Soakin' Up Life . . . at a 100 MPH!

I know that many of you will be traveling for the holidays. And it always amazes me at the size of bags some of you take with you. So. . .to help you prepare for your trip and to help eliminate unnecessary bags here's a video with some tips on packing. Enjoy! Packing A Small Bag @ Yahoo! Video See! You don't need as big a bag as you thought! Mike

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31 ~ Can't tell you how many times I have read this verse or how many times I have quoted it to others. Trust me, it's been a lot! But my context has always been about what WE DO . . .as in do your best for God. Now that's not a bad thing. Yet, Os Chambers rattled my thinking a little this morning when he reminded me that it's not about me, but about God. WHAT?! Isn't that how we often react when we hear something like that? OK, maybe I'm the only pagan here. What we do or say or think is never about us. It's about God. What we do reflects on God's character and nature within us. And Paul says that even the ordinary, mundane things like eating and drinking ought to be done in such a way that God is pleased and draws attention to God and away from us. If we were to look at the life of Jesus we would find that He often did some incredible stuff for G...

I often listen to music while I'm reading or studying or spending time with God. While some people need absolute silence (i.e., any noise becomes a distraction), I find it blocks out distractions. This morning, for some reason I clicked on and listened to the Classical station on iTunes. I found I liked classical music when I was in school. While it helped me focus, it also didn't have any words. And yes, I have discovered more than one line to a song in a paper I was typing. Great lines. . .but not good in a paper on Eschatology or History of the Middle East Since 1500. Don't know a lot about classical music. Unlike Cindy, I can't recognize composers or arrangements. But I love the rhythms, the flow of the notes, the tension between the instruments, and how they all come together to create a beautiful melody. So, this morning I stepped back into an old habit and enjoyed my time with Classical music. Do you have a type of music that draws you in. . .relaxes you...

Monday, was, in fact, my birthday. I kinda view birthdays like my dad - everyday you're another year older. . .think about that one. AND it puts me another year closer to AARP discounts. Man! I can't wait to get those discounts. Yes, I'm my father's son. Though I don't put much stock in celebrating birthdays, I have to say that my incredible wife, Cindy, made it very special. First, she gave me a Kindle . She was tired of all the books I keep bringing home that we don't we don't have space for. And, she reminded me that my night stand does not count as a book shelf. WHAT?! Since when? She also got me a new sweatshirt - they work with the changing weather up here and they are super comfortable. She also got me a new bag. What kind of new bag?, you ask. A new gym bag. She was tired of my excuses for not going and working out. And, yes, I've already used it. So, I guess it's working. Then she had our friend, Christine, make this incred...

It's starting to get cooler here in the northwest. That means there's a bit of chill in the air when I get up. To take care of that I grab a cup of coffee and flip on the fireplace. Isn't there something inherently wrong with " flipping on " or " turning on " a fire? Seems strange, but glad I don't have to buy or cut wood or have to start a fire, though that would be the more manly thing to do, eh? Anyway. . .if Dot the cat happens to get up with me I will usually find her lying soundly and comfortably in front of the fireplace. . .sleeping peacefully. Yep, that's her comfort place. That's the place where, when all else isn't going her way - nobody to play with or not getting to go outside - she finds solace and comfort. I was thinking about that this morning and had a couple of thoughts on comfortable places. First, comfortable places let us let our hair down and be real. Comfortable places are relaxing, almost rejuvenating. Co...

Isn't it funny how life works? I'm up at 2:20-something this morning. Don't understand why. . .just am. My eyes popped open and when they do, I can't go back to sleep. Might as well go ahead and get up. So I did. Ever have that happen to you? Not the "eyes popped open" bit, but being awake at such an ungodly hour! Yeah, I think it's funny. Can't really focus this morning so I thought I would post this. Thought about how it was funny that I was up so early. Way before I needed to be. Oh well. It is what it is. . .funny. Isn't it? Isn't it funny how so many men these days are searching for what it means to be a man? Today is Wednesday. It's the day I have the privilege of hanging out with some guys from Greater Gresham to learn and discuss what it takes to be a godly man in our culture. I look forward to it, actually. We've got married guys and guys who are just barely in a relationship. We've got men who are beyo...

Reading through the book of Jonah (yes, all 4 chapters) this morning in preparation for my ABF on Saturday. I find Jonah's story quite revealing about human nature and the nature of God. Here's 10 lessons I took away from Jonah this morning. . . DON'T RUN FROM GOD - bad things happen when you do. Our running from God may, and often does, affect others - and it usually has a negative affect. When we're ready to return to God, He's there waiting for us. Love that about God. God can handle our anger. . .just try Him, Jonah did. God is the God of 2nd chances. Our obedience to God brings the power and presence of God to those we encounter. Then again, our obedience usually puts us in situations that requires the power and presence of God. God is full of compassion - especially to those who sincerely turn to Him. Just ask the Ninevites. While we may question God, He owes us zilch and is not responsible to us (Jonah should have read Job. . .maybe we should, too). G...