The Real Deal

In our society today, most of us are constantly looking for the best deals in town. With many of us being on a tight budget and our economy in the situation it is in, saving money and finding the best bargains become important to us. As Christmas shopping is readily approaching and Black Friday sales already being advertised, we all look to get the best deal possible. As students, parents, friends and coaches we all search to find ways to save money and get the best bargain for our buck. We live in a society where we have smart cards, punch cards and rapid rewards in order to get a free meal, flight or gas.

As you think about shopping and preparing a feast for family and friends, don't forget the free things that are often taken for granted. The time spent with family and friends and the memories made are the deals that we will take with us the rest of our lives. So as you begin to get anxious about getting in line to get that toy, computer or popular item this holiday season, remember to enjoy the special times in this life that are the most meaninful. The best things in this life are free.

The real deal in this life, though, is the free gift of salvation from God. It cannot be purchased, but it is available free of charge. Jesus has already paid the price for all of us by dying on the cross for our sins. So as you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season , remember why you are here and be thankful for the free things in this life that we so very often take for granted. Hug and tell the people you love how much they mean to you. Be kind to strangers. Be patient standing in lines. Do something nice for someone you don't know that will never pay for back...Pay the "real deal" forward....

It is well with my "Sole"

When we wake up in the morning, we all put on some sort of shoe. And every shoe has a sole in which we walk each day. The more we walk, the more worn that sole becomes. In our lives we will travel many places, play many games and go through numerous interviews in those soles. We will all take different paths and our journeys will all be different, but we always will have some sort of sole that we depend on for our journey. We never look to see if our "sole" is there, we just trust that it will get us to where we are going. For we have all been told that we walk by faith, not by sight.

It has been said that you never really know a person until you have walked in his/her shoes. As we examine our lives and where we have been and where we want to go, it can be overwhelming to look back at our journeys and the different roads we have all gone down. Some have taken familiar paths and some of us have taken the narrow paths. Whether you have worn running shoes, work boots or high heels we all have had to experience different roads and paths to get to where we are in our life.

God has a purpose for each "sole" that we wear. It may be to hit a game winning shot or it may be to lose in the State finals. You may be meant to be the President of a big company, own a daycare or wait tables to make ends meet. He has a plan for you and wants to see you be successful and make a difference and live by His word. When you have to change your "sole" don't question His path paved for you. The roads we travel allow us to experience different joys and trials. No matter what path you go down, He is always there by your side.

No matter what "sole" you wear to work every day, never forget the roads you have traveled. Some of those roads may have been paved, some may have been rocky and some may not yet have been traveled down, but those roads have helped shape you into who you are. Some of us wear more than one "sole" and have different responsibilities. Whatever your "sole" may be make sure you enjoy the journey and are happy with where you are and who you are. Find happiness, for it is happiness that is the true state in which we know that God is in control and that we must trust Him. When you are happy and content, it is well with your "soul." And don't forget...sometimes you have to do some "sole searching."

Are you helping "Peace" the Puzzle Together?

At some point in your life, you will have to be part of a team. It may be a sport's team, a team at work or a member of God's team. When we are a member of a team, it is important that we all realize what our role is on the team. Just as a puzzle has many pieces that fit together, being a part of a team requires each member must execute his/her job in order for the team to be successful. Whether you are a point guard, a quarterback, a forward,  or a defensive specialist, all members have an integral part in using their specific skill set to ensure that the team is successful.

Peace is defined by Webster as a freedom from disturbance or disagreement. For any team, organziation or community to be at "peace", one must realize what their piece or role is to make sure that the operation is run smoothly. Each of us brings a different size, shape and uniqueness to the table that when pieced together correctly, forms a beatiful masterpiece.

Just as the body is one, it is made up of many parts. 1 Corinthians states that no part is more or less important than the other, therefore, its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. There is a dependence required from each part that makes our whole body function properly. If one part is injured, it hinders the movement and operation of the whole body.

This verse exemplifies so much truth about life and about being part of a team, family or organization. We all have a responsibility on our team, in our job or in our family that enhances our emotions if the role is done well. We win and lose together. If one person doesn't box out, we lose the game. If one person hits the game winning home run, we all celebrate the victory.

Whether in victory or in defeat we must know and listen to what God wants our piece of the puzzle to be. When we discover this, it's amazing the happiness that we create for ourselves and others around us. Enthusiasm, kindness and optimism are all pieces that we can learn to portray daily that will lead to the Ultimate "Peace" in the world we live in today!

Find your "piece" to help make "peace"!

The Buzzer

Often times in sports, we forget the importance of the buzzer. Most frequently, it is the sound that signals the end of a half or the end of a game. When that buzzer sounds and the clock hits zero, it's a known fact that the game is over. This is the time when the teams go to their respective locker rooms and discuss the outcome of the game. Post game talks usually consists of effort, execution and effectiveness. The coach will ask if you played to the best of your ability and did you execute the game plan that was planned for that particular game. Some games we give it our all, but still come up short.

Life has many similarities to that buzzer we often hear at athletic events. When the game of life ends and your final buzzer sounds, will you be satisfied with your performance here on this Earth? Each day is like a small piece in the game of life that all of us are playing. Do you give each day 100%? Do you compete with yourself each day to make you a better person, friend, spouse, co-worker or teammate? Are you prepared when God needs you to sub in to help one of your teammates?

There is an imaginary buzzer that goes off at the end of each day to signal that the day is over. When you hear it, I want you to think to yourself if you gave that day 100% effort? Did I win or lose that day? If i lost the day, what can I do tomorrow to make it better? Was I a good teammate today? Did I encourage or discourage? Encouraging words often tend to make us want to give just a little bit more.

We must focus on our performance as God provides us with a new opportunity each day. Did you hug instead of yell? Was I kind or mean to the lady in front of me at the check-out counter that had a buggy full of groceries and I had two items? Did I give up my close parking spot to the elderly lady who wanted the same spot I wanted? For it's these selfless, kind acts that help boost our performance to serve God in all we do.

Will you be satisfied with your performance when your final buzzer sounds?

Red Flags

As many of you know the beach is one of my favorite places. Occasionally, when you are at the beach "red flags" are out which means that there are extreme hazradous conditions and that you should avoid getting in the water. I want you to contemplate about life for a second and the "red flags" that we may experience.

Many times in this life we are selfish and want things done our way. We fail to see the hazardous conditions that may lie in front of the choices that we make. We want to get rich quick, find that perfect person and jump to quick conclusions on how we want our life to be.

I believe in "signs" that God puts before us to make us aware of the decisions that we face. For He tells us in the Bible that "He is always with us." These red flags appear to us when we are looking for a job, starting a relationship or making a hard life decision. Life is short so sometimes I think we feel rushed to make a quick choice instead of the the right choice that God has planned for you. We just have to put our trust in Him. That big promotion might not be the plan for you. That guy or girl may not be who God intended for you. As hard it may hurt sometimes, we must see the red flags that God puts in front of us. It's always important that we have faith that His way is much better than ours. So the next time you don't get that job you wanted, you lose a good friend or have a bad break up: look  for the red flags that were probably there and trust that those situations were probably not in your best interest in your life. Look at it as a blessing and not a failure.

There is a reason Satan wears red!


Jeremiah 29:11