Tag: focus

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Focus

Oh the day after a 3 day weekend.  It’s so hard to get back to what it is the you are supposed to do.  It’s so hard to focus.  Yet, that is exactly what a day like day needs – Focus.

Make sure you focus on the things that need doing.  The things that are really important!

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Romans 12:15 MSG

Focus and do the needful!

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Eternal Glory

Yesterday I finished my first triathlon.  What a great experience, and what a fantastic physical test.  I was really surprised how much transitioning from event to event took out of me – and how my focused waned as my strength decreased.  I am such a slacker.

However,  In many ways, it reminds me of the effort it can take through the day to keep your  eyes on the prize and your focus of reflecting the Light for those around you.

But when you hang in there, and keep grinding, you will be successful.  So today, be the light, and stay focused.

I know I shared this verse last week, but it’s still in my brain, so here it is again in a different form.

 

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

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Destructive Distractions

Last week when I was traveling back to Atlanta from Orlando one the vans, the one with most of the children had a tire with low pressure. We added air in Orlando before we started up the road, but as we made our way into the middle of Georgia, we noticed that tire was losing air again. I was traveling in  the middle van of the van sandwich and called up to the lead vehicle informing them that the tire was a little bit low. We were only 20 miles from our scheduled stop and so we attempted to make it to exit in the peanutty town of Perry.  But before we could get there, the tire decided it must not like peanuts and scattered itself all across the interstate.

After pulling to the side, and assessing the situation, we loaded the children safely in the other vans and the two guys from that van stayed to change the tire.  Did, I mention the tire was on the driver’s side, and so changing in on a 3 lane interstate with semi trucks traveling by at 7 gabillioin miles a hour is no fun.

As we sat eating Chick-Fil-a we received two calls from the guys in the Van.  The first one to say they were complete and coming to meet us, the second one, moments later saying that they were not going anywhere and the van had a serious issue, and that the spare was now flat as well!!!

What in the world?  Well, after a tow to the local dealership, we discovered that the tire had been placed on backwards.  Can you even do that?  Yes  and because of that a whole lot of damge was done to the area around the wheel well, you know – brakes lines, brake assemblies etc..   Before you start laughing, did, I mention the tire was on the driver’s side, and so changing in on a 3 lane interstate with semi trucks traveling by at 7 gabillioin miles a hour is no fun. 🙂

The guys felt terrible, they were tired, they were distracted, they were focused on other things.  Both of these guys knew how to change a tire, but when you are not paying attention – bad things can happen.

 You ever have a day like that? 

Oh yes, we all do, and that is why we see warnings like these in Philippians.

  8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9, New International Version)

We know that when we dwell on the proper things, good things – like peace happen, but when we are distracted by the screaming trucks of life, we just can get things all messed up. 

Even today, I started this blog, and then lost my focus and almost completely forgot to complete it.  So today, stay focused and pay attention to where you mind is dwelling.

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Cigarettes and a Mountain Dew

While I was out on my morning run today, I noticed a man walking towards the direction I was running.  He was dressed in a shirt and jeans and I guess some sort of shoe.  As I approached him he raised his hands up and said ” A cigarette and a Mountain Dew, I’m getting in shape too!”.  LOL!!  I almost had to stop running, it was so much better then someone yelling “Run Forest Run” out of their car window.

This poor guy had no idea he would be part of an object lesson today.  Sometimes that’s how I think we approach our spiritual walk.  We are out in the wrong clothes (state of readiness), with a cigarette ( secret addictions) in on hand and a Mountain Dew ( sugary drink that gets you going to short periods of time, but does not sustain) in the other.  And then we wonder why our lives are not in order, and why we feel so out of shape and so far from God.

hm.  What is your cigarette and Mountain Dew today?  Can you set those down?  Can you put those aside to focus on the good and better things?

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

and then the always though provoking Message:

1-3Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:1-3, The Message)

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Heading Home

I  witnessed the second longest soccer game of my life on Friday night! ( for those who don’t know, the game was delayed 2.5 hours because of lightning before it even started this time and then went all the way down to PKs again before the Buccaneers pulled off the great victory), Anyway, after that game we loaded up the family truckster and meander our  way through Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky and eventually spent 2 days explore the coal fields of  West Virginia on our way back to “grandma’s house”.  We witnessed historic sights, interesting architecture, backwoods that make banjos play in your mind, beautiful aspects of nature that show God’s handiwork, excellent tourists traps, and strange oddities.  We even took a mental trip trough family history as we traveled to Butchersville, WV, just outside of Weston and toured the grave of heroes where so many of my historical grandparents lie, and then spent a great day with family.  But even after all of that goodness, there is still something about going home.  So today, we will embark of quite a straight shot(as straight as you can in West Virginia) south to our home.

That sort of reminds me of the Christians life. Its not a perfect comparison, but I need to provide you some encouragement today to get your going after an awesome holiday weekend.  As much as we love the things that we put our hands to here, we are always looking to someplace else.  Our focus in life is not the roadside attractions, nor other great things of this world, but our focus in is our Savior who helps shape and direct our lives.

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)

Enjoy the day, and keep your focus