Month: January 2014

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Hope that is not in vain

Two days ago I wrote about Joseph and his remarkable ability to stay focused on God even when it seemed that his life was falling down around him. The story is such a great example of well placed hope. Sort of like the hope found in Israel described below by the  prophet Isaiah.

those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23 NIV)

Remembering this promise each day as I deal with the junk called ‘daily life’ provides with me a little more optimist and widens my ability to accept difficulties.  Knowing that  hope is not misplaced sends all of our first world problems to the background and helps move the focus on to the things that have importance.  Things like relationships, building up others, and like Joseph giving your best effort every day.

Take a moment throughout the day to refresh the placement of your hope, and reveal in the promise.  Then go and do.

 

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Daily Post

Phones are fun, but…

I love my IPhone. It has so much function and I find myself using it to do all sorts of activities as I am sure you do. Lately there have been several commercials trying to suggest that although someone’s nose is in their device, they are still involved with those around them. I think that’s probably not true! And remember I am a huge fan of devices. I carry two! Check out this video that tells a different story !

 

 

Oh man. Phones getting in the way of doing! Let’s make sure we are in the moment. There is so much we can do when we are involved in the moment with the people around you. Get stuff done but be present, and impact those you are with.

Use the tools you have, don’t let them use you.

 

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, MSG After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot.

Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.

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Daily Post

As it was with Joseph

I love the story of Joseph. I have written about this story many times before. I think it is pretty awesome to see how Joseph keeps his head focused in the right direction, even when it does not appear that things are going his way. I have been reminded of this over the last three weeks as I have been teaching the story to the group of teenagers that I get to hang out with. This verse in particular is something that is quite motivating to me as I face the challenges of the day.

The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed. (Genesis 39:23 ESV)

Despite situations that may have seemed less than ideal, Joseph continue to prosper because the Lord was with him. And so it is with us today. When we follow his command and give Him our heart, He abides with us. Take comfort in that today .

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Daily Post

Football Lessons

If you haven’t seen it by now, I sure all you have to do is turn on ESPN sometime in the next two weeks and it will be playing, looping over and over.  No, I am not talking about the Broncos game against the Pats, nor am I talking about the excellent play made in the end zone on the 49ers final drive.  I am talking about the Richard Sherman interview with Erin Andrews after the game.  Sure the guy was emotional, sure he was excited and fired up.  I am OK with those things – I mean he’s going to the Super Bowl.  What I found a difficult model to follow was his immediate reaction to call out the other player.

This is not the type of doing that moves us forward.  The guy made a great play.  Enjoy it with your teammates with the humility and grace that suits a winner.  The verbal retaliation to a opponent was extremely unbecoming and unprofessional.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, we need to make sure we learn from this game.  Go hard at what you do each day.  Compete.  Be the best you can be.  And when you have victories, react with grace and humility.  And when you have losses, do the same.  Always making sure you find a way, even in victory to lift up others.

 

“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves” ~William Arthur Ward

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counting marbles Daily Post

1 Super Shooter

50 Marbles Plus 1 Super ShooterAs we end the week illuminated by the Wolf Moon, it’s time to consider removing another marble.  This is the end of week number 3 which means we have 50 marbles left before we remove this one!

So here’s the deals with Marbles, to really use those things effectively you need a one of those larger ones called shooters, or sometimes Super Shooters.  Which if you recall, I am!  Don’t believe me, take a look here!   Anyway, I digress!

To play the game of marbles, you need the shooter.  It’s the thing that moves the other marbles around and gives them meaning, sending them in a direction and providing a purpose.  So, here we sit with 50 marbles left.  50 weekends of this year left.  What those days need is a Super Shooter to keep them moving and to give them a purpose.  Unlike the bag in the picture, our marbles do not include a bonus shooter.  You are that shooter!  Take aim at that 50th marble.  Make the shot count and knock it out of the ring.

 

6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 2 Cor 9:6-8 NASB