Tag: Church

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 🙂

Are We A Family?

What is a Family?

What does a really good one look like? Is there such a thing?

I surely don’t have an answer. And yesterday, as I was minutes from leaving my house for the airport, I quietly wondered if I even have a clue.

The car was packed with my carry-on suitcase and small backpack. I was all set to drive to Orlando International Airport for a business trip to Niagara Falls.

“Goodbye Mom and Dad”.

My Father-In-Law started to cry after he shook my hand. He never cries. “What’s wrong”?, I asked.

Next thing I know we had a 20-minute conversation about life and the physical hardships of getting old.

They are 83 and 86, and when I get get back home today, they’ll be back in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

They’ve been visiting us for several weeks, to witness our Son’s First Holy Communion.

To make a long story short, I am challenged to know what to do, what to say or when to do it or when to say it.

Mother Theresa said something to this effect, “The way to create World Peace is to go home and Love your Family“. Humbly, jeff 🙂

Some mistakes are easier to make

Mistakes!

We all make them. We all are “victims” of them. We can never escape that reality that we’ll continue to make more.

Maybe all we can hope for is two simple things.

1. To try to make fewer mistakes as we grow.

2. To forgive ourselves (and others) when a mistake happens.

Case in point, five minutes ago, at 6:47AM, I realized I’ve been working since 5:00Am, and forgot to kneel and pray after waking. Remember the post a few days ago where I challenged myself to start every day on my knees?

Anyway, I forgot this morning. So I simply forgave myself, walked back to the bedroom, knelt and prayed.

Easy.

Our dog followed me from our office to the bedroom. With my eyes closed, I could hear him enter. I extended my hand out.

I knew he would accept it and place his muzzle on my hand. Then he nestled right up next to me.

He’s so predictable. His love is an unconditional love. My goal in life is to become the kind of person he thinks I am.

Do you have a big goal? Hope so. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Why?

Why do I write five blogs every day?

Not sure exactly. Trying to figure it out actually.

Maybe this is why:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For whatever measure you use, it will be measured to you”. — Luke 6:38

There’s a part of me that (probably falsely) believes if I pour myself out to try to make the world a better place, in my own small way, that God will protect my Family. Sort of like a trade off.

I pay the price to try to help others, so that my Family will receive whatever help it needs.

That was really sort of weird to write that. Not sure I like how it sounds. Maybe I shouldn’t post it.

For now, I will. I’m more afraid of not trying, than I am of making mistakes. This may be a mistake, but at least I tried.

Today may be a great day for you to try. Carpe diem, jeff 🙂