The Best Sunrise Of My Life

“Today, when I woke up I suddenly realized that the sun had not.  While I could have been exhausted from twenty-plus hours of airports and uncomfortable airplane seats, I had to get up.”

Saturday, February 25th I woke up in Hawaii.  Amy’s dream come true; and since it was #1 on her list, it was mine too.

So, as tears fill my eyes thinking about that I realized that Saturday, February 25th at 6:08am started the best morning of my life, ever!

Yesterday was Valentines Day.  Yesterday was also the anniversary of the legend of the green hippo.  If you don’t know that story or want another opportunity to laugh at me, feel free to read it again in Sex, Lies & the Truth – Pt 3 of 3 – The Truth.

I’m trying to grow up, grow more appreciative, take my Valentine less for granted, show the love I think of, feel the love that lives within and follow her example of generosity.

I worked a fourteen-hour day yesterday, but I still got a couple things right.

“The passion of love bursting into flame is more powerful than death,
stronger than the grave. Love cannot be drowned by oceans or floods;
it cannot be bought, no matter what is offered.” 1

I wish I loved, and loved my Valentine more like that!

8 Things I Wish I Did For My Valentine

The Love & Respect Experience By Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
“A Husband-Friendly Devotional That Wives Truly Love”

If you’re a typical husband:
– you’re not eager to be vulnerable
– you don’t want to be corrected or enjoy opportunities to challenge your behavior
– you don’t want to schedule weekly interrogation sessions
Those concerns are addressed in the book. 

This book is meant to build you up, not to break you down.

The devotions are easy to follow and quite short — 800-900 words each — three or four minutes of reading.

I’m a man.  Of the clan “men.”  I love going to church.

That said, Murrow’s title was compelling.  Here’s what I learned.

Here are his chapter titles and my brief summaries:

PART 1: WHERE ARE THE MEN?

1. Perfectly Designed – The church needs a re-design to open doors to men.
2. Yes, There Really Is a Gender Gap – And, it’s increasing worldwide
3. Men: Who Needs ’Em? – We do they bring balance, energy and drive
4. Who Are the Missing Men? – They’re getting “results” somewhere.
5. The Masculinity Bank – A typical man won’t do something he believes is feminine.
6. The Two Jesuses – We’re taught God’s meekness we no longer fear his wrath.

On more than one occasion someone has suggested that I am competitive. The truth is they’re right, but it’s much deeper than that “I am competitive.”

Broomball

I learned to play broomball courtesy of Bethel U’s VP Ralph Gustafson. In 1987 Ralph was the youth pastor of Bethel Baptist Church of Green Bay, WI. I was Ralph’s “Youth Ministry Associate” or some such title. I worked long hours, got paid for a few and loved my boss and the teens so much I volunteered the rest of the time.

Taz, our dog, usually ran into his “dog run” to take care of “his business.” 1

In his last months, despite his best intentions he didn’t always make it. That’s inconvenient, but it’s not a problem when it’s outside, someone notices what’s going on and she or he responds promptly.

On-the-other-hand, it can become a big problem if:
– Inside, not outside, well, hopefully he made it into the kitchen.
– Someone fails to notice, and there is now an unforeseen minefield awaiting.
– Someone fails to respond, and now there the minefield is caused by neglect too.

It happened again!  
Someone was standing near me talking and I thought they were talking to me.
I responded to his question.
I heard him say, “No, someone thinks I’m talking to him.”
He was on his cell phone.

Thoughtless Thinking

Some people will say anything on their cell phone while standing in line at a store.

When will she wake up?!?
I can’t believe what a &^%& he is!
I’ve had enough.  I give up.
She’s such a &*^*&!

It seems every week I overhear someone complaining about “it happening again.”

Yesterday after church Amy and went grocery shopping.  I love the grocery store.  I couldn’t shop for you and love it, because my shopping joy is wrapped up in my absolute delight in the anticipation of eating and enjoying the food I am gathering.

As I reflect on my trip through the grocery store aisles I’m struck with three amazements:

1.  I am amazed at how many foods that are for sale I never eat.

As I mentioned yesterday, Norman Vincent Peale How To Get Along With People. Here are a few more of his insights. I believe that these principles will help you and me to improve the depth and quality of our relationships.

6. Stimulating. Cultivate the quality of being stimulating. If being with you makes people feel better and more alive, you will be sought after and your personal relations will be excellent.

7. Scratchy. Personal relations deteriorate when a person has scratchy elements in the personality. That is to say, do not rub people the wrong way. Be relaxed and affable.