Thursday, April 29, 2010

Travelling Testimony

Went to LA on Tuesday, April 20. Had a 4:00pm flight scheduled to connect in Atlanta and get to LA at 8:30pm. Flight was cancelled due to mechanical difficulties, so I softly spoke to the agent and was rebooked on 5:50pm flight, connecting in Detroit for same 8:30 arrival.

5:50 came up listed as late departure for 6:40… which would not make my connection. I calmly called reservations and patiently waited as she found me a 5:30 flight to connect through Minneapolis, with 11:30pm arrival. Even I knew my bags wouldn’t survive all those switches.

But let me digress… a woman was at her wits end on another phone trying to rebook to DC area, but having little luck. I touched her on the arm and told her that safety was more important. She explained her trauma and the fact that she felt drained empty… to which I quickly retorted that God emptied her out to refill her anew. Her mood changed, and she began laughing with the reservation agent on the other end. He obviously returned the spirit, because she then proclaimed that she had a wonderful man on the phone line, and a Pastor standing in front of her (that was me).

She did not get rebooked, but she did not stay rejected. I bet you’ve touched someone’s spirit this week as well. Think about it and share. I’ll tell you about my luggage and return trip testimony in a couple of days.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Learning in Economic Quicksand

P.E.E.R. Pressure
Parents Experiencing Excellence in Retrospect


Children can handle their friends. In fact, that’s why they follow them. Living up to your standards is a lot tougher. Especially if you weren’t such an angel when you were their age… and suddenly know all the signs and road blocks to ‘control’ them with. Remember wanting to be ‘free’ of your parents’ reign?

You’re doing great work at the hardest job in the world: being a parent. It is by far the toughest task to conquer… because you don’t conquer it, you can’t get out of it, and your “staff” has the same rule book you’re using (one with blank pages). Help your children stay creative by laughing with them about some of the mistakes you made. Help them believe they’re going to make it, while all else around them tells them they’re not.

These children of today ARE going to make it because, and sometimes in spite of the fact that they’re related to us children who weren’t supposed to make it….

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Whose Heart is it About?

I don’t do relationship chats or blogs… however, a friend asked me a question about risking the chance to put one’s heart out to get hurt. Here’s how I responded:

Hearts get the best exercise when we exercise them. If you keep holding your heart back for someone, when they come along you'll have a hard time recognizing them and getting the right pace. Short relationships are just as fulfilling as long ones. Truth is that the long ones are just a bunch of short ones where you go through changes to get to the next.

Yeah, it's a little different when the sprints are with new partners... but comparison helps you get more in touch with yourself. And isn't that what it should be about?

Let me know what you think.
(feel free to let me know this is why I don't do relationship blogs)

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The Master of Listening

The Master of Listening
... and Smiling