October 2009

I Will Win!

Anyone who knows me knows I play games to win. I don’t care what it is. Monopoly, Life, Hearts, Pitch, Golf, the list could go on but you get the point.

 
The other day, Angela asked me if I wanted to play a game and my response was, “Sure, you pick whatever game you want to lose at.” I was just kidding but she also knows I want to win. My philosophy is who wants to play with a bunch a people who aren’t going to try to win. That’s no fun. I also know that can be taken to an extreme. There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. You have to be confident in your ability to do your work, play a sport and many other areas. The problem comes when we leap from confidence to arrogance.
 
Proverbs 21:4 in the Message Bible says this, “Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked—are just plain sin.”
 
I don’t want to be known for arrogance or pride. But I do want to known for hard work, determination and confidence. There might be a fine line between them and initially no one can tell. Arrogance and pride begin as attitudes but eventually those attitudes get revealed in behavior and speech. God sees our attitudes and our thoughts long before others see them but the thoughts and attitudes are still sin before they get revealed to others. I have to guard my mind and allow God to search me. What about you?

Sunday

This past Sunday, while we were on vacation we did what we always do on Sunday, we went to church. We visit this church every year during vacation. It is kind of funny the pastor even asked us if we were there for our annual pilgrimage. It was great to be with God’s people but I missed being at Mission Hill.
 
I missed being with friends worshipping God and talking about life. I feel like I missed out on a lot. Like, How good was worship? Because it always is. What’s going on in people’s lives? What cool story did Aaron tell?
 
Tuesday night I will also miss my small group. I enjoy talking about the things of God and trying to figure out what God is saying to us. And most all praying together and believing God to answer prayer. 
 
Maybe that’s why Hebrews 10:25 tells us this, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
 
In our meeting together I find encouragement and hopefully you do too. See you Sunday.

 

Treasure

Spending time hanging out with my family is great. We enjoy taking a few days off just kicking back and playing some golf, fishing or playing some games. All of this family stuff wouldn’t be happening except for one amazing thing. I got married to Angela, 21 years ago, and that is hard to believe.

 
Proverbs 18:22 says, “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.”
 
I often wonder how it happened. Was Angela suddenly struck with temporary insanity? I definitely married up. I found a treasure and I have received favor from the Lord. She is amazing. I have been told on at least 2 occasions, I only got hired because of my wife. She makes me better in so many ways.
 
This proverb is a great reminder for me not to take for granted the incredible gift God has given me. Here’s a thought: Figure out ways to treasure the treasure you have been given by God. Don’t wait do it today. 

Favorite Words

 Have you ever noticed everybody seems to have a favorite word or phrase they use all the time? If you aren’t sure what yours is just ask someone close to you they will know.

We Win at Doral!

We Win At Doral! How many people can say that? Last week, I had the privilege of playing a few rounds of golf at the Doral Resort in Miami. We even won the 2 day scramble golf tournament.

Loyalty

My daughter asked me as we watched a few minutes of the game while eating lunch what my favorite professional football team is and I answered the Chiefs but I think I answered too soon.