Lookin for my friends

This video speaks for itself...

My point: First of all - It is great to have friends. It is absolutely amazing to work with friends and it is impossible to describe doing what you love for a living.

don't be an Eric

Black Friday is coming soon...

I love the chaos of black Friday. I like getting up at 4am just to go watch the people going bonkers trying to get the deal of a lifetime.

This past Sunday, Konan talked about being rich and how easy it is to fall into the "debt trap". It was a great message. To illustrate the point that debt is a trap, he took one of Hannah's favorite dolls in the whole wide world and stuck it in a rat trap.

The dolls name is Eric. He is your typical average everyday person who wants to keep up with the neighbors and always wants newer, bigger, shinier... but getting those things comes with a price - debt (or in this case, your neck stuck in a stinkin' rat trap).

He staged a scenario where Eric was contemplating buying something he could not afford. After trying his hardest to stop him (he actually screamed at this doll "don't do it Eric"), Eric proceeded to take the bait of debt and it got him years of paying for something he couldn't afford.

My point: black Friday is coming soon and then Christmas. Is what you go into debt for really worth the hours you will have to work to pay it off - that is IF you can actually ever pay it off.

Don't be an Eric, if you can't afford it, pass. Don't walk around with your head stuck in the rat trap of debt...

moved

We moved into our new house yesterday and today. It is hard to believe all you accumulate over the years. We only lived in our house for a little over 3 years and we had a bunch of stuff we haven't used since we moved here. Since we haven't used it in so long, guess what we did with it... yep, we moved it into storage in our new home.

I was blown away at the help we had when it came time to move. We had a bunch of great people show up with trucks, strong work ethic and a desire to help. To those who helped, I just want to say "THANK YOU"...

Moving is not fun and since the Buckeye - Michigan game was on, it made it even more of a sacrifice to help us.

I was literally moved across town but I was even more moved by the love and generosity of others.

My point: Moving is somewhat like our emotions. Why do we keep useless stuff or hold on to emotions of hurt, frustration, pain, envy, jealousy... We need to purge this junk, get rid of it so it doesn't take up space in your new house or new life.

Thanks again, I couldn't have done it without you!

The Eyes have it

I was watching a show the other night where two people were talking. One person wanted to make sure the other one understood what was being said so he asked if he understood. The person said yes but the first guy said "let me see your eyes". There is something about looking into a person's eyes that says a lot.

When someone is not being honest, you can usually tell in their eyes. They probably won't even be able to look you in they eyes. When someone is sad, they show it in their eyes. When they are happy, you can tell by looking in their eyes.

When you want to know for if someone is telling you the truth, how they really feel or if they are understanding what you are saying - you need to see their eyes.

My point: you can say one thing with your mouth but your eyes say a lot more.

Nuts

These people drive me nuts:

people who gossip

people who lie

people in cliques

people who finish your story wrong

people who only want the spotlight

people who can't take constructive criticism

people who act like they know everything

people who tell you what you want to hear

people who don't do what they say

people who say they are your friends but really aren't

people who go through the motions instead of really doing it

people who think they are the exception to the rules

people who always ask for favors but never want to do anything in return

people who don't let you get a word in the conversation

people who want to know everything first

people who play stupid childish games

people who won't tell you how they really feel

My point: we have been these people, hopefully that is in the past. For those of you who still do these things, you're nuts - STOP IT!!!

Extreme sissy

Ok so I admit that I usually get all choked up when I watch Extreme makeover home edition. There is something about that show that really gets to me.

I love how they find a family in need and tell their story. If they only showed the house before and after, it wouldn't be anywhere near as moving.

The part that makes it so emotional is the story. When they show how bad things are and how they are currently living, it just tears me up. Then you get to ride the emotional roller coaster. The family gets to spend a week at Disney and come home to the dream home.

I think the cool part is watching the faces of the kids. They go from sad or hopeless to amazement and excitement. There is something about having their own space specifically designed for them that gives them a sense of "anything is possible".

I love watching people go from hopeless to hopeFULL.

Maybe that is why I absolutely love C3. We get to watch people go through LifeChange and it is a joy to get to watch.

My point: as Christians we should be the people who offer hope to others through our words and actions. We should do our best to do whatever it takes to show the love of the God we serve.

I get emotional when I watch Extreme makeover home addition but I also get choked up when people experience the love of Christ. So if getting all teary eyed when I watch an extreme makeover or an extreme LifeChange makes me a sissy - I guess I am an extreme sissy and I am ok with that...

shut up and color

I hate when someone is having a bad day and it seems like their goal is to let everyone know it.

This past Sunday was a very tough day but I purposely tried to guard reacting differently to people. I didn't want to take it out on other people just because I was bummin. It wasn't anyone's fault so why should they have to take the brunt of my pain or grief.

I had a couple situations where I wanted to discuss some things with some people but chose not too just because I wanted to make sure I didn't come off like a jerk (I mean - any more than normal)

I don't always do this, but I was able to do it on the toughest day of the year because I was aware of the possibility of overreacting. If we guard it we can avoid hurting people just because we are hurting.

My point: know yourself well enough to know when you should or shouldn't talk. If you are not sure - pause and run it by someone not involved. It's always better to wait and respond then to react and bite someone's head off.

Sometimes you should just shut up and color, it helps relieve stress...

if love was measured by balloons

Megan Renae Fowler Nov 8, 2004 - Nov 12, 2004

Today I celebrated 4 of the best days of my life. My Megan was born 5 years ago today. She died 4 days later but I choose to focus on the life of love she lived. That child knew nothing but love her entire life.

It is a family tradition to buy a balloon for each person. We then write a personal note on ours and when ready, we release the balloon to the sky.

Tonight I did something a little different. I didn't plan it, it just sorta happened this way.

Normally I write a ton of stuff and fill the entire balloon with words but tonight I was crying really hard and my balloon got soaked. Since it was so wet, it made it difficult to write on. I started thinking about it and I really liked the idea of speaking the words to her out loud and sending my balloon up with my tears. I managed to write her name and "I love you little girl" on my balloon before sending it off to the great unknown.

As I watch the balloons get further and further away, to the point they disappear, I seem to find some peace - I feel very close to Megan during this little ceremony. The whole family sent up their own balloon with a special message, including Raegan. It was precious.

My point: I will never forget my Megan, so I choose to celebrate her life. I want my family to have a healthy outlet for pain. We all need that...

If my love was measured by balloons, the entire sky would've been filled.

I love you little girl!

you say it's your birthday...

Well another year has passed for my beautiful wife. She turned thirty something yesterday and I just wanted to say that I am thankful for the day she was born.

I think birthdays are a lot more fun for kids but it does make ya stop to reflect on life when you realize a year has past.

Birthdays are a good time to look back and evaluate and a better time to look ahead and dream. I love that we have a lot to look forward to. Not only are we getting ready to move into a new house, but we will also be finishing up the new sanctuary at C3. We will also see some pretty amazing things happen in lives of our girls. They never cease to amaze me with how fast time seems to go...

My point: It is pretty cool to be in love. I love my wife and I look forward to another year together. I hope all your dreams come true babe.

This is a pic from our honeymoon cruise.

I know this post was a little sappy but I will return next week with my common wit and sarcasm soon...

Yes is the new No

I watched the movie - yes man* starring Jim Carrey the other night. I absolutely love the concept of this movie.

What would happen if you tried saying Yes instead of No. What would be different in your life. What skills would you have that you don't currently have. What would happen if you took a chance on something instead of defaulting to the answer - No!

Would you spend your money differently, would you have more real friends, would you get a raise at work, would you get out of an unhealthy relationship...

We need to say Yes to the things that will bless other people. We need to say Yes to making ourselves better. We should say Yes to things that will help other people feel better about themselves.

Sometimes saying Yes to people is inconvenient, but wow, isn't that what makes the reward so much greater. Isn't it worth more when it cost you something.

I am not saying to go out and say Yes to stuff that will harm you. Use wisdom - not your mood as the filter and watch what happens.

My point: Say Yes to the things if it will bless others, make yourself better, teach you something, or help you get a different perspective.

Does anyone want to help us move on Saturday Nov 21st**... Go ahead, try saying Yes and see what happens...

Disclaimers:

*There are a few scenes that are inappropriate so I will not recommend this movie...

**The buckeyes play michigan that day...

motivation

Why do I blog?

I have been asking myself that for quite awhile now. I can't come up with a real good reason so I guess I keep doing it for my faithful fan (yes that is singular).

I started thinking about why people do what they do. What's their motivation. As I have been thinking about it, I began watching people try to flex their brain muscle, "one up" someone, make sure everyone knows how smart they are, complain, try to make someone look foolish, manipulate others... there were so many more.

The ones I appreciated were the ones who did things with the right heart. I would see someone pick up a piece of trash when they didn't think anyone was looking, take out trash for no other reason than it was full, fix a toilet because it was overflowing, grab a mop, help someone find a seat, volunteer to watch children, move chairs... there were so many more.

What's your motivation? Why do you do what you do when you do it?

My point: Even when you don't think anyone is watching, someone may be. When you hope someone is watching so you get credit for what you are doing, you may end up looking worse.

Take a look at the things you do, if you dare to be brutally honest with yourself, ask what is the REAL motivation, you may surprise yourself with how selfish you are...