Monthly Archives: August 2008

August 31, 2008

Michael Moore… proof there is a God?

By Roye Glass

When I first read about Michael Moore’s comment about Hurricane Gustav, the Republican National Convention, and proof of there being a God – I thought about how does anyone respond to his comments. 

The purpose of my my blog has not ever really been to get involved in politics… although as an individual I am very interested and try to stay as educated as I can be.  The reason for writing here is an opportunity for myself to post my thoughts on the things God is teaching me.  I have a good time doing so and I enjoy the feedback from others.

A lot of what I write is really a journal of sorts on my relationship with God, my family, and friends.

I don’t know Michael Moore.  I know of some his work (but can’t come up with any titles) and I know of the controversy he creates as a result of his work. I am amazed that news networks actually call on him to talk about stuff that really matter.  I guess the news clip posted at the bottom of this tells us all as to where MSNBC. CNBC and the NBC network as a whole is headed… down the tube! 

Even his comments on God are his opinion filled with sarcasm.  I guess if he really believed in God he would not have made those remarks.  My sarcastic response to him is… God just proved His grace one more time by allowing Moore to make those comments… and that he was still allowed to live.  God’s grace at work… Using Moore’s logic, I guess there is now proof of God’s grace.

So, what sort of real proof does Michael Moore need to know God is who He is?  What proof does Moore need to have to know Jesus loves him?  I believe his sarcastic remarks are serious. My sarcasm back at him was more to illustrate the absurdity of his own comment.

Psalm, 19:1-4,

The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 Day after day they pour forth speech;
       night after night they display knowledge.

 There is no speech or language
       where their voice is not heard. [a]

 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
       their words to the ends of the world.
       In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, (NIV).

I did work with this one guy several years ago.  He was very antagonistic toward Christianity and me because of my belief.  He could tell I didn’t like to debate so he pushed me from time to time… trying to find the right button to push.  Our relationship changed after some time.  I lived my life consistently in front of him.  I shared Jesus when appropriate but mainly I remained silent.  Until one day… he got some bad news about his health.  His outlook on life and eternity changed with that news. 

He wanted to know about God after that.  Thankfully his heart softened… I don’t know what happened with him.  I hope he finally surrendered his life to Jesus.  I hope Michael Moore will also find God’s truth.  It may not make him as much money (assuming what he does now makes him money). 

Putting politics, the hurricane, everyones opinion about everything going on in our Country aside… God is alive.  He is love.  He came to earth in the form of a man – Jesus.  He gave His life for the sin of the world.  John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Leave a comment | posted in Politics, Presidential Election, Random Thoughts

August 30, 2008

Sarah Palin, College Football, and NASCAR!

By Roye Glass

Lori is having so much fun with me as I lay around the house today. 

I couldn’t have chosen a better time in history to have surgery.  The news has been fantastic to watch.  All the Breaking News over the election has been incredible. The kick off to the College Football season today has been an added bonus.  Later on this evening will the the NASCAR - Nationwide Race followed by the Sprint Race tomorrow night… 

Getting back to the Presidential election: 

Lori and I were talking about all of the comparisons between Sarah Palin and Barack Obama that keep getting made on the news.  It’s amazing… Palin is not even running for President yet the comparison’s between the Republican Vice President nominee and the Democratic President nominee keep rolling in.  From what I’ve watched today (including Obama’s stump speech) Palin has much more to offer over Obama!

Well, I found this posted on RedState.com by Jeff Emanuel (8/30/08):

 

Sarah Palin

Barack Obama
Office being sought Vice President President of the United States and Leader of the Free World
Full name Sarah Louise Heath Palin Barack Hussein Obama II
Nickname Sarah Barracuda Barry Obama; “The One”
Public opinion Smoking hot in a “naughty librarian” sort of way May be The Messiah
Age 44 48
Children 5: two sons, three daughters 2: two daughters
Religion/Church attendance Evangelical Christian;

attends Juneau Christian Center when in Juneau and grew up attending Wasilla Assembly of God

 Attended Trinity United Church of Christ for 20 years, a “black liberation theology” church formerly led by Rev. Jeremiah Wright and governed according to the Black Value System
Current Job Governor of Alaska Junior Senator from Illinois
Previous Public Jobs Mayor of Wasilla, AK (1996-2002); President of Alaska Conference of Mayors;

City Council member (1992-1996)

 State Senator (1997-2004);

Community Organizer
Executive Experience Governor for 2 years;

Mayor for 10 years

 None
Foreign Relations experience Governor of state that borders two foreign countries (Canada and Russia) Chaired Senate subcommittee on Europe but never called it into session;

once gave a speech to 200,000 screaming Germans
Military Affairs experience Commander in Chief of Alaska National Guard;

Son is enlisted Infantryman in U.S. Army

 None
Private Sector Experience Sports reporter;

Salmon fisherman

 Associate at civil rights law firm
Speaking ability Beautifully executed initial stump speech in Dayton, OH hockey arena without a teleprompter An enter…wait–did you say without a teleprompter??
Spouse’s name Todd Mitchell Palin Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama
Spouse’s occupation Salmon fisherman;

Former North Slope production supervisor for BP Oil

 Vice President for Community and External Affairs at University of Chicago Hospitals;

former Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago;

former Executive Director for the Chicago office of Public Allies;

former Assistant to the Mayor of Chicago;

former associate at Sidley Austin law firm
Reaction to spouse’s political success Quit 17-year BP oil job when BP became involved in natural gas pipeline negotiations with wife’s administration Promoted and given 160% pay raise by UofC hospitals within months of husband’s election to U.S. Senate;

Employer received $1,000,000.00 federal earmark, requested by husband, after her promotion
Coolest thing about Spouse Tesoro Iron Dog Snowmobile race champion (longest snowmobile race in the world);

In 2008, while defending his championship, was injured when he was thrown 70 feet from his machine. He was sent to the hospital but still finished in fourth place

 Sister of Oregon State University head basketball coach Craig Robinson
Most Courageous Moment in Public Service Resigned in protest from position of Ethics Commissioner of Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in order to expose legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders, including the former state Attorney General and the State GOP Chairman (who was also an Oil & Gas Commissioner), who was doing work for the party on public time and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail. Gave an anti-Iraq war speech to a crowd of anti-Iraq war demonstrators in Hyde Park in 2002
In Current Office Because… Upset sitting Governor in GOP primary due to public support for her efforts to clean up corrupt government establishment Republican opponent, who was leading in the polls, was forced to leave race after unsealing of divorce records exposed a sex scandal
Theme: Change and Clean Government Hope and Change;

“Bringing Change from Outside Washington”
What they’ve done to live that theme: Replaced entire Board of Agriculture and Conservation because of conflict of interest;

Resigned from position of Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in order to expose corruption among members of own party

 Selected 36-year incumbent Senator as running mate
Family Affairs May have removed State Public Safety Commissioner as part of effort to protect sister in messy divorce and child custody battle Often says, “I am my brother’s keeper”;

Brother lives in a hut in Nairobi on $12 per year
Union affiliation Union member, married to Union member Endorsed by a union
Iraq and Troop Support Formerly (pre-surge) critical of apparent lack of long-term strategy for Iraq;

Visited wounded U.S. soldiers in Germany;

visited AK National Guard soldiers deployed to Kuwait;

Son deploying to Iraq on 9/11/08 as Army infantryman

 Gave an anti-Iraq war speech to a crowd of anti-Iraq war demonstrators;

almost visited wounded troops in Germany, but decided to go shopping in Berlin instead
Bipartisan/”maverick” credentials Married to a non-Republican;

Exposed corruption within own party;

Campaigned for Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell against corrupt GOP congressman Don Young;

Called out Sen Ted Stevens (R-AK) to “come clean” about financial dealings that are under fed investigation

 Talks about bipartisanship
Legislative Record Passed a landmark ethics reform bill;

Used veto to cut budgetary spending;

Prevented “bridge to nowhere” that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.

 Voted “present” over 100 times as IL state senator
How they dealt with corrupt individuals in home city/state Exposed legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders;

Campaigned against corrupt GOP Representative;

Ran against and defeated corrupt incumbent governor in GOP primary

 Launched political career in home of unrepentant domestic terrorist Bill Ayers (and still refers to him as a part of “mainstream Democratic Chicago”;

Purchased home with help of convicted felon Tony Rezko
Guns Lifetime member of NRA and avid hunter;

video can be found on YouTube of Palin firing an M4 at a military firing range

 Worked to pass legislation in Illinois that would prevent all law-abiding citizens from owning firearms
Earmarks Opposed “Bridge to Nowhere” project;

Said Alaska should avoid relying on federal money for projects;

Campaigned against porker Don Young (R-AK) in 2008 primary

 Secured federal earmarks for wife’s employer and for campaign bundlers
Abortion Pro life;

gave birth to 5th child knowing that he would have Down’s syndrome

 Pro-choice;

only IL state sen. to speak against the Born Alive Infant’s Protection Act, which required medical care to be given to live infants who survived abortions
Energy Believes energy independence is a matter of national security;

For drilling in ANWR, which is in her state

 Says Americans should “get tune-ups” and “check tire pressure”;

Says “we can’t expect the world to be okay with” our use of heating and air conditioning
Environment Chair of Alaska Conservation Commission (2003-4);

Announced plans to create sub-cabinet group of advisors to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in AK

 Talks about the environment a lot
Athletic prowess Runs marathons Has reporters tailing him to the gym

2 comments | posted in College Football, NASCAR, Politics, Presidential Election, Sarah Palin

August 29, 2008

Sarah Palin, in the right place…

By Roye Glass

…at the right time!

If Barack Obama had picked Hillary Clinton would John McCain have picked Sarah Palin?  You know it will be debated.

Clearly, either way Palin is the right person in the right place at the right time.  I don’t know the answer… but I can say I’m just one American very excited about McCain’s selection for Vice President.

It’s hard to believe today is the day after Barack Obama’s night… Where is he today?  No one is talking about him?  The only thing I’ve heard thus far was a statement from his campaign about Palin having been a mayor of a small town.  As if to put her down…  Hmmm?  Talk about elitism at it’s best.  His campaign wants to relate to America?  How will he ever be able to relate with Small-town, USA - like that?  But it’s not really about the people anyway… is it? 

What catapulted Obama to the forefront of American Politics?  Obviously, at some point in time he was in the right place at the right time.

I digress…

Have you ever had an experience where you were at the right place at the right time? 

Life is full of stories much like this one that is making history today.  But more than the experience itself – what did you do with the opportunity?

As I have thought about what has transpired today, I can’t help but reflect on this thought.  Our lives are all made up of moments in time… moments that can be described as being at the right place at the right time.  So, what did you do with what you were given?

Take a moment to read “The Parable of the Talents” in Matthew 25:14-30.  Note verses 19 -21,

19“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

 21“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. (NIV).

I don’t know that much about Palin myself.  While laying on the sofa re-cooping from yesterdays surgery, I have read as much as I could today and watched the news.  My interpretation of her life may be too simplistic.

I can’t help but be challenged by what I have read.  We all have a mission in life… a mission to make a difference in the lives of others. 

  • What is your mission?
  • Are you making the most of your opportunity? 
  • Are you making a difference in the world in which you live?
  • Are you taking the necessary risks with the talents given?

Obviously, Sarah Palin has made the most of every opportunity in her life.  One report I heard today stated Palin has been in public service for 16 years. (The Fox Report with Shepherd Smith).

According to Wikipedia, in 1996 Palin was elected Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska for the first of her two - three year terms.  In 2006, she was elected to Governor of Alaska and is now running for Vice President of the United States of America.

In a short period of time she has put her talents to work.  And from what it sounds like she has done so with great conviction and risk.  She is living “The American Dream” as it unfolds before our eyes.

To answer Jason, “No, I don’t have anything else better to do! What could be better than this?”

2 comments | posted in Politics, Prayer, Presidential Election, Sarah Palin

August 29, 2008

No More Speculation!!

By Roye Glass

All of the speculation is over.  The sides have been chosen…

                                                    The Republican’s John McCain and Sarah Palin

The Democrat’s Barack Obama and Joe Biden

For just over the next two months we will be bombarded with ads and headlines that shout loud the up and coming election on November 4. 

So make your choice: Get involved or hide from it all – if you can.  I hope as an American you will get involved.

No matter which side you find yourself on – there are probably a lot of things that have led you to the left or to the right. 

If you are in the middle of indifference, I encourage you to get informed and get involved.

We all have a responsibility handed down to us from our forefathers and all of those who have fought to keep the United States of America free… freedom does come with a responsibility… and I want to keep my freedom.

Paul writes in Romans 13:1-3,

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.

 Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live. (The Message).

Furthermore we need to pray for our leaders and have a responsibility to do so.

Listen to the words of King David as he reflects over his time as King of Israel,

 These are David’s last words:
    
   …The God of Israel spoke to me,
      Israel’s Rock-Mountain said,
   ”Whoever governs fairly and well,
      who rules in the Fear-of-God,
   Is like first light at daybreak
      without a cloud in the sky,
   Like green grass carpeting earth,
      glistening under fresh rain.” (2 Samuel 23:1-4, The Message).

Pray for our leaders… pray for those who aspire to be our leaders.

Leave a comment | posted in Politics, Prayer, Sarah Palin

August 29, 2008

Speculation

By Roye Glass

It’s interesting to all of us (at least to those of us who care) at who the Presidential Candidates will select as their Vice President.

This morning the Drudge Report and Fox News are speculating Sarah Palin may be John McCain’s running mate. If this is true this is a great move in selecting Palin. 

Fox News is reporting that Romney and Pawlenty are both out.

2 comments | posted in Politics

August 28, 2008

Are you thirsty?

By Roye Glass

I had surgery today… I had a couple of lipoma’s removed.  One on my arm and the other on my back near my spine.  Tonight I am a bit uncomfortable in my back and finding it difficult to get into a comfortable position. 

I’m not helping matters as I listen to Barack Obama on the TV.  I may not be able to do anything to find a good position but I can mute the TV (He probably has about 15 minutes or so left.  In my opinion, it is a typical liberal speech with a lot of glitz and glamor.)

Oh yes… sweet silence!

***************************

I don’t know what it was that they gave me or did to me in the hospital… but it made me extremely thirsty.  Once I got home, I was so thirsty that the water I was trying to drink was even sticking to the roof of my mouth.

Early this evening I sat up to read the Bible.  I opened the Bible and started reading with the first page I looked at.  It opened up to Isaiah 55.  “Come, all you who are thirsty…”

The opening verse made me think about how thirsty I was after I got home today.  I had a thirst that the water wouldn’t even quench. 

How many times in life do we try and quench our thirst for God with things that will not satisfy?  We look for contentment in life with the things that we identify with…  Things that are temporary.  Real contentment will only come from our relationship with Jesus Christ. 

“Come, all you who are thirsty…”  Satisfaction and contentment can only be found in God through Jesus. 

Take a moment to read Matthew 6.  I will high-lite verses 30-33 from The Message:

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Isaiah 55:10-11 states:

As the rain and the snow
       come down from heaven,
       and do not return to it
       without watering the earth
       and making it bud and flourish,
       so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (NIV).

We are in the midst of an election that will determine who our next president will be.  The nation is looking forward to the next leader.  However this election turns out God will still be God.  He is ultimately our source for all things.  Both parties will make statements and promises… but ONLY God’s Word will not return empty. 

Our nation and our personal lives will only find true contentment in life as we seek Him first.  We must spend time with our Heavenly Father in prayer everyday.  Our lives depend on the strength we gain only through a lifestyle and commitment to our Father in prayer.

Leave a comment | posted in Politics, Prayer, Random Thoughts

August 26, 2008

…quiet contentment.

By Roye Glass

Do you have a habit of looking into the face of Jesus everyday? 

Do you spend time with him in your secret place? 

I was reminded this week of a very challenging time in my life that reaped a lot of spiritual growth.  It was during this time I had been challenged to pray… to develop a habit of at least an hour of devoted time to Jesus daily.

One thing I do now is to spend time praying and recording those prayers in my journal. 

This morning I entered into my secret place to spend time with the Lord.  I decided I would enter without my pen and journal for that hour.  I had many thoughts that flooded my mind.  Many of those thoughts came to disrupt this time I was giving to the Lord.  But each one was overcome with focused prayer.

I was rather surprised and how difficult it was to keep my mind from wandering.  I learned something this morning… I am leaning too much on my journal to keep me focused.  I’m not going to quit writing my prayers and thoughts down in my journal.  But I am going to develop this hour of time with the Lord without my pen and paper.  It’s going to be a challenge to train my mind to focus on him and to contain those wandering thoughts.

In your secret place, do you experience His quiet contentment? 

Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, August 26).

As you develop the habit of praying daily, His “quiet contentment” will be evidence of His work in you.

Leave a comment | posted in Conversation with God, Focus, Oswald Chambers, Prayer, Spiritual Growth

August 24, 2008

Praying with the right heart

By Roye Glass

I wonder how many hours of prayer has been spent wasted because my heart was not right.  But I argue what I am praying for is good… great… with great purpose for God and others. But silence is all that is heard.  In my mind, God is witholding the answer(s) or perceived blessing(s).  All the while, I am ignoring this “thing” that is unresolved. 

This past week I made a step to make this “thing” right.  I can’t express the peace that flooded me because I did what was right.  I know this is the first step of several I must make.  The exciting thing is I’m on the right road.

It’s so easy to lay out before God our list of things we need and want.  God desires we come to Him but He also wants us to come to Him having done our part of making right the wrong things we have committed against others. 

Jesus said in Matthew 5:23-24,

    23 So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember that your brother has any [grievance] against you,

    24 Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift. (Amplified Bible).

There is so much on my plate these days.  I’m very reluctant to say anything about any of it… and will not.  Yet I know God is in the middle of it all.  He’s drawing out of me gold refined by fire. Not that I may obtain gold but rather a pure faith.

God has provided much comfort to me as I have been reading Isaiah 41.  I know when things are all said and done God will be victorious and He will be glorified. 

“Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
   will end up out in the cold—
   real losers.
Those who worked against you
   will end up empty-handed—
   nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
   you won’t find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
   not even a memory.
That’s right. Because I, your God,
   have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
   I’m right here to help you.’  (Isaiah 41:11-13, The Message).

I’m thankful for the comfort God’s Word gives.  In prayer, I must not grow weary and lose heart. 

I’m asking the Lord to shine His light on me… and in me… that if there be any unclean thing that it may be dealt with. 

I desire to walk upright before God and man.  I look to Him for my salvation.

Leave a comment | posted in Faith, Obedience, Prayer, Silence, Trials and Testing

August 23, 2008

“…willful, deliberate prayer.”

By Roye Glass

My prayer life with God has been on the forefront of my mind.  Several things have brought me to this place.  Conversation with friends, reading, and circumstances.  Out of all these things has come Whispering Secrets, Just how important is it? and now “…willful, deliberate prayer.”

Life is full of so many surprises.  I wonder how many of those little surprises would be surprises if life was built on willful, deliberate prayer?

When you pray – are they worried prayers as you run from one activity to the next?  Or do you intentionally sit down and focus your prayer.  It’s harder to do the later.  Do you have a portion of your day that is God’s time… totally devoted to God?

God has used Oswald Chambers today for such a time as this…

Prayer is an effort of the will. After we have entered our secret place and shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray. We cannot seem to get our minds into good working order, and the first thing we have to fight is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is overcoming this problem of our idle and wandering thinking. We have to learn to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful, deliberate prayer. (My Utmost for His Highest, August 23).

I’m reminded of a time after getting to know the Lord.  I was getting ready for my second year of college (which was my first year at Lee College).  The live version of “Bad” by U2 had recently been released on Wide Awake in America.  I recall me and my friends spending a lot of time together that summer.  One night we had been over at Kathy Mac’s house… Rick Allen was there too.  We had been swimming and ended up on the porch of the house talking about prayer… getting to know God…  a deeper place.  I recall Rick challenging us to commit to an hour of prayer a day.  An hour of total dedication to God…

I began to spend that hour after work praying in my room (too hard before work).  I made myself go home and pray for an hour before I would let myself do anything else.  I did this for awhile.  It eventually developed into a daily habit at different times of the day. 

I ask myself, “What about now?” 

It’s time to enter into the secret place.  Take a moment to reflect on these words by Oswald Chambers:

Enter into “the secret place,” and you will find that God was right in the middle of your everyday circumstances all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless you learn to open the door of your life completely and let God in from your first waking moment of each new day, you will be working on the wrong level throughout the day. But if you will swing the door of your life fully open and “pray to your Father who is in the secret place,” every public thing in your life will be marked with the lasting imprint of the presence of God. (My Utmost for His Highest, August 23).

Leave a comment | posted in Memories, Oswald Chambers, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, U2

August 21, 2008

“It’s crooked!”

By Roye Glass

We had a ceiling fan that was not working.  So back in April, we purchased another one to replace it.  Lori wanted the new one in the living room and the one in the living room moved to the den.  Nothing is ever easy!  So, I did as I was commanded… I mean lovingly asked to do… yes, that’s what I meant to say.

Lori was gone grocery shopping so I decided to go ahead remove the one she wanted moved and install the new one.  I was just about finished when she got back home.  She walks in and drops off the first load of groceries.  As she walks back for the next load of groceries she stated,  “It’s crooked!”

With great patience, I thought silently to myself, “WHAT!!!!”  Then jokingly said aloud, “You mean to tell me that is all you’ve got to say? It’s crooked!” 

She said, “Yes.” 

I said, “Yes ‘mam… I’m sorry ‘mam!  Would you like some help with the groceries and a glass of tea?”

That’s what it’s like to live with The Warrior when she is NOT praying. 

OK truth be told – that really happened.  And that is how the exchange went… Sort of.  She just didn’t realize I only had 3 of the 4 blades attached. I wasn’t finished.  The room was dark – so I have to cut her some slack. 

The weird thing about this is that’s how it goes in life.  Work hard to get the job done and all that can be brought out are words that discourage rather than encourage. 

Encouragement can be done in tough situations.  It’s finding the right words to say that bring life to the person.  It’s not easy… especially when all you see is the ceiling fan kit leaning up on the ceiling in the dark. 

It’s tough at times to lead and motivate people.  There really is an art to it.  I don’t think I’m very good artist… I guess my skills at times make me feel like I am a beginner at finger painting. 

I love encouraging people… In fact, that’s one thing in life I know I’m pretty good at.  The correcting part is kind of difficult for me.  I guess it depends on the environment and the relationships that have been built that determines how I respond to tougher situations.  I’ve been burned a few times and it’s harder to get back up.  I lack some confidence here.

I worked in this one church (in a different town).  It was the most painful experience in leadership.  We grew in numbers ever so slightly.  But I was more of a glorified baby sitter than anything.  I had one kid in the youth group (this happened my first month) take so many fireworks to camp. He could have exploded the dorm that all of the guys at the camp were housed in!!  Things only got worse from there.

I kept trying… then the parents were on my case.  I had one couple who volunteered to help who ended up trying to get me fired.  As soon as I resigned they were first in line to ask for the job!  Unbelievable!!  So, I have had difficulty trusting others who want to help me.

“It’s crooked!”  Is all a matter of ones perspective.  To Lori it was crooked… it was… but I wasn’t finished. 

The next time someone around you doesn’t seem to have it together and you want to tell them, “It’s crooked!”  Step back – try to look at it from all sides before making a judgment.  Lead and encourage from there…

I finished the installation and we enjoyed the fan all summer.

2 comments | posted in Family, Random Thoughts

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