If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Or you can select your feed type by clicking on the "Subscribe" button on the right. Thanks for visiting!
(Sort-of-random thoughts at 30,000 feet with a lot of free time on my hands…)
It takes minutes to make paper fly; to build something capable of carrying you long distances takes months, and a lot of helpful, smart people. The same is true with your important dreams – and your character.
You were created with the language of Forever in your heart, and nothing else will satisfy.
“I will” spoken with resolve has power, but your resolve will be tested and the limits of your willpower will be exposed.
You were not born with the wisdom and capacity to wait, but wisdom and reward waits for those who learn to.
God created the world for you, not you for the world – but He does hold you accountable for leaving it better than you found it.
A thousand opportunities dance before those whose eyes are open to see them. Ten thousand chances pass by those too lost in fear or consuming to notice them.
Summers are God’s way of showing that you don’t have to be in a classroom to learn.
I just saw a man express his gratitude by giving up his first class seat to a woman… who happened to be wearing a United States Army uniform. I wonder how I can say thank-you to somebody today.
I will always respect the one who can wait (there’s that word again) with discipline, but then decisively act with courage.
I’m not so sure that God has a plan for you so much as God has a plan period and invites you to participate joyfully in it… Or bruise yourself on it. [click to continue…]
It’s a simple and harmless enough word, but it often conjures up images of sweaty palms, sleepless nights, or other versions of brace-for-impact. It can be the harbinger of terrible news to come – a signal that Lucy’s got some ‘splainin’ to do. It can be a predictor (and a revealer) of a whole lotta’ work.
The word?
Test.
“We’ll have to run a few tests to see how advanced it is.”
“Close your books and clear your desks. You’ll have one hour to complete this test.”
“This test will let us know whether we move forward or start completely over with our design.”
“God is taking me through some pretty tough tests these days.”
Have you ever thought “test” should be spelled “ugh?” Nobody would argue that they’re stressful and in some circumstances a waste of time and money. But tests also save lives, reveal needs for future growth, or protect us from more painful consequences down the road. Tests are designed to provide information that will guide decision makers (including you) in future choices.
Tests range from the vital to the trivial to the bizarre. But the most significant test you can take doesn’t come from a teacher or a doctor, or psychologist or an engineer. The most significant test you take may well be the one you give yourself. [click to continue…]
by Andy Wood on August 24, 2011
in Ability,Consumers,Five LV Laws,Gamblers,Hoarders,Insight,Life Currency,Love,LV Alter-egos,Pleasers,Principle of Increase
Think fast! What’s the difference between a test and a temptation?
Fast answer: Nothing.
Slower answer: One comes from the devil and one comes from the Lord. But did you know that the same Greek word is used for both? Check out these familiar words: [click to continue…]
I have a friend who makes me funny. Not makes me laugh. He makes me funny. As in Night-at-the-Improv, bust-a-gut hilarious. I hear myself say things to him I wish I could remember later and somehow capture the moment.
There are plenty of times when I do OK by a crowd and generate a smile or two. But this guy takes me to a whole other place.
How does he do it? For starters, he has a very rewarding laugh – one that boldly proclaims, “I think you’re funny.” He also anticipates the fact that I’m going to make him laugh. He’s always on the edge of another crack-up when we talk. On top of that, he tells other people how funny I am. The laughter we have shared has forged a unique identity I step into whenever we talk or get together.
I have another friend who makes me wise. As in Child-of-Solomon, guru-deep profound. [click to continue…]
Imagine for a minute that you’re five years old. You have taken your crayons and, on your own initiative, made a card for your grandparents. No special occasion… just an “I love you” message of your own design.
Hopefully you are motivated by a simple desire to express love to your grandparents. At the same time, even at age five, you probably also assume that your parents, teacher(s) or somebody will also be proud of you.
Praise you.
Approve of you.
The big word for that: validated. And it feels good.
But what if you got something else in return? [click to continue…]
This is not a picture of God. It’s a picture of a Nanga Sadhu, or naked Hundu holy man. His face and body are smeared with ashes and he’s breathing out marijuana, not brimstone.
But look again.
I think in a lot of people’s minds, when they think of God, an image sort of like this emerges.
Angry.
Ashen.
Fire-breathing.
Other people imagine the opposite extreme [click to continue…]
Imagine for a minute that you lived in a world where you were the only one who ever told the truth. A world of random mirrors where you never knew whether someone else’s “yes” meant “yes” or “no.” How would you get a loan at the bank? How would you get directions to the nearest gas station? How would you fall in love or have meaningful family relationships? How could you ever function, much less be happy?
Imagine getting up every day and telling yourself and everybody around you how badly your life is going. Have a cough? It’s probably pneumonia. Surprise bill in the mail? You’re going broke. Get a compliment on your appearance? You mumble something about needing new clothes or not feeling well lately. Receive a major blessing? It’s just a matter of time until the other shoe drops.
By now I’m sure you have an image of somebody in mind (certainly not you, of course). I’m thinking of a girl I once knew named Kim. She was a twin; her sister Kay was pretty much an optimist. Kim? Winnie the Pooh’s friend Eeyore had nothing on her. The only seventh grade girl I’ve ever met who was completely dreary.
I made an amazing discovery the other day. Kim (and whoever you’re thinking about) has a soul mate in the Bible. [click to continue…]
(Sort-of-random thoughts at 30,000 feet with a lot of free time on my hands…)
