About two weeks ago attending church service, a minister approached the stage with a testimony. He exclaimed that ‘Brother Bob’ recently had triple bypass surgery; however, he quickly recovered and was able to leave the hospital sooner than later. ‘Brother Bob’ was such a miracle to his physician that the doctor departed the medical room in tears. Praise the Lord! Then, of course, everybody rejoiced with shouting and clapping.
My initial thought in hearing this testimony: How did ‘Brother Bob’ get to a point where he had to have a triple bypass surgery? Maybe we should be talking about that?
Sounds pretty judgmental, huh? Maybe a little bit; although, it may be necessary to evaluate. Is it possible that we are not examining where are decisions are leading us?
I celebrate the Lord for all his wonderful blessings which He has allowed in my life. Many are purely by grace, while others are connected to obedience and service. One grace-filled blessing is being an American. I paid no price to live in this plentiful, opportunist, non-third world country. My mom happened to give birth to me in the United States. In contrast, my mental, spiritual, physical, financial, and emotional health has benefited from mostly consistent and independent decision making based on godly wisdom (James 1:2-8).
I’m aware there are times when life scenarios are out of our control. We suffer for the wrong doings of others. A natural disaster destroys our homes or injures love ones. However, a high percentage of the sufferings experienced in life are from our lack of discipline and knowledge mixed with bad decisions. For most, there’s minimum time taken to self-reflect and gain valid information. These practices will eventually lead to a life crisis. The need for restoration will become a high priority. Typically, the damage is so severe, that even with repair, there is a low chance of fully recovering.
Most people desire comfort and a high quality of life. Unfortunately, many lack the ‘follow through’ and vision to achieve this level. A life with no purpose leads to normalcy. At the current state of our society, being average is not a good thing. Debt, divorce, disease, and depression are easy to attain. These require no discipline to achieve. Simply do what you want with no regard for self-restraint, values, and goal setting.
Choose not to make excuses to improve areas in your life which you have any interest. Being over-consumed with one aspect of life is a general culprit to not being well-balanced. If one doesn’t take a well-rounded approach, their life will expectantly lead them to a road of success in that one area. This more than likely will cause deficiencies because of the rejection to accept and improve your current status.
I remember my oldest son needing assistance wiping his bottom after using the ‘potty’. I detested the responsibility of doing this chore. As a matter of fact, one time when my wife was away, I placed him in the shower instead of using toilet paper. After deciding that I had enough, my oldest was strongly encouraged and taught how to clean his bottom. I figured, he could brush his teeth and build train track models... then he could ‘wipe his butt’. Yes, he may leave some undesirable undies in the hamper, but he’ll learn and eventually he has to – so why not now. At the time, he lacked the desire and information, but he was taught and learned.
In hindsight, my wife and I would be embarrassed to have raised a 10 year old with no discipline to clean his butt. This surely would have brought about medical problems. If he were not taught this hygienic practice and actually discipline himself to do it; how ridiculous would it have been for us all to rejoice that he quickly recovered from an infection caused by not wiping his bottom? Someone surely would think, ‘Did your parents not teach you to clean yourself? Geez! Who gets an infection from not cleaning after bowel movements? That’s just nasty.” Well as silly as this analogy sounds, that’s the world’s culture today with most issues we face. We celebrate overcoming mediocrity! Be grateful for restoration and growth, but expect more of yourself. Be mindful of what your celebration represents about your overall goals and expectations of yourself.
Choose not to be consumed with what comes easy, but increase your territory. Surround yourself or follow those who have accomplished greatness in your areas of opportunity. This may avoid a life of reflective questioning ‘why am I cheering again?’
Celebrate an abundant life.
http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things
Monday, May 28, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Whistleblower
For 4 years now, our street has hosted an annual spring block party. Neighboring streets join us to celebrate a day of community fellowship from bounce houses, grilling, to adult and children interactive games. It’s a great way to become familiar with your neighbors, while enjoying awesome weather and eating an array of food.
Each year (mid-party), I’m allowed the opportunity to flex my inner game show host by leading the children and adults into prize-winning competitive, fun games. Contending against bounce houses is tough. Sustaining kid’s attention, while water is gushing out of a 32 feet tall by 25 feet long slide/bounce house is challenging but cool. Typically, I lose my voice; so this year, I decided to use a whistle as a signal for starting and stopping. It worked extremely well until we played musical chairs.
If you know anything about or ever played musical chairs, you know that this game is enjoyable for the audience and participants. However, it can easily become aggressive promoting children and adults to become emotionally upset. Since I didn’t properly plan, there was no stereo involved. The children moved to the tunes of my lovely whistled-out symphony.
Before we began the game, there were several practice rounds to assure every kid understood the rules. Realizing that I could be biased by supporting my two sons, I informed the audience that I would be turning my back to the ‘musical chair-ers’. Also, the audience was told that they would have to hold the children accountable to the rules of the game. If they were out, let them know. Adding my own special touch, they were also informed, ‘if they started to cry to promptly find their mom…’ Tacky I know, but it was quite hilarious because some kids actually did, including my oldest. Geez!
We began the game. Of course, the youngest children were out first. As I turned around to remove each chair, you could sense the intensity thickening and anxiety increasing. With only 5 kids remaining, parents became more verbally demonstrative. They exclaimed to me, ‘They are sitting down before you blow the whistle! They are holding on to a chair!’ So after getting down to three children, I re-did the games and reinforced the rules. Finally, I asked the crowd, ‘why do you keep telling me – tell them – hold them responsible...’ After all, they were seeing what was happening. My back was intentionally facing them. Immediately, I received inspiration for this blog.
The message is simple. If you see someone doing something that would harm them, verbally hold them accountable (in love). Please - do not wait for someone else to intervene, when you are capable. Do not back down from ‘reinforcing the rules’. If you do not have a relationship with them, but are concern about their well-being; find a way to first demonstrate love (Hebrews 12:6). After doing so, let them know that they are harming themselves. Don’t wait for ‘the whistleblower’ to expose. He will not be as nice.
Be ready when the whistle blows!
http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things
Each year (mid-party), I’m allowed the opportunity to flex my inner game show host by leading the children and adults into prize-winning competitive, fun games. Contending against bounce houses is tough. Sustaining kid’s attention, while water is gushing out of a 32 feet tall by 25 feet long slide/bounce house is challenging but cool. Typically, I lose my voice; so this year, I decided to use a whistle as a signal for starting and stopping. It worked extremely well until we played musical chairs.
If you know anything about or ever played musical chairs, you know that this game is enjoyable for the audience and participants. However, it can easily become aggressive promoting children and adults to become emotionally upset. Since I didn’t properly plan, there was no stereo involved. The children moved to the tunes of my lovely whistled-out symphony.
Before we began the game, there were several practice rounds to assure every kid understood the rules. Realizing that I could be biased by supporting my two sons, I informed the audience that I would be turning my back to the ‘musical chair-ers’. Also, the audience was told that they would have to hold the children accountable to the rules of the game. If they were out, let them know. Adding my own special touch, they were also informed, ‘if they started to cry to promptly find their mom…’ Tacky I know, but it was quite hilarious because some kids actually did, including my oldest. Geez!
We began the game. Of course, the youngest children were out first. As I turned around to remove each chair, you could sense the intensity thickening and anxiety increasing. With only 5 kids remaining, parents became more verbally demonstrative. They exclaimed to me, ‘They are sitting down before you blow the whistle! They are holding on to a chair!’ So after getting down to three children, I re-did the games and reinforced the rules. Finally, I asked the crowd, ‘why do you keep telling me – tell them – hold them responsible...’ After all, they were seeing what was happening. My back was intentionally facing them. Immediately, I received inspiration for this blog.
The message is simple. If you see someone doing something that would harm them, verbally hold them accountable (in love). Please - do not wait for someone else to intervene, when you are capable. Do not back down from ‘reinforcing the rules’. If you do not have a relationship with them, but are concern about their well-being; find a way to first demonstrate love (Hebrews 12:6). After doing so, let them know that they are harming themselves. Don’t wait for ‘the whistleblower’ to expose. He will not be as nice.
Be ready when the whistle blows!
http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things
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