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Friday, May 29, 2009

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been reading a book by Shaunti & Jeff Faldhahn called For Men Only. In it, this married couple explain to men how women are different than men in so many way, besides plumbing. I know what you may thinking. "Men and women are different? DUH!" But let me ask you a few questions. Why do you ladies tell your husband about your problems? Why do men feel the need to not ask for help? Why do men enjoy spending time by themselves? Do women really want to be financial stable more than anything else?
Yes, men and women are different psychologocally, as well as physically

Friday, May 22, 2009

Follow your passions

Several books I've been reading lately have been reiterating the idea that success comes by following your passions. And by success, I am not just talking about dollars. I mean having a career where you are able to do what drives you. I used to work with a man who has an incredible talent with an airbrush. He would come into work each day, and his favorite topic would be the latest project he was undertaking, whether it was airbrushing a t-shirt, pinstriping a car, or designing a sign or logo for a business. Everyone who knew him knew what his passion was. There were a few times I would ask him why he was wasting his time in a factory when he has such an obvious talent. He would tell me that he has to pay the bills somehow. He saw his "real job" as a way of supporting his family, and of supporting his passion. He has a website called signzofthetimez.com, where he displayed his work for others to see.
I have another friend who is folowing his passion. He is the worship pastor at our church, and anyone who attends our church can tell he is passionate about leading people in praising Jesus. He is also following his passion in another way. He has started a website called ShapingWorship.com, where worship pastors are able to share the music they have written so others can use their songs in other congregations.
Both of these men are following their passions. Each in their own way, they are successful. I am encouraging you to be a success by following your passions. In his Financial Peace University tape set, Dave Ramsey reimnds us that if you are doing what you love, "you have a vacation for a vocation."

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Evil Empire?

I was just reading how a popular rock band does not like that Wal-Mart "refuses" to sell their album because it has a "Parental Advisory" label on it. I will not be mentioning the band, because I don't want to give any free publicity to the band. One of the band members say the chain has an "obligation" to sell alubums with lyrics some may deem offensive. Wait a minute. Isn't Wal-Mart a company within the private sector? Don't they have the right to sell the products they want to? This is not an issue of censorship, as the band, wants to make it be. This is an issue of a bunch of kids who never grew up wanting their way and kicking and screaming until they get it. I have four children. I applaud Wal-Mart for taking a stand for decency in an age when to suggest something is indecent is considered censorship. I pray that the leaders of this company not waver in this stand.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Husbands and Wives

I found a quote of the man most consider to be the founder of the Christian Men's Movement, Ed Cole. He said, "when a man acts like a child, it forces his wife to act like his mother." When I first heard that statement, I was infuriated. It infuriated me, because I never act like a child, never in a million, zillion, bazillion years. Anyone who thinks that is just a stupidhead! Whoa! OK, I guess maybe I do. I throw grown-up fits, which psychologists would call being passive-aggressive. I have said "yes, dear" through gritted teeth. At the times I do these things, I notice that my wife does get more assertive. Crap! I guess rather than be infuriated by this statement, I should be humbled, and realize that I do need to "man up" in certain areas.

Joy in the Journey

As another quarter at OSU-M gets close to ending, I keep having to remind myself that this is a process. I am not going to be a clinical psychologist overnite. It is going to take time. I just need to keep plugging away as I get nearer to the end of the tunnel. I need to remind myself that this not going to take forever. I need to rmind myself that I am get closer to achieving my goal.

Monday, May 18, 2009

thoughts on car repair...

We just got a repair quote from our mechanic. While I won't be telling yoy how much it will cost, I will tell you that it was quite discouraging, especially when you are trying to establish some savings. But as I got to thinking about it, I cam e to realize that we won't have to put this amount on a credit card. We won't have to ask anyone to borrow money to get the van fixed. We actually have the money to fix the car. We may only have $50 in the bank, but we are getting this done DEBT-FREE! A year ago, I couldn't even dream about this happening! And here we are, with a van getting fixed and not going into debt to get it done! How good is that?

Saturday, May 16, 2009

What Really Matters

I cam across this quote by President Theodore Roosevelt while reading Wild At Heart by John Eldredge:
It is not the the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood...
This really shows me that no one can live above criticsm. There will always be those who will look down their nose at others. But it is not their opinion that matters. Only two individuals' opnions matter when all is said and done. The striver needs to know he did his best. He needs to be proud of what he has done. And secondly, it matters at the final day, when that man hears from Almighty God, either, "well done, my good and faithful servant" or "depart from me, for I never knew you." What really matters is what your opinion of yourself is, and what God's opinion of you is. And, honestly, if your opinion and God's opinion don't match up, guess who might be right...

Passionate living

What are you passionate about? What drives you? What is it in your life that energizes you?
Is it spending time with your family? Is it getting out of debt? Is it your future plans? Maybe something else?
I am learning that living life means embracing your passsions. The balance is to make sure your passions are serving you, and you are not serving your passions. What do I mean by that? I mean that we use our passions to lead us closer to being the person God made us to. I am passionate about getting out of debt, and I am using that passion to get to the place where I am able to assist in the building of God's Kingdom without wondering if there is enough money to pay the bills. I am passionate about the outdoors, and I use that to see the handiwork of God in His Creation.
I am learning that passions do not have to get in the way of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our passions can be reigned in to lead us into deeper obedience to Christ

So it begins...

I love life! I know it sounds cliche, but I am serious. I love living! I have determined to not take a single second God has given me for granted. Steven Cutis Chapman, in his song, "The Great Adventure," talks about how we need to "saddle up [our] horses" and live the life God has given us. Anyone ready to get ready to blaze a new trail?