Food for thought...

Here's something to think about today...

• If I were in deep trouble, who would be there for me, for sure?!
• If my trouble lasted for a long time, who would be there at the end?
• If my net worth were measured in true friends, how rich would I be?
• If I found myself in Heaven, what would I discover there that I took with me?

Relationships are what we were created for by our Maker.  God hard wired us to live in community.  We need each other.

However, in this busy stress filled world, we sometimes allow relationship building to drop down on our list of priorities. 

There is nothing more important than the MOST important relationship, the one between us and God, made possible through Jesus.

After that relationship, there's nothing more important or lasting than relationships with others.

Interestingly, trouble in your life, (which WILL come), will let you know who your true friends are!  It will also reaffirm that Jesus will never leave or forsake you! 

Work on those relationships today!!!

My son, Michael, and I have a great, relationship oriented, business opportunity.  Check out THIS POST on our other blog.

The Rest of My Life...

Look at that face!!!

That is our grandson, Anthony.  He turned 12 years old yesterday.

Robyn and I are so proud of our first grandchild!  He is a respectful, well mannered, young man.  He is a good student and reads a lot.  He loves his video games too.

One of the things I have noticed is his sensitivity to others.  He has a big heart.  He babysits his younger brothers when needed.

I am bragging on him just because!  Grandparents have that right. 

The privilege of being a parent and grandparent is unsurpassed by nothing else in this life!  We are thankful that God has allowed us that blessing.

We have been blessed with two other grandchildren as well... Joe and Makena.  I will spare you further bragging today!

No matter what else I may do, I want to spend the rest of my life pouring into our children and grandchildren.  When I get to Heaven, I want to do a roll call and find  everyone of them present!  Then, I want to spend the  rest of eternity in sweet  relationship with them!!! 

Check out this blog post to read about something exciting that happened in my life this past Saturday!

Major Shifts You Should Know About...

There are changes happening in our country that you may not be aware of...

Most of us are tuned in to the bad news.  We know that there is a downhill slide happening in many sectors of our society.  However, these changes are not negative...

According to this POST, two things are happening right now in America.  First, the Baby Boomer generation lost it's place as the largest group in our country in 2010.  The Millennial generation, ages 15 - 30, are now the largest group.  Second, beginning January 2011, 10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 65 every single day!

Reading the above mentioned blog post will give you insight that may be helpful, particularly if you lead a church, an organization, or a business.  Even if you don't, it will help you better understand the trends in our culture, which, in my opinion, is very important.

My observations about these shifts...

• The 79 million Boomers should NOT be ignored as they age.  They are the grandparents, wise leaders, larger donors, and potential volunteers that should be reached.  This generation is a more active, risk taking group.  They will not settle for riding off into the sunset or sitting on the front porch all day.  There are so many implications to all of the above.
• There is a HUGE opportunity to connect with the Millennials and to help shape their thinking, thus touching the future.  We can make an impact far into this century and beyond by reaching out to Millennials.  
• I used the word "connect" in relationship to the Millennials.  I did that on purpose.  According to the already referenced blog post, 96% of Millennials have already connected to a social network!  Wow!  They are a connecting bunch!
• As Christ followers, we can show the love of Christ to both the Boomers and the Millennials, as well as those in between, by recognizing each group, understanding their uniqueness, and caring about them all.  

In conclusion, it is wise for us to do our best to understand the "times" in which we are living!

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One Year Later...

Today marks the one year anniversary of a tragic event...

At 4:53 PM, on January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake hit the already ravaged island nation of Haiti.  Somewhere around 220,000 people died and 300,000 were injured in that brief, but powerful quake.  

For most of us in the U.S., the tragedy has long since left our radar.  That is not meant to judge or condemn us.  We all have lives that are challenging and demand our energy, resources, and attention.

However, I am asking you that read this to take a moment and pray for the leaders and the people of Haiti today.  Also, I ask that you consider helping in some way, even if it is small.

If you would like to help, my non-profit organization, Hope International, Inc., is helping to rebuild a church school in Port-au-Prince.  We have been working with that church school for over 16 years.  There is genuine good happening there for the children and families that attend.

To donate, go to our Facebook page and become a friend.  You can donate through our "Causes" page, a secure way of giving. 

To get more insight into what is happening a year later, check out these blog posts...  President Bill Clinton's good efforts in Haiti, and "Haiti, A Year Later". 

Thanks for your interest!

For a look at a possible way to increase your personal income this year, check out our other blog.

How's it going?

2011 is now 11 days old...

Did you make resolutions or set goals for this new year?  Did you decide to break a bad habit or to establish a new one?

My question... how's it going?

NOW is the time to evaluate before we get too far into the year!  If you have started slow or have "fallen off the wagon", it's still early.  You can re-start NOW.

If you set goals or make resolutions, it is wise to check up on yourself daily.  When that happens, you can celebrate victories and make course corrections before you go too far off course.

Don't let little daily failures add up over time and discourage you to the point of giving up!  Resolutions and goals are kept day to day.  

Taking it a day at a time will add up to a year, eventually!  Re-start today and evaluate daily!

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A 2010 Experience I Want in 2011

As I look back on 2010, I had an experience that I want to continue in 2011...

I started reading in a portion of the Bible that I had not read through in a long time.  It happened to be in Joshua in the Old Testament.  I started a pattern that continues until this day.

Each night, after I climb into bed, I read.  Sometimes it's a chapter, sometimes multiple chapters.  I read to enjoy and to better understand.  As of today, I have progressed to Isaiah 8.  

I have not been in a hurry to finish.  There has been no goal other than to enjoy the Bible, get to know it better, and feed from it.  It has been a beautiful experience.

Amazingly, God has spoken the right word at the right time along the way!  Why would I or anyone be surprised by that?!  Recently, I found myself reading through Job.  That is a book that I have honestly wanted to avoid.  No one wants to suffer or think about suffering.  Yet, it was an awesome experience, reading and learning from Job's ordeal!  

Here's what this Bible reading experience has produced...  

• I have established a habit, a very good one!  Reading the Bible is a part of my daily routine, although it hasn't become routine in a boring way.  Just as I have brushing my teeth built into my everyday schedule, I have this built in!  My Bible is left on my bed and is there waiting for me when I crawl in at night.  I also have a little flashlight to read by after I turn out the lights.  Its easy and a no brainer.  I have planned for it.
•  I get to close my day in a very positive way!  What a better way to end the day, listening to God speak, through His inspired Word.  No matter what has happened that day, God's Word has a way of encouraging and comforting.  It also intrigues, inspires, and informs.
• I have positioned myself to learn, to be changed for the better, and to be prepared for what life brings.  There is no better, more reliable, source of truth, encouragement, guidance, and hope than God's Word.  Why avoid it or make it a low priority?

 So, my plan is to continue this awesome experience in 2011, as God allows.  It is now a regular part of my daily routine!

I hope you will try it... you'll like it!  :-)

[Check out my son, Michael's, and my new blog.]

Numbering in 2011

As 2010 is coming to a close and 2011 is about to begin...

Here is a number that may interest you... 28, 470. That represents the sum total of the days of 78 years on planet Earth.

20, 126 = the number of days I have lived here, as of today! That means I have 8344 days left, IF I live until my 78th birthday! I have no guarantee of tomorrow! None of us do.

However, there is a great verse in Psalm 90:12 that we should all consider as we approach 2011. It is a prayer. " Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

In other words, make us aware that our time on Earth is limited and help us to use it wisely!

How can that be practically applied? Read Psalm 90 in it's entirety. As you read it, you will get the sense that dependence on Almighty God is the way to maximize our life and work.

As you evaluate 2010 and think about 2011, put this one at the top of your list! Determine that dependence on the Almighty, in everything, will be priority.

In dependence on Him, then set your goals and go forward with passion!

Happy New Year!

(Check out a brand new blog site that my son Michael, and I have started!)