I was driving down the road the other day on 291 hwy. A big billboard for a local haunted house called "The Edge of Hell" jumped out at me. Along with scary pictures and the typical skeleton pictures, was their tagline: "The most fun you can have.... legally."
At first I thought this may just be a funny way to attract attention, but then I realised that with all the stress, problems, broken relationships in the world, there are people who view "real fun" as the type that is illegal to do. What types of illegal activities? Drugs like pot, cocaine or prostitution???? I wonder what a young person would think viewing that billboard. The culture (tv ads, billboards, people in our lives) all provide an opportunity for us to talk with our children or teens or adult friends. We can talk about the hurt in the world and the way people (including Christians) try to "cure" their hurt.
What images, billboards, commercials or people in your life have you used to illustrate a point or start a conversation with your child or friend about our culture, and ultimately about the only true cure- a relationship with Jesus Christ?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Presidential Race- how will you accept the final decision?
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 18 months, you realize that we have 2 main options for President of the United States of America.
How do you decide who to vote for? How do you prioritize the issues? I think about national security, the economy, taxes. I think about social security although I am only 36 and don't believe it will be there when I am 70. Of course social security was set up to be 1 tool for retirement income, not the whole enchilada. I think a little about healthcare. I have had health insurance my whole life (except for ages 22-25 when I thought i was invincible and didn't want to fork out the dollars for it). I sought out jobs that had healthcare as a benefit.
The older issues of abortion, the death penalty,etc.. don't get much press. With the war, the economy crisis and immigration concerns, the next president will have his hands full.
DOES IT REALLY MATTER? If your pick doesn't get into the white house, will it affect your spiritual health, your physical/mental/emotional health, your family's health? Will you complain and moan about the new president and his decisions. Will you not show respect to the office of the presidency. If you have children, they will see this. They learn from watching us. Our friends will also see us latching our happiness onto a man. No matter who gets into the White House, he will let us down at some point. Hey- we all make mistakes.
I have resolved myself to live my life the same, be grateful for the same blessings God has given me, handle the challenges of life the same way no matter who makes it into the White House.
Can we get too emotionally tied into a presidential race?
How do you decide who to vote for? How do you prioritize the issues? I think about national security, the economy, taxes. I think about social security although I am only 36 and don't believe it will be there when I am 70. Of course social security was set up to be 1 tool for retirement income, not the whole enchilada. I think a little about healthcare. I have had health insurance my whole life (except for ages 22-25 when I thought i was invincible and didn't want to fork out the dollars for it). I sought out jobs that had healthcare as a benefit.
The older issues of abortion, the death penalty,etc.. don't get much press. With the war, the economy crisis and immigration concerns, the next president will have his hands full.
DOES IT REALLY MATTER? If your pick doesn't get into the white house, will it affect your spiritual health, your physical/mental/emotional health, your family's health? Will you complain and moan about the new president and his decisions. Will you not show respect to the office of the presidency. If you have children, they will see this. They learn from watching us. Our friends will also see us latching our happiness onto a man. No matter who gets into the White House, he will let us down at some point. Hey- we all make mistakes.
I have resolved myself to live my life the same, be grateful for the same blessings God has given me, handle the challenges of life the same way no matter who makes it into the White House.
Can we get too emotionally tied into a presidential race?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What's the rush? We are here for a little while.
Hello all. I have been out of the blogging loop for some time now. Very busy with work. I am able to help families plan for uncertain times, while also helping them to recover from tragedies and devastation.
Over the past 2 months, I've had 2 clients die and 1 client diagnosed with a brain tumor.
A 42 yr old died while working in his business on a trailer. He was under the large utility trailer and it fell off the jack and onto his head. 2 kids, no life insurance. I talked to him many times about life insurance, but also about life in general, his thoughts on life, spirituality,etc.. He never knew he would lose his life at the age of 42.
Another of my clients is a great guy in his 70's. He led his family and provided for them in every way. He was loved by family,friend,church members and the community. He won the top award years ago in selling cars. Very humble, Christ-centered and compassionate. He touched many lives along the way. He died last weekend.
One of my clients is an energetic, fun-loving, Christian gal in her late 20's. She has had some medical concerns for a year or so, and just found out a few months ago that she has a brain tumor. I spent 4 hours with her a few weeks ago. She talked about what she has learned since this "journey" began. She will learn more at her next dr appointment. What plan of action to take, what the chances are of beating this, what surgeries need to be done,etc..
She is scared, yes. Her husband loves and supports her. She tells me of the family issues she has dealt with and worked through. She taught me that day. It is about the trip, the way we treat others, the ethical way we approach situations, the joy we can bring to others, the lessons we learn, the lessons we help teach others,etc..
We are all busy going from point A to point B. Maybe it's getting my business to the next stage of success, getting my daughter from basic dance to the next advanced level, getting the bigger office or car or paycheck. Maybe it's something that is good in itself: driving on a family vacation. When I was a kid, I enjoyed the trip as much and maybe more than the destination. We bond during the "trip" of life.
Question: What can we do to build stronger bonds with our family and friends instead of just rushing through goal books and through life?
Over the past 2 months, I've had 2 clients die and 1 client diagnosed with a brain tumor.
A 42 yr old died while working in his business on a trailer. He was under the large utility trailer and it fell off the jack and onto his head. 2 kids, no life insurance. I talked to him many times about life insurance, but also about life in general, his thoughts on life, spirituality,etc.. He never knew he would lose his life at the age of 42.
Another of my clients is a great guy in his 70's. He led his family and provided for them in every way. He was loved by family,friend,church members and the community. He won the top award years ago in selling cars. Very humble, Christ-centered and compassionate. He touched many lives along the way. He died last weekend.
One of my clients is an energetic, fun-loving, Christian gal in her late 20's. She has had some medical concerns for a year or so, and just found out a few months ago that she has a brain tumor. I spent 4 hours with her a few weeks ago. She talked about what she has learned since this "journey" began. She will learn more at her next dr appointment. What plan of action to take, what the chances are of beating this, what surgeries need to be done,etc..
She is scared, yes. Her husband loves and supports her. She tells me of the family issues she has dealt with and worked through. She taught me that day. It is about the trip, the way we treat others, the ethical way we approach situations, the joy we can bring to others, the lessons we learn, the lessons we help teach others,etc..
We are all busy going from point A to point B. Maybe it's getting my business to the next stage of success, getting my daughter from basic dance to the next advanced level, getting the bigger office or car or paycheck. Maybe it's something that is good in itself: driving on a family vacation. When I was a kid, I enjoyed the trip as much and maybe more than the destination. We bond during the "trip" of life.
Question: What can we do to build stronger bonds with our family and friends instead of just rushing through goal books and through life?
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Busier, the Happier??????
Everywhere we look- billboards, internet, magazines, ipods, stores, etc.- we get the useful information about how we can be richer, be happier, look better, attract a better partner and even reach self-actualization. All too often, I find it is so easy to focus on me. The busier I am, the more I focus on me. What do I want, need, deserve?? Hey- I take care of my famliy. How about a little "Matt-time"?
If only it was as easy as buying the right clothes, getting the right car, the best marketing plan for my business and reading the right self-help book by a mega-millionaire (fyi- it's amazing how much you can learn about life and happiness from reading a book written by God, in his best-selling book: The Bible).
We travel between working at our job, t-ball, dance, karate, pta meetings, church committee meetings, church services, work some nights, birthday parties and on and on. Then, there is mowing the yard, cleaning the house, eating, cleaning up. My wife stays at home with our 3 kids-she should be writing this blog. Maybe we would be happy with less quantity and more quality? In business and in church, I have found that it is better to be great at a few things, than to be rushed and barely ok on many things. Many times, it seems I am rushed and get stressed because of pushing too much into the schedule.
What do you think? Would you be happier, be closer to your family and God if your schedule was lighter????? Have you taken steps to do this??
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Woahh- is that Mike Seaver
Ahh the 1980's. Great shows like "Growing Pains" allowed us to see a family deal with the struggles of juggling all of life's responsibilites. The star was Kirk Cameron. As a young person, Kirk was an atheist. Years later, after studying and investigating Christianity, he become a Christian.
Kirk and a friend have teamed up and they have a website: http://www.wayofthemaster.com/. There are some great videos of him and his friend witnessing to others. One of them is even in a pretty rough area. If Kirk can stand up for Jesus and face persecution and ridicule from the Hollywood establishment, maybe I can share the gospel, stand up for what is right, reach out to a hurting person who needs to hear about true love and hope.
Check out the website listed above. You may not agree 100% with Kirk, but you will see 1 way of witnessing to others. Kirk isn't doing this for fame or money. He cares about people.
Kirk leads with talking about the 10 commandments and how that person has broken some of them. Then he goes into the problem and the solution.
What way(s) do you find to be the best strategy for witnessing to someone?
Kirk and a friend have teamed up and they have a website: http://www.wayofthemaster.com/. There are some great videos of him and his friend witnessing to others. One of them is even in a pretty rough area. If Kirk can stand up for Jesus and face persecution and ridicule from the Hollywood establishment, maybe I can share the gospel, stand up for what is right, reach out to a hurting person who needs to hear about true love and hope.
Check out the website listed above. You may not agree 100% with Kirk, but you will see 1 way of witnessing to others. Kirk isn't doing this for fame or money. He cares about people.
Kirk leads with talking about the 10 commandments and how that person has broken some of them. Then he goes into the problem and the solution.
What way(s) do you find to be the best strategy for witnessing to someone?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Great Expectations- map for Disaster
As many of you know, I am a father of 3 great kids. Occassionally our 2 year old will choose to challenge the dictatorship I have established. A week ago, our family (me, the wife and 3 kids) all went swimming. We didn't set a time limit and ended up staying there for 1 and 1/2 hours. We got out of the pool around 12:30pm which meant we still had to do lunch.
Jen decided we should walk to the pool. So we walked home from the pool with the older kids whining from hunger and our 2 yr old screaming and kicking. I was very ticked off. I told the 2 yr old that she was in trouble and she was going to sit in the corner when we got home..... and go to bed early.... and not have her teddy bear.
Do you think I was realistic to expect my 2 yr old to be patient?????? We spent too much time at the pool. And, we got home after their normal lunch time. I reacted to a situation by focusing on how I wanted things to be. I wasn't realistic. I would like to drop 30 lbs in 6 weeks, have a wildly successful business, a perfect marriage, God-fearing-talented-caring children, friends who agree with me all the time, the ability to build a deck in a weekend.... Being realistic is not being negative. We can all learn, grow and set goals, and work towards them. God gives each one a gift. Maybe we would like someone else's gift. That may be our expectation- that God will give us a different gift. Maybe a gift that someone in the church with popularity has. I will never probably be able to preach like James Nored, but I can grow in my communication skills. I can learn to teach and lead small groups. Each part of the body is valuable.
Does some of the stress in our lives come from unrealistic expectations of how our life "should" be? Or our marriages,etc...
Jen decided we should walk to the pool. So we walked home from the pool with the older kids whining from hunger and our 2 yr old screaming and kicking. I was very ticked off. I told the 2 yr old that she was in trouble and she was going to sit in the corner when we got home..... and go to bed early.... and not have her teddy bear.
Do you think I was realistic to expect my 2 yr old to be patient?????? We spent too much time at the pool. And, we got home after their normal lunch time. I reacted to a situation by focusing on how I wanted things to be. I wasn't realistic. I would like to drop 30 lbs in 6 weeks, have a wildly successful business, a perfect marriage, God-fearing-talented-caring children, friends who agree with me all the time, the ability to build a deck in a weekend.... Being realistic is not being negative. We can all learn, grow and set goals, and work towards them. God gives each one a gift. Maybe we would like someone else's gift. That may be our expectation- that God will give us a different gift. Maybe a gift that someone in the church with popularity has. I will never probably be able to preach like James Nored, but I can grow in my communication skills. I can learn to teach and lead small groups. Each part of the body is valuable.
Does some of the stress in our lives come from unrealistic expectations of how our life "should" be? Or our marriages,etc...
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pig Poop & other stuff
My wife, Jennifer, had gotten a haircut. She went quite a bit shorter than usual. I took our 3 daughters to Iowa (on the farm) for the weekend to give Jen time with her college friends. They have an annual girls weekend. When we got home, my 5-old daughter looked at her mom's haircut. She exclaimed, "Well-- I guess I can get use to it. I did get use to the smell of pig poop.
Anyone who has been raised on a farm, lived in a rural community or visited a farm knows that there are many odors which can be encountered. My girls would mention the smell of the pigs every time we went outside. After a few days, they didn't mention it anymore. They were used to it.
A few years ago, my oldest daughter (then age 3), wanted to do something with our neighbor friends. I asked her if she would jump off a cliff if Curtis and Cara did. She replied, "Yes, if I had my swimsuit on."
What have I learned? Kids say the darndest things. Ok, Art Linkletter popularized that statement. There is some wisdom though in some of the things our kids say.
1. PPP- (pig poop principle): Not everything in life is easy and fun. Suck it up and get through it. After awhile, it will be no big deal.
2. CJP- (Cliff Jumping Principle): Always consider your options.
What are some funny or unexpected statements you've heard from kids?
Anyone who has been raised on a farm, lived in a rural community or visited a farm knows that there are many odors which can be encountered. My girls would mention the smell of the pigs every time we went outside. After a few days, they didn't mention it anymore. They were used to it.
A few years ago, my oldest daughter (then age 3), wanted to do something with our neighbor friends. I asked her if she would jump off a cliff if Curtis and Cara did. She replied, "Yes, if I had my swimsuit on."
What have I learned? Kids say the darndest things. Ok, Art Linkletter popularized that statement. There is some wisdom though in some of the things our kids say.
1. PPP- (pig poop principle): Not everything in life is easy and fun. Suck it up and get through it. After awhile, it will be no big deal.
2. CJP- (Cliff Jumping Principle): Always consider your options.
What are some funny or unexpected statements you've heard from kids?
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