More Than A Song

Passion is defined as an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.

Hopefully, your job is directly connected to your passion.  I've been lucky enough to be passionate about my profession and have never really wavered about my career choice to be in the education field.  Sure, there are days, but it seems those days and moments are quickly followed with one, if not more, moments that totally blow those tough times out of the water.  (Thank You God for those)

Sometimes though, I know that's not the case.   There may be some that have to do a job to pay the bills. More on that in a moment.

If you're not fortunate to feel passionate about your work, hopefully you have some hobbies that allow you to get a taste of that passion.  I'm  been passionate about music for a long time.  I like several different genres of music, appreciate good musicianship, and love listening to it live.  For probably the past 12-13 years I've grown  passionate about the area of worship.  Not just the music and leading worship, but pursuing a life of worship, and learning more about it.

I don't say this to say I have it all figured out, just what I believe, and what has helped get me through some of "those" times.  Romans 12:1 says that we should "present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship".  

I love how The Message version says it...."Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering".  

Awesome.....that's our challenge each and every day.  Wake up, get up, thank God for the day, and let Him use you, and what you do, for His glory.  Even those jobs, or days, that seem mundane and ordinary can be used by God.  Give it to Him and all of a sudden what we see as "just a job" turns into a way to meet and influence others.  If we can do that, and be passionate about it, who knows what kind of impact we can have.  Let's be passionate about letting the creator of the universe use what we do for His glory.  

That makes for a life worth living.  

Manning, IA 1989-99

I've wanted to continue to look at the journey we've been on through the years, and look at a few of things we've been blessed with and I've learned at our stops with the different places my career path has taken us.

Today, we revisit Manning, IA, where we spent 10 wonderful years.  In no particular order, here's some of the things we were blessed with:

1. The birth of AJ and Abby, both right there in town, at the Manning hospital. 
2. We bought our first house. 
3. We made some life long friends from Manning. They include some of my former students and players who are now approaching "middle age" and friends from our church family in Carroll.  People, that to this day, I know we could call and they would drop what they are doing and come to help us if needed.  We have so many great friendships from those 10 years.  
4.  I spent 8 years playing with a group called the "Blues Brothers" that played old rock and roll music.  I also started singing Southern Gospel quartet music with 3 guys from the Carroll church, and we still get together once a year in the spring 20+ years later to sing and enjoy a weekend together in Carroll.

Here's a few things I learned that have stuck with me from that time:

1. I had an honest principal who told me the truth, and probably made more of an impact on me than anyone else in my professional career.  After my first year at Manning, he had me come into his office and very bluntly told me that I had to expect more discipline from the players and students, and if I didn't, I wouldn't succeed.  He told me I had the knowledge to be a good coach, but if I didn't demand discipline and take care and control of my program, it wouldn't work.  To this day I not only believe that to be true from a teaching/coaching philosophy standpoint, but I also have tried to be very honest in my approach as a leader.  I don't often say things with the most tact, but I do try to be honest and open with those that I'm leading.  
2. As part of being in the Blues Brothers I learned how to play piano in a whole new way.  I had never learned how to play music from a chord chart before, and the leader of the group, a very talented piano player, taught me how to do that.  I learned how to play more fills in music from those chords, how to play with some more expression, and it's a skill I use all of the time now playing, and leading, worship music.  

We have so many fond memories from that decade in Manning.  I began to develop a desire to become an athletic director at that time, but knew that I may not ever have the opportunity to do so there because of the man who was doing the job so capably there at that time.  That turned out to be correct.  Floyd retired just a couple of years ago after a fantastic career there.  I started to take a few classes toward my degree at that time too, but the timing of coaching basketball, having young children, and having to go to another town at night, just wasn't a good combination, so that educational pursuit got put on hold.  

After 10 good years there I remember sitting in our house, thinking about what the future might hold, when Jeremiah 29:11 really came alive to me for the first time.  It was about that time that I learned of an opening at a Christian College in Norfolk, NE and we were called to go there.  

We continue to be so grateful for the blessing that our time in Manning was to our family and the part the experiences played in our journey to where we are right now professionally and personally.   

Writers Block

I sit here looking at my blog site, empty page for the last hour,  listening to some worship music.  I've started this blog 2-3 times, and although maybe worthy topics to write about I just didn't feel it.  I guess what I do feel tonight is the awesome feeling of Worship.  Adoration toward a God that I believe truly exists and loves me.  I so believe that we should strive to live our life as an act of worship to God to offer thanks for the blessings that He gives.  I'm thinking about, now listening to the worship set we did today.

We did a new song at Pathway this week. "The Same Love", by Paul Baloche. We've been going through the book of Acts at Pathway, and the words of this song have come to me every week as I have been listening to the teaching.  I wasn't really that familiar with the song, but I started to listen to it almost every day and the words have just been on my mind non stop.  I've just been in awe of the fact that the "same love that set the captives free, the same love that opened eyes to see, is calling us all by name".  "The same God that spread the heavens wide, the same God that was crucified is calling us by name".  As I've read and listened about the beginning of the church every week, it is just is awesome to think that the same God is working here in 2013 too.

I'm thankful for guys like Paul Baloche, guys who are still leading worship at a local church, but continues to be inspired and used by God to share his prayers and thoughts and put them to music so beautifully.  One thing I've heard him say more than once is that his songs are prayers that he's been able to put to music.

So, even if you find yourself not knowing what to say, or sitting silently thinking about where you're at on life's road, remember you have a God that offers the same love that he's offered for generations, even from the beginning of time.  That's comforting, awesome, confusing, but worth writing and singing about.

Be Blessed!!

Another Birthday

Yeah, I had mine (#51), but it's not that big of a deal anymore, however, I am thankful for another year of life and all of the blessings, and trials......I'm very thankful.

This writing though focuses on our daughter, Abby.  Abby turned 21 today (Aug 19).  Kind of a big one.  I suppose mine was too, but that was so 1983.  Anyway, to say we're really proud of her is probably an understatement.  As many know Abby is a single mom of our grandson, Parker. I guess the way I've always described it is that he was unplanned, but he's definitely not unloved.  We can't imagine life without him or how this experience has helped us all grow in one way or another.

Sure, it was tough at times for everyone, but we've learned so much about being less judgmental, more compassionate,  less stressed out about what we might consider little things, and I think continue to live each day with more joy and a feeling of blessing because the little guy makes us laugh every single day....and that's good for anyone's soul.

We're proud of Abby because she could have chosen to not have Parker and we never would have known. I guess as I wrote that the honest truth is we wouldn't have known she was pregnant, and we wouldn't have known Parker.  That's pretty sobering.  Instead she faced an uncertainty and has turned into a wonderful, loving mother and grown in many ways over the past two years.  She has been accepted into the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Mercy College in Des Moines, will complete that program five straight semesters from now, and she's working part time at Hobby Lobby.  Then, when she's home she's mommy full time.  It has given me a deep appreciation for the single mom and what they go through to raise their children.  God Bless them all.

You never know what God can help you handle until He brings it to you.  The key for all of us, whether a single mom or not, is to understand that God brings it for a reason, and the whole purpose is to help us grow closer to Him by becoming more dependent on Him, and less on ourselves.

So Abby, we're proud of what you've done, what you're doing, and where you're going.  Along your journey, you've helped us on our journey too.

Happy Birthday.

Jeremiah 29:11  - "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future". 

Influence vs. Impact

I have been reading a lot of leadership stuff over the summer. I subscribe to a few newsletters, e-mail lists, and come across good stuff on Twitter.  

I’ve been thinking a lot about Influence vs. Impact.   

First off, what’s the difference?  In my mind we have influence when we have rules, expectations, and things that control people’s behavior.  Those can be good, and can have value to help people do what’s right, but it may not have a real lasting value.  Coaches have rules in hopes of keeping athletes from getting into trouble.  I have expectations for coaches that I think are good for their programs and will also benefit the students they are working with.  They aren’t bad, can be positive for people, but I don’t think they have any real lasting value.  Just a way to do something and control a situation.  

Impact is bringing a lasting affect on a person or situation.  Think about the people in your life that have had a lasting impact in what you do for a living, what you believe, how you treat people, and live your life.  Some had that Impact a long time ago, while others may be in your life at this very moment. The list can change, but we all know who those people are.  Their influence is beyond enforcing a few rules. It changes who we are.

Two thoughts:

1) I shudder to think of the number of times I’ve missed an opportunity to Impact a person’s life.  I have gotten too caught up in coming up with the things that influence people and have not focused enough on people and serving them.  That’s how we Impact.

2)  Impact is risky and can be disappointing.  When we offer ourselves up to people and invest in their lives we can also be setting ourselves up to be turned away. I know I need to continue to look for situations where I can Impact and not worry about potential failure.  It’s like we size someone up and think about if they're worthy of our effort.  That’s selfish and not what we should be about if we want to have a servant’s heart.  

Wait.....there was a man who came to earth a little over 2,000 years ago that could have felt the same way but didn't.  I wasn't worth the risk, and there have been countless times that I’ve disappointed Him.  I’m glad He has continued to make an impact on my life.  I think my life should reflect the example that He set. 

The Impact He’s had on my life needs to be reflected more.  More of Him, less of me.  That’s how we can have a true impact on the people we’re living life with.  Yeah, it's risky, but there are some people whose lives depend on us taking that risk. 

Invest and Impact = Leadership

Back At It

Kind of took a couple of months off from writing.  Like everyone, the schedule gets a big hectic in the summer months and I was going to miss a few dates, so just took a break from both of my blogs.  I'm ready to get back to some writing on both sites.

Here's a bit of a summary of the last couple of months.  A TOP 5 if you will, of what's gone on in our lives.

In early June we got to enjoy 10 days in California with our entire family.  We got to attend the wedding of our niece, enjoy some new things, and some of the traditional things, that we do when we visit every few years.  It was a great time.  We're pictured here on Pismo Beach.  You can tell it's a nice June afternoon by the jackets.

In early July we were blessed by a 2 week visit by our Salt Lake City kids and grandson.  Brett, Nicole, and Jonathan were on a month long trip visiting supporters for their work in Salt Lake.  It was fantastic and we look forward to another visit around Christmas time.

During the time they were here we celebrated Deb's 29th Anniversary of her 21st Birthday.  We had several days with some different activities.  I had a good time.  I think she did too.

Exciting news for Abby as she did get into the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Mercy College.  She was the first alternate for a couple of months, but found out less than a week ago that she made it in.  We are very proud of her and she now has 5 straight semesters of work to complete the degree program.

AJ has started his work as the Graduate Assistant at Midland University with the Men's Basketball program and working on his Master's Degree.  He'll have his Masters a cool 24 years before I did.  Good for him. It will be fun for us to continue to follow MU basketball.

We're gearing up for the 2013-14 school year in about 10 days.  My time centers around the school year calendar, so January 1 is just a nice day for football for me.  The real year starts in August and I'm getting ready to start my 29th year of doing what they call "work".  Yeah, some days it seems like it, but overall, what a great blessing.

I look forward to sharing some more thoughts with you weekly on this journey we're on together.  I'll leave you with a good quote I read today as part of a devotional.  "If you're not serving, you're not leading".

Be Blessed and Be A Blessing!!

Two Trips, One Big Lesson

Deb and I just returned from a long weekend trip to San Antonio. We decided to take a trip for our 30th anniversary 6 months early.  We usually have bad weather around our anniversary on Dec. 30th, so thought this would be a good idea.  On Friday morning, we had to laugh, because The River City was in the midst of receiving 12 inches of rain in 24 hours and experienced major flooding.  Hey, we wouldn't expect anything less.  It turned out nice though, and we had a great trip and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and time away.

On Wednesday, June 5th, (AJ's 23rd birthday) we will leave for a family trip to Santa Maria, California.  All of our kids and grandsons will be together for the first time since last August.  We are going for my niece's wedding, and will have several other family members there from Deb's side.  It should be a great trip filled with many special memories.  

So what's my lesson?  It came to me from little Parker.  When we are out in a store, or he is outside playing, whenever he sees another child he gets so excited and acts like it's his long lost friend.  He might scream, and even run up to his little new found friend.  Now, sometimes this is shocking to the unexpecting child, but Parker is just so friendly and is excited to see them.  It got me thinking....as we grow older we become so much more guarded.  We've had so many relationships that have been hurtful, that we even develop a mistrust of others and our human nature is always worried about what somebody might want from us, or be using us for.  

I'm not saying we need to rush up to eveyone, scream, and try to hug them, that would be a little creepy and might get security called at the mall, but what if we let ourselves trust people a little bit more and just acted like we were happy to see them a bit more often?  What if we treated strangers with a bit more respect?  A smile?  What if we "paid it forward" a little bit more?  

I think I'm going to try and take this little lesson from my 20 month old grandson and see if I can show Christ to others more than I do now?  Thanks Parker, keep teaching me. (See, I told you he was smart)