Hey, sorry for the 'non-blog' the past few days.
Last night we had our final game of the basketball season. The mighty Lady Barricudas played marvelously!!! The improvement in all of the girls was really fantastic! Most of our girls had never played organized basketball before and to see them grow in their understanding of the sport was really fun.
The best part of coaching this age group is that these young ladies are competitive and sweet at the same time. They are great kids. They are moving from an ending to a beginning.
Some of them will go on and try out for their Junior High team next year and realize for the first time in their life, that not everybody makes the team. It's interesting. We put such a huge focus on 'making the team', 'being at the top'. Why don't we look at it as a new beginning if we don't fall into that category of 'making it'?
Success is not defined in a moment; when a person is at the pinnacle of their sport or business or craft. Peyton Manning wasn't a success when he finally won the Super Bowl nor was his kid brother a success when he won the Super Bowl. No, those two boys were a success long before that singular moment.
Success is when we do that which is required of us in the moment to achieve our peak performance at that moment. Getting up every morning and going to work. Loving your spouse. Being in the place you know you should be even when you might wish you were somewhere else. Giving your spouse a break from the kids when you know he/she is ready to explode. Success is defined and determined long before the lights and cameras and confetti and bulging bank accounts.
So, when you are faced with an area in your life that comes to an end, don't view it as the end, but rather as a course adjustment and a new beginning on your pursuit of achieving greater influence in your life. You may not make the Junior High basketball team, but you might just be on your new path of becoming a wonderful nurse or civic leader or pastor or mom or dad or general or president or doctor!
It's all just getting started!!!
MTC!
Mark
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
WHAT A GREAT MORNING!
This morning was a real special deal! Out of the blue, a couple from Sacramento that are some of the finest people in the world walked in while we were doing a sound check and getting ready for the morning service. Randy and Nancy were a vital part of the ministry we were involved at in California and they were up paying a visit to their son on his 25th birthday. What a treat!! We laughed and had a great time getting caught up. What great people!!
There was another couple from Cali that was in the service as well. Adam and Jessie are a young couple that are just as fantastic. What great people they are. We were able to have lunch with them and it was a blast just hanging out and laughing and getting caught up as well.
This is what makes the church, the body of Christ, so awesome!!!! Most people think church is like a drag and a drudgery. let me tell you this: the people are the church and the church is made up of fantastic people. People who will do anything for you with all the right reasons and the whole time desiring to do it for God!
As was the case today, the friends you make in church are some of the finest people in the world, and wheny they pop in on you, it makes for a great morning!!!
Thanks Randy and Nancy and Adam and Jessie for making today totally sweet!!!!!
We love you guys!!!!
MTC!
Mark
There was another couple from Cali that was in the service as well. Adam and Jessie are a young couple that are just as fantastic. What great people they are. We were able to have lunch with them and it was a blast just hanging out and laughing and getting caught up as well.
This is what makes the church, the body of Christ, so awesome!!!! Most people think church is like a drag and a drudgery. let me tell you this: the people are the church and the church is made up of fantastic people. People who will do anything for you with all the right reasons and the whole time desiring to do it for God!
As was the case today, the friends you make in church are some of the finest people in the world, and wheny they pop in on you, it makes for a great morning!!!
Thanks Randy and Nancy and Adam and Jessie for making today totally sweet!!!!!
We love you guys!!!!
MTC!
Mark
Saturday, March 8, 2008
OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES
Ever notice how sometimes our kids have some great input for us!
I'll never forget a few years back when watching a UW football game at our home in California, the refs blew a call. I exploded!! The call swung the game and I was not happy! My daughter looked at me and told me that I needed to get myself under control! I treated her like one of the refs and she went and told mom!!!!
The tv was turned off. I was in deep water and felt horrible that I had 'barked' at my daughter like I did. No amount of discussion with my wife and the blown call would allow her to see it my way.
Dog houses are very uncomfortable.
Our kids can help us see things in our lives if we will allow them to talk to us and if we allow them to talk openly with us. Having a discussion with our kids on stuff we mess up on is really quite good. My oldest daughter told me of something today that I needed to work on. She is 100% correct.
Now, I can get all defensive and treat her like a child and take on the macho role of man and dad, but that's not good. She has great insight and I need to listen. She is not being critical. She is not being mean. She is just calling it like she sees it and let me tell you, she'd make a great PAC-10 official!!!!!!
So, let your kids tell you and show you where your weak links are. Let your spouse tell you as well...I appreciate it when mine does and besides they live with us and know us best.
MTC!
Mark
I'll never forget a few years back when watching a UW football game at our home in California, the refs blew a call. I exploded!! The call swung the game and I was not happy! My daughter looked at me and told me that I needed to get myself under control! I treated her like one of the refs and she went and told mom!!!!
The tv was turned off. I was in deep water and felt horrible that I had 'barked' at my daughter like I did. No amount of discussion with my wife and the blown call would allow her to see it my way.
Dog houses are very uncomfortable.
Our kids can help us see things in our lives if we will allow them to talk to us and if we allow them to talk openly with us. Having a discussion with our kids on stuff we mess up on is really quite good. My oldest daughter told me of something today that I needed to work on. She is 100% correct.
Now, I can get all defensive and treat her like a child and take on the macho role of man and dad, but that's not good. She has great insight and I need to listen. She is not being critical. She is not being mean. She is just calling it like she sees it and let me tell you, she'd make a great PAC-10 official!!!!!!
So, let your kids tell you and show you where your weak links are. Let your spouse tell you as well...I appreciate it when mine does and besides they live with us and know us best.
MTC!
Mark
Friday, March 7, 2008
HOME SWEET HOME
I flew in last night after being gone for four days and I could not wait to get home! I couldn't wait to see my wife and two daughters. We'd been texting and emailing all week and talking on the phone, but I truly couldn't wait to get home.
You get the motif: I love home! I'm a softy. I love being with my family. It's my most favorite thing in life!
I'm a very wealthy man BECAUSE the house I live in is a home and a place of refuge and safety and love and warmth and laughter and fun!
As I came through the door, I heard my daughters laughing and Kailee was being really loud while her older sister was laughing at her. Happens all the time. What a great sound to come home to! No tension. No stress. No off doing their own thing. Hangin' out together and laughing!!!!
How's your home? Maybe you don't have a family. Maybe you live alone. That's cool, but do you have a home? Is it a place of safety and security, a place of happiness and light?
I've been thinking alot about homes and families who have a house, some excessively amazing houses, but don't have a place of laughter and love. I am praying that God helps me help them!
MTC!
Mark
You get the motif: I love home! I'm a softy. I love being with my family. It's my most favorite thing in life!
I'm a very wealthy man BECAUSE the house I live in is a home and a place of refuge and safety and love and warmth and laughter and fun!
As I came through the door, I heard my daughters laughing and Kailee was being really loud while her older sister was laughing at her. Happens all the time. What a great sound to come home to! No tension. No stress. No off doing their own thing. Hangin' out together and laughing!!!!
How's your home? Maybe you don't have a family. Maybe you live alone. That's cool, but do you have a home? Is it a place of safety and security, a place of happiness and light?
I've been thinking alot about homes and families who have a house, some excessively amazing houses, but don't have a place of laughter and love. I am praying that God helps me help them!
MTC!
Mark
Thursday, March 6, 2008
RECONNECT
I have been in Springfield, MO for the past three days. I made some new friends and reconnected with others. It's been a great time.
Last evening I was able to spend a few minutes re-connecting with one of my previous bosses. A great man. An encourager. A man pursuing a life that totally pleases God. We had some great laughs and remembered some crazy times.
Staying connected in life as we all move through it, can become a tedious task. However, I'm reminded once again of the power of friendships and relationships that build us up. We need each other. We can't do life alone. We were designed and hard wired for relationship.
I have one more detail before my flight leaves and it is a horrible chore: I'm on my way to Bass Pro Shop! I may miss my flight!!!!!
MTC!
Mark
Last evening I was able to spend a few minutes re-connecting with one of my previous bosses. A great man. An encourager. A man pursuing a life that totally pleases God. We had some great laughs and remembered some crazy times.
Staying connected in life as we all move through it, can become a tedious task. However, I'm reminded once again of the power of friendships and relationships that build us up. We need each other. We can't do life alone. We were designed and hard wired for relationship.
I have one more detail before my flight leaves and it is a horrible chore: I'm on my way to Bass Pro Shop! I may miss my flight!!!!!
MTC!
Mark
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!
OK, so I'm not where paradise is. My definition of that would be Hawaii. So I guess Springfield, MO ain't dat! However, it has been a great couple of days.
I'm attending a prayer conference and has been excellent! Meeting some new friends and really getting a brutal wake up call personally. The brutal wake up is this, it's kinda one of those 'duh' moments, where you've known it for quite some time, but now you are in the middle of it and it really exposes the area of personal deficiancy. Here it is, the personal 'duh' moment: I just don't pray enough.
I know how to pray. I know that prayer changes things. I know that there are many things in life that only happen when righteous people pray and a righteous God is moved and does what He has been wanting to do along...He's just been waiting for us.
As I type this I've got my iTunes pumping and EVERLASTING GOD is playing "...as we wait upon the Lord..." That is a key component in prayer that I have not been doing enough of. I need to wait. Wait in God's presence. Wait for His voice and direction. It's not rocket science and it's not mystical. It's just that we make it that way.
MTC!
mac
p.s. No snow angels yesterday...sorry! I did scare the people on the bus however, by greeting them all in a really loud way!!! And yes, our shuttle bus is the short one! How fitting!!!
I'm attending a prayer conference and has been excellent! Meeting some new friends and really getting a brutal wake up call personally. The brutal wake up is this, it's kinda one of those 'duh' moments, where you've known it for quite some time, but now you are in the middle of it and it really exposes the area of personal deficiancy. Here it is, the personal 'duh' moment: I just don't pray enough.
I know how to pray. I know that prayer changes things. I know that there are many things in life that only happen when righteous people pray and a righteous God is moved and does what He has been wanting to do along...He's just been waiting for us.
As I type this I've got my iTunes pumping and EVERLASTING GOD is playing "...as we wait upon the Lord..." That is a key component in prayer that I have not been doing enough of. I need to wait. Wait in God's presence. Wait for His voice and direction. It's not rocket science and it's not mystical. It's just that we make it that way.
MTC!
mac
p.s. No snow angels yesterday...sorry! I did scare the people on the bus however, by greeting them all in a really loud way!!! And yes, our shuttle bus is the short one! How fitting!!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
FREEZING!
I'm freezing!!!
Yesterday I flew into Springfield, MO for some meetings and it snowed overnight. I like snow, but this is the Midwest blowing, snowing, windchill in the stupid range, hands drying out, nose running kinda stuff!
HOWEVER: these people back here, you gotta love 'em. They drive in it like it's nothing. I'm looking at a very busy intersection right now and tons of people are out doing there thang! No hassles. No crashes. No worries!
Here's the deal, for all of my complaining, I really do love this kind of weather. The snow is dry and you CAN drive in it because it is FLAT! Unlike the Pacific NW where everybody lives on a hill or someplace that is going to get you sideways.
So, here is the deal: making the best, and I mean making a party, out of situations that might get some people uptight is how we should live. So, I'm gonna drink some more hot coffee. Get to my meetings and I'm gonna love this wind and weather! Who knows, I might even make a snow angel or two!!! Now that's a party!!
Party on dude!
MTC!
mac
Yesterday I flew into Springfield, MO for some meetings and it snowed overnight. I like snow, but this is the Midwest blowing, snowing, windchill in the stupid range, hands drying out, nose running kinda stuff!
HOWEVER: these people back here, you gotta love 'em. They drive in it like it's nothing. I'm looking at a very busy intersection right now and tons of people are out doing there thang! No hassles. No crashes. No worries!
Here's the deal, for all of my complaining, I really do love this kind of weather. The snow is dry and you CAN drive in it because it is FLAT! Unlike the Pacific NW where everybody lives on a hill or someplace that is going to get you sideways.
So, here is the deal: making the best, and I mean making a party, out of situations that might get some people uptight is how we should live. So, I'm gonna drink some more hot coffee. Get to my meetings and I'm gonna love this wind and weather! Who knows, I might even make a snow angel or two!!! Now that's a party!!
Party on dude!
MTC!
mac
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
