Tag: Faith

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 🙂

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 🙂

Come Monday?

“Come Monday, it’ll be all right. Come Monday, I’ll be holding you tight“.

Remember that song, Come Monday, by Jimmy Buffett? No worries if you don’t.

Jimmy Buffett is a master storyteller. I have every CD he’s made, except a few of his greatest hits and Live CD’s. All told, it’s like three dozen.

We are all story tellers, aren’t we?

Whether we admit it or not, we are.

I’m working really hard today, Monday, to tell a great story. You in? carpe diem, jeff 🙂