Have you ever made a promise that was a challenge to keep?
Last week I had a promise to keep that when I intially made it, didn’t seem like a big deal. A friend invited the Newman family to a birthday party last Thursday night almost a month ago. The schedule seemed clear, we wanted to celebrate this little guy’s birthday, so we were happy to go.
What I couldn’t have possibly forecast was that Game 7 of the NBA Finals would fall on the exact same night.
I was shocked.
Most of you know I am a rabid NBA fan. The NBA Finals in June is a big deal in our house. Tiffany’s favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers and they were in the championship series. She can get really crazy during the games.
One Tuesday night during the 1st round, the pizza delivery guy came to the door at the exact same moment Tiffany unleashed a blood curdling shriek. He looked a little unsettled until I said, “NBA Playoffs man, my wife is getting a little wild. But everything is okay here.”
With that backdrop you can see how this conflict could be an issue.
Leading up to Game 7, I did everything I could to resolve this conflict.
I checked the time of the party: 5:30 pm
I checked the time of the game: 6:00 pm
I called the place where the party was being held (Bounce U) and asked them how long the party would last: 2 hours.
I called them back and asked them if they had televisions on site that would show the game: They didn’t.
So I was faced with a decision: Do I keep my promise, or make an excuse?
I opted to keep my promise.
We had a great time with our friends, ate pizza, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (and no, we didn’t leave early!).
After getting home, we were able to jump in during the 3rd quarter and watch the thrilling finish.
Last week I went to lunch with a friend at Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant (great place, by the way!). I was there a little early, so got a table and waited. After spending a few minutes reading Making Ideas Happen,(always a good idea to take a book everywhere you go!) I decided to go wash my hands (gotta fight those germs!).
While I walked to the restroom, I thought about the concepts in the book. Just as I went to open the door to go in, a guy was opening the door to come out at exactly the same moment. It totally took me off guard. And besides that, the guy was HUGE. In that split second he seemed about 6′10 and about 400 pounds! It was crazy.
But what was even crazier than that, was my response to the whole thing.
Even though I was startled, surprised, and caught off guard I kept it cool.
When the door flew open and Goliath came stomping out I nodded my head and said, “What’s up dude?”
It was a super calm response. Completely laid back.
Mega chill.
After stepping to the sink and getting my heart out of my throat (and being perfectly happy and relieved that he didn’t ‘blow the bathroom up!’), I threw my head back and started to laugh.
And laugh.
And laugh.
And laugh.
It was so bizarre, unexpected, and weird that it was funny.
It makes me think of all the potentially funny, inspiring, and joyful things that happen throughout our day.
Most of the time they escape us.
We are so busy being serious, being responsible, and stressed out that we miss out on all the fun.
In the midst of all the serious stuff that will happen today, don’t forget to laugh at the funny little things along the way.
“The Talk“ is a series on sex, love, and relationships.
“Life Guard”, latest message in “The Talk” series. In “Life Guard” I talk about the Magician and how he tries to fool us into bad decisions by causing us to:
“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
-Genesis 1:27
My oldest daughter came downstairs after getting dressed for school, preparing her breakfast to start the day. I stopped what I was doing and watched. Watched as she toasted her bread, opened a box of cereal, etc.
For these few moments, I was mezmerized.
I was taken aback because of all the cool things she could do. Thinking back to when she was a little baby, I recalled her first day on earth. Looking at her now, a full 12 years later I was…speechless. Not only was she smart, talented, and amazing, but she was also…beautiful.
She looked like her mother this morning, with her hair swept back in a thick braid twisting down her neck to slender shoulders. She walked like her mom this morning, gliding across the kitchen with unusual grace.
In myraid ways, my 12 year-old princess has become a younger version of my wife. And no wonder, because the genetics that she possesses are the physical blueprint from which she derives Tiffany’s characteristics.
Her face, is so much like her face.
This morning this process held me in spellbound awe.
It also made me think. And reminded me of where we all derive our earliest beginnings.
You and I come from God.
We were created in His image, and carry shades of His likeness.
Unfortuanately through the Fall of Humanity, this connection can sometimes be difficult to see. Because of the presence of sin, human nature has become fragmented and schizopheric.
Like Stevenson’s Dr. Jeykyll and Mr. Hyde, where the principle character routinely manifested both horror and beauty; as human beings we are prone to a similar duplicity. Deep in the human heart’s core there is a battle being waged. Between light and dark, good and evil, heaven and hell.
A war. A conflict. Over image. Likeness. Genetics. Blueprints. Natures.
For faces.
As in, whose likeness will we allow ourselves to be fashioned in? The God that created us, or the Devil that comes to pervert what He created?
Will we be children of light, or the offspring of darkness?
Will we put on His face?
Or his face?
Every day this battle is waged.
On the basis of how we choose, how we act, and how we live, will determine whose image we will ultimately reflect.
15 years ago today I was married 2 an amazing, incredible, once in a lifetime woman by the name of Tiffany Douglas.
What began with a providential meeting in the mall 19 years ago, has culminated in 3 children and a 5479 day journey.
Wow.
Can’t wait for the next 5479.
Tiffany, I love you.
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.”
-Prov. 18:22
Posted in Relationships, Family | No Comments »
“..who keeps his oath even when it hurts.”
-Psalms 15:4
Have you ever made a promise that was a challenge to keep?
Last week I had a promise to keep that when I intially made it, didn’t seem like a big deal. A friend invited the Newman family to a birthday party last Thursday night almost a month ago. The schedule seemed clear, we wanted to celebrate this little guy’s birthday, so we were happy to go.
What I couldn’t have possibly forecast was that Game 7 of the NBA Finals would fall on the exact same night.
I was shocked.
Most of you know I am a rabid NBA fan. The NBA Finals in June is a big deal in our house. Tiffany’s favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers and they were in the championship series. She can get really crazy during the games.
One Tuesday night during the 1st round, the pizza delivery guy came to the door at the exact same moment Tiffany unleashed a blood curdling shriek. He looked a little unsettled until I said, “NBA Playoffs man, my wife is getting a little wild. But everything is okay here.”
With that backdrop you can see how this conflict could be an issue.
Leading up to Game 7, I did everything I could to resolve this conflict.
I checked the time of the party: 5:30 pm
I checked the time of the game: 6:00 pm
I called the place where the party was being held (Bounce U) and asked them how long the party would last: 2 hours.
I called them back and asked them if they had televisions on site that would show the game: They didn’t.
So I was faced with a decision: Do I keep my promise, or make an excuse?
I opted to keep my promise.
We had a great time with our friends, ate pizza, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (and no, we didn’t leave early!).
After getting home, we were able to jump in during the 3rd quarter and watch the thrilling finish.
Yes, we missed some of the game.
But we kept a promise.
Posted in Relationships, Sports, Discipleship | No Comments »
Last week I went to lunch with a friend at Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant (great place, by the way!). I was there a little early, so got a table and waited. After spending a few minutes reading Making Ideas Happen, (always a good idea to take a book everywhere you go!) I decided to go wash my hands (gotta fight those germs!).
While I walked to the restroom, I thought about the concepts in the book. Just as I went to open the door to go in, a guy was opening the door to come out at exactly the same moment. It totally took me off guard. And besides that, the guy was HUGE. In that split second he seemed about 6′10 and about 400 pounds! It was crazy.
But what was even crazier than that, was my response to the whole thing.
Even though I was startled, surprised, and caught off guard I kept it cool.
When the door flew open and Goliath came stomping out I nodded my head and said, “What’s up dude?”
It was a super calm response. Completely laid back.
Mega chill.
After stepping to the sink and getting my heart out of my throat (and being perfectly happy and relieved that he didn’t ‘blow the bathroom up!’), I threw my head back and started to laugh.
And laugh.
And laugh.
And laugh.
It was so bizarre, unexpected, and weird that it was funny.
It makes me think of all the potentially funny, inspiring, and joyful things that happen throughout our day.
Most of the time they escape us.
We are so busy being serious, being responsible, and stressed out that we miss out on all the fun.
In the midst of all the serious stuff that will happen today, don’t forget to laugh at the funny little things along the way.
Even if they come in 6′10 400 pound packages!
Posted in Uncategorized, Relationships | No Comments »
Never underestimate the power of seeds.
What is sown in the name of Jesus, & in obedience to Jesus, always brings an awesome return.
Though the harvest takes time, if we remain faithful we will surely reap the goodness of God.
I was reminded of this reality when someone that I had been fervently praying for, called me out of the blue asking for help.
All of the sudden a life that seemed almost completely closed to the kingdom of God was sincerely seeking Him.
Out of the blue.
No warning.
No indicators.
No signs.
Just a seed breaking out of the ground that had been planted long before.
Never underestimate the power of seeds.
What is sown in the name of Jesus, & in obedience to Jesus, always brings an awesome return.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
-Gal. 6:9
Posted in Relationships, Transformation, Faith | No Comments »
New message at Renaissance Church called “Beautiful You”.
To listen or download, click here.
Posted in Relationships, The Church | No Comments »
Final week of “The Talk”, a series about love, sex, and relationships.
In “Freedom’s Children” I discuss how to step into both the freedom and forgiveness of Christ.
To listen or download, click here.
Posted in Relationships, The Church, Media/Culture | No Comments »
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
-Phillipians 2:3
Went to Panera Bread on Monday to meet a friend.
While standing in line to get my chicken caesar salad, I saw him.
He was about two people from the cash register.
He was there.
Right there.
The sweaty dude.
Looked like he came in after a long run or an intense workout.
He still had his ear buds in.
His shirt was drenched.
His head was soaked.
Sweat poured off him.
He was a living, breathing. human-sized particle of sweat.
He was (and maybe still is), the sweaty dude.
The people around him looked a little uncomfortable.
They didn’t want to get near him.
They didn’t want to smell him.
They didn’t want to touch him.
Because he was…the sweaty dude.
Some pretended everything was fine.
Others couldn’t hide the awkwardness.
I watched to see if anyone would come in direct contact with the dripping particles of extreme sweat that were on the sweaty dude.
But there was one person that was completely at peace.
One person that wasn’t bothered at all.
And yes, you guessed it.
It was the sweaty dude.
He was still listening to his IPod.
His body moved a little, twitching to the beats banging into his brain.
The sweaty dude was 100% at peace.
Oblivious to what his sweaty presence meant for the other people.
Later, as I thought about the audacity of this man of sweat stepping into this food establishment with no shame I considered myself.
Then…OUCH!
It hit me.
As painful as it was to admit, I have gone into stores (the grocery store in particular) as….well…um…the sweaty dude.
Leaving the gym, after a little run on the court, I have….been…the sweaty dude.
I am just running in real quick, I convince myself.
It is no big deal, I think.
But after witnessing the sweaty dude in person, I was horrified.
I was mortified.
I was repulsed.
And though I am sure that I have never been as sweaty as that sweaty dude in public, I have been publicly sweaty.
Publicly sweaty and not aware or concerned about anyone but myself.
Oblivious and in my own little universe.
And as horrified and mortified as you are of me, think about you.
You have done the same thing.
Many of us live that way.
We may not have been publicly sweaty, but we have been selfish when we could have been selfless.
Rather than being more clued into how our actions affect others, we think little about these others.
Unless they have direct contact with us, these others scarcely exist.
But if we just take a minute to consider others beyond ourselves, it could change everything.
Imagine a world where we were quick to serve others before serving ourselves.
What would that world look like?
For one thing, it would have a whole lot less sweaty dudes in the sandwich shop (or supermarket!).
Don’t be the sweaty dude.
He stinks.
Posted in Relationships | No Comments »
The dryer at the Newman house broke last week.
So Tiffany and I have been hanging out at Laundry Mat lately.
This past Friday we were taking our newly dried clothes out the dryer (for $3.50!).
I told Tiffany to go fast. To stuff everything into the hamper as quick as possible (folding wasn’t necessary) so we could get out of there.
She wondered why.
I told her that there was a lady behind us with sunglasses that seemed to watching us.
I didn’t want her to see my underwear.
I mean, who wears sunglasses in a Laundry Mat?
It was a little…suspicious.
Maybe the reason she was wearing sunglasses was so she could steal glances at the undergarments of other people.
I didn’t want to be her next victim.
Most of us feel the same way.
We don’t want to allow others to see our underwear, or the more hidden parts of our lives.
It makes us feel weak.
It makes us feel vulnerable.
It exposes us.
But without friends that have access to the fraility of our person, we can’t truly be strong.
Someone, somewhere, needs to see your underwear.
Just not the Sunglass Lady in the Laundry Mat!
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
-James 5:16
Posted in Relationships, The Future, Discipleship | 1 Comment »
“The Talk“ is a series on sex, love, and relationships.
“Life Guard”, latest message in “The Talk” series. In “Life Guard” I talk about the Magician and how he tries to fool us into bad decisions by causing us to:
1. Question God’s Word.
2. Question God’s Character
3. Make decisions without God’s influence.
Click here to check it out.
Posted in Relationships, The Church, Transformation | No Comments »
“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
-Genesis 1:27
My oldest daughter came downstairs after getting dressed for school, preparing her breakfast to start the day. I stopped what I was doing and watched. Watched as she toasted her bread, opened a box of cereal, etc.
For these few moments, I was mezmerized.
I was taken aback because of all the cool things she could do. Thinking back to when she was a little baby, I recalled her first day on earth. Looking at her now, a full 12 years later I was…speechless. Not only was she smart, talented, and amazing, but she was also…beautiful.
She looked like her mother this morning, with her hair swept back in a thick braid twisting down her neck to slender shoulders. She walked like her mom this morning, gliding across the kitchen with unusual grace.
In myraid ways, my 12 year-old princess has become a younger version of my wife. And no wonder, because the genetics that she possesses are the physical blueprint from which she derives Tiffany’s characteristics.
Her face, is so much like her face.
This morning this process held me in spellbound awe.
It also made me think. And reminded me of where we all derive our earliest beginnings.
You and I come from God.
We were created in His image, and carry shades of His likeness.
Unfortuanately through the Fall of Humanity, this connection can sometimes be difficult to see. Because of the presence of sin, human nature has become fragmented and schizopheric.
Like Stevenson’s Dr. Jeykyll and Mr. Hyde, where the principle character routinely manifested both horror and beauty; as human beings we are prone to a similar duplicity. Deep in the human heart’s core there is a battle being waged. Between light and dark, good and evil, heaven and hell.
A war. A conflict. Over image. Likeness. Genetics. Blueprints. Natures.
For faces.
As in, whose likeness will we allow ourselves to be fashioned in? The God that created us, or the Devil that comes to pervert what He created?
Will we be children of light, or the offspring of darkness?
Will we put on His face?
Or his face?
Every day this battle is waged.
On the basis of how we choose, how we act, and how we live, will determine whose image we will ultimately reflect.
Today…what face will be your face?
Posted in Relationships, Transformation, Family, Worship | No Comments »
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy in his dwelling place.
-1 Chron. 16:27
The joy of God makes us strong.
The joyful strength that doesn’t come from what you have.
Or where you live.
Or how you look.
Or how many people know you.
The joy of God springs from being near to God.
The joy OF God comes from joy IN God.
Posted in Relationships, Worship | 2 Comments »