What do you measure your life by...

I have listened to Brooke play the piano - she makes the keyboard sing.  I watch Kendra play basketball - she plays well - often much better than the other players. I have seen Harrison run, and for his age, he runs very well - better than some of the runners 2 years older than he.  Yet how foolish would I be to tell others that my children are the best in the world at their field of interest?  Even more foolish would it be to say that they are perfect in their execution.  As they measure themselves against comparable competition, they gain a good understanding of where they stand and in what areas they need to improve.

Much the same, in my life, I often find myself "comparing myself" to the competition to evaluate where I stand.  I get it right most of the time, so I find myself thinking that I am a rather good person.  Many others do the same thing and conclude that they are doing well in life.

The problem with this logic is the same as my son thinking he can run with Usain Bolt because he won a 6th grade race at his school.  Usain runs like the wind and makes it look simple - he is a world class runner.  Harrison is quick, but by comparison, he is as slow as his father.

Enter Christ - the good news to the world - He is the only one who ever lived up to the standard that is set by God.  Why do I need Jesus in my life?  Because even the best I do is far from perfect, and most of the time (if I am honest), I am not even doing my best.  I need perfection to satisfy the standard of God, only Christ is perfect, so without Him in my life, all I do is fruitless and useless.

This truth can be life changing.  I can be constantly depressed because I do not meet the mark, or I can realize that through Christ the mark has been met.  I can be constantly striving to meet the standard of perfection to the extent of exhaustion, or I can recognize that the standard has been met.  I can be boastful in the times that I get things right, or I can be humbled by the fact that I can only get it right perfectly in Christ.  I can choose to judge others by the standard I have lived up to, or I can recognize that my standard is well below the standard of the Almighty and He judges so much more effectively and thoroughly.

I want to live in the joy of knowing when I fall, Christ's righteousness makes up the difference.  When I do well, Christ's righteousness is what prompted it and made it possible.  When I feel the urge to boast, I want the righteousness of Christ to so overshadow my vanity that the arrogance of my "goodness" fades into the glory of His perfection.

It all boils down to what I am comparing myself to.  If it is others, often I can look good.  If it is Christ, I am a man in desperate need of a Savior.  Thanks be to God who has provided His Son.

Is your mirror straight?

About 2 weeks ago, apparently someone ran into my rear view mirror on my car.  The did not break it off, but they did dislodge it. The mirror still works.  If you look into it, you can see what is behind you.  No harm right?

Actually, the way I found out that there was a problem was when I was trying to back into a parking spot at work.  I knew there was a car behind me, but the mirror said there wasn't.  I looked again, and surely there was a car, but as I gazed into the mirror again, no car was present.  I figured it had just needed to be adjusted, but then I realized it was a much larger problem.

Last Saturday I headed off for Guatemala and my wonderful wife decided to take my car to Kendra's game.  I had not mentioned the mirror issue, and, yeah, you guessed it, she backed right into someone else.  She was looking in the mirror, and it told her that her course was clear, but it lead her astray, and now my car is in dire need of cosmetic repair.

I blog about this today because the thought keeps coming to me and we are studying the book of James in church.  The Bible is my mirror, and I know that it is straight and true.  What it says I can believe, I can follow, I can pursue, because I know it will lead me in the way that is best and right. 

However, over the course of my life, there have been other "mirrors" that I have observed.  Some are good most of the time, some are good a little of the time, and some are just plain wrong.  The court of public opinion - not a good mirror.  My own logic - not a good mirror.  The intelligence of others - not a good mirror.  The media, friends and family, my feelings...  all very faulty mirrors.

The questions I have today are, "What mirror am I gauging my life by?"  "Is it straight?"  "Is it true?"  The only mirror worth looking into and reflecting on for a long time is the Word of God.  Gazing into God's Word daily will keep our paths straight, our focus clear, our aim true, and will ultimately steer us clear of danger.

Day 7-8 - Riverside Christian Guatemala Trip

The last 2 days have been full of happiness and sorrow.  The joys of completing the task that we had set out to do was muddled with the sadness of having to say goodbye to the new friends and “family” we had developed.  (I felt this more in conjunction with the team than the people of Guatemala, since I will be back in Las Vistas in just a few weeks). 

Friday we started as we always did and had a wonderful discussion in Romans 3.  Paul uses legal arguments in Romans, and this text was a classic.  We enjoyed looking at the fact that we are all guilty before God only because we know the rest of the story.  I tried to encourage them to read our text for the day as if that were the end of the story.  What a sadness we would have if we realized that we are guilty and have no defense for a Holy God.  Praise be to God for Jesus who took our guilt and sin on the cross and freely gave us His righteousness.

After devotions, we headed off to Las Vistas for one last time.  We had practiced music for the morning presentation las night, but again we practiced in the car.  When we arrived at the child care center, we began setting up for the “show”.  We put up the projector, connected the amplifier, and got ready for kids to come.

Every child that came in that morning received multiple hugs and kisses from the team.  I met them all at the top of the stairs before entering the church.  It is so cool hugging these kids and loving on them.  They long for it.  They LOVE it. 

When they were finally seated, we began the powerpoint.  Their pictures, yes, themselves, their friends, their teachers, all on the big screen.  They laughed a lot – it was a joy to watch.  Then we began singing with them – a song the team taught them, and they all sang loudly.  I was moved.  Then we had a couple of new songs for them (I put the words on the screen), but they knew the songs, so they just sang along.  It was so cool.  The team loved it.  The last song we sang was in English, so they read along and tried to sing with us – it was amazing to see them glorifying God in their language and in ours.

We then presented shirts and gifts to the teachers and the staff.  They really enjoyed the gifts, and the kids clapped for the teachers.  I don’t think these teachers get that kind of praise often – it was good for them.  Finally Angelo got up and shared the gospel with the children (in Spanish).  He did a great job, and the kids listened attentively.

Eventually we had to get back to work finishing the wall, cleaning up the complex, giving the children “dulces” (candy) and saying goodbye to everyone.  Again, it was fun, but it was hard for many to say goodbye.  Most of the team members (if not all) have chosen to sponsor a child from Las Vistas.   It is thrilling to see them realizing that they can have an impact on the life of one child.

We headed back to Thelmas to pack and get ready for the evening time together.  This is by far my favorite time of the week – the time when the team blesses each other by telling them how they have seen God work in the others the past week.  This team was no different, and the words of encouragement just flowed from member to member.  For almost 3 hours (although we were interrupted by the Wilson family for a while) we talked, shared, cried, laughed and encouraged one another.

Saturday we leave for home very early in the morning, so we were hoping to get to bed before 11.  Didn’t happen – I was up until 1:00 moving the pictures on flash drives for the team.  They had just under 8 gig of pictures and video.  I hope they enjoy them for years to come.

Flights went well on Saturday for me, however the team was stuck in Dallas for about 3 more hours than they were supposed to be – don’t know why God allowed it, but maybe someday we will.  As we parted ways in Dallas, we had a time of prayer and last minute words of encouragement.  This is not the last time I will see this team – they are a great group of brothers and sisters in Christ.

Day 6 - Riverside Christian Guatemala Trip

Another great morning of worship and study in the book of Romans.  The discussion, like every morning, was thoughtful and encouraging.  I am really enjoying looking at the book of Romans, and what really excites me is the fact that so many other groups are going to begin their study in Romans (and hopefully finish it) this year.  I am amazed at where the conversation goes, and I know that each group will look at the same passages and wrestle with different things.

We went to Las Vistas and I began working on our presentation for tomorrow morning.  We are doing a “thank you” presentation for the teachers and the children.  We are going to project the images on the wall – the kids love getting their picture taken – I can’t wait to see their faces when they see themselves on the big screen.

The team worked on the footer for the second wall.  I went out periodically to help.  They were doing a great job, as a matter of fact, they finished the footer by the end of the day – very impressive.  Tomorrow we are hoping to build the wall in the morning.  What a joy that would be.

The team fed the children lunch, and then we ate lunch – steak cooked by a local.  It was delicious.  We are being spoiled for Jesus J.  Seriously, we were humbled to know that the food we were eating was made by the local people.  They are very giving even though they have very little.

The afternoon was filled with visits of children who need sponsorships (many on the team are going to sponsor a child) and I was able to hang out with Ludsvin (our sponsored child) for about 30 minutes – just he and I.  I showed him pictures of my family on the computer, showed him some videos of the family (like Kendra’s soccer saves at the end of the Grace game), and we played with the toys that I brought for him.  We had a great time together.

At 3:00 we left to do a house visit.  We were told that the girl we were visiting had been attending the child care center until December of last year.  She then had a problem with her intestines (twisting around ??) and had corrective surgery that went well.  However, during recovery, somehow she got something to drink before the  wounds had healed, and now she is using colostomy bags because she needed another surgery and now needs one more (March 6).  We went to her house (it really was a nice home by standards of the neighborhood – it had concrete floors and block walls), but her mother was distraught about the reality that her daughter could die.  Angelo prayed for her and her family, then we all kissed her goodbye and told her we would continue to pray for her.  Many on the team were crying as we left.  It was very moving.  We were able to give them a basket of food that will help with the practical needs of the family, but we really need God to act on behalf of this young lady.

The evening was capped off with dinner and discussion (this team loves to talk).  We prepared for tomorrow by working on balloon animals, songs we are going to sing, and even talked about giving a gospel presentation to all of the children. 

Tomorrow will be hard for the team as we say goodbye, but I do believe they are tired and ready to return home.  I know I am looking forward to seeing my children and wife again soon.

Hasta Mañana – time for bed.

Day 5 - Riverside Christian Guatemala Trip

Wednesday began.  It is the middle of the week, the middle of the trip.  The day began with devotions (the beginning of Romans 2) and we had a wonderful discussion about the dangers of judging others.  The conversation was wonderful and the team seemed very excited about implementing some of the behaviors that keep us from putting ourselves in the place of God (judging them) in the lives of others. 

After breakfast we headed to Las Vistas and got back to work on the wall.  The footer was done.  Block laying needed to begin.  The team also taught their lesson to the 4^th grade class in the morning while Angelo was talking with the teen group in the church.  I spent some of the morning taking pictures of the team, of the children, etc.  We didn’t get a lot done on the project, but Marco, Cocoa (Abel), Pooch (Juan) and Pollo (Ronald) did a great job getting the first line of block done.  The team did help put the block in place before they began, but because they were busy with other things, the AMG workers began the work.

Anyway, by lunch we had all of the 3^rd row done, and were ready for row 4 (the last row).  We broke for lunch, ate a delicious meal – cooked by a local woman – and got back to work after lunch.  Some of the team taught the story of Noah to the 2^nd and 3^rd grades while the others helped prepare the 4^th row for finishing. 

Eventually we had completed the wall – with the exception of the “special” top that will be applied tomorrow.  Tomorrow we will be getting the second wall started but I doubt we will get very far.  We have 2 more classes to teach, we are doing home visits, and I will be working on pictures for a presentation on Friday.  Tomorrow will be very busy, but I think the team is doing well.

We left Las Vistas a little early so we could stop by Paiz (owned by Wal-mart) so we could purchase baskets for 10 families in the Las Vistas area.  We will be visiting homes, and we hope to distribute some of the food and supplies to them.  I think this will be an eye opener for the team.  I am excited to see what God does as they see where these beautiful children live.

On a personal note, it is obvious my wife is “missing” me.  Yeah, I know, why would she miss me??  Anyway, I spoke with her 2 times today, and I do wish she were here.  Tomorrow won’t be so bad, but Friday will be more difficult because she will be home alone.  I pray that God would wrap His arms around her and show her in a special way that He loves her and will care for her well. 

It’s 10:10 and I am ready to wrap it up for the day – I haven’t gone to bed before 11:30 yet, and with roosters waking me up around 4, I am running out of steam.  Not really too tired during the day, but when we stop for too long, I begin to get tired.  This group loves to sit around and talk – they love each other well, they are open and honest, but for a guy who can’t sit still very long, sometimes it is difficult.  More sleep might help with that.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day – I am praying that God would continue to do His work in and through us.

Day 4 - Riverside Christian Guatemala Trip

The day began like most missions trip days – breakfast and devotions.  But devotions this morning (working through Romans 1) did not go like normal.  Instead, one of the team members was really struggling with some difficult things in life, and what a joy it was to see God move and encourage them through the rest of the team.  We started the session looking at the greatness of our God, and for 20 minutes the team talked about plants, animals, the human body, the stars, the mountains, etc.  Basically together we were worshiping the greatness of our God.  Then as we looked at the progression of man into the spiral of sin, one team member began wrestling with the ways they have seen this played out in their family.  What a joy it is to see them open up and the rest of the team reach out to them and love them by telling them truth and encouraging them in their faith.

Eventually we finished and headed off to Verbana to hear from Brian and see the greater vision of AMG Guatemala.  I am impressed every time I hear Brian share, and every time I interact with the staff here.  God is at work, and it is evident.

By lunch time we were back at Las Vistas and we fed the kids lunch.  As always, I have to make things complicated by playing with the food as I dish it out to the kids. “Do you want it on your plate?  In your cup?  On your head?  In your lap?”  I would ask them in Spanish.  Of course they wanted it on their plate, but it was much more fun to act like I was going to put it on their heads.  Then, as others were dishing out food, I accidentally found a funny thing to do, so I did it – yeah, I know, I goof off way too much.  Anyway, I would hold up one finger and the kids would say “uno”.  Then two fingers and they would say “dos”.  Then I would go to three, and four, and the kids would begin the counting pattern.  Then I would go backwards or switch to a number out of order.  For instance, I would hold up one, then two, then three, then two, and all of the kids would say “Quattro” and I would look at them like they lost their minds.  “Quattro?” I would ask – then I would look at my two fingers and just shake my head.  We had fun – it was hilarious to watch the kids.

After lunch the team taught the story of Noah to the 5^th and 6^th grades, and then Angelo spoke to the older teens.  It was thrilling for the team to share the stories and sing the songs.  The kids responded really well also.  We also did puzzles with the kids, played with the kids, some of us worked on the concrete for the footer (which was finished today - tomorrow we start building the first wall).  They are doing an excellent job of loving the kids and getting the work done.

On the way home, Phil stopped at POPS – the ice cream shop.  The team loved it – ice cream cones for everyone (except Yolanda and I – we got a Black Cow {a coke float}).  The team really enjoyed that.  I told them they are being spoiled – next time they will have to sleep on the ground and eat only bread and water.

Dinner was spaghetti and meat sauce.  But more importantly, dinner (and after dinner) was a great time of laughing and sharing stories.  These guys have no shortage of stories – and you know I don’t either.  We laughed and enjoyed the fellowship with each other.  For almost 3 hours we just sat and talked.  Everyone had something to add – it really was very enjoyable.

Well, tomorrow is more of the same – working on the wall, playing with the kids, learning more about the rest of the team, and encouraging one another in the faith.  I thank God for the privilege of serving in this capacity.  I don’t always understand why I was chosen, I often miss my family back home, but it never ceases to amaze me that God has allowed me to be used for His glory in this capacity. 

Praise be to God for taking a broken, useless, failure of a man and choosing to bless me by using me for His glory.  I am constantly amazed that God has given me such a great family – when I failed them so greatly, and that He has given me an opportunity again to serve Him – when I failed in that arena as well.   

God is good – all the time, and all the time – GOD IS GOOD.

Day 3 - Riverside Christian Guatemala Trip

Day 3 began with our breakfast and a Bible study in the book of Romans.  Today we looked at verses 8-17 of Romans 1.  What an incredible passage – We need not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because IT is the power of God unto Salvation, and in IT the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith – because the righteous live by faith.  We had a wonderful conversation about what it means to bless others with our observations of their faith – as Paul does in verse 8.  We talked about what it means to live boldly in the Gospel.  I can’t think of a better way to start the day (with the exception of being with my wife – it would be nice if she could be here.)

After our discussion, we headed for Las Vistas. Boy do we have a lot of work to do.  We are putting in 2 retaining walls that will make it better for the kids play area.  It will require a lot of digging, picking, chopping, etc.  I am confident the group will be tired tonight.

The morning went off well, everyone was working and taking breaks as necessary.  Las Vistas is just a little over a mile above sea level, so working is a little more difficult.  Didn’t seem to affect the team much though as they got right to work.  Eventually the “recess” bell rang and there were kids all over the place (there are 400 children at Las Vistas).  We took our cue and dropped our tools and played with kids. 

I was able to spend some time with Ludsvin’s class – running around, taking pictures, laughing and playing.  Then, after they went back to class, I was able to hang out with the kids at the play ground and laugh with them as well.  The kids are adorable as always, but I really do wish I would learn Spanish – it really would make things a lot nicer.

For instance, Yolanda and Angelo have spent time talking with the workers, the staff, the kids – I really would like to be able to do that as well.  I know my principle responsibility is to the team, but I can’t help but long to have deeper conversations with the people here and share the love of God with my words as well as my actions.

We had the privilege of serving lunch to the children.  This was a highlight for many on the team.  They loved to hear the kids pray before they ate – they all pray together – and they wait until prayer is finished before even touching their food.  Some of the team members were asked to lead in prayer.  Rick prayed in Spanish!! (He knows very little, but he did a great job).  Angelo prayed in English – go figure (The kids asked him to pray in English).  Either way, everyone seemed to really love serving the children.

Then we had lunch – chicken with potato and vegetable, rice and lemonade, prepared by the kitchen staff here at Las Vistas.  I was a little nervous for the team at first, but Phil assured me that the food was good to eat and the lemonade was good to drink.  We will see…

After lunch we went back to work!  Much to do.  We worked hard all afternoon, and got much of the footer dug for the first wall.  I think with the help we have at the pace we are going, we might just finish the walls.  Again, we will see.  Regardless, I believe this team will be rewarded for the work they are doing and for the way they are loving each other well.

Dinner back at Thelmas – we had chicken and rice with vegetables.  Yeah, I know, get used to it.  Actually, as always, it was very good.  And so was the conversation after the meal.  We talked till almost 8:30 about church, about missions, about what God is doing in the hearts of the team members, about the children…  it just kept coming.  Eventually everyone had to wrap it up for the night.  They are hoping to get to bed at a good time.

Well, it’s 9:44 and I am hoping to talk with Dee again.  I really have been blessed to have a partner who empowers me to do what I do.  Enough for tonight – I am going to bed… 

Day 1 and 2 - Riverside Christian Guatemala Trip

The day began at Groome Transportation when the driver left the lot with the back door wide open – and my luggage almost falling out.  I was concerned that the “curse of the Guatemala trip” was back in full effect!  I alerted him and he quickly stopped and remedied the situation. 

Uneventful travel to Atlanta, eventually I boarded my first plane of the day to Dallas.  Wouldn’t you know, I had 2 seats to myself.  This is going to be a great trip!

I met the team in Dallas, and shortly after we were on our way to Guatemala City.  I was sitting next to Angelo and Yolanda – a new York couple that now live in New England.  They speak fluent Spanish (Angelo actually lived in Puerto Rico for most of his formative years and then they both lived in Spanish Harlem).  They are a neat couple who love God and are looking to see what is next for them.

We went from the airport to McDonalds and then on to Thelma’s house.  Jose (her son) and his family had moved out, and we were to lodge in their house for the next few days.  11 people, 3 toilets, 1 shower… this is going to be interesting.

We met together as a team, prayed together, and then headed off for bed – about 11:30 in the evening.

Sunday Morning (Feb 19) I woke and shortly after was skyped by Kendra.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her – her 18^th birthday!!  In just  a few short weeks we will have to jump out of a plane – she has always said she is looking forward to it…

Anyway, we went to the church at the large mega church building and worshipped with about 6,000 of our Guatemalan brothers and sisters.  It was a wonderful service, and we witnessed many going forward to get saved at the end of the service.  Praise the Lord.  It is wonderful seeing the things that God is doing here in Guatemala.

The afternoon was filled with the normal trip to Antigua.  We stopped for lunch in the park in downtown Antigua, and I ran into Lillian and Darcy – two young ladies that have approached me about buying things on multiple visits here in Guatemala.  Again I did not purchase anything, but I reminded them of the last time I was here and I gave them my lunch and some candy.  I told them that the next time I came I would have to purchase something.  Darcy said, “Why don’t you purchase something this time?”  I told her my wife said she didn’t need anything, and I really didn’t have any money.  She said, “There is an ATM right over there” As she pointed off to my right.  They are hilarious – great salesladies.  I want to bring them something next time with the gospel in it.

From there we went to the market, and I pulled out my laser and had fun with the kids.  In a short time, I had a group of little kids running around trying to step on the green light.  It was hilarious.  After a long while, one man asked me to come over to him (Obdulio was his name, and his son’s name was Daniel).  He said that his son would love a laser like that, and wanted to know if I wanted to trade.  I gave him the laser – I pray that next time I return, it will give me another opportunity to talk with him.  It would be neat to see a laser bring a man and his son to Christ.

We headed on back to Thelma’s to get ready for church.  We went to the missionary church (in English this time) and joined the praise and worship, and then listened to a video of Andy Stanley talking about loving our spouses.  I pray that I would do it as Christ did (Phil 2:3-8), but I know I have a way to go.

After church we went to Pizza Hut and had dinner with many of the other church people.  I was able to talk to Betsy Wilson’s friend, Caleb, about dating, marriage, love, etc.  It was fun – I hope he enjoyed it as well. 

The day ended with the team rehashing what they saw and heard.  For the most part they are still in the Romantic Stage, but I am certain that will change as we visit the centers tomorrow.  We will be digging the ditches getting ready to build a retaining wall for Las Vistas.  The work begins tomorrow – time to rest now.

What an incredible organism...

I love working out.  I enjoy playing ball.  I like exercise.  Why?  Because I know it is what my body needs to function well, to function efficiently, and to grow. 

I try to eat the right things.  I try to get the rest I need. I attempt to take care of things that hurt or things that are sore.  Why?  Because it is best for my body to be healthy and whole.

Today in my office I had a visit from another member of the body of Christ.  As he spoke, I was encouraged in my walk with God.  As an "elder" member of the body of Christ, he challenged me to think forward, move closer to Christ, contemplate others well.  His goal in my office today... I am not completely sure.  But what he accomplished was stretching, exercising, feeding, motivating, etc another part of the body of Christ.

We are amazed by the out workings of our physical bodies, but how much more amazing is the body of Christ that continues to grow and mature as we intentionally feed it, nurture it, exercise it, challenge it. 

Working out requires pain.  Exercise isn't easy. Playing sports requires effort and is often exhausting.  Choosing to eat the right foods and right sleep patterns requires discipline.  Same is true for the Spiritual body of Christ.

Do the work necessary today to strengthen your inner man.  Do the work necessary today to strengthen others in the body of Christ.  You may not see the results of the effort today, tomorrow, this week, this month, or even this year, but I guarantee you, you will see the results.  After all, this is what God is all about.

Looking Back...

I watched the movie "Courageous" for the third time yesterday, and it is interesting how every time I walk away from that movie I am moved to think about life differently.

When the main character loses his daughter, he does some extreme evaluations of his life, and as a result begins making a plan for the future. 

Recently I have been thinking about this same concept - planning for more - and one of the questions that continues to come to my mind is, "When they are gone, will I wish I had done _________ more?"  You see inevitably, if you haven't noticed this yourself yet, people move on.  Relationships discontinue for a variety of reasons.  Change of circumstance, change of location, change of patterns, and even death, takes healthy thriving relationships and puts the brakes on them.  It is going to happen.  Your closest friends may move away (or you might move away), they will change jobs, they will leave school, they will begin new behaviors that keeps being together very difficult - if not impossible.  They will eventually die (or you will).

So the question is, "what is too much to do today that if they were gone tomorrow I will not look back on and wish I had done with them?"  For husbands and fathers, it might be the talks they need.  The relaxed time of playing they long for.  It might be the back rubs and non-sexual touches your wife desires.  I might mean going to ball games, concerts, presentations, etc that the kids are involved in.  It might mean taking dance lessons with your wife (because she wants to). What is too much?

In the movie, the guy chooses not to dance with his daughter, an activity that might have taken a minute or two, but after she was gone, it was a constant reminder of his failure as a father - just a few minutes would have changed his outlook.

I say all of this to say - when life gets busy, when we are tired, when we start to get selfish, we don't ask this question, and eventually could end up with regrets that would have just taken a few more minutes to do.  What is it that is too much for you?  What is it others around you long for or need that you tend to hold on to or withhold from them that if they were gone tomorrow you might wish you had not withheld?

Live a life of No Regrets - Love Well.

Return on the Investment

We were studying 3 John this morning, and we talked about investing in the lives of missionaries.  As a missionary, this is a difficult conversation to have.  However, it is also a great reminder for me.

You see, I have had literally hundreds, maybe even thousands of people who have invested in my life over the years.  From my parents and school teachers to coaches and various employers, I will never be able to say that I am a "self-made" man, because so many others have poured time, energy, finances and wisdom into me.  I am the result of the investment of so many others (and of course the grace of God in my life).

My thought this morning is, what kind of return are these people getting for their investment in my life?  What am I doing to keep this focus daily?  When I am tired, when I am busy, when I am alone, when I am working... every activity, every action, every endeavor brings a result for myself and the people who invested in my life.

Lord help me keep the presence of mind to know that it is not my life I am living, it is not my decisions I am making, it is not my goals I am aspiring to, but rather the direction and goals that will bring the greatest glory to your name and the highest return on the investors in my life.

Where do I look??

Life is getting busy, well actually it has always been busy.  What I find interesting is that when I am centered in my thinking and focused in my thoughts, the complications of life become a whole lot simpler. 

The question is, what am I doing to make sure that my thoughts are centered?  Where am I focusing my mind?

I was talking with my son this morning about things that people believe that are not true.  Skinny women thinking they are fat.  Smart people believing they are dumb.  Beautiful people thinking they are ugly.  Even idiots believing they are geniuses.  It is amazing the lies that people tell themselves and then end up believing. 

As a husband and a father, it is critical that I evaluate the things that are going through my mind to find out where they originate.  Arguments and fights often begin with thoughts that are dwelt on for too long and become true in my mind regardless of the real truth.  As I travel with groups of individuals, I need to make sure that the things I allow myself to dwell on are true, because I am susceptible to the accolades that lead to arrogance, and the blunders I make that lead to self loathing.

Lord, help me spend the time in your word and talking with you daily so that my mind might be Yours.  Help me to be able to decipher through your Holy Spirit the difference between the lies I am holding on to, and the truth that I need to understand.  Help me to seek the counsel of others when the struggles come.  Thank you.