Some of you know me better than others.  
- Some of you are my closest friends and family.
- Some of you have known me for years; and others for a short time.
- Still; others of you only know me by what you read.  

So, to each of you let me take a moment to reveal something about myself.

If there is one thing I am most proud of in my life — one trait that I am want most to be known for — it’s that I am unpretentious. I am genuine.  
WYSIWIR: What you see is what is real.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this week Shawn White road the GREATEST snowboard run in recorded history!  Watch it!

In honor of Shawn White’s courage and determination and hard work, if you want to have a Gold-Medal winning friendship I’ve got some advice. 

“Wait a minute!”  I know, this week I’m writing about Pro Bowl quality friendships, but I’m diverting the metaphor for today.

I know mixing my metaphors is a no-no, but he got a perfect score!

Locate The Trouble Spot – Try to assess what has gone wrong. Ask yourself, “How did we get into this mess?”

Though a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan I wish I was a fan at the MN Twins game the other night.

Ernie Harwell, Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster died Tuesday night, “quietly, at home, with his wife and children by his side, and when the news was announced in Minnesota, where the Tigers — Ernie’s team — were playing, fans there gave him a standing ovation. In Minnesota!” A tribute to a man who worked for the opposing team for several decades.

What would prompt such an outpouring of love?

Ernie inspired:

I have what you want!

It’s my birthday and I have what you want! And I want you to have it!

I know you may be thinking what’s he got? Does he have that 700 hp Shelby I saw on the Speed Channel? No, I don’t. Does he have my mortgage payment? No, sorry nope. My tuition? My future spouse? My health? My hair back? My fantasy football title? An iPhone? Sorry, none of those either.

I do have a copy of The Truth About Chuck Norris that I’m gonna give away tonight at TreeHouse. But you can buy your own copy.

Benchmarks set the standard.

When used properly benchmarks guide me forward toward my goals.

This quote of a martyred pastor set another benchmark for my life and faith.

According to Bob Moorehead:

“In 1980 a young man from Rwanda was forced by his tribe to either renounce Christ or face certain death. He refused to renounce Christ, and he was killed on the spot. The night before he had written the following commitment which was found in his room:

When I was a college student I found a benchmark for my life in Jesus Christ. Gordon Aeschliman, another follower of Jesus, wrote this to elaborate on Jesus’ benchmark.

We Are World Christians!
By Gordon Aeschliman