In The Unlikely Event of A Water Landing

I'm sure you saw it. The water landing coming out of La Guardia yesterday? Apparently the bird hit some birds and the veteran pilot landed in the Hudson river. From what I read, it appeared as if there were no casualties. Praise the Lord.

I've been on quite a few flights. I've been to 5 continents and about 30 states,and on almost every single one of those flights you here those immortal words: "In the unlikely event of a water landing, please you your seat cushion as a flotation device".

I would say on most of those flights that I was either a. talking or b. reading the sky mall magazine. There is something quite comforting about reading about a 60 sec hot dog and bun cooker than it is to be thinking about what it would be like to be grabbing your seat cushion and heading out the door of the plane into a body of water. But what did we learn today? Sometimes the most unlikely things can actually happen.

Those people on that plane will never sit through a safety briefing on a plane the same ever again. In the back of their minds they will always remember that sometimes, the most unlikely thing can happen.

Is there someone you need to apologize to? Is there someone you need to ask forgiveness from? Is there someone you need to tell that you love them? The Bible says to not let the sun go down while you are still angry, but I think sometimes people think they have forever to make something right with someone else, themselves, or God.

Don't put it off. Do it today. Its unlikely that you won't still have the opportunity tomorrow, but do you want to take that chance? Sometimes the most unlikely events happen.

Have a great weekend. Be blessed.
matt

The Sin of American Idol

I must confess. I like this show. I'm a American Idol junkie. We've watched every season since the second one. For some reason the newness of it all isn't seeming to wane. I like it just as much as I did the first time I watched it, except I'm not too sure about that new judge, old 'whats her name'.

In my experience, "Idol Watchers" fall into 3 categories.

1. Those who only enjoy the auditions, and stop watching after they are over.
2. Those who only watch the top 20.
3. Those who watch it all.

I'm in group number three. I watch it all, and I've got to tell you, sometimes, its painful. Watching the contestants that cannot sing at all makes my stomach churn. I feel bad for them, because they are on national TV singing and they can't sing.

But do you know what I thought about last night? At least those people are trying. At least they are putting themselves out there and are attempting to achieve their dreams. They may not sound great, or be the next Teddy P or anything, but at least they don't have to live the rest of their life wondering if they could have made it or not. Sadly, most learn they couldn't have, but at least its without regrets.

My point? Try something new today. Something that you've wanted to do but were afraid to try. I'm not saying you need to try out for American Idol, but I'm sure there is some area of your life that you're holding back in.

Wouldn't you rather fail and live with no regrets instead of never trying?

You can be encouraged by at least one person in your endeavor: God. You may be the next big thing that God wants to use to bless someone else. I'm going out on a limb here and saying its probably not going to be for you to be the next American Idol, but you could be a wonderful addition to what God wants to do on this earth.

Remember- He uses people who are available and are willing to put themselves out there.

Be blessed.

How To Deal With Haters

Haters. For some of you that aren't from Generation X, allow me a moment to inform you what a hater is. The Urban Dictionary describes a hater as "A person that simply cannot be happy for another person's success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person". You know exactly what I'm talking about don't you?

I'm sure you've met a few haters in your life. People who always seem to come around right after you have a big success or joy in your life. It could be a new relationship, job, promotion, house, or car. They love to come by and pop your balloon and rain on your parade. More than likely you've also experienced the hater who doesn't say it to you, but to someone else behind your back. These are the people who love to erode other people's credibility and attempt to discourage you to enjoy your personal achievement.

How do we deal with them? Do we lash back? Do we take an offensive against their barbs? Do we defend our position and confront them? Sadly, most of these approaches seldom work. Why? Because the haters problem is not your success. The problem is them. They are usually self-loathing half-empty cowards who are so upset with their own condition, their only reprieve is to attack someone else.

My advice? Rest on what the Bible says "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord". I like that. That means I don't have to worry about weather or not I vindicate myself. I live for His glory, so He avenges me. God knows exactly who is doing what and saying what. Therefore, I rest easy because I know that He has my best interests in mind.

Pour 'em a big glass of Haterade and give it over.

Blessings
matt

p.s. You can also pray for your enemies. The Bible says that too. Thanks for the correction Dale. I'm not saying we shouldn't pray for them as much as I am saying that our immediate response shouldn't be to attack back. The Bible also says On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." These are strong statements about enemies. Pray for them, but realize that God does avenge.

The Dangers of Wrong Thinking

We've all done it. Uttered the words "Always" "Never" and "Every time". Usually it manifests it self in arguments with a friend or your spouse. It sounds something like "You always do this" or "You'll never understand" or "Every time this happens". They're really bold words if you take a moment to think about them.

Do I always get mad? Do I never eat right? Do I fail every time? Of course not, none of us do, but for some reason the words that we choose to describe ourselves or others becomes, what I like to call "all or nothing thinking". Its dangerous. It tells people around us and ourselves that we are required to be perfect, when that's something that is truly unattainable. Of course we would like perfection from ourselves, or others, but the truth is its just not possible.

We all have bad days, or end up doing something we wish we wouldn't have done, either big or small. But when we choose to make harsh statements that include the words always-never-every it paints us into a very limited corner of perfection that none of us can get out of by ourselves.

I can't remember who said it, but I love that quote "I've figured out two things in this life- there is only one God, and I'm not Him". Now, this doesn't give us the right to hurt people, or choose to do wrong things, but what it can do is put our life into a little bit of perspective.

Give yourself and others around you a break. Realize that God has a plan for their life, and yours and know that when we use the words always-never-every with the people that we love we're not giving them the level of Grace that God extends to us.

Be blessed
matt

How Many Text Messages Do You Send?

Me? I usually send about 5-20 text messages a day. Some days, it might go up to 20-30 depending. I like to send text messages for a few reasons.

1. They are quick. If you want to just get a phone number from someone, you don't have to talk to them for 10 mins when all you need is a phone number.

2. They don't use up your cell phone minutes. If you have an unlimited texting plan, you can text all you want, without soaking up all of your plan minutes.

3. You can do them anywhere, anytime (except while driving in Wa. State). This can get you in trouble sometimes. I was at a Christmas concert my mother was singing in and was texting and she noticed. Not good.

I'm sure there are downfalls of them, such as the level of personal touch that they lack or how they can be easily misunderstood or misconstrued. But, like it or not they have become the "post card" of the 21st century.

Why all this about texting? here's an article that you may find amusing. Its about a kid who sent 14500 text messages in one month. Even for me, that seems like alot.

What's the point? Anything in your life can run the possibility of becoming to excessive. When do you know when something is excessive? When it is controlling you, or alot of your time.

God has created us all with the ability to be fully engaged in something or someone, but if we spend all of our time on one thing, we neglect those other areas that deserve our attention. Prayer, relationships, work, friends, kids, recreation and the like. They are all important, but you cannot only focus on one. We need to have balance in them all.

Except prayer. Do that all the time.

Be balanced and blessed this week, and send me a text if you get a chance.

matt