Love people

I've come to realize something recently (with the help of my wife) that is probably blaringly obvious to most. Effective full-time ministers love people.

They don't (just) love being around people. They don't (necessarily) love being in front of people.

They simply have a sincere concern for people, their life here and their life after 'here'. And, people love being with them.

After being around a few full-time ministers over the last few years, I can really see that it is THE single characteristic that matters. If ministers are full-time ministers for any other reason, it's time they find a new job where loving people isn't the single most important requirement. May God help them find this out sooner rather than later.

Backing up, the probably more obvious observation is...

Effective people love people.

...Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks, tough kids, sissy kids, even kids with chicken pox...

Lowell

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5. Fun times with my big brother, Lowell. I miss him... some days much more than others.

Declaration

This past Sunday, we attended Family Church here in Tulsa. They were celebrating their 5 year 'plant' anniversary. At the close of the message, we read the following declaration together:

"Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling and I'm finished with wavering; I've made my choice, the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now!"

"I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love, and communicate His word."

"Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family."

"Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, "we" over "me", character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today."

"I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up , back off, back down, back out or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit-led, purpose driven and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race."

"I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace so I will gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me."

"To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!"

I've grown very weary of long-winded religious inspection and analysis. I found the simple statement above convicting and refreshing.

Friday nights

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4. Friday nights ... high school football games, going out, weekend coming up ... ah....

Snort

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3. Making my sweet wife laugh so hard she lets out a cute little snort. Doesn't happen often enough, but when it does, it's worth the wait.

Bonus Fries

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2. The discovery of a few not-yet-cold bonus fries at the bottom of your sack of fast food after you finish your meal.

A few of my favorite things

A few of my favorite things -- big, small, in between. Here's a start (in no particular order of 'favorite-ness')...

1. Driving through my small hometown in Mo in my 1969 ford pickup, windows down, late in the evening. Can't beat summertime in a small town.

Daughters

I have a difficult time watching my daughters change from little girls into women. My youngest daughter will turn 14 in a month, and she's no longer a little girl. I see boys at the football games flirting with her... grrrrr. Why is this so hard?

A few years ago we were playing a game... Hannah was about 6yo... question from the game:
Q: "If you had a nickname what would it be?"
Hannah: "Well, my dad calls me 'sweetie pie'." (then jumps in my lap)

Darn tootin'.

God, keep on workin on those boys that will marry my daughters. Help their parents teach them to honor and love You. Help those boys' parents show them a what healthy marriage looks like.

God, help those boys if they ever hurt my sweetie pies.