Month: February 2010

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Pushing Through the Falls

Last night, once I finally got home from late night basketball, I sat down and watched a little bit of the Fall-a-lympics.  Did you notice?  In the women’s snowboard, fall after fall.  Men’s skating – fall, fall, fall.  So many falls, that I eventually “fell” asleep, kicked back in my favorite chair and missed the great victory last night in men’s skating (disappointing ).

Anyway, while I was still awake, I was asking my lovely and multi-talented wife why she thought there were so many falls.    We both through out several theories, including that they tired ( like us), they didn’t get enough practice, or that is was Bush’s fault. (ok just kidding on the last one).   But ultimately we settled, and I think this is true, on that fact that they are having to push so hard because there is such a small separation between Gold and last.  They push so hard, and when you push yourself, sometimes  you make mistakes.   All of these athletes are capable of pretty incredible athletic accomplishments, but on the world’s stage we see them falter. They could pull back just a little and finish their event without a fall, but would fall would be any chance at a medal.  So, they go for it, they push themselves a little past what they can comfortable do, and when it works – its awesome!

So it is with our lives – physical and spiritual.  We can live in our comfort zone and never make a mistake, and never reap the reward.  Live it out on the edge.  Push yourself in your life.  Accept that you will not be perfect, but at times, things will work out in a way that you just can’t even imagine how awesome the reward will be.

This is why I love the Olympics.  It so inspiring, its so motivating, its such a microcosm of life.

So, lets take some risks, lets live a little bit crazy, step out of the place of comfort and lets impact others by pushing on the edges.

And then find your safety in God.

New International Version (NIV)Psalm 4:7-8

7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

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Getting Air

Robert Beck/SI

Wow, did you see Shaun White last night absolutely shred the half pipe, and get like a million miles in the air?  Absolutely phenomenal.   That after watching Lindsey Vonn tear 2 miles down a mountain at speeds that would make my sports car look slow.

The consistency of their performances, the focus, the energy, the ability to just get out and do it is just incredible.

Incredible is right, so as you are about to drop in to the half pipe call TODAY, draw some inspiration and motivation from these athletes.  Go at the day with joy, with reckless abandon, with boldness and get some air.

Hebrews 13:1-7

1-4Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.

5-6Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

7-8Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.  The Message (MSG)

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Ashes, Weight, and Forgiveness

Its Ash Wednesday, a day that starts the traditional period of fasting called Lent that leads up to one of my favorites days  – Easter Sunday.  ( its not just Sunday, on which we remember Christ, but its the actual time of the year – around Passover that the event took place – bonus).

Anyway, I am not a big fan of some of these more traditional “Christian” observances, as to me it can complicate the true simplicity of the message.  However, this day has to do with repentance, and repentance leads to transformation and change – which I am a BIG fan of.

So, today as you “buffet your spiritual body”, maybe its time to repent, or to be broken by some of your deeds or thoughts, and then use today as a marker day to move forward, a new.  All of this things can be forgiven and you can be made new – the power of the sacrifice of Christ.

I love the song Forgiven by Sanctus Real,  in it says

I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been, ’cause I’m forgiven.

Maybe today is that day for you.  The day to let go of the weight that holds you back, that holds you down, repent and move forward.  Its amazing how much better it is.

Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.
—Genesis 3:19
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
—Mark 1:15
Repent, and hear the good news.
—Mark 1:15
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Motivation for Gold

I like to watch the Olympics.  Unfortunately, I had to DVR the Opening Ceremony and have not returned to watch it yet.  Last night, I was digging the Snowboard Cross -that’s pretty cool stuff.  However, there’s the crazy part of the coverage.  As my youngest came into the room last night and said “Dad, the Olympics are the Talklympics.”  We all know it.  NBC likes to talk talk talk talk and talk some more when the Olympics are on.  And then there’s that part that I know I should enjoy watching, but for some reason cringe every time they start – the special interest pieces.   So last night as I was getting ready for bed, there was a piece of Alexandre Bilodeau.

You know him right? Well, if you are Canadian you do.  He’s the first Canadian Gold Medal winner on Canadian soil, and last night they had a special interest story on him, and afterward I was glad I watched it.  Alexandre has a older brother with cerebral palsy.  His brother Frederic, who is 28, was supposed to stop walking at 10.   He’s still walking.   Alexandre mentioned that makes him wonder how far he can push himself – what are the real limits – if his brother can push himself to still be walking 18 years after he was told he would not be able to.   He also credits his brother as his motivation for his success in skiing.  Read this quote, and think about these words

“as an athlete you always have good days and bad days, there’s so many days you just don’t want to go train. I realize that I have the opportunity [to train] and that I need to use that opportunity because my brother does not have that chance.”

That’s pretty powerful stuff.   How many times do we complain and not do things, because we don’t want to, but we are fully capable of it.    This is a good thought to consider today.  Take advantage of opportunities.  Look for ways to push yourself, and to impact others.  You have the ability, don’t let the rain slow you down.

Hebrews 3:12-14 (New International Version)

12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

Galatians 6:9 (New International Version)

9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

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The Glory of Presidents Day

Today is President’s Day as you all know – a day that we stop and remember those Presidents of the past and provide them with the honor and glory due them.   The honor of the Office of President or the POTUS, as we like to say, is incredible.  I am alway impressed ( and bored) when I go to the Hall of Presidents at Disney World.  It’s impressive because you can see – by the wonder and magic of Disney’s animatronics- all of the presidents lined up together have a gay old time. (Bored, because they actually speak, but its a great place for a rest, and a bit of air conditioning if its hot outside).   Ok, seriously,  the POTUS is in a position to be hailed and given glory, but despite all the greatness of any of these men, they are made or broken by the men around them.  The people, the judges, the men in Congress and the press, can help or hurt the legacy that any of these men have left behind. 

But consider for a moment the POTU ( thats the President of the Universe).  The POTU, or God, has made everything.  His glory is completely his.

 11“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for you created all things,
      and by your will they were created
      and have their being.”  – Revelation 4:11

And the best part is that he made you, and passed that glory on to you

 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,  and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

 27 So God created man in his own image,
       in the image of God he created him;
       male and female he created them. – Gen 1:26-27

Stop and think about that.  God is so glorious, and he made us.  So today remember you favorite past president for their accomplishments – whether it be Reagan and the Wall, Carter and inflation, Lincoln and slavery, FDR and The NewDeal,  Wilson, Washington, Kennedy, Clinton, Taft, Cleveland, Adams(squared), Bush(squared), McKinley, Jefferson, and so on.  Give them their due!  Thank God for them, Praise them, but also remember God put them in power and he made you! 

“You make everthing glorious, and I am yours. So what does that make me?” – David Crowder Band