“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.

“Sometimes, all we need is a reminder from someone who has walked before us.”

José Navajo was a young burned-out preacher. While spending Mondays with his old retired pastor Jose found his faith reignited.

This began a weekly spiritual direction and mentoring relationship that last for years.

When the old pastor had passed away he left a treasure chest of wisdom behind  for José.  

“When you read this I will no longer be here. I mean, I will not be at your side, although the reality is that I will be there in the fullest sense of the word: I will have finished my race, and I will be enjoying the long-awaited reward of gazing at my Lord face-to-face.”

I believe almost all mysilentscream readers want to have good friends, and be a good friend.

Last week I spent time with my two longest-term best friends, Steve and Murph. While spending time in and easy conversation with old friends I was reminded what a treasure they are to me.

I also was reminded how often I take them and our friendships for granted.

I hope that you have less regrets in your friendships. Maybe this assessment will help you evaluate how good of a friend you are. As you take it I hope that you
– Feel encouraged that you have some helpful friendship skills
– Find some strategies that aren’t helping you or your friends

For months my son Josh would invite me to join him at the gym he works out at.  Sometimes I went, sometimes I didn’t.

More often than not I had an excuse not to; I was too tired or busy (or lazy).

When I was young and fit, fitness seemed to take so much less work.

Energy-Shaped Life

When I was “little” I was full of energy.  I’d play all day only stopping when I had to go back home.

I’d annoy my parents by getting up too early.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders.  I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

I would ask: 

I know that you have spent your career with men and women older than yourself.
In that time you have listened and learned as they’ve talked about their lives and their values. You have gathered insights and wisdom from their successes and their failures.

This year I’m turning 50 and I’m starting to feel middle-aged.
I don’t know how old you are, but I know you’ve learned from those older than us.

This weekend at Anika’s baby dedication we shared parenting advice with the new parents Angi & Aaron.

My wife Amy said, “If you screw up, fess up.” 

She elaborated, “when you make mistakes admit them.”

Unfortunately, Amy learned that lesson from my…umm…from me.

You see, I’ve had to fess up a lot.

When I Mismanage My Life I Neglect My Highest Priorities

When I have mismanaged my life it’s my wife and God who get cheated. Sadly, I take for granted those who love me the most. I haven’t rejected my faith in God, I’ve just gotten so busy that I have not included God in my thoughts, feelings and plans as often as I would prefer.

This weekend with a flurry of activity, a wonderful conversation-filled open house, and, as my friend Julia remarked, “the social media Birthday bandwagon”, I turned fifty.

Then, yesterday I became godfather to cute little Anika.   

It was a busy, but great weekend.

Today, I’m fifty years and two days old.

The celebrations are over, now what am I going to do with the rest of my days?

What Now?

Even as I typed that I have tears in my eyes.

“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.