Well, I'd first like to welcome me back to my blog. It's been six months since I last posted here, mainly because of lack of inspiration more than anything else.
I have, since my last post here, found a good church to go to, Gunnings Baptist in Blountville. It kinda figures that it's a lot because of where I work, but I've found so far that it's a pretty good thing. I like the people in the church, the way they do things, and just the general feel of the place.
As my friend Doug might say, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." The main thing, of course, being the Bible. From what I've seen so far, all the messages I've heard have been solidly based on God's Word, and that's the main thing. I haven't decided to become a member yet, but I'm thinking about it.
The big fundraiser happens at work next week, plus basketball games on other stations and stuff like that. So yeah, it's going to be busy. The good news about work is that my schedule is now changed to where I come in at 10. Mark is now the producer of the morning show, and from what I've seen he is doing a great job with a lot more stuff than I could've ever done. So it's all working out, which is definitely a good thing.
I'll have deeper stuff as I go along, and the bad news of this post is that I'm WAY behind on reading the Bible in a year. I'll have to get back into it after the next two days of me having to get to work early.
So yeah, lots to do, lots to think about, and definitely a lot to catch up on since losing my computer not long ago. The new one is up, now I have to get everything else back to normal working order...which should happen this weekend, I hope!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
They did what?
I was cruising around on radiotime.com, looking at Christian radio programs. I saw all the normal stuff, Turning Point, Grace to You, Back to the Bible. But in the midst of that, I saw "The Jesus Christ Show." Not a bad name, but...about the description:
"Tune in every Sunday morning for The Way, The Truth and The Light.He's a very, very busy guy, but we've managed to get him into the KFI studios to answer your questions once a week. Christians and heathens alike are invited to listen and learn."
I don't know where to begin. I guess I'd almost have to listen to it once to see whether this is a tongue-in-cheek (but yet still very dangerous from a blasphemy standpoint) description. I don't plan to listen, but I thought I'd share that.
Why do I not like this...is blasphemy too strong of a word? Comment away!
"Tune in every Sunday morning for The Way, The Truth and The Light.He's a very, very busy guy, but we've managed to get him into the KFI studios to answer your questions once a week. Christians and heathens alike are invited to listen and learn."
I don't know where to begin. I guess I'd almost have to listen to it once to see whether this is a tongue-in-cheek (but yet still very dangerous from a blasphemy standpoint) description. I don't plan to listen, but I thought I'd share that.
Why do I not like this...is blasphemy too strong of a word? Comment away!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Two blocks and "The Day After Syndrome"
Life is a very precious thing. That's one of many things I've learned in the last two days.
The shootings in Bristol on Wednesday happened two blocks from where I work. Two blocks. If the man who did the killing had gone north instead of south, there's no telling what would've happened. I thank the Lord that all my coworkers and myself were spared from that...the worst of it we got was seeing all the police cars in front of that apartment building while we were on our way to lunch. As a matter of fact, I went by as they were having a press conference across the street beside one of the buildings there.
It all started with that trip. Every so often there are ambulances and police cars around the apartment complexes downtown, so I didn't think too much of it. I got back to work, ate lunch, and was about to go clock back in for work when the boss called from Washington, DC, and asked if I knew that four people were shot two blocks from me. We have no TV in our section of the building, and no one else had called to tell us anything.
The rest of the day was involved in refreshing the local TV stations' websites and answering phone calls from family because my sister had surgery that day, too. It was quite a big mess all day.
Today was a different story. I call it "The Day After Syndrome." It's the day you get the newspaper and see pictures of everything that happened and more information comes out. I hate the day after because I always start thinking about what happened and it gets me down sometimes.
My thoughts tonight are surrounding Brandi, the girl who was spared in her mother's apartment...everyone else who was in there Wednesday morning is dead. Her mom, her boyfriend, her cousin, and her ex-boyfriend all within a couple hours of each other. I can't imagine what it's like.
Even thought I've never met Brandi, I feel a huge burden to pray for her, because she's got a lot of things to go through these next few days. Funerals, talking with police, eventually talking with reporters, and sooner or later, going through the things of those she lost. That's going to be a lot to take for a girl who is just 19, and that's not even touching the surface. It's going to be rough, that's for sure.
Please pray for Brandi...this is a girl who really needs the Lord after all that's happened to her these last two days.
Also, pray for the officers and the entire city of Bristol. I don't know how everyone else is taking this, but it's shaken me quite a bit. If the rest of the city is taking it the same way, we need to pray for the Lord's healing power for all of us as well.
The shootings in Bristol on Wednesday happened two blocks from where I work. Two blocks. If the man who did the killing had gone north instead of south, there's no telling what would've happened. I thank the Lord that all my coworkers and myself were spared from that...the worst of it we got was seeing all the police cars in front of that apartment building while we were on our way to lunch. As a matter of fact, I went by as they were having a press conference across the street beside one of the buildings there.
It all started with that trip. Every so often there are ambulances and police cars around the apartment complexes downtown, so I didn't think too much of it. I got back to work, ate lunch, and was about to go clock back in for work when the boss called from Washington, DC, and asked if I knew that four people were shot two blocks from me. We have no TV in our section of the building, and no one else had called to tell us anything.
The rest of the day was involved in refreshing the local TV stations' websites and answering phone calls from family because my sister had surgery that day, too. It was quite a big mess all day.
Today was a different story. I call it "The Day After Syndrome." It's the day you get the newspaper and see pictures of everything that happened and more information comes out. I hate the day after because I always start thinking about what happened and it gets me down sometimes.
My thoughts tonight are surrounding Brandi, the girl who was spared in her mother's apartment...everyone else who was in there Wednesday morning is dead. Her mom, her boyfriend, her cousin, and her ex-boyfriend all within a couple hours of each other. I can't imagine what it's like.
Even thought I've never met Brandi, I feel a huge burden to pray for her, because she's got a lot of things to go through these next few days. Funerals, talking with police, eventually talking with reporters, and sooner or later, going through the things of those she lost. That's going to be a lot to take for a girl who is just 19, and that's not even touching the surface. It's going to be rough, that's for sure.
Please pray for Brandi...this is a girl who really needs the Lord after all that's happened to her these last two days.
Also, pray for the officers and the entire city of Bristol. I don't know how everyone else is taking this, but it's shaken me quite a bit. If the rest of the city is taking it the same way, we need to pray for the Lord's healing power for all of us as well.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thinking about the soldiers
I just saw one of those commercials where they link one of our soldiers to his family and they can see each other and talk for a little while. Then at the end of the commercial, he says goodbye, gets up, and walks out, to go back to defending us.
Then on another site where I log in occasionally, there was this thing about some person who wrote that our troops get paid exactly what they should. That, of course, is hogwash. You have all these athletes making millions of bucks a year to play a game, and those who are defending our freedom don't need more money? That makes no sense to me.
I did think about it, though. What's it like to be in that situation? For a second, I tried to put myself in those shoes, trying to feel what it's like to be ten thousand miles away from home defending my family's right to be free. I don't know what it's like, I did feel a quick glimpse of it though, in that little bit of time.
From what I could gather, it's a mix of nostalgia and longing, excitement and determination all rolled into one. Nostalgia thinking about home, longing to be there, being excited to talk to the family again, and finally being determined to get this thing done so we can get back home.
I'm thankful to God for these people, most of them who don't know me, but are still out there fighting for my ability to do what I'm doing right now. Or to broadcast God's Word on the radio. It all works together, as we're taught that it always does.
That's why I get so emotional while watching the fireworks on July 4th, or singing the national anthem before a ball game. Because those things bring back to mind those who are on guard in some far away place or are out having to do things they would never have to do if they were over here. I always stand up for the anthem and take my hat off, and sing the words. That's the least I can do.
Thanks be to God for this country that we have the freedoms that we have. I pray that more people here will realize that God is what we need more of in this country, not less.
Then on another site where I log in occasionally, there was this thing about some person who wrote that our troops get paid exactly what they should. That, of course, is hogwash. You have all these athletes making millions of bucks a year to play a game, and those who are defending our freedom don't need more money? That makes no sense to me.
I did think about it, though. What's it like to be in that situation? For a second, I tried to put myself in those shoes, trying to feel what it's like to be ten thousand miles away from home defending my family's right to be free. I don't know what it's like, I did feel a quick glimpse of it though, in that little bit of time.
From what I could gather, it's a mix of nostalgia and longing, excitement and determination all rolled into one. Nostalgia thinking about home, longing to be there, being excited to talk to the family again, and finally being determined to get this thing done so we can get back home.
I'm thankful to God for these people, most of them who don't know me, but are still out there fighting for my ability to do what I'm doing right now. Or to broadcast God's Word on the radio. It all works together, as we're taught that it always does.
That's why I get so emotional while watching the fireworks on July 4th, or singing the national anthem before a ball game. Because those things bring back to mind those who are on guard in some far away place or are out having to do things they would never have to do if they were over here. I always stand up for the anthem and take my hat off, and sing the words. That's the least I can do.
Thanks be to God for this country that we have the freedoms that we have. I pray that more people here will realize that God is what we need more of in this country, not less.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Goodbye, 2007!
As I begin this post, I'm 17 minutes into the 2008. As usual, it doesn't feel any different. It won't until tomorrow morning when I have to put that number on things as opposed to 2007. Thankfully, since I work where I do, that's already started to some degree.
From a spiritual standpoint, it was a profitable year for me. I'm closer to the Lord now than I was a year ago, that's for certain. The main thing I learned this year is focus. The more you focus on things, the better you do those things. I'd always barked about that at work since we have three or four things always going at the same time and none of them turn out real well the first time around.
This past year I realized that if I focus on living my life for the Lord instead of just gliding through things avoiding the big problems, I'll be more of a blessed person. That's happened in a big way in the last 365 days.
Prayer is a big part of that. Some of the things I've needed to pray for I have, and honestly, some of those prayers have been answered by teelling me to wait. That's difficult, but I know that's what the Lord wants me to do, so I'll do it.
Another part of the focus thing is where this blog was born. I listened to a message from my friend Doug, and it was a quite refreshing, but still challenging, sermon. Put the Big Rocks in First. I'll do a full thought process on that a little later, but the short synopsis of it is that there are certain things that must go into our lives first. If not, they won't fit at all because of the other stuff that's in there already.
I think I've done pretty well on most of those things, the one that is lacking is Bible reading. That ends starting later today when I start reading through the Bible, hopefully in about 90 days. That should mean I'll be through it all by the end of March. I'm looking forward to reading God's Word and letting it speak to me. The plan at this point is to let the most profound things that hit my mind be reviewed here on this blog each day, or at least on a weekly basis.
As for this blog, I've found that it's easier for me to update this thing on Mondays, and that is what I plan to do through the Lord's will. I might post more often, we'll see, and hopefully the later in the year I go the more stuff I'll read from various sources and be able to post links to stories and audio and all that sort of thing. Time will tell.
Physically, the first 8 months of '07 were my normal self. Then my doc told me that I was in trouble and needed to watch things. This time I got serious, and instead of drinking soft drinks like I used to, I went to all water for about three weeks. That and changing my diet in itself netted me a loss of 23 pounds in about a month. That has slowed down a bit since then, and has gone to a one pound deficit recently. But the net loss, if you can accurately call it that, is 32 pounds. I'm at 313 right now.
That said, I know I'll be a lot better off if I at least lose 60 in the coming year. My boss has lost 90 since this time last year, so I know it's possible. The 32 I've lost so far has come by changing my diet alone and not exercising a lot. That said, I know I need to do that. Thankfully, we have an exercise bike and a treadmill over in the other room that I also plan to start using this year. I would love to have to go buy new clothes this summer.
There are other things in life that have seen progress in the previous year, but I still need to make a few decisions. Please be in prayer for me in that regard.
And finally, I have been really blessed, WAY beyond my own deserving, this year as a sports fan. Not only have my teams won two national championships, but in all of my favorite sports I have found Christian athletes who have become people I look up to. They are real blessings to me when I read their testimonies, from Tamika Catchings to Jerry Moore to Orel Hershiser and so many more. I look forward to reading more about these people in the new year, to find out in a positive way that sports are worth my time...but not all of it!
This past year it has occurred to me as well that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." That's Romans 8:28, my favorite verse. I was amazed a few years ago when I first learned about all the things in the atmosphere that work together to make our weather do what it does...and that there's so much we don't know! I've figured out, based on that and my favorite verse, that the same works in life. The physical maintenance of the body, cleanliness of the surroundings (gotta work on that one!), life at work and at home, dealing with others, keeping things going well financially, being a sports fan, doing what's right no matter what, and just generally living by the Word of God. All of those things work together to make a person what the Lord wants them to be...there's not varying degrees of emphasis on certain things, but the same amount on all. Because when it's all working together, it all works well and the blessings flow. So, I'm starting the ball rolling on a few things, and hopefully that will lead me to a much better place in the Lord's sight when I'm doing this as we enter 2009 in a year from now.
The Lord has richly blessed me in 2007. It's my goal to do His will to where He will bless me even more in 2008.
Happy New Year, everyone!
(end of post...12:47)
From a spiritual standpoint, it was a profitable year for me. I'm closer to the Lord now than I was a year ago, that's for certain. The main thing I learned this year is focus. The more you focus on things, the better you do those things. I'd always barked about that at work since we have three or four things always going at the same time and none of them turn out real well the first time around.
This past year I realized that if I focus on living my life for the Lord instead of just gliding through things avoiding the big problems, I'll be more of a blessed person. That's happened in a big way in the last 365 days.
Prayer is a big part of that. Some of the things I've needed to pray for I have, and honestly, some of those prayers have been answered by teelling me to wait. That's difficult, but I know that's what the Lord wants me to do, so I'll do it.
Another part of the focus thing is where this blog was born. I listened to a message from my friend Doug, and it was a quite refreshing, but still challenging, sermon. Put the Big Rocks in First. I'll do a full thought process on that a little later, but the short synopsis of it is that there are certain things that must go into our lives first. If not, they won't fit at all because of the other stuff that's in there already.
I think I've done pretty well on most of those things, the one that is lacking is Bible reading. That ends starting later today when I start reading through the Bible, hopefully in about 90 days. That should mean I'll be through it all by the end of March. I'm looking forward to reading God's Word and letting it speak to me. The plan at this point is to let the most profound things that hit my mind be reviewed here on this blog each day, or at least on a weekly basis.
As for this blog, I've found that it's easier for me to update this thing on Mondays, and that is what I plan to do through the Lord's will. I might post more often, we'll see, and hopefully the later in the year I go the more stuff I'll read from various sources and be able to post links to stories and audio and all that sort of thing. Time will tell.
Physically, the first 8 months of '07 were my normal self. Then my doc told me that I was in trouble and needed to watch things. This time I got serious, and instead of drinking soft drinks like I used to, I went to all water for about three weeks. That and changing my diet in itself netted me a loss of 23 pounds in about a month. That has slowed down a bit since then, and has gone to a one pound deficit recently. But the net loss, if you can accurately call it that, is 32 pounds. I'm at 313 right now.
That said, I know I'll be a lot better off if I at least lose 60 in the coming year. My boss has lost 90 since this time last year, so I know it's possible. The 32 I've lost so far has come by changing my diet alone and not exercising a lot. That said, I know I need to do that. Thankfully, we have an exercise bike and a treadmill over in the other room that I also plan to start using this year. I would love to have to go buy new clothes this summer.
There are other things in life that have seen progress in the previous year, but I still need to make a few decisions. Please be in prayer for me in that regard.
And finally, I have been really blessed, WAY beyond my own deserving, this year as a sports fan. Not only have my teams won two national championships, but in all of my favorite sports I have found Christian athletes who have become people I look up to. They are real blessings to me when I read their testimonies, from Tamika Catchings to Jerry Moore to Orel Hershiser and so many more. I look forward to reading more about these people in the new year, to find out in a positive way that sports are worth my time...but not all of it!
This past year it has occurred to me as well that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." That's Romans 8:28, my favorite verse. I was amazed a few years ago when I first learned about all the things in the atmosphere that work together to make our weather do what it does...and that there's so much we don't know! I've figured out, based on that and my favorite verse, that the same works in life. The physical maintenance of the body, cleanliness of the surroundings (gotta work on that one!), life at work and at home, dealing with others, keeping things going well financially, being a sports fan, doing what's right no matter what, and just generally living by the Word of God. All of those things work together to make a person what the Lord wants them to be...there's not varying degrees of emphasis on certain things, but the same amount on all. Because when it's all working together, it all works well and the blessings flow. So, I'm starting the ball rolling on a few things, and hopefully that will lead me to a much better place in the Lord's sight when I'm doing this as we enter 2009 in a year from now.
The Lord has richly blessed me in 2007. It's my goal to do His will to where He will bless me even more in 2008.
Happy New Year, everyone!
(end of post...12:47)
Monday, December 24, 2007
Another birthday...
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.
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 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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