How's it going today? Are you having a good day, or a bad day? Is your bad day being caused by other people? You know who I'm talking about, the people in your office that never seem to have anything good to say, or ever had anything good happen to them. It's always something. They complain about the work, the people, the weather, their pay, etc. It's a wonder they can get anything done!
Having a good day is really your decision. You make the call when you wake up. A mental coin is flipped in your mind and "heads" it's a good day, "Tails" it's a bad day.
The secret is having a double-headed coin. Wake up and allow yourself to have a great day no matter how anyone else acts. Don't let the hopeless complainer in your office spoil your day. Simply say to yourself "God put this day here for me to excel, to grow, to praise Him, and to let my good day rub off on others."
You'll be surprised how the attitude of the people around you will change if you show them it's possible to love life. Be the double-headed coin!
"Realize that there are no hopeless situations; only people who take hopeless attitudes." Norman Vincent Peale
"God, thank you for this day. Help me to make the best use of my attitude so I can show others how to smile in the face of adversity, love people who hate, and carry joy in their hearts. Amen."
October 31, 2007
October 24, 2007
Dying to Change
It’s interesting how we change over time. The things I liked in my youth aren’t necessarily the same things I like now. Take broccoli. As a kid I’d have stuck my tongue on a flaming piece of jagged glass before I’d let broccoli go in my mouth, but now I like it. I don’t know why.
A year ago my wife and I lived in another house. It was in a newer neighborhood so our mailbox was one of those tiny cubes in a large box of other cubes where everyone in the sub division got their mail. I checked the mail, every day. It was an obsession really. I had to look in there to see what treasures had magically appeared in the small box. Would I get a new catalog? Or maybe a TV Guide? Or maybe Ed McMahon had finally mailed my check!? I had to know!
My wife on the other hand didn’t check the mail. Ever. Getting mail out of a 4X6 cube next to several hundred other 4X6 cubes didn’t interest her at all.
Then we moved, and now we have a mailbox right in front of our house. A real mailbox with a door that swings down and everything. But I don’t look in it. I don’t know why but since we moved 11 months ago my wife checks the mail every day and I’ve looked in the mailbox maybe 20 times. Odd, huh?
The biggest change I’ve seen in myself the past few years has been who I’ve become as a person. The things that interested me before I found Christ don’t interest me now. It isn’t because I’ve “made” myself act like a Christian though, and at first I didn’t really understand why I had simply lost interest in doing the things I had done before.
As I’ve grown as a Christ follower I’ve come to understand that it’s about dying. When I gave my life to Christ I died and was reborn a new person. I know it sounds corny but I can tell you it is a real phenomenon. I simply don’t have the desire to do the things I used to do, because they have been replaced by Christ living in me.
It’s interesting how we change. I think I’ll go check the mail.
“Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. Thank you for saving me and moving in to the neighborhood of my heart. It’s a much better place to live now. Amen”.
A year ago my wife and I lived in another house. It was in a newer neighborhood so our mailbox was one of those tiny cubes in a large box of other cubes where everyone in the sub division got their mail. I checked the mail, every day. It was an obsession really. I had to look in there to see what treasures had magically appeared in the small box. Would I get a new catalog? Or maybe a TV Guide? Or maybe Ed McMahon had finally mailed my check!? I had to know!
My wife on the other hand didn’t check the mail. Ever. Getting mail out of a 4X6 cube next to several hundred other 4X6 cubes didn’t interest her at all.
Then we moved, and now we have a mailbox right in front of our house. A real mailbox with a door that swings down and everything. But I don’t look in it. I don’t know why but since we moved 11 months ago my wife checks the mail every day and I’ve looked in the mailbox maybe 20 times. Odd, huh?
The biggest change I’ve seen in myself the past few years has been who I’ve become as a person. The things that interested me before I found Christ don’t interest me now. It isn’t because I’ve “made” myself act like a Christian though, and at first I didn’t really understand why I had simply lost interest in doing the things I had done before.
As I’ve grown as a Christ follower I’ve come to understand that it’s about dying. When I gave my life to Christ I died and was reborn a new person. I know it sounds corny but I can tell you it is a real phenomenon. I simply don’t have the desire to do the things I used to do, because they have been replaced by Christ living in me.
It’s interesting how we change. I think I’ll go check the mail.
“Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. Thank you for saving me and moving in to the neighborhood of my heart. It’s a much better place to live now. Amen”.
October 21, 2007
Let 'em ride!
My wife and I took a motorcycle ride yesterday to a sleepy little town about an hour away that has some very interesting shopping. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a long distance, so the wear on my derriere was substantial, but worth it.
I love riding. There is a freedom in tooling down the road in the open air that a lot of people won’t ever experience. For some of the men I know it apparently has something to do with their wives. They tell me “my wife won’t let me buy a motorcycle”. This always produces a crinkling affect on my forehead that I’m sure will ultimately result in lines the size of the Grand Canyon across my head when I’m older.
I count myself lucky because my wife doesn’t fear motorcycles. I don’t know how that discussion would have gone down if she did, but I’m certain she would have never tried to “tell” me I couldn’t have a bike. Men are wired differently than women, and we like doing a lot of things that women don’t like doing. We’re dare devils by nature. We can’t help it, we like living outside the lines. Luckily for us we have women to reign us in and keep us alive. Women are nurturing like that, and men appreciate it.
Personally, I’m not afraid of death. I don’t look for ways to die, but I’m not worried about it because the life waiting for me after this world is going to be way better. I think some wives should take that to heart. Not necessarily for themselves, but for their husbands too. They need to realize that when God decides it’s time for you or your husband to check out it’ll happen whether you have a motorcycle or not, so why take that small joy away from him?
Wives, let your guys enjoy this life. Let them have a motorcycle if they want one, and get on the back one time for a ride in the country. I guarantee you’ll see things differently.
“God, my life belongs to you and I can only hope I use it in a way that honors you. Thanks for simple things, like experiencing nature on a motorcycle. I really enjoy your world. Good job!”
I love riding. There is a freedom in tooling down the road in the open air that a lot of people won’t ever experience. For some of the men I know it apparently has something to do with their wives. They tell me “my wife won’t let me buy a motorcycle”. This always produces a crinkling affect on my forehead that I’m sure will ultimately result in lines the size of the Grand Canyon across my head when I’m older.
I count myself lucky because my wife doesn’t fear motorcycles. I don’t know how that discussion would have gone down if she did, but I’m certain she would have never tried to “tell” me I couldn’t have a bike. Men are wired differently than women, and we like doing a lot of things that women don’t like doing. We’re dare devils by nature. We can’t help it, we like living outside the lines. Luckily for us we have women to reign us in and keep us alive. Women are nurturing like that, and men appreciate it.
Personally, I’m not afraid of death. I don’t look for ways to die, but I’m not worried about it because the life waiting for me after this world is going to be way better. I think some wives should take that to heart. Not necessarily for themselves, but for their husbands too. They need to realize that when God decides it’s time for you or your husband to check out it’ll happen whether you have a motorcycle or not, so why take that small joy away from him?
Wives, let your guys enjoy this life. Let them have a motorcycle if they want one, and get on the back one time for a ride in the country. I guarantee you’ll see things differently.
“God, my life belongs to you and I can only hope I use it in a way that honors you. Thanks for simple things, like experiencing nature on a motorcycle. I really enjoy your world. Good job!”
October 17, 2007
Affirmation
When someone we know dies, we usually bounce back by finding life in the things around us. I had a much needed life affirming experience tonight by going to a church near Austin to play at a youth event.
Youth events are fun. Kids have an enthusiastic way of celebrating life that is invigorating. They jump up and down, they sing, and yell, and clap and laugh. The kids tonight seemed to get it too. They raised their hands and praised God as we played our praises to our king. They really seemed to get it.
Afterwards something happened that has never happened before; kids came up to me to talk. This never happens. I’m a drummer. Drummers sit in the back, out of the limelight. Usually people want to talk to the lead singer, or the cool guitar player. Not the drummer. But there they stood, two young girls who told me they were in the drum line at school. We talked for a bit and they thanked me for playing at their church. It was nice.
If that wasn’t odd enough, I actually had 4 people ask me for my autograph. Whoa! That was kind of strange, writing my name on something so they could keep it. Would it end up in a scrap book, or a frame, or maybe the trash? I suspect the last choice, but I’m not used to people wanting my signature unless it’s on a contract or a traffic violation.
However, the event was fun. The kids and adults all had a great time. God was praised, and hopefully those who were only visiting with friends we impacted by the event and will begin to seek God.
“Father, thanks for the gift of music you have given me. I love using it to praise you. Please let my meager talent help inspire others to begin questioning what You’re all about, and hopefully find the salvation that I have. Amen”.
Youth events are fun. Kids have an enthusiastic way of celebrating life that is invigorating. They jump up and down, they sing, and yell, and clap and laugh. The kids tonight seemed to get it too. They raised their hands and praised God as we played our praises to our king. They really seemed to get it.
Afterwards something happened that has never happened before; kids came up to me to talk. This never happens. I’m a drummer. Drummers sit in the back, out of the limelight. Usually people want to talk to the lead singer, or the cool guitar player. Not the drummer. But there they stood, two young girls who told me they were in the drum line at school. We talked for a bit and they thanked me for playing at their church. It was nice.
If that wasn’t odd enough, I actually had 4 people ask me for my autograph. Whoa! That was kind of strange, writing my name on something so they could keep it. Would it end up in a scrap book, or a frame, or maybe the trash? I suspect the last choice, but I’m not used to people wanting my signature unless it’s on a contract or a traffic violation.
However, the event was fun. The kids and adults all had a great time. God was praised, and hopefully those who were only visiting with friends we impacted by the event and will begin to seek God.
“Father, thanks for the gift of music you have given me. I love using it to praise you. Please let my meager talent help inspire others to begin questioning what You’re all about, and hopefully find the salvation that I have. Amen”.
October 16, 2007
Humor really is the best medicine
It’s been a sad few days around here, and I’m in desperate need of a laugh, so here goes:
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales and said that Jonah had been swallowed by one.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl reiterated that Jonah was definitely swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher said again that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".
The teacher barked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".
Aaaaah. I feel better.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales and said that Jonah had been swallowed by one.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl reiterated that Jonah was definitely swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher said again that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".
The teacher barked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".
Aaaaah. I feel better.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
October 15, 2007
In Memorium
Bubba was remembered at my church tonight. You can tell how many lives someone has touched by going to their funeral. Bubba had apparently touched a lot of lives, there looked to be about 500 people there. People got up and talked about Bubba. Their stories were funny, some were sad, most were uplifting, all were heartfelt. You could tell everyone in that room was going to miss Bubba. I’ll miss Bubba.
There was a common theme to what everyone said: Bubba loves Jesus. He had been changed into a new person when he gave his life to Christ, and everything he did was to glorify Him. People admired Bubba for that, but he couldn’t understand what the fuss was about, in his mind that’s how everyone should act.
Following Christ wasn’t something he felt he had to do. It was something he couldn’t stop himself from doing. That’s what having a real relationship with Jesus is all about. Going to church on Sunday and reading your Bible every day might get you into heaven, maybe. But you have to ask yourself, what have you done to seek out others who need Jesus’ grace? Is Christ really living in you or are you just playing religion?
Having a personal relationship with Jesus isn’t hard. It’s not rocket science or complicated. It’s simply letting Him in, like Bubba did, 110%.
“God, give Bubba’s family and friends strength this week as they lay him to rest. It’s a sad day down here, but I know it’s a great day in heaven with Bubba up there, showing the Angels how to ride a Harley.”
October 12, 2007
Bubba
We lost one of our own today. Bubba Pruett, a brother in Christ and my friend, passed away today after a motorcycle accident two nights ago. Bubba’s story is one of transformation and the redeeming power of Jesus’ blood. Bubba was into a lot of bad things in years past that led him to prison. He found something there he wasn’t expecting: salvation.
Bubba was a true Christ follower. A big, barrel chested man who rode a Harley and could scare the stripes off a skunk if you didn’t know he had a saved heart. He always had a big bear hug for me when I saw him at church because we were both bike riders and probably the only two Houston Texans fans in this city.
He was an inspiration to me, as well as everyone around him. He preached at church one day. He began his sermon by riding his Harley from the parking lot into the Sanctuary and up to the stage. He wasn’t burdened by ego; he just loved Jesus and never hesitated to tell people about it. And after he had said everything he wanted to say in his sermon he simply looked at the congregation and said “That’s all God wanted me to say”, and he walked off.
My heart is sad that I won’t see him at church any more, but even in my grief I’m happy that Bubba knew Jesus as his Savior and he is with Him now.
“God, I pray for those that have a giant hole in their heart where Bubba used to be. Give us strength in this time of pain as we are reminded that life on this Earth is short, and that there is a new life waiting for us when we pass from this one thanks to the sacrifice of your Son. Amen.”
“Oh, and say hi to Bubba for me. Thanks.”
October 8, 2007
An Unblurred Life
I’m a motorcycle rider. It’s the best form of transportation ever invented, in my opinion. I love the breeze blowing around me as I thunder down the road with nothing in-between me and nature. No windows, no roof, nothing.
Bikers are a different breed. They know it takes a special kind of person to drive a vehicle that affords no safety in an accident. They show their respect for one another by giving each other a small wave as they pass by another biker. I’ve always thought this was pretty cool, this camaraderie of the 2 wheeled family.
I’ve gotten pretty good at handling a motorcycle over the years. There’s just one thing that continues to be a problem: changing lanes without running over the little reflector bumps in the road.
It’s true, ask any biker. Even though the reflectors are only 4 inches square, and about 10 feet apart, it’s almost impossible to change lanes without running over these things!
The reason is focus. I keep running over the reflectors because I’m staring at them trying to avoid them, but where ever I’m looking is exactly where I end up going.
It’s the same with our relationship with God. We should take time to analyze where we’re placing our focus. Are we focusing on God, or have we let that connection blur?
Matthew 14:23-32 tells us about Jesus walking on water. In this account, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water with Jesus until he took his focus off of Him, then he sank. But as soon as his focus was placed back on Jesus he rose out of the water and walked on it again.
This is a pretty clear indication of what happens when we let our focus become blurred. Luckily for Peter he regained his focus before he drowned.
I’ve found that when I’m focused on God, when I’m praying and reading my Bible and talking to God all day long, I’m happy, patient, and kinder towards others. I feel better about my life.
It’s all about focus. If you focus on this world, that’s where your life will go. But if you truly focus on God, you will see what living an unblurred life is really like.
Where is your focus today? On God, or the bumps in the road?
“God, sometimes I let the things of this world blur my sight of You. Help me to be stronger. Stronger for me and for my family, so my focus will always be on You, and not the trappings of this world.”
October 2, 2007
Oh say, can you see?
I’ve been retired from the military for 4½ years now. I live far enough away from the local Air Force base that I don’t ever go there. However, I recently decided to go back to college and I chose one that just happens to hold classes on the base. So once a week I go to class and I get to see military life once again.
Today I got to class early and was sitting in my truck when I heard a trumpet blowing over the base’s public address system. It was the same sound that plays on every Air Force base in the world at 5PM every week day. The ditty played by the trumpet signals the end of the duty day, and right after it finishes the National Anthem is played.
What happens then is something everyone should see. The base stops. Literally, everything stops. Every person outside snaps to attention and faces the music. Those in uniform present a sharp salute while the music plays. Civilian clad people put their right hand over the heart. Every vehicle pulls over to the side of the road and the passengers sit at attention.
It's incredible to witness.
It’s a daily ritual for those who live and work on base. But for someone like me who hasn’t seen this in many years it was a reminder of the love our service men and women have for this country. Their reverence for our National Anthem is nothing compared to their willingness to defend the freedoms we all enjoy every day.
It’s not a game to them, or a political statement. It’s defending the Constitution of the United States and the principles it sets forth. They are willing to die for this country because they know our way of life hangs in the balance, and if they didn’t do what they do, America would be a very different country.
Good or bad, for better or worse, the United States of America is truly the greatest, smartest, bravest bunch of people on planet Earth. And the reason we’re so blessed is because we founded this country on Biblical principles, and as we see those principles slowly removed from our schools and legal system and television and movies, we can only expect the greatness of this country to slowly go away with them.
“God, thanks for blessing this country so much. Please help those of us who are still working to keep it great, and protect those who are fighting to keep it safe. Amen.”
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