Annoyed?

Quote of the Day: "You are no bigger than the things that annoy you." :: Jerry Bundsen

I read this quote and was hit right between the eyes. What annoys me? Oh this ... and that ... and definitely that! Honestly, pride in others annoys me cause I hate that about myself. Another is not taking responsibility ... which is one of my indicators of personal maturity (not age).

Here is a little something that will keep you honest about yourself.
______________________
Hal's Take: "Whenever I am tempted to think highly of myself, my parenting, or even my own growth, I think of this quote. It's hard to put yourself on a pedestal when you find yourself extremely annoyed by your children, your spouse, or the woman in front of you in the grocery store line talking on her hands free cell phone instead of paying attention to the cashier. We all have our list of pet peeves. Bet you can probably think of a few right now, can't you?

If you're anything like the rest of us, you've sometimes allowed these little annoyances to get in the way of a good conversation or a meaningful exchange with your children. The next time you find yourself gritting your teeth at something insignificant, let this quote sink in and have a good laugh at your own expense. Then, consider it a reminder that it's time to stretch, because as long as there is even the smallest amount of pettiness in our lives, there is room for growth." Hal Runkel, LMFT, author of ScreamFree Parenting: Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool.

What is annoying to you?

What's your weak link?

I had a great conversation with a friend yesterday about the expectation of who we want to be ... and who we really are. The disparity is the thing that either drives us to be better or discourages us to say, "forget it, I will never attain that pipe dream!"

How many times have we wanted to improve only to be pulled down to the reality that you "ain't all that!" - excuse the bad grammar. This whole scene sounds like the scene given in Romans 7. We want to do right, but don't.

I like how the chapter ends: 25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Chapter 8: 1-2With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

3-4God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.

Bottom line: I need Jesus and his power in my life...daily...each moment! "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Thes. 15:57

What's your weak link in your life?

Fall Programming

This weekend at The Crossroads we continue our series on "DIY -You can do it, He can help." We will be talking about the importance of community and accountability in our lives.

This weekend begins signups for our 2|42 Growth Groups for the fall.  My hope is that people don't add this to their lives but replace it with something.  We are already busy and our lives are complicated.  The purpose of being involved in a group helps with growth both socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

What are your thoughts about being in a group?  Anything that would keep you from meeting with a group on a weekly basis?

Adversity

We've all gone through it. Some of us are in over our heads in it! Adversity is not biased. It can touch anyone in any area of life, at any time.

Maybe in school…

Maybe in a relationship…

Maybe as a single mom or dad…

Maybe in your job…

I've had my share. I've learned that adversity reinforces, strengthens. It also challenges who I am at the core. It's been said that adversity doesn't build character...it reveals it!

I have to ask myself: Do I avoid adversity and take that path of least resistance? OR will I get my hands dirty and push…conquer…learn…understand?

Maybe it’s having that challenging conversation that I have been avoiding. Maybe it's procrastinating on a project because I have hit a mental block, challenging circumstances, economic woes, or whatever!

In these times we face, let's find out what we are truly made of. It is in those times that we can see our strengths and opportunities for growth. I would suggest that in those times adversity could serve us well. If we don't like what it reveals, change it.

A comfort in adversity for me is Psalm 91:15 - God promises us that He will be with us in our times of trouble. Sometimes I may not feel that. . . but I trust and know it's truth.

What is our perspective on adversity? Maybe it's to provide wisdom, a teachable moment, or provide us opportunities for compassion and empathy. I am much more empathetic when I encounter others who are experiencing my past / current pain! Finding someone to talk to about the situation helps too!

What adversity have you been avoiding? What are some challenges that you need to face head on this week?
My suggestion: don’t avoid adversity…face it and live!

**Logged for my future use and reference.

In a funk

I hesitate to write this, but I feel a little funky! Not sure why - just a little out of control with stuff. There is a lot on my mind:

:: Work related stuff to juggle. Outside of maybe accounting (no offense to numbers people) do we ever get a handle on all we have to manage. Maybe it's just me!

:: Am I being the dad and husband my family need. I feel sometimes that I am distracted by what I didn't get done, I have trouble being present for the family.

:: I am not exercising like I should - regularly!

:: My back has been bugging me when I wake up.

:: I don't like my head shaved or fuzzy - Now I'm sounding like a girl.

:: I need to get better at planning our monthly spending (got great tools at my disposal from my FPU class)

:: I want to run another marathon but not sure I want to put in the time and energy!
ARRRGGGHHHH!

I am extremely grateful for so many blessing God's given . . . Man, I am thankful - just feeling funky!

Thanks for letting me get this out of my head. I'm going to eat a bowl of cereal.

What do you do when you are in a funk?

A lesson in trust

I am rarely effected by the negative bad news we hear most mornings/evenings. With all the talk about gas prices increasing, the housing market tanking, and the most of our society spending more than they make, it can be a little bit of a downer.

Just a week ago I was in Walmart buying a few items and as I reached into the self check out change dispenser I found a penny with wheat on it! "Sweet, an old penny!" I thought. I looked at the date - 1924. That is one of the oldest I've ever handled personally.

I put it in my pocket and then felt God speak to mind and heart. I began to think of all that penny has been through before it got to my hand that day. In 1924, one could buy a loaf of bread for 5 cents. That penny had seen several presidential administrations, the depression of 1929 into the 1930's. A couple of World Wars, economic turmoil and upswing. How many times have we walked by pennies on the ground, thrown them in a wishing well, or disregarded their value. Countless times!

God reminded me that as this penny has been through good and bad times, it made it through economic struggles, I too will make it through rough times. I read the inscription on the front and it said it all to me - In God We Trust. May sound a little cheesy but it really reset my focus!

Grappling

Originally posted on Typepad - March 6, 2008

I am talking with several people these days who are wrestling with many paradigm shifting issues. I am one!

Love for God is not an issue. It more of issues with the local church and The Church as a whole. I ran across this quote from Tony Morgan's blog.

"Real faith is dynamic. It's controversial. It's dangerous. It's constantly growing. It asks challenging questions. It involves mystery. You can't put it in a box. You can't keep it quiet. You can't out-grow it. You can't out-dream it. It's more focused on others than it is on self. Real faith gives me peace but makes me discontent to let things stay the same."

We are all on a journey to discover who we are in Christ. May that growth process never end.

The worst sound...

. . . known to man is the sound of a drill in your mouth! I got a crown on an upper molar yesterday. I am really glad to say . . . NO PAIN! Dr. Rama was great. His staff were great!

He ground the existing tooth down to the gum line.

Cleaned the exposed root that was slightly damaged but looks like it will heal/restore itself.

Filled two cavities - one on top and one below. BTW - I took one of these pics while the crown was going on.

Digitally created a tooth that looked just like my old tooth, sent it to this crown making machine and installed the tooth.

I great experience, that I would recommend to anyone who has to go through it - Great customer service.

Thank you Dr. Adri Rama and the Rama Family Dentistry Family - Scottsdale, AZ.

NOTE TO SELF: Floss daily!

2007 - Top Ten

It's December 31 and want to review some of the top ten things that happened throughout this year. (Not in any order)

1. A visit from our friend/family - The Kitchen's. We enjoy our time with them and they enrich our lives deeply.

2. I kept my only resolution this year. To blog more than I did last year (35 entries total 2007). I cranked it up in December finishing strong with double digits. I plan to blog at least once a week this next year!

3. Joining the vision of The Crossroads. This time last year I was jobless and seeking God's direction. I learned much in the transition from CCV to The Crossroads one of which God's timing and direction really it best. We may think we have together. Ever so true: "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." - Prov. 16:9

God provided for us in such unexpected ways. Our house, a newer car given to us, various household furniture items, peaceful sleep were just a few of the many blessings.

4. I read many books. Two favorites were "It came from within" - A. Stanley and "Made to Stick" - C. Heath and D. Heath

5. Going to New Orleans on a short-term missions trip. Really put the need there in perspective.

6. 13 years being married to Melissa. She's the best thing that has happened to me. My love for her grows each year . . . I am grateful.

7. I don't like to admit it but . . . I am a MacSnob (as my wife calls me). I love my MacBook!

8. Our visit with the Cinfios. Gianna and Mikayla are cute together.

9. Going to the John Mayer concert at Glendale Arena with my bro! Good times, Good Music!

10. Playing in the worship band at with Joey, Andy, David, Gary, Steve, Mary J. and the rest. It stretched me once again . . . Good times to remember fondly. My favorite worship LP . . . (The only one I bought) my buddy Ricardo and His team rock!\

11. I recognized growth (physically, mentally, spiritually) in my boys this year. They are becoming great young men of God. Their personalities have really developed. Dangerous Boys Club, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Football in the rain, Our trip to Guitar Center, and the Rocket Launch this past Christmas were major highlights!

OK - that's it. I actually had 11. 2007 was a redefining year for me. I trust God deeper, appreciating my family members more and want others to know they matter to God!

Know yourself

I read this recently from the Pastor's Coach Newsletter and it really resonants with me. Steve and I recently had a discussion about knowing what you are good at and knowing what you are not gifted at - and being OK with both.

"The heart of a good coach is honest about personal strengths and weaknesses.
Maturely embracing the phrase “know thyself” is core to good coaching. A good coach is self-aware but not self-absorbed. There is a huge difference between the two. When you are self-aware, you know what you are good at and what you are not good at, and you are comfortable with that. When you are self-absorbed, you obsess over what you are not good at and seek attention for what you are good at. When you are self-aware you have a solid appreciation of yourself as you are. When you are self-absorbed, you have a selfish (or even narcissistic) love of self. This is often a false love based on personal insecurities.

John Maxwell has coached me for many years. And though John is highly gifted he will quickly admit what he is not good at. For a general example, when it comes to coaching someone in something that is very intuitive to him, something that comes as natural as breathing, he doesn't coach others in that very well. For a specific example, he knows that counseling or therapy is not his gift! So, he's comfortable saying he's not able to coach you in that skill. Far too often people attempt to coach in an area they know very little about and therefore the coaching is ineffective."