Category: May 2009

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Our Mother’s Day started at Church.

Today’s sermon was about an unbelievable sinner who became an unbelievable saint.

Saint Paul.

The Deacon prepared such an incredible message from the first reading, instead of the standard Gospel reading interpretation.

Afterwards, I asked him if I could please get a copy, and he gave me his original. Gracious indeed.

I plan to re-read it this week. There were some key messages. Simple too.

Make it a great Sunday, even if your Family struggles sometimes (or often) with the distance between you – physical and or emotional.

I say that because I was reminded today how much room I have to grow in some of my Family relationships.

It certainly is a two way street, so I am not feeling complete guilt. It takes two to make a relationship work.

Perhaps I can become an incredible saint, even though I often feel like an incredible sinner with some of my Family. Mostly in what I fail to do, like communicate. Ya with me?

Anyway, I better sign off for now. Peace and blessings, jeff 🙂

Blessed Beyond Measure?

Blessed Beyond Measure?

What does that mean, blessed beyond measure?

Ever thought about that?

We have so many blessings that it’s almost too good to be true.

But in order to “cash in” on them, I believe we have to be aware.

Not much awareness goes on in an overly busy schedule. I know. I’m ridiculously busy.

This is why I work so hard each day to be aware.

What if you worked hard at this? What do you think you could gain? Go! Carpe diem! jeff 🙂

Got 70 pounds?

A few nights ago, I asked our son, eight, to weigh himself.

The scale said 70 pounds.

Wow!

Sometimes, as much as I claim to live in the moment, the moments pass by unnoticed.

Guilty as charged. Seventy pounds. How did that happen? When did that happen.

Every adult I’ve asked for advice on raising children – and there have been hundreds over the years – has said the same thing, “They grow up fast!”

Our lives can be one big flurry of activity with little time in the slow lane.

My goal is to be the slowest of the fastest. Seriously. Check out tomorrow’s post at Lane 8.org for the “punch line”.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Self Control. Surrender. Service.

Self-Control. Surrender. Service.

Looks good on paper, but what does it really mean?

Self control is about focus and discipline. Stay focused on what’s really important. Discipline yourself to not get distracted or tempted.

Surrender is about letting go of your plan and following a bigger plan. This requires quiet and solitude, in order to have a two-way conversation with God. We often speak to God, but rarely wait and listen for the answer.

Service is about serving others before serving self. This is a tricky one. When the oxygen mask falls from the airplane cabin ceiling, who puts their mask on first, you or the child?

It’s a distinct privilege to write here every day. The vision i to serve you. To stimulate your thinking. To challenge my own convictions, as well as yours.

I surrender to what happens after you visit this site. Carpe diem, jeff 🙂