Listening for Whispers ...

When I worked in Christian radio about an ion ago I liked the band "Lloyd". They had a song called Listening for Whispers ...the central premise was that we are so busy trying to see the big picture ...we are missing the simple. Busy making a buck that we don't see the pain around us ...So worried about creating a big ministry that we forget about those close by that need help.
"We are listening for whispers while we cannot hear the screams".
All the trends currently are pointing to society wanting a more sense of local community. That is where we have to pay attention and provide that local ministry that they are wanting for their family in these turbulent times.
So listen for the whispers ...see those hurting folks around us that sometimes just need us to show them hope ...especially when they aren't seeing it very many places right now.
Godspeed,
D

Friendship

Just over two weeks ago I had started another busy day at the office when I received a call that shook me. My friend Ron McClelland had suddenly passed away at the very young age of 33. Some of you knew Ron as the talented musician from the Christian band Story Side B. I however was very privileged to know him as a ministry colleague before that.
In the early part of this decade Ron and I both joined the staff of a large church in SE Texas at about the same time. He was the music guy and I the media guy. We hit it off right away. He was a Michigan fan and I an Ohio State fan. He and I were the same age and had wives named Beka! We had also just moved a long way from home ...But more than that, we both had a heart for ministry and loved our families.
What truly was the watershed moment this week for me wasn't the age he passed (I also am 33) it was that I hadn't stayed in as close contact as I should have. We both had moved to other areas of ministry and the country ...and I talked to him maybe once or twice a year. (And I hadn't talked to him recently.)
What I realized is that I need to make the effort to be a better friend. Now I know that sounds cliche' but I really felt that. We are all busy with life, career, etc.
But there is always another game to go to ...another dance lesson to drive kids to, another service to attend ...but what Jesus said about being a friend is the thing that we need to remember.
I can't make up for lost time ...but I can do a better job being less busy and more concerned about the people that God has brought across my path in this world.
So my challenge to you is to think about your friendships ... they say people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

This time of year

I used to always love Christmas time because of getting the gifts as a kid. Christmas '87 lives in infamy ...the year my brother and I got our Nintendo. We wore it out over the next few years. Good memories of epic battles on Tecmo bowl. That was one of the better ones ...waking up with chicken pox when I was 10 would be one of the worst!
Now it's funny how all that has evolved. I am all grown up ...(at least I appear so :)
I can't wait to see my kids' faces on Christmas ...to see their surprise and excitement that I must have shown my parents all those years ago ...I resolve to slow down this year and enjoy the magic of children's smiles ...
Coming up I promise some more holiday memories ...

Creativity

I decided to try a new look ...templates are cool for us bloggers that barely have enough time to blog ...let alone create a custom look.
It actually fits this time of year I think. Can you believe we are almost through 2008?
Won't be long now ...I look forward to the possibilities of the new year.

Too Busy?

So the other day I was attending a meeting and the speaker said he was tired of getting the excuse from people due to "I'm busy". His point was ...we're all busy! The truth is I can't remember when I actually didn't have a hundred things on my mind! So where does the madness end? Can we actually keep our wits and still keep things going without dropping the ball?

Here are some things that I have learned that help:

1. Keep a good calendar. -we have so many great things that can help. ical, outlook, etc.

2. Prioritize everything

3. Learn to say no.- If you are always creating schedule conflicts maybe you are having trouble saying no to requests. Sometimes they are unavoidable however, most of the time we need to check the calendar before we readily say yes to a task.

4. Ask God for wisdom- Always keep asking for how to better use His wisdom in all you do.

All for now, Godspeed.