Have you ever talked to someone who has bad breath from eating onions or garlic? I'm not just talking about "hey I had a sandwich" kind of smell, but that "I ate two Walla Walla sweets in the car while I was waiting" kind of smell. This is what I wonder about those people-
1. Do they know their breath smells like death?
2. Do they want someone to tell them?
My personal answer, that I will tell you all, is if my breath is currently in a state of disrepair, I probably don't know, and yes, I would appreciate someone telling me. If anyone ever offers me a mint or a piece of gum, I never turn it down. Never.
I wish it were that way with the other glaring flaws that we all have. I always wonder if people recognize their shortcomings. I'm sure I have some, I think I'm aware of them. I know my mouth gets me in trouble, because I speak before I think. I know I am impatient. I know that I don't do well with people who have hurt my feelings. I struggle at times with follow-through. I know these things. I work on them. I have a lot more, but that's just a few.
Its a challenge to find a way to talk to a person about their noticeable faults. People get defensive and upset when faced with the reality of who they are and areas that they need to improve. Its not really our job to go around and make people look in the mirror, but to love them for who they are, no matter how hard it may be. But sometimes, people have faults that are so offensive that you wonder if they even know, or want someone to tell them.
For me, I don't want to live the rest of my life with a character flaw that annoys everyone who knows me. As painful as it may be to hear, I want to grow. (please dont let me know via the comments on this blog)
Here's the nugget for today- Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
What does that mean? It means that sometimes there will be people in your life that want to tell you something that you may not want to hear, that in the end, may be thing that you most need to hear. Don't be afraid of instruction. Don't be afraid of encouragement. Be open to someone else helping you to be a better person.
Be blessed
matt
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Today Is The National Day of Prayer
Today is the National Day of Prayer. Our first day of prayer together as a nation was in 1775, when the founding fathers of this nation came together to pray to receive direction in forming a new country. From that day on, we have had days of prayer as a nation, but the formal holiday was established in 1952.
Why do we have a national day of prayer? So that we as a nation can set aside a day that we recognize that we need the influence of the Almighty in our lives for us to be able to succeed as a nation. To ask God for direction, and to thank him for his blessings.
I want to ask you a bold statement today- would you pray for our nation today? I know, you may not be a prayer type of person, but the more people we have praying today the better.
Take just a moment to acknowledge that we need God to bless our nation and continue to direct the affairs of our government.
Now more than ever we need prayer.
Be blessed today
matt
ps. There are National Day of Prayer events in every city all over America today. Uusally at City Hall at 1200pm. There is one today in Auburn if you can attend.
Why do we have a national day of prayer? So that we as a nation can set aside a day that we recognize that we need the influence of the Almighty in our lives for us to be able to succeed as a nation. To ask God for direction, and to thank him for his blessings.
I want to ask you a bold statement today- would you pray for our nation today? I know, you may not be a prayer type of person, but the more people we have praying today the better.
Take just a moment to acknowledge that we need God to bless our nation and continue to direct the affairs of our government.
Now more than ever we need prayer.
Be blessed today
matt
ps. There are National Day of Prayer events in every city all over America today. Uusally at City Hall at 1200pm. There is one today in Auburn if you can attend.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Lesson from an Ant Hill
My dog Ranger and I go for a walk together about 3-5 times a week. We do the same route about 80% of the time. It doesn't take that long, probably about 30 mins or so. Its a nice time for me to pray, think and focus for the day. For Ranger, he gets to get off his leash, run like the wind, and look for stuff to get into. The park we walk through is near a pond, so periodically he likes to go down to it and get nice and muddy for me.
We walk on a path that is a large oval through trees and brush. A few months ago, I noticed an anthill near the walking path. It was pretty big. Probably about 3 feet in diameter and about foot and half tall. There were tons of ants going crazy over that thing. I did what most guys would do, I conjured up a big loogie and spit on it to watch the ants go crazy. Then, I thought the next guy thing- messing it up.
I didn't mess it up. I didn't really have time. But I noticed a few days later that someone had messed with it. Probably kids seeing how it was completely demolished, burned and surrounded by sticks, rocks, and fireworks wrappers.
It was kind of sad when I thought about it. Those poor ants getting demolished, when they were just trying to live.
I think people feel like that sometimes. That they're just living their lives, and people keep coming along and destroying it. It makes you feel like giving up. What's the point of building when someone keeps tearing it down?
But do you know what I noticed this morning? The ants are back at it. The mound is coming back. Fire, sticks, stones, whatever came against those dudes, they're coming back.
The book of Proverbs(6:6) declares to "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"
Consider this about the ants- they don't give up no matter what may come against them. You should do the same.
Blessings
matt
We walk on a path that is a large oval through trees and brush. A few months ago, I noticed an anthill near the walking path. It was pretty big. Probably about 3 feet in diameter and about foot and half tall. There were tons of ants going crazy over that thing. I did what most guys would do, I conjured up a big loogie and spit on it to watch the ants go crazy. Then, I thought the next guy thing- messing it up.
I didn't mess it up. I didn't really have time. But I noticed a few days later that someone had messed with it. Probably kids seeing how it was completely demolished, burned and surrounded by sticks, rocks, and fireworks wrappers.
It was kind of sad when I thought about it. Those poor ants getting demolished, when they were just trying to live.
I think people feel like that sometimes. That they're just living their lives, and people keep coming along and destroying it. It makes you feel like giving up. What's the point of building when someone keeps tearing it down?
But do you know what I noticed this morning? The ants are back at it. The mound is coming back. Fire, sticks, stones, whatever came against those dudes, they're coming back.
The book of Proverbs(6:6) declares to "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"
Consider this about the ants- they don't give up no matter what may come against them. You should do the same.
Blessings
matt
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Guest Blogger Today
Do you remember last week when I titled the blog, "you write the blog today"? Well, I had two people take that literally and sent me their blog post.
I wanted to honor one of them, because I think there is a nugget in there for all of us. And they write:
"Life has been a challenge for a long time and I always have to keep reminding myself that I don't have to worry about it because God has my back.
There is so much I want to do. I so blessed to have options but have been stressing about which ones to take to not spread myself so thin. Really stressing. On top of that I have been working out hard four days a week at the gym, sometimes exercising on my lunch hour. Now I'm stressed, tired and sore! What do I do now?!
Then it came to me (as it always does)--put it in God's hands. I give him my yoke and quit worrying. God will show me what to do in his own way if I keep myself open to the answers He provides me. I'm still tired and sore, but I'm not stressed. I'm happy. I know He will show me the way and put me where I need to be. He has always taken care of me and shame on me for doubting from time to time. God is good."
Good stuff eh? My favorite part is- Put it in God's hands. We sometimes try to take too much on our own, when he wants to do it for us.
Hope you're as blessed by this as I was!
-matt
I wanted to honor one of them, because I think there is a nugget in there for all of us. And they write:
"Life has been a challenge for a long time and I always have to keep reminding myself that I don't have to worry about it because God has my back.
There is so much I want to do. I so blessed to have options but have been stressing about which ones to take to not spread myself so thin. Really stressing. On top of that I have been working out hard four days a week at the gym, sometimes exercising on my lunch hour. Now I'm stressed, tired and sore! What do I do now?!
Then it came to me (as it always does)--put it in God's hands. I give him my yoke and quit worrying. God will show me what to do in his own way if I keep myself open to the answers He provides me. I'm still tired and sore, but I'm not stressed. I'm happy. I know He will show me the way and put me where I need to be. He has always taken care of me and shame on me for doubting from time to time. God is good."
Good stuff eh? My favorite part is- Put it in God's hands. We sometimes try to take too much on our own, when he wants to do it for us.
Hope you're as blessed by this as I was!
-matt
Friday, May 1, 2009
Your Turn To Write The Blog
I have a friend who was part of a gym. He had been part of a gym before, but recently, he decided to be in a gym that was newer, because he felt that it would better meet his needs.
Let me give you little background on my friend. He's a great guy. When you're around him you sense that he's got it all together. He's one of "those" guys who just seem to have that kind of magnetism that draws you in. I have to say, its a joy to be around him.
So he had been in this one gym for quite a few years and seemed to be doing well. He was improving, and changing a bit, but whenever I would talk to him, he would always say that he just felt that there was something missing.He wanted the perfect gym, and figured until he found it, he would never be happy. He would work at it a bit, and try to do the right things, but it seemed that the improvements that he made, or the advancement that experienced was always short lived. He couldn't figure it out.
So, he decided it would be better for him in a new gym. It would be more exciting, it was fresh, it was new. For him, there was just something special about the newness of new gym. To him, he figured a fresh start was exactly what he needed to be where he wanted to be. Finally, this gym would solve all his needs, make him complete and allow him to experience the best in his life.
After all, its all about him right?
My friend is on his 6th gym. Its still not working. He's still not satisfied. He's still not happy.
I told him this- it doesn't matter what gym you're in. You can accomplish what you need, and grow to where you want to be if you'll apply this simple principle- I can be successful in any gym if I realize that who I am and what I do is what brings success, not what gym I am a part of.
I told him its not about the gym he's in, its about who he is in the gym.
I hope that makes sense to you today. If it doesn't go back and insert the word "gym" for "job" "relationship" "house" or "church". Maybe that's what you need today.
Bless you
matt
Let me give you little background on my friend. He's a great guy. When you're around him you sense that he's got it all together. He's one of "those" guys who just seem to have that kind of magnetism that draws you in. I have to say, its a joy to be around him.
So he had been in this one gym for quite a few years and seemed to be doing well. He was improving, and changing a bit, but whenever I would talk to him, he would always say that he just felt that there was something missing.He wanted the perfect gym, and figured until he found it, he would never be happy. He would work at it a bit, and try to do the right things, but it seemed that the improvements that he made, or the advancement that experienced was always short lived. He couldn't figure it out.
So, he decided it would be better for him in a new gym. It would be more exciting, it was fresh, it was new. For him, there was just something special about the newness of new gym. To him, he figured a fresh start was exactly what he needed to be where he wanted to be. Finally, this gym would solve all his needs, make him complete and allow him to experience the best in his life.
After all, its all about him right?
My friend is on his 6th gym. Its still not working. He's still not satisfied. He's still not happy.
I told him this- it doesn't matter what gym you're in. You can accomplish what you need, and grow to where you want to be if you'll apply this simple principle- I can be successful in any gym if I realize that who I am and what I do is what brings success, not what gym I am a part of.
I told him its not about the gym he's in, its about who he is in the gym.
I hope that makes sense to you today. If it doesn't go back and insert the word "gym" for "job" "relationship" "house" or "church". Maybe that's what you need today.
Bless you
matt
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