“What Matters Most: How We Got the Point but Missed the Person” is a reprint of a 2004 book, entitled “Out of the Question…Into the Mystery.”

That said, this is a powerful book that needed to be re-considered for an audience, myself included, that missed it when it was first released.

“Belief can exist in isolation, but faith requires a relationship.” For without dynamic, engaging deep relationships — relationship with Jesus and then relationship with people — we cannot demonstrate love.

Author Pete Wilson has written Empty Promises because he believes that in subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways we practice idolatry.

Wilson explains that “every single human being has an unbelievable capacity for self-deception. It’s no wonder we fall for these empty promises over and over and over.”

“I believe one of the reasons God so adamantly speaks out against idolatry throughout the Bible is that we simply can’t worship something other than God and still live out our God-given purpose. What is that purpose? …Our purpose, in other words, is to reflect the God who made us.”

My friend Angela said it briefly and wisely…”love takes courage.” <3

Courage.
Courage to love.
Courage to love through conflict.
Courage to love despite inevitable change. and the courage to love from a distance.

Remember that the time and effort we invest in a relationship, is evidence of the value we place in it:

If we prioritize our marriage relationship it will most likely give us a happier marriage.

If we prioritize time and trust with a best friend it will most likely yield a lasting friendship.

As the MLB season begins, so does this series on priorities entitled “Winning Runs.”

Steve Garvey is a hall of fame baseball player. And, it seemed in many people’s eyes he was a hall of fame person. “He believed in doing the Right Thing. His parents smoked, but he never did. His teammates swore, but he never did.”

Rick Reilly explained in an article entitled, America’s Sweetheart that “For most of his nearly 41 years Garvey lived at the corner of Straight and Narrow.”

Then everything changed. Garvey explained, “Some people have a mid-life crisis,” he says. “I had a midlife disaster.”

It’s been three weeks since I “got a cold”. It’s a mighty cold. Relentlessly my cold has beaten off all attempts to find a remedy.

Despite such evident opposition I’ve had a great week. Food, family, friends and frivolity were plentiful.

As I recover from my week of self-discipline this week I’m diving into my journey to define values and how our values affect our lives.

As I begin, let me ask you a question:  What’s it take for you to have a great week?

Fighting the Giant of Worry

If we’re gonna defeat the giant of worry we’ll need to focus our attention on the giant. You and I will need a system of priorities.

My first priority — well, at least I want to keep it in focus as my first priority — is my faith in God and my relationship with God.

Fight the giant of worry, hold onto God and God “will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” 1

I appreciated the insights in the two articles this week by Doug Fields and Matt McGill called How Thankfulness Changes Our Hearts.

Here’s my take on their EIGHT WAYS thankfulness and gratitude can transform our heart from the inside out.

1. THANKFULNESS RE-FOCUSES MY PERSPECTIVE

It’s easy to complain and point out problems, no one ever grumbles their way into a better attitude. Fortunately thankfulness can shift our focus to the blessings we’ve received from God. No matter how bad things get…

2. THANKFULNESS INCREASES MY HUMILITY