Thanks Coco

When it comes to the imparting of wisdom, Conan O’Brien is probably not the first person you would name to gather such enlightenment from. But in a recent commencement address to the 

Dartmouth Class of 2011, he shared this insight about his 

recent life-happenings:
“It is our failure to become our perceived idea that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It’s not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right, your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound re-invention.”

He went on to say that “whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment, you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.”

(Rocks State Park)
Jarrettsville, MD

I look back over my grade school years and laugh at what I ‘thought’ needed to happen in order for me to be successful. 

My teenage years bring even more laughter as I look back on them. Don’t laugh…you were full of that craziness, too.
And as an adult, disappointment has shown itself time after time.

Yet, through all of this, I find myself growing more original everyday. It is an old statement but rings so true: Most people are born original, yet they die a copy.
The question that each of us must answer is, how do we handle circumstances, disappointments, and misfortune?

The importance of these moments comes down to our perspective. 

So many become just another statistic when they turn away from what is so clear, right in front of their eyes. The very opportunities that should bring clarity to our lives instead push us further into a purposeless existence.

The world doesn’t need another _(fill in the blank)_. 

The world needs YOU.

(Lone Brown Cow)
Forest Hill, MD

You have specific gifts that God placed inside of you before you were even a glimmer in your parent’s eyes. You have things to accomplish that would blow your mind if God revealed it for you to see. 

This all comes down to God’s time and the mysteriousness in which He works.
What might feel like the greatest disappointment you have ever endured might just be your ‘moment’ to find your originality.
Failure may have followed you like a shadow…so do you quit? Or do you take each of these moments to forget what the crowd is saying and do what God put you here to do?

Thanks, Coco, for the reminder. I’ve got some re-inventing to do.

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Happy Climbing

While on a recent run at one of our local state parks, I came to the realization that I do not like going uphill. On this rocky terrain you have to keep your eyes about two steps ahead to dodge sharp rocks that are located on the dirt path.

If all running were downhill, everyone would do it, right? 

Some would do it just because running downhill would be easy…others would because they had no choice. They would get going and before long, they would be breaking speed records because they couldn’t slow down.

(Rocks State Park)
Jarrettsville, MD

There are a couple of principles I think we can learn from facing uphill experiences.

1. Many times God puts uphill slopes in front of us to slow our hiney’s down.
The pace of life can pick up when our dreams begin to become evident. Excitement and passion overtake us to the point that we take our eyes off of Him (you know, the one who orders our steps), and we put it on our own abilities.
Have you ever been smacked with the reality that you have become so consumed with other ‘things’ that you have neglected those closest to you? Without the test of an uphill climb, you might have never slowed down enough to be able to see what mattered most.

2. Don’t try to push it too hard.
So many want to ‘hit’ the hills as hard as they can in order to get over them as quickly as possible. That is why the road is littered with abandoned dreams because so many individuals simply ‘burned out.’ It is a rule for all runners that when you run difficult trails, you MUST pace yourself. We can’t get caught up in the fact that a 

30-something’s mom passes us on the trail…while pushing her twins in a stroller. You must continue at your pace. Everything is going to happen in God’s time regardless. The “race comes not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” (Eccl. 9:11)

3. Realize that what goes up, must come down.
We should all keep in mind that after we’ve endured the grind on the way to the top, the other side is always waiting to lead us back down. These are gliding moments that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Enjoy them, but keep your feet steady and maintain your pace. Don’t let the next hill come because you had to be slowed down.  

(Runners in the Inner Harbor)
Baltimore, MD

I am grateful for every uphill climb. Without them I might be further down the road, but miles away from His purpose for my existence. 

Happy climbing…

'I Overslept'

I was awakened this morning by way of a phone call from work. I wondered why they would be calling me at this time of the morning, but then my eyes went up to where the clock is located on my phone. I immediately had this sinking feeling fill my body as I realized it was 6:08 am, and I was supposed to be twenty-five minutes from my home at 6:00 am. I do not own a helicopter, nor do I have access to one of those rocket cars, so the first morning of my work week began in a fury.

The more I have pondered my course of action that started this particular week, the more it got me to thinking of opportunities and situations that I have ‘overslept’ through. The numerous times I've gotten so caught up in 'I, me, and mine', that I have lost focus on what is most important.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore, MD

This past week taught me a valuable lesson as it pertains to this principle. My father was out for a Thursday afternoon motorcycle ride when a vehicle came into a curve at the same time he did. The problem was that the vehicle was also in his lane. By God’s protection he escaped with only a few broken bones and a whole lot of scrapes and bruises. When I received the call about the accident, we didn't know the severity of his injuries or if he was even going to be all right. 

Here I am, 1,600 miles away at work. Reality. I was just with him the day before. Was that going to be the last time I saw him? All those thoughts begin to go through my mind, and I was quickly reminded about what is important.
The only thing I wanted to do was just tell him, “I love you.” Sure, I’ve said it a thousand time before, or maybe even a million…but this moment was different.

I have found myself being sure that I’ve talked to my dad every day since then, and I have made a commitment within myself that I will not close another conversation with the people I care so deeply for without saying those three important words.
I’ve begun to focus on how many alarms I have slept through because I wasn't focused on what is most important.

A man by the name of Samson found out the hard way. Countless times he fell asleep in the lap of Delilah. Alarms were going off everywhere trying to re-focus him on the most important thing…his Nazarite vow. After numerous opportunities for him to re-focus, Delilah finally got the secret to his strength. And while he ‘slept’, Samson would eventually be faced with a reality that would cost him his life.

(Forest Hill, MD)

What dreams are you pushing off because you are just too apathetic to wake up and do something about them?

Who in your life are you neglecting because you are so focused on yourself?
Is your relationship with Christ at a place where you can truly say and show, 'not my will but yours be done'?

If not, hopefully alarms are ringing by now in your ears. Too many have went into such a deep sleep that they are able to subconsciously turn the alarms off. Don’t wait until your reality check shows up…because by then, it just might be too late.

Romans 13:1111 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up …

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REdiscovering the Aha

So many of us live our lives waiting on the ‘lightbulb’ moment. 

You know, that landmark occasion where all time stops and you say, “Aha.” The dream you’ve been wondering about and searching for has finally shown up and then all seems right with the world. 

If we could just move locations.
If only this job would open up.
If only this (fill in the blank) ….

It is the lightbulb moment we are all in pursuit of. 

(Forest Hill, MD)

Recently, I have been diving deeper into the book ‘Quitters’ by 

Jon Acuff. I have been challenged like never before to stop trying to ‘discover’ my dream or my path, and go back to working on 

‘RE-discovering’ things that I may not have been ready for earlier on in my life. Just because you or I have tried something in the past or went down a path our heart desired to go – only to have the door shut right in our face, doesn’t mean that we were wrong for attempting it. It just might not have been the right time.

God’s planning and preparation is so right and perfect. In order to do a job and do it well, we humans have to be trained and taught.

Federal Hill
(Baltimore City)

Could you handle a million dollars right now? (I know…I know, we’d all like to try) But truthfully, could you handle it if someone handed it to you, expecting nothing in return?

We all like to think we would pay off our bills, take a vacation, or invest it, taking appropriate measures to make sure it would not only last, but grow to secure our future. In reality though, most could not handle it. The reason being is…it hasn’t been earned, and we haven’t gained the learning needed to use it wisely.

Loch Raven Dam
(Loch Raven, MD)

You may have tried and failed. You may have had your dreams dashed and your heart broken. You might even (like me) feel lost many days, thinking the picture is never going to come together, and you have somehow blown your opportunity.

If so, instead of setting out on a voyage of discovery, why not turn back within and search your heart…your passion…your desires. As my dad often says, “stroll down memory’s garden” and you might just find your dream buried…right where you put it a long time ago.

Don’t wait on the lightbulb. Start digging and RE-discover that special place where your dream meets His plan.

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Defending Peace

In a recent speech President Obama shared that in the best interest of negotiation between Israel and Palestinian, Israel needed to pull back to its 1967 borders with mutually agreed swaps. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that this would prevent Israel from being able to defend itself. He went on to make the statement, “A peace you cannot defend is a peace you cannot hold.”

I’ve wondered as of late as to why so many individuals live without peace? I realize we live in a day of so much uncertainty.
Financially, average American families are doing everything they can to simply make it from day to day.
Job loss is rampant all over our nation.
The norm is no longer the norm in our world. The very core of our lives is being tested in every way. So I can understand as to how so many live in an unpeaceful setting.

(Rainy Days)

But I feel that our lack of peacefulness goes far much deeper than the surface of what we see. Scripture does teach us (Hebrews 12) that only the unshakeable things will remain when turbulent times come. 

Marriages are in turmoil. Families are being broken and torn apart. I propose that doubt, worry, and pain is taking over the thought processes of more and more because so many have tried to build their peace with things that don’t last.

* Many have built their hopes around that certain rung on the ladder, while the ladder has been leaning on the wrong wall the entire time.
* If I could only date and marry him/her, then I know we will live happily ever after.
* Moving to that certain city…that would answer all my desires.

The problem with these, or any other reasons we could come up with, is that there is nothing in this world that will give us complete joy and peace. You might find yourself in a ‘happy place’ for a period of time, but let life happen, and our peace can quickly be turned into chaos.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore City, MD

Remember, “A peace you cannot defend is a peace you cannot hold.”

The only real peace you will ever have is when we develop an attitude that…we will not move our ‘borders’, no matter the cost. Voices around you might try to convince you that another way is best. Your own flesh might even try to deceive you into following the broad way…but the only peace that lasts is the one we can defend. You will never defend it with the things of this life.

(Back Roads)
Forest Hill, MD

Philippians 4:6-9 says, 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Wondering why your peace process is not working? Why not make a decision to change your motives and desires? I think you’ll find that kind of peace is truly defensible. 

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Stuck in Security

Jane Wagner once said, “I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain.”

* The weather can be too cold or too hot.
* Our boss is just too this or that.
* Life has thrown a few curves that were not ‘planned’ for.
We could go on and on about any number of things that cause us to grumble about how ‘mis’treated we are.

(Forest Hill, MD)

And yet, we shake our head and point a finger at the children of Israel, wondering how in the world they could complain about being set free from Egyptian bondage. God sent Moses to deliver His people from under the hand of Pharaoh and lead them to a land of promise beyond anything they could imagine. 

- They witnessed the plagues brought upon the people of Egypt.
- They walked across the Red Sea on dry land, then saw Pharaoh and his army drown in it.
- They were led by a cloud during the day and fire by night.
- They were given manna from heaven when they got hungry.
- And they even had clothes and shoes that grew as they did, never wearing out. (That’s pretty cool, I might add)

Even after experiencing all of this, they still complained.

In Numbers 14:2-3, Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?”

How could they desire to return to a place of punishment and slavery after all that God had done for them?

I believe it’s because their slavery was actually their security.

Sheep in Pasture
(Jarrettsville, MD)

Even though the bondage they woke up to every day was punishing and degrading, it brought a security to their lives because they knew what to expect. There was no depending on God because everything they did and received came directly from Pharaoh. Slavery was their security.

How could God see into the future and desire to lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey? Why not just leave them in slavery and bondage?

We point a finger at them, yet when we have to walk by faith and not by sight, many of us complain just the same. God places a call deep within us to break out of our present security into a life based strictly upon dependence on Him. And so we jump. We start out on the journey with such zeal and excitement, and then when our path winds through the valley, we begin questioning whether we should have ‘jumped’ in the first place?

Cherry Creek Bridge
(Rocks State Park)

Let us be careful that we don’t become a slave…to our security. It might just be the thing that keeps you from experiencing your ‘promised’ land.

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Do Elephants Jump?

Elephant experts have been asked on many occasions whether or not it is true that elephants jump? Many feel that a mature elephant's weight is far too much to support landing back on all fours, and their legs are designed more for strength than leaping.

S.K. Ettingham said, ". . . because of its great weight, an elephant cannot jump or even run in the accepted sense since it must keep one foot on the ground at all times."

Many go on to say of elephants...'Why bother jumping when you can walk through or around just about everything in your natural habitat.'

'Approaching Storm'
(Forest Hill, MD)

I have had to ask myself on many occasions why I continue to jump around?

By that I am referring to the tough moments when the Sun is not shining in my world and the storms continue to roll in...I want to 'jump' on a spiritual plane and fly somewhere easier.

When it comes to cross-bearing time, why be so quick to 'jump' out from under the weight of responsibility?

This happens for one reason alone: 

I don't keep one foot grounded in God's promises. 

The promise that with Him, I can do all things.

Most animals have the ability to run and jump in order to be able to evade predators that might hunt them. The elephant has no predator other than man who might slip in and take their life.

We have one adversary that wants to steal, kill, and destroy us. Yet scripture teaches us that He has no power over us unless we give it to him. If only we realized how BIG we are in Christ! 

'Philly Phanatic'
(Philadelphia, PA)

All the elephant has to do is look at its reflection in a pond to see how large he/she is. And all we have to do is look at our reflection in His word and through the dialogue of prayer. . .

Daniel saw it.

David understood it.

Gideon believed it.

When predators showed up and tried to alter the direction that God was taking them, they did what elephants do - they trudged forward. There was no lion too scary, no giant too large, and no army too strong to stop the force of God's power.

As God's child, you were not meant to 'jump'...you were meant to keep at least one foot grounded in His promise and trudge completely through to your purpose. Elephant-sized faith doesn't jump!

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