Time To Relax

That is right, this week I’m going to relax.  In fact, I’m so determined to do so  that I’ve taken the week off from work to spend more time with the family.  Now, that isn’t to say that I’m not going to be doing any work during this week around the house.  But, what I’m trying to say is that I’m not going to be at work, and my focus isn’t going to be doing stuff – but instead it's going to be hanging out with the kids and doing things with them. 

Why am I doing this?  Because frankly,  we all need a break.  We all need time to let ourselves take a break from day-to-day grind and recharge our batteries.  Last year I took the week off between Christmas and New Years as well and I found it really helped me start the new year out right.  So, why not do it again.

So today’s lesson is that we all need to go ahead and take a break from time to time. If we truly want to be on the top of our game, then a break from time to time is required.  And so, if you aren’t taking a break this week, I suggest maybe you think about doing so soon.  Recharge those batteries, you’ll be stronger in the long run.

It’s Almost Time For A Party

That is right, we’re less than a week away from the holiday that celebrates Jesus’ birth!  How exciting is this day?!

That’s right, it’s not about the presents we get, the lights we put up, Santa, Rudolph, or even spending time with our families.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love all of those things.  But, the most important thing – the thing we should be focused on…is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He was sent to the earth to not only to show you how to have a relationship with God the Father, but to die to make sure we should get to Heaven!  How selfless is that?

So, this week I just want to make sure we retain our focus this holiday season.  It’s almost Christmas time.  Let’s celebrate the Baby Boy who came here to save us all!

Merry Christmas!

Lights!

Years ago when my kids were first old enough to do it, our family started playing a game we call lights.  What it requires is family members to be in the car, and for Christmas lights to be on at people’s houses as we pass by.  The first person to spot the lights and declare that they’ve seen them gets a point.  Now, frankly we don’t keep score, instead it’s just something fun to do.  It’s something we do as a family, and other than the gas – it costs us nothing.  The thing is, we don’t go out just to play, we play everywhere and anywhere we go when the lights are up this time of year.

Why do I mention this?  It’s because one of my focuses in this blog is helping people with their family lives.  This is something you can do as a family that is cheap and just adds to something you’d already be doing.  The goal should be to keep growing together as a family.

Oh, and I forgot to mention this earlier….once you do this a few times, you don’t need to remember to do it.  The kids will remember.  In fact, not only will they remember the next car ride, but they’ll also remember the next year when the lights come on again.  Kids love this kind of thing, and the fact that you do it together will build a lasting memory that they’ll enjoy for the rest of their lives.  It may even create a family tradition, as it has in my family. 

So what are you waiting for?  It’s time to play LIGHTS!

Giving Like No One Else

I’m pretty sure that every time I write about money on here I mention the name Dave Ramsey.  He’s a financial counselor whom I listen to almost daily on his nationally syndicated radio program and whose teachings I subscribe to in my financial life.  The title of today’s Momentum comes from a promotion that Dave is running on his web site:  www.daveramsey.com. 

Dave and his team are giving away all kinds of different items to people who enter each and every day of the promotion.  This promotion is something that I enter every day, even though I’ve never won anything from all of my entries. 

I mention this promotion for two reasons.  #1 is that I want to share the opportunity with all of you, even if it hurts my chances.  The more of you that enter, the harder it is for me to win, right?  Still, I try to be selfless, lol.  #2 is that I want to be giving like this someday.  Now I don’t think that I’ll ever have my own program and be giving out all of this stuff, but it’s the idea that I really like.  I would love to someday have the ability to bless others with things that they want or need.  I long for the day when I can give the waitress/waiter a $100 bill as a tip just because they provided good service at the restaurant.  Or to see someone who has a need and make a payment for them, etc.

My question today is, shouldn't these be the goals of all of us?  Shouldn’t we all want to get out of debt and then be able to bless others who are less fortunate than we?  Wouldn’t it be cool if all we asked in return from those whom we bless is that they someday pay it forward (great movie btw) and bless someone else when they are in the position to do so as well?  What kind of world would we live in if God's people were all blessing each other, and all working our way out of the bondage known as debt?

As this holiday season kicks into full gear I’d like to encourage all of you to give if you can this holiday season.  There are numerous people who need coats, food, and shelter in your area.  Find ways to donate items, food, or money to organizations like a food bank or Salvation Army that help those who are less fortunate.  It’s time that we all grasp the holiday spirit with both hands and open our hearts to those in need, just like Dave is doing – to bless one another.

Yep, I was there!

On Thursday and Friday I was one of the crazy people who were out shopping the Black Friday deals.  I’d researched the deals for at least a month and had a full game plan in hand when we went to do our shopping.  I didn’t feel that we had to wait in line for hours before a store opened for anything we wanted to get.  We just went for some good deals and fun with one another.

For the most part our experience was very positive.  Other than the guy Noah is calling Godzilla who knocked him over at Wal-Mart by diving at the video game display, everyone else was really nice.  The workers weren’t all that stressed overall and were friendly.  We lasted over 7 hours out shopping before we called it a day.  That is 7 hours without sleep in fact – when we normally would have been sleeping.  Yes, crazy – I know!

I bring all of this up because I wanted to point out that there is a good way and a bad way to do things like Black Friday shopping.  We went prepared knowing what was on sale and even used store maps when available to know where the deals would be before we stepped into the stores.  We’d also scouted out some of the stuff the weekend prior so we knew sizes to buy, etc.  We were prepared, we knew what we wanted, and we went out and got it.  Sure, there were some changes to the plan due to circumstances, but being prepared the way we were allowed us to adjust on the fly without any major issues in doing so

How often do you have a game plan when it comes to your spiritual life?  Do you have a plan on what you’d like to study in His word?  Do you plan out that you’ll pray every morning while at breakfast or at the coffee shop?  Do you make Jesus a priority and make sure you get the time with Him that you really desire?  Sure things will happen to get in the way or change your plans, but when you have a plan of attack you’ll get what you want in this area as well. 

If you truly desire a life with God that has Him at the center and not you, then you have to be prepared.  You have to have a game plan and execute it.  If you are prepared for studying the Bible, prayer, fellowship with others, etc. etc., then you’ll be able to easily handle bumps that come in your spiritual path and still get the most out of your spiritual walk with Jesus.

Are You Chicken, or Just a Big Turkey?

So why is it that we often have problems witnessing to those in our own extended families?  Why is it that we have a loved one who needs Jesus in their life, and instead of talking to them about that we talk about everything else when we see them?  Why can we go up to a neighbor or a complete stranger and discuss God but not a family member?

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we’ll be seeing those family members time and time again and we are afraid of rejection.  Yes, we’re just big turkeys!  Instead of insuring those that we love are with us in Heaven, we talk about the weather and our kids.  We have a problem fulfilling our calling from God because we don’t want them to reject our ways, or look down on us the next time we see them. 

Here is the biggest question this week:  What if God wants you to be the closer on this job.  Maybe He has you set up to be the one who seals the deal.  Then again, maybe you are the spark that lights the fire in their heart for God!  How can you not talk to that family member when you see them over the upcoming holidays?  It’s much better to eat a turkey this Thanksgiving than be one yourself!

Have a blessed time with your families this Thanksgiving, everyone!

Gift Giving Time

Well, it’s that time of year again.  The Christmas music has already begun in some stores, and they are lining up to take our money for the many gifts we’re all going to be buying this year.  Now I’m a shopper, so I enjoy this time of year.  I enjoy searching for deals and getting my family gifts that they’ll enjoy at lower prices so that I can buy them more gifts.  I like meeting people while I’m shopping…the general good mood that most people are in (there are exceptions). 

With all of that said, I would like to point out one thing.  As much as I love to give gifts to my family, the best gift I can give them is my showing them how to have God as a part of their lives and discipling them through that relationship.  I know that often I write about reaching others for Christ, and most of the time that focuses on those in the community, at work, etc.  Well, your most attentive audience is probably in your own home, and often we do a horrible job at discipling them because we think they are just going to do what we do.

This week, I just want to remind everyone to be intentional as you go through this holiday season.  Make sure that your family knows not just that you are a Christian, but also WHY you are a Christian and how you live that life every day.  Don’t just assume that they know.  It takes practice for all of us to grow as Christians, but it also takes instruction for us to show others the right way to live their lives.

This is one gift you can give this Christmas that will keep on giving.