A clutch play is a moment in time when what needs to happen happens when it’s most needed. Clutch plays don’t just happen in sports.  Clutch plays happen in the lunchroom, living room, boardroom, and bedroom.

We can count on her. She has poise.
He produces in the clutch. He’s reliable.

Be careful not to count on previous reliability.

Previous Success Doesn’t Guarantee Future Success

This past Sunday the former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch dropped two passes, and former Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady threw an interception, missed an open receiver and looked panicked.  They play for the New England Patriots, and lost.

There is no one like you! You’re unique and irreplaceable!  It’s true!

I’m reading, and on overload:
– Human Genome Project
– Emotional Intelligence
– GenEthics
– Autonomy and Human Rights in Health Care
– Pathological and Non-Pathological Traits
– Cloning and Stem Cell-Based Soft Tissue Regeneration

According to Lee Strobel, “when scientists announced that they had finally mapped the three billion codes of the human genome — a project that filled the equivalent of 75,490 pages of The New York Times — divine references abounded. President Clinton said scientists were ‘learning the language in which God created life,’ while geneticist Francis S. Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, said DNA was ‘our own instruction book, previously known only to God.’ ” 1

Broomball In A Blizzard

The snow fell relentlessly. By the end of the game the ice on the rink was covered by inches of snow.

My friend Matt Benson, pictured here, was playing goalie during this Spring storm. He lay in goal on a comfy layer of fresh snow.

He’s safe but more than once while playing broomball I’ve been bruised and bloodied, but on this particular day I felt nearly invincible.

Snow fell while we raced across the ice. The falling snow made falling on the ice a far safer venture than usual.

I’ve read a couple of Stephen Arterburn books. Since I believe that Healing is a Choice I chose to give tHealing is a Choice a read.

The author explores 10 choices that he believes we need to make if we are to experience genuine and lasting healing.

1. The Choice to Connect your life
Lie – All I need to heal is just God and me.

2. The Choice to Feel your life
Lie – Real Christians should have peace in all circumstances

3. The Choice to Investigate Your Life in Search of Truth
Lie – It does no good to look back or look inside

Christmas is over, but the new year is here.
You enjoy Christmas presents, it’s time to enjoy a New years gift.

I don’t believe on New Years resolutions I believe in doing. Yesterday I challenged you to give yourself the gift of ambition.

This year apply that renewed ambition to give yourself the gift of learning something new.

The Gift of Learning

Everyone I know wants to learn something.
Everyone I know pushes aside some of those dreams.

I know, you’re busy.
Fight off your excuses.

I know you’re tired.
Fight off your laziness.

Christmas is over, but the new year is here.
You enjoy Christmas presents, it’s time to enjoy a New years gift.

I don’t believe on New Years resolutions I believe in doing.

Give yourself the gift of ambition.

Dream.
Make plans.
Believe in yourself.
Go for what you want.
Find a way to do it.
Get someone to help you find a way.

What gets in the way?

Do you get distracted from your goal?
Find a reliable accountability partner.

Do you get lazy?
Find a goal with a benefit that is better than your excuses.

On a cool summer day I drove to Wisconsin. I had a speaking engagement.  Along the road I saw signs for Turtle Lake Casino.  At that time I’d only been to a casino or two.

While driving home I realized that I was hungry.  I had seen a Subway restaurant along the road and that seemed like a good idea.  Then Turtle Lake Casino came to mind.  I knew I had just been paid, but I only had four dollars in cash.  It seemed kinda silly to walk into a casino with only four dollars, and food seemed like a much better idea.

Life is filled with risks.

Should I buy this present?
Should I give this panhandler money?
Should I invest in this mutual fund?
Should I buy this house?
Should I choose this school?
Should I leave this job?
Should I ask her out?
Should I say “yes”?!?

What gamble are you always willing to take?

Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, “Welcome to the Squirrel Circus!”

This week I’ve introduced you to “White Paws” and “Junior White Paws”, two squirrels who live in our backyard.

These two squirrels are regular visitors, but we didn’t give them nicknames.  Maybe you can think of some?!?

On the left hangs a block of seeds from a tree branch, attached to a rope, attached to an elastic band. In order to reach the block the squirrels have to sit below the block.  They have to crouch down and launch their body up — an equivalent leap for me would be fifteen feet above the ground.  They leap into the air and grab onto the block of seed.

Remember playing “Simon Says”?

“Simon Says” is a game for three or more players. One player leads the game as “Simon”.  “Simon” gives commands.

Commands that are preceded by “Simon says” are to be obeyed.  Those that are not preceded by “Simon says” should not be followed.

For instance, “Simon says, clap your hands.”  Should be obeyed.  “Keep clapping”, should not be obeyed.

Anyone who breaks one of these two rules is eliminated for the remainder of the game.

The goal of the game is to be the last player playing after all other players are eliminated.