Lessons From a Deck

When I bought my house a few years back, one of the selling points was the cool redwood deck out back. I have enjoyed hanging out on cool Fall evenings on it. Well, a few months ago I stepped on a board and went right through. I began to notice more and more boards getting "soft" on me.

Last weekend I began the process of tearing the deck down. I had decided to do something else later, so I would just take it all out. As I began to pull the top boards off, I realized that all the supporting boards underneath were very rotted. It was a wonder they could support what was on top.

As I look now on the rotted skeleton of my once good looking deck, it made me stop and think and about some kids I know...friends of mine. They are fun, active, engaging kids...on the outside. But I know they are struggling with some major things in their life. Yet, on the outisde they still look "good." By all appreances, everything is smooth sailing. But it's not.

And my heart aches. So many hurting in private...I only hope they have people they trust to talk to. To share. To heal. I think that's why Jesus told us to give him all your worries and anxieties (but it's hard).

So, pray for the kids you know. Pray for families and be available the next time someone just needs to talk. If you're looking for someone to listen while you talk...come see me!

And parents....remember the Godly things you do matter and the stupid things you do....hurt...your kids. Be Godly, not stupid.

Greg

You Choose Your Attitude

Someone once said about the only thing you have control of in certain situations is your attitude. You decide how you react to things. I've been running around with a not so great attitude for a while and it seemed like things just kept hitting me, and my attitude got worse and worse. Oh, probably not to the causual passer-by, but I sure knew it.

With some pretty big opportunity beginning, I know that Satan has been throwing lots of obstacles and doubt my way, and I realized the other day how so much of how I was feeling was the attitude that I met these obstacles with. Have I lost you yet? Hang on, it might make since in a minute.

Once I decided to have a better attitude, I started feeling better. Physically, mentally and spiritually. With the better attitude came a better prayer life - and I'm really seeing so much of the positive that I've been missing. The excitment is there, the hope, too. Oh, the negative still show's it's face but I'm much better prepared to meet it, deal with it and move on.

God is faithful, supernatural and all loving. Tap into Him.

Greg