What has the church done with that? What have we as individuals done with that?

Amazing the thought that Jesus gave up the one thing that mattered: His relationship with His Father.

For one brief moment, He bore every sin for every one of us. To the point that God turned away His eyes from His only Child. So that we, too, could be His children through Him.

Gratitude is the only thing left to convey…

Achieving with help. Jesus had help when he was faced with the human nature “needs” of food, power, prestige and wealth.

Here’s the good news: He offers us the same help to journey with us…but it’s based on trusting him. Get over the need to please him (or people using his name).

Oh…and find a group of people who are doing the same. You’ll still need human support, especially when Ben & Jerry come calling!

Peace,
Michael

If you were trying lose a pound or two, you would go buy a pair of jeans maybe one size smaller. Something visual that would stimulate your will.

But whatever it is, it’s got to be big enough to keep your focus when the distraction, or “Ben and Jerry’s” comes to your door…

Ultimate reality: It’s best to achieve with someone else to help. There is power in numbers.

~Uppie

Uppie,

I get your imagery. Not a stiff breeze (at most times) that cannot be ignored, but a gentle breeze the tickles your ear and messes with your hair for attention. You gotta look to see where it’s going and what it’s doing…… Just like you have to LOOK and LISTEN to see what God is doing and prodding you to do….

Yeah, man….
/jmt

Ever imagine the whirling wind, carrying some clutter and leaves, flowing to and fro, moving the branches of trees?

That’s how I see His Breath moving through my life.

A gentle wisp of peace, love, joy, happiness and purpose that causes a smile, a tear or a shout.

Just like the ‘touch on the shoulder’ you speak of, I hear the opportunities to pass on the Breath. Allowing less of me and more of Him.

My mouth, my hands, my heart. But it’s His work that is done.

I just would like to be a small fan to advance the breeze.

~Uppie

I pray that this conversation helps you learn to exhale everywhere…generously. But, you know and practice that…

How do you see that Breath flowing in your family and work communities? How do you take the words that you’ve read and heard and mix them in with the sands of life?

/jmt

My day to day challenge has become knowing now where to pass it along…

Kinda like earning my CPR certification.

Looking forward to where this convo takes us…

Thanks for your feedback. I’ll take a look under the hood and see about the comments…

/jmt

Thank you for your encouragement. I know we’re both at a point in our lives when reflecting, learning, growing and moving forward are important. BTW, keep up the Nike+ reports!

I’ve always wanted growth, but I never really had a foundation that was firm enough to support growth or the focus I needed. Finally distilling “priceless” values has increased my vision… and given feet to my “why.”

Interestingly, I’ve seen lots of people and organization without expensive values. Where there is no vision [and values]….

Work, where ever that may be, is a great laboratory for our values. In my case, and in yours I think, those values are faith-based. I’ve said it over and over, if you follow Jesus you have to take him to work with you. That’s where I have always found the most challenges to my values.

What are some of your newly uncovered foundational values?

Blessings,
/jmt

Prior to now, I’m not sure I had many values worth using as a foundation. When I did, it led to nothing but accelerated successes followed by profound failures.

The new “Uppie” is being born.

The message: “Believe”.

Fortunately, this message can exist in any facet of my life. So my career, all be it one I could do without, can be a proving ground of sorts. A blank canvas I’ve been given to paint.

And as for a network?

As I’ve said many times, I have complete faith in you and thankfulness for you. You continued words always move me to thought. Your friendship always moves me to be more.
.-= Eric Upton´s last blog ..Maryland Zoo partners with the B&O Railroad, Maryland Science Center, and Port Discovery for the Months of January and February. =-.

Are your values the foundation of your life?

Do you communicate them well?

Do you have a network that supports them?

I’ve had a few questions sent my way about whether or not the opening story is true.

Unfortunately, it is true. Frankly, I’d have preferred not to have experienced it!

Keep your questions and comments coming.

Blessings,
/jmt

Many of us were taught to feel that caring for ourselves is selfish. I’ve got many true stories about people who didn’t care for themselves who ultimately failed to take care of anyone. They were family members caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or cancer. They were pastors who didn’t set boundaries. They were chaplains who had done too many nights in a row on call. They were parents, husbands, and wives who worked too much or were otherwise over-scheduled.

They won so many battles, and very nearly lost sight of life.

I am glad that you have found permission to take care of yourself, too. We all need that… So do the people we care about.

Keep it up!
/jmt

The first thing that I would like to point out is that you cannot uplift someone from a lowly position.

It is nearly impossible to show someone the way to bettering themselves if you first have not done the same.

I’ve take the trek of improving my life. It seemed selfish at first. I seemed more focused on me, myself and I. As the weight dropped off and the shedding of my bad habits commenced, I started to become something of an example to those closest to me. That was rewarding to say the least.

The journey still continues for me. It likely will never end, because I never intend to stop growing.

It’s easier to express love to others if you’ve first learned to show some to yourself….

Let me tell you, it feels great! I overcame myself so that I may raise up those who overcome.

See you around, my friend!

Eric

My family insisted that we watch the “Polar Express” this weekend. I am constantly amazed out how far removed I am from the “eyes of a child”…especially when considering the idea of a gracious God acting to forgive…

Perhaps a good addition to this series would be “Christmas: how 95% of children learn about Grace.” Want to write it?

Thank you for your work with the Scouts and taking them to the nursing homes. I miss that and need to get back in the habit. I know for a fact that many residents love seeing the kids. I also know that I never left a nursing home visit without feeling like I was the one who was most blessed in that time.

I like your premise that the giving / caring of Christmas are ways that should be daily practice. How do we make that a reality in ourselves, our families, and our communities?

/jmt

Young Children

Helping Others

Seeing Christmas anew through the eyes of children is a gift. Explaining the Christmas story and the birth of our Saviour … or better yet, letting them explain what they have learned … is refreshing and renewing. Our kids are older now, so we live that part of Christmas through our friend’s children, and our memories.

Giving the gift of ourselves is great year-round, but espeically at Christmas time. Caroling with our Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops at nursing homes and retirement centers brought tears to everyone’s eyes as many of the elderly without family relived a special Christmas memory because of our visit. Food drives for the needy helped our family appreciate our blessings. And, gathering supplies, cards and letters to send to our Troops gave special meaning to being an American at Christmas time.

The lesson we learned is that the things we do at Christmas time are really year-long habits and are not meant to be held until Christmas, but shared everyday in the way we live our lives.

Thanks for posting this and for your many kindnesses. Thanks also for sharing some of your lessons from the journey.

I’ve never quite thought of showing my scars in quite that way. I know I’m encouraged when I see others’ struggles. No reason not to acknowledge mine, too, if they can encourage someone else.

Like you, I am chewing a lot of “hard knocks” lessons. So…thanks for the encouragement.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Michael

“That was good!

Right along task with my current walk. Very insightful.

Acknowledgement of the fact that my future is bigger than me and requires Him to achieve.

Thanks!”

Thanks, Eric!

Thank you for your kinds words!

Best regards,
Michael