My Top 5 values are Family, Friendship, Love, and Religious Beliefs, with Security edging out Peace and Self-Respect for the fifth spot, but sometimes I screw that up.

Several people I’ve talked to this week told me about their attitude toward parents, relatives, siblings and fellow customers in stores.

Did you want to be loving and blow it?

Did you want to be caring and seemed crabby?

Did you plan to not be a Black Friday freak, but you freaked out anyway?

There’s hope!

Jesus was a the temple one day and a crowd of people gathered. Jesus sat down and began to teach them.  As he was speaking, in the middle of his lesson, a group of religious people rushed up to Jesus dragging along a woman who had been cheating and was caught having sex with him.

Ahem, let me repeat that CAUGHT IN THE ACT of adultery.  

Two things stand out here for me.  One, the incredible shame and humiliation of being interrupted, caught, captured, paraded and “posterized” as an adulterer.  Second, if she was “caught”, where’s the guy she was with?!?

I almost never remember my dreams. Yesterday I wrote to my friend Anastasiya, “I wish I had pleasant dreams”. This morning, just before I woke up, I was dreaming of hanging out with musician Dave Matthews after a show.

While there are several reasons not to like Dave Matthews’ music, but I still love most of his songs.  I and Paul Thyren, a friend and fantastic co-worker of mine, love the Dave Matthews Band.   One of our favorites is “Two Step.”  Listening to the extended jam that often accompanies Two Step played live brings me peace in a surreal, mellow, “I’m just glad to be here” kind of way.

I’m about to speak at my 4th school this week.  Bethel U today.  All week long I’ve been thinking about relationships.  
I’ve seen wonderful, caring, supportive people connecting.  
I’ve seen cold, distant, wounded people avoid connecting.
I’ve seen people laugh, and people cry.

As I’m finishing up this very busy week I’d like to leave you with some relationships advice that I’ve received, believed and adopted into my own life.

This advice is changing me.  I’m grateful for the many of you who are patient with me when I have my “fail” days.

Here’s how I deal with my sins, honestly and directly, first with God, and then with the people I’ve hurt.

I have found  that the Scriptures, and especially the Psalms, help me to have words to express myself when I am guilty.

“Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck.” [Ps. 69:1]

God I’m drowning. I know I chose what I chose, but I had no idea that this would happen!

“God, You know my foolishness, and my guilty acts are not hidden from You.” [Ps. 69:5]

I grew up in suburban Chicago with my Mom and Dad, and sister, Kristie.

Looking for Faith

Our family has Lutheran roots, but we were not regular church attendees.

When I was seven years old I was invited by my neighbors to Grace Community Church. 

John Schulmeister was the first person I remember hearing say, “Jesus Christ died for your sins.” That night I asked Jesus to forgive my sins.

I remember it seemed like an obvious decision. I knew that I had sinned. I trusted that Jesus was willing to forgive my sins, and asked him to do so.

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.

Have you ever thought that after doing something wrong — if you just keep it a secret — that no one would ever find out?

I’ve done it; many times.

My parents were in town a couple of weeks ago with my nephew and niece. While we were talking we started sharing scar stories. I was last to share. I have many scars. I was trying to decide which scar had the most memorable or entertaining story.

Amy, my wife, spoke up, “Scott tell about…” and a secret was out.

I’m Afraid Of A Relapse!

THE QUESTION: Last week, my daughter was released to go home from the psych ward. After she got depressed, she cut herself. I was afraid that she’d try to commit suicide. How do I know he/she won’t slide back into this again?

OUR REPLY: “Don’t focus on what might happen (but probably won’t); focus instead on things that affirm your future and guide your eyes toward hopefulness. You can both set and achieve short-term goals and remember to focus your attention on the positive things that you have in your lives.”

If you want to find the buried treasure you have to look for it.

One of the keys to finding buried treasure is to look beyond the obvious.

That applies to people too.

If you want to express your love and help your loved ones to experience personal growth look for the buried treasure.  Try to find the positives in what may often feel like negatives. 1

Negative: Nosy
Positive: He/She likes to be very alert, friendly or social.

Negative: Touchy
Positive: He/She likes to be very sensitive.