I Want Sandy

As an entrepreneur, I am always thinking and looking at and for “what’s next.”  Unfortunately, not too many things catch my eye or ear anymore (sad, huh).  I do my best to filter out the shocking and offensive stuff so the rest just seems to be old news.  Everything appears to be a new spin on an old concept repackaged.

This morning, I was listening to Air 1 and heard the DJ talk about I Want Sandy.  Although it sounded like a new spin on the old “day planner,” it caused me to check it out.  Interesting timing.  I just watched the Bucket List and Wall-E this weekend where it made me think about how much we depend on “someone” or “something else” in life.  If yoiu’ve seen either one, you’ll know what I mean.  

What did we do without the cell phone, computer, iPod, DVR, GPS, Microsoft, Apple, PS3/Wii/GameCube, etc?  (I am laughing as I write this, because almost none of this existed for me as a teenager)  What’s life going to be like 20 years from now? 

What and who do I depend on now?  What and who do I need?

I know the answer.  Do you?

Rid the Yard of Sticks

I’ll let this speak for itself when you read it.  Rid the Yard of Sticks  This article by David Crowder definitely met me where I am today.

Independence Day…and Life!

Friday is the 4th of July.  I don’t know about you, but I tend to take this holiday for granted for what it REALLY represents. 

It seems like there is a lot to complain about these days living in America… gas, war, taxes, politics, economy and our jobs.  If we REALLY take a moment and stop to look at life in America, we are TRULY FREE AND BLESSED!  

Where else in the world can we enjoy the benefits of a free economic society, the freedom to worship as we please, freedom to choose our own education and profession, freedom from persecution, free choice (in areas that are moral and ethical) and the list goes on and on.  We have so MUCH to be thankful for.  Shame on us for allowing our complaints to drown out our gratitude. 

So, join me not for just this Friday, but for the rest of our lives in embracing all of the freedoms we have living in the United States of America! 

Even greater, is the freedom found in Jesus… the sweetest life of all.  Are you FREE? 

Leadership Friction Principle

Great post on Swerve!  Click and check it out!

Ride 4 Love

A couple of months ago I posted about the Ride 4 Love. 

So, Saturday morning we rode 28 miles and had a great time participating in the Ride 4 Love to benefit Love 146.  There were over 60 riders and we all raised close to a total of $20,000 for the event!  For a first annual event, this was AWESOME!  Thanks to all of you who prayerfully and/or financially supported us (Rob, Moly and Sally Peck) as The Well Team!   We raised $996!  We couldn’t have done it without you!  

To you, “please, forgive me.”

I have said and done hundreds of stupid things in my life.  Unfortunately, many of these things have hurt indirectly (and directly) the people around me.  The only difference between the idiotic damage I did as a youth vs. adult, is the time for which I come to the realization.  Today, I’ll say or do something and know instantly or within days/weeks that I am an idiot.  As for when I was a youth, it can and has taken decades. 

So what do I do about this?  I want forgiveness.  NOT because I want to release the burden on my heart (although this is a secondary factor), but because it is the RIGHT thing to do.  So, how do I do this?  I can’t call or write everyone… in fact, it’s not appropriate in many cases (if you don’t agree, think about who you have wronged) to contact someone directly.  I think this is what I’ll do:

• Where appropriate, I will contact them
• Where inappropriate, or for those I am unaware I have hurt, I will pray today asking for their forgivenss (I have faith that God will work out the necessary details).
• To you (reading this blog), “please, forgive me.  I was a stupid idiot (or maybe worse).”

Thankfully, the frequency for which I hurt people has drastically decreased (especially in the past few years).  The fact that Jesus forgave me of ALL of the crap in my life, makes it nearly impossible not to ask for forgiveness or to forgive everything that everyone has done to hurt me over my life.  In that humility and without self righteous justification…

To you,“please, forgive me.”

Matthew 18:21,22  Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Too Much…

One of the downsides of taking a break from the blog thing is that a lot of thoughts and experiences tend to pile up (which I otherwise would have blogged about).  This may be the lazy way out, however, I want to share with you the highs of the past few weeks…almost too much:

1. Started reading a cool book!  My wife is reading it with a good firend of hers (I don’t always read the books my wife reads).  Here’s a quick take-away:  Attitude is a choice and can lead you to the wilderness or the “land of milk and honey.”
2. At The Well, we are viweing the One Prayer series.  It’s been incredibly encouraging and motivating.  In addition, we have moved The Well to our home for the summer.  It’s been sweet to connect and be intimate (in an appropriate way ) with everyone in a way we weren’t in our other location.
3. Madison finished up her soccer season (she is 6).  So cool and crazy that she’s of an age that she can play organized sports!  We (Molly, Madi and I) have also been fishing, catching frogs, landscaping, having “camp outs,” toasting smores, losing teeth (Madison, not me), and rooting for the Red Sox and Celtics!  How sweet it is to have a family!  Thank you, God!
4. Fulfilled a dream that I have had since age 10!  Ask me about it or I’ll save it for a future post.
5. Meeting with some great guys Thursday mornings and discussing life and Solo.  I highly recommend this book (devotional)!!!
6. Connecting with God in some new and exciting ways!
7. Worked on my boat then fished with my dad-in-law and connected with him in a way I haven’t in years. 
8. Molly and I are doing great!  I could always show my love for her better, but MAN, HOW GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH AN INCREDIBLE WIFE!!!  Thank you!!!
9. Molly is doing a great job preparing for Summer Camp (she is the director), co-organizing our Town’s parade, running our Town’s soccer, little league and tee ball, leading our church’s praise band, leading our VBS (The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything)… as well as being a mom and wife!
10. I have been fly fishing with my good friend Scott and my Dad on the West Canada Creek and I caught my first fish (a brook trout)!  The beauty, challenge and serenity is awesome!
11. So COOL to be a Boston Fan this year!  Go Sox, Pats and Celts!

Ok, I think those are enough for now… Hope everyone is doing great, too!   God is great!…in the highs and the lows!

Wonderfully Made!

Watch the WHOLE video. 

Spring/Summer Break…

If you haven’t noticed, I’ve taken a blog break.  It’s been nice.  (this is not a pic of me, but thought it was funny.  Just wait until his ash drops off his stogie, burns through his shirt and smokes his chest hair!) 

I’ll be back soon…

Cruise Control

The last two days’ Swerve talks about “disrupting” the comfortable patterns we find ourselves in.  This has resonated with me in a big way!  There are areas of my life where I feel like I am on cruise control.  For me this means I am too comfortable.  Now comfort is fine, but not if I am “cruising” with regard to these main areas:

• My relationship with family and friends
• My prayer, worship, Bible study and obedience of God
• My leadership and love as a husband and father

Cruise control is fine if you’re on the highway and want efficient travel from point A to point B.  However, we should never “cruise” through life (and our relationship with God and others).  I want/need to be sharp, passionate, loving, wise, selfless (not selfish) and growing! 

Are you “cruising”?