Someone Emailed me this video clip. It's truly inspirational.
http://video.stumbleupon.com/?s=ithct48cqw&i=ufcchmyxqsuj9vwsemax
Here is the full version: http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/multimedia/randy-pausch-lecture.shtml
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Missed Opportunities
I believe in divine appointments; when God brings people together for a purpose. I also believe we usually miss more of those times than we get - missed opportunities to impact the kingdom of God. I think I may have had a divine appointment yesterday. Not sure if I missed it or not.
I was at the dentist for a check up. The dental hygienist immediately began to tell me part of her story. She first told me she was expecting a baby in 19 days. Then she told me how her mother, last week, was diagnosed with cancer and only given 9 months to live and her father had died of cancer two years ago. She did more talking than I did, mainly because my mouth was full.
My son Andrew was with me and was doing a great job of being patient and not messing with the equipment, too much. She commented on how well behaved he was and "what was my secret." I told here the secret was Ritalin, which started a whole new conversation about her 5 year old and some of the problems he was having in school that made her think of ADD. I gave her the ten minute brief on everything that I had learned from experience and research about ADD.
I left the conversation feeling glad that I was the kind of person that would let a stranger dump their story on them. And I believe that my listening was a good thing and probably left her in a better place.
But I wonder if I should have done or said more. I wonder if I was distracted by Andrew being with me and if I missed an opportunity to set an example of how to minister to someone in a more signaficant way?
The one great thing about missed opportunities is we can learn from them and move on to the next one.
I was at the dentist for a check up. The dental hygienist immediately began to tell me part of her story. She first told me she was expecting a baby in 19 days. Then she told me how her mother, last week, was diagnosed with cancer and only given 9 months to live and her father had died of cancer two years ago. She did more talking than I did, mainly because my mouth was full.
My son Andrew was with me and was doing a great job of being patient and not messing with the equipment, too much. She commented on how well behaved he was and "what was my secret." I told here the secret was Ritalin, which started a whole new conversation about her 5 year old and some of the problems he was having in school that made her think of ADD. I gave her the ten minute brief on everything that I had learned from experience and research about ADD.
I left the conversation feeling glad that I was the kind of person that would let a stranger dump their story on them. And I believe that my listening was a good thing and probably left her in a better place.
But I wonder if I should have done or said more. I wonder if I was distracted by Andrew being with me and if I missed an opportunity to set an example of how to minister to someone in a more signaficant way?
The one great thing about missed opportunities is we can learn from them and move on to the next one.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Difficult Days
This Sunday we will be talking about the 5th phase of a dream - The Difficulties Phase. A friend Emailed me some pictures to help put things in perspective. I thought I would share them.
-Enjoy
The bear was crossing the bridge and was scared by a car. He jumped over the ledge. Officials did not think there was anything they could do for it. When they returned the next morning they found the bear asleep under the bridge. That's when they went to work on getting him down.
-Enjoy
The bear was crossing the bridge and was scared by a car. He jumped over the ledge. Officials did not think there was anything they could do for it. When they returned the next morning they found the bear asleep under the bridge. That's when they went to work on getting him down.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Great Day
Yesterday we were blessed in N.VA with a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree day. As soon as I realized what a great day it was going to be, I loaded up my mountain bike, Andrew's tandem and all of our gear. We headed over to the Maryland side of Great Falls and took off down the C&O Canal towpath.
We mangaged to get in 10 miles before the rain hit. We got a little wet and Andrew got freaked out a little - he was afraid the river was going to flood. We also got to cross the river on a small, hand operated ferry, spotted an eagle's next and then headed back.
Quality time!
We mangaged to get in 10 miles before the rain hit. We got a little wet and Andrew got freaked out a little - he was afraid the river was going to flood. We also got to cross the river on a small, hand operated ferry, spotted an eagle's next and then headed back.
Quality time!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Hindsight
I love hindsight. I love to look back and see what things have become and remeber what they used to be like. But I also love to dream. To dream about the possibilities of what could be ahead.
I think a lot of times though, we either have our eye on the dream (the future) or are looking into the past wishing for the 'good ole days' and we miss the here and now and we miss the fact that life is really lived in the present.
So this week I've been trying to remind myself that while God has done some great things in my life and in our church, and while He promises to do even greater things in the future, He's actually at work right now. That's amazing when you think about it.
I wonder what Hypothermial Relief Week is going to look like in hindsight? What will it look like after this weekend when we have 50 students at our youth lock in? What will be some of the God-directed outcomes of our strategic planning? What is God doing in my sons life when he stands with me in the voting booth and pushes the buttons? To know that God is working in these and so many more things, right now, makes the present a great place to be.
I think a lot of times though, we either have our eye on the dream (the future) or are looking into the past wishing for the 'good ole days' and we miss the here and now and we miss the fact that life is really lived in the present.
So this week I've been trying to remind myself that while God has done some great things in my life and in our church, and while He promises to do even greater things in the future, He's actually at work right now. That's amazing when you think about it.
I wonder what Hypothermial Relief Week is going to look like in hindsight? What will it look like after this weekend when we have 50 students at our youth lock in? What will be some of the God-directed outcomes of our strategic planning? What is God doing in my sons life when he stands with me in the voting booth and pushes the buttons? To know that God is working in these and so many more things, right now, makes the present a great place to be.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Starting a Blog
One of the things I am always interested in is finding new, and hopefully, better ways of communicating. That's my purpose in starting a personal blog. My only goal is to open up a new channel of communication with the people I serve along side of.
I'm not sure how often I'll be posting but probably not more than once or twice a week.
If this goes well you can think Brian for constantly bugging me to start it. If it goes bad- you know who to blame.
Enjoy
David
I'm not sure how often I'll be posting but probably not more than once or twice a week.
If this goes well you can think Brian for constantly bugging me to start it. If it goes bad- you know who to blame.
Enjoy
David
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