Moving Forward

     Man, this year went by fast!  That's a good thing because 2011 didn't offer much of anything.  I mean, 2011 was just there.  Nothing exciting.  Nothing new.  Nothing to look forward to.  It was just there.  The reason it was like that was because of me. I got comfortable in where I was at in my life.  Nothing is going wrong, so why fix it?  I was content.  Nothing wrong with contentment,  but when your thighs are the size of the Amazon jungle and you can't pick up anything heavy because you haven't used your  muscles in years, then its about time to change some things.  Or when you constantly complain about how boring work is and how you want to do something meaningful or be more productive, yet, fail to do anything about it, then yeah, its time for a change.
     2012 has already given me a lot to look forward to, and I intend to take full advantage of it.  I'm planning and setting goals for the coming year.  I'm not going to wait for something or someone to hand me anything!  I'm gonna go out there and create it for myself!  So enough talk!  Its time for action!  If you want to get in shape, let me know.  If you need/want a new job, find out what it is your good at and go out there and either create your own, or find a job that fits.  Do not settle anymore.  Forget what people say about the economy.  Forget the negativity, and forge on!  It's time to make a change.  Who's with me?
 http://youtu.be/NUZ03tyOX3Q

The Promise of Christmas

As Christians, this is the time to reflect on the gift that has been given to us.  A gift that can never be broken or taken away.  A gift that is sealed forever. You too can receive this gift.

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Some Good News 

A Leader is a Servant

     During the last Presidential debate, the question was asked on whether "Character" was important in a President.  For the life of me, I couldn't understand why that question was even asked, until I started to see the responses from not only the candidates, but people on the social networks who actually watched it.  I believe the question was not addressed correctly.  The word "Character" has for the most part been used synonymously in the positive sense. And so it's only fitting to suggest that when your talking about the topic, you would mean "good". After all, let's face it, there are tons of people out there with character.  Lady Gaga has character.  Barack Obama has character. Tim Tebow for crying out loud  has character! Everyone has character!   I don't believe that was the point.  The question should have been stated, "Is 'good' Character important in a President?"  If you ask the question in this phrase, then it brings up a different meaning.
     I happen to believe that good Character IS essential in a President for several reasons.  The first and foremost is that of TRUST.  Trust is the number one characteristic that everyone in the world is looking for.  Trust gives opportunities.  Trust gives people Hope.  Trust solidifies relationships.  Trust brings about Peace.  Finally, Trust brings about ACCOUNTABILITY.  Accountability holds you responsible for the duties intrusted in you.  When things go well, or when things go bad. It doesn't matter.  You accept the responsibilities of accountability regardless, which in turn brings about FAIRNESS.  Being fair does not choose sides on the bases of who does the most for you.  You can be fair to all, regardless if  you like someone or not.  Fairness looks at all sides without presuppositions and determines the best solution.  And if your being fair to all, your also being CARING to all.  A President will care for all Americans.  A President is not self seeking, but rather seeking the best interest of those he is accountable for.  A President is not weak willed.  A President is not gullible. Caring sometimes means saying "NO".  It does not mean giving to everybody what they want.  It means not over stepping your bounds. It means owning your CITIZENSHIP.  Citizenship is being a good steward within your Title as President.  Holding that position to the highest value. Citizenship means being a good steward not only in your public life, but also in private.  In your community.  In your relationships. In your duty as an American citizen, and your duty as leader of the free world!
     So when I see people say that ability is most important in a President, rather than "good" character, I have to disagree with them.  Some of the most corrupted "leaders"  in History had amazing abilities.   Most of them saw themselves egotistically superior to others, which brought upon all kinds of destruction.  But history also shows that men of good character were strong leaders who knew their responsibilities were to be taken seriously and were not to be used for self gain.  So for me, I will choose good character above ability.  Good character brings about good leadership. As Jesus said in the parable of the Faithful Servant in Luke 12:48,  "To whom much has been given, much will be required." Or if Uncle Ben (of "Spiderman" fame) is more your style, "With great power, comes great responsibilities."

Being Content

     There was a time in America when people didn't have television or radio.  There was a time when children played outside riding their bicycles or played with their radio flyers, climbed tree's or played hide& go seek, jump rope or hopscotch. There was a time when kids went to camp, like I did, to learn about nature and learn to ride a horse, or learn how to row a canoe, or just being outside and enjoying being a kid!  There was a time when having a dishwasher or washing machine was a luxury.  Minus the dryer. When people didn't have all the "necessary luxuries" of today.  Yet, looking back, in my opinion, were the most content with what they had?  Why is that?
    Growing up, we used to wash our clothes in a tub and use a scrub board to clean the dirt off.  That until we got a washing machine with a crank that had the two rollers where you would you put your clothes in between and it flattened out your clothes to take the excess water out, and then you hung them out to dry in a clothes line.  None of this fancy stuff we have today where you just put your clothes in a tub, push a button and the work is done for you. I remember having to hang my clothes out to dry in the sun on a clothes line.  Or how about the iron?  There was no plug in iron's back in that time.We had to put a cast iron on the stove, wait for it to heat and then iron our clothes.  none of this plug in the iron, push a button and you have automatic heat.  we actually had to do the work!  I remember  growing my own vegetables, and being responsible for maintenance.  I remember  having  a lemonade stand and learning about the meaning of work, finance and Entrepreneurship. I even remember learning how to cut people's grass.  Now I'm not knocking innovation,  but there is something to be said about the work that is done out of sweat and time that makes it meaningful.  A sense of accomplishment for your thought & effort.
     We live in a microwave world where everything is 'instant'.  From washing clothes, dishes, or even warming our food.  It's all 'instant'. There is no thought or effort into it.  Just push the button and go! What happens when you take a society and you implement that 'instant' mentality? You have a society that is lazy,  inconsiderate and unappreciative, because after all, you don't have time for anything complicated.  If something doesn't work,  you can go buy another.  If a marriage doesn't work out, you can go out and find someone else.  When you can have anything at the push of a button, what is that teaching a society?  The simpler the innovation, the less content  we seem to become.
     In introspect, I can see how my grown up years have made me appreciate the things I have today. From growing my own vegetables, to washing my clothes in a tub, to just being a kid and playing hide & go seek. It took time and effort to see it produce. That is all we had. When we as a society do not take the time to be content with what we have,  those things lose their value, and cheapen the things we say we want/need or perhaps even love. We fail  to realize the blessings we do have.
     I can't do much with my 13 year old computer.  But when I save my money and buy a new one, I know I will appreciate the sacrifice I put in, in saving for one, and in turn, will take care of it so it will last me just as long.   When we let innovation control our lives instead of  enriching it, we lose our contentment.  

I Timothy 6:6
Phillipians 4:12
Hebrews 13:5

Good News
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Bring It!

  
  On December 1st, I started my new exercise routine. After having been fit and active for a long time, I left myself get overweight and inactive.  Year after year, I would go through the rut of telling myself that this was the year.  Something has to change.  But, just like the year before, I do nothing about it.  It's just a wish, but without putting the effort.
     This month I joined  a Beachbody Challenge.  I hope you will join me in being successful.  If you want to join me in the challenge, just send me a note, I'll show you how. 
     This year will be different.  This year I will make a change.  This IS the year.  It's time to BRING IT!