Author: Dan

“What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?”

Which do you suppose will be victorious?

My answer – the immovable object. And here’s why…

The force has to originate “some where” and be supplied by “some thing”. Thus, if you remove the origination source or thing, it ceases to be.

Whereas, an immovable object can “just be” without any external input.

Do you take time out of your life to “just be” or are you being kept busy, pushed around by outside forces?

You need to make the time to be still, to rest.

“On the seventh day, God rested.” (Genesis 2:2-3)

Yes, the almighty and all powerful God, rested.

Yes, the creator of all things, rested.

So, if God took time to rest…

…why shouldn’t you?

Thomas Edison failed 9,999 times prior to unlocking the secret of the filament inside the light bulb.  Why bother with the 10,000th attempt?

Ever hear of WD-9? How about WD-23 or WD-37? Why bother making another attempt; which we now know as WD-40?

One last one – Wheaties, “The Breakfast of Champions”, was created by accident! A technician spilled a batch of  bran gruel on the stovetop that quickly crackled into flakes. However, it took 36 attempts to make the flake stable enough to box and ship. Why bother with this “beneficial accident” at all?

How many times have you wanted to quit a difficult task but decide to give it “one final try” and suddenly succeed at what you had been failing? Why, may I ask, did you even bother to try again?

Words such as “stubborn”, “focused”, “single-minded”, “deranged”, “strong-willed” and “bullheaded” are often used to describe people who achieve great success. The word I prefer to use is “determined”.

determined – “having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it”

You continue banging your head against the wall because you are determined to resolve the issue.

And, why are you so determined?

Because you have committed your time, energy and resources to the resolution.

committed – “feeling dedication and loyalty to a cause, activity, or job”

Your success is directly related to how determined and committed you are to the task at hand.

So, I guess if you’re not determined and committed…

…why bother?

“Go deep” is a phrase uttered by the quarterback telling his receivers to run as far down the field as they can, get open and expect a pass in their general direction. The play can also be referred to as a “Bomb” or a “Hail Mary”. In most cases,  the play is called right before halftime or game’s end in the hopes of scoring a quick touchdown.

If the play is unsuccessful, it’s no big deal. In most cases it was a “last ditch effort” prior to the clock expiring.

But…

If the play is successful, it instantly changes the momentum of the game and maybe even the final outcome.

The interesting thing about the play is this – while fans see it as “an act of desperation”, the team regularly executes this play during it’s weekly practices. So, in reality,  this “final act of desperation” is a play that has been prepared and practiced “just  in case” it should ever be needed! Not exactly what I would call “an act of desperation”!

So, I gotta ask…

• What type of “plays” makes up your “life playbook”?
• How were these “plays” developed?
• Do you have a “Go Deep”? Heck, do you have a “Go To”?
• How often to you add/remove/modify the “plays” in your book?
• Do you practice the “plays”?
• Are you prepared to use every “play” in your book?

“Winners never quit. Quitters never win.”

“Failure to plan is a plan for failure.”

After all, you never know when you’ll be called upon to…

…”Go Deep”.

Did ya ever notice how quickly small children cry out for help after skinning a knee or bumping their head? Heck, I’ve seen quite a few children fall down, look around to see if their parents are within ear-shot, and once this is verified, start crying.

Children “cry out” because they are seeking parental comfort, attention or re-assurance that they’ll be “ok”. Children “cry out” because they are scared or frightened. Children “cry out” because they just experienced something “new” and don’t know how to process their thoughts/emotions.

Children “cry out” because they “just know” mom and dad are “there”.  Children “just know” supplying comfort in the time of need is “what their parents do”.

When was the last time you really “cried out” to your Heavenly Father? Ya know, just let out an undecipherable wail – a  combination of anguish, frustration, and  hopelessness wrapped in emotional distress – seeking comfort, healing, or direction?

Come on now, you know you’ve been there…as have…

…Moses…

…the sons of Israel…

…Samuel…

…and yes, even Jesus…

so, you’re in good company…

“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”       Psalm 61:2

God is our Father. We are His children.

Why do we not seek comfort from Him more than we do?

 “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”                               Psalm 57:2 

“Cry out” to God and He will…

• teach you
• lead you
• bless you
• love you
• heal you
• protect you
• provide for you
• give you purpose

…and much much more.

For the past month the same 2 or 3 songs have been playing inside my head. I thought  writing a post about the one (“Almost Home” by Mercy Me) would clear my mind. In one way I was correct. “Almost Home” seems to be playing less frequently, but the other two – “Goodness of God” by Bethel Music with Jenn Johnson and “The Blessing” by Elevation Music with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes have certainly picked up the slack!

So, I asked God the age old question…

“Why?”

The answer I received was…

“Peace”

For ‘peace’ to be part of your life, you must ‘surrender’ every last bit of the pain & suffering to the one that can heal it – God. It’s important to note that you are not surrendering to the pain & suffering, you are surrendering the burdens of pain & suffering to God…and that’s an important distinction to make.

The yoke (pain & suffering) is too great for you to bear alone, but if you yoke yourself to the Lord, He now labors with you at your side, thus making the yoke lighter. It also means He will pull with you in the same direction (share your burden). (Matthew 11:29-30…as I understand it)

So, that’s why I’m still hearing those last two songs in my head – “Goodness of God” is all about His goodness and faithfulness to us. And “The Blessing” is simply that, a blessing that each one of needs to receive and accept so our burden is removed.

But, what is ‘peace’?

Words like ‘acceptance’, ‘satisfaction’, and ‘contentment’ are often used to define ‘peace’, but I’m still left wondering, “Is there more to it?”.

And ya know, I think there is!

Let’s add ‘absence of hostility’, ‘lack of conflict’ and ‘tranquility’.

Mix these together, and maybe you have a start of what ‘peace’ is…

‘Peace’ is freedom.

Freedom from the guilt. Freedom from the pain.  Freedom from fear. Freedom from what’s been weighing you down & holding you back. Freedom to live!

‘Peace’ is “just knowing”.

“Just knowing” that everything is going to be “ok”. That no matter what your present is or future holds, God will equip you with what you need. I like to think, “God equips me today with what I need for today, and He will equip me for tomorrow, tomorrow. So, I will focus my thoughts & energy on today (which God has equipped me for) and deal with tomorrow,  tomorrow when I am equipped again.”

That’s ‘peace’.

“Just knowing”

Forgiveness.

We seek it when we are wrong.

We offer it when we are wronged.

It’s a “two way street”. That is, either I “offer” it and you “receive” it or  you “seek” it and I “give” it. That may be a bit simplistic, but works for the purpose of this post.

Forgiveness means –  “I won’t hold the wrong against you now or use it against you at some time in the future.”

Forgiveness means – “I   am ‘wiping the slate clean’; giving you (and yes, you are receiving) a do-over, trusting you won’t ‘wrong me’ in the same or similar manner again.”

However, forgiveness doesn’t remove the pain & suffering associated with the wrong. The pain & suffering is real and must be resolved.

For many,  the pain of being wronged mutates into a fire in their belly.  This fire motivates them to succeed (providing self-worth), drives them to addiction (to ease the pain), or a combination of both. No matter what, the fire is destructive. Over time, continuing to harbor the pain is a deterrent to one’s own health and well-being.

Holding onto pain will literally kill you.

Release it!

“Pain doesn’t stay buried. It must be healed.”

How do we “release” the pain of being wronged? A pain that has become such a part of us & our identity that we fear “letting go” because we don’t know who or what we would be without it?

The desire to “release” the pain must become greater than the need to continue carrying that very same pain plus, add in, the fear of the unknown; which is, of itself, no easy task. At some point the pain is so unbearable that you are forced to choose between – “accepting this pain and living with it” or “releasing it” and…

…healing.

“Physician, heal thyself.”

Healing is the means by which the pain of being wronged is lessened or removed; the means by which our bodies and minds return to being sound & healthy.

Sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it?

So, how does healing “work”?

Healing begins when you make the conscious decision:

• that you’re tired of  the pain & suffering. (“Done with it.”)
• that you want to be healed. (“Sick of it.”)
• to draw a line in the sand and scream out, “the pain & suffering ends now. I will carry it no further. It’s my time to be healed.” (“Control over it.”)

But, what about fear? What if…

“I’m afraid to “let go” because, surely, there will be unknown consequences if I do and I’m just not ready or able to handle that right now or maybe ever.”

“Belief trumps fear and aids in our healing!

Ya gotta believe you’ll be a better version of yourself post-healing. That’s a benefit of “healing” – resolving the pain so you can live a better life.

Consider the total amount of time, money and effort spent “managing” your pain.  After healing you can put those resources toward better use; perhaps even taking on the challenge of finding your purpose!

Finding & living in your purpose…

Now, THAT’S fulfillment!

Now, THAT’S a great way to discover joy & happiness!

Now, THAT’S the way to live!

And what occurs in your life when you’re fulfilled and have joy and happiness?

Peace.

Coming Next Week: “Peace”-ful Thoughts”

One of my favorite activities is watching Pixar shorts on Disney+. I guess that’s one of the many advantages of having grandchildren – I have an “excuse”  to have Disney+! I’ve also discovered everyone enjoys the shorts because they are brief, yet incredibly entertaining. They’re great for kids who don’t  have an attention span as well as older folks who can’t always keep up with the plots in lengthy movies. 

A favorite short of mine is titled “ Boundin”. Pixar created the short in 2003. It’s about a dancing sheep who gets sheared and receives encouraging, life changing words from a jackalope. Found this on YouTube…

Not really sure why I enjoy it. It might be that I identify with the poor sheep. It may also be the upbeat soundtrack. But what I really think it is, are the words of wisdom spoken by the jackalope…

“Now sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. When you find that you’re down, well just look around. You still got a body, good legs and fine feet. Get your head in the right place and hey, your complete.”

I can’t count the number of times I’ve re-played those words in my head. The results are the same each and every time – a little chuckle (because I recall the entire, cute short) and a complete change of mood…followed by “What do you really have to complain about? Don’t you have more important things to do than wasting time feeling sorry for yourself?”

How or from where do you receive your “words of wisdom”? In other words…“Who or what is your “jackalope”?  Ya know, that some-one/some-thing you can reach out to for advise or a change of mood/emotion/attitude. Better yet, do you have a shoulder to cry on?

I’ve found it’s much easier to cope with life’s challenges when I share them with others. It’s so easy to “trick” yourself into believing “I can handle this alone, on my little, isolated island all by myself because I know myself better than anyone else knows me.” 

Stay away from the island. It’s a bad place.

And ya know what, it’s when I end up on that island my “jackalope” appears. Sometimes it takes the form of music. Sometimes it’s an unexpected phone call. Sometimes it’s a quote or story in a random book I happen to pick up because I’m searching for answers that may not exist.

My “jackalope” knows when it’s needed.

My “jackalope” always provides what I need most at that moment.

I believe everyone needs a “jackalope”.

So, again, I ask…

“Who or what is your jackalope?”

What is it that makes dining out so appealing? I’m not talking about your experiences with “fast food”. I’m talking about the “reservation required, cloth napkin, ‘why the heck do I have all these forks’, order from a fancy menu things you cannot pronounce at prices you cannot afford” type of dining.

Is it the food? The ambiance? The rarity of occurrence? Just what is it that sets these type of meals apart from our everyday meals?

All the above? Some of the above? None of the above?

Could it be the service?

Yes, let’s go with that – “It’s the service”.

What is it about the service you remember?

• How quickly the server re-filled your water glass after every sip?
• How the server patiently waited for you to order while you butchered the menu language and asked a never ending list of questions?
• How your soiled plates disappeared as if by magic?

Or maybe it’s…

• How nice it felt to be served instead of being the server?

I guess you could sum it all up in the following:

We enjoy being served because it provides a brief respite from the “routine” of our daily lives. Being served gives the sensation that we are “special”. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

So, let me ask you this…

How do you feel when it’s your time to serve? Do you jump in feet first full of excitement at the opportunity or do you whine a little and wonder ‘why me?’,  ‘not now’ or try to wriggle your way out of it? Hmm…maybe you wanna serve but just don’t know how??

If you’re like me, your answer is probably a combination of the above. But, really, why is that?  Why is it that we are so willing to be served but so reluctant to serve?

I’m inclined to think it is has to do with “purpose”. No, it has everything to do with purpose.

Think about it for a moment. The purpose of the server at a restaurant is to take your order, bring your food and provide a positive experience. Yes, the waiter receives a monetary reward (tip) plus some level of hourly pay, but his reason for being there is to serve you.

Seems reasonable -> we serve because we have purpose, right?

What if you haven’t discovered your purpose? Then what?

Trial and error. You gotta take chances. Try new things. Put yourself  “out there” and find what makes you “tick” or where your interests lie. Ya know, ya gotta “get your hands dirty”. You gotta read. Ya gotta grow yourself. You gotta become comfortable with quitting if whatever you may think your purpose is, isn’t. But you must always continue seeking your purpose.

Sure, searching will require moving a few rocks or boulders along the way, but you’ll become more comfortable with your journey as time passes. You’ll become more comfortable with who you are becoming. Funny thing, though, is that as you continue, you’ll naturally begin to serve. You’ll find yourself collecting a group of like-minded people all pulling the same way, accomplishing great things.

Your road becomes easier, but not without challenge. Heck, it’s easier simply because of your purpose. Having a purpose makes life more enjoyable. Knowing your “why” is life-changing. It’s a great feeling to know why God made you. Don’t ever lose sight of it or let someone “steal” it. It’s yours and yours alone.

Yours to share as you serve others. You can’t have one without the other.

You share. You serve.

You serve. You share.

That’s just the way “purpose” works.

“I wish I had said something.”

“If I had only…”

“Why didn’t I…”

Many times in life you don’t get a second chance. And, if by some miracle you do, it usually comes too late, your words ring hollow and have less or no impact.

Words have power. Power to heal. Power to divide. Power to conquer.

Unspoken words lead to regret.

We’ve all been there. We tell ourselves we should say something. We may even know what we intend to say; but instead, we turn away, saying nothing…and later, regret that decision.

What is so “wrong” with us that we can’t provide a bit of empathy or sympathy to one another? Why is it so difficult to say “I care”,  “I love you”, “I’m here for you”, or even “I hurt” or “I need” to those closest to us?

“Something” has gotta change.

“Someone” has gotta change.

Hey! Wake up! Pay attention!!

“Someone” = “YOU”!!

YOU GOTTA CHANGE!

I have no idea how this is going to work for you. It’s going to be challenging enough to figure it out for me! That’s what’s so insanely crazy about this – each one of you has to find the solution that “fits” you.

We are all unique individuals, with different God-given talents and skills. Use them. Lean into them. Allow your skills and talents to direct your “change”. Develop them. Exercise them. Maybe you’ll discover a new set of skills. Maybe you won’t. Be open to new ideas and adventures. Be inspired by the world which surrounds you.  Be vulnerable. Be open and honest. Be truthful.

Embrace the change in you! Share the change in you!

The more ya give of yourself, the more ya get from others. The more you change!

It’s true. Trust me.

Better yet, trust God.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” – Proverbs 3:5

Today was the day my brother & I had been waiting to have since a year ago – we were returning to Springdale to golf. We knew there’d be challenges since dad’s health scare a mere 6 weeks ago, but dad was up for the trip over the mountain. We knew golfing or simply being back on the course would provide the best “medicine” he could receive. So, away we went…

Imagine our surprise when we turned the corner leading to the clubhouse and saw NOTHING familiar. The clubhouse – gone. The reception/pro shop – gone. The parking lot and golf cart return – gone. It was like someone had sucked all the air from the room!

WE WERE STUNNED!

We checked in, paid our greens fees, loaded up the carts and went to the 1st tee – which really wasn’t the “1st tee” because it used to be the “10th tee”…the owner had swapped the “front” & “back” sides too!

“This just isn’t acceptable. I wonder what else the new owner changed?”

We began noticing many things were different – trees had been removed/added, sand traps enlarged, grass allowed to grow tall etc etc etc. Once we got through the initial shock, everyone seemed to have settle down. Life on the course was good, until…

We made the “turn” to play the “10th hole”; which was the original “1st hole”. The owners had removed a tree, but not just any tree. They removed the “Lab Family Tree” – the tree we used as a target for the past 35 years! It was heartbreaking! I began to cry. Why would they do that to us? How could they do it to us?

Then my dad said something brilliant, “…here’s to progress. Right now it may hurt, but what is done is done and we cannot change that. What we can do is accept change and move on. We’ve had the joy of this course and that tree and all those buildings for as long as we have been coming here. They can remove all of those things, but they cannot remove the memories we have made over time. Let’s just focus on today and let what happens tomorrow happen tomorrow. All we really have is today.”

Then I started thinking…

While my brother, dad and I have been coming to Springdale for the past 35 years, we were with someone making their first trip – my nephew Conner. If we’re lucky and our futures allow, maybe he’ll grow as fond of the “new” buildings as we were of the “old”… and maybe the rest of us will learn to love the “new” also.

Renewal means change. It means – “Out with the old. In with the new.” Funny, but as the course goes through renewal, so does our group. We get a new person with a fresh look at the course and new energy. Energy will renew us, carry us forward and just might be repeated sometime in the future, who knows?

All I can hope & pray is the next 25 or so years are filled with the same hope, joy, laughter, fun and love as the past 35 have been.

I/we just have to tell ourselves, “Yes, everything is going to be “ok”. Really. It will be.”