STRETCH

TOUGH questions...

Do you ever process?  Ever go beneath the surface with your own life?  I've discovered something about myself that I don't really like. Sometimes, I am deeply afraid of who I really am.  Ever feel that way? Maybe, Maybe not. Just stay with me....

I have decided, that I should 'process' more than I currently do.  What I mean by 'process' is asking tough questions.  It's easy for me to ask others the tough ones. But how about when I ask myself?  I tend to fight them off at first. Or I answer them in 'incomplete thoughts'.

Here are some 'tough questions' I've been asking myself lately:

• What are you passionate about?
• What do you want to be remembered for when you die? 
• If the whole world listened to me for one minute, what would I say? 
• What makes you really angry? 
• How do you balance humility and confidence? 
• When has fear stopped you from doing something you knew was the right thing to do?    

Take an afternoon and think through these and see if it doesn't mess you over!  One thing I believe we are really lacking in our culture today is 'original thought'.  

True, there is 'nothing new under the sun' but there may just be a 'new' way to be you. Could it be?

Asking the tough questions...

Stretch yourself

Jesse

"It's your birthday....it's your birthday"

Today is my eldest son, Halon's (pronounced Hay-lon; often referred to as 'Thing 1') birthday.  The last few days he has given us the countdown in days. "My birthday is in two more days!"  This morning, the first thing he said was, "Happy Birthday to Halon!" and then he pulled his pants down to show me that he did not sleep in a pull-up and this confirmed his 'big-boy' status.  Thank you son.

Enjoy some pics!

The theme this is was Star Wars, so my young jedi had a blast with this custom made Anakin outfit. Light Saber included! I'm so proud.

Next we moved on to opening presents.  Can you see the excitement?

Before he opened the first one, I said, "Let's open your presents buddy, every one of them is NEW UNDERWEAR!!!  That went over like I lead balloon....here was his response:

After some counseling, cajoling and apologizing (gees dude, take a joke!) he opened all of his gifts and the morning was salvaged with his very own box of Trix!

Oh and Noble (affectionately referred to as Thing 2) did a great job on-looking!  Two thumbs up for the great attitude Noble!

Measuring Stick

I returned from Kansas City yesterday.  I was speaking at a funeral for a young man who days before his graduation tragically died.  Cameron was fishing with friends on his property when his hook got stuck. He decided that he would jump in to untangle it and dove head first.  He snapped his 5th vertebra and was killed instantly.

As I saw him resting in his casket, I asked God this question: "How could 18 years be enough?"

The night before Cameron passed away, he hit an RBI triple for his baseball team to win the game.  As I read the article from the newspaper all I could think was "How could 18 years be enough?"  There he was in his casket, dressed in his baseball uniform, resting peacefully.  I thought about many of my interactions with him.  He was a sweet kid with a big smile.

During his funeral, one pastor mentioned something I did not know.  He talked about how Cameron decided on his own to become an organ donor.  Cameron, not knowing how or when his life would end, was concerned about giving life to others in need.  Because of his incredibly mature and selfless decision, here is what happened:

• A woman in her 30's received a liver so her life could go on.
• A man in his 40's received fresh kidney's. 
• A man in his 50's received a strong heart beaming full of life.  

Several other donations were made to help those in need.  How powerful is this?  To give life? Amazing.

So, was 18 years enough?

Corrie Ten Boom said this, 

"The true measure of success in life is not duration, but rather donation." 

I'd say, Cameron's life although cut short rather abruptly, was very successful.  His family and friends should be proud to call him their own.

How do you measure success for your life?

Stretch yourself

Jesse

If they're your friend, SLAP 'EM!

Our desire to be accepted is so overwelmingly great that it often diminishes our ability to be a great friend.  I think we take the role we play in our friends lives for granted.  It's interesting because rarely do we 'choose' our own friends, our friends 'choose' us.  We simply gravitate towards those who accept us.

Unfortunately this type of relational result rarely offers us the ability to be the person God intends us to be to others.  The reason is because when we approach relationships this way, we hardly ever have the courage to challenge our friends or be challenged by them.  The bible teaches us what a healthy friendship looks like in Proverbs.

"It is better to correct someone openly than to have love and not show it. The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you, but the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies." (Proverbs 27:5-6).

 Wow - the Word is pretty strong here.  A good friend will give and take open correction.  Does it mean it will not hurt?  Nope, because it will, a slap always stings.   Correction is actually an opportunity for growth and growing usually hurts a little and that's okay.

So, start being a good friend and allow the slap of correction to be a healthy part of your friendships. 

Stretch yourself

Jesse

There is a time to waste time.

This past week, I have wasted a lot of time.  Let's see, I have been off of work for a little over a week and during those days, and I haven't done much of anything, BUT I have made a big impact.  Before I get to the impact part I must confess that I'm actually good with the amount of time I used to accomplish nothing tangible. Here are some of the mindless activities I have partaken of:

I watched approximately 7.5 movies. (Including  re-watch which I never do)

I played hours of Nintendo Wii. (My 4.5 year old bowled a 209!...can you say Wii prodigy?)

I played a round of golf.

Watched mucho football.

Spent time on Facebook and surfing the information super-highway for unimportant, useless information.

Went shopping.

A trip to the zoo.

An all-nighter.

Rearranged furniture.

Sat lazily in the backyard.

Let laundry pile up.

The list goes on...

Here is why I am okay with it:

While I did each of these, I had a family member with me (minus the all-nighter, but the case could be made that I was still with hundreds I love dearly..since they were students from our ministry).

I spent a lot of time with my family - we laughed until our stomachs hurt.  We built prisons to put the Decepticons in.  We rooted for underdogs to beat the big guys in bowl games.  We raced around go kart tracks.  We got to pet sting-rays.  We bought ridiculously inexpensive clothes.  We made birdies on one of the toughest courses in Phoenix.  And we just enjoyed each other.  

Although I did not accomplish much in terms of physical production, I did accomplish much in the building of relationships with those that mean the most to me.  There is a 'time to waste time', just make sure something significant is happening in a a relational context.

Excuse me, I have to go....the Decepticons are ONCE AGAIN attacking the Autobots.

Stretch yourself

Jesse

EMBRACE GRACE

Speaking a message this weekend called "Embrace Grace".  Here is a clip from my intro: Watch it, love it, share it.

Hot Pockets Anyone?

My favorite......today anyway.