Community Day of Prayer

We, at The Crossroads, are having a Community Day of Prayer. The doors open on Wednesday, March 18, at the Koina Cafe at 7 am and will be open until 10 pm.

With so many going through turmoil - in so many different ways (physical, emotional, spiritual, job loss, financial issues) - we decided that many would benefit from having a day devoted to prayer.

With that, if you are checking this out, and would like me to pray for you ... email me at emaildlake@gmail.com - I would be honored to pray for you and your need.

Reconnecting to the Blog ... For What it's Worth!

I turned 40 yesterday. Feeling pretty good about it. My wife told me ... "Look at it this way, 40 is the new 39!" Hardy har har! Anyway ... it's a good time to reflect for me, as with any birthday, but forty seems like better than others.

Allow me to mind dump:
:: It's been a month since I've blogged. Had a few other things on the plate, that have seemed a bit more important. Balance has been an important word for me in 2009. Blogging had to give. It was also a good bloggin' evaluation time / motive check / clear the blogging pallet. Done.

:: I missed my third marathon in as many sign ups. Read about it here and here. I am convinced the hardest part of running a marathon is the training. This time I hurt my MCL (strained it in week 12 of 16 training). At my doctors recommendation, I stopped training for the PHX RR marathon. My knee still is funky... I hope there will be another.

:: I am currently reading three books: Finishing up "Mad Church Disease" - Anne Jackson, "Killing Cockroaches" - Tony Morgan, and about have way through "Lasting Impressions" - Mark Waltz. All are work related but I like to read a little here a little there. Keeps me interested ...

:: Although I've not blogged lately, I've enjoyed sharing info and getting info from friends via Twitter. If you've not yet checked it out ... do so. Sharing life 140 characters at a time (dlake108) ... pretty cool. FaceBook is fun ... just not as instant as Twitter (that's one of the differences if you were wondering).

:: I've been doing a mess load of design for work lately.

:: I jumped on the Cardinal Bandwagon due to their recent success. I will be riding it into next year, especially since Kurt Warner has been resigned. Trying not to be a fair weather fan but The Chargers have a soft spot in my heart. My childhood love for the Raiders is all but gone. Nuff said!

:: Two of my kids have gotten glasses within the last month. Another odd fact is I think I may have eaten at In N Out about 10 times since opened (Mid January). Admission is the first step to recovery .... right?

:: Many of my friends and coworker are going through some rough seasons and I am glad to be a help and support. I am really enjoying life despite some turmoil.

Anyway, I am back to blogging regularly - hopefully more than a month at time. I'd like to hear your feedback if any musing makes you think ... or not. If you really want to know what's on my daily radar...Twitter is the way to follow me more consistently.

What's been the one highlight of your life lately?

Small Adjustment: Big Difference

Einstein once defined insanity as, "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I have caught myself on more than one occasion recently doing just that - expecting a different result after doing same thing over and over.

I've realized that most of the great things that happen in our lives are not huge decisions. They are the small, seemingly insignificant, decisions we make day in day out! Stuff like ... eating the right foods. Moving regularly through some exercise. Watching the less TV. Reading more books. Spending time with the significant people in your life. Putting our trust and hope in a God who doesn't change and has given us the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life - everyday!

What is a small change for me may be a big one for you - and visa versa. The idea is that we start where we are.

It may be spending 10 minutes of focused attention with your child, asking the clerk how their day is going (and listening), or letting someone know what they mean to you.

What is the latest life lesson you've learned?

Don't Forget

I get the privilege of taking communion each week at church. It's a way to remember the sacrifice Jesus gave for me on the cross and time of fresh commitment and renewal. I never want to forget, or take for granted, the cost of salvation, the power of resurrection, and the hope there is living for Jesus.

This has made me think a bit what what else I don't want to forget:

• My first kiss with Melissa
• Holding my boys after their birth
• Seeing the look on my daughter's face on our "gotcha" day
• What it feels like to get a second chance
• Growing up in a home full of love
• What it's like to be the outsider
• Uncertainty of the next step ... and taking it anyway
  
• The moments the Holy Spirit touched my life from childhood to today
• The last time I caused my wife or kids cry
• Exhilaration of crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles
  
• The comfort and joy of being with family
• Unexplainable humility of sharing in life transformation
  

There is more. Much more ....

What about you? What is it you never want to forget?
[idea ht: Aaron Ivey]

LifeShare - Day 7

Today is the last day of the week long focus of LifeShare. After today, no more sharing life! (haha) I've been thinking of listing a few things I want develop in my life. A couple of dudes beat me to the punch listing theirs examining comparison trap (which I relate to) and the "That Guy" syndrome (which I related to as well).

My rhetorical questions to deal with: (answering any one of these may open a can of emotional worms for me).
:: Why do I stay up late thinking I will get it done.
:: Why do I worry what others will think of me, if I really tell them how I feel about stuff.
:: How come do I over commit and under deliver.
:: I don't always pay attention to my kids when they are talking to me. Their talking to me IS a treasured moment. They are inviting me into their world. Do I want them to think I enjoy the computer, TV, Phone, ______ more than what they have to say.
:: Why do I try to work so much at home.
:: Why is it hard to trust others completely.
:: When did having a blog start to make me feel important. Why does it now.
:: What keeps me from being more direct.
:: Why don't I pray more than I do.
:: Why do I think I am better than what I really am.
:: How come I try to impress others with who I've met or what I've accomplished.
:: Why don't others follow.
:: I don't like my head shaved or with hair (not a question but had to get that in there).
:: Is God's Word as important to me than what I live out.
:: Do I believe the songs I sing.

Honestly, I have a few more ... but feel this list will keep me busy. Just a guy trying to work it out...trying to live it out...trying to love it out.

Answer your hearts most pressing question(s) ...

If you want a place for where others are sharing what's really in their heart....
visit PostSecret.com (warning: some of these are explicit but mostly ... sad)

(note: the questions were not meant to have question marks. I saw them as statements).

LifeShare - Prayer day 2

I know some were not able to leave a request yesterday, but if you have one you can share, I would like to pray for you today as well.

Hit comment and leave a message or email me at emaildlake@gmail.com

I will be praying for you at 10 pm (PST). Spread the word.

LifeShare: Let me pray for you today!

SWEET FREEZE FRAME FACE below...



For the next two days ... any request submitted here on FWIW will be prayed for. You can either submit a comment or email me at emaildlake@gmail.com

Thanks for taking time to share your life today.

LifeShare - Day 3 / 4

LifeShare continues tonight ... check out ragamuffinsoul.com at 6 pm (PST) or LifeShare Blog.

See you there!

Links to check out:
mogulus.com

LifeShare - Day 2

LifeShare (LifeShare.TV)
Ragamuffinsoul.com
The Offsite by Robert Thompson
1 John 1:9

What is it you do not want to be found out about? Why?

LifeShare - Day 1

Check out these links ... join in the online communities here too.
LifeShare - LifeChurch.TV
Ragamuffinsoul.com

Blog thoughts

I don't consider myself a writer. I work for one, who is outstanding. The thing about a blog to me is all about clearing what's in my head. If people read it, great! If not ... that's OK, a least it should be if the motive is right. I had my doubts about it in the beginning, somewhat.

Granted, I check to see how many have visited ... to my detriment. I am not sure what I am trying to prove to myself by checking. Part of me could care less of how many read FWIW and another part of me cares why people don't leave comments. Am I not asking the right questions? Are my readers too busy? Are they computer illiterate as to know how to leave a comment? No offense ... just letting you in my head.

The thing that bugs me is why I care about these things. Do I blog cause I want to be a cool kid in the neighborhood? Cause I think I have something to say ... and you should read it? At my core ... no.

Just want to continually keep my motives right and pure. That is my thoughts, before I lay me down to sleep. Feels good to get that out of my head!

LifeShare

Links referenced in video:
Lifechurch.tv
ragamuffinsoul.com
twitter.com

Anyone interested...(I know you may need more info...me too) let me know by a comment!