Is This Reality?

Ever get hit with a few days of simply weirdness and wonder if you may be dreaming instead of living reality? This past week has been very much that case. Without going in to the gross details, it is interesting how people respond differently to the same issue. It is interesting how some can look at a situation and say without a doubt what reality is and then someone else look at the same situation and make it fit what they would like reality to be.

I know in churches, denominations can be formed because of this. Some denominations will create their own set of rules and others will only abide by the laws in the Bible that they are able to keep.

I really think that recognizing Truth is not that complicated. It is what it is. What keeps us as humans from accepting truth all of the time? Our pride is probably the biggest reason but I am sure there are others.

In the Christian faith, truth is very simple. We are ALL sinners which means we all have issues. Acknowledging that is the first step to coming in to a relationship with Christ. The second step is getting help... in Christianity it is going to the ONLY Source Who can give help. The first step is always the hardest I think because we first have to get over ourselves and that is usually a big hurdle to jump.

I pray that the end result of the weirdness we are experiencing will result in all of us seeing truth and seeking help which will create a bond of unity. May I be the first to see it and seek help.

A "DAD" Ringer

If you know me, you may know that I am a bit of a competitor. I do not like to lose and I do not like it when one of favorite teams lose either. (Yes, it has been hard being a Redskin fan all my life; yet while being a competitor I am also loyal.) There is one game that I have played my dad hundreds of times and have NEVER beat him at - horseshoes. He is one of the best I have ever seen play the game. If I am lucky enough to get a ringer, he will have two. He is really, really good.

My dad will turn 82 in just several weeks. I am one of those that feel extremely lucky, fortunate and blessed to have a dad that has never given anything other than love to his family. As father day approaches I have been thinking about all the ways I know that I can count on my dad. As in the game when he often threw dead ringers, in life he has also thrown DAD ringers. Here are just a few:

• DAD Ringer - Loving God passionately and having a deep desire to be in a close relationship with Him. He served men in the local jail by showing up two times a week for over 25 years and sharing Jesus. I recall many nights where our family spent time reading the Bible and in prayer together. He is definitely not just a Sunday Christian.
• DAD Ringer - Loving my mom faithfully for close to 60 years before her death of cancer a few years ago. I have never known another man who was as much of a servant to his wife. He saw himself as her help-mate, not there to be served by her. Never demeaning her. Doors always opened for her. He took pleasure in serving her until the day she crossed into Heaven.
• DAD Ringer - Loving 4 kids unconditionally. I have three sisters, so loving us four unconditionally... yeah, that was work. :-) I was close to perfect of course.
• DAD Ringer - Loves his country. He served his country in the Army during the Korean War.
• DAD Ringer - Loves being industrious and detailed. I recall my dad having a work ethic second to none. He worked hard and was detailed making sure his work was always the best he could do.

He was and still serves as a role model, example and hero to me. I don't appreciate all the times he has whipped me in horseshoes with his dead ringers; however, in life, I truly appreciate all of his "DAD" ringers.

I love you Dad!

Discipline without direction is drudgery. ~Donald Whitney

Speed Bumps vs Brick Walls

Speed Bump vs a Brick Wall

When we face a challenge or obstacle, how do we see it? As a speed bump... just temporarily slowing us down but know that we will see the other side? Or do we view challenges as a brick wall... paralyzing us to the point of not knowing exactly what to do?

Today I was faced with a challenge and immediately felt somewhat paralyzed until I changed my thinking. When I changed my thinking to clearly understanding that there is a challenge; yet, knowing that challenge does not define who I am or what I am able to accomplish, I feel enabled to get to work to overcome it.

I do believe that too often we see challenges more like brick walls. They bring us to a halt and essentialy make us unproductive. Dont't stay there long. When we are unproductive, the challenge increases and so do the results that the challenge brings. See these pesky times as speed bumps... slow down, plan and then act to overcome them.

Quotes on Discipline

Discipline, not desire, determines a person's destiny. ~Charles Stanley

Discipline without direction is drudgery. ~Donald Whitney