Got this one from my sister. Sort of fitting since I was almost run off the road yesterday by someone on their phone. (2 weeks AFTER the law went into effect!)
Archive for June, 2010
lessons on the losing end
Jun 24, 2010
I saw something this morning I will never see again. In case you haven’t heard, the world’s longest tennis match ended this morning – though it started two days ago. Tuesday John Isner and Nicolas Mahut began their Round 2 Wimbledon match. It was postponed because of darkness. Yesterday the played for another seven hours and then…yep…darkness. Finally, after 11 hours and 5 minutes Isner finally put away Mahut with a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 6-7, 70-68.
Afterward, one of the sportscasters was interviewing Mahut and pointed out that because of the way everything panned out Mahut had to come back after trailing every time he served in the 5th Set. He was playing from behind for over 7 hours! Tie it up. Fall behind. Tie it up. Fall behind.
They asked him how he handled it and he said, “Actually, I never thought of it that way. I just always tried to win the game I was playing.”
Got me thinking about how many times I dwell on the circumstances from the past – or the potential for the future – and forget to focus on winning the game I am playing right now.
Somehow I think I would be much happier, passionate – and successful – if I simply sought to fully immerse myself in the present.
How about you?
can you build character without suffering?
Jun 15, 2010
Finished reading Job this morning. As I watched this guy go from a “blessed” life of ease and abundance, to intense suffering, to well-meaning-but-not-helpful friends, to frustrated venting to God, to God’s are-you-serious? response, to Job falling on his face in worship, I found myself faced with a question:
Is it possible to have character built without suffering?
Looking back on my life, I am having a hard time finding a time when I have truly grown apart from an event – or season – of struggle. Seems like pain always plays a vital role. Sometimes that’s suffering I deserve. The result of paths chosen. Other times the suffering is random – or even unjust in my own estimation.
And yet it’s there. Pain. Suffering. The result is almost always character strengthened, faith expanded, and gratefulness for God’s restoration.
What has been your experience with pain and suffering?
from research to writing
Jun 10, 2010
As most of you know, I am working on my next book right now. There are four reasons I’m writing this book. The first is that almost every time I teach a Falling in Love with God’s Word Workshop someone asks me this question: How can I take the principles I just learned and apply them to my own kids (or youth group, or children’s ministry)? The second, third, and fourth reasons are named Sarah, Caleb, and Hannah. Kari and I need this book!
My hope and prayer is to create a tool that will enable parents (including Kari and me), youth pastors, and children’s pastors to help the next generation fall in love with God and His Word!
Over the years, I have seen too many books for parents that are heavy on theory and light on practical application. If this book will be one thing – it will be practical! People have been emailing me ideas. I’ve been talking to other parents, youth pastors, and children’s pastors. I am meeting with a friend of mine (former youth pastor and amazing researcher) next week to talk about doing some research for me to find even more resources, ministries, ideas, blogs – anything that will help turn theory into reality. We’re even dreaming about an online repository at www.thatyoumayknow.com where we can keep adding and updating resources long after the book is printed!
But I could really use your help. I want your stories, ideas, quotes, and resources for helping kids and students fall in love with God’s Word. Click the picture at the top of this article and you’ll be taken to a page where you can submit your stories and ideas.
Three reasons to submit:
- Your stories and ideas could be used in my new book – and help the next generation love God’s Word!
- If your submission is used, I’ll send you a free copy of the book when it comes out.
- Just for submitting an idea (before the end of June) – I’ll send you a coupon code you can use to get a FREE COPY of my current eBook – Falling in Love with God’s Word.
friday funny – redefining “community”
Jun 4, 2010
I took this pic a while back. Sort of seems to defeat the purpose of the “Community Room” don’t you think?
LOST…in under three minutes
Jun 3, 2010
You may not know this, but Kari and I were big fans of the ABC series LOST. It just ended – the whole series, not just the season – last week. This kid from England tells the whole story from start to finish in two minutes and fifty seconds, using nothing but post-it notes. FYI: If you’re watching the DVDs…or planning to…don’t watch this. He tells the ending. (That’s what I meant by start…to finish.)
book review: Forgotten God
Jun 1, 2010
I just got an email that Forgotten God:Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan is the free audio book for June from ChristianAudio.com. All I’ve got to say is “Don’t pass this one by. It’s a must read…er…must listen!” Here is an excerpt from the first page:
“From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and, for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I’m willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. And many of them do not believe they can.”
This book is challenging and encouraging. Francis Chan writes as he speaks – with a clarity that makes the message unavoidable, yet with enough obvious love for God’s children and His church that you feel hugged and prodded at the same time.
Download it. Listen to it. I hope it encourages and challenges you as it has me.
