She pulled out a book, but I couldn’t see what it was.  A soft smile crept over her face.  I wonder what she read that made it happen.  She quickly jotted something on a nearby notebook and then looked out the window again with those big, contemplative eyes… no, there’s got to be a better word than contemplative.  I wish I had my computer with me to look up the thesaurus… thoughtful?  Meditative?  Introspective?  It’s a lost cause… She gently touched her lips in thought and I forgot about finding the right word…

I spent the next 30 minutes trying to think of a smooth way to approach her.  Why would I go over there?  What would be a good excuse to start a conversation?  I’m sure she’s hit on all the time by jerks who don’t get it.  I didn’t want to be another one of those…

Posted: July 24th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 2

…a continuation from yesterdays post 

A simple tank top revealed thin, graceful arms.  I wanted to touch them, and then looked around to be sure no one could read what I was writing.  Is it strange to write about a mystery girl in a coffee shop?  Probably. 

She held her mug like she was receiving warmth from it.  Sunlight spilled in from the windows around her.  Something was on her mind because she stared out the window at passing cars for five minutes straight, periodically sipping the steaming liquid. 

When she put her mug down she caught my stare.  I, of course, quickly looked away feeling like a stupid Jr. High boy.  I glanced again to see if it was safe to resume my perusal—she caught me again.  More coffee stains on the papers…

Posted: July 23rd, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 2

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does I take the opportunity.  I’m talking about fiction.  I enjoy it, but I rarely write it.  Here’s a little something that hit me this morning… don’t ask, just read.

The ringing bells caught my attention and I looked up from my book.  It was the third time I’d seen her in the shop in the last two weeks.  The room always seemed to brighten when she came in.  She passed me and I caught a wave of her sweet scent—I’m not sure what flavor— mixed with the coffee grounds behind the bar.  My leg jerked underneath the table sloshing my now lukewarm coffee all over my papers. 

I said hi to her once.  Actually it was more like, “good morning.”  She was fixing her coffee at the bar and I, um… “needed napkins.”  Her dark brown eyes matched her full, curly head of hair.  Those eyes flashed in a sweet smile and two beautiful words came out of her full lips, “good morning.”  Ok, so it’s not a lot, but it’s a start in the right direction. 

She found a chair in the corner and curled her legs up in it.  I hunched over my books and tried to look busy.  I read the same paragraph three times—none of it registered.  Then, all the sudden I had the inspiration to write—to really write, which didn’t come often working for the paper.  So I grabbed my pen and started jotting down my observations in between the coffee stains on my paper…

Posted: July 22nd, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 5

My greatest church camp memory was when I was in the 10th grade.  Our guy group brought a water balloon launcher and wanted to test how far they could sling some balloons.  So they loaded up on swollen water balloons, and climbed the hill.  About 15 minutes later everyone surrounded one of the staff members cars.  A water balloon had crashed through the windsheild shattering it to a million pieces…  

We’re at camp this week!  Over 750 people from all the different Lifechurch.tv campuses have come together for 5 full days of activities, high energy worship, amazing messages, small group time with counselors and the best in what they like to call “camp food”…

Check out this web site for the daily updates of what God is doing in some of our student’s lives…

What church camp did you attend when you were younger?

What is your fondest church camp memory? 

Posted: July 17th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 2

I’ve also come to discover that fear is the opposite of faith.  At least a crippling fear; a fear that keeps you from moving forward interferes with a life of faith. 

 Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led.  It does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason… Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person… not plans.     

The unknown can be a scary thing.  But from my life experiences true, God-honoring faith is taking a step when you see no floor underneath you.  But how can you do that?  I believe it overflows into another word.  Love. 

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.” 

So here’s my formula: to overcome fear, you must have faith.  To have faith, you must have love. 

Do you agree, disagree?  What thoughts would you like to add? 

Posted: July 11th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 4

I jumped off a 55 foot cliff last weekend.  (Yes, there was water underneath!) I was a little hesitant at first.  Looking over the edge, my toes gripped the red, sunbathed rock.  Imagining the drop shrunk my stomach, and twisted my insides.  My heart pumped like it was hooked up to a caffeine IV.  I swallowed as the chants of my friends rang in my ears. “Jump, jump, jump.” 

What have you learned to fear?   

Posted: July 8th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 13

I read this today during my time with the Lord:

“”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 a hope and a future.”  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”–Jeremiah 29:11-13

Don’t just skip over it because it’s a scripture you’ve already read… go back and read it again very slowly…

This brings me such comfort… I wonder why?  What about you?

Posted: June 24th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 10

Only after we learn how to lead ourselves can we effectively lead others.  The next leadership principle in the Marines’ manual that I have found to be true is:

KNOW YOUR MARINES AND LOOK OUT FOR THEIR WELFARE. 

Maybe you’re not leading Marines, but the same holds true for whoever you find yourself leading:

Know your children–know how they’re wired, how they learn best, what makes them passionate, what do they want to do in life?

Know your employees–Relational leadership is the key to success.  If you know your people you know what they’re capable of, where they’re best suited in the organization.

Know your volunteers–knowing your volunteer’s strengths and weaknesses greatly aids  your effectiveness in your ministry area. 

Do you know those you lead? How can you do better as a leader to KNOW your subordinates…

Posted: June 19th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 4

Sometimes we can forget that we are all leaders of something.  Whether we lead ministries, volunteers, employees, children or just ourselves we all lead in some capacity. 

As I was looking through Cody’s Marine Corps leadership manual I was amazed how much of what they teach can be applied to anyone you find yourself leading.  However, the first and most important thing to remember as a leader is that we first lead ourselves. 

Cody says that his favorite leadership concept from the manual is: “Know Thyself and Seek Self-improvement”

See how you stack up against these three top leadership concepts the United States Marine Corps expect from their men.

Authority—the legitimate power of a leader to direct those subordinate to him to take action within the scope of his position. 

Responsibility—the obligation to act or to do that which you must answer for

Accountability—the leader answers for his actions and accepts the consequences, good or bad.  Accountability is the final act on the establishment of one’s credibility.   

Post a comment and discuss where you see yourself needing improvement.  After all, we’re all leaders of something…

Posted: June 18th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 3

Many of you know Cody is a Marine.  He served four years of active duty, heading to Iraq twice for two separate deployments.  As a Sergeant he gained valuable yet simple to understand lessons in leadership which have already helped me in my job and ministry.  I will share some of these valuable lessons this week.  I hope they will spark some good discussion.  

Posted: June 16th, 2008 under Random.
Comments: 3