Celebrating Christmas

When you hear the word Christmas, what do you think about? Maybe great memories with your family going to get a tree and decorating it and telling the stories of homemade ornaments and why they are so special. Helping those who are in need. Cooking favorite recipes just right for the holidays. Putting up stockings, wreaths and lights all over the house and front yard because you love coming home and seeing all the fun festivities. Drinking hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows. Going on that special hunting trip. Dreaming of those special gifts you have thought about for months and hoping that someone (Santa or loved one) will make it happen. Seeing family that you haven't seen all year. And the list goes on....

I remember when I was little being at my grandparents home with all the cousins and our families and having a blast. Santa Claus was as real to us as our parents. Then it happened. All the kids heard all these noises outside and then something was on the roof with bells jingling. It was a madhouse, kids were screaming with joy because Santa (my uncle) had made a brief fly over and we all knew we had to get to our homes and be in bed or Santa wouldn't be able to come and bring the presents. As we were rushing to get home, I remember telling my parents, brother, and sister that I just saw Santa and the reindeer and dad had to go faster so we could beat him home. I made a pretty big deal about it and I am sure I lost a little credibility in the trust arena. In looking back I don't know how they held it together and didn't bust out laughing.

Maybe are memories were not good and the thought of celebrating Christmas was depressing and not fun.

Whatever are memories are, I want to share with you a great story that was shared over 2000 years ago. I shared this yesterday with my company and every time I read this I just reflect on truly how great Christmas is and why we really celebrate this holiday. I want to encourage us all to have fun in preparing for Christmas and making fun traditions and healthy memories but let's do it in observance of the birth of our Savior. Have a wonderful and great Christmas!!

Luke 2:10-14

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Watching him grow

It is hard to believe that our little man is 15 months old. I remember when he was born and having a 911 crisis when his plumbing started to work before I could put his diaper back on.

Where does the time go?

I am loving the privilege of watching him grow on a daily basis. We just got his first pair of tennis shoes and he thinks he is hot stuff. I am also amazed at how he watches my every move. Recently I came home from work and was hugging my cutie pie (wife) and looked down at him and saw a big grin break out on his face and then he came waddling over to get into the middle of us hugging.

I pray that I will love and model to him how we are to grow up and live. Lord please guide me and equip me in the way I should live.

Let's love those we are around in life.

Working with Purpose

Do you ever wonder if what you do really matters? Does anyone know or even care what we do? Am I making an impact in life or are we flying around like debris in a hurricane just making a big mess when the storm ends?

We all ask questions verbally or in heart about these questions. All of us want to know that our life has meaning and purpose. I came across this reading below from Charles H. Spurgeon "Morning and Evening" and loved the soft reminder that we have a huge purpose in life and to be excellent in all that we do with the short amount of time we have.

Have fun working in whatever you do!!

"Morning and Evening" by Charles H. Spurgeon

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."
Ecclesiastes 9:10
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do," refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out "whatsoever our hand findeth to do." One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we "find to do" day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do--"do it with thy might." Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of today. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honor Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do today. Whatever you do for Christ, throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labor, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.
But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts. Then let us seek his help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our "hand findeth to do," let us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect.

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a joyful and wonderful Thanksgiving today! Remember that we will never get this day again but have the privilege of making today a masterpiece!!

Let those who you are with today know how much you care for them and make sure you let them know how thankful you are for them. Maybe there is someone in your life that you need to call today and let them know you are thankful for them. Maybe today is a time to mend a broken fence.

God bless and have a fun Thanksgiving!
Slade

PS
We can't change what comes at us in life but we can decide how we will respond to the journey of life. Choose to respond with a positive attitude.

Learning from others

Today I had a chance to meet with a great friend and co-worker today. It is amazing how much you can learn from others when you stop talking and start listening.

Thanks Neil for a great day!!

Slade

Serving others

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and many family traditions will continue to be passed down. I hope we all have an incredible time with family and friends and create some great memories.

I also want to share this verse, from Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Think about starting some new traditions with your family. Maybe it is providing a meal to someone in need (homeless, widow, someone at a low point in life). Maybe it is just inviting someone over to have Thanksgiving with you because they have no one else to spend this day with. Maybe it is calling or writing someone who has touched your life and thanking them for their impact.

Let's think of ways that we can serve someone today and this holiday period. If you have children, make sure you include them. Remember the saying, "more is caught by seeing it in action than just hearing about ideas". Have a fun time with loving and serving others.


Make today a masterpiece,

Slade

Dancing with my daughter

The week had come to a close at work. My oldest son was spending the night with a cousin. I just put down my youngest son and was ready to get into some kind of "action movie" or watch a football game. I was just ready to chill and watch some testosterone flying across the screen. As I was passing through the living room, I saw my precious little princess (my daughter Merri-Broxton) snuggled up next to my precious big princess (my wife Wendy) watching a chick flick "What a Girl Wants". I have to admit, it looked like a picture perfect moment. Until my daughter said, "Dad, I want you to snuggle up right next to me and watch this movie with Mommy and I".

In my mind, I was thinking why didn't I go through the other room, in stealth mode, and barricade down in our room watching a man's movie. Then that thought was instantly erased when she looked up at me with those precious blue eyes and said "Please Daddy". That is when I said I would love to watch this with you and Mommy. We cooked some popcorn and burrowed up underneath some blankets and pushed play. From that moment on, I knew this was exactly what God wanted me to be doing this past Friday night. We laughed together, stopped the movie and watched Merri-Broxton dance for us, and I caught my self several times looking at Merri-Broxton and thinking how fast time has gone by with her so far and how much I love her and my family. Towards the end of the movie, low and behold, I busted a leak and the tears started flowing on one scene. My wife squeezed my hand and then my little princess wanted to dance like the father and daughter in the movie. Off the couch I came and dance we did. I will cherish that night, our hugs, our dance, and looking into hers eyes and telling her how much I love her.

Thank you Lord for letting me walk through the living room and make a memory for life.

What do we want to accomplish?

I had the opportunity to talk to a lady who worked at a hotel this morning and towards the end of the conversation, I asked the question, "What do you want to accomplish today?".  She looked at me and thought for a second, and then started to tell me her exact job responsibilities that she had to accomplish before she clocked out.  She then started to tell me what she had to accomplish at home and the more she talked the more I sensed her frustration with all she had to accomplish.  I noticed on the back of her t-shirt the mission statement of her hotel and I must say I was pretty impressed.  It talked about the attitude and desire to be the best they could be.  I proceeded to ask her what she thought about the mission statement and she said, "I don't have a clue what is on the shirt".  You need to know that she wasn't ugly towards me at all but her attitude towards life seemed to communicate "I am just trying to get through the day, nothing more". 

We have the opportunity every day to accomplish so many things and sometimes I think we let the day go right by us and we have not made an impact on anyone, our family, co-workers, etc.  We have the right to love life, make people laugh, leave them encouraged, see the best in life (even when the walls are falling down around us), serve someone without expecting one thing in return.  Tomorrow is a new day that we can accomplish great things in this world.

My parting words to her were this, "You have such a great opportunity to impact so many people everyday because you will be the first person the guests of this hotel will see when they wake up.  You have a chance to brighten their day and leave them ready to tackle life".  She gave a small smile and we parted for the day. 

Have a great day and let's accomplish something tomorrow above and beyond our normal responsibilities!

Reflecting and Living life Intentionally

When was the last time you just stopped to reflect on life?  To just sit back and soak it all in and look at those around you.  Life is moving as fast as ever and the stress comes daily.  Make time today to just enjoy the gift of life and the beauty that is all around us.  While flying today, I looked out my window and just marveled as the sun just peaked up and glistened on the trees below.  I don't stop enough to appreciate all the blessings around me but am thankful that tomorrow is a new day and I have the opportunity to make a masterpiece with those I come in contact with.  Enjoy the moment and make sure that you make the most of the day because we will never get this time back again.