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This is a Little Risky

February 27, 2012 in True Stories, Wisdom with 0 Comments

We were traveling home from church recently when I noticed something black sitting in the middle of the far left lane.  I couldn’t discern what it was but it wasn’t moving so I was not overly concerned about it.  After I passed by the object, I checked my rearview mirror to make sure that whatever it was, had not suddenly come to life and chasing us down in our car; however, upon checking my mirror and to my surprise I saw a guy running across the highway to retrieve the object out of the road.  Whatever the object was, it must have been important because this guy ran in front of three cars that were speeding 65 MPH (we’re in Ohio so we have not moved into the 70 MPH realm yet) down the highway  toward him.  Seriously.  I was scared for the safety of the guy.  I continued to watch the situation unfold even though I should have been watching the road in front of me, but I wanted to see the fate of this crazy man.  At what seemed to me the last moment, he reached down, grabbed the object, and ran back to safety.  It was extremely risky.

Seeing this dangerous situation take place got me thinking about risks, which can simply be defined as the possibility of loss.  I understand that risk can yield a possible gain, but what about when the apparent gain is, in reality, a loss?  People risk their marriage because someone “better” comes along.  Fathers risk time with their kids because of the possible gain at their job.  Individuals risk their future by not practicing discernment in the present.  If you are going to take a risk, make sure that the risk is not really you trying to gain what will eventually bring you loss.

Living Life at a Snail’s Pace

November 1, 2010 in Contentment, Determination, Leadership, Life, Perspective, Prayer, Thoughts, Wisdom with 2 Comments

What do you do when progress is slow?  The relationship isn’t moving fast enough.  The business is lacking customers.  Your church isn’t growing as fast as the one down the street.  The frustrating habit hasn’t been broken.  An unmet desire seems unreachable.  Your prayer is yet to be answered.  Your day job has taken time away from your passion.  When these situations occur, you need to ask yourself five honest questions.

  • Is it worth it? If the final result is important, stick with it…no matter what.  Although your strategy may need to change from time to time, you should chase after goals that will pay off in the end.
  • Do I need help? No one likes to ask for help, but all of us need it at certain points of our life.  There are plenty of people who can relate to your circumstance, so why not learn from them?
  • Should I take a break? A day off or change in schedule can often break up the monotony and provide your mind a much needed rest.  If taking a day off or getting away doesn’t fit into your schedule, set aside some time for prayer or meditation.  Alone time with God has a unique way to refocus priorities.
  • Is there a better way? If you have determined that your goal is worth it, does your approach need to be adjusted?  You may have become immune to the strategy.
  • Am I being impatient? Anything worth attaining is worth the wait.  Reaching a goal often requires hard work, endurance, and patience.  Overnight success is the exception, not the rule.

Progressing at a slow rate is not always a negative thing.  Use the time as an opportunity to ask yourself some honest questions.

Keep Your Distance

October 26, 2010 in Christians, Determination, Sin, True Stories, Wisdom with 2 Comments

What do you think of people who take up two parking spaces with their car? Personally, I am always tempted to park extremely close to the driver’s side door and hide somewhere else in the parking lot to watch their angry reaction when they return to their car. Although I have never double-parked, I completely understand why some people do. Their car is important to them and they are attempting to protect it from purposeful or accidental damage; therefore, the best way to avoid damage is to leave a little extra room between yourself and the potential danger.

Here’s the reality. You are important to God, but there are people or things that are daily seeking to destroy you. Rather than allowing potential danger to come close, leave yourself a little extra room. Instead of walking near the edge, stay behind the fence. “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3).

Next Gen Leader Gets His Turn

October 30, 2009 in Character, Determination, Faith, Impact, Influence, Leadership, Life, Motivation, Readiness, Reputation, The Church, Transition, Wisdom with 0 Comments

The other day I was reading the cover story in the October issue of National Geographic magazine. The article, simply entitled Redwoods: Super Trees, speaks about the value and beauty of redwood trees, which have the potential to be the tallest trees on earth. Although the article addresses issues such as saving the trees and other conservation efforts, the author also writes about a unique process in the forest between the older trees and the second generation trees called release. The writer, Joel K. Bourne, Jr., describes this phenomenon for the reader by saying, “With their high tolerance for shade and ability to sprout, some redwoods can sit almost dormant in the shade of their elders for decades. Yet as soon as a dominant tree falls or is cut down, breaking the canopy and allowing new light to enter the forest, the suppressed redwood springs up with new growth” (October 2009 issue, p. 38).

As soon as I read this statement I paused and re-read it again; it was one of those moments in which I felt as if God was providing a spiritual application to an earthly illustration. In my lifetime I have seen many “elders” and “dominant” leaders pass off the scene which has opened up the forest to many of the “suppressed” (I don’t mean this in a negative way) leaders. For many years, some of you have stood strong in the shadow of an elder who provided shade and protection, but now it is time for you to step into the light and “spring up with new growth.”

I believe Paul wrote some similar advice to those “suppressed” leaders who were getting ready to assume the place of their elders, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:12-16, NLT).

Are you ready to step into the light?

The Day I Lost My Mind

September 8, 2009 in Character, Failure, Fear, Funny Stories, Guilt, Life, Perspective, Reputation, Transformation, True Stories, Truth, Weakness, Wisdom with 0 Comments

My eyes burst open and I quickly looked at the alarm clock on my nightstand; although I cannot remember the exact time, I’m certain the clock revealed that it was well after midnight. The sound of the front door opening had been enough to thrust me out of sleep and into ninja mode (whatever that is). Most people would have sprung out of bed, but not me. Still half asleep and lying in bed, I slapped both of my arms down on either side of me as if to brace myself for what was about to happen. Listening more intently to the sounds coming from downstairs, I heard the pitter-patter of my dog’s paws walking through the hallway. “Great,” I thought. “The thieves had broken into my house and were now taking my dog captive. They must have muzzled her, though, because I never heard her bark.” As all these thoughts were running through my mind, I glanced over in order to see if my wife was hearing what I was hearing; however, she was not there. I then became extremely alarmed because I would normally send her downstairs to check out any unfamiliar noises. Who was going to do it now? Gradually, I came to my senses and realized that the reason my wife was not in bed was due to the fact that she was letting the dog out to use the bathroom.

The mind has a tendency to play tricks on a person, especially those who are absorbed with guilt. The wisdom writer reminds his readers of this truth when he says, “the wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions” (Proverbs 28:1). Hidden sin and unresolved conflict can result in a person living their life in fear of getting caught, even when no one else may know what they have done. A guilty conscience tends to have a misconstrued view of reality, while the clear conscience can experience a life of freedom. I think I’d rather spend my days being bold as a lion instead of feeling as if I am being chased by them. How about you?

 

No Hamster Dance for Us!

June 15, 2009 in Funny Stories, Leadership, Wisdom with 0 Comments

I immediately knew there was some kind of problem when I drove onto the street we live on and my wife was standing in the neighbor’s yard with our two kids. With the wag of her finger, she motioned for me to pull over and she approached my car window holding a…rodent. It was crawling through her hands and up her arm, but my son and daughter would not get near the unfamiliar character. “Can we get a hamster?” she asked. As the leader of my home I said, “No.” “Oh, but it’s so cute and I want one,” my wife of twelve years responded to my negative answer. I just shook my head while driving away. The only hamster that would ever make it in my house is Rhino from the movie Bolt. He was an insanely cool hamster!

When I arrived home, I decided that I had made a decision in haste, especially since I’ve never owned one. Hold on, I think my brother, Todd, was a hamster owner when we were growing up, but I’m certain his irresponsibility has that hamster still aimlessly wandering around Charlotte, NC. Since I have no personal experience with hamsters, I posted a little status on Twitter and Facebook that read like this, “My wife is trying to talk me into getting a hamster. What is your advice? Anyone have one?” Within a few hours, I received several comments providing advice and input about our hamster dilemma…most of them were thumbs down for the hamster.

Although the hamster situation is minimal in comparison to the many decisions we make each day, I believe it is important for a person to seek wisdom from those who have life experience in certain circumstances – they can often offer a unique perspective. Frustrated parents trying to raise their kids need to talk with those who have already done it. Those who are new in their faith need the nurturing from others who have walked the path already. A confused employee needs guidance from his boss. A marriage on the rocks needs the compassion of those who have been there before.

Who do you need to talk with today?

Oblivious Boy Knocked Out by Girl

June 1, 2009 in Failure, Temptation, True Stories, Weakness, Wisdom with 0 Comments

It appeared to be just another normal day until my daughter decided to swing on the swings at the park by our home. From a very young age, she has always enjoyed spending time kicking her little legs back and forth to gain more height and speed on our swing set in the backyard; however, the swing behind our house is nothing in comparison to the local park’s mammoth swings. Talk about speed and height! Lexi had just begun to enjoy the adrenaline rush experienced alongside swinging at breakneck speeds and unimaginable heights when all of the sudden this unassuming and oblivious boy walked right into her swinging path. Although I didn’t get to see the initial impact, I quickly turned my head when I heard the desperate screams of a mother. Upon seeing her rush to the side of her son, who was now lying on the ground in front of Lexi’s flight path, I immediately knew that she had blasted this poor little guy and sent him sprawling face down in the dirt. 

Even though I felt bad for the kid, I thought he should have paid closer attention to the path he was walking. Potential danger always awaits the unassuming.

“Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:26-27).

Lessons from a Computer Virus

July 18, 2008 in True Stories, Wisdom with 0 Comments

I love anything which has to do with electronics…computers, cell phones, home theater systems, and most things found in Best Buy. I am not even sure when technology became one of my hobbies, but I do remember my first experience with a computer and the internet. While in high school, my parents ordered a dial-up connection for our home which connected with extremely slow speeds. Most of the time we would log into our account and wait about 30 minutes before the home page even loaded. We were patient back then. Even though it took forever for the internet to load, it was always worth it because there was instant access to a lot of information. Of course I never imagined the potential of the internet back then, but it is amazing what can be accomplished now through the use of online technology. One of the biggest downsides of using the internet is that there are many dangers associated with it because a small percentage of people have turned something useful into a tool for security risks or destruction. Whenever a customer purchases a computer, the sales associate always attempts to sell something alongside it – virus protection software. Virus software protects computers against harmful files or programs which can render a person’s system useless or compromise sensitive information. I never used to buy it because I was too cheap to spend the extra $50…that is until I got my first computer virus causing me to lose all the information on my computer. All my files were lost. What is even more frustrating is the fact that I could have avoided all of this by heeding the advice of the sales associate.

There is something built within every human being which hates being given unsolicited advice. Usually when a person provides advice to me, my rebellious nature kicks in and I really want to do the opposite. Is this healthy? Absolutely not. Most of the advice given to me is by people who care about my life and want to see me avoid danger or stay on the right path. Maybe your wife has told you to lose your old friends or your parents have set some boundaries which seem unreasonable. It could be that a friend has warned you about a particular relationship or confronted you about hazardous decisions. Maybe a spiritual leader has counseled you against a certain choice or a teacher has challenged you to do better. Instead of viewing their words as critical, let down your defensiveness and carefully examine your attitude. They may be protecting you from something you do not see or urging you to reach your full potential. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend….” A friend who loves you is willing to tell you the truth, even when it may hurt your feelings or jeopardize your pride. May we all learn to willingly take as well as give advice so we can help each other avoid the potential viruses of life.