Things Aren't Always What They Seem

With anything, just because it looks like one, definitely doesn't mean it is one. I think most of us have experienced this at some point, whether with something or someone. I've used this photo as an object lesson. It shows what appears to be 4 quality tennis balls, but don't bet everything simply on what you see. Each of these balls looks like they'd work great for a game of tennis, but unfortunately three of them are flat. Only one of them actually bounces. All too often we do the same thing when it comes to people. We base everything on what's seen on the outside. 1 Samuel 16:7 is a great Biblical illustration for us about this saying, "Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." How easy it is to base everything on how someone looks, rather than what's on the inside and their fruit. I think our culture is far too outward appearance focussed. And just like with these balls, if you didn't take a moment to squeeze and bounce them, you'd be completely fooled. Some of the most amazing people I know are those who are often overlooked by others because of their outward appearance. Yet as you get to know them you begin to see that they're truly gems on the inside, also having great fruit in their life. I'm so thankful that we can learn from Samuel experience. If he would have chosen who he thought should be king, based on outward appearance, he would have blown it. Instead he chose to listen to the Lord and chose based on something more far more important. And just in case you're wondering, the ball second from the left (Wilson US Open) is the one that actually bounces :)

Great Friends Are Such A Blessing...

Every now and then I choose to blog about one of my friends and today is one of those days. I remember the first time I met Brian Hesse, almost ten years ago. He'd moved down to the valley to attend NNU from Coeur d'Alene. I met him at Starbucks on Broadway and quickly knew the Lord had brought our paths together. From that moment on I have been blessed to call him a great friend. People like Brian don't come along everyday and I'm so thankful for friends like Brian. There are many things that come to mind when I think of how to describe a friend. Things like loyalty, honesty, integrity, and a willingness to help others grow in the Lord. Brian has been all of those to me, and to many others too. His consistency, strength and faithfulness have opened many doors for him and have given him much influence. I don't get to spend as much time as I'd like with him, but when we do get together, it's like we pick up right where we left off last. Yesterday we got to spend a couple of hours together and we had a blast, well actually we did a lot of blasting at targets. I'm always excited to see how much people grow because of their willingness to allow the Lord to mold and form them. Brian is no exception and I'm so proud of the man, and now husband, that he is. Soon he'll be celebrating his first wedding anniversary to his beautiful wife Katie. Good friendships don't just happen, but they take work, commitment and humility, as well as many other things. Many of us have friends like Brian in our lives, and I encourage you to cherish those relationships. And to you Brian, thanks for being a faithful and loyal friend. I'm richly blessed having you as a friend :)

And I Mean No Weapon...

I love reading about or watching war history and the weapons used in war, especially WWII. Like most guys, stuff about planes, tanks, guns and special forces grabs my attention. One of the most awesome weapons ever produced is the Barrett M82A1 .50 cal with some AN/PVS 10 day/night optics. This rifle is an extremely powerful weapon in the natural, but we also have some very powerful weapons in our arsenal as believers. I believe our greatest weapon as a Christian is the Bible, the Word of God. It's the powerful Sword of the Spirit. Whatever the devil throws at us, the Bible has what we need. It holds the keys and strategies needed to fight off and defeat every attack that comes at us. One of the best verses in dealing with the enemy's attacks and the outcome the Lord pronounces is found in Isaiah 54:17. It declares to us, "But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!" What an amazing verse for us! What a promise from the Lord! His Word is where we must go when our enemy tries to strike. No weapon, person or plan will succeed against those who trust in the Lord. Take some time to get into your weapon today, the Word of God, because in it you'll find everything you'll need for victory today.

A Tragic Loss...

As most of you probably heard, yesterday the world lost a great leader in Steve Appleton, CEO of Micron. Steve was one of those people who always seemed to bring out the best in you. Steve was also on tennis scholarship at Boise State and graduated a couple of years before I arrived there. He was a competitor to say the least! He was always encouraging the "little guy" to break through and win. I last saw Steve at a BSU women's match last year. He came up to me and asked how I was doing. As always, he was keenly interested in how you and your family were doing. My son even got to meet him on this occasion. It's funny how when you see an old friend that you never imagine it will be the last time you'll see them. One of the things I admire about Steve Appleton was his generosity and desire to help others. He definitely never allowed his corporate success to go to his head. His roots and loyalty were always Blue and Orange all the way. On a plaque at the Appleton BSU Tennis facility there's a quote from Steve which says, "Tennis taught me more in one season than a lifetime of other experiences." I couldn't agree more with him. Looking back, Steve at heart was simply another Bronco tennis player, with lots of dreams and determination. But he didn't just twiddle his thumbs and do nothing. He chose to put feet to his dreams and see how far they would take him. My heart goes out to his wife Dalynn and children in this difficult season. Steve, thanks for caring for all the "little guys" and helping their dreams soar too. Here's a great clip about Steve and tennis http://www.ktvb.com/news/BSU--tennis-coach-Appleton-was-just-like-you-138688339.html

Time Sure Flies...

I was going through an old scrapbook last night and came across a photo from 1983. This photo shows as a young New Zealand tennis player. That player is me. It's funny because I can remember exactly when and where it was taken. That was nearly 30 years ago. Have you ever thought about how fast time goes by? I remember as a teenager how time seemed to move by slowly, but as I've gotten older, the time button seems to have been turned up and left in the "fast" position. The Bible describes man's days in Psalm 103:15-16, "Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here." From God's perspective our lives are like a fast blur, here one day and gone the next. When you're young, you have this idea that you have so long to live. That you have many, many years till you get old, but don't fall into that trap. Our lives pass by so fast. It's like driving through a small town at 65mph. I guess that's what's impacting me so much as I look at this photo. It was almost 30 years ago and yet it seems like just yesterday. Don't be fooled into thinking that you have an endless supply of years ahead, because you don't! Live today having no regrets. Live it with passion and excitement. Live it full of thanksgiving and appreciation. Live it without bitterness towards or envious of others. Live it with joy, enthusiasm and peace. Won't you live life to the fullest today? Your years are going to go by so much quicker than you realize and you have no control over life's speed dial. Live life today!

Why Is Telling Someone "Great Job" So Hard To Do?

For those of you who really know me, you know I love encouraging others. I love speaking words that brighten their day or cause them to smile :) When I see someone do a great job with something I love saying, "Great job!" But not everyone does this. In fact, at times I'm surprised how hard it is for some people to give others credit, especially where it's due, or to tell them how good a job they did. It's actually quite unnatural for many in our culture. Proverbs 3:27 tells us, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so." If someone deserves some credit, why is it hard to give it to them? If someone has done something well, let them know. If someone has done a great job, let them know they did a great job. Sometimes I think jealousy and envy can creep in and lock the door when it comes to us complimenting others. We wish it was us doing the good job and getting the credit, but because it's someone else, we're irritated. I'm a big proponent of treating others how you yourself want to be treated (Luke 6:31). Many people want others to tell them they're doing a great job, yet those very people refuse to tell those around them about the great job they're doing. Look around today and if you see someone doing something special or doing a great job, and let them know. Speak up and encourage, allowing your words to lift others up and soar! There are many people around you who are doing a great job. All you have to do is say these two simple words, "great job." :) If you want to watch one of my favorite clips on this, check out this link. It's long but is well worth it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao

Loving the Underdog

People really are amazing. One of the things I love hearing about is when a person, against all odds, finds a way to succeed. I see it on a daily basis with our HITC students, and believe me, some of them have succeeded against all odds. Have you ever noticed how often the Bible tells how God used men and women mightily. Yet often many of those He used were not people you'd expect Him to use, and yet He did. Against all odds, they were used by Him powerfully and mightily! I recently saw a story about a young man named Mark Herzlich. As a college football player at Boston College, two years ago he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. It constantly caused him unbearable pain and required much surgery and treatment. He was told that he'd never walk again, let alone play sports. Yet this young man decided to become a person who wouldn't let others hold him down. He fought cancer and won. What's so amazing about his story is that it's only been two years since his diagnosis. And yet yesterday, he arrived in Indianapolis to play in the Superbowl for the New York Giants. His story is really amazing but there are people like him everywhere. People who don't let a diagnosis or others hold them back from seeing their dreams come to pass. As Christians we serve an awesome God! Paul states in Philippians 4:13 that, "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Don't let things hold you down or back today. Be who God's called you to be. Today, be a champion, an overcomer, and a person of victory, through Christ.