What will I be able to accomplish today? I start by writing in my planner. I copy my schedule, my list of to-dos, the calls I need to make, the messages I need to give, etc. I think about the tasks. The I've gotta do this todays and the I can save that til tommorrows. Each day repeats many things on the list. They appear over and over again. I put them off, delay doing them.
I noticed some of those things that I have delayed in the previously journaled days. You know what I found? They seemed to be made up of my dreams. Writing, promoting my comedy and motivational ministry, writing thank you cards and making calls of encouragement. Vacations, day trips, out of the box things that I would enjoy doing, learning a new song, visiting my grandchildren....things that define me.
Don't get me wrong, self centeredness is not my intent. But the list is accomplishing nothing more than reminding a forgetful old man to do the job related activities that others require of him.
I retired almost 1 year ago. I started teaching again 5 days later. Yet, these were to be my days to do the dream lists.
So, I resolve...to live my dreams. Starting today, God and I will persue these dreams........and my desire is that I will make a difference in others decisions about where they will spend eternity, that I will persue the ministry that God has ordained for this time in my life, and that I will learn to rest in Him.
For in my heart there is an unwritten book, a song left to sing, a comedy presentation yet to give, and another person yet to meet.
Today, on the top of my other lists of to dos, I see one mighty and original command....................
dream......dream....and then...Live The Dream.......it's gonna be a good "rest of my life!"
Monday, September 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A Teller of Stories; A Giver of Partial Information
Recently, I have realized that every thing you hear is not the "whole' truth. I have found that many people will work hard to stir up your emotions by giving you enough truth to upset you but hiding enough facts to deceive you. At times, this was described as a little white lie. Now it seems to be an accepted fact of life with some people and they feel OK in doing it.
Where many fabricate and add to stories, there are others who leave out partial facts and as a result give you partial truths, that may sway your opinion in an unfair fashion. When going to court you promise to "tell the 'whole' truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God. Life should be that way.
Somehow some Christians feel it an obligation to spread rumors but they don't term it that. They actually tell partial truths therefore letting you surmise what is meant. They often know that if they tell the complete truth you would respond in a different fashion. Therefore, they deceive you by telling you a partial truth and set you up for emotional devastation.
This happened to me when I served as a leader in a secular job. A lady very adept in this art, would give me partial truths about an individual, and would give the other individual partial information about me. This led to disagreements and hurts developed.
Simply stated, we were set up! The lady was a deceiver. She was a gossip. She was simply sewing discord. And all under the disguise of 'only telling the truth'. She knew exactly what she was doing.
So why do this anyway. Was she trying to make something appear a certain way to get an expected outcome? I think so.
How can we deal with this?
We can be truthful. If we feel that what we are saying to another might upset the person and know it may cause problems, then be quiet. If the information may save a person's life, etc., it may be a different story.
Maybe, before we speak it, pray about it. A unique way of thinking. But it just might work!
Where many fabricate and add to stories, there are others who leave out partial facts and as a result give you partial truths, that may sway your opinion in an unfair fashion. When going to court you promise to "tell the 'whole' truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God. Life should be that way.
Somehow some Christians feel it an obligation to spread rumors but they don't term it that. They actually tell partial truths therefore letting you surmise what is meant. They often know that if they tell the complete truth you would respond in a different fashion. Therefore, they deceive you by telling you a partial truth and set you up for emotional devastation.
This happened to me when I served as a leader in a secular job. A lady very adept in this art, would give me partial truths about an individual, and would give the other individual partial information about me. This led to disagreements and hurts developed.
Simply stated, we were set up! The lady was a deceiver. She was a gossip. She was simply sewing discord. And all under the disguise of 'only telling the truth'. She knew exactly what she was doing.
So why do this anyway. Was she trying to make something appear a certain way to get an expected outcome? I think so.
How can we deal with this?
We can be truthful. If we feel that what we are saying to another might upset the person and know it may cause problems, then be quiet. If the information may save a person's life, etc., it may be a different story.
Maybe, before we speak it, pray about it. A unique way of thinking. But it just might work!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Are There Ties In Heaven?
If there is one thing I despise, it's wearing a necktie.
Now women,where you may have to deal with high heels, we men who have been in business have to deal with the ever-constraining necktie. The piece of clothing intended to make the white shirt look color coordinated and ornamental rather serves as an impractical way of strangling it's victim.
What is intended to make the man more presentable, rather serves to strangle him until he can bearly squeak out any words. I believe that some wife who was sick of her husband telling her she needed to change invented this 'necktie' to make it harder for him to speak much less breathe.
Then some other creative woman must have created the novelty tie. This gave society the excuse to buy a man a tie for almost every occasion. What imbicile wants to be strangled every day of his life. And the woman who created this stupid contraption comments "how nice you look all dressed up." Yeah, I know...it's a conspiracy, that's what it is.
They have sports ties, cartoon character ties, university team ties, and ,yes even, super hero ties. But that doesn't fool me. Businesses require them, interviews demand them and salesmen ...well....it's a conspiracy..that's what it is.
Are there ties in heaven?
for eternity?
If so, it better be the women who have to wear them!
Now women,where you may have to deal with high heels, we men who have been in business have to deal with the ever-constraining necktie. The piece of clothing intended to make the white shirt look color coordinated and ornamental rather serves as an impractical way of strangling it's victim.
What is intended to make the man more presentable, rather serves to strangle him until he can bearly squeak out any words. I believe that some wife who was sick of her husband telling her she needed to change invented this 'necktie' to make it harder for him to speak much less breathe.
Then some other creative woman must have created the novelty tie. This gave society the excuse to buy a man a tie for almost every occasion. What imbicile wants to be strangled every day of his life. And the woman who created this stupid contraption comments "how nice you look all dressed up." Yeah, I know...it's a conspiracy, that's what it is.
They have sports ties, cartoon character ties, university team ties, and ,yes even, super hero ties. But that doesn't fool me. Businesses require them, interviews demand them and salesmen ...well....it's a conspiracy..that's what it is.
Are there ties in heaven?
for eternity?
If so, it better be the women who have to wear them!
Monday, May 31, 2010
When Trouble Comes And I Can't Find An Answer.
Trust Him!
Sometimes the very act of trusting is difficult. When you have tried so many times to trust others and they have let you down . When others have promised you but there is no seeing the promise fulfilled. When even those in spiritual leadership have listened to you and have given you advice, only to turn around and betray your trust. It's hard then to trust again.
But we must trust. Where are those Christians that are good to their word? The person who listens, councils, and never tells. I don't mean the things where a life could literally be in the balance I mean the everyday issues that some people finally share. No wonder it's hard to be real. When you let down the wall, someone kicks you in the teeth.
So what do we do about it? I say we listen, pray, encourage and serve as a true confidant. There are many in the family of God who need to get things out. They need to be healed. But if your response is grow up, you negate the seriousness of their need. And if your response is to tell at least one person (after all it is the truth...and that's not gossip) then you have once again demolished trust and you are for all intent a liar.
Our brother has a need. Where does he go? Will you listen, help him to be accountable and be a true friend or will you betray Him. People have needs. Will you help? Will you help him find the answer?
Sometimes the very act of trusting is difficult. When you have tried so many times to trust others and they have let you down . When others have promised you but there is no seeing the promise fulfilled. When even those in spiritual leadership have listened to you and have given you advice, only to turn around and betray your trust. It's hard then to trust again.
But we must trust. Where are those Christians that are good to their word? The person who listens, councils, and never tells. I don't mean the things where a life could literally be in the balance I mean the everyday issues that some people finally share. No wonder it's hard to be real. When you let down the wall, someone kicks you in the teeth.
So what do we do about it? I say we listen, pray, encourage and serve as a true confidant. There are many in the family of God who need to get things out. They need to be healed. But if your response is grow up, you negate the seriousness of their need. And if your response is to tell at least one person (after all it is the truth...and that's not gossip) then you have once again demolished trust and you are for all intent a liar.
Our brother has a need. Where does he go? Will you listen, help him to be accountable and be a true friend or will you betray Him. People have needs. Will you help? Will you help him find the answer?
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Starting All Over
Little did I know that at the age of 58 in many ways I would be starting over. I have begun to imbark on a new adventure. The journey that will invitably help me to further my purpose in this life and one that will help to further define my destiny. I believe that each individual has a 'calling' or an ultimate purpose in life and my journey has taken me to this point.
The first part of my life was spent in the area of education. I have been fortunate to teach every grade level from Pre-K to college. I have known the ultimate joy of teaching and seeing the faces of a student who has finally understood a concept and who is proud for finally getting that understanding. I have seen others who found that learning was fun and chose to share that fact with others as a teacher.
I have served as a principal of several schools. I have learned many things about leadership and many things about management. They are not the same. Leadership is a calling and management is a job. I hope that to some I have been a 'leader'.
But now, after much prayer and many tears, I am moving on. I am going to try to share my love for life and my love for God. I will be doing this through several callings that I have found in my innermost soul. The love of writing, the appreciation for the diversity of people, my crazy sense of humor and call to make others laugh, my love of singing and my 'reason' for living the "Jesus" that I love so much.
Starting Over. This gives me a chance to rediscover myself. I am intent in finding the part of me that was so spontaneous, that would cause me to act in a way that seemed ridiculous in order to break up the mundane. I am seeking to find the song that was in my heart. I used to sing everytime I got into the car but somewhere I listened to the critics of the song and started being quiet. I stopped singing. I will make others laugh by emphasizing crazy things, stories, experiences and life in general. If I look silly, so be it!
But most important to me, and to God, I will be real! No more pretense, no cover ups. You see I have tried to live a good life but I have made many mistakes. I have faltered, I have failed. I am a 'sinner saved by grace'. But I have found something earth shattering..if you break the mask of protection, the mask of indifference, the mask of hypocricy, the mask of secrecy...etc....then you are on the way to becoming the best "you" that God and you can be together.
Starting Over. I challenge you to do the same. But if by chance you feel that you can't start again or at least not right now... then ...... join with me on my journey...you're welcome to come along for the ride!
The first part of my life was spent in the area of education. I have been fortunate to teach every grade level from Pre-K to college. I have known the ultimate joy of teaching and seeing the faces of a student who has finally understood a concept and who is proud for finally getting that understanding. I have seen others who found that learning was fun and chose to share that fact with others as a teacher.
I have served as a principal of several schools. I have learned many things about leadership and many things about management. They are not the same. Leadership is a calling and management is a job. I hope that to some I have been a 'leader'.
But now, after much prayer and many tears, I am moving on. I am going to try to share my love for life and my love for God. I will be doing this through several callings that I have found in my innermost soul. The love of writing, the appreciation for the diversity of people, my crazy sense of humor and call to make others laugh, my love of singing and my 'reason' for living the "Jesus" that I love so much.
Starting Over. This gives me a chance to rediscover myself. I am intent in finding the part of me that was so spontaneous, that would cause me to act in a way that seemed ridiculous in order to break up the mundane. I am seeking to find the song that was in my heart. I used to sing everytime I got into the car but somewhere I listened to the critics of the song and started being quiet. I stopped singing. I will make others laugh by emphasizing crazy things, stories, experiences and life in general. If I look silly, so be it!
But most important to me, and to God, I will be real! No more pretense, no cover ups. You see I have tried to live a good life but I have made many mistakes. I have faltered, I have failed. I am a 'sinner saved by grace'. But I have found something earth shattering..if you break the mask of protection, the mask of indifference, the mask of hypocricy, the mask of secrecy...etc....then you are on the way to becoming the best "you" that God and you can be together.
Starting Over. I challenge you to do the same. But if by chance you feel that you can't start again or at least not right now... then ...... join with me on my journey...you're welcome to come along for the ride!
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