August 14
Some people turn criticism into fuel to propel them forward. For me criticism is a brake, which slows me down.
I had a boss once who not only listened to me criticize a decision he had made but thanked me for it. I need to take a rebuke like that, learn from it and move on.
How do you handle criticism? Does it slow you or grow you?
"Rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." (Proverbs 8:31)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Quest for Manhood
August 13
Many men of our church have completed a 26- week study seeking authentic manhood designed by Robert Lewis. We have unpacked our past, looked at the present and submitted a plan for change. Now is the commencement. With wives and girl friends present sixty six of us are called by name and knighted by our pastor who rests a replica gallic sword on each shoulder.
He sends each man off on the rest of life's journey quoting what David said from his death bed to his son Solomon.
"Now go and be a man, keep the charge of your Lord to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes.”(1 Kings 2:2)
Many men of our church have completed a 26- week study seeking authentic manhood designed by Robert Lewis. We have unpacked our past, looked at the present and submitted a plan for change. Now is the commencement. With wives and girl friends present sixty six of us are called by name and knighted by our pastor who rests a replica gallic sword on each shoulder.
He sends each man off on the rest of life's journey quoting what David said from his death bed to his son Solomon.
"Now go and be a man, keep the charge of your Lord to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes.”(1 Kings 2:2)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Plastic Snakes
August 12
Joy came home with a plastic snake.
Patti handed these out at our meeting telling us, 'I was murmuring and complaining to the Lord today so I bought these snakes to remind me that I shouldn't be doing that.' One-by-one the members present admitted murmuring today sp we all received a plastic snake."
"And the people murmured against God and Moses: 'why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our souls loathe this worthless bread.' So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people; and they bit the people and many of the people of Israel died." (Numbers 21:5-6)
Joy came home with a plastic snake.
Patti handed these out at our meeting telling us, 'I was murmuring and complaining to the Lord today so I bought these snakes to remind me that I shouldn't be doing that.' One-by-one the members present admitted murmuring today sp we all received a plastic snake."
"And the people murmured against God and Moses: 'why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our souls loathe this worthless bread.' So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people; and they bit the people and many of the people of Israel died." (Numbers 21:5-6)
Guide Dog Training
August 11
West Hartford business center is a small version of a big downtown where
Fidelco trainers walk their guide dogs.
I am behind a trainer and his dog as they arrive at an intersection. A car arrives at the stop sign.. It is a standoff. I watch. Nobody moves. Finally the trainer gives in and waves the driver on. The motorist's mouth is moving as he drives by. I can only guess what words he uses to express his feelings. I shouldn't judge the driver who obviously is making a misjudgment of his own.
"Judge not that you be judged." (Matthew 7:1)
West Hartford business center is a small version of a big downtown where
Fidelco trainers walk their guide dogs.
I am behind a trainer and his dog as they arrive at an intersection. A car arrives at the stop sign.. It is a standoff. I watch. Nobody moves. Finally the trainer gives in and waves the driver on. The motorist's mouth is moving as he drives by. I can only guess what words he uses to express his feelings. I shouldn't judge the driver who obviously is making a misjudgment of his own.
"Judge not that you be judged." (Matthew 7:1)
Friday, August 8, 2008
Scar on My Arm
August 10
It was a first date. I knew she was impressed as we unloaded the picnic basket and spread things out. The concert started and I got out the bottle of wine and real wine glasses. I even brought a corkscrew. I was feeling proud of myself.
I knelt and held the bottle with one hand and the corkscrew with the other. As I was cutting through the paper that covers the cork I slipped and the jagged corkscrew sliced up my arm. I bled profusely. We never dated again and I still have the scar which reminds me of that moment.
“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
It was a first date. I knew she was impressed as we unloaded the picnic basket and spread things out. The concert started and I got out the bottle of wine and real wine glasses. I even brought a corkscrew. I was feeling proud of myself.
I knelt and held the bottle with one hand and the corkscrew with the other. As I was cutting through the paper that covers the cork I slipped and the jagged corkscrew sliced up my arm. I bled profusely. We never dated again and I still have the scar which reminds me of that moment.
“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
High School Reunion
August 9
Signs pointed the way. I stood in the doorway, staring at old people. I wonder when we leave this world if there will be a reunion of souls that were in the same earthly class? Will the Heavenly reunion be just peers or will it include parents, mentors, teachers, bosses, children, and of course high school classmates?
Will I be bored? Will I be shocked? Will I be invited? I'll be happy just to be there.
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last. For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 20:16)
Signs pointed the way. I stood in the doorway, staring at old people. I wonder when we leave this world if there will be a reunion of souls that were in the same earthly class? Will the Heavenly reunion be just peers or will it include parents, mentors, teachers, bosses, children, and of course high school classmates?
Will I be bored? Will I be shocked? Will I be invited? I'll be happy just to be there.
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last. For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 20:16)
Missed Oppoetunity
August 8
The man says, "You certainly model your faith and you don't shove it down somebody's throat. How did you get to where you are?"
Its an invitation and I blow it. I had let me get in the way. I had tried to tell him how I got to where I was rather that tell him how the Lord brought me to where I am today. I should have quoted Paul.
"I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."(Galatians 2:20)
The man says, "You certainly model your faith and you don't shove it down somebody's throat. How did you get to where you are?"
Its an invitation and I blow it. I had let me get in the way. I had tried to tell him how I got to where I was rather that tell him how the Lord brought me to where I am today. I should have quoted Paul.
"I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."(Galatians 2:20)
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