Chad's Blog

Let it go - it's hard but necessary at times

2009-06-03T20:22:00.000-04:00

Letting go- it can be heart wrenching in the short term, awful to bear still in the long term, but...maybe? Ultimately freeing in the end. Letting go of hurts, of anger, or of the agony living sometimes deepest in our hearts is difficult. Surely so many friends and relatives of the passengers of Air France flight 447, that has so shockingly hit our newscasts, are living in sorrow right now, and sadly facing the daunting task of learning to let go of some portion of the lives they've known.
Whether it's the loss of a parent, or child, whether you've been recently laid off from a company you invested decades of yourself in, or maybe you're experiencing the loss of a relationship that was supposed to be "forever", you can let go. Letting go doesn't mean abandoning all that was a part of the life you need to let go of; rather, the life you have today.
Getting to that step can be done, and just like those habits we've talked about creating recently, by steps you take inside yourself day by day. From O magazine, Martha Beck shares her advice on how to free yourself from clinging to what used to be, what won't be anymore, or perhaps, never was, except in your own heart.

Step 1: Be still.
If we hold still long enough, we begin to feel what we really feel and to know what we really know—a prospect so terrifying that some people bolt rather than face it.
If you can do this—get used to sitting still until you feel what you feel and know what you know—your labels will start peeling away like onion skins. Oh, it won't be easy. Your anxieties and neuroses will come yammering out of the walls like the Hounds of Hell. You'll find that your mental demons have less staying power than you thought. Eventually you will begin to sense a very deep self that defies all labels, a calm soul who has experienced your whole life.

Step 2: Become the experiencer, not the experience.  
All great wisdom traditions point to the knowledge that the essence of our true selves is not any fixed label but the capacity to experience.   Recognize labels that we sometimes place on ourselves: I'm a loser because I was fired. I'm not worth anything because my spouse doesn't want to be married to me anymore. I have lost everything, because I lost..." Or maybe it's the labels that seem to be so positive that, instead, hold us in place: "I'm a powerful executive." Take your label; now repeat it, but instead of saying "I am a big fat loser" or "I am a powerful executive," say "I am one who calls myself a big fat loser" or "I am one who calls myself a powerful executive." This wording may feel a bit awkward, but (1) it happens to be true, and (2) it helps you detach from both negative and positive labels.

Step 3: Practice truth in labeling.
 Our belief in labels, not the labels themselves, is what gives them the power to influence our behavior. Knowing how to let go of any given identity without losing our essential selves yields a security we'll never get from fame, power, money, beauty, or any other personality prop.
By stilling our bodies and minds, becoming the One Who Experiences, and playing with labels the way we might play with costumes, we can remain ourselves no matter what happens: loss or gain, pain or pleasure, fame or disrepute.
It's emotional freedom, and we all can experience it, without losing who we are.

On my Sabbatical

2009-01-13T14:28:00.003-05:00

There are times in life where it's good to step back, listen a little more carefully to God's still small voice, and refocus on some personal growth goals. As many of you know, Angela and I decided to take a 3 month sabbatical starting in January for this reason. We knew it would be hard pulling away from Journey (it has - we miss you!!!), but it's provided some good time to reflect. This past week, we visited a friend's church up in Anderson, and tomorrow I am heading off for a 3 day personal retreat. We don't necessarily have a structure for our time, and I think that's how God is intending it to be.

I will be resuming my blogging in April when we return, sharing what's on my heart and principles God is teaching me. For those who have emailed and said "Hey dude, we miss you!!" -know that we miss you as well and look forward to seeing you soon.

God's best,

Chad

Hope for this New Year

2009-01-05T07:56:00.002-05:00

Everyone has times when they feel tired and overwhelmed by the pressures of life. But notice, this scripture gives us a clear remedy: Hope in the Lord. It’s easy to put your hope in other things; maybe you had hope in a relationship, hope in a job, hope in the stock market. It's time to redirect your hope to the One who will never let you down; the One who never changes, the Rock of Ages.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).

When you're tempted to give up on your dreams, when you're tempted to just settle where you are, listen to that still, small voice of hope on the inside that says, "No way. This is not who I am. I was created to live in victory. I was created to overcome this challenge. I was created to rise above these problems.” Put your hope and trust in the Lord because He is faithful! As you do, He will renew your strength. He'll cause you to soar on wings like the eagle.

New Year's advice for husbands (via song)

2008-12-31T14:20:00.001-05:00

The video sums it up best!

New Year's Eve....with a sick boy

2008-12-31T14:06:00.002-05:00

Yesterday around 3pm Collin developed an "upset stomach"......nice words for vomiting every 40 minutes since. However, he is feeling better - although not eating still.

Soooooo..tonight the Mrs. and I won't be partying as usual (actually, the last 5 years have been pretty uneventful.) We'll be staying home and catching a movie.

I trust this will be the best new year of your life!!

Making God's priority your priority

2008-12-23T08:54:00.001-05:00

It has been said that it is a wise man or woman who lives life by “majoring on the majors” instead of “majoring on the minors.” But to do that, you and I must be able to figure out what things in life are major, what things are truly important, and what things are trivial or nonessential.

One way to discover what is “major” is to find out what is important to God, to determine what it is that He attaches special significance to. And in Scripture, He does give us a clue.

There is a phrase that comes up over and over again in the Bible, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, that lets us know when God is saying, “Hey, what’s coming up is especially important.”

It is the phrase take heed.

Whenever we find this phrase, we’ve come upon something that God considers especially vital. For example, in Hebrews 2:1 it says:

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

The word heed in the verse above is the same Greek word translated “take heed” elsewhere in the Bible. What the writer of Hebrews is telling us is that you and I need to give our undivided attention to the things that we have heard “lest we drift away.”

And what are the “things we have heard”? God’s Word! God wants you and I to realize how incredibly important it is for us to stay focused on what we have learned from the Scriptures!

But the verse above is actually stronger than that. The word earnest literally means “superabundant, excessive, and frequent.” You and I need to give superabundant, excessive, and frequent heed to the Word of God which we have heard. Why? Lest we drift away!

There are many good men and women who have run their lives aground on the rocks of sin by not giving attention to God’s Word. And it wasn’t because they overtly turned away from God, but because they began to drift.

That’s why the writer of Hebrews emphasizes how vital it is for you and me to pay attention to what God says in His Word. He says to give superabundant, excessive, and frequent heed “to the things we have heard.”

The obvious question you need to ask yourself is this: Am I taking God’s Word for granted, or am I taking it seriously and giving heed to it?

Many of God’s people don’t realize the treasure they have in God’s powerful Word. They get washed in the blood of the Lamb, they know they’re going to heaven, but they begin to allow dust to collect on the cover of their Bible.

And then they wonder why their life isn’t what it should be and why their Christian walk is empty. My friend, the Bible tells you who you are in Christ, it tells you what you have in Christ, it tells you what you can do, and it tells you what God has done for you.

The Word of God is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified. It is bread for your spirit and water for your soul! So it’s my prayer that you will make God’s Word the priority God desires for it to be in your life—starting today!

Car Wash from Hell

2008-12-14T19:15:00.002-05:00

I saw this on a friend's facebook and I thought I would share it!

Activate Faith instead of Fear

2008-12-11T16:13:00.001-05:00

Man, if there is one word that describes the feeling of people these days, it's fear. Fear is one of the most powerful of emotions.
We have many opportunities each day to worry and live in fear, from being worried about the economy and our health to our family and children, the list could go on and on! But did you know faith and fear have something in common? They both ask us to believe something is going to happen that we cannot see. Fear says, “Business is slow. You’re going to go under.” But faith says, “Your best days are still out in front of you.” When we give in to thoughts of fear, our perspective becomes distorted. Fear is like a fog. It makes things look worse than what they really are. It might look intimidating, but there is nothing really to it, just a bunch of vapors that can fit in a small glass.

Use your energy to believe and not worry. Our God is all-powerful. He has brought you through in the past, and He is going to bring you through in the future. Surround yourself with people of faith who will speak victory into your life. If you’ll be disciplined in your thought life and learn to choose faith instead of fear, you’re going be filled with a constant peace and confidence. You were created for a life of victory, not to have your enthusiasm and joy stolen by fear. Choose to walk in faith today. Remember, it takes the same amount of energy to worry as it does to have faith. So switch your gears to having faith and trusting God. God works everything out for good and to your advantage!

Detox the Mind

2008-12-08T09:19:00.002-05:00

A friend was telling me how they we're going through a "detox" -drinking herbal drinks and limiting the amount of food they take. The combination, apparently, causes the body to eliminate toxins and creates better health.
These days, we hear a lot about detoxing our physical bodies. Bacteria can build up. Pesticides and chemicals can get into our system. Experts recommend that you go through a deep cleansing periodically and stay away from what is harmful so you can rid yourself of these toxins.

In the same way, there are all kinds of toxins that can build up in our minds. When we go around dwelling on the wrong thoughts, thinking about what we can't do, how somebody hurt us, or how we’ll never get ahead; those thoughts are toxic. And toxic thoughts left alone become like toxic waste. It gets into your heart, and eventually, contaminates your whole life. It affects your self-image, your attitude, and your level of confidence.

"Above all else guard your heart for it affects everything you do"(Proverbs 4:23).

That's because the Bible tells us that we have to guard our hearts and minds above all else because if your mind gets polluted, your whole life is going to be polluted.
Make the decision today to go on a fast from negative, self-defeating thoughts. Cleanse your mind from what is harmful and fill yourself with thoughts of faith and victory. As you do, those good thoughts will strengthen and empower you to live the good life He has planned for you!

Here’s a prayer to pray:
“Father in heaven, I come to You today willing to let go of anything that would hold me back from Your great promises. I choose to guard my thoughts and fill my heart with Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Birthday party and defensive driving

2008-12-06T18:43:00.002-05:00

Our day began before dawn as our boys flew out of bed at 5:00 am to play and start the day. We cherish Saturday mornings as an opportunity to sleep in, but I usually am getting up at 7:00 and fixing Collin and Christian breakfast. Well, I decided to take the boys to McDonalds to play inside as I sipped some coffee and read the paper. That was nice. But wow, the roads were slick!! Winter is here big time!

Collin had a birthday party to attend for a boy from school, so we dropped him off this afternoon, ran to Sams Club, took Christian to "Mama Bears" to get a treat and picked Collin up.

This is a "start a fire, grab a book and make some hot chocolate" sort of evening. Well, I grabbed my laptop instead will begin reflecting on tomorrow's message.....

Showing off what you are thankful for....

2008-11-28T12:26:00.002-05:00

We spent a great day with Angela's family yesterday. Just a lazy Thanksgiving day...eating and playing games. Here's a verse I reflected on...

"Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done" (Psalm 105:1, NLT).

When someone gives you a meaningful or costly gift, how do you show your appreciation? Do you tell them how grateful you are? What do you do with gift? When it’s something you are truly thankful for, you probably don’t just throw it in the back of a closet; you openly and proudly display the gift. When others see and admire it, you probably tell them about where it came from and about the generosity of the giver.

In the same way, as believers, we should give thanks to the Lord and constantly show our gratefulness and appreciation for all He has done for us by displaying the gifts He’s given us. We should display love, peace, joy, kindness, and hope. We should live our lives in such a way that our very actions proclaim His greatness and cause others to take notice.

The Miracle of Thanksgiving

2008-11-22T19:03:00.002-05:00

November always brings out the historian in me-undoubtedly a result of those Thanksgiving theatricals at my elementary school. The class would dress as Pilgrims; my broad brimmed hat stabilized by a pair of crumpled ears. The routines were more funny than factual but they plowed a furrow of America's history deep into my mind.

And with each November I find myself retracing America's past and always arriving at the same conclusion: America is a miracle, an answer to countless prayers and thankful hearts. There's no other way to explain it.

Don't get me wrong; I don't credit this nation's greatness solely to the Pilgrim's-a name given them by William Bradford, quoting from Hebrews 11.13-even though their prayers, which will always be identified with that original Thanksgiving, certainly played a part.

What makes that first Thanksgiving so memorable is as much about the when as it was the what. Whereas it's true they had enjoyed a bountiful harvest that year, the Pilgrims purposely planned their Thanksgiving of 1621 during an exceedingly disastrous year. It was then that they gave thanks to God.

Pull up a chair and grab your almanac. And once you've found that famous Thanksgiving day, see if you notice the change of fortunes for our nation, and the beginning of the miracle:

* 1609-Approximately 300 colonists arrived in Jamestown. That winter, because their food supplies were exhausted, 80% of the people died from starvation and disease.
* 1620-102 Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower and three months later landed at Plymouth. Within the first year, half of them perished.
* 1621-The Pilgrims dedicated three days for a Thanksgiving Feast to give God glory.
* 1689-During the next 74 years, four North American wars raged between England and France. The final conflict-the French and Indian War-caused Britain to tighten its grip on the colonies, a major miscalculation that eventually led to the American Revolution.
* 1776-America declared independence from England. It was David revisiting Goliath. And, without historical precedent, America won its independence, the world's first colony to break away from a parent country.

It had to be a miracle. Even George Washington thought so: "It will not be believed that such a force as Great Britain, after eight years of military employment, could be so baffled in their plans...by men oftentimes half-starved, almost always sick, without pay, and experiencing every distress which the human nature is capable of enduring."

Yet, soon after the war, 400 armed war veterans circled the make-shift congressional building demanding their unpaid back wages. Held hostage, Congress was forced to approve a payment plan-but had no funds to make the plan work.

To make matters worse, the thirteen states turned on each other. States they were, but united they weren't. New Jersey instituted its own customs services. New York negotiated its own foreign treaties. Nine of the thirteen states maintained their own private navies. Seven states printed their own currency-good only within their borders. Many passed tariff laws against the other states.

And yet somehow these colonies, this people, this collection of war-worn Americans became one nation. A nation ruled by the laws of democracy to safeguard the rights of its citizens; the right to worship as we please, the right to speak boldly about the things of God...

It was a miracle. It is a grand land. And, there's much to be thankful for.

Broken Windows

2008-11-17T08:44:00.003-05:00

In the March 1982 issue of Atlantic Monthly, James Wilson and George Kelling wrote a piece titled Broken Windows. They argued that something as insignificant and innocuous as a broken window sends a subliminal message. If the window is left unrepaired it communicates that crime is ok. So Wilson and Kelling argued that the way to fight serious crime is by cracking down on small infractions.

That is precisely what happened in New York City when Rudolph Giuliani was elected mayor in 1994. He cracked down on squeegee pests; arrested fare jumpers; and cleaned up the graffiti on subway cars. Critics said it was a waste of time and a waste of money. Statistics would suggest otherwise. The murder rate was more than cut in half.

A friend emailed me some thoughts on the "Broken Windows" of life.

In his book, Broken Windows Broken Business, Michael Levine applies the broken window theory to business.

A broken window can be a sloppy counter, a poorly located sale item, a randomly organized menu, or an employee with a bad attitude. It can be physical, like a faded paint job, or symbolic, like a policy that requires customers to pay for customer service. When the waiter at a Chinese restaurant is named Billy Bob, that’s a broken window.

Can I share two of my pastoral pet peeves? Unevenly folded bulletins and misspelled words on worship slides! I know those things aren't apocalyptic! But everything says something about everything. (However, at Journey the people to serve in these ways are VERY conscientous!) Or to put it another way, little things are big things. We need to strive for excellence in everything we do. One of the things that brings me the greatest joy is when we do something really small really well. I think it honors God.

Celebrity Religion

2008-11-08T18:06:00.007-05:00

We've started a great new series this weekend at Journey. It's about world religions and why certain celebrities endorse them. Should be fun!!

Why you should stop complaining

2008-11-06T09:28:00.000-05:00

I'm going to start off by complaining. My complaint is this: People complain too much!

I was standing in line at a store and several people behind me were complaining non-stop about everything - the cashiers, the management, the long wait and how poorly the store was run.

When you listen to people complaining non-stop, it sounds awful. At work people complain about their boss, the way the office is run and the amount they are being paid. Workers will waste their breaks and lunch hours to complain to fellow co-workers about how bad everything is.

When a meeting is held where an opportunity is given to address grievances, people clam up. So the office stays the same, the boss never knows what his employees are thinking and everything remains business as usual.

From an article on complaining I pulled several reasons why negative talk is so bad.

•Complaining makes legitimate gripes appear worse than they are. When you complain, you are focusing on one thing - what's wrong. There may be some actual good things in the company or workplace, but you only focus on the annoyances. If you're in a workplace where 80 percent of it is good and 20 percent is bad, and you spend most of your time zeroed in on the bad, your situation will appear to be worse than it really is.

•Complaining becomes part of your personality. It starts to get easier and easier to complain if you keep doing it. After awhile, everything starts looking bad. Every situation you face is a crisis and every person you deal with is a moron. Nothing is good anymore.

•Complaining destroys all hope that things will ever get better. To the complainer. where you work is the worst place ever. Where you live is a dump. Everyone in your neighborhood is unfriendly. You become a complaint magnet and eventually you lose all hope that anything good can ever happen for you. In fact, if someone comes along with a new idea, you're the first to shoot it down.

•Complainers nurture bad relationships. People who complain together stay together. Check your relationships. Are they built on the fact you share the same complaints with another person? That's not too healthy. If your relationship is based on complaints, then the one who complains the most is the most popular and if you stop complaining, the relationship falls apart. If you're negative, you have less friends and a social life that is suffering.

Constant complaining will drain any happiness you have. It will diminish your drive to be a creative and fun human being to be around. People have a tendency to not want to be around someone who complains too much.

Are there issues at work or home that should be complained about? Of course, but if you see a problem in the workplace or at home, then speak to someone who can do something about it. Constant moaning is non-productive. Complaining to the same people day in and day out without speaking to the person who may promote change is a waste of time. Become a constructive complainer.

Want to stop complaining? Start being thankful. Express your appreciation to people wherever you go. Expect the day ahead of you to be a positive day. Write down five good experiences that happened to you that day and share it with someone. Tell a co-worker what a great job they did. You can turn your whole day around.

Letter to the next President

2008-11-02T18:40:00.001-05:00

Dear Mr. President:

I do not yet know your name, but in a few days you will be elected to our nation’s highest office, and become the leader of the free world at the end of a long and engaging election season.

I wanted you to know that I will be praying for you. Not praying against you, or about you, but for you. That is both my pledge, and my obligation as a follower of Christ. In the Bible, the apostle Paul writes, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

And I will do so with a full and undivided heart.

I will be praying for you from my position as a father of four children, and God willing, future grandchildren; that you will have the foresight to think through what your decisions will mean for them as the next generation.

I will be praying for you as a citizen of the United States; that you will seek wisdom from God and humbly submit yourself to His leadership as you lead our nation through economic turbulence, domestic divides, and cultural diversities.

I will be praying for you as a member of the global population; that you will work with other well-intentioned leaders from around the world as we face environmental challenges, wars and rumors of wars, and humanitarian crises.

And finally, I will be praying for you as a Christian; that you will encourage faith in God to flourish and never allow deeply held spiritual convictions to become a matter of ridicule, instead encouraging everyone to grant them a respectful hearing, even if they go against the political policy of your party.

It is being widely spoken that the next president will inherit more that needs immediate attention than any other president in recent memory. As a result, it has been a hard-fought and hotly contested election. Yes, I will vote, and I do not know if you will be the one for whom I cast my ballot. But following November 4th, all that must be set aside no matter how deep the divides may be.

So while I do not know if you will be the candidate I voted for, I do know that no matter your name, I will support you in one way without question.

I will be praying for you.

Activate Strength

2008-10-30T08:16:00.002-04:00

I just returned from the hospital, where I prayed with a Journey family as their baby girl went into surgery for a reshaping of her thumb. We prayed together and asked for God's grace and strength, and it reminded me how many really desire such strength in the times in which we live.

Last night I turned on the news and I was overwhelmed with almost the hopeless I heard about the economy. I thought to myself....."It's bad, but let's not make people more panicked!"

I came across this verse today. I thought it might encourage you. An ancient prophet named Micah wrote it about the times in which he lived.

"But as for me, I am filled with power - with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength…” (Micah 3:8).

Micah knew how to encourage himself in the Lord. He understood how to draw courage and purpose into his life. He realized the power in His words and knew that speaking the truth is the most effective way to prepare him to accomplish all God has in store.

Your tasks today may not be anything like Micah's, but we all need God’s help. Activate His strength by knowing His power is at work in your life. As a Christ follower, you are filled with justice and strength as you face the challenges before you. Because in His strength, you can experience hope and power in every area of your life!

Making plans to succeed

2008-10-27T07:18:00.006-04:00

One thing I've learned from hanging around successful people is this: success is intentional, not accidental. You may not know what steps to take right now in life to accomplish what God has put in your heart, but God knows the plan, and if you’ll do your part to seek Him and begin to make plans to succeed, God will guide you. It says in the Bible, "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." You don't have to vaguely go through life. God wants to direct your steps. He wants to show you His plan.

Decide today to make plans to succeed. It starts with a DECISION! Most people don't decide to succeed. They just hope and wait. That won't do anything for you!

Here's some thoughts: Write down your goals. Make time to evaluate where you are in life. Evaluate your finances, your career, your relationships. Don't go another week without having a plan for your future. Evaluate how you're spending your time and money. If you'll go beyond dreaming, and start making plans to succeed, God promises to direct your steps and He will lead you down the right path.

'Tis the season to be sick

2008-10-27T07:15:00.002-04:00

You know, I love the changing of seasons - but I don't love what it does to my body! I've been fighting some weird bug that has totally drained me. After Journey, I pretty much laid around in my sweats and recouped. I rarely get sick, so this is unusual. I traveled to Virginia Beach last week for a conference, so maybe that was the beginning. Anyway, today is a new day!

Riding the "Wave" at Virginia Beach

2008-10-22T21:51:00.003-04:00

Well, "Wave" really means Wave Church, the name of the church that's hosting this conference I am attending. Steve Kelly is the pastor of this great church, and I am attending their annual leadership summit. It's where a bunch pastors, wives and such get together and challenge and encourage one another. It's been hearing hearing "fresh" words from God in this faith environment. I'll be back on Saturday and look forward to Journey on Sunday!

Peace that goes beyond understanding

2008-10-16T06:56:00.003-04:00

Man, what a crazy, stressful financial world we live in. I was talking to a guy at Starbucks yesterday (just happened to be sitting next to him), and we started talking about the economy. He is faced with being laid off from his job, and not really sure what to do. He could have a severance package, but you could see that it didn't change the anxiety he felt on the inside.

It is times like that where we really need a supernatural kind of peace. This is what the Bible says.

"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 ).

It's too easy to carry anxiety and worry about life - jobs, money, homes, and relationships. These cares and concerns try to overwhelm our thoughts and affect every area of life. We don't sleep well and become touchy and edgy with people throughout the day. If that’s you, recognize that God has a plan for you to live in peace—peace that passes understanding. What does that mean?

It means that you can have peace in your heart when it doesn’t make sense to have peace—when the world around you is anxious and upset; when circumstances are beyond your control; when things aren’t going the way you thought they would. One definition of “peace” means, "to set at one again." It's as if the more unified we are with God, the more peace we can have in difficulty. You serve a good God, and no matter what things look like today, He is working behind the scenes on your behalf.

Perhaps....

2008-10-08T21:27:00.000-04:00

Here's one of my favorite phrases in Scripture. I Samuel 14:6 says, "Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf." I love that modus operandi. But I honestly think many if not most Christians take the opposite approach. Perhaps the Lord WON'T act in our behalf. We let fear dictate our decisions. We have a better-safe-than-sorry mentality. We live as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.

Maybe it's time for a paradigm shift. When did we start believing that God wants to take us to safe places to do easy things? Here's a thought: the will of God is not an insurance plan. It's a daring plan.

I think we've made a false assumption that the will of God gets easier as we grow spiritually. Some dimensions do get easier with the consistent practice of spiritual disciplines. But I also think God will give us more difficult, dangerous, and daring things to do!

I love this phrase. It's so hopeful. It's so optimistic. And it's the key to living with holy anticipation. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. May God give us the spirit of Jonathan!

Big achievement!

2008-10-04T12:10:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday we took the training wheels off for Collin, and he speed away like a pro. I couldn't believe it - I thought "surely, we are going to have some scraps and bruises this afternoon learning how to ride a bike!"

But Collin rode away with Angela and I at his side. I was proud of that boy!!

The Sage of Omaha

2008-10-03T18:50:00.003-04:00

Warren Buffet is considered the world's best investor. Just this week, the financial news networks were commenting how his timing for investing is unlike any other. In a financial crunch, who wouldn't want the best advice on money available? Here are some of Buffett's major financial secrets that can work for you:

Reinvest your profits. Usually, when we make a profit, we're tempted to spend it. Buffett tells us not to, but instead reinvest your profits. In high school Buffett and a friend bought a pinball machine to place in a barber shop. With the money they made, they bought more machines until they had eight in various shops. Eventually, Warren and his friend sold the machines and used the proceeds to buy stocks and to start another small business.
Be willing to go against the flow. Be sure not to make your choices based on what others are doing. In 1956 Buffett put together $100,000 from a handful of investors. He decided to work in Omaha rather than Wall Street. He was predicted to fail by his friends. However, when he closed his partnership 14 years later, it was worth more than $14 million. He looked for undervalued investments and managed to beat the market average every year. His rule of thumb is to measure yourself by your own standards and not the world's.
Try to always be decisive. Before you are ready to make a decision, gather your information and then ask a relative or friend to make you accountable to stick to a deadline. Buffett likes to make up his mind in a swift manner. He wants to give people an answer on the spot if they're willing to make him a good offer. Rather than sitting on a possible investment thinking about it, Buffett advises we act on it as soon as possible.
Spell out the deal before you start. You have the greatest chance to bargain before you enter into a deal. Buffett tells a story when he was hired by his grandfather to dig out the family grocery store after a snow storm. Warren and a friend worked five hours shoveling until thir hands were frozen stiff. Afterward, his grandfather only offered the pair less than 90 cents. The lesson Buffett learned is that you should always nail down the specifics of a deal in advance.
Watch the small stuff. You want to obsess over the small stuff especially when it comes to money. Buffett once purchased a company whose owner counted the sheets in rolls of 500-sheet toilet paper to see if he was being cheated. It's a matter of exercising watchfulness over your expenses to make sure you're making a profit and not losing money.
Put a limit on what you borrow. If you decide to live on credit cards and loans, don't expect to become wealthy. You're never too far away from being overwhelmed by your debt. Buffett's advice is to negotiate with your creditors to pay what you can. Once you're debt free, work on saving a portion of your money that you can use to invest.
Get a grasp on the meaning of success. You have to know what success means for you. For Buffett, success is not measured in terms of dollars. In 2006, Warren pledged to give away almost his entire fortune to charities. Buffett feels even though people have hospital wings named after themselves the truth is nobody in the world loved them. Rather, as you become older, you measure success in your life by how many of the people you want to love you actually do love you.

Where to hide when it all comes down....

2008-09-30T13:42:00.002-04:00

Wow - if you heard the news about the financial markets yesterday, you were probably in a state of disbelief like I was. More urgently, I received a tearful phone call from someone who lost most of their life's savings. As you can imagine, it was devastating. Where do we turn in days like this? I came across this verse.....

"Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37 AMP).

No matter what challenges you may be facing today, God promises that even in the middle of “all these things. You are not at a dead end. "Victory" starts in your heart and mind. That means that you can have peace when it doesn’t make sense to have peace. When the rest of the world is full of worry, you and I can live in peace. Victory “amid all these things” also means that you can have joy...and it's only something God can do. Ask Him to calm your heart and touch your life, and I believe He will do it.

When you begin to dwell on God in this way, something will change on the inside of you. You may have felt like you were losing ground five minutes ago, but right now you can take hold of some new hope. Open your heart and don't shut it down. God loves an open heart to work in. That's how He gives us the peace and power to move on to a new day.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for Your promise of peace and joy in this season. Thank You for Your peace during the storms of life. Fill me with Your joy and strength as I put my trust in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.