This time of year continues to underscore the fact that people are looking for leaders. Political commercials tell us who will be a good leader and who won't. But I don't think people are looking so much for the perfect leader, but one who will at least be honest and genuine. Look at NFL quarterback Brett Favre for a case in point.
The Associated Press recently reported that future hall-of-fame, NFL quarterback Brett Favre was cheered in practice last week. That's not surprising. Unless you consider that he was cheered for fumbling the football.
Well, it wasn't exactly for fumbling the ball, but for what occurred after the mistake. Brett Favre - who holds NFL records for touchdown passes (442), completions (5,377), attempts (8,758), yards (61,655), and most wins as a starting quarterback (160) – ran a lap. He took a penalty lap around the field, just like everyone else does, for fumbling the football. The cheers showed that his willingness to admit his mistake and pay the consequences like everyone else – regardless of his past immortal achievements on the football field - immediately earned him the respect of his new teammates and the fans of the New York Jets.
The drop was understandable and could have been overlooked. Favre was only in his second practice with his new team. The miscue came on a snap from the center. It takes a while for players to adjust to one another. But there were no excuses. The NFL's only 3-time Associated Press MVP took his lap.
Leaders that aren't perfect, but that are genuine, can admit their mistakes, and lead even through consequences, are I'm looking for. I also think that's what people should look for and expect from their church leaders. No one and no church is perfect. There was only one man who ever was perfect – and they crucified Him! But leaders that are genuine are always appreciated.
Let people who are genuine leaders in your life know you appreciate them today.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Drench Me God
Maybe while you’ve been enjoying your summer you have happened down to one of our many area lakes. Maybe you’ve even traveled back and forth across one of the many reservoir dams. Have you ever thought about what those dams are holding back?
Bagnell Dam, for instance, sitting astride the Osage River and creating Lake of the Ozarks, holds back 650 billion gallons of water. That’s enough to supply every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth drinking water for over six months! When just one of the twelve floodgates are opened, it has the capacity to let out 101,000 gallons per second! Little wonder that there are warning signs posted on the floodgates to stay back at an appropriate distance. You begin to understand why sirens sound and give warning to those downstream. Were the floodgates to be opened, there would be a surge of water that we could not imagine.
I have to confess that when I’ve read Malachi 3:10 before, I’ve kind of skipped over a rather important word – “floodgates”. God’s promise?
“Test me in this…and see if I will not throw open the floodgates
of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have
room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10, NIV)
God has incredible, innumerable, and unfathomable blessings that are creating huge reservoirs of blessing in heaven. He stands ready to open His floodgates and completely soak us with so many blessings we can’t possibly hold them all. Imagine standing before that dam of blessing when God opens the doors. What is it God is waiting for?
All God asks for is our trust. In this specific case, God was asking that people trust Him by sacrificing a portion of their money in His honor. While I believe God still desires for us to trust Him in our finances, certainly there are many other areas of life in which God calls us to trust Him. When you do – get ready for the flood of blessings!
Bagnell Dam, for instance, sitting astride the Osage River and creating Lake of the Ozarks, holds back 650 billion gallons of water. That’s enough to supply every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth drinking water for over six months! When just one of the twelve floodgates are opened, it has the capacity to let out 101,000 gallons per second! Little wonder that there are warning signs posted on the floodgates to stay back at an appropriate distance. You begin to understand why sirens sound and give warning to those downstream. Were the floodgates to be opened, there would be a surge of water that we could not imagine.
I have to confess that when I’ve read Malachi 3:10 before, I’ve kind of skipped over a rather important word – “floodgates”. God’s promise?
“Test me in this…and see if I will not throw open the floodgates
of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have
room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10, NIV)
God has incredible, innumerable, and unfathomable blessings that are creating huge reservoirs of blessing in heaven. He stands ready to open His floodgates and completely soak us with so many blessings we can’t possibly hold them all. Imagine standing before that dam of blessing when God opens the doors. What is it God is waiting for?
All God asks for is our trust. In this specific case, God was asking that people trust Him by sacrificing a portion of their money in His honor. While I believe God still desires for us to trust Him in our finances, certainly there are many other areas of life in which God calls us to trust Him. When you do – get ready for the flood of blessings!
Monday, June 22, 2009
What's Missing Here?
Have you ever been somewhere that you’ve been before and noticed there was something missing? You might not even be able to put your finger on what it is, but something is amiss.
On a recent trip to Memphis, Tennessee, I was enjoying some down-time visiting some of my favorite tourist spots downtown. As I walked from one shop or restaurant to another, something seemed out-of-place or missing. Soon, I realized that though I’d been there for nearly an hour, I had not seen one homeless person or been approached by one pan-handler.
“How strange,” I thought.
The tourist trap is usually a-buzz with men who will help you find a parking spot – for a small donation. Gone was the guy who will tell you a joke and then ask for money. There were a few of the “acceptable” type of “street workers” in Memphis – people playing some blues on the street corner with an open instrument case collecting change from music enthusiasts. But there were no homeless – no street people.
As I rounded the corner, I was again reminded of why the crowds were there that weekend. It was the weekend that a portion of the men’s college basketball tournament was being hosted in Memphis. The city was extra spiffy, extra friendly – and no one that anyone might consider a “bum” was in sight. Jokingly, I asked a local friend of mine if they’d rounded up all the pan-handlers and homeless people during the tournament time.
His answer? “That’s exactly what they did!”
Homeless people that couldn’t find places in local shelters were given a few nights stay in the county lock-up. Other folks that might be considered free-loaders were moved out of the downtown radius so that the city would look nice for its thousands of visitors.
I don’t know how I feel about that. I don’t know if that’s good, bad, or indifferent. But I will say this: most of us spend a lot of time, effort – and even money – trying to cover up or look away from problems. Most of the time, we look away from, or are blind to, the problems of our community and the plight of our neighbors. We feel better and life seems more enjoyable to us if we are not “bothered” with other folks problems and needs.
I was challenged this past week by a pastor friend of mine to fast and pray for a new awakening and revival in the community of Marshfield. He challenged me and some other pastors to fast and pray on Tuesdays for the people of our community. I think it is something that all of us in God’s church here in Marshfield need to do.
Pray every Tuesday with me that God will open our eyes to the spiritual & physical needs of our community, and then that God will begin to awaken and revive us, His people, to minister to those needs. God notices and loves all of us. Let’s get that same perspective.
On a recent trip to Memphis, Tennessee, I was enjoying some down-time visiting some of my favorite tourist spots downtown. As I walked from one shop or restaurant to another, something seemed out-of-place or missing. Soon, I realized that though I’d been there for nearly an hour, I had not seen one homeless person or been approached by one pan-handler.
“How strange,” I thought.
The tourist trap is usually a-buzz with men who will help you find a parking spot – for a small donation. Gone was the guy who will tell you a joke and then ask for money. There were a few of the “acceptable” type of “street workers” in Memphis – people playing some blues on the street corner with an open instrument case collecting change from music enthusiasts. But there were no homeless – no street people.
As I rounded the corner, I was again reminded of why the crowds were there that weekend. It was the weekend that a portion of the men’s college basketball tournament was being hosted in Memphis. The city was extra spiffy, extra friendly – and no one that anyone might consider a “bum” was in sight. Jokingly, I asked a local friend of mine if they’d rounded up all the pan-handlers and homeless people during the tournament time.
His answer? “That’s exactly what they did!”
Homeless people that couldn’t find places in local shelters were given a few nights stay in the county lock-up. Other folks that might be considered free-loaders were moved out of the downtown radius so that the city would look nice for its thousands of visitors.
I don’t know how I feel about that. I don’t know if that’s good, bad, or indifferent. But I will say this: most of us spend a lot of time, effort – and even money – trying to cover up or look away from problems. Most of the time, we look away from, or are blind to, the problems of our community and the plight of our neighbors. We feel better and life seems more enjoyable to us if we are not “bothered” with other folks problems and needs.
I was challenged this past week by a pastor friend of mine to fast and pray for a new awakening and revival in the community of Marshfield. He challenged me and some other pastors to fast and pray on Tuesdays for the people of our community. I think it is something that all of us in God’s church here in Marshfield need to do.
Pray every Tuesday with me that God will open our eyes to the spiritual & physical needs of our community, and then that God will begin to awaken and revive us, His people, to minister to those needs. God notices and loves all of us. Let’s get that same perspective.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
40'51"
Well, that's my time. About a 4/mph pace overall. If any of you "fit" peeps have better times, I challenge you to run it with a hundred pound pack on your back! :)
I didn't die - I'll probably do it again. I already have a request from a friend to run with him in August (holy cow it'll be hot!).
I'm sure there are lots of good interesting thoughts to say about the experience.... but I'm too tired to think of them right now.
I found this lady and her daughter (girl looked to be about 12 or 13) to kinda pace with. I just tried to keep up with them. Both my calves locked up pretty good on the last 200 m - especially going up-hill! - so I couldn't get by them, but I did ok.
From now on - everywhere "I was run-ing"! (Forrest Gump)
I didn't die - I'll probably do it again. I already have a request from a friend to run with him in August (holy cow it'll be hot!).
I'm sure there are lots of good interesting thoughts to say about the experience.... but I'm too tired to think of them right now.
I found this lady and her daughter (girl looked to be about 12 or 13) to kinda pace with. I just tried to keep up with them. Both my calves locked up pretty good on the last 200 m - especially going up-hill! - so I couldn't get by them, but I did ok.
From now on - everywhere "I was run-ing"! (Forrest Gump)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
3 Days to Race Day!
WOW! It's been too long since I've updated you on my progress. I have been really discouraged about getting ready for this thing.
As you know, I had a bout with tendonitis - got over that. Then last week, while finally attempting to up my speed again, I pulled my lower right calf. Ugh! And yes, Dr. - I had S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-D before-hand! So, I was back to slowing down.
Did lost of continual stretching, dancing a couple of nights last week actually helped losen it up. Then today - "twang". Ouch. I got further, but still... Ugh!
Well, on the upside... I have lost more weight. Down to 309. Want desparately to get under that 300 mark now. But - well, not desparate enough to try REAL hard! :) Actually though, I'm getting motivated again. I've been comfortable with my "new" body long enough and now the "new" one doesn't look good anymore. So it's time to change some more.
Also, being as my 40th birthday is Saturday, I splurged and got a pretty nice gift. I got an itouch and I totally love it. But the thing that pushed me over on it was the Nike+ app. I was wondering how I could pace myself in the race Saturday. The Nike sensor - which straps to your shoe (unless you buy the fancy Nikes that you put the sensor IN) - wirelessly transmits your running data to the itouch. A voice comes on - while the music is going - to tell you how far, fast, etc, etc, you've run. That's what I need to help me pace Saturday. You can then download the workout info to your Nike+ profile page and keep track of your progress. I think it will be fun enough to motivate me to more road work in the future. There are challenges you can be a part of in the Nike+ online community too.
So, tomorrow? More workout. Friday - excercise walking around Silver Dollar City all day and dancing that night. Then the big day!
Pray for me now, hear?
As you know, I had a bout with tendonitis - got over that. Then last week, while finally attempting to up my speed again, I pulled my lower right calf. Ugh! And yes, Dr. - I had S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-D before-hand! So, I was back to slowing down.
Did lost of continual stretching, dancing a couple of nights last week actually helped losen it up. Then today - "twang". Ouch. I got further, but still... Ugh!
Well, on the upside... I have lost more weight. Down to 309. Want desparately to get under that 300 mark now. But - well, not desparate enough to try REAL hard! :) Actually though, I'm getting motivated again. I've been comfortable with my "new" body long enough and now the "new" one doesn't look good anymore. So it's time to change some more.
Also, being as my 40th birthday is Saturday, I splurged and got a pretty nice gift. I got an itouch and I totally love it. But the thing that pushed me over on it was the Nike+ app. I was wondering how I could pace myself in the race Saturday. The Nike sensor - which straps to your shoe (unless you buy the fancy Nikes that you put the sensor IN) - wirelessly transmits your running data to the itouch. A voice comes on - while the music is going - to tell you how far, fast, etc, etc, you've run. That's what I need to help me pace Saturday. You can then download the workout info to your Nike+ profile page and keep track of your progress. I think it will be fun enough to motivate me to more road work in the future. There are challenges you can be a part of in the Nike+ online community too.
So, tomorrow? More workout. Friday - excercise walking around Silver Dollar City all day and dancing that night. Then the big day!
Pray for me now, hear?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
24 days to race day
Last week was horrible: out of town to hospitals about 3 days (very early in the a.m.) - long hours at work - out of town to St. Louis a couple of days - family reunion - holiday celebrations/cookouts.
BUT -
I've not given up. Back in the gym today
(I should explain here that I DID in fact have some tendinitis and was in some major - ok, maybe an overstatment - but some pain and did have to break from the treadmill for a while)
and lessons learned. I did get back on the treadmill for about 10-15 min. Just walking - but high incline to get the heart rate up for fat burning. Then on to the upper body weights. But I felt terrible. A week of no gym, bad eating, and going back made me realize how far I'd come. It made me realize that it is just not worth it anymore to treat myself badly. No matter how fun it is - at the time - to sleep in, miss working out, and eat the wrong kinds/amounts of food.
So, with new determination, I am back "on the wagon" and working toward that 5k race just 24 days from now. I WILL enter I WILL finish - just no guarantees on the time! :)
BUT -
I've not given up. Back in the gym today
(I should explain here that I DID in fact have some tendinitis and was in some major - ok, maybe an overstatment - but some pain and did have to break from the treadmill for a while)
and lessons learned. I did get back on the treadmill for about 10-15 min. Just walking - but high incline to get the heart rate up for fat burning. Then on to the upper body weights. But I felt terrible. A week of no gym, bad eating, and going back made me realize how far I'd come. It made me realize that it is just not worth it anymore to treat myself badly. No matter how fun it is - at the time - to sleep in, miss working out, and eat the wrong kinds/amounts of food.
So, with new determination, I am back "on the wagon" and working toward that 5k race just 24 days from now. I WILL enter I WILL finish - just no guarantees on the time! :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
31 Days Left
Back in the gym today. Knee feels pretty darn good. Very little pain. Icing and Nsaids worked wonders - mainly ice!
Today just did upper body. Increased weight and increased reps on the crunch and oblique machines (combating anniversary celebratory eating!). Also added the machine to work on my quads today. Need to build up muscle around the knee to help stabilize the joint and help the tendon below with it's strain.
I'm going to continue the regimine through the week, be more careful on the food intake, and get back to doing some running next week.
Today just did upper body. Increased weight and increased reps on the crunch and oblique machines (combating anniversary celebratory eating!). Also added the machine to work on my quads today. Need to build up muscle around the knee to help stabilize the joint and help the tendon below with it's strain.
I'm going to continue the regimine through the week, be more careful on the food intake, and get back to doing some running next week.
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