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…)

Speaking of writing & speaking. . .

May 1, 2008 | quotes

Have I ever realized that I can bring to God things which are of value to Him . . . Not Divine, colossal things which could be recorded as marvelous, but ordinary, simple human things which will give evidence to God that I am abandoned to Him?” — Oswald Chambers

I started a small group. It is filled with a diverse group of friends, church family, and people from the community who have a desire to write or speak. I plan to teach the basics: how to brainstorm, how to use life experience, how to approach editors, how to tighten your outline or mss, but first I hope to set a foundation.This quote is a perfect example of that foundation. Not just a foundation, but a rock. A sturdy place where we can bring ourselves, our smallest gifts and talents, and watch Him make them great or applicable in his timing and plan. I will never be anything but ordinary in my own efforts, but when I invite God to be the fire and breath and heart of what I do, it goes places I never anticipated, and does a work I could not do on my own.

The response to the group has taught me a lot. Darrin is 31, and he’s discovering he’s very talented. He was once addicted to pornography and the addiction almost cost him his life. (Read his story here.) He wrote a piece called “Eleven” the other night, and it’s powerful. His excitement over this new venture is infectious.

But in addition to the writing, we are also finding friendship. Kari, Gloria, Doris, Karen, Rocky, Lisa, and others are coming together and sharing their lives.

I’m glad to be a part. . .