tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43353416798618718452008-08-03T11:18:26.099-04:00PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-83793992643680497392008-07-23T10:35:00.002-04:002008-07-23T10:48:48.371-04:00I'm reading a great book right now - "5 Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die". <br /><br />One of the "secrets" really hit me because of the pace of my life right now. It was simply "Live in the Moment". It talked about how we tend to focus on something in the past (regret...success...offense...etc...) &/or something in the future (where we are going after this meeting...our vacation next month...what we'd like to do...etc...) And because of that - we tend to not be fully in the moments we have right now (with our friends...family...self...etc...). So I have tried to really focus on that - live in the moment I have right now...It has made a difference w/in me at certain moments for sure...<br /><br />Perhaps you too need to do the same thing - enjoy the moment you are in right now - not the one gone nor the one that is supposed to come...<br /><br />Peace...PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-84412252155222247612008-05-20T11:31:00.003-04:002008-05-20T11:43:11.132-04:00As you already know - life is flying by. I read about it once & it went like this...<br /><br />Each year that you live - a year becomes a smaller percentage of your life...I.e. The 1st year you live - that year is 100% of your life...When you are 10 - a year is a tenth of your life...When you are 40 - a year is one-fortieth of your life...so on & so forth...So, it feels like they go by faster - because they are becoming a smaller increment of time for you...<br /><br />So...As life flies by - take time to do what matters...Look at a babies smile...Watch a butterfly...Watch a sun set...Tell someone you love them...Sit in a hot tub...Go fishing...Drink starbucks...<br /><br />If your kids ask you to do something - do it...For without notice - one time they will ask for the last time & then you'll never get that opportunity again...<br /><br />In the end - no one will care about your W-2...but they will all care about the time they had with you...<br /><br />BlessingsPBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-46276690369023613532008-04-29T14:38:00.002-04:002008-04-29T14:44:48.245-04:00"Squeeze the Juice Out of Each Day". I'm not sure where I first read that - but I love that quote. <br /><br />I'm currently listening to a teaching cd entitled "Live like its the last 30 days of your life", & that's the lesson in a nutshell - squeeze the juice out of each day - live like you want to live - EVERYDAY. As the song said - live like you are dying...<br /><br />Find what is it that makes you come fully alive...Find that in your life & go for it - no excuses & no regrets...<br /><br />Live passionately with those that are most important to you...<br /><br />Take inventory of your surroundings & note what really matters & what really doesn't - then invest in what matters most...<br /><br />Blessings<br /><br />PBPBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-12759662900094797602008-04-29T14:33:00.002-04:002008-04-29T14:37:03.611-04:00OK - I haven't been here in a while, so, let me explain why. I started a blog - because it's informal enough for me to "just do". Well, I did a couple & got some really positive feedback on them. Then rather than just writing a blog - informal & all - I started over analyzing them & trying to write/rewrite them etc...SO, it quickly became the very thing I didn't want it to be. <br /><br />So, from here on out - I'll be back at it - with a more - here's my thought...here's something to think about type of approach. <br /><br />See you soon - very soon...<br /><br />PBPBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-32490211792308893512008-02-06T10:03:00.000-05:002008-02-06T10:04:12.329-05:0040 Day Fast<br /><br />Is. 58 speaks of the fast that God honors & of the fast that he doesn’t honor…<br /><br />If I’m going to fast for 40 days - I don’t want to “waste my time & simply trudge through”. I assume no one would want to…so…I’d like to share some thoughts on fasting that I hope are beneficial…<br /><br />If you are fasting just because – then you missed it…If you are fasting because everyone else is – then you missed it…If you are fasting & believing for something to change – you are on the right track…<br /><br />A fast has to have a spiritual connection or it’s just a diet or a practice of asceticism…<br /><br />So, 1st – make it an item of prayer. Ask, what would God have you do without? Not so much to deprive you of it – but rather to cause you to have to trust Him in order to be able to go without…Typically, food is a first thought – but not necessarily restricted to that. If you ask God what to fast & your first thought is “no way” – then you might have just heard from God…If your first thought is “that’s easy” – you probably heard form yourself…<br /><br />Whatever it is - when you are “craving” it – that craving time should become a praying time – even a time in the Word & devotions – some type of activity that “feeds your spirit” – while “starving your flesh” . I mean – that when you are screaming for “that” – Pray/Read/Meditate...It’s a time to go to God for help…This simply says that you are saying no to yourself – so that you might say yes to him & as you trust him – your faith will become stronger – it “forces” you to walk by faith daily…<br /><br />So, you see – that if fasting doesn’t require you to call on & depend on him – there’s no chance for spiritual growth…<br /><br />Examples of fasting – Food groups (meat…sweets…etc…)…Caffeine…Certain daily meals (no need to fast breakfast if you never eat it anyway)…Not eating until a certain time of the day (Fast until noon or 6pm daily)…Eating only once a day…No food at all (this can’t be done without some serious prayer before & during)…The challenge – when you do eat – don’t eat all the food you “fasted” – or you actually will gain weight & offset the whole point anyway…<br /><br />Some would benefit from “fasting” habits that are killing you…What do you have to lose other than a bad habit? <br /><br />Funny thing about fasting – it will reveal to you – what controls you & what’s in you. If you are getting angry “because you are hungry” – take notes on what you need to be learning about yourself…Anger…Impatience…Control freak…Something needs to be looked at…<br /><br />Some fast TV &/or other activities that have too much of a grip on their life…<br />It’s called – “Afflicting the soul”…It’s all about allowing your flesh to break down & it’s control over you in some area & allowing your spirit to thereby grow & gain greater capacity in your life…<br /><br />Fasting is taught in both the Old & New Testaments…Christ taught that it’s linked to a greater release of faith – as when we are facing a mountain in life – prayer & fasting are key to that mountain being removed…<br /><br />It’s a great spiritual discipline & should be practiced by Christ Followers…What greater thing could you do to say to yourself & God that you are serious about something in your life?<br /><br />As I often say – “there’s nothing fast about fasting”. But – if you make it a spiritual activity – you will be a different person 40 days from now…You should expect something to change somewhere in your life & even the lives around you… <br /><br />Think about it – how often do we practice saying no to ourselves?PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-81099605558337827672008-01-02T14:06:00.000-05:002008-01-02T14:16:55.575-05:00The Bible teaches that we reap (harvest) what we sow (plant). One of the challenges we face when we change, is that we want everything & everyone around us to respond immediately to the change. That's not realistic...<br /><br />We have acted a certain way (i.e. planted a certain seed) possibly for years - and because of that - we have a certain field (set of consequences or results) now growing...<br /><br />Then we decide to "change" or plant new seed - for a day...week...maybe two...And we want our entire world to applaud/respond to our "change". I.e. we want a new field to grow over night - it's not realistic. <br /><br />The real challenge is not the change for a day or week...the real challenge is to continue in the change - the planting of new seed - until it bears a new result...Then if we plant enough new seed long enough - the old field will eventually be overtaken & die away...<br /><br />So...plant & plant some more...expect the field to grow - but be realistic in it...And if the old field has to be dealt with - deal with it - but keep planting the seed you want to live in your life & plant plenty of it...<br /><br />2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:6-9PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-9200008535064328322007-12-06T15:29:00.000-05:002007-12-06T15:37:38.558-05:00One of the ways God has wired us - which is contrary to society's opinion - is that actions produce feelings. Society has taught us - "If it feels good - do it - if it doesn't - then don't". <br /><br />The world has taught us to follow our feelings - the problem is that we often are in a cycle of defeat that only becomes more & more difficult to break. The reason - we give in to wrong feelings - then as we act them out - we solidify the cycle...Wrong actions produce wrong feelings produce wrong actions produce wrong feelings...etc...<br /><br />However, God created us so that our actions always generate a feeling from them. In other words - you can never feel good about acting wrong or you can't feel bad about doing right. It’s just the way it is…<br /><br />So, if you want to "feel better about yourself" - then act better - the feelings will follow. If you wait on the feeling - it's not going to happen...<br /><br />Actions produce feelings…PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-46554860147577442812007-11-27T14:06:00.001-05:002007-11-27T14:16:49.442-05:00Well nothing really to say...But felt like it’s been too long...So, here goes "nothing"...<br /><br />With all that comes with the holidays shopping...spending...long lines...frustration...too many places to be at once...too many people to buy for...etc... - do yourself & those in your life a favor - SLOWDOWN...<br /><br />Of all that we have made Christmas to be - most of it comes to nothing - other than bills that will take until May to pay off (that's how long they say it takes the typically person to pay for Christmas!). For when it's all said & done - nothing but what we have done with those that matter most & what we have done with the Christ child matters.<br /><br />Take in the experiences of the holidays that make it fun...Enjoy the real moments with others...Consider your relationship with Christ...<br /><br />All else, comes to nothing...PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-47628684631274308232007-11-15T15:06:00.001-05:002007-11-15T15:18:11.302-05:00Often, in life, we look at all the things we "can't do". Our perception - which is our reality - then becomes a limiting factor in the area of inability. So...how do we get past that? How do we do what we can't?<br /><br />It's simple - by doing what we can...<br /><br />For example - when we go to the gym - we don't go in focused on all that we can't do...No, we set goals of accomplishing what we can't currently do & we reach them by doing what we can. If I can't lift a certain amount of weight - then the way I become able to is by lifting weights that I can...Eventually I am able to do what I once wasn't able to do. If I want to run a distance that I can't currently...I run the distance I can & then eventually I am able to do what I once couldn’t...Easy enough...<br /><br />In life, we must apply the same rules...Rather than focusing on what we can't do - set an obtainable goal & then do what you can so that eventually you will be able to do what you currently can't...<br /><br />It's the idea - how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time...<br /><br />Spiritually - the same thing...Once you see where you would like to get to - set it as the goal then do what you can...So that one day - you will find that you have done what you once couldn't...<br /><br />Philippians 3:12 - 14PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-23788155562768485442007-11-10T11:45:00.000-05:002007-11-10T12:00:56.206-05:00Rome wasn't built in a day - that's how the saying goes...Meaning, things change – typically over time – whether for better or worse...<br /><br />Often in life, we come to these moments - where we want something different than what we are currently getting...The problem though is that - like a happy meal - we want it NOW. However, whatever we are getting - didn't just start today - it has taken time for us to get "sick & tired". Therefore, we have to give it time - one of the very things we are usually not willing to give...<br /><br />The Bible says it like this - "You reap what you sow". In other words - the seed you have been planting - has now become a crop. So, to change it - you have to start by planting a new seed type. Then as you consistently plant the new seed - eventually the new crop will sprout & grow...Somewhere along the line - the old crop will be overtaken by the new...Then IF you keep planting the new – the old will fade away…But ONLY over time...<br /><br />What I've seen - over & over again - is that we throw a few seeds of new & expect it to - kill the old crop & its consequences & become some miraculous harvest...ALL because we are "ready" for some change...It's not going to happen...<br /><br />Realize, the crop you are now living in - is the seed you have been planting for a some time...To change it - begin consistently planting new seed...Then one day – if you stay at it - you will have a new field...<br /><br />Galatians 6:7-10PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-19987883886426031302007-11-07T17:20:00.000-05:002007-11-07T17:21:11.725-05:00I was thinking the other day about our third child - Taylor. On our part she was unplanned…<br /><br />It's that "on our part" thing that really got me...Though we weren’t planning on having any more children than our two (Kyndall & Ashton) - God wasn't done sending them to us...<br /><br />My thought - though she was unplanned & we had taken some measures to prevent pregnancy - God found a way to get around all that...<br /><br />My point - God must have quite a plan for Taylor’s life...That He would actually have to work around our preventions to get her here. Though we already know how much of a blessing she is in our life & home - she must be even more special than we realize…<br /><br />So...I'm sure there are others walking this earth - that they too were – unplanned… Yet, God - the author of ALL life - decided they needed to be here...How special those surprises must be in His sight...<br /><br />So, in our eyes - though there may be "unplanned life" walking around - in God’s Eyes - there is no such thing...Perhaps, some of the unplanned - come with greater plans & purpose than the planned...<br /><br />I'm excited to see why Taylor is on this earth – for God must have something very special for her to accomplish...<br /><br /><strong>Jeremiah 29:11</strong>PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-20648725210484749952007-11-02T10:32:00.000-04:002007-11-02T15:14:11.524-04:00"Death has plucked my ear & said 'Live for I am truly coming'”. That is one of my favorite life quotes…<br /><br />As another year comes to an end – for me it’s time to reflect on both the year & life itself…What did I plan on having accomplished…What stones are left unturned…What goals are unmet…What plans are unfinished…etc…<br /><br />Perhaps more importantly – asking myself what dreams are fading away…what big ticket items are getting further from the realm of possibility…is the vision still clear…am I still on the path that leads to finishing well…<br /><br />For me – there seems to be this constant tension between what is & what can be…Everyday I have to rise above the path of comfort & ease & walk the path less traveled…For it’s there that I find the greatest satisfactions…feelings of accomplishment…insights of God…Destiny of my life…<br /><br />As I walk this life out – I must remember that one day – for one reason or another - I won’t be able to accomplish some of those things – so what I am to do I must do quickly – for death is surely coming…<br /><br />John 10:10PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-65195025247188547262007-10-27T10:24:00.000-04:002007-10-27T10:50:04.275-04:00I was on an airplane the other day & I had a question - why are there seatbelts on airplanes? What good are they really going to serve if & when we crash? I've NEVER heard a report about an airplane crash - that told whether the people were or weren't wearing their seatbelts...“Johnny was the lone survivor…he had his seatbelt on”…Why? It's just not relevant...<br /><br />I wonder if I have those same types of things in life – things I do...say...think...feel...places I go…people I hang out with…that serve no real purpose in my life…People, places or things that are there – because they always have been - not really knowing when they started or why they continue...<br /><br />I'm one of those airplane rebels - when they tell me to fasten the seatbelt “firmly in place” - I pull my shirt tail over the belt & wear it “loosely”...ALL because it’s uncomfortable & I don't see the point of it to start with. Now if I could be as willing to identify those airplane seatbelts in the rest of my life & begin to rebel against them too - because I don’t see the point of them being in my life & they make the journey more uncomfortable…PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-61913759740235489172007-10-18T09:25:00.000-04:002007-10-19T22:07:54.940-04:00They say - the people who study these things - that we average 6 or so dreams per night. Though we typically don't remember them, there is from time to time a dream that just can't be forgotten...Why is that? What purpose might that have spiritually? <br />The Bible lets us know that God speaks to us in dreams - as well as with other means...Why might He use a dream to speak to us though?<br />Well, think about it - when you are awake - ALL of your filters are on...your defenses are up...your arguments are in place...And though he speaks - by the time his word gets through all of that - often we have concluded - it was nothing more than our own thought - at best. BUT - not with dreams. When we are asleep, all of those things are out of the way...God can get to us without anything in the way - no filter...argument...defenses...etc...<br />So, perhaps from time to time - like in days of old - God still chooses to speak to us in a way that can't be negated by ALL of our stuff. So, next time you wake up & have a dream that just can't be forgotten - consider if God might have chosen to speak to you in that way - just because you wouldn't listen or couldn't hear Him in any other...PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335341679861871845.post-72201194978820304382007-10-17T09:14:00.000-04:002007-10-17T13:40:25.571-04:00I was at the washing machine the other day - which doesn't happen often - but it happens...<br />Have you ever put socks in the washer - inside out...Funny thing - though they go through the same wash cycle as everything else - they don't come out as clean...Why is that? Because - they weren't prepared for the washer...<br /><br />It dawned on me - Spiritually I can be a lot like that too...I can talk with God...Go to church...Read the Word...Hang out with other Christ-followers...Spend time in prayer...etc...And not come out quite like I am supposed to...Why? I wasn't prepared...What's that look like? <br />Not being focused...Not being ALL there...Not giving it my all...Just not being into it like I know that I should...<br />Yep - I hate turning socks inside out - after the wash - it just doesn't get it done...<br />It's like going through the motions & not much really happening...I have to guard against that too...PBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01006506203510533800noreply@blogger.com