Using What's Available to Make 2010 a 'Masterpiece'

Many areas in life are made up of people using creativity to make something out of very little.  We tend to be a "meat and potato" country.  You can go to restaurant after restaurant and see some variation of the "meat and potato".  These variations make it seem like there are much more options, but you narrow it down to about 3-4 meats and one potato, just with different variances between each one.  

You are just you.  What you do with that you is up to you.  You can say "I'm bored" or you can say, "What can I use today for to make a difference in someone's life?"  Both are really a choice based on the state of mind you are in at the time. How you use the things we have brings us to this week's quote...

There are only 3 colors, 10 digits, and 7 notes; its what we do with them that's important.  ~Jim Rohn

Three colors that make up everything you see in color form.  As a husband who has a wife that likes OPI Nail Polish, have you ever noticed how many colors there are in nail polish?  There isn't just one red...probably hundreds of them!  Ten digits that compose numbers that are infinite, literally.  Seven notes that have helped compose songs that draw people close, pump people up, or even bring people down.  Notes have an unlimited amount of places and arrangements throughout a song.

In the coming year, how will you use colors, digits, and notes to make 2010 a fun year for you? What will you "paint" in 2010?  What "song" will you compose in 2010?

May God bless the upcoming year!

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Wiping the Slate Clean

Happy New Year!

2009 is upon us! Each new year brings about thought of "Starting over". Whether it was with a resolution or some other way, a new year is always a good reminder to start over with something. Fresh starts generally make us feel better. Lugging the weight creates mental and physical fatigue, and starting over allows us to get rid of that weight.

I received an e-mail this week, through one of my subscribed e-mails (AllProDad.com) and it addressed four things it means to forgive. Forgiveness goes along the lines of starting over. Lugging around that chip on your shoulder can get tiring, so why not forgive that person? Use this year to wipe the slate clean! That brings us to this week's segment...

Author Ken Sande says that when you really forgive someone - your parent, your spouse, your child, your friend - you are making four specific promises to yourself and to them. You are saying:

Number 1: "I will not dwell on this incident."

Number 2: "I will not bring this incident up and use it against you."

Number 3: "I will not talk to others about it."

Number 4: "I will not allow this matter to stand between us or hinder our personal relationship."

You may or may not have to tell a person that you have forgiven them, depending on the specific instance. However, if approaching someone is needed, inform them that you want to be at peace with things and have forgiven them for what they did.

If you are a part of the church, we are not really given the choice whether or not to live at peace with each other. We are called to forgive. Don't make it more difficult on your day-to-day life...forgive! Lose the "grudge" weight!

May God bless you as you start your new year!

Throw Out the Life Line

Recently, I was watching television at my in-laws and we flipped by a news story that involved a break in a water main causing a river-like effect on a city street. Some of the 911 calls were being aired and the panic was evident. Their cars started to no longer be secure on the street as the water was starting to move them. They needed help. They needed rescued. That is the picture to the right.

There are still, today, millions of souls that need to be rescued from the rushing waves of sin. Some have never felt what it is like to be saved, where others have known what it is like, but been "washed away" from the shores of salvation to the river of a sinful lifestyle.

Yesterday, we looked at a challenge to throw out the life line to those we come in contact with. To all be active in doing it to create a net effect instead of a few single lines out trying to rescue. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Pray that God will give you the necessary sight to see those who need rescuing.
2. Pray and decide to be bold enough to "throw" out the lifeline to those who may need rescuing
3. Send an e-mail, a card, or a text to someone to invite them to our church - If they have never gone, tell them it would be a great way to start the new year. PS - Maybe even offer to feed their family (whether you make it or you eat out) - people usually don't pass up free food!
4. Ask them if they've been "rescued" from anything - tell them a rescue story of yours - whether it is spiritual or life experience.
5. Ask someone in the church if they've thrown out the lifeline this week - then ask how did it go.
6. Invite someone to our New Year's Eve party
7. Look with anticipation how God and you will team up to start the rescue process for someone

Lots of different ways we can be throwing out the life line to those needing rescued. As we are all doing our part I look with anticipation at how big the rescue will be!

Let me know your rescue/life line stories by leaving a comment...

Have a great week...Happy New Year!

Anticipating the opportunities...