Excited about the upcoming Christmas series starts Dec. 1st  at bible study. Topic - Simple Purpose

I dont know what to do???

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to do? You had no clear direction on which way to go? You had no idea how things would turn out? It may be at home, at work or in relationships. Times like this can wear on you and drive you to do stupid things.

Here are a few things I have been learning when faced with not knowing what to do! (Been learning, means this is something that happens often in my life)

Admit you don’t know what to do – Sometimes we make stupid decisions because of pride. You may feel like you have to know everything but let me tell you –You don’t. Embrace the lack of your knowledge and be willing to learn. Which leads to the next thought …

Be humble enough to ask for wisdom – I would bet someone somewhere has been in a similar situation. I would bet someone somewhere would share some ideas with you. I would bet that someone somewhere is waiting on you to ask. I know G-d is waiting, in the book of James it says we can ask for wisdom and G-d will give it to us freely. Someone that is not in your situation can see things from a different angle. Seek out wisdom.

Commit to stay in it – Don’t stop believing. No storm last forever. Stay committed. To many times we just don’t like the fight and give up way to soon. It may be the 4th quarter and your tired and behind. But as long as there is time on the clock keep fighting. Commit to your relationships, your work path, and life. Its darkest right before the sun breaks the horizon!

Daring to change- Be willing to make the necessary changes. Apply the wisdom you received. It may be small changes (and if you’re in a tough situation small changes may be wise). You would be surprised what a simple shift in your attitude would do. Just changing what you speak out of your mouth will affect your situation. One small step can make a large impact. You may have never done it that way, but go ahead and risk it. Learn to embrace the changes of life and work it to your favor.

I’m still learning!

???’s for yourself

Romans 10:15 "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

Here is a few ??? I asked myself “Self, what message do you bring to others?” “Self, are you bringing good news to others news that brings peace and freedom?” “Or are you spreading bad/negative news?” “Self, are your feet beautiful? Or do they smell?” “Self, is your presence welcomed and enjoyed by others?”

Is it about beautiful feet or more about the message the feet are carrying?

Two things we must know – 1. We bring a message with every connection we make. 2. Your feet need to be beautiful!

I get it!

I was at a store the other day; I believe it was right after the famed holiday Halloween. And what I saw turned the light on for me. I saw half the store dedicated to xmas décor and heard over the loud speaker xmas music. THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER! This particular store had every kind of fake tree you can buy. There where blue, green, orange, and pink trees. Some of these trees had flashing lights others had the standard lights. And to top it off you could buy every imaginable ornament to hang on your colorfully fake tree.

At that point I got it. What we need in the world is different colored, fake xmas trees. This just makes the world a better place. I think everyone should have a different colored xmas tree. Can you imagine your neighborhood; in the window of every house was a different color xmas tree. How great would that be!

And speaking of xmas music. I get it and have a suggestion. What if in every neighborhood we put up outdoor speakers and each house could plug into them and play their favorite xmas songs. Wouldn’t that be great? Every day you came home you could hear a different holly, jolly xmas song. : )

I get it, this is xmas! The greatest time of the year!

(Please feel the sarcasm)

I intentionally write xmas I will blog about the why later

fall

I had a BEAutiful bike ride this AM. It was very relaxing and the weather was just right. Fallen leaves covered the trail. It was very nice except the TWO times I fell.
I have been riding for over four years. I would like to think I have a little experience. However, not today. I actually ran off the trail once and the other time I simply stopped and fell. (i think i pulled something trying not to fall)

I had two thoughts to go with my two falls. 

1. No matter how experienced you are failure can still hit you. Especially if you lose focus. Sometimes we can think we have it all together and nothing can stop us. I think about this in marriage. A couple has been married for many years and think they are experts. Then the next thing you know they are getting a divorce. Why? They lost focus! Never think your to big or smart to fall.

2. You hurt yourself more by fighting the fall then you would if you would just fall. There are times when we know we have failed but wont admit it. We fight it by saying it's not our fault or ignoring it all together. Just admit it and move on. 

BTW both times i got back on my bike and kept going. Failure is not final!

Let me go get some icy hot and google search training wheels... 

What the....

Have you ever experienced something that just made you question, what the world is going on? Well I have experienced just such a thing recently at a Chic-fil-a.

As do most people in my area, we eat Chic-fil-a a lot. I would say several times a week. We have the Dwarf House, regular Chi-fil-a, and a Truett’s Grill within a few miles of my life. And we support the maker of the original chicken sandwich.

The food is great but the service is what makes me ask what the world is going on? For the most part you can walk into any Chic-fil-a and receive the same service. The same smile, the same good attitude, the same feeling of importance. I was sitting at Chic-fil-a recently and they came by and picked up my trash (this was the self serve side) with a smile. Chic-fil-a workers come by and ask if they can fill our drinks or get you anything else. And you don’t even have to leave a tip! It seems the employees are there to make your experience a memorable one. And this keeps many coming back for more.

Now you may say that’s the answer, they are employees. They are getting paid! The boss tells them to must act this way or you don’t get paid! I’m not so sure if money is the whole answer. Sure it plays a roll but I have been to other fast food restaurants and not felt welcomed or anything for that matter. So what the world causes a Chic-fil-a employee to act different?

One thing I noticed is it starts from the top. Most every time, when I’m grazing on a great spicy chicken sandwich, I see the owner of the store walking around greeting people, taking trash, and filling drinks. The managers display this standard also. The leadership sets the standard. They are not hidden in an office in the back, but very visible upfront. Leaders lead. They set the standard and boundaries in which others work within.

I’m on a search to find out what the world makes Chic-Fil-a different other than the obvious.

Galatians 5:13-15

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. NLT

We should use our freedom (which was given to us from Christ) to serve each other in Love!