up. Oh, and if you've never had garlic knots with all that stuff on them - the stinky, smelly breath is worth it!
Bad thing though about those garlic knots. They give you bbbbbad breath. I could have stopped a train with as much as I had. I won't speak for Julie, but she likes the garlic too! It's unfortunate that garlic repels people. And when you eat lots of it, people run the other way if you get near them. It's just the affect that it has.
Funny thing is, there's something worse than strong garlic breath that drives people away when they encounter it. No, it's not onion or milk breath, or even coffee breath. It's not a food and it's not because of poor oral hygiene. No, the thing that repulses more people and causes more of us to turn and run in the other direction is the human tongue and the poor choice of words that come out of it.
The tongue has done and can do unthinkable damage to even the best of friends and lovers. As bad as strong garlic breath is--what's worse is strong words used to do damage to others. This is especially true of those we want most in our lives...our spouses, kids, parents, and friends. Our garlic-knot-bad-breath-of-words is killing the relationships we really want to thrive. So, I recommend a few things.
First, realize you have a problem. Second, ask Jesus Christ to help you overcome the prob. Third, start reading the Book of Proverbs in the Bible; you'll be surprised at how practical and good it is. Four, determine to practice what you find out in Proverbs. Five, do the third and fourth thing again and again and again.
Go ahead; do it and you'll be amazed at the results...and the relationships that get healed up. Oh, and if you've never had garlic knots with all that stuff on them - the stinky, smelly breath is worth it!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Falling Asleep in the Wrong Places
I just got up... it's 3:11 in the morning. Fell asleep on the most uncomfortable couch in the US of A. I don't remember what I was watching and don't know if I dreamed about anything. What I do know is that I missed out on snuggle time with my wife. Bummer. I'll make that right in a few!
As I was climbing up the stairs to get ready for bed, I started to think about how much I hate falling asleep on that couch. Then another thought struck me. I really seriously wondered how many good, normal, fun-loving people fall asleep in life on couches they just as soon wished they had never dozed-off on!?!?
What I mean is "Have you fallen asleep on the dream you had for your life? Have you fallen asleep at being the kind of husband, wife, parent, or friend you really wanted to be? Have you dozed-off at the things that matter most in life...the important things 'cause you were watching some stupid thing on TV that didn't really matter?"
Maybe it's time for you to say, "I hate falling asleep at (fill in the blank) _______." Why not redirect you decisions by doing something about what really matters before it gets too late [in life].
Right now...it's 3:29 in the morning and I'm going to do something about what I missed out on before. Time to snuggle!
www.realitychurch.com
As I was climbing up the stairs to get ready for bed, I started to think about how much I hate falling asleep on that couch. Then another thought struck me. I really seriously wondered how many good, normal, fun-loving people fall asleep in life on couches they just as soon wished they had never dozed-off on!?!?
What I mean is "Have you fallen asleep on the dream you had for your life? Have you fallen asleep at being the kind of husband, wife, parent, or friend you really wanted to be? Have you dozed-off at the things that matter most in life...the important things 'cause you were watching some stupid thing on TV that didn't really matter?"
Maybe it's time for you to say, "I hate falling asleep at (fill in the blank) _______." Why not redirect you decisions by doing something about what really matters before it gets too late [in life].
Right now...it's 3:29 in the morning and I'm going to do something about what I missed out on before. Time to snuggle!
www.realitychurch.com
Friday, March 20, 2009
Running on Fumes
I ran a red light today...on purpose. Looked all around for cops as I sputtered through the intersection hoping I wouldn't get busted. Fortunately, they were busy elsewhere catching real criminals or something.
Why'd I run the red? Because awhile back, ABC News' John Stossel, reported that automobiles are made to go extra miles, sometimes 40 or more extra miles, when your tank reads "empty." So I put it to the test...and lost. I knew I needed to put gas in my car soon, but thought that, based on Stossel's report, I had more miles left. I was wrong.
Driving home from work, I started sputtering pretty badly and was still about a mile from the nearest station. Not wanting to get stuck, I was hoping that I could make it while running on fumes. That's when I broke the law (sorry) and ran the red. I needed to fill the empty tank.
The implication is clear: If you and I keep using up fuel without refilling we're gonna gas out! It's just a matter of time. It's crucial that we refuel our lives with some spiritual nitro, like God's Word. Why? Because we're giving out everyday to our spouse, kids, work, school, boyfriend, girlfriend, church, community, etc.
If you keep giving yourself away without filling your emotional and spiritual tank, you're going to start running red's in your life within a year's time.
If you want some high-octane fuel for your soul then decide now to invest at least 15 minutes a day, say, Monday thru Friday to fill up your mental and spiritual tank with God's word (the Bible). Need wisdom for daily living? Begin in Proverbs. Have big problems and need encouragement or comfort? The Psalms are for you. Want to know all about God? Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
www.realitychurch.com
Why'd I run the red? Because awhile back, ABC News' John Stossel, reported that automobiles are made to go extra miles, sometimes 40 or more extra miles, when your tank reads "empty." So I put it to the test...and lost. I knew I needed to put gas in my car soon, but thought that, based on Stossel's report, I had more miles left. I was wrong.
Driving home from work, I started sputtering pretty badly and was still about a mile from the nearest station. Not wanting to get stuck, I was hoping that I could make it while running on fumes. That's when I broke the law (sorry) and ran the red. I needed to fill the empty tank.
The implication is clear: If you and I keep using up fuel without refilling we're gonna gas out! It's just a matter of time. It's crucial that we refuel our lives with some spiritual nitro, like God's Word. Why? Because we're giving out everyday to our spouse, kids, work, school, boyfriend, girlfriend, church, community, etc.
If you keep giving yourself away without filling your emotional and spiritual tank, you're going to start running red's in your life within a year's time.
If you want some high-octane fuel for your soul then decide now to invest at least 15 minutes a day, say, Monday thru Friday to fill up your mental and spiritual tank with God's word (the Bible). Need wisdom for daily living? Begin in Proverbs. Have big problems and need encouragement or comfort? The Psalms are for you. Want to know all about God? Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
www.realitychurch.com
Fast and Furious
Today I sat with my wife (Julie) and my youngest daughter (Joy) and looked at a large photo album from 10 years ago. It was when Joy was just born and then the next few years as she became a toddler. Laughter, some tears too, and thoughts of where the time went flooded my mind.
Saw my other two kids in the album too. Now one of them is driving. Time...where'd it go? Then I wondered if I'm parenting well as a dad. You know... lots of love, affection, fun, acceptance, guidance...the works.
Then I did some figuring and concluded that I only have 65 more Saturdays until my son turns 18. Sixty-five! And only 145 more Saturdays with my oldest girl until she turns 18.
If you're anything like me, you realize that time waits for no one, so we better be spending and investing many precious hours with our kids while we still have them around to love on and demonstrate God's love to. So how 'bout you? Has time gone by too fast and furious for your taste like it has mine? By-the-way, why don't you find out how many more Saturdays you have left before yours turn eighteen and then do something about making it all it can be.
www.realitychurch.com
Saw my other two kids in the album too. Now one of them is driving. Time...where'd it go? Then I wondered if I'm parenting well as a dad. You know... lots of love, affection, fun, acceptance, guidance...the works.
Then I did some figuring and concluded that I only have 65 more Saturdays until my son turns 18. Sixty-five! And only 145 more Saturdays with my oldest girl until she turns 18.
If you're anything like me, you realize that time waits for no one, so we better be spending and investing many precious hours with our kids while we still have them around to love on and demonstrate God's love to. So how 'bout you? Has time gone by too fast and furious for your taste like it has mine? By-the-way, why don't you find out how many more Saturdays you have left before yours turn eighteen and then do something about making it all it can be.
www.realitychurch.com
Overtaken
In a few days, my wife, Julie and I are coming up on our 22nd wedding anniversary. I know we don’t look that old. I think it’s because we got married when I was nine and she was seven. That puts me at 31 and Julie at 29. A number she will remain at indefinitely.
Joking aside, I planned ahead of time to take Julie away for a few days to a hotel on the beach. Call it an early anniversary surprise. Got an pretty nice room reserved and off we go. We arrived, checked in, and then pulled the car around to the underneath parking garage. As I’m unloading the luggage, out comes one of the hotel manager/supervisors briskly walking toward us while calling out our name from about a half of a football field away.
For no apparent reason, this lady holds out her arm with a new room entry card in hand and passes it to Julie saying that they are moving us up to the top floor Penthouse Suite. What?!? Really?!?
With no explanation and no additional cost, neither Julie nor I took the time to find out if this was God’s will. We gladly accepted and took the elevator up to the top floor, opened the door to our huge penthouse suite that was overlooking the ocean, kissed and just gave God thanks. A $499 room for less than $100 a night. What a cool anniversary gift from the Lord.
I cannot help but think of that passage of scripture found in Deuteronomy chapter 28 that says, “God’s blessing will overtake his people” if his people would follow Him closely. When that supervisor came almost running toward us with the news of the “upgrade,” Julie and I knew that God’s blessings had literally “overtaken us.” I can’t wait to experience His next surprise. Go God!
www.realitychurch.com
Joking aside, I planned ahead of time to take Julie away for a few days to a hotel on the beach. Call it an early anniversary surprise. Got an pretty nice room reserved and off we go. We arrived, checked in, and then pulled the car around to the underneath parking garage. As I’m unloading the luggage, out comes one of the hotel manager/supervisors briskly walking toward us while calling out our name from about a half of a football field away.
For no apparent reason, this lady holds out her arm with a new room entry card in hand and passes it to Julie saying that they are moving us up to the top floor Penthouse Suite. What?!? Really?!?
With no explanation and no additional cost, neither Julie nor I took the time to find out if this was God’s will. We gladly accepted and took the elevator up to the top floor, opened the door to our huge penthouse suite that was overlooking the ocean, kissed and just gave God thanks. A $499 room for less than $100 a night. What a cool anniversary gift from the Lord.
I cannot help but think of that passage of scripture found in Deuteronomy chapter 28 that says, “God’s blessing will overtake his people” if his people would follow Him closely. When that supervisor came almost running toward us with the news of the “upgrade,” Julie and I knew that God’s blessings had literally “overtaken us.” I can’t wait to experience His next surprise. Go God!
www.realitychurch.com
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