The Great Communicator

Ronald Reagan was known as the "Great Communicator." He had a way with words.

I just received an email I felt I should share. One, because we just paused to celebrate Veterans' Day in this country, to remember those who have sacrificed so much for us. Two, because there are some great nuggets of truth that we all can learn from in these words from this great leader, Ronald Reagan after he laid a wreath at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery on November 11, 1985:

We are gathered at the National Cemetery, which provides a final resting place for the heroes who have defended our country since the Civil War. This amphitheater, this place for speeches, is more central to this cemetery than it first might seem apparent, for all we can ever do for our heroes is remember them and remember what they did -- and memories are transmitted through words. Sometime back I received in the name of our country the bodies of four marines who had died while on active duty. I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a serviceman, for we're never quite good enough to them -- not really; we can't be, because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay. And so, when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the whole, and all we can do is remember.

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives -- the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.

There's always someone who is remembering for us. No matter what time of year it is or what time of day, there are always people who come to this cemetery, leave a flag or a flower or a little rock on a headstone. And they stop and bow their heads and communicate what they wished to communicate. They say, ``Hello, Johnny,'' or ``Hello, Bob. We still think of you. You're still with us. We never got over you, and we pray for you still, and we'll see you again. We'll all meet again.'' In a way, they represent us, these relatives and friends, and they speak for us as they walk among the headstones and remember. It's not so hard to summon memory, but it's hard to recapture meaning.

And the living have a responsibility to remember the conditions that led to the wars in which our heroes died. Perhaps we can start by remembering this: that all of those who died for us and our country were, in one way or another, victims of a peace process that failed; victims of a decision to forget certain things; to forget, for instance, that the surest way to keep a peace going is to stay strong. Weakness, after all, is a temptation -- it tempts the pugnacious to assert themselves -- but strength is a declaration that cannot be misunderstood. Strength is a condition that declares actions have consequences. Strength is a prudent warning to the belligerent that aggression need not go unanswered.

Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our Republic is based on firm principles, principles that have real meaning, that with them, we are the last, best hope of man on Earth; without them, we're little more than the crust of a continent. Peace also fails when we forget to bring to the bargaining table God's first intellectual gift to man: common sense. Common sense gives us a realistic knowledge of human beings and how they think, how they live in the world, what motivates them. Common sense tells us that man has magic in him, but also clay. Common sense can tell the difference between right and wrong. Common sense forgives error, but it always recognizes it to be error first.

We endanger the peace and confuse all issues when we obscure the truth; when we refuse to name an act for what it is; when we refuse to see the obvious and seek safety in the Almighty. Peace is only maintained and won by those who have clear eyes and brave minds. Peace is imperiled when we forget to try for agreements and settlements and treaties; when we forget to hold out our hands and strive; when we forget that God gave us talents to use in securing the ends He desires. Peace fails when we forget that agreements, once made, cannot be broken without a price.

Each new day carries within it the potential for breakthroughs, for progress. Each new day bursts with possibilities. And so, hope is realistic and despair a pointless little sin. And peace fails when we forget to pray to the source of all peace and life and happiness. I think sometimes of General Matthew Ridgeway, who, the night before D-day, tossed sleepless on his cot and talked to the Lord and listened for the promise that God made to Joshua: ``I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.''

We're surrounded today by the dead of our wars. We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us. All we can do is try to see that other young men never have to join them. Today, as never before, we must pledge to remember the things that will continue the peace. Today, as never before, we must pray for God's help in broadening and deepening the peace we enjoy. Let us pray for freedom and justice and a more stable world. And let us make a compact today with the dead, a promise in the words for which General Ridgeway listened, ``I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.''

In memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion, may our efforts to achieve lasting peace gain strength. And through whatever coincidence or accident of timing, I tell you that a week from now when I am some thousands of miles away, believe me, the memory and the importance of this day will be in the forefront of my mind and in my heart.

Thank you. God bless you all, and God bless America.

Nehemiah

Did you happen to see this? Archaeologists have discovered remnants of the wall that Nehemiah helped to build around Jerusalem. Cool stuff!

I encourage you to study the story of Nehemiah in the Bible. A lot can be learned from him in regard to leadership, including compassion, vision, respect of authority, humility, leaning on God, persistence and calmness under pressure to name a few.

Click here to read more.

Leading Through Failure

As many of you know I am an Ohio State football fan. I was in Columbus on Saturday when the Buckeyes were beaten by Illinois. Ohio State truly was beaten. Sure there were some mistakes by the Buckeyes and the officials, but make no mistake about it-Illinois deserved to win.

As hard as it was to take the loss for me, I know it is 100 times tougher for the players. Kirk Barton who is a senior captain had this to say:

"You just feel like a failure as a captain when you lose a game like this," said Barton, the only fifth-year senior on the team, and a co-captain. "You hope you can lead your guys out of the murky waters we were in. I take a lot of responsibility for that.

"You feel like a failure if you can't get a win on Senior Day. It takes a little bit away from your captaincy if you can't lead your team the way you need to. ... I hope you print this because I want all the young guys to remember how it feels for my Senior Day."

That is so refreshing to hear. No finger pointing, no excuses. Simply taking responsibility. Now that's leadership.

Wow You're Tall!

George Bell

I get that a lot—“Wow, you're tall!" Those of you who know me know that I am 6' 8" tall (or 5' 20" as I tell people). As a result, when I enter a public place like a restaurant, I see people whisper and then heads turn to look at me.

I suppose that might make some people self-conscious, but I like it. It is a great conversation starter.

I just read about the tallest person in the US, named George Bell. He has a great attitude about this. He is 7' 8" tall (a full foot taller than me!). Of how he feels about being tall, George said, "I have no choice but to like it."

He went on to give credit to his late great-aunt, Etonia Johnson, with his positive attitude: "She always told me, 'Don't feel ashamed of yourself. Stand tall. God made you. Be happy and show your pride.' "

What great words of advice for all of us, especially those who feel they are "less than" or don't measure up.

To read more about George, go here.

Comparing to Others

I wrote in one of my last newsletters about feeling like I did not belong on my college basketball team. We had some great players on our team and I sometimes felt like I didn't measure up. I went on to write that we all have gifts and we are to use them to serve God. We are not to compare ourselves to others (which I was doing).

Well, I am in beautiful Marco Island, Florida this morning and I am preparing to speak at a prayer breakfast for a hardware convention. At dinner last night the organizer mentioned to me that past speakers at this event have included Zig Ziglar and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

I had those feelings all over again...those feelings of "So why am I speaking here? I can't measure up to these giants."

As I prepare for this morning I am taking my own advice. I am going to do the best I can and do it for God.

Those Who Irritate You

We all have at least one person in our lives who irritates us...and they usually sit near us at work.

RedLetterBelievers had a great post yesterday about how these people can actually be placed in our lives to help us to grow--to help us develop into the person God wants us to become.

Check it out here.

Your Company's Business Plan

In 1923, Time Magazine warned of "the possible advent of a New Ice Age."

In 1939, Time warned of "Global Warming."

In 1974, Time warned of "another Ice Age coming."

In 2006, Time declared "The debate is over. Global Warming is upon us."

Sometimes it is hard to know what is truth and what is made up to sell magazines and papers. The same is true for all the different management techniques that are touted as the next great thing.

There is only one way to know if any new method is right or not and that is to stand it up to the Bible--even if this deals with work. If it aligns with Scripture, then you can know this is good and it is Truth. If not, you know you can discard it.

Lion's Roar

No one could have predicted the turnaround the Detroit Lions have made this season. The season is only halfway done and they still have a long way to go, but anyone looking at this team knows there is something different going on.

In the Fellowship of Christian Athlete's monthly magazine Share the Victory, they reveal some of what is happening. One of the primary changes was that the team acquired quarterback Jon Kitna from the Cincinnati Bengals. Jon is known as a great Christian leader.

These are the words of team chaplain, Dave Wilson:

“When Jon came in, the entire locker room started to tilt toward his locker—his and Josh McCown’s,” said Wilson. “The thing that led people to want to hang out with him was joy. He was laughing all the time. He and McCown were playing games. There was just this joy factor that I don’t think most people see in Christians. I would walk in the locker room and everybody would be over by Jon. Even the loudest guys in the locker room were hanging out with Kitna. And I was like, ‘You know why they’re over there? Because they are attracted to joy.’”

It wasn’t long before that joy turned into camaraderie, which turned into team unity, which turned into a spiritual momentum that no one could have predicted.

We don't need to be on a football team to have the same impact on others. Let's live with a joy that is contagious--it can really make a difference!

Loving Those Who Make You Mad

If you are like me, there are people you work with you make you mad. You know, the ones who know just the right things to say or do (or not do) to set you off.

So how are we supposed to act toward these people? Can we do anything to change them?

The Bible tells us we are to love our enemies. But how can this help?

David Jeremiah shares this story which sheds some light on this:

In the mid 1930s, a German Protestant pastor was abducted from his church. Suspected of aiding and abetting Jews, he was thrown into prison without a hearing, a trial, or even a phone call to his family. The prison guard outside his cell hated everyone associated with Jews and purposefully skipped the pastor's cell when meals were handed out, made him go weeks without a shower, and gave him the most difficult job on the labor gang. The pastor, on the other hand, prayed that he would be able to love this guard with God's love. As the months went by, the pastor smiled at the guard, thanked him for the few meals he did receive, and even got to talk about Agape love. The guard never said anything; but he heard it all, and one night he cracked a smile. The next day the pastor received two meals and was able to shower for as long as he wanted. Finally, one afternoon the guard personally made the long-awaited call to the pastor's family, and a few months later, he was released.

It is against our human nature to love someone like that prison guard; but through His power, God can give us the ability to love the unlovables.

Treating them poorly because they are treating us poorly is what our human nature tells us to do. However, this will not help to change them. Only by showing them Christ's love can they be changed.

Seek First to Understand

Stephen Covey, in his best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People mentions seeking first to understand before trying to be understood as one of those 7 habits. This is very good advice. How many people do you know who are truly great listeners?

I'll bet those who you think are great listeners are held in high esteem by you. Wouldn't you like someone to be able to say that you are a great listener?

It truly is easier to be understood after you listen to the other person first. Have you tried it lately?

I challenge you to try it today. In fact you will probably find your frustration level dropping as being misunderstood can be frustrating. And, as leaders, we need to step up to improve communication all around us because it is so important.

This is much needed as it is so easy to be misunderstood as these church bulletin announcements prove:

• Ushers will eat latecomers.
• She sang "I Will Not Pass This Way Again," giving much pleasure to the congregation.
• Sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water. Sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus.
• The patient is having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.
• Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell " to someone who doesn't care much about you.
• A letter to the men’s fellowship reads: "All members are requested to bring their wives and one other covered dish to the annual banquet."
• The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
• Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
• The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The Congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
• Thursday night Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow.
• A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
• Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
• Mrs. Johnson will be entering the hospital this week for testes.
• Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan who are preparing for the girth of their first child.
• The Lutheran Men's group will meet at 6 PM. Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and dessert will be served for a nominal feel.
• The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."
• Our next song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High."
• Don't let worry kill you, let the church help.
• For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
• This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

Trustworthiness

Peter Drucker, one of the best known thinkers and writers of our day had this to say about leadership:

"You know, I was the first one to talk about leadership 50 years ago, but there is too much talk, too much emphasis on it today and not enough on effectiveness. The only thing you can say about a leader is that a leader is somebody who has followers. The most charismatic leaders of the last century were called Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Mussolini. They were mis-leaders! Charismatic leadership by itself certainly is greatly overstated. Look, one of the most effective American presidents of the last 100 years was Harry Truman. He didn't have an ounce of charisma. Truman was as bland as a dead mackerel. Everybody who worked for him worshiped him because he was absolutely trustworthy. If Truman said no, it was no, and if he said yes, it was yes. And he didn't say no to one person and yes to the next one on the same issue. The other effective president of the last 100 years was Ronald Reagan. His great strength was not charisma, as is commonly thought, but that he knew exactly what he could do and what he could not do."

To read the rest of what he had to say, go here - I highly recommend reading this!

Winning the Battle but Losing the War

Have you ever found yourself fighting real hard to win an argument, then after winning it you feel like you made a mistake. You realized that it really wasn't that important to win that argument...your relationship with the other person is more important.

The same is true when dealing with customers. In a recent survey, 98% of all dissatisfied customers said they were not dissatisfied because of a quality problem with the product or service purchased. In 98% of the cases their dissatisfaction was related to their perception of how they were treated by the people they dealt with.

One more time... note that they said their perception of how they were treated not how they were treated. This is very significant. It means that in some, maybe many of those cases, the employees involved actually treated the customers fairly, courteously and tried to do the best they could. However, what they did is not the issue. It's how the customer perceived what they did that counts.

Customer service diplomacy has to do with controlling the customer's perception. In other words, being right is not as important as winning in the relationship with the customer. This tells us that the #1 reason why businesses lose customers is their perception that they were treated discourteously or unfairly by the company's people with whom they interacted.

Disrespect

Ray Lewis, who is the fiery linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens is upset with his coach because of the plays he called at a critical part of their game last weekend. This is what he said in the Baltimore Sun:

"We knew he (Willis McGahee) should have touched the ball when you have a fourth-and-one," Lewis said. "Old-school football is old-school football. If there is a yard I need to get, there is a running back, a fullback and an offense that is meant to get that.

"You can't make oranges be peaches. It doesn't change. It will never change. That's what Billick has to ask himself, why we keep putting ourselves in those situations. In the Cincinnati game, that cost us with those same decisions."

I don't know about you but this bothers me. I think this shows total disrespect for his coach, Brian Billick. It's OK to be upset, but he should have gone directly to his coach and talked with him about this rather than airing his complaints in the national media.

By the way, this isn't only for pro football players. We sometimes do the same thing where we work.

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Matthew 18:15

Enjoying The Journey

I have been one who has had a tendency to be very goal oriented in an unhealthy way. I would say, "As soon as this happens then I will be happy." Well, of course, even when that did happen, I would say, "OK, that happened, now as soon as this other thing happens, I will be happy."

As you can see, this is never ending...and pretty unhealthy.

God has really been working on me in this area and I have found myself enjoying the journey more and more. A small way that has been evident to me has been through some time I have spent in my car this week.

In NW Ohio and SE Michigan, I had read that because of the amount of rain we received and when we received it, the colors on the trees this fall would be incredible. Well, the colors are amazing. I have found myself just mesmerized by the trees as I have been driving. I find myself thanking God for the show He is giving me.

Enjoying the journey... Pretty cool stuff...for me at least.

Donuts With Dad

This morning, I attended "Donuts with Dad" with my son Robbie at his school. These are always fun events where I get to see many other dads I have not seen in a while. It is also a nice excuse to indulge in a donut or two. But it is especially fun because I get to spend that time with my son.

This morning was a little extra special for me and I can't say for sure why this is. Maybe it is because on our way out the door, my wife Connie reminded me that this would be my last Donuts with Dad since Robbie will be in junior high next year. Maybe it is because the donuts were extra fresh and very tasty. But I think it is because I really enjoy being with my son and our bond is growing deeper, especially over this last year.

On my way into the office this morning I was thinking about how these times, times we spend with loved ones are so special. We don't get any rewards from our boss for this. We don't receive financial bonuses. But we are doing something much greater--we are building up those who are in our care--and that is the greatest work we can do.

Not my Plans

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. James 4:13-16

I had great plans for this morning. I was going to get up early, work out, spend some time with God and get to work early. I had a lot to catch up on at work so I was excited to get my day going.

On my way to my basement, I heard a loud sucking noise coming from the area where our sump pump is. The crock was dry and the pump was running so I obviously had a problem. I unplugged it and did my workout and God time and returned to plug it in--hoping for a miracle and that it all of a sudden would be working again.

That was not the case so I trudged off to Home Depot to see if they would replace it since I had only purchased it 15 months earlier. I paid extra for this particular sump pump because it said "Lifetime Warranty" on the outside of the box. However, upon closer examination of the owner’s manual I noticed it said 12 month warranty which did not make me happy.

At 7:00 AM I arrived at Home Depot and explained my situation and as told that I can go get a new sump pump. Now that is customer service!

I got home and replaced it with not too much difficulty. But, my plans to get off to an early start were shattered. Once again, I think God is showing me that although I would like to be, I am not in control!

Our Owner's Manual

My wife and I are part of an awesome home group through our church that meets every other Sunday evening. In our time together last night, we talked about what the Bible means to us. One person described it as our owners manual and I think that is a great description.

As Christians, the words in the Bible are God's Word spoken directly to us. The solutions to all of life's situations and problems are contained therein, including issues we may have at work.

I just read this morning some interesting survey results from George Barna about what percentage of people believe the stories in the Bible to be literally true. The results might surprise you and may even encourage you. Go here to read more.

Excellence

Does this describe you?

We are commanded to be a light to the world...and that includes at work. By bringing excellence, or at least the absolute best we can do, into everything we do, that will help our light to shine. That will set us apart and maybe even prompt someone to ask, "There's something different about you, what is it?"

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Our Power

There is a story told of a woman who went to a jeweler to have her watch fixed. The jeweler disappeared to the back and soon returned with it running perfectly. Surprised, the woman asked how he could fix it so soon. He told her it only needed a new battery. "Battery? Battery? Nobody said anything about a battery. I've been winding it every morning!"

I received this story from Dr. David Jeremiah in an email devotional. While it seems silly, this is they way many of us live our lives. We take things into our own hands without realizing the power we have through the Holy Spirit. I know I am guilty of this very often.

With God's help, I am committed to listening and being open to the guiding of the Holy Spirit in my daily activities. So will you join me?

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .Acts 1:8a

Someday I'll

I love reading stuff from Zig Ziglar. He always seems to make some great points in ways that even I can understand. Here is another one...

One time we were keeping Timmy, a young cat with a long, fluffy tail for our granddaughter, Sunshine. Somehow he went missing and we spent a considerable amount of time and energy looking for that cat before he was found. That's typical. Most people pull out all stops to recover a pet or a treasured relationship. We would "do anything" to change some things or to have them back.

Question: Doesn't it make sense to pay more attention to friends, relatives, and families whom you love? Are you really too busy to make the phone call, drop a note in the mail, get together for a meal, go for a quiet drive or a long walk, and invest a little time to show that love? Question: Why don't you just make the time?

I don't have a definitive answer, but I believe that in most cases it's more a question of procrastination than of deliberate neglect. We work at a frantic pace and come home to relax. Before we realize it, we've spent several hours relaxing in front of a television set that presents us with programs that make us no happier, healthier, nor give us greater peace of mind.

Don't misunderstand; I believe some TV can be good and can offer company and comfort to shut-ins. But those things are not as important as spending time with those we love and cherish. Most of us plan to do exactly that "someday." But "someday I'll" is a seductive mistress. Deep down we know that our actions this year will parallel our actions of last year and catch us falling back on the old saw of, "I'll call you later," or, "Why don't we get together for lunch?" etc.

Solution: Do it now. We have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow or even an hour from now in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. However, we do know that if we take action now to reinforce or mend some of our relationships, we'll look back with gratitude and say to ourselves, "You know, I'm really glad I took the time."

Message! Spend time with those you love. One of these days you will say either, "I wish I had," or "I'm glad I did."

Attitude

I recently read something by Chuck Swindoll which is probably not new to anyone, but I believe it to be so true and I thought I would share it:

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gifted ability, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string that we have, and this string is attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you…WE ARE IN CHARGE OF OUR ATTITUDES.

Leading When Things Aren't Going Your Way

In Bo’s Lasting Lessons, authors Bo Schembechler and John Bacon relate a story from Bo’s early days coaching. He learned a lesson about leading when the heat is on from his boss from his boss and mentor Ara Parseghian that he carried with him the rest of his life. Here's that excerpt:

The following season, 1956, I left Doyt [Perry] and Bowling Green—with his blessings—to become an assistant for Ara Parseghian at Northwestern University.

Ara was not a big ego guy, he was great with players, he was a wonderful motivator, and he understood the game so well he could come up with things no one else had thought of. He was probably the most imaginative coach I’d ever seen, always adapting his plays to his players instead of the other way around like most coaches do. Heck, we used to call his practice field “The Laboratory,” because that’s where he’d try every trick in the book on Mondays, testing this and experimenting with that, just to see what might work that Saturday.

Before Ara arrived, Northwestern hadn’t had a winning season in five years, but in his first year Northwestern went 4-4-1, and everyone was encouraged. But in Ara’s second season, 1957, everything went to hell. We lost nine games—every single game we played! For a coach, that’s just about the most difficult situation you have to face.

We could keep our opponents down to one or two touchdowns, but we couldn’t score for our lives. And I was working with the offense!

Losing creates all kinds of other problems too—poor morale, nagging injuries, lackluster effort. The players were spending more time in the PR office than in the weight room. It was just a mess. I never experienced anything like that in all my years of coaching—and thank God for that.

I learned an awful lot from Ara in my first year at Northwestern, but I learned a heckuva lot more from him that second season, when he lost ‘em all. And what I learned was how a real leader leads when things aren’t going his way.

Ara treated the staff as though we were winning every game. He never gave the slightest inclination that we were the problem. He not once blamed any assistant or any player fro any loss we suffered that year. NOT ONCE.

“Stick with it, guys, and we’ll get through this,” he’d tell us. “We’re going to be okay.” We all kept busting our butts for Ara, working past midnight, doing everything we could to get that guy a victory.

I’m not saying there wasn’t some bitching among the players. When you’re losing every game, every player thinks he deserves more playing time. But I promise you this: There was a whole lot less bitching on that team than I’ve heard on teams that won half their games—and there was absolutely no, but no, bickering among the coaches.

To read the rest including how Ara led with integrity, go here.

Sabbath

Last night I had the privilege of dropping my brother-in-law off as his sponsor for the Walk to Emmaus (based on Luke 24:13-35). This is an incredible 72 hour experience of rest, fellowship and seeing and experiencing God's love like never before.

As I drove the one and a half hours home last night, I was aware of how tired I am. As I type this I am also reminded of this as I have just returned from my weekly men's group meeting that meets at 6 AM every Friday.

I believe God is teaching me that I don't need to get everything done. I don't need to solve all the problems of the world. He is also teaching me I need Sabbath--a time of rest and rejuvenation. After all, this Sabbath thing is not just a suggestion from God, it is a commandment.

Loyalty vs. Competence

Loyalty is a very good quality. However, when it is placed above competence, that can be a very bad thing for an organization. That is a sure way to kill morale.

Have you ever worked for someone who valued "the good ol' boys (or girls)" over those who were actually doing what they were supposed to be doing? Have you ever done this yourself?

Humility

...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3b

Most mornings for the past 30-40 days, I have been reading Romans 12 and then meditating on a verse that stands out to me that morning. Some days, nothing really jumps out but then other mornings I feel like God is putting flashing neon lights around something He wants me to learn.

This morning was one of those mornings.

The verse above jumped off the page at me this morning. I know God was trying to get my attention and show me I needed to get off my high horse--my feeling like I am so important. You see, I have realized that I like to impress people. When I realize I have done something with the sole purpose of trying to impress others, I now feel sick to my stomach.

As a result, I think I am getting better...but I think God is telling me I still need to work on this...especially in my marriage!

How does this relate to you?

Our Work - God's Work

I received this in a devotional sent to me from my church today:

We were not saved so that we could then go out and prove ourselves worthy. Instead, we were saved and given the gift of worthiness by grace so that we would be freed to fulfill the workmanship that God intended all along. Our work has nothing to prove. We work under grace. Our work is good not because of what it does, but because of who designed it. My competencies are God's workmanship in me. He wants me to use them. He expects me to "walk in them." Doing that is a "good" even if it does not fit into our warped legalistic preconceptions of spiritual significance. The last thing He had in mind giving them to me was to put me under a guilt trip. Grace, not legalism, should define our work.

So often I hear people say how great it would be to be in full-time ministry. Well guess what? We all ARE in full time ministry. What we do everyday, day in and day out has eternal ramifications. There are so many who do not know Christ that you interact with everyday. You may have been placed in their path to show them the love of Christ so that they may come to know Him.

Fear of Embarrassment

I was watching ESPN this morning while eating breakfast and they were talking about the New York Yankees and their win over the Cleveland Indians yesterday to make the series 2-1 in favor of the Indians. The commentators were interviewing a sportswriter from New York and he said that the "word" was that if the Yankees lose this series, George Steinbrenner (the Yankees owner) would fire the Yankees manager, Joe Torre.

He went on to say that George does not like being embarrassed and that someone would pay for that embarrassment--namely Joe Torre.

My initial reaction was to be appalled at George Steinbrenner. How he can he hate to be embarrassed so much that he would fire someone over it?

Then God reminded of all the times in my life where I have done something out of fear of embarrassment rather than doing what was right.

The Inmates Running the Asylum

Baylor Professor, Robert Marks

A professor at a Christian university (Baylor University) has been forced to remove his research from the internet which challenges Darwin's theory of evolution and helps to further prove the existence of God's design. This according to an article in Christian Business Daily:

"As many of you have heard, Marks, a distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been conducting research that ultimately may challenge the foundation of Darwinian theory. In layman's terms, Marks is using highly sophisticated mathematical and computational techniques to determine if there are limits to what natural selection can do," he wrote. "At Baylor, a Christian institution, this should be pretty unremarkable stuff. I'm assuming most of the faculty, students and alumni believe in God, so wouldn't it also be safe to assume you have no problem with a professor trying to scientifically quantify the limits of a blind, undirected cause of the origin and subsequent history of life?

"But the dirty little secret is university administrators are much more fearful of the Darwinian Machine than they are of you," he said.

"Here's what's going on: Somebody within the scientific community let [Baylor dean Ben] Kelley know that Marks was running a website that was friendly to intelligent design. Such a thing is completely unacceptable in today's university system – even at a Christian institution. Kelley was probably told to have the site shut down immediately or suffer the consequences," Ruloff said.

"What are those consequences? The ultimate penalty is to have Baylor marginalized by being designated as not a 'legitimate institution of higher learning.' So designated merely for the 'crime' of allowing Neo-Darwinism to be questioned, since conventional elitist wisdom holds it's no longer a theory but an inviolable truth."

My first reaction to this is that this is like the inmates running the asylum. How can this university operate out of a position of fear like this?

Then it hit me that probably all of us operate out of fear on a regular basis. I hate when I have painful realizations like this. Oh how I need God!

A Company of Lies

I read an article in Christian Business Daily about a company that helps people to lie better. Yes, that's right...

This company proudly offers its value proposition. Some examples of its services are as follows:

Virtual Employment: If you want to appear to be employed — no problem. The company will create the ruse for you.

Pretend You Are Anywhere: If you want to appear to be in a particular location other than where you are — no problem. The company will create the illusion for you.

Rescue Call Services: If you need to be rescued from a bad date, a dull meeting or some other commitment — no problem. The company will create and deliver an excuse for you to leave.

Having a Discreet Affair: If you want to have an extramarital affair and hide it from your spouse — no problem. The company will create the necessary cover to facilitate your sin.

Pretty sad.

In a Fast Company article about the virtues of telling the truth in business, someone said, "Once people get through to the truth, they fall in love with it."

Now there is a novel concept!

Pet Peav

In the current issue of Fellowship of Christian Athlete's monthly magazine, Sharing the Victory, Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres had this to say about Christians being labeled as weak:

“That drives me crazy,” he said, excitement building in his voice. “We need to win. I mean, God has given us this talent to go out and use it. The Lord wants us to be as competitive as we can be in the right way. But I think the way we’re supposed to play this game is the way it’s meant to be played, and that’s hard. But, there again, it’s playing the right way—to not show anybody up and to not get carried away and use some of the language, but to play the right way and be role models to our teammates. It’s OK to say, ‘Hey, you can be upset that you made outs. You can be upset that you lost, but handle it in the right way.’ I think that’s all part of being a Christian athlete.”

I could not agree more. And, this is not confined to the athletic field--it is true of our everyday lives at work and at home. We were born to win, so let's work that way!

Young Life Example

I just left a meeting with the area director for Young Life in our region and one of Young Life's greatest supporters. We talked about a lot of things, but what really made an impression on me was their heart for serving Christ.

There were no agendas, no pride on display, no attitudes of superiority. Just trying to humbly serve God.

On my drive in to the office, I thought about how often I do that...humbly serve God with no agendas, no pride, etc... The painful truth is that I can't say I do that all the time. I sometimes have agendas and I certainly have pride that gets in the way.

This twenty-something Young Life leader taught me much in this short meeting.

Learn to Lead

CIO Magazine writes about some of the ways good people can become bad bosses. One of the ways mentioned has to do with refusing to learn new things:

"By refusing to learn or get involved they distance themselves from understanding any practical issues and difficulties of a department. Instead of being in a position of saying, “Here is how you do it, or let me show you how,” they will start covering their lack of knowledge through devious means as they become insecure and incompetent. Obviously that means entering into dirty waters like indulging in politics..."

As leaders, we need to be on the lookout for opportunities to learn from every situation and every person who crosses our path--even those who give us a poor example. We also need to read books on leadership, attend conferences and hang out with those who are better than us. This is how we will become better. We owe this to ourselves and to those we lead.

Preparation

In this week's Sports Illustrated, there is a brief article about the ageless Morten Andersen. Andersen, 47, was just asked to rejoin the Atlanta Falcons after the Falcon's prior kicker missed two field goals in a game on September 16.

In the interview, Andersen was asked how he prepares for pressure kicks and this is his response:

"I do mental training throughout the week. I take myself through specific game situations so when they come up I've rehearsed them. Before the snap you're in real time. Then right after the snap, that 1.2 or 1.3 seconds that you're actually out there on your work bench, time slows. You see the ball clearly, you see everything in slow motion. Then you complete the kick, and it switches back to real time."

I believe this applies to all of us in all areas of our lives. There is much we need to be prepared for. This is especially true when it comes to temptations.

Each of us are tempted daily with things that are not of God. If we can anticipate these and prepare for them in advance, we can have victory. Read Matthew, chapter 4 sometime soon and see how Jesus fought off temptation. He fought of satan by reciting scripture. He was prepared and you can be too!

Sharing Your Faith at Work

It can be a struggle. The world tells us that we cannot talk about "religious" things, especially at work. However, Jesus tells us differently. He says we are to be a light to the world, wherever we are...including at work.

So how can we do this?

This appeared in an article in the Chanhassen Villager:

However, in a climate where most business owners keep their faith quiet in the marketplace, The Mustard Seed founder Mark Halla wears his Christianity on his sleeve.

“(It’s important) to honor and glorify God. You can’t do that if you don’t talk about him,” Halla said.

I think many Christian business owners and doctors would like to do this but are hesitant for fear of driving away clients and patients. If you are one of these, I have a solution for you. With membership in by Bleedership Gold Group, I can provide you with a means to easily, effectively and consistently impact the spiritual health of your employees, clients and patients in a very non-offensive way. To learn more and to see how you can try it for free, go to http://www.bleedership.com/.

Leave it on the Field

I love what Zig Ziglar says when asked if he is retired:

"I'm not retired, I'm refired. I'm not gonna ease up, let up, shut up or give up until I'm taken up. As a matter of fact, I'm just getting warmed up!"

That is the way I want to live my life. Kind of like the football player who is utterly exhausted after a hard-fought game--he feels like he left it all on the field.

On Friday afternoons I sometimes feel like I am running out of gas. On those occasions, I know I have had a productive week. I feel like I have left it all on the field and given my best effort.

If you didn't have to work for your current boss, would you work harder? If God were your boss, how productive do you think you would be? Guess what? God is your boss even if you report to someone else at work. We are commanded to work with all our heart for Him no matter what we are doing.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

Growing Spiritually

Kent Humphreys of Christ @ Work had this to say about how leaders grow in their spirituality:

Leaders Grow Spiritually in Four Ways: (1) by spending personal time with Christ in the Word and Prayer; (2) by observing the example of a mentor or role model, which is often done in one on one relationships or with a Counsel of Advisors; (3) by spending time in a Small Accountability Group; (4) by the encouragement of a family member or friend, which can be done one on one or in a large group. Note that this is the way that Leaders grow in their walk with Christ. This is not a mass production process, but is very time consuming and costly. Jesus knew that as He modeled His relationship with the Three and the Twelve.

How are you doing in each of these areas?

To read the rest of Kent's article, go here.

Oxygen Masks

I am involved in a men's group called Men's Fraternity. We meet every Friday morning at 6:00 to watch a 45 minute DVD and then break into groups for 45 minutes of discussion on how we can become the men God made us to be.

One guy this morning said that this sort of thing is very difficult for him - making time to try to be better. He said he feels guilty when it might take away from his family. I think many of us feel this same way - life just gets in the way. Spouses to spend time with and show love to; kids to hug, talk to, discipline; jobs to work; bills to pay; soccer games and practices to drive to...

When do we take time for us? We are so busy doing things for others, we get left behind.

On an airplane, one of the first things we are told is that in case of an emergency, when the oxygen masks come down, we are to put ours on first before assisting anyone else. If we were to pass out because we didn't take care of us first, we would not be able to help others.

Same as in life.

I know this sounds somewhat selfish but what I am talking about is actually very unselfish. We need to do what is necessary to be the best we can be before we can adequately help others. If we can do this, everyone wins.

Heart

I love to watch people who have passion for whatever they are doing. I don't care if it is mopping the floor in an ice cream shop or spreading fertilizer on someone's lawn, if their heart is in it, I love that.

I've even caught myself t times saying, "I don't agree with what they are saying, but at least they are passionate about it."

It all has to do with heart. Zig Ziglar has this to say on this subject in his book Something to Smile About:

Some things cannot be measured, and the heart is one of them. I think of three former NFL football stars. Mike Singletary, according to the experts, was too short and his 40-yard speed was not that great. However, they could not measure his heart and they did not measure his speed for the first five to fifteen yards, and at that distance he was exceptionally fast. As a result, when a running back broke through the line of scrimmage . . . Singletary was able to stop him in the first couple of yards. That made quite a difference.

Emmitt Smith's 40-yard speed was not earth shattering. . .but again, the experts could not measure his heart nor the burst of speed he was able to generate the instant he touched the ball. As a result, he was able to break through the hole at the line and pick up five to eight yards on a consistent basis and frequently break for much longer runs.

Jerry Rice is the other classic example. His 40-yard speed also was not record-breaking, but his commitment to excellence was not measurable. Videotape of Jerry Rice shows him running stride for stride downfield with a defensive back until the pass is thrown to him. At that point, Jerry turns on the afterburners and frequently leaves the defensive back well behind.

There's something here for all of us to learn. We can measure I.Q., speed, strength and a host of other things, but the will to win and the commitment to excellence will enable a person of average ability to excel. So, use what you've got, including your heart.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

Miscommunication

I just switched health insurance carriers for my family. Two days ago I logged onto their site to assign primary care physicians for each member of my family which went according to plan...or so I thought.

Last night I received an email which said the following:

Dear Mr. Lange,

We received your request to change primary care physicians for you and your wife. Unfortunately, our records indicate that the doctor you selected is contracted to only to see patients between the ages of 10 and 150 years of age.

You need to select a new primary care physician.

I have to admit, I was a little ticked when I first received this because it just means that I need to place a phone call sometime today and probably be placed on hold for what will seem like an eternity. But in a few minutes, I had to laugh. You have to admit, this is a little comical.

When I tried to figure out why I was ticked, it probably had more to do with the fact that I felt like I wasn't listened to--they did not get what I was telling them. Granted, it is a computer program I am talking about and not a real person, but it still upset me.

The same applies with us every day. We are commanded to listen, so let's do that, especially if we are leaders.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19b

Be Careful What You Wish For

I remember watching TV late in 2002 when the winner of the Powerball lottery was announced. Jack Whittaker and his wife were on TV and he was talking about how this was not going to change them. He said he had already cut a check for $17 million to his church and other Christian charities.

I thought to myself, Good for them. They see like great people. What a great Christian example.

This past weekend, I read in my local paper about how his life has fallen apart since then. His wife has left him, his drug-addicted granddaughter has died, his daughter has cancer and he has had numerous run-ins with the law.

Probably the saddest thing I read was when he said, "I don't have any friends. Every friend that I've had, practically, has wanted to borrow money or something and of course, once they borrow money from you, you can't be friends anymore." Very sad.

To read a related article, go here.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20

Football Player Released Because of His Christian Values

This appeared on Christian Business Daily's site today:

Christian wide receiver Troy Vermillion has been released from the roster of the Colorado Ice, an indoor football team based in the Greeley, Colorado area. The release came following a disagreement between Vermillion and the coaching staff over pornographic films shown on the team bus. Vermillion, wishing not to be exposed to the material, asked to be allowed to travel in other team vehicles, but was denied. Instead, he was released. Hilda Vermillion, Troy’s wife, shares his story; the story of a Christian husband and father paying a high price for his efforts to honor Christ. Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues spoke with Hilda, who shares Troy’s testimony and how you can support the family in prayer. Listen Download

Way to go Troy!

Humility

I recently signed up for a free 6 month trial of Sports Illustrated magazine. I really don't have the time to be reading that but I figured, it's free, I'll take it. I typically take two minutes and go through the magazine and if I see anything I think might be worth reading I'll read it, but this is pretty rare.

This week had an article about Roger Federer and the sub-headline said "In winning his fourth straight U.S. Open crown and 12th Grand Slam title, Roger Federer left little doubt that no one in the world does anything as he plays tennis." This headline caught my attention and I decided to read the article, not because I am a huge tennis fan but rather because I am a fan of excellence and those who achieve it. I always enjoy learning about what makes people excel.

In reading the article, I was immediately disappointed in Roger Federer. Yes, I respect what he has done on the tennis court, but what disappointed me was his lack of humility in the article.

Here is one quote:

"It's important that people respect what I do, and I think over the past couple of years that has happened. There were times i felt people were like..." He shrugged. "It was a bit strange. But now I almost have the feeling [they know] they're watching greatness."

I don't know about you, but I am drawn to the famous athlete who has humility. I know others feel that way about you and me also, so let's be humble.

One Costly Mistake

Isn't it sad that Bill Belicheck felt he needed to cheat against the New York Jets (read story here)? The fact that he was having the Jets' signals videotaped is puzzling, especially since Belicheck's Patriots were clearly the superior team.

Here is a guy with an amazing track record in the playoffs and with many Super Bowl wins whose reputation is now tainted, probably for as long as he coaches. Many may be asking if his Super Bowl wins were achieved honestly.

I don't know about you, but this is kind of scary to me. No matter how spotless our resumes, it only takes one slip up to throw our reputations away!

Right Priorities

I just read this article in Christianity Today and it speaks to many subjects: integrity, leading by example and making the right choice or having your priorities in the right place:

July was, without question, the worst month in recent memory for professional sports. Each one of America's big three got its own black eye.

Barry Bonds pursued baseball's most hallowed record, the career home run mark, amid suspicions of steroid abuse—and a pesky perjury investigation.

Michael Vick, the NFL's second-highest-paid player, was arraigned in federal court on charges of illegal dog fighting.

And, most damaging, Tim Donaghy, an NBA referee, was accused by the FBI of betting on games in which he'd participated—the cardinal sin in all sports.

Overshadowed by these negative headlines was a noble decision made by Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher: He asked to leave his team.

Fisher wasn't seeking to damage the Jazz, which had advanced to the Western Conference finals a month before. Indeed, his decision had nothing to do with basketball. It had to do with priorities.

Fisher, a quiet, steady Christian witness in a league of bling and groupies, left Salt Lake City in order to focus on his daughter's health. Only 11 months old, Tatum was diagnosed in May with retinoblastoma. The rare cancer threatens not just her left eye, but her life. Fisher gave up millions of dollars, and possibly his career, in order to move to a city with the right combination of medical specialists.

Such an admirable, selfless move is rare in the world of pro sports. Athletes are ridiculously overpaid—Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett will make nearly three times as much as the entire U.S. Senate next year—and lauded with a kind of hero worship no person can live up to. Some don't even try. As hall of fame forward Charles Barkley reportedly said, "I am not a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. … Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids."

Furthermore, when athletes do try to live righteously, their public piety often falls short. Atlanta Falcons safety Eugene Robinson, an outspoken Christian, was arrested on the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII for soliciting a prostitute who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Fisher, in keeping with Jesus' warning in the Sermon on the Mount, has never been one to "pray standing … on the street corners." He plays basketball the same way he testifies to his relationship with Christ: by his actions more than his words.

Every line of work has its challenges. Pro sports may have more than most. Yet Fisher has consistently modeled keeping first things first—or what the apostle Paul might have called "press[ing] on toward the goal to win the prize." We can learn from athletes like him.

"Life for me is about more than the game of basketball," Fisher told reporters after his announcement. Wiping away tears, Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller admitted, "He's focused on the most important thing."

As it turned out, Fisher was rewarded for his sacrifice. A couple of weeks later, the Los Angeles Lakers offered him a new contract. At a loss of $7 million, he will continue his career in a city where Tatum can get the care she needs.

In sports, as in life, doing the right thing doesn't always lead to such win-win situations. But it remains a victory in God's court. Here's to those whom God celebrates, "those who [have] been victorious," whether they be athletes, accountants, or, dare we say, evangelical thought leaders.

Finding Others Stronger Than You

In a Forbes article, Peter Drucker had this insight regarding how effective leaders play to their strengths and the strengths of others:

Successful leaders don't start out asking, "What do I want to do?" They ask, "What needs to be done?" Then they ask, "Of those things that would make a difference, which are right for me?" They don't tackle things they aren't good at. They make sure other necessities get done, but not by them. Successful leaders make sure that they succeed! They are not afraid of strength in others. Andrew Carnegie wanted to put on his gravestone, "Here lies a man who knew how to put into his service more able men than he was himself."

Learn from Lloyd

Many of you know that I am a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan, which by definition makes me not like the Michigan Wolverines. For the record, I am also not a fan of their coach, Lloyd Carr. However, I was impressed with something he said after their humiliating loss to the Oregon Ducks this past weekend.

"There isn't anything that comes my way that I can't handle professionally. And, there is nothing that can keep me down. Not a loss to Appalachian State, not a loss to Oregon, not a hundred losses, and not the loss of my job."

It sounds like he doesn't care what everyone thinks - he just has a job to do and he is going to do it. I hope he means all of this because the pressure on him will now be intense.

Can I be honest with you? I have a tendency to want to please others. I think a lot of people are this way. But, we are to play to an audience of One. That means there will be times when others are not happy with us - but we are commanded to do this. So let's learn from Lloyd

A Little Extra Effort

The workers who painted the line above obviously did not go the extra mile. Zig Ziglar had this to say about this in his book Life Lifters:

I wonder about the many things we could do if we didn’t know that we couldn’t do them. Many people never make a serious effort to achieve worthwhile objectives because they assume they can’t reach them.

Here’s a story that demonstrates what even a little extra effort can produce. Sir Walter Raleigh attended a prestigious boarding school when he was a youngster. He was an excellent student and wanted to be number one in his class. However, one lad always finished ahead of him, so he determined to discover the secret. Each night when he prepared for bed, he looked across the grounds that separated his room from that of his competitor and noticed that his candle was still burning. One night he noticed that the other boy studied only about fifteen minutes longer than he did. After that, Sir Walter Raleigh studied an extra twenty minutes every night. At the end of the year he was the number one student.

I’ve often wondered how many students miss out on a college scholarship because they did not study an additional twenty minutes each day. Research shows that over 98 percent of all scholarships are either academic or hardship, so some deserving students miss out not because of lack of ability, but because of lack of effort. Many times people grow frustrated because promotions or raises don’t come as fast as they think they should, so they jump ship when just around the corner the promotion awaits.

I have often used the phrase “and then some,” pointing out to my audiences that you should keep every promise, and then some; give your clients or customers everything they expect, and then some; give whatever you do an honest effort, and then some. I first learned those words from former secretary of state James Byrnes, who used that phrase when someone asked him to explain his success in life and in the political arena. I believe that little extra effort – that going ahead from where they are to do the best they can with what they have, and then some – is what separates the successful from the would-be successful.

Message: When you go the extra mile, you are seldom delayed by a traffic jam.

Boss Horror Stories

In an LA Times story, the following bad boss stores were recounted from the My Bad Boss contest sponsored by the AFL-CIO:

Last year's winning entry was "Dr. X," a dentist who took $100 out of each employee's paycheck for every canceled appointment.

The contestants, all anonymous, tell many horror stories.

One of the hundreds posted is about a lawyer who called the office every morning to give instructions as he brushed his teeth and conducted other business in his bathroom; another is about a manager who refused to let an employee whose husband had a brain tumor take a day off unless she provided a note from a doctor.

The contestant "Momtimesfour" recounts the day her boss offered to buy everyone in the office lunch and took them to a discount warehouse, where he instructed them to dine on free samples in the grocery section.

"Melanie" from Alabama, a cancer patient who lost her hair as a result of chemotherapy, says she overheard her boss making fun of how she looked with a bald pate. And a pregnant pizzeria worker says her manager ordered her to complete her shift after she had gone into labor. "I stayed and waited on customers," she says, "and made pizzas between contractions."

The story goes on to say that several states have proposed legislation to protect workers against tough bosses. I think this legislation is silly. We, as leaders, don't need the government telling us how to lead, we simply need to look in the Bible. For more information about this and to learn from a real tyrant, please check out Bleedership, Biblical First Aid for Leaders.

Optimism

I just read something interesting.

Martin Seligman in his book Learned Optimism reports on the level of optimism shown by USA presidential candidates between the years 1900 - 1984. American voters chose the more optimistic-sounding candidate in eighteen out of twenty-two elections. People seem to want a vision of hope and opportunity, and respond well to those messages.

How optimistic are you?

What You Think, You Are

It is the first day of school today for my two youngest kids. My daughter, was up this morning getting ready and all she was doing was complaining about how her day was going to be horrible. Her jeans were making her hot, school was going to be so boring...

I don't think she is going to have a very good day.

It reminded me that we all have a choice each day about how the day will turn out for us. We can look at each of our circumstances with a positive attitude or a negative attitude - a glass is half-full or half-empty attitude.

What are you going to choose?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4