that she loves Jesus more than any boy

that she knows that she’s absolutely beautiful

that she knows she doesn’t need to prove her value

that she gives more than she takes

Then, I ask God to help me, help her see and fulfill each one of those things above. Because, as a father (or mother), we will make more of an impact on how our children view themselves against each of those things above.

So, what is your prayer for your child(ren)?

The nasty, cold snow? Or the playground equipment?

You can either focus on the negative – the snow. Or, you can focus on what’s coming up – the playground equipment.

The first is easy. It’s easy to notice the snow… the negative. But it takes some work to notice the second… to notice and focus on what’s coming up… summer time.

It takes some vision.

We’ve got a choice to make in each situation we find ourselves in. No matter if it’s at work, at home, with our kids, friends, spouses… we have to choose whether we will dwell on the reality of the situation, or acknowledge it and cast some vision of what could and/or will be.

It’s not easy. It takes some work. And it may take some re-working of your thinking…

So where in your life do you need to cast more vision?

Out of all the food items, I tend to have a soft spot for the fries. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up having a HUGE soft spot for the fries.

So, after the one packet of ketchup, after throwing away the spoon I don’t need, I check out the fries… suck. Soggy. Gross. Flimzy. Gross. They’re not crispy and fresh. All in all, they look like they’re not done. But my suspicion, being the french fry expert I am, I’m guessing the oil is old. I’m guessing that they got too busy to switch out the oil. My guess is they cooked the fries in oil that really needs to be changed. Yuck!

How many times do I find myself soggy. How many times am I flimzy. How many times is my attitude gross. Too many to count. And here’s what I find – when I find myself like that, it’s because I’m cook’n in old, stale oil – oil that needs to be changed. I find that, in the busyness of life, I forget to really pray, or read my bible, or spend good time worshipping. Instead, I’m doing other stuff, stuff that’s important, but stuff that kept me from getting dunked with God. And when I switch what I’m cook’n in, my attitude and outlook changes. It’s crazy.

So God, help me to remember to switch out the old oil. Help me to stay crispy and fresh!

It’s Fry time!

Stand firm.

There will be days you feel cold inside…

Stand firm.

There will be days you are tempted to cheat…

Stand firm.

There will be days you feel like giving up…

Stand firm.

There will be days you feel like giving in…

Stand firm.

There will be days you are tempted to leave…

Stand firm.

There will be days…

Stand firm… “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.t Be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

We had the perfect snow to make a snowman last night. It was awesome. Carter made the starter snowball. Mo helped roll the snow. Then we dressed it up. It was so cool!

But, whether it’s a day from now, or 10 days from now. That snowman is gonna be gone. It’s not going to last forever. No matter how many snowmen we build, no matter what we do to the snowmen, they won’t last.

As I look at my life, it’s crazy to look back at how many snowmen I built, or tried to build. We all do it.

Money. Sex. Lust. Status.Technology.

They’re all snowmen that we build.

Instead of building snowmen, let’s focus on building things that last…

Relationships with our family.

Relationships with others.

Relationship with God.

Helping people who need help.

You know, build things that matter… that is gonna last.

Pour your life into loving God and others well.

It’s easy to get focused on building snowmen…

Instead, let’s focus on building things that last.

What will you build today?

“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

The problem? I didn’t order anything that remotely needed a spoon. No potato. No chili. No frosty. Although, looking back that would have been a very tasty treat. I didn’t need a spoon! But a spoon I got! I know what you’re thinking, “Big deal. So you got a spoon, throw it out.” And to that I say, “I did!”

Then I began to wonder, how many times have I given someone a spoon. Not a real spoon. But, how many times have I given someone something they didn’t need – physically or spiritually.

I remember  back when I was in college, there were these group of students who went “downtown” to street witness. I went a few times. We saw different types of people. I remember a specific time when we saw a few homeless dudes. Instead of asking what they needed, we “witnessed” to them by asking them questions that eventually led to… “If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?”

Instead of asking him if he’d like some food, I “witnessed” to him because that’s what I thought he needed. But was that what he truly needed at that time… probably not. Was that a “real” witness… probably not. And how many times since then have I attempted to give people what I thought they needed, when they needed something else? As the church, our eyes and ears need to be open so we can make sure we’re not giving away spoons to people who need forks.

That’s why I loved going to Monterrey, Mexico for a week during the summer to partner with Back 2 Back as they pour their lives into orphans and families stricken with poverty. These guys aren’t giving spoons to folks who need forks. They know what it means to “provide care for today and hope for tomorrow.” Jesus not only brought “religion” to people, he brought help for their needs, physical and spiritual.

God help me to be aware of peoples’ needs so that I don’t give a spoon where a spoon is not needed.

So who needs a napkin!

They don’t need you to strap on a cape and mask.

They just simply need you to be present in the moment… in the moments that contain golf balls and plastic cups… the everyday moments. The moments that seem like they don’t mean that much. Because it’s those moments that mean everything…

So, the next time you get to have with your kids… where will you be?