Getting the Most…

A very long time ago I took tennis lessons from Mr. Browning. Anyone who remembers Mr. Browning knows that he was very passionate about particulars, but then, he was passionate about almost everything that I ever watched him do, whether or not it lent itself well to his particulars. He was passionate about his wife, his dog, tennis, his house and his fence (for the dog)…

Two of my friends and I worked in the summers for him, building his fence, and painting his house in return for pay – and occasionally, tennis lessons. It was my first paying job. I rarely spoke to Mr. Browning on a very personal level. I was pretty quiet then…

He was frustrated with my reply to him one day. I believe we were putting the snow tires on his little blue Honda – something that none of us did well at the time. It was one of those jobs where he was showing us how to do it, but wasn't entirely sure himself either. Later I would spend eight years changing tires for a living. Anyway, I don't recall the question or the answer that I gave, only that he had me stand up and practice looking him in the eye, speaking it to him firmly.

I was pretty shaken at the time, perhaps embarrassed. I can't remember too many of his words because I was so shaken – sort of like my wedding – I know it happened and I have the images stuck in my brain, but I have no idea what the pastor said.

I wish that I could remember Mr. Browning's words specifically, but he told me all the things that my Dad had tried to tell me too. Only, when it comes from someone who isn't your parent and the meaning is, "You have something to offer, so act like it," I knew that he wasn't just saying it 'cause you're his kid…

Mr. Browning was once a professional tennis player. I found out while working for him that he was also an engineer, former military. He was old when I knew him, retired and yet… very busy.

I admired him. I was also a little afraid of him too. In tennis, he could beat people half his age, all the while making perfect, effortless returns. Sometimes, he would tell us how he sort of toyed with them a bit – I think to test their game a bit, he was never demeaning. He could put "English" on that ball that made the opponent scramble just to touch it. He pretty much made them return the ball to where he stood just by making them have to work so hard to get to the ball – He didn't have to do much running around.

We took lessons from him as I said, a part of the work arrangement that we had. One of the first lessons was his version of the proper swing. I came in thinking that it took a lot of force, strength and the rest. But he took great pains to demonstrate that the "trick" was a rather relaxed pendulum style of swing that hardly felt like effort at all.

This was not something that I came to master in tennis, but I found later that this technique is applicable to many different sports in different ways. Baseball, golf, bowling and volleyball each have a certain motion in which the most energy is developed from the most efficient swing – not necessarily the strongest. And the good swing is the one that you hardly feel. It comes with a natural energy that drives the ball with remarkable accuracy and force.

I see it other things besides sports too. Today, I got to help some friends out getting wood. I loved it. On the one hand, it is work. But when thanked for the help, it is natural to say, "No sweat", catch myself, and laugh, "well I guess it was a little bit…" These friends are different though, than I think most friends that other people have.

I can think back to years of our helping each other out like this - the projects, the goals, the dreams and heartaches. Today, though, I was grateful to share a good day of work, and to laugh. I know that sometimes it is a difficult thing to swing – time and effort to go do something, but a day like today was one of those swings that Mr. Browning would have been proud of. Today was a perfect swing for me… I loved every minute.

So, you have something to offer! Stand up and find somewhere to use it! Somewhere around you there is somebody working their tail off when you could show them how the good swing works. Maybe you need to test your swing out a bit too? Getting the most from your swing is not always the strongest effort, but the best effort is always the most efficient swing… a natural fitting thing that nobody else can do the way you do it.

It takes a very long time to reduce these kinds of things to words. Still, some of you will read this and might know exactly what I mean.

Colossians 3: 17

Summer Vacation Slideshow

Does anyone remeber the old slide shows where the neighbor down the road would cook up popcorn and invite you over to watch his endless slide show about his vacation to the coast? Me either... ...but I recall a certain Veggie Tales spoof on the theme, so I thought it was worth a shot.

Except I am going to do it without pictures.

Popcorn?

Lights?

OK...

This summer we took one of the three weeks of summer and went to Branson... I did not go with high expectations, it was just another place in another state far away, only it doesn't feel so far away when you can get there in less than a day's flight. Whew! (I ran out of breath!)

We packed the kids and the kids' things and crammed one pair of extra socks and two pairs of underwear in the remaining baggage. (slight exxageration, but you get the picture)

Missouri was not on my list of places to go. It just never ocurred to me. My lovely wife's family, it turns out originates from here. That was the start of my falling for that neck of the woods.

We were primarily in Branson, but ventured out to Blue Eye and other surrounding towns. We got to hear stories of growing up in the Ozarks, of swimming holes and of rougher times. I admire in a jealous way those who had that time of history and that place in the world to dwell.

Hills and hollers of the sort that you might picture in "Where the Red Fern Grows" make viewing a vast expanse something of a rarity. The bluffs and the creeks and the trees made a rare impression on me - I had long given up the idea that anywhere else would impress me after growing up in our own mountains and evergreens before seeing the countryside in Missouri. The hollows could swallow you up and the world really could forget you left so much as a boot print.

Which brings me back to what started my reminiscence in the first place. While we were there, we were treated to an area attraction, "The Shepherd of the Hills" show. The show is based upon the book of the same title, and which I read start to finish mostly last night. Since I missed a goodly part of the show (we did have the kids), the book filled quite a bit in for me.

The basic idea is that a city-slicker moves out to the Ozarks, the very place where the show and the exhibits are now. It unravels life in simpler yet difficult times, and how a man searching for relief from his former life starts anew only to find that his life preceded him.

The lessons that he learns and the life that he loves is summed up in this paragraph, which is also in the show.

"He who hears and sees too much is cursed for a dreamer, a fanatic, or a fool, by the mad mob, who, having eyes, see not, ears and hear not, and refuse to understand.
"We build temples and churches, but will not worship in them; we hire spiritual advisors, but refuse to heed them; we buy Bibles, but will not read them; believing in God, we do not fear Him; acknowledging Christ, we neither follow nor obey Him. Only when we can no longer strive in the battle for earthly honors or material wealth, do we turn to the unseen but more enduring things of life; and, with ears deafened by the din of selfish war and cruel violence, and eyes blinded by the glare of passing pomp and folly, we strive to hear and see the things we have so long refused to consider."

So, that's my slide show.

God bless you tonight... May He meet you where you are, and may you have the eyes to see and the ears to listen. From His creation to his Holy Word, He is calling us to Himself...

The Autumn is here, the Summer faded from green to gold. Your life might be today in the verdant Spring, but I am tonight reminded of how fast it goes... I pray that you give your ear and your embrace to One who loves and cares for you.

Notes to Self, Part 4

Houses:

1. It is nice to have a house, but not worth an ARM. We did a 30 yr fixed, but if we did it again, we would get a 15 year fixed. We told ourselves that we would pay our 30 yr. fixed in 15. Yeah, Right. Love the house, not the mortgage. (Anyone else heard of the American Nightmare?)
   
2. Lots of things break. Be prepared to replace well pumps, sump pumps, dishes, sheets and toilet seats. (Not kidding, the seats are on the "Honey-Do" list right now.)
   
3. Lots of things wear out. 5 years later, the carpet is nasty…
   
4. Kids are hard on things. Don't waste money or love on knock-knacks. (Yes, I misspeellt it on purpose…)
   

Gardens:

1. Unless you have the ability and time to garden 40 acres, you are going to lose money here; unless there is some kind of food shortage. It is a great hobby though, and it does produce unbeatable fruits and vegetables. (The seeds are cheap enough. It is the time spent weeding, deer-repelling and frost protecting that dings ya.)
   
2. Get a hunting license. Maybe the garden will produce food after all.

Internet speeds...

http://tech.msn.com/howto/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=6555722&page=2

This is sort of interesting - I don't know what it means, of course...

Notes to Self, Part 3

(Cont'd from Part 2)

Money:

1. It isn't ours. We are just the stewards.
   
2. The best place to find some is from work. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-8)
   
3. The best place to lose it is while not at work. (2 and 3 seem like "small shovels" until you realize that work is the single largest wealth building tool in the arsenal…)
   
4. The best way to keep it is with a real budget – Internet banking does not count, but it can help.
   
5. The budget will not work if you don't work it out together, you, your money and your honey.
   
6. The best way to invest it is to put it somewhere that you can't get to it and you can forget about it for more than five years at a time.
   
7. Take at least a day to pray, and to talk to your honey before making a large purchase.
   
8. That said, "Debt is DUMB." Don't argue with anyone about this until you have watch the Dave video about new cars... (Click here or see the link in the side bar...) Then, think about the big bank buildings, their fancy furniture and shiny floors... Hmmm?
   
9. Jesus talks a lot about money in the Bible, so pay attention.
   
10. I put some of my favorite links for money, etc. on the blog... Browse around in them to get a little more interesting stuff.
    

A little more commentary: Things that I learned from Dave

1. "If you can't pay cash for it, then you can't afford it." This is hard at first. While you can't afford anything that doesn't fit on your budget, there is never a time that it is justifiable to use "Other People's Money (OPM)" for "things."
   

   James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

2. "The blessings of God do not come with strings attached." If He wants His kids to have something good, then He will find a way to bless them with it.
   

3. "The budget is great for getting control of your finances." "Your money, on paper, on purpose, every dollar has a name." For the first few months, we kind of struggled to get this to work. I would even say that it was hard for me from time to time to stay on it for the first year, perhaps. But once we could see the progress that we had made over time, we became more motivated and the budgeting has really gotten to be a great tool.
   
4. Money can tear your marriage apart, or it can be a great exercise in teamwork. I would tell anyone that doing the Dave Plan (Baby Steps) was the best thing that happened in our marriage since the wedding!

Things I learned about money from Scripture:

1. The borrower is slave to the lender.
   (Proverbs 22:7)
   
2. Money can be a great tool or a terrible master.
   

   Luk 18:18-23 And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (19) And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. (20) You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" (21) And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." (22) When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (23) But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
   

3. Things and Stuff aren't all that shiny on day two.
   

   Mat 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
   

Finally: If there is anything that can seperate the believer from the clear principles in Scripture, it is the allure of Money, Things and Stuff. If you get nothing else from my own lessons, get this one down. Life full of money issues is empty of God, who wants a relationship with you.

Life filled with God is fulfilling. Money, things, stuff and places are empty without Him.

I thank God for the Biblical teachers about this, and I only wish that I had listened earlier... Sometimes we are hard-headed and have to bang ourselves up a bit before we'll listen, a terrible trait, I know; and one that will cost me for the rest of my life - no exxageration.

This is a Test...

This is a test.  This is only a test.  If this were not a test, then the link provided would take you to the Windows Live Blog Writer - which seems to be a better experience than the other version that I have used so far...

I have liked Microsoft Word 2007 as well, but has anyone else found anything better?

I case you read fast, click here to get Windows Live Writer...

Posting about Post-Its (Can I do that with a trademarked product?)

This is pretty impressive... They have taken engineering to another level. Not a higher level.

Post-It Notes in the office...

Attitude – Cont’d

Peter says pretty much the same thing again in the following chapter... …But seems to have an added twist that is a little clarifying.

1Pe 3:14-17
Anyway, in an effort to be concise (and at the risk of losing something)...

The basis of our honor to governors (authorities and their laws both) is our honor of God Himself. He sets up kings and deposes them…

1Ch 29:11-12
(11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
(12) Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Proverbs 16: 12-15

There are lots more – I certainly have not exhausted this study. No kings have been set up without His oversight.

Have there not been evil kings? I have to wonder how Peter could have written what he did here, while under the boot of Rome.

Daniel 9:12-14

The passage in Daniel is one way that we might be able understand – though it is about Israel, particularly. We see that in spite of warnings, the people did not repent. They did not turn.

The often quoted passage, "…if my people who are called by my name will turn from their wicked ways…" is just as applicable. I would note that this too is Israel, but I believe in the principle of the matter – that God pays attention to His children.

This is not to say that His children will not experience persecution, trial or difficulty. Peter seems to be writing to people who were facing this. Instead of telling them to revolt, he tells them to what?!

So there are two types of suffering – That which is deserved, and that which is for righteousness' sake. Peter admonishes us to be of the latter version…

Finally, Paul really hits this in Romans 13… The whole chapter is commentary on this idea.

I am "free" as a citizen in this country to debate ideas, to vote my conscience and to a lesser degree than at earlier times to speak freely. I am responsible as a Christian to be a good citizen, supporting and honoring the authorities and laws insofar as they honor God. I am not free as a Christian to arbitrarily follow the laws that I like and discard the ones that I do not.

This is one reason that it is so important to take your voting seriously. J

On the flip side, it is also one reason that I should mind my manners in the political realm of ideas.

Attitudes…

I keep having to check it. You who know me well enough, are fully aware that I have some strong opinions about political happenings. What follows may be something of a surprise, but it is ultimately where I put my final opinion… …aside.

1Pe 2:11-21

(11) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

(12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

(15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

(16) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

(17) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

(18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

(19) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

(20) For what glory is
it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for
it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Take note of 13 and 14… Could be a prickly one, but what do you think? Even without a study of the Greek in this, I need more humility. But where is the balance? Fear God. Honor the king. Hmmmm…

We have looked a lot at our liberty as Christians in church lately, so 16 is a perfect blend into that topic.

20 reminds me of Job in taking the good and the bad with humility before God. As if that isn't enough, 21 finishes pulling the rug out from under me – Christ who could have smitten those who killed Him and started over, subjected Himself to the agony and shame of the cross.

Praying for our 2^nd Monday… enjoy the coffee and leave a tip?

God Bless!

Notes to Self, Part 2

Ahh yes, the first Monday of the week. Let the coffee, tea or Pepsi warm you up along with a personal top-ten quick auto-version of Notes to Self...

Cars:

1. Check the spare tire inflation now and then.
   
2. Check the oil.
   
3. Change the oil.
   
4. Check the fuel. Add fuel when the gauge gets to "E". (A little honesty never hurt anyone, right?)
   
5. Chain saw gas actually will work in a pinch. (I did this and it beats walking!)
   
6. Pack your chain saw about nine months out of the year if driving down Dufort to go to work. Wind, thunderstorms and snow can trap you with trees in the road on one or both sides of your car. I haven't figured out the powerline thing yet though. They look a little too zippy, dancing all around like that...
   
7. Check the tires for inflation and wear. Even one of the Presidential candidates recommends this.
   
8. Wash the windshield. I recommend "Invisible Glass" from Stoner. Seriously the best cleaner I have ever seen for auto glass - Your eyes will thank you in the glaring sun and the oncoming headlights...
   
9. A trustworthy and reasonable mechanic is worth his weight in autos. These days the electronics are just downright fickle…
   
10. Last, but not least, don't let your car own you. Be sure to check out this video – you might be glad you did!
    

Notes to Self, Part 1 of ?

Remember the old Saturday Night Live bit with Norm? His anchorman character would give some piece of "news" at the end of which he would pull out a mini tape recorder (yes, it was the height of technology) and start a pithy line with "Note to self…"

There are a few times where I think it would be great to have a "note to self" before I learn just how important it is. Like when you realized that you just sighed deeply (not romantically) while your wife is telling you about something about something that matters. Of course about the time you notice your own sigh yourself, she has stopped mid-sentence, eyes narrowing, one eyebrow raising, inquisitively… Is "inquisitively" the right term? Well, I haven't had this happen, but I know people who have, and lived to tell about it… …umm… …later.

Or, how about that time you were a bit low on time getting to work, found that one tire was low on air, and then found out that the spare was flat too? Me either, but now you have your own note to self, "Check the air in the spare now and then." See, that was easy, and now you won't be late for work.

Check out my growing list and see if you can add some notes of your own?

Wife:

1. Call her sometimes from work. She thinks that you are forgetful for some reason… It also has the benefit of having a hot meal about the time you walk in the door.
   


2. Call her sometimes when not at work. Ditto of #1.
   


3. Call her sometimes when nowhere near a phone. (She will call someone else's phone until she finds someone who knows where you are otherwise…)
   


4. Hug her when you think about it. Maybe when you don't. She usually likes this, except when you haven't called from somewhere all day. Then you had better wait a little while.
   


5. Three little words: "I love you." You know this, she knows this, but she wants you to say it out loud sometimes.
   

Kids:

1. Give lots of hugs and wrestle them around a bit. The hugs are a good stress reducing activity for the Dad and the wrestling will get the kids all riled up and happy. The happiness and hyper-ness will wear them out for bed, but the biggest benefit is that Mom gets a minute to herself (albeit permeated with shrieks and wails of wrestling kiddos), which is a well-deserved stress-relief for her.
   


2. Ask them about what they did today. This will have varying degrees of response. My youngest doesn't speak very much English yet, but she understands that Daddy and I are having a talk right now. The jibberish is really quite interesting though.
   


3. Put them to bed at the same time every day. No humor here. It works. Routine is your best friend.
   


4. Pray with them and let them pray too. I think God listens extra well to the little ones, and it makes me smile when they thank God for every little thing that is visible in the room.
   

More to come… Money, Houses, Cars and Gardens! Add your thoughts and I will post the best ones later!

Cheers for now…

Least Expectations Explanations

The adage goes, "...it is better to under-promise and to over-deliver, than to over-promise and under-deliver..." Since the latter is easier than the former, well, you see my dilemma.

I expect that the Least Expectations is a spin on the great Dickens novel, but I am loathe to expect much from myself, so that's where this works for me.

There are great writers to be sure, but in my estimation the most important writings are often the most overlooked. They are not the easiest to read, but they are provoking, perhaps life-changing if you don't mind another cliche`.

I read a passage this morning in Psalms 32: 9 that caught my attention. It reads,"Don't be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you."

The obscurities of the ages might tempt some to ignore the meaning behind such a writing as this. Upon some oversight, I had not noticed this one myself. The speaker in this is God Himself, who in the previous verse offers His instructions, counsel and His care. The point is that He wants us to know Him in a personal way. He does not desire the kind of relationship that a rancher has with his stock. (picture the western cowboy lasso-ing his mount for the day's work...) He wants us to come to Him without His causing or our begrudging.

Does it take an act of God to get you to pray?

Hmmm... In this time of upheaval in the political and financial world, or maybe in personal things, this is a great reminder to me of His intent for us.