During our visit with Eric and Jill Lacher we marveled at their love.

Though they have similar hearts and values, they began their relationships with very different strategies for living out those values.

During our visit they shared with us that the wisdom of Emerson Eggerichs has helped them to grow deeper in love and express it more effectively to one another. On their behalf and to our benefit here’s some of what they learned.

How Does a Husband Spell Love to His Wife?

“More Than a Bucket List will challenge you to go for that hole-in-one at Pebble Beach, to become an amateur chef, to scale K2. But it will also encourage you to view these accomplishments from God’s point of view and to make your bucket list matter eternally along the way. With each page, the dream inside you will be drawn out—the higher dream of what God has purposed for you.”

The author challenges her readers to choose positive values:
Pursue laughter.
Live your dreams.
Honor the strength of others.
Fight for love.
Be a Good Samaritan.
Become a more positive person.

This week I was asked several times about turning fifty.

I was asked by twenty-somethings who now realized that I was twice as old as them. The gap that seemed more about experience than age now felt a little different.

I was asked by thirty-somethings who wondered aloud how old fifty seemed, but asked silently, “What will I be like when I’m fifty?” 

Turning 20

Twenty was the year I was going to school full-time, and working full-time, but I was spinning my wheels. When I turned twenty I had yet to make some healthy changes in my life, and the future didn’t look bright.

I’m ten days away from turning 50!
Fifty?!?
50!
It seems almost surreal. 

When I was in elementary school I fantasized about heroically saving a classmate.

When I was in junior high I fantasized about being the kind of guy who could get a great girlfriend.

When I was in high school I fantasized about having a perfect sexual relationship.

When I was dating Amy I fantasized about having a perfect marriage.

When we had our kids I fantasized about being a perfect parent.

I wanted it all.

“Things change.”

“Things change. Change isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.”

Mark Anderson is speaking at TreeHouse’s Women of Hope event today. 

Last night in a room-full of interested listeners Mark Anderson captivated us with humor, heart-ache and wisdom.  In Mark’s inspiring story entitled “Defeat to Victory” he shared some strategies that have enabled him to overcome tremendous obstacles and achieve high levels of performance in his life.

Mark and his family faced many challenges growing up. Fortunately, as he said, “things change.”

When I was a teen I had a conversation with my dad about my future career choices.

Since I was a little boy I was known as “Scotty the Scientist”, so clearly a career in the sciences made sense for me. So it was a surprise to my dad when I mentioned that I thought about becoming a police officer.

That dream was more based on my fantasies about being a hero than understanding the what the job would entail.

Right Up Your Alley - What You Do Reveals Who You Are Becoming 

I work hard.
I play hard.
But. sometimes I wonder if I’m neglecting to see something right in front of me.

Henri Nouwen wrote:

“In Abraham Heschel’s A Passion for Truth I read today the words of the Kotzker (Rabbi Menahem Mendl of Kotzk): “he who thinks that he is finished is finished.” How true.

Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way.
Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it.
Those who think they are saints, are demons.

Why Come To TreeHouse?

You’ll learn you’re not alone in dealing with any issue.
You’ll learn how to support someone else in need.
You’ll realize you’re lovable, capable and worthwhile.

At TreeHouse you will always be listened to and what you say matters to others.

Mentoring at TreeHouse Makes Life Better

Decrease at-risk behavior – 98% reduce at least one at-risk behavior
Build healthy relationships with God, self & others – 81% choose to
Graduate High School – 24% more likely to graduate than their peers
Pursue an educational or vocational track for their future – 93% choose to

The U.S. presidential election is nearing; Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It’s forty-five days away.  Millions of dollars have been spent on the campaigns.

These are the campaign values I’ve heard: accusations and slander, grumbling and judgments, unrest and disharmony, false hopes and empty promises.

I know it’s a dream, but these are the campaign values that I wish I heard:

Let’s be devoted to one another in love.
Let’s honor one another above yourselves.
Let’s inspire one another on toward love and good deeds.
Let’s live in harmony with one another.
Let’s accept one another.

If you’re like most people I know, you’ve wanted to get some things done this summer.
Good intentions, but the followup through fell through.

You might be asking, “What can I do about my procrastinating?”
To that I might ask, “Why are you procrastinating now?”

Yesterday I introduced a helpful exercise I’m calling “Face It” or F.A.C.E. I.T.

F – Find something that you know you’re procrastinating with
A – Ask yourself, “Why am I procrastinating with this?”
C – Challenge your reasons to feel your feelings & find the facts
E – Examine your reasons: What do you feel strongest?