take a shot

April 27, 2009 | quotes

You miss 100% of the shots that you never take. ~Wayne Gretzky

a powerful quote

April 17, 2009 | community, quotes

When asked by a fellow pastor how he could be in a Nazi concentration camp, Dietrich Bonhoeffer responded, “How can you be out there?”

He willingly placed himself in harm’s way to fight injustice.

There is a movement spreading across our nation. Teens are working on Habitat homes. Twentysomethings are using blogs to raise money to provide shoes for children in third world countries. I’m not so sure it’s people my age, but the next generation(s) are stepping up to do hard things. In my own church, the youth have dedicated this month as an “Others First” month. They are stopping to ask the question, “how can I serve someone else today?”.

Today I ask that question of myself. What can I do to serve another person? Who do I know that needs something from me that might require time, or prayer, or empathy, or celebration?

Just as I keyed that last question, a person came to mind.

God’s like that, isn’t He?

Thanks, Father. I’ll call her right now. Your girl, Suz

Keep going, okay?

February 11, 2009 | quotes

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. - Thomas Edison

Noun or verb…

December 10, 2008 | ministry life, quotes

Church service as a noun is a scheduled worship time. Church service as a verb is where we go and serve, giving of ourselves, being active. Tricia Goyer, author and speaker

From Suzie: I need both. I love scheduled worship time, to fill up, to be with other believers in an atmosphere of worship. And yet I need to give, to serve, and to be active, whether in my local church or in the church. What about you?

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

November 27, 2008 | quotes

“One distinguishing mark of an unregenerate man is ingratitude.” - E.J. Conrad

Just a thought

August 18, 2008 | quotes

Heard this week:

The best things in life are rarely things.

The Gift of Thank You

July 23, 2008 | quotes

God has given us the gift of 86,400 seconds today. How many of those have we used to say “Thank you”? –Unknown

Pursuing Your Passion

July 15, 2008 | ministry life, quotes

Tomorrow I will speak at a Leadership Conference and I’m pumped! The topic is Pursuing Your Passion: Doing What You Love w/o Thought to Money, Fame, or Kudos!

Passion is a watered-down word that is used to describe everything from realationships to Godiva chocolate to our career choices. It’s a great word, but what does it really mean?

I’m passionate about writing.

Really? That’s awesome. What if I asked you to write a 100,000 word book on the joy of calculus? Is it still true? (more…)

a quote that made me think. . .

July 14, 2008 | quotes

“God had given me a gift of discernment, so I can usually spot a fake a mile away. I hate it when I look in the mirror and find one.” Pastor Rudy Rasmus, author of Touch: Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World 

Cutest kid ever

May 16, 2008 | family, quotes

My daughter’s good friend, LeAnne, has a 2 1/2 year old son named Titus. If there was an award for the cutest kid ever category, I think he would win it. I checked in to LeAnne’s Facebook lately and she had shared some of Titus’ recent sayings. You got to read these. They are priceless.
 

We were sitting on the front porch sharing my ipod.
I asked, “Hey Titus, do you want some ice cream?”
He answered with his eyes closed:
“Just let me listen. I’m enjoying this music”
(John Prine, “Thats The Way The World Goes Round”)

After being asked: “Hey Titus, what do you want to be when you grow up? An architect, engineer…or an artist?” He was building a bridge out of his fort building kit.
He answered: “No…I’m going to help little children cross the street when im a grown-up.” Then finished building his bridge.

He was asked by a friend we had to dinner, “Titus do you work? Do you have a job?” He answered, “My job is to take care of momma.” (more…)