Sunday, August 24, 2014

teacher, teacher teach me love

My wife and I watch CHOPPED. A group of competitors with a basket of unknown food preparing for professional chefs. After each round someone is "chopped". 
The competitors are normally adults with a cooking background. But the ingenuity of progress led to what became known as the "CHOPPED Teen Tournament"

Money and 15 seconds of fame are at stake. 
For the adults chefs - $10,000 dollars
 For the teen CHOPPED Champion - $25k in prize money,a culinary scholarship worth $40,000 (and of course 15 seconds of fame).

Television is entertaining and competitions can be inspiring, but what is it that caught my attention during this CHOPPED series?

It was the teens. 

When the adults compete upon being "chopped" most competitors have different responses to being chopped. Some sad, some disappointed and some feel cheated. Some feel challenged and yes, some are willing to tip their hat to the people who beat them out, but not the teens. In round after round, sure the teen who was chopped was sad at the loss. Some to the point of tears. But yet, they were happy to have had not only the opportunity, but happy for the other person. The person who beat them out. Happy to the point of hugs, tears of joy and happy to the point of elation for their fellow human being. 

That is the eyes of a child. May we all see that way.

"teacher, teacher teach me love....i can't learn it fast enough" Rockpile



Saturday, August 16, 2014

days run into nights

when days run into nights and nights into days into weeks

it all goes to fast

slow it down

s.l.o.w.  i.t.  d.o.w.n.

breathe

when life is it's busiest

when life is it's slowest

the days run into weeks

the weeks into months
the months into years

stop

embrace the moments


tick - tick - tick


truth - nothing less

Be not wise in your own eyes

Do not plan evil against your neighbor

Ponder the path of your feet

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense

A gracious woman gets honor

Truthful lips endure forever

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down

A man who is kind benefits himself

<>






Wednesday, August 06, 2014

taking time

There was once a study of super wealthy people. People who's wealth was beyond the regular
 wealthy and they found that the "word" of these folks was absolutely golden. If they said they were going to do something or be somewhere it was without question it would be done, they would be there. 

One of these folks also did something unique. Every time he gathered with his grandchildren he would read them the same story; The Tortoise and the Hare, the story of how the turtle, by taking his time would be overcome the mighty rabbit. By taking his time, just by being himself. 

Just by being himself. 

Imagine that. 

"be anxious for nothing"  from God's word. simple and poignant. 
The turtle wasn't anxious, just slow and steady. The turtle accepted himself as a turtle, performed like a turtle, acted like a turtle, knew he was turtle and his word was his word. He followed up everything with actions and not words. 

Imagine accepting yourself

For who you are

That's what God does
nomatterwhat
nomatterwhatyoudo

smell the coffee or whatever it is you like to smell

take slower steps

see yourself for who you are 

see yourself how God sees you

you are beautiful