christmas tree lights

I've been trying to work on my attitude lately.  How do I interact with people?  Is the cup half full or half empty?  Attitudes are contagious, Is my attitude creating positivity or negativity in the world?  One of my favorite scriptures has been  James 1:19-20 "...let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness."  It's good because it has forced me to look closely at my actions.  For example:

• how do I talk my waiter/waitress when service is slow
• listening to someone's story when I am already running late
• figuring out patience when a 4 year old is acting like a 4 year old
• conversations about the dreaded topic of politics
• I often complain about writing assignments but shouldn't I be thankful for that opportunity?

You get the point, the list could go on and on.  I will end with an appropriate quote because most of the things on the list have probably made me remember James 1:19 at some point.

"You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage and tangled christmas tree lights." - unknown source

A few of my recent creations...

Five Things to Do to Make the World a Better Place

Five Things to Do to Make the World a Better Place by Gary Peluso-Verdend

1. Take a moment - respond rather than react
2. Treat yourself and everyone you meet as the Image of God that you are and that they are.
3. Learn to accept forgiveness and to offer forgiveness.
4. In a world drowning in data, learn what is saving knowledge and pay attention there.
5. Practice hospitality as Henri Nouwen defined it: Make a space in your life for others who are not like you without requiring that they become like you.


I wish I could take credit for this list but I am just not that insightful.  The list and other information about Peluso-Verdend can be found on page 196 of Banned Questions of the Bible.  That doesn't mean that I don't have an opinion about it though.

Think parenting on this one.  Parents are hesitant about teaching this lesson because they fear other people with be a greater influence than they are.  It's a valid fear because there is a lot of bad stuff out there waiting to suck people in.  We let other people's habits, politics, dress, religion, and even sports team affect how we choose to interact with them.  Nobody wants their child to go to Tuscaloosa so "Roll Tide" is not an acceptable phrase in my home.  Sound familiar? The same applies to immigration reform, healthcare, music, etc. - anything really.  We have become consumed with always having to be right instead of just enjoying that person's company.  I am as guilty as anyone on this one and it is taking a very intentional mindset to try to stop.

We too often forget that each person is a unique child of God and has something to offer the world. I am encouraged by reminders like this list and I pray that it finds a place in many more lives.

a quick read but a good one for the 4th.

I wanted to pass along, this is worth taking minute to read.  I especially like the next to last paragraph.

http://revjameshowell.blogspot.com/2010/07/jesus-and-july-4.html

weekend recap

As the weekend comes to a close, I am able to spend a few minutes to reflect on the highs and lows.  This is an exercise for parents to use with children that is based on highs and lows. At the end of the day a parent simply asks their child what the best and worst parts of the day were.  After that they look at ways God was a part of each.  A simple and effective form of bonding and evangelism.

Highs:  Re-learning to play Uno.  Not so much the game but the fellowship that went with it.  It was a chance to spend time with good friends with no discussions about schedules, agendas, goals, etc. Unfortunately, I also found out that I stink at Uno.

Lows:  A close friend of ours had to be flown to Charlotte after suffering a seizure.   It was a scary and stressful event for the family but the staff at CMC is top notch and he is doing much better today, praise God!

God moments:  I was reminded about the value of friends and family and how thankful  and fortunate I am to have both.  After Jesus' resurrection, Thomas wanted physical evidence that Christ was alive again and this weekend I witnessed plenty of proof that Jesus was alive in many people around me.

"Is any pleasure on Earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?" - C.S. Lewis

"Nobody can tell your testimony as well as you can."

Julie and I attended a prayer service a couple days and this quote really stuck with me.  The message is simple enough but one that is especially difficult for people to follow.  I instantly felt convicted when I heard those words because that theme has been reflected in several of my messages of late.

In an effort to literally "practice what I preach", I hope this forum will help to reach a group of people who I may not be able to reach through my spoken words.

Simply put, this is a chance for me to share the stops in my life journey and to share these experiences that will ultimately "lead me back to home".