Living in Harmony

Here is a thought that I’ve been chewing on today.  I think we can all agree that living peacefully with one another takes a lot of work.  Consider the many relationships that we engage in each day… husband/wife, parent/child, employer/employee, friend/friend.  I’m sure there are others, but you get my point.  Then, think about the fact that none of us are perfect and we live in a imperfect world.  That’s a recipe for disaster.

However, everyday we have an opportunity.  We can choose to be sympathetic toward each other, showing compassion and humility.  We can also make the decision not to repay wrong with another wrong, but with a blessing.  What would happen if next time your spouse upset you and you kept your tongue in check?  I think the result would be pleasing to both of you.

Halloween Pics

Okay.  I know that Halloween was over a week ago.  I’m sorry for not posting these sooner.  They were both really cute and Cam is still trying to beat everyone up!  In case you couldn’t figure out what they dressed up as, Cameron is Mr. Incredible and Claire is a ladybug.  They had an awesome time trick-or-treating!

A Struggle…

One thing that I was reminded of a couple days ago is that everything I do is being watched.  And the same is true for you.  Think about it.  If you are married your spouse is watching everything you do, if you are a parent then your kids are watching everything you do, if you have a job then your boss is watching what you do.  Those are a lot of eyes on us !

What brought this thought about is a verse from 1 Timothy.  It says, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  This is a struggle for me.  I am a very selfish person.  I don’t like to think about the fact that my actions will impact other people (directly or indirectly).  Quite honestly it’s a very sobering concept.  But I know that it’s true because many times I watch my son react to situations like I do, which is usually not in a positive way!  It’s at that point that I’m reminded what I do (and don’t do) is being watched.

So what will you do?  Continue to act the same way or make some changes and come to the realization that what you do has an effect on others.

What if…

With the way that the economy is now I think a lot of folks are concerned.  But, for just a minute think about something.  What if you didn’t have any debt (except your home), no car payments, $1000 or more in a savings account for emergencies and a BUDGET to know where your money is going.  Are you as worried about the stock market or the economy now?  I know that I’m not.

The reason behind this post is to make you aware of a tool that you have free access to that can change your finances.  Let me introduce you to Joe Sangl.  He is the Pastor of Financial Counseling at NewSpring Church.  Joe has helped thousands of people become financially free.  He and his team offer free financial counseling! It doesn’t cost you anything.  In fact, if you are not near Anderson, SC you can meet with them via conference call or online.  There really is no reason not to take advantage of this free service.  Joe has also written a book about his experiences and it is a very practical, easy read.  It’s called I Was Broke, Now I’m Not.

If you are interested you can EMAIL them to set up an appointment.  By the way, Katie is Joe’s assistant so your sign up will go to her!  She absolutely loves what she does and enjoys seeing and hearing the stories of people’s lives being changed.  And she is really good at what she does.  Now get your appointment set up!

Random Thursday

Ahhh….it’s Thursday which means the end of my work week!  For some reason I’m feeling really tired today.  Maybe it’s the onset of a cold and all the congestion that comes with it.

• Anyway, Cameron finished up his soccer season on Tuesday night.  We went to Fuddrucker’s for dinner and awards after the game.  Let me just say that he LOVES his soccer medal!  I mean he wants to sleep with it, eat with it and wear it wherever he goes.  Katie snapped a picture Tuesday night after he received his award.
• 
• I came across THIS STORY today.  I mean how many times have you tried this very thing?  Let’s just say I know I could count myself guilty!  Though I think I would have just payed for the meal.

• Hopefully the losing streak will end this Saturday.  Clemson plays Boston College and we need a win bad.  I hope this off week was more beneficial than the one earlier this year.
• I mentioned earlier this week that Claire took her first steps.  She seems to enjoy crawling a lot more.  She hasn’t really done much walking since the inaugural steps.  I’m sure she’ll get it soon.

Progress

Here is an overhead picture of our NewSpring Anderson Campus.  Clockwise from the left are the youth building (6th-12th grade), the children’s building (5th grade and under) and our main building.  Both the youth and children’s building should be up and running by early next year.  It’s amazing to think that Cam and Claire will be going to church in those buildings in the years to come.  Awesome!

Finally!

Last night Claire took her first steps!  She walked a good four steps!  It was great that Katie and I both were there to see it happen.  Although it’s exciting that she is walking we realize that we’re going to have to be a lot quicker now with two kids running around.

Another Saturday…

And another Clemson loss.  We just can’t seem to get things together.  Hopefully this off week will help us refocus and finish the season strong.

We were able to hang out with lots of friends and family though.  That’s always a good thing.

UNLEASH 2009

UNLEASH, our annual conference at NewSpring Church is coming up on March 12, 2009.  In fact, registration is open now.  And if you register before October 29 you will be able to get in at the early bird price.  If you are interested you can get more information HERE.  Hope to see you there!

For What It’s Worth…

I have gotten tons of questions about what do I think about the situation at Clemson.  Actually, I haven’t really gotten many questions because nobody cares too much about what I think!  I mean Terry Don Phillips (Clemson’s AD) didn’t text, email or google chat me to ask what he should do.

Nonetheless, this is my blog so I will weigh in with my thoughts…

• I like Tommy Bowden.  I think he has done some incredible things for Clemson Football.
• I think Bowden should have been released at the end of the Maryland game.  Yeah, at that point we were still mathematically in the running for the ACC Championship (as we still are), but his lack of making any adjustment (i.e. offensive coordinator, quarterback) should have been enough for the administration to make a change.
• I really hope that Swinney gets the job done.  Not just so we win out, but because he is a really great guy and I want to see him succeed.
• I don’t want Bobby Johnson as our head coach.
• We should have a full house in Death Valley on Saturday now that things have been shaken up.
• Starting Willy Korn is a great move.
• Releasing Rob Spence is another great move.

All in all, I think this will be a good move for Clemson.  It’s tough letting go of a head coach that has done so much for the program.  But, it would have been detrimental and counterproductive to Clemson Football to have not made this change.  We got GA TECH on Saturday.  Let’s see what happens.  Go Tigers!