Archive for the ‘family’ Category
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
I love playing games on our Wii system with my six year old daughter. We have one conflict. Both of us want to be “Player One”. We race to activate our controllers first, so that we can chose the games, click through the options, and “be in control”.
My daughter loves to be “player one”…wants to be in control…even though she’s a first grader and can’t read or comprehend all of the directions and options. She wants to be “in charge” even on new games that she has NO IDEA how to play. My daughter is so much like me…
When people say that God wants to “be in control of our lives”, I think they miss the point. I don’t think God wants to “grab the controller out of our hands”. I don’t think God ever intended to play this game of life alone…without us. In fact, I’m pretty sure scripture shows us that God’s reason for creating mankind was so that he could spend time with us…enjoy our company…be our loving father. God DOES WANT to be “Player One”. For our own good he wants to direct our “options”. For our own benefit he wants to guide us through the difficult games that we don’t fully understand. Because he loves us he wants us to direct us as we “play” together.
I have experienced how much better life can be when my Father is “Player One”. I fully admit that when he is in control the “game” of life is so much more fulfilling. …but sometimes I’m still a six year old fighting for the controller number one.
How about you?
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Thursday, December 24th, 2009
I know for some of us this is truly the “Most wonderful time of the year.” For others, this can be a really painful reminder of loss…or a time of dissapointment when the season and those we love don’t exactly live up to what we expect from the “magic of Christmas”. Whether you’re feeling like “jing-jingle-belling” or “cussing and yelling” because of this season I just wanted to remind you of two things…
You’ve given the gift of Joy to others. Over 500 kids in York City schools were surprised with a new coat from someone they had never met…completely unexpected…no strings attached-because of you. Two other families facing very tough circumstances were given coats and gift cards that will allow them to have a much brighter and less worrisome Christmas. I personally received a lot of Joy from being part of a church that had a giant dancing Santa and a lighted “yard deer’ on Stage..not to mention you gave me a pie. 
Just sayin’…
We’ve been given the gift of Joy. No strings attached. No matter what our current circumstances are.
6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity. Isaiah 9: 6-7
Good wins in the end. Justice and fairness will prevail. Peace will someday be the rule instead of the exception. Jesus has come, and an un-stoppable plan has been set in motion. If for no other reason this Christmas season, we can take joy in that!
This sort-of-jolly fat man is looking forward to some time off to enjoy family, pie, and totally dominating my six year old in “kittens corner” on her new DS. shhhh!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
We’re talking about the movie Marley and Me on Sunday. What is it about the ‘worst dog ever” that generated a best seller and and hit movie? Why do we remember and laugh at our “worst date ever”, our “worst DAY ever”, or the “worst thing our two year old ever did”? How do things that seem “the worst ever” turn into things that we later laugh about…and learn from?
Two words (along with the passage of time) seem to make all the difference in whether we view something as an “amusing anecdote” or a disaster. Acceptance and Forgiveness.
Accepting that “disasters” happen…and forgiving the “disaster prone” dogs, two year olds, spouses, teenagers, and clumsy delivery people etc. can change anger into laughter… Two words can make life enjoyable instead of just “bearable”.
Try them. Today, if possible.
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