Missing it...

I miss spending time with you. I miss hearing you laugh all day. I miss seeing you do things you have never done before and doing exceptionally well at it. I miss the bus, of all things. I even miss chillin' in Cracker Barrel.

I have never been so proud. This is the best mission team I have ever had the privilege to see in action. It was impressive to watch.

Thank you

Time of year

It is that time of year again...

School is about to get out, which makes everyone so happy.  More time to chill....which is something I have mastered.

Some important people are making major life-changes during this time.  Of course, I mean those graduating.  Moving on to bigger and better things.  I remain here, working on raising up a new generation of Christ-followers while they strike out into a world hostile to their beliefs.  Did I help them enough?  Did I teach them enough?  Did I provide them with the tools they needed?

I will pray for them always.  They will always have a place here.

I know it has been a while, and I am sure all the people who used to follow this are all gone, but I just thought I would try again.

Went to a high school graduation last night.  It had the usual boring speakers and speeches, but something one of the graduates had under her bio stood out.  It was what she called her personal motto.  I am not sure how much she actually believes it, or if she just liked the sound of it, but to me, it really touched me.

"Do not cry because it is over, but smile because it happened."

She was talking about being in high school, of course, but it applies to so many things.

At my age, there have been multiple chapters of my life that have ended.  Some of them badly.  Still, all the experiences led to the place I am now, and without any one of them I would be somewhere else, and there is no where else I would rather be than right here.

I began to think about that.  Ya know, those good times that you didn't want to end.  Or perhaps a loved one that passed on.  For example, I still become deeply sad about the passing of my grandfather because I feel I could have been around him more than I was.  However, when I start to think of his life, the things he taught me, the crazy things he did, I can't help but smile because I was there to see and hear these things.

Though the statement focusses on something ending, it helps us live in the present by keeping us focussed on positive things.  Take the time to realize that here and now, God has a destiny for you.  A reason for you to be.  The things that have gone before are, in fact, gone.  They cannot be brought back.  Smile at the good things that have happened, then step forward...toward the prize.  Struggle and fight for nothing more than to see Him smile.

Happy list additions

New to the happy list is:

Never refer to people by their name.  Refer to them by a name known from history, literature, or even the movies.  "Hey there, Socrates!" OR "Johnny Appleseed over there has some issues."

It especially works if you are pointing out a characteristic about someone that is similar to a characteristic of the name you call them, but it isn't necessary.

--AND--

Learn some dance moves from a musical (Westside Story is one of the best for this) and sometimes randomly bust out with a short and quick dance step.  If you sing while doing it you will double how happy it makes you.

Remember these items on the happy list are not for other people to enjoy.  They are designed to entertain yourself and make YOU happy.  Others might laugh at you, but who really cares about that... right?

Look out

We all make mistakes.

Every one of us.

The enemy loves when we do.  It is not just because he likes to laugh when we are down.  Many times, when we are down, he will kick us.  He has a very effective way of keeping us down.

Usually, once the mistake has been made, guilt creeps in.  Making a foolish mistake as a Christian is common.  Guilt is what truly makes us ineffective so many times.  The enemy will whisper in your ear how unworthy you are.  "See? You call yourself a disciple?  You can't even hope to live up to that.  You might as well just lay down and forget about it.  Let other, more spiritual people serve him.  Not you though.  You are just not good enough."

Look out.

Repent for your mistakes.  Seek forgiveness from God and whoever else you need to seek it from.  Then move on.  Get up and start again.  Make whatever repairs you have to then keep moving.  Do not let the guilt of a foolish moment keep you from pushing forward.