When blinded by distortions of reality people flounder in pain.

Lost in loneliness.  Trapped in trauma.

U2′s Get On Your Boots hits on one such distortions:

You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful you are
You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?
You don’t know how beautiful you are

Each week at every TreeHouse we remind one another that we are all “lovable, capable and worthwhile.”  It’s a critical concept. When we understand, embrace and apply the truth that we are all “lovable, capable and worthwhile” it overrides the lies of not good enough.

Thanksgiving weekend is a time when millions spend lots of time and money shopping.
Best Buy & Kohl’s, Target & Home Depot, the stores and malls will be filled.
I must admit I’m a little jealous.

Instead of spending money we gave money
We avoided the Black Friday shopping spree.
Instead we expressed our “thanks” by giving away our undesignated charity fund.

Less stress. More peace.
Less crowds. More fun.
Less stuff. More freedom.

Last year I wrote in a post entitled “Got Money Stress?” that budgeting discipline learned through Dave Ramsey principles had improved our financial situation despite the economy.

Listening is a choice.  You can choose to listen attentively or you can choose not to.

Listening requires self-control.  Choosing to listen and not to speak requires self-discipline for most people.  Sadly many people spend all their time waiting for the other person to stop so they can talk again.

Listening requires practice.  The discipline of listening becomes easier as we learn to value listening.

I value listening more because I believe it demonstrates God’s character.

How you ask?  Consider how much more God listens to you than speak to you.   God doesn’t speak often, but God spoke through the prophet:

A search of google took 0.35 seconds to come up with 34 results, some of which have nothing to do with June.

How could my hero be so anonymous?

Sometimes heroes are like that. Living their lives without the publicity.

Heroes Are Usually Uncommonly Common People

Growing up I wanted to be a hero, to be special, to feel special, to do something special. I read comic books and admired public figures.

It’s funny, and sad, that it took me years until I realized that when I was seven years old, while sitting in a rickety wooden chair in a children’s program called Whirlybirds, that I sat in the presence of a genuine American treasure!

Today I celebrate twenty years of working full-time at TreeHouse.

In 1989 I walked onto the deck of the Brooklyn Park TreeHouse and there was Anne Marie Bovie.  “Hi,” she said, “who are you?”  I feel in love with TreeHouse, a home away from home for thousands of teens and parents.  Each person is expected to “help make this a safe place and to build community,” and they do.

When people join our community they find an caring environment with consistent values.

Our Values

* Spiritual Vitality
* Multidimensional Personal Growth
* Caring Relationships
* Service
* Teamwork & Collaboration
* Community
* Accountability
* Innovation & Growth

Last night as I sat in a TreeHouse support group I was awed with the humility and accountability of the teens present. They listened patiently and compassionately.

Directly and indirectly each teen reminded the other that “this is a safe place.”

Each teen who wanted caring support received it. And, remembering previous concerns, teens asked one another about issues and concerns that were mentioned in previous groups.

Without breaking confidentiality, similar questions include “How’s it going with…?”, “You said that…?”, “Wait, did you…or didn’t you?”

TreeHouse alumni often tell me that they wish that they had relationships as adults like the ones that they had at TreeHouse.

Healthy relationships are hard work and many adults either don’t know how or don’t take the time to build truly lasting and meaningful friendships.

What’s it take to be a good friend?

Honesty, trust, respect, fun, unselfishness, humor, patience, commitment, integrity, and kindness form the foundation upon which healthy friendships stands strong.

Yes, friendships are hard work, but friendships are one of the few things in life that may last a lifetime.

While H1N1 dominates the media’s attention and ours, there is a far more devastating pandemic that never makes the nightly news: loneliness.

Every day I read texts, Facebook updates and listen while people express the pain of their loneliness.

Loneliness takes many forms. Longing to dress up for a party Jeanette sits alone on Halloween. Wishing and hoping that her phone would ring Debbie keeps her cell phone volume on “Outdoor” fearing that she might miss the one call that she might receive. While his lunch table mates laugh about the fun they had the night before David suffers in silence wishing that they would finally invite him to join them.

Tyler Wood’s Funeral Service
September 24, 2009 @ Edinbrook Church

Hi. My name is Scott Volltrauer and I have the incredible privilege of leading this service. As I look around the room I see people who have known Tyler longer, known her more intimately and loved her more deeply than I could imagine. To each of you I ask you to be patient with me as we reflect together on Tyler’s life.

Tyler’s Life

Special Memories

We do not have an open mic today so let me share more than forty of the hundreds of notes I read online. I know these words speak the words many of you would say:

Tyler, I miss u with every ounce of me!
This is beyond too sad…
She was a wonder. Beautiful inside and out.
I miss her so much.
We miss you.
She is an amazing person and I will keep saying that forever and ever.

I loved you so much Tyler I will always remember you and you will live on in my heart forever and ever.