Addendum to “Don’t Be Shy”

So…you people are telling me that my family, on average, checks my blog about 10 times per day each? I don’t think that’s possible. The rest of you people need to fess up. It’s ok…don’t be shy!

51 Million Votes?

I am watching my DVR version of the American Idol results show (which is so much better and so much quicker than watching it live) and I was very astounded by something Ryan Seacrest said.

“51 million voters this week.”

51 million.

Really, America?

I mean, I guess I am part of the reason American Idol is still on Fox since I’m still watching it, but really, America? 51 million votes?

Certainly Americans think there are more important things in this world than who wins American Idol. Right? Please tell me that’s true.

In the meantime, though, this incredible vote outpouring gave me an idea. What if we could choose the President by texting our vote or what if we could just call in our vote? Surely more people would participate then…right?

Don’t Be Shy

Ok…there are lots of you checking out the blog everyday, but who are you? Sorry if I disappoint by not writing every day, but there’s a little thing called life that just keeps happening!

Anyhow…tell us who you are. Introduce yourselves! Come on…don’t be shy.

Celebration of Discipline :: Service

The Discipline of Service

“But in service we must experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves. Service banishes us to the mundane, the ordinary, the trivial.”

“Jesus completely redefined leadership and rearranged the lines of authority.”

“Self-righteous service comes through human effort. It expends immense amounts of energy calculating and scheming how to render the service…True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside. We serve out of whispered promptings, diving urgings.”

“True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service.”

“True service rests contented in hiddenness. It does not fear the lights and blare of attention, but it does not seek them out either.”

“True service is free of the need to calculate results. It delights only in the service. It can serve enemies as freely as friends.”

“True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.”

“When we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge.”

“Guarding the reputation of others is deep and lasting service.”

Celebration of Discipline :: Submission

Moving right along in Richard Foster’s book. I’d like to check this book off my reading list sometime in the very near future.

The Discipline of Submission

“The Disciplines are for the purpose of realizing a greater good. In and of themselves they are of no value whatever. They have value only as a means of setting us before God so that he can give us the liberation we seek. The liberation is the end; the Disciplines are merely the means.”

“The most radical social teaching of Jesus was his total reversal of the contemporary notion of greatness. Leadership is found in becoming the servant of all. Power is discovered in submission.”

“We are commanded to live a life of submission because Jesus lived a life of submission, not because we are in a particular place of station in life.”

“It is not an evasion of the issue to say that in defining the limits of submission we are catapulted into a deep dependence upon the Holy Spirit. After all, if we had a book of rules to cover every circumstance in life, we would not need dependence. The Spirit is an accurate discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, both yours and mine. He will be to us a present Teacher and Prophet, instructing us in what to do in every situation.”

o

It’s been a while since I did a letter, so I’m going to try and get back on track. On with O…

Outside: Part of why I love living in Florida (not that I have much to compare it to since I’ve lived here my whole life), is that wonderful weather that makes it possible to be outside so often. On nice days I find it VERY hard to be inside. I try to find something to do out of doors if at all possible. “Outside” was also one of my nephew’s first words. He also seems to have a love for the outdoors (at least at this point in his life). It’s very very cute to hear him say, “Owside? Owside?” Gosh, I can’t get enough of that kid.

Orlando: Although I’m technically from Sanford/Lake Mary, I always say I’m from Orlando because most people don’t know where Sanford or Lake Mary are. It’s just easier.

Orphanage: I visited an orphanage for the first time three years ago in Bolivia. Those 60+ boys at the time (they have more than 70 now) captured my heart very quickly. It’s amazing to see what God has done in their young lives.

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. -Psalm 63:1

The Story of My Life

In case you didn’t know, Hollywood has made a movie about my life. If you haven’t seen it, you need to. Last night I watched 27 Dresses for the first time with Kasey and Janina. I won’t spoil the fun if you haven’t seen it, but I kept saying over and over, “This is my life!” (Minus the crazy sister…my sister’s not crazy!)

Anyway…it’s a very cute movie, and one that I would recommend. So if you have nothing better to do this weekend, run over to Blockbuster and pick it up.

If after you see it, you don’t know why I refer to it as “The Story of My Life,” check out this previous post.

Getting My Life Back…

Yes, it is 6am. Yes, I am blogging. Yes, I have been up almost an hour. Yes, I am tired. Yes, the adrenaline I had yesterday is gone.

BUT…the hard part is over and tonight the Golf Tournament I’ve been working on for the last two months will be over and I’m looking forward to getting back into routine and “normal” life. If you think about it, isn’t it wild that God gave us such a sense of order in life that we actually crave and need routine? Or, maybe He just made me that way and I’m only one. So maybe you people think I’m crazy.

Last night’s dinner event was a success. Few kinks along the way, but that happens with any large event. Last night was the hard part. Today we set the guys (and ladies) free on the golf course and then hang out. And, what better place to hang out than at The Ritz-Carlton, Jupiter. I feel like I’m on vacation when I’m at that place. Seriously.

Anyway…all of the above is random, I know, but I’m just killing time before I need to leave for The Ritz (don’t ask me who kills time at 6am because I’m not even sure). Have a great day!

Gosh, I love PerryNoble.com

I’m borrowing a post from PerryNoble.com because: 1) it’s good stuff, and 2) I don’t have time to post an original blog right now. In fact, right now, I SHOULD be sleeping. Oh well. More blogs from me coming someday soon…hopefully next week. That’s assuming any of you want to ready something from me.

Anyway…thanks again, Perry, for some great thoughts…

How to Pursue a Young Lady-Four Things You Should Know

So, we’ve been in this “Sex, Money & Power” series and I’ve talked a lot about the husband and wife relationship.  SO…I wanted to take a second or two to speak to the single dude out there who has been wrestling with this question, “So…how do I find a wife/pursue a lady?”

Call me old fashioned…but Proverbs 18:22 says that he who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.  So…here are five things I think a guy should do….

#1 - Be Persistent In Prayer!  

I remember WAY before I began dating Lucretia I began to pray for my future wife…I had no idea who she was…but God knew.  I prayed for God to bless her…for God to draw her close to Him…and for God to allow her to somehow think I was incredibly good looking!  :-)  (See–prayer works!)

Also–the verse I mentioned above mentions receiving favor from the Lord–guys, I think everyone of you should, when praying for his future mate, ask God for favor.  He blessed me with favor–I married WAY over my head.  Once again–prayer works.

#2 - Be Honest!  

Don’t play games!  Be up front and tell her exactly how you feel.  And…don’t send your friend to do it for you.  Don’t begin a “texting relationship.”  Speak with her–without your friends or her friends being there…and don’t hold back.

Now I MUST throw in this disclaimer because some freak is going to read that and, within 10 minutes of the first date tell some poor young lady that he feels “called to marry her.”

Dude–STOP IT…you are freakin’ weird!

Honesty and the beginning of the relationship is NOT trying to hide who you really are OR trying to be someone else.  AND…as the relationship progresses AND BOTH of you see potential…THEN the “this is how I feel” conversation needs to take place…not before.

#3 - Be Consistent

One of the things every woman in the world wants is security.

SO…guys, it is WAY UNCOOL to treat her one way when you are alone, another way in front of your friends and yet another way in front of her friends.

AND…it is so FIRST GRADE to say, “Well, she hasn’t been talking to me as much lately…so, I’m just going to give her the silent treatment.”  That is not getting her attention–that is proving to her that you are a REAR END!

Treat her the same no matter what–THAT is an issue of character.

#4 - Be Patient

If the relationship isn’t moving along at the pace you want it to move–BACK OFF!  If she says to leave her alone…then leave her alone.  If she says to give her space–then give her space.  BUT…if she says that she is undecided…but is really enjoying the friendship…then be her friend.  What do you have to lose?

The last thing a girl wants to feel from a guy is pressure to make a decision.  She wants to know that she can trust him…and that he likes being around her NOT because of where he might perceive the relationship heading…but because of where the relationship actually is.

Just some advice…  :-)  Next week I will do a post for the ladies entitled, “How to be pursued by a guy!”  I promise it will be fun!

Celebration of Discipline :: Solitude

Slowly, but surely, I am making my way through this book.  Chapter seven deals with solitude…good stuff.

The Discipline of Solitude

“Our fear of being alone drives us to noise and crowds.”

“We can cultivate an inner solitude and silence that sets us free from loneliness and fear. Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment.”

“…the seeking out of solitary places was a regular practice for Jesus. So it should be for us.”

“…we must seek out the recreating stillness of solitude if we want to be with others meaningfully. We must seek the fellowship and accountability of others if we want to be alone safely. We must cultivate both if we are to live in obedience.”

“Without silence there is no solitude.”

“One reason we can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless. We are so accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. If we are silent, who will take control? God will take control, but we will never let him take control until we trust him. Silence is intimately related to trust.”

“The tongue is our most powerful weapon of manipulation. A frantic stream of words flows from us because we are in a constant process of adjusting our public image. We fear so deeply what we think other people see in us that we talk in order to straighten out their understanding.”

“One of the fruits of silence is the freedom to let God be our justifier. We don’t need to straighten others out.”

“…silence brings us to believe that God can care for us…”

“The dark night is one of the ways God brings us into a hush, a stillness so that he may work an inner transformation upon the soul.”