Monday, January 10, 2011

Clarity

Dilbert.com

Monday, July 26, 2010

Jacks Fork River Trip

Went Canoeing this weekend with some friends...
Eminence, MO...Population of about 500...In the middle of nowhere Missouri. I am starting to get used to the new camera...but please bear with me as I am still a n00b.
Here are two of my favorite pics that kinda sum up the weekend:
Simply beautiful:



A flash from a simpler time:

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Warp Speed Captain!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Everything

Continued...
Doing nothing is a choice, and when used in moderation it can be a good thing.
We all need to unplug at one time or another (not just from the 'net). It is good for the soul and besides that, God tells us to do it so 'nuff said.

But then there is doing something. What are you doing? Are you doing enough? Too little? Working to the bone? Making lots of $$$? Building a house? Going to school? Laying around?

I think that there is truth in that HOW+WHY > WHAT+WHEN. Huh?
As a Christian, I have found that How I go about a task and Why I go about doing it is much more important (to me) than the What or When.
The What and When I speak about is in terms of business. It is, when one breaks it down, one of the essential business principles: Right place, right time (I leave out "right product" because I have been known to be lazy and it doesn't fit in to today's montage).
When I started in business, I wanted that perfect placement...right place, right time...I was willing to do just about anything to get it...chasing the dream, right? Provide for my family, put your head down and go...it doesn't matter what the cost...as long as you are moving ahead...

Long story short, I chased it for a bit, almost lost a marriage, weirded out my heart and realized that yes, God does answer prayers....and brings you close to Him, whether you are ready for it or not.
(Ask me about praying for responsibility and being a bull later)

Anyways, suffice it to say I have learned a lot about myself and God in the past few years..still learning, but at least I know my thumbs from my pinkies, most of the time.

Back to the How and Why..I have learned over the years, that I don't really put half a heart into anything. When I choose to do something, I go full tilt (I know a lot of people like this). I usually forget about the brakes and just hit the gas.
But I have found that I can go full bore for the right reasons, and work toward the right purposes to make a difference. I have found that by going about my tasks with God in my heart helps to guide my path...that I can put my head down and go full bore and not be knocked off the correct course.
Choosing the "Hows" and "Whys" of the tasks take care of the "Whats" and the "Whens". These are things that I do not have to worry about. God takes care of them and puts me exactly where I need to be, when I need to be there.
He may not place me there when I want, but he is never late.

More later, I have bored you enough...

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Nothing

For the past 2.5 years, I have rarely taken a moment to breathe. Between school, work, spending time with KT and working with the youth my time has been taken...even before I could schedule something...This weekend has been the first time that I have forced myself to do, well, nothing. It is hard. I take after my father in that respect...always moving.

I am actually appreciative of doing nothing for a day or two. I feel that it has given me perspective on two things (a lot more really, but two things come to mind right now).
First, it gives me perspective on perspective. Funny huh. People tend to get busy. As we get busier, it becomes normal. We tend to just pile more stuff on and accept it as our normal pace. In terms of motion, it actually has a name.

Velocitation:
A verb meaning to become "speed blind". After traveling at what initially feels like high speed for a while (typically in a car), your brain become accustomed to how fast everything rushes past, so that it no longer looks fast. This leads you to subconsciously underestimate your speed. When you slow down to "normal" speed, it feels like you're barely moving.

How fast are you moving?

Who knows what Exodus 20:8-11 says? It's the 4th commandment. Care to take a stab? It comes before Thou shall not murder, adultery, steal...
It is To remember the Sabbath. To take a rest, to recharge...to do no work.
(I think that there is a provision for those in ministry that they can substitute another day, unspoken of course :-D ).
We forget about this one, but God found it to be so important, He put it right after Himself, before He talked about how to deal with other people. Mind you, the 10 Commandments are more for our good than His, if this commandment is second only to God, He must see it as an important thing.
Take a day off. Enjoy it. In today's world, unplugging is tough, near impossible, but ENTIRELY NEEDED.
Smell the roses...Ferris Bueller had some pretty good wisdom, granted God came up with it first.

The second thing that I realized, is that I don't like sitting around. I am happiest when I am moving...just maybe not that fast. I think that in their heart of hearts, everyone wants to be productive...positive...to leave an impression.
People talk of legacies, about leaving behind an imprint...a foot print, a hand print, a way for the world to remember them by. I don't know if I am content with that.
People talk of what they can leave their family, what stuff they can impart to their loved ones...problem is that whether they know it or not, it's not their stuff to begin with...It's His. Don't agree? Deal with it. You will figure it out sooner or later...but I digress..
I think that more important treasures are what we can impart to others...our knowledge, skills and findings from this life...
Give your time. Give your support. Give. Just give.
I have found through my time serving that I tend to learn just as much, if not more than those that I teach....

Anyways, this is long winded and I am leaving it half finished. I will write more to finish the second half of what I have in this balding bobble-head...