It's interesting having a birthday on a day like today. Most of the time people ask me if it's bad that I have a birthday this close to Christmas. In a way, it kind of is. A lot of times, from a gift receiving standpoint, it can go either way. Sometimes I get two when others get one, sometimes I get one big thing. This year, I mainly got one thing from anyone who isn't my parents, which is fine.
I enjoyed giving this year, as I have for the past few years. The big hit of all the things I gave was the Yoda nutcracker I gave my sister (we call her Yoda because she's short and she talks funny, but not as funny as the Star Wars Yoda). It's almost like everyone wants to stop what they're doing to see what I got her this year. And honestly, everyone seemed to like what I got them. That's good, but I can't take all the credit because a lot of what I got was actually purchased by someone else, and I just paid them back for it. When you follow a championship football team like I do with Appalachian State, it's very easy to lose track of time until the games end and it's suddenly December 14 and I haven't done anything yet.
I got some interesting items, including a couple gift cards and a Super Mushroom like the ones from the Super Mario video games. I get something Snoopy on a yearly basis, because I like him, and this year's Snoopy thing was a little plush one with a lighted shirt that flashes when it plays the Linus and Lucy song. Pretty cool.
I love this time of year. It offers me time to look back on the things the Lord has done. Lots of times on this blog I have (and will) talked about the specific things He's done in my own life, but in terms of the Christmas season, it's an everybody thing. We can all celebrate this one because the virgin birth of Jesus was the first step in our salvation. After his birth, he would grow up like all humans do, then go through his ministry with the Apostles, and then shed His blood for us on the cross.
Isn't it incredible to think about? That someone as big as God would care about us so much to send his son to die for us so we could be with Him? As the song goes, if that isn't love, the ocean is dry. It gives me chills to think about.
There's a song that is apparently sung by a couple artists called "Wish." The version I listen to is sung by Joy Williams. In the song, she's singing about actually being there back in those days when Jesus was born, all the way through His life to see what it was all like back then, "to see You feed the people, to feel the healing in Your touch." Wow! What a thought!
They talked in church today about trying to talk about the Lord and not being able to say it right. I know how that feels now. There's no good way for words to explain the feeling I get when I think about the life of Jesus and all the things the Lord has done for me...and all of us!
So, with 12 minutes to go until the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord, think about these things...ponder them in your heart. You will get a blessing more important than anything you'll unwrap in the next 24 hours.
That's why, back in my church last night, I wasn't looking for any recognition when our Pastor said something about it being my birthday. As far as I'm concerned, that was a Christmas program, to send praise to the Lord for sending Jesus to us. My 29th birthday drastically pales in comparison to that.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Ya gotta focus, man!
Back from a long break...the fact that the long break exists reminds me of something I discovered a few weeks back.
There's no big story to this, nothing big that happened or any such thing. It's just that I've noticed over the last few months that to live for the Lord, you have to be focused.
Back in college, I had no focus at all. Subconsciously, I figured that I could just coast along in life, and as long as I missed the big bumps in the road, I'd be fine. That's okay, I guess, but that's not how it should be, by a long shot.
Thanks be to the Lord that during college, I had at least that little bit of focus to stay out of the bad spots, because it was there on a pretty regular basis. Even as recently as my Tunica, Mississippi, trip in August of 2006 I was close to some pretty bad stuff when I was staying in a casino for four days. Thankfully for me, the Lord was with me all of those times (and He still is!), and when those tempting times came in Tunica, I simply went to sleep, knowing that I absolutely had to get up on time the next morning.
In an effort to keep my focus up, I'm going to start a project on 1/1/08. I'm going to Read the Bible in 90 days. Click here for more. In all my years, I've never read through the Bible, but I'm going to. Now, I'm not using the version those folks use...namely, you can get a bookmark to print out that will tell you what scriptures to read each day, and that's what I plan to use. I won't get into issues regarding what version of the Bible is better here. I use the King James Version, I have since the beginning and I see no need to change now.
That said, as I pass particularly interesting points in the Scriptures, I'll post here on those things and elaborate a bit. I know, it's all interesting, but I'm referring to things that demand my making a comment on it, essentially.
Anyone who wants to join me, let me know!
There's no big story to this, nothing big that happened or any such thing. It's just that I've noticed over the last few months that to live for the Lord, you have to be focused.
Back in college, I had no focus at all. Subconsciously, I figured that I could just coast along in life, and as long as I missed the big bumps in the road, I'd be fine. That's okay, I guess, but that's not how it should be, by a long shot.
Thanks be to the Lord that during college, I had at least that little bit of focus to stay out of the bad spots, because it was there on a pretty regular basis. Even as recently as my Tunica, Mississippi, trip in August of 2006 I was close to some pretty bad stuff when I was staying in a casino for four days. Thankfully for me, the Lord was with me all of those times (and He still is!), and when those tempting times came in Tunica, I simply went to sleep, knowing that I absolutely had to get up on time the next morning.
In an effort to keep my focus up, I'm going to start a project on 1/1/08. I'm going to Read the Bible in 90 days. Click here for more. In all my years, I've never read through the Bible, but I'm going to. Now, I'm not using the version those folks use...namely, you can get a bookmark to print out that will tell you what scriptures to read each day, and that's what I plan to use. I won't get into issues regarding what version of the Bible is better here. I use the King James Version, I have since the beginning and I see no need to change now.
That said, as I pass particularly interesting points in the Scriptures, I'll post here on those things and elaborate a bit. I know, it's all interesting, but I'm referring to things that demand my making a comment on it, essentially.
Anyone who wants to join me, let me know!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Just Cool It
[Before I begin...in my "Lynchpin" article I've added two links to stories that apply well to what I wrote there. Check them out!]
I went to Georgia over Thanksgiving for my vacation. It was a decent time, all things considered, but I learned something while I was there.
First, if a situation has been resolved, don't talk about it anymore. Especially toward someone who has to nose into anything they're told about. I learned that one the hard way, adding to the end of my story that the situation had been dealt with, everything's okay, so we don't need to talk to the child involved anymore. Instead, the person I talked to ignored my last two phrases, and proceeded to make a big deal out of it anyway. And then come back to me and tell me not to say for him to not say anything about something.
That led to problem number two...just cool it. I'm still of the opinion that something needed to be said at that point, because of a long line of similar issues over time, but I didn't handle the situation the right way at all. It was a short argument, and I was talked to basically like a five year old throughout and nothing I said sank in.
I needed to cool it at that point because I went off and ran my mouth to someone who I shouldn't have talked to, and who didn't want to hear it in the first place. Stupid idea. So I walked in, and a few minutes later decided that I needed to apologize. Which I did, but the situation started to escalate again, and I responded by saying that I didn't go out there for an argument, but to apologize, and I did.
At the same time, the actions of the person who was acting like the greatest thing on earth were being justified. I mentioned that not only were my actions wrong, so were his, and there was NO justifying either action. We were both wrong.
Eventually, I figured out I was wrong twice, and the other individual once. The person I talked to later was a bit headstrong, but that's something I should've expected when talking like I was at the time.
The point? Well, first, if the situation is resolved, keep your trap shut about it. I know there was probably a good reason in my head to blab about it at the time, but knowing who I was talking to should've made me be quiet. Second, don't go blabbing to a close relative of the person who ticked you off, because they will not agree.
Another incident later in the day that I wasn't directly involved with made me think a lot about the whole day, and what should or shouldn't have happened in both situations. I had my headphones on, and I studied over some things in my mind while the others watched a movie. That is always something good to do...let the Lord speak to you.
I did that, and He showed me the things I mentioned above. I'm not near perfect, of course, but hopefully situations like that will get me a little closer to that. Sure, some people need to be told about their actions, but you've gotta do it in the right way. I have to think a little bit on how to handle that with one person, because there's no telling how that will be taken. But if I speak the truth in love, that trumps the whole thing about being half that person's age. I may not handle it at all, the Lord might do it for me...and I need to pray toward that end. But if I feel led to say something, I know what I need to do. Speak the truth in love, and when it's resolved...
Just cool it.
I went to Georgia over Thanksgiving for my vacation. It was a decent time, all things considered, but I learned something while I was there.
First, if a situation has been resolved, don't talk about it anymore. Especially toward someone who has to nose into anything they're told about. I learned that one the hard way, adding to the end of my story that the situation had been dealt with, everything's okay, so we don't need to talk to the child involved anymore. Instead, the person I talked to ignored my last two phrases, and proceeded to make a big deal out of it anyway. And then come back to me and tell me not to say for him to not say anything about something.
That led to problem number two...just cool it. I'm still of the opinion that something needed to be said at that point, because of a long line of similar issues over time, but I didn't handle the situation the right way at all. It was a short argument, and I was talked to basically like a five year old throughout and nothing I said sank in.
I needed to cool it at that point because I went off and ran my mouth to someone who I shouldn't have talked to, and who didn't want to hear it in the first place. Stupid idea. So I walked in, and a few minutes later decided that I needed to apologize. Which I did, but the situation started to escalate again, and I responded by saying that I didn't go out there for an argument, but to apologize, and I did.
At the same time, the actions of the person who was acting like the greatest thing on earth were being justified. I mentioned that not only were my actions wrong, so were his, and there was NO justifying either action. We were both wrong.
Eventually, I figured out I was wrong twice, and the other individual once. The person I talked to later was a bit headstrong, but that's something I should've expected when talking like I was at the time.
The point? Well, first, if the situation is resolved, keep your trap shut about it. I know there was probably a good reason in my head to blab about it at the time, but knowing who I was talking to should've made me be quiet. Second, don't go blabbing to a close relative of the person who ticked you off, because they will not agree.
Another incident later in the day that I wasn't directly involved with made me think a lot about the whole day, and what should or shouldn't have happened in both situations. I had my headphones on, and I studied over some things in my mind while the others watched a movie. That is always something good to do...let the Lord speak to you.
I did that, and He showed me the things I mentioned above. I'm not near perfect, of course, but hopefully situations like that will get me a little closer to that. Sure, some people need to be told about their actions, but you've gotta do it in the right way. I have to think a little bit on how to handle that with one person, because there's no telling how that will be taken. But if I speak the truth in love, that trumps the whole thing about being half that person's age. I may not handle it at all, the Lord might do it for me...and I need to pray toward that end. But if I feel led to say something, I know what I need to do. Speak the truth in love, and when it's resolved...
Just cool it.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Lynchpin
"Here we go. They're going to kick the field goal. It will be Jason Gingell. Good snap, good hold and the kick is blocked! Appalachian State has stunned the college football world...one of the great upsets in sports history! Blocked by Corey Lynch!" -Thom Brennaman, Big Ten Network, September 1, 2007.
It's my goal in life not to make sports a big part of this blog, and I wasn't going to do this particular blog second, but the weekend's events required it. The above is the Final Call from the Greatest College Football Upset of All Time, as many have called it, the day Appalachian State went to Michigan and pulled a big time shocker.
The author of that block is Corey Lynch. In I-AA football, there aren't enough people to have specific players on special teams. So, their starting defensive back was in on every play that wasn't offense for that entire game, and still had enough in the tank to block that field goal and almost run it all the way back.
While he became world famous for that play, it's not necessarily his biggest one. Lynch is known for picking the right pass off at the right time to end a game. It happened against Youngstown State in the semifinals last year, and against Furman on Saturday. The man is close to big plays all the time, which is absolutely impressive.
You would think someone like him would have a super huge ego. He's done more good things on the football field than some of the people you always hear making the news. Lynch was even live on ESPN the morning after the Michigan game talking about that big play, and he's got his own featured segment on FSN's Under the Lights special. Would you have a big ego if you'd done things like that in your sport or group in college?
If I do something big at work, I'll jump around and toot my own horn for a little while, but that's more for fun and exaggeration than anything else. More often, though, after I've forgotten something or done something silly, I'm always walking around the studios telling people that "the Production Coordinator of this organization is a complete and total idiot!" Both of those situations happened today, as a matter of fact.
I know stuff from Appalachian State isn't exactly all over ESPN anymore, but if you get a chance to hear someone interview Corey Lynch, pay special attention to his response to the first question. Those who do get to hear him a lot know exactly what I'm talking about before I even say it. The first words that come out of his mouth, no matter what question is asked:
"First of all, I want to thank Jesus Christ for the opportunity."
Refreshing, ain't it? He goes on to answer the question, but at the same time, Corey Lynch puts first things first. I really like that about him, it shows that whether he's on the Appalachian ISP Sports Network talking to Randy Jackson, or talking to Chris McKendry on SportsCenter, he doesn't change what he's always done. Same words, every single time.
On Saturdays I'm always in football mode. I'm always wearing my black Appalachian t-shirt with the same white hat, and I have all these traditions that I follow on Saturdays before a game. It's refreshing at the end of a game, or even during the pre-game show on occasion, to hear Corey Lynch's first remark.
It's also a challenge. Do I speak of the Lord the first time I answer a question? When something happens, good or bad, do I praise Him first?
Thank you, Corey, for that awesome testimony. You're a blessing and a challenge to Christians everywhere.
[Edit: I'm adding some links here to a couple newspaper stories about Corey that will be blessings.]
http://www.goasu.com/article/11328/
http://www.charlotte.com/sports/story/375947.html
It's my goal in life not to make sports a big part of this blog, and I wasn't going to do this particular blog second, but the weekend's events required it. The above is the Final Call from the Greatest College Football Upset of All Time, as many have called it, the day Appalachian State went to Michigan and pulled a big time shocker.
The author of that block is Corey Lynch. In I-AA football, there aren't enough people to have specific players on special teams. So, their starting defensive back was in on every play that wasn't offense for that entire game, and still had enough in the tank to block that field goal and almost run it all the way back.
While he became world famous for that play, it's not necessarily his biggest one. Lynch is known for picking the right pass off at the right time to end a game. It happened against Youngstown State in the semifinals last year, and against Furman on Saturday. The man is close to big plays all the time, which is absolutely impressive.
You would think someone like him would have a super huge ego. He's done more good things on the football field than some of the people you always hear making the news. Lynch was even live on ESPN the morning after the Michigan game talking about that big play, and he's got his own featured segment on FSN's Under the Lights special. Would you have a big ego if you'd done things like that in your sport or group in college?
If I do something big at work, I'll jump around and toot my own horn for a little while, but that's more for fun and exaggeration than anything else. More often, though, after I've forgotten something or done something silly, I'm always walking around the studios telling people that "the Production Coordinator of this organization is a complete and total idiot!" Both of those situations happened today, as a matter of fact.
I know stuff from Appalachian State isn't exactly all over ESPN anymore, but if you get a chance to hear someone interview Corey Lynch, pay special attention to his response to the first question. Those who do get to hear him a lot know exactly what I'm talking about before I even say it. The first words that come out of his mouth, no matter what question is asked:
"First of all, I want to thank Jesus Christ for the opportunity."
Refreshing, ain't it? He goes on to answer the question, but at the same time, Corey Lynch puts first things first. I really like that about him, it shows that whether he's on the Appalachian ISP Sports Network talking to Randy Jackson, or talking to Chris McKendry on SportsCenter, he doesn't change what he's always done. Same words, every single time.
On Saturdays I'm always in football mode. I'm always wearing my black Appalachian t-shirt with the same white hat, and I have all these traditions that I follow on Saturdays before a game. It's refreshing at the end of a game, or even during the pre-game show on occasion, to hear Corey Lynch's first remark.
It's also a challenge. Do I speak of the Lord the first time I answer a question? When something happens, good or bad, do I praise Him first?
Thank you, Corey, for that awesome testimony. You're a blessing and a challenge to Christians everywhere.
[Edit: I'm adding some links here to a couple newspaper stories about Corey that will be blessings.]
http://www.goasu.com/article/11328/
http://www.charlotte.com/sports/story/375947.html
Friday, October 26, 2007
The first of many!
I've started this blog for one reason and one reason only. To put the big rocks first, as my friend Doug once astutely observed. This blog is going to be a more spiritual look at life, from things I hear where I work, from sermons I've heard, or anything I observe that helps me learn more about God. To start, here are a few little things.
I get a text message every day, a sports-related devotional from Sports Spectrum. They are very good, using sports references to challenging the reader about living the Christian life. Here are a few I've kept in my phone:
"Trophy idols? Has a sports trophy ever become an idol? Too important? Your source for bringing satisfaction or peace. Only God can bring true peace." Wow. This one hit me pretty good when I read it, because I'm known for loving my trophies. I have a replica of the Seattle Storm's 2004 championship trophy at work, and a picture of the Stanley Cup on my wall. Not to mention a picture of Appalachian State's two trophies. But especially speaking, I've gone crazy over the awarding of the Stanley Cup almost every year at the end of the Finals. When I read that text, the thought hit me..."Do you think about God the way you think about that big silver thing?" Gulp. A lot of times I don't, and that's gotta change. And hopefully starting this blog will help me out with things like that.
"Start a streak: New Hall of Famer Cal Ripken's streak was 2,632 straight games. Challenge: Start your own daily streak of praying or Bible reading." I started praying a lot after 9/11, for obvious reasons. I still do, and not just before meals, either. I enjoy talking to the Lord. Another reason for this blog is to maybe get myself more into the Scriptures, because that has gone lacking sometimes, as has my brushing of teeth. But we won't get into the latter here.
"Appearances. World Series. Something on Kenny Rogers' hand. Looked bad, but illegal? Avoid what looks bad to others. Be holy, free from accusation. (Colossians 1:22) "Abstain from all appearance of evil." I Thessalonians 5:22. That verse comes into my mind a lot when considering everything from vacation plans to where I go to eat. While nowadays it's hard to eat at a decent restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol, there are a lot of things I can do to not make it appear that what I'm doing is evil. As for what I'm eating, that's a different story entirely.
"Too tall? Katie Feenstra. Six foot eight. Learned to love how God made her. Enjoys a WNBA career. What do you not like about yourself? Give it to God for His Glory." First of all, you'll learn in this blog that I am a big fan of Katie Feenstra, especially because of her days at Liberty where she professed the Lord's work in her life right there in the NCAA Tournament a few years ago on national TV. This particular text, though, made me think about myself. I'm a pretty big guy, way overweight. I don't like that about myself, it's a sinful state to be in, and I'm working to drop a lot. But, if I was in high school and college with a trimmer physique, then because of my mindset on certain things in those days, there is no telling where I would be or what trouble I would be in right now. So I thank the Lord for my physical appearance from keeping me out of some relationships that could've caused me immense trouble.
So the Lord is blessing me with different things to open my mind to His ways and the appropriate way to live the Christian life. Focus is the key. Coming up, I'm going to comment on an Insight for Living series I've heard parts of, as well as the aforementioned "Big Rocks" sermon, and I'll delve into some athletes from time to time, and my first artist will be Corey Lynch, the man who blocked the field goal to beat Michigan and impressed me with his gratitude toward Jesus Christ for everything he does.
I get a text message every day, a sports-related devotional from Sports Spectrum. They are very good, using sports references to challenging the reader about living the Christian life. Here are a few I've kept in my phone:
"Trophy idols? Has a sports trophy ever become an idol? Too important? Your source for bringing satisfaction or peace. Only God can bring true peace." Wow. This one hit me pretty good when I read it, because I'm known for loving my trophies. I have a replica of the Seattle Storm's 2004 championship trophy at work, and a picture of the Stanley Cup on my wall. Not to mention a picture of Appalachian State's two trophies. But especially speaking, I've gone crazy over the awarding of the Stanley Cup almost every year at the end of the Finals. When I read that text, the thought hit me..."Do you think about God the way you think about that big silver thing?" Gulp. A lot of times I don't, and that's gotta change. And hopefully starting this blog will help me out with things like that.
"Start a streak: New Hall of Famer Cal Ripken's streak was 2,632 straight games. Challenge: Start your own daily streak of praying or Bible reading." I started praying a lot after 9/11, for obvious reasons. I still do, and not just before meals, either. I enjoy talking to the Lord. Another reason for this blog is to maybe get myself more into the Scriptures, because that has gone lacking sometimes, as has my brushing of teeth. But we won't get into the latter here.
"Appearances. World Series. Something on Kenny Rogers' hand. Looked bad, but illegal? Avoid what looks bad to others. Be holy, free from accusation. (Colossians 1:22) "Abstain from all appearance of evil." I Thessalonians 5:22. That verse comes into my mind a lot when considering everything from vacation plans to where I go to eat. While nowadays it's hard to eat at a decent restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol, there are a lot of things I can do to not make it appear that what I'm doing is evil. As for what I'm eating, that's a different story entirely.
"Too tall? Katie Feenstra. Six foot eight. Learned to love how God made her. Enjoys a WNBA career. What do you not like about yourself? Give it to God for His Glory." First of all, you'll learn in this blog that I am a big fan of Katie Feenstra, especially because of her days at Liberty where she professed the Lord's work in her life right there in the NCAA Tournament a few years ago on national TV. This particular text, though, made me think about myself. I'm a pretty big guy, way overweight. I don't like that about myself, it's a sinful state to be in, and I'm working to drop a lot. But, if I was in high school and college with a trimmer physique, then because of my mindset on certain things in those days, there is no telling where I would be or what trouble I would be in right now. So I thank the Lord for my physical appearance from keeping me out of some relationships that could've caused me immense trouble.
So the Lord is blessing me with different things to open my mind to His ways and the appropriate way to live the Christian life. Focus is the key. Coming up, I'm going to comment on an Insight for Living series I've heard parts of, as well as the aforementioned "Big Rocks" sermon, and I'll delve into some athletes from time to time, and my first artist will be Corey Lynch, the man who blocked the field goal to beat Michigan and impressed me with his gratitude toward Jesus Christ for everything he does.
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