Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Broken tiles…



Photography is not my forte...my big toe got in the way - at least my shoe is shined...

I like broken things.
Broken things often show failure.
I’m okay with failure.
Failure is needed, I think.
It happens to all of us.
Sometimes, though, there’s planned failure…
Now, I don’t mean that you should desire to fail, but there are times that it has to be part of the plan.
Look at the tiles in the floor.
No-one dropped something on them, to cause them to crack.
This wasn’t done for style.
Those tiles were broken to create a change...a change in elevation, so the water could run down to the drain. They installer broke the tiles so that they could all angle towards the drain, and therefore, water would flow the right direction.
We need purposeful brokenness too:
To make sure we are humble.
Let me define brokenness with the concept of humility. Humility is hard. We usually think our plans and ideas are right and generally defend them in front of others. We don’t think our ideas are foolish, but sometimes they are, and we have to be humble to get the foolishness out. I know that I made some decisions, with career choices, that I wish I could reverse, but I thought I had the right ideas and foolishly followed them, but ended up failing, because I didn’t listen and humble myself.
Do you remember any foolish decisions you've made?
To make sure we go the right way.
The water needs to head towards the drain. We need direction too. We need to humbly accept leadership to ensure we are headed the right way. We don’t realize that we’re headed the wrong way, most of the time, so we need leaders, coworkers, friends and family that will help us keep on the right track and not go the wrong way. 
We never intended to go the wrong direction, but it happens to all of us, so we need to humble ourselves and accept the changes that are necessary to get back in the right lane and keep the course correctly.
Have you every found yourself heading the wrong way?
To make sure we are in line.
Water will follow the path of least resistance and curve around any direction that it’s lead. Water just flows, so I has to be direction to go downwards and in a line to meet the drain. We meander lots in life, and take the easy route too often, but for us to be successful, we need to get the direction that those before us have learned and be in the right line.
When I play MarioKart with my children, I often get out of line and onto the grass, snow drifts, sand and other areas of the track that slow me down. I need to be on the track and in line to beat them, and I can learn from how they stay in line. In life, I need to stay in line to be able to have the right results and others may teach me where the lines are.
Have you ever been outside the lines?

Lessons Learned: Humility is tough, but it keeps us on target.
Thoughts: What areas do you struggle with, in regards to brokenness?
#failalot
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Monday, July 30, 2012

Rain and dead grass...



Raining with the sun shining - cool...

We have gone through a time of heat and drought in most of the country, this summer. 
The heat has been severe and the heat index has been way higher than a normal summer.
We recently had a few really good rains, and we were all very thankful, because it cooled the days off by 10 or so degrees and our yards started to green back up. 
The heat has returned with mostly dry weather.
I know you were hoping that you would read a weather forecast on my blog today…
When in the rain, don’t complain…

Sunday, July 29, 2012

The perfect mix…



Saw this guy riding a little while back and loved his plan.
He could be comfortable, maybe even a bit lazy, but still get his exercise.  
He was enjoying the outdoors, with the comforts of the indoors.
He had the perfect mix…

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

Road rage and a bad Monday…



This was not the car described in my post today, but this was I real car, with a real saying, that I didn't edit.

I was driving to work a few Monday’s back, actually making good time on my almost 40 mile commute, when it happened…
I experienced my first really serious road rage incident.
No, it wasn’t me, and yes I’ve had others, they have mostly been an inappropriate wave, the odd beep, or someone cutting me off slightly - really not too bad with over 500,000 miles driven, mostly in the last 15 years. It’s really pretty rare, that someone gets upset when I’m on the road, and I really try not to encourage any craziness.
But on this day, it was a good one…

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Trees, an “L” and memories…






The first 4 pics are from the first big branch that fell. The last one is a new, bigger branch.


I’ve written about trees before. Strange tree growth, Letters, trees and answered prayer...
I have a dead tree in my backyard, that keeps falling apart, per the pictures.
I have to clean up branches every time it sheds those branches.
I usually enlist my children to help - that’s why God gave them to me - to help me clean up the yard. 
It took a lot of years to figure that out, but now that I know the purpose of my children, my yard-work is much more effective, and my yard looks great!
So, look at this short, but very cool video…

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Temptation and alligators…



Wanna play checkers?

Are you tempted to chose the wrong thing?
Wouldn't it be nice, if all temptations for wrong had this obvious labels, or a nice little alligator sitting there, like the picture.
We wouldn't make the wrong choices very often.
We would walk away from sin, without looking back.
We could ward off the stupid choices we make.
Temptation to do wrong does not have a warning sign all the time…

Monday, July 23, 2012

High’s and Low’s…



High’s and Low’s often go together…

Looking at the picture, in my car, it shows that to have the car cool off quickly, you have to have the fan on high and the temperature on low. 
I like my car to be cool, during hot days, especially when we have 2 weeks, in a row, of 100 degree weather. When it’s hot, it feels good to have a cold flow of air in our faces. 
This reminded me of a few things that we see in our lives…

Sunday, July 22, 2012

The signs are not always right…



I have seen this sign for 20+ years. I’m sure it’s accurate for the commute and to take the exit to Trinity lane. It’s likely ⅔ of a mile to get onto the ramp. I don’t think the DOT put this sign up mistakingly. They measured it off and put the marker where it needed to be. 
We have to trust that the sign is correct, and that the exit isn’t really 2 miles down the road, or just 1/10 of a mile ahead. There are signs we should trust, in our lives, but this sign made me think…

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Saturday Silliness…



Looks like a sunset, but it's actually lightning!

You just have to laugh…
Enjoy this list of funny names…not sure if they’re real or not. 
Some may take a moment to figure out, and most are funny...
Burt Gurney - Think of Sesame Street
Sue Flay
Sue Yu
Tad Moore
Tad Pohl
Ted E. Baer
Tim Burr
Tish Hughes
Ray Gunn
Ray Zenz (raisins)
Raynor Schein
Reid Enright 
Olive Yew (I love you)
Oliver Sutton (all of a sudden)
Ophelia Payne
Oren Jellow
Jerry Atrick
Jim Laucher (gym locker)
Jim Shorts
Jim Shu
Jim Sox
Hugh Morris (humorous)
Hy Lowe 
Bea Lowe
Hy Price
I.D. Clair
I. Lasch
Bill Board
Bill Ding
Bill Foldes
Bill Loney
Hope you had a laugh…
Lessons Learned: Think through naming your children.
Thoughts: Do you know someone with a comical name?
#failalot
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Friday, July 20, 2012

Lightning strikes twice…


Look at the 23 second mark of this video - pretty cool!

I’ve never been struck by lightning.
I don’t plan to be struck by lightning.
I think lightning is way cool!
I’ve seen trees that were struck by lightning - incredibly powerful - incredibly quick - incredibly shocking (couldn't resist) - incredibly bright.
Lightning striking twice is looked at as both a good and bad thing.
The bad is quite obvious, so lets look at the good side…

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Strangers and timing…



The other day, I stopped at a gas station, along the highway, and as I walked in, I saw someone, who I thought I recognized. 
This happens all the time, because I’ve met thousands of people over the last 20+ years in Nashville, and because I’m in sales. I meet new people almost everyday, to the point where it’s hard to remember where I’ve met people, when I see them again.
In many cases, I will say “Hey” to the person that I think I recognize and see if they respond with their memory and say “Hey” back, in away that they know me too. Often, it’s mistaken identity, on my part, but at least, I come across as being friendly, which is important. I may have lifted the spirits of someone, just by being friendly, so it never hurts to add a quick “Hello” and a smile to those we come across everyday.
In this case, the other guy recognized me too…

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Winner’s Circle…



What a great name for a street, well circle!
I’ve seen streets named poorly before.
This one just gives you a bubbly feeling, when you say it. 
You’re street is better than the next guys. 
His street is 4th Ave, or Jones Court, or Palmer Lane - all of those are Loser’s Circle compared to where you live - Winner’s Circle!
You can walk around and hold up the loser sign at your forehead, as you pass by everyone else’s street - how awesome is that?
What a cool name to have on your business card…

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Where’s my lunch?







I have several pictures today, and yes it is very hard to drive 70 and take a picture through my mirrors, but I’m just that good...when you’re photographically abled like me, taking reverse photos, is a rare talent - BTW - don’t try this at home (or in your car), I am a trained professional.
The similarity in each picture is the car...I just couldn't resist the picture.
I can see bunches of thoughts, in little bubbles, above my head right now…

Monday, July 16, 2012

Pillows and sleep...



Who doesn't have a stuffed animal they sleep with? Oh wait, I'm a little old for that...

What a great combination - laying your head down on a pillow and drifting off to sleep is a wonderful thing. 
When you see someone sleeping peacefully on a pillow, it just brings a calm, even to you, while you're awake.  There's just something about rest that gives us a settled feeling. When you don't get enough, you can tend to be more cranky and bothered, but when you do get plenty, you feel great. 
This post has nothing to do with peace...
I had the privilege of going to teen camp with about 70 teens and leaders from our church a few weeks ago and we had a great time. The first night was exciting and we ended up gong to bed around midnight. 
At about 3 AM, it hit me...

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Goliath still attacks, but God defeats!



This is a picture of a weak hand...

"Goliath was the best thing that ever happened to David."
Saw this quote recently…
I gave it some thought.
It’s simple and reminded me of some important truths…

Friday, July 13, 2012

It’s a double stir stick day…




I know it's Friday the 13th...

Looking at the pictures, you see that I opened the wrap on my stir stick at Panera Bread and it was a double stick pack. (Do not comment that this is a normal thing - you will burst my bubble - also - I did not stick two sticks in one package for an illustration - just took care of all you cynics out there… ;) Now to the good stuff...
This has happened to me twice now!
I felt like I won the lottery.
I figured lightening had struck twice - that never happens.
I was immediately grinning ear to ear.
This little thing made my morning…

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Blossoming and flowers…



Flowers are cool.
They start as a little bud and blossom to be some amazing sights, with unbelievable colors, shapes and sizes. 
There are even some weeds that blossom into very neat looking flowering plants.
Blossoming is an act of God that is truly incredible. Little seeds turn into amazing creations in His plan.
People around you need to blossom too…

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Need a lift?



This is said to someone that’s walking along a road - likely a friend, family member or associate.
Sometimes it refers to someone that is down that needs to keep their chin up in a tough situation. 
Once in a while it may be used when someone is tired and offered a up of coffee or some crazy energy drink.
I think we all need a lift at times…

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Never give up…



You see that blade of grass (almost in the center of the picture). Little blades of grass and weeds do this all the time.
I see this all the time. Most of the time, I think it’s a nuisance, or I think about how in the world that grass got to the middle of a street, parking lot or patio - it’s amazing that they grow there.
Today is different - a friend of mine saw a blade of grass like this one and he said “Never give up!”

Monday, July 9, 2012

Distractions and spinny things…



I’m not sure how to spell “spinny” like in spinning, so I’m going with what I have.
I love these crazy spinning money grabbers. They’re so fun to watch. You can set up races and challenges and compare the gravity of a nickel to a penny. You can have a crash-’em-up-derby style go round, by throwing a penny straight down after the first coins start to go.
It’s a blast!
It’s a distraction for the moment!
It’s a great marketing plan!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Are you afraid of falling?



I have been on this evil ride before, at a few different parks, and it’s ridiculous!
I was on a trip with some teens recently and several wanted to go on this ride. 
I said “No way for me!”
Pretty sure it’s called the Demon Drop at one park and I fully understand why - only something possessed could possibly strike this kind of fear in me. 
As I walked up, I began to sweat - not just because it was 88 degrees either! I got within about 50 yards and I had to hold my 12 year daughters hand, just to move on.
Then at the 20 yard mark, I began to crawl on hands and knees, just in case the ride tried to grab me and lock me in its clutches - once they get you, you may not return.
When I got to the line, I quickly got up and ran the opposite direction screaming like I was going to die...I felt much better after that, but the teens were laughing at me - mean kids…

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Lazy Saturdays…



Look for the missing letter...

For awhile, I took time to write a normal length blog post on Saturdays but a while back, I simplified that. I normally write about 500 words, but Saturdays are way shorter.
At first I felt lazy and undisciplined, but then I realized a few things:
I do not have a boss over my blogging - it’s just me.
Saturdays are busy and people need short encouragement's.
I need a breather so I write something short.
Short posts can help others too.
People have less time for blogs on Saturdays.
We need to take advantage of our family time on Saturdays, if we can.
Saturdays should include some fun and not just blogging.
Thanks for reading my blog - I hope I’m a help in some way to you. Would love some feedback, if you like...
Lessons Learned: I like lazy Saturdays. BTW - this is my 250th post - woot! Guess I’m not too lazy…
Thoughts: Is it lazy to have a short post?
#failalot
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Friday, July 6, 2012

No fishing…




It’s hard to see, but, when you’re up closer, there are big red letters that say “NO FISHING”
There were also poles that reminded people of the same thing.
The man pictured was not hiding. He was out in the open in front of over 100 people, including dock hands. He truly didn’t care about who was watching, because he was on his cell phone for a few minutes talking at the top of his lungs.
He didn’t care about the sign.
He wasn’t concerned about the rules.
He wanted to fish, so he did.
Illegal fishing is rampant, in the United States, today…

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Disaster and beauty…



I’m not sure exactly what happened here, but it was a mess.
This building had been in that spot a very long time.
It was destroyed - not replaceable - not to be rebuilt - gone.
Sometimes, in order to bring in the new, we have to get rid of the old.
Sometimes, in order to build up, we need to tear down.
Sometimes, it’s a dramatic move to move forward…

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

God bless the USA!



Aren’t you amazed at where we get to live?
What an amazing Country!
What freedom we have.
We are blessed beyond measure.
Do a few things today…

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Mixed messages…



I love the fact that signs are posted without any kind of planning ahead.
This sign cracks me up.
The poor children.
First they call them slow…
Then they encourage them to be hunted…
What has our society come to?
We need to think about our message…