For some people the number 13 is synonymous with bad luck and

13 makes them pause, hesitate, and even back away.

It’s considered unlucky to have:
– 13 guests at a dinner party
– a 13th floor in a building 
– a wedding on the 13th of the month
– or to buy a house on the 13th of the month

I work at TreeHouse, and at TreeHouse we have four outcomes we track and are proud to explain.

Graduate High School

We are excited that TreeHouse teens are 24% more likely to graduate than their peers. That’s great news, but we want more for them.

Plan for After High School

93% of TreeHouse youth in grades 10-12 report they’ve begun making plans for after high school

Today is the TreeHouse Opportunity Fair.

Opportunity Fair is a night to get serious about the future. Tonight we will meet representatives from colleges, trade schools, the Armed Services, and future employers.

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”
~ Epictetus

I’m leaving for a funeral in an hour.  One truth is running through my head:

Life is short.  Use it wisely.

Q – How is life wasted?

A – Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.

Resist the temptation to worry.

Fight down the lie that worry can help.

Don’t worry alone.  Pray for help, and find others to join your journey.

This week we’re examining painful dating.  Tuesday’s For Crying Out Loud included  grief, loss, and the healing benefits of tears.  Wednesday included helpful hints for dealing with being dumped.

Blunders

“Last night — at a party — a guy I’ve had a huge crush on told my best friend that he liked me too. This morning I sent him a text message telling him how excited I was. Before he replied I caught up to my best friend. She didn’t know what I was talking about. I dreamed it all, EXCEPT for the embarrassing text I really sent my crush.“

Crying, and crying out loud in our pain, makes sense when we get dumped.

Last night we watched an episode of the television show Big Bang Theory. Leonard professed his love to his girlfriend Penny. Taken off guard, the slow to trust, Penny didn’t reciprocate. One thing led to another and Leonard got dumped.

Later lonely-Leonard hung out with his friend Raj. Raj, like Leonard, was feeling lonely for love. Here was their exchange:

Leonard: Don’t worry. You’ll meet a girl someday.

Raj: No, I won’t.

This the final entry in a three-part series on chains that lock us down.

To review, “Gotta Be My Way” people and “Drama Draggers” need gentleness; the gentleness God provides will certainly be sufficient.

When we’re chained to self-pity, we “Something I Can Never Have” envious people, need to rest in gratitude and contentment for what they have.

These chains:
Shackle us to selfishness
Clamp our compassion
Fasten our desire to offer forgiveness
Latch us to loneliness
And padlock our potential

There is another chain that anchors us to our past.

Today is the National Day of Prayer, so, I’m thinking about praying.

Prayer Is A Mystery

God tells us to do it though…
God knows what we’ll say.
God isn’t visible.
God doesn’t guarantee we’ll get what we want.
God says it will benefit us, but the benefits aren’t always evident.

Prayer is a mystery.

Life Is A Mystery

I wondered yesterday:

Why are some of the strongest men I know also the laziest?
Why are some of the most caring women I know also the most emotionally unstable?
Why are some of the smartest guys I know also the most foolishly impulsive?
Why are some of the most street-smart girls I know still duped by smooth talkers?

Six Words of wisdom for worriers:

Worry about nothing – pray about everything. 1

I’ve spent the week on the Wolf River rafting with TreeHouse.  It’s a fun river and a great time to connect with people especially during the lazy drifting times on the river.

The rapids and the waterfalls are wonderful opportunities for teamwork, developing communication skills, and decision making.

This picture of me in Sullivan Falls might look scary — and it’s a bit unnerving — was a time I had to think clearly so that I could reach the shore safely.

Worry is a giant all of us face at one time or another.

When I face giants I find it helpful to shield myself from the lies the giant bellows.

Hear our four verses of six words to help you focus on God as you stand your ground while battling the giant of worry:

- Be anxious for nothing, but…pray [Philippians 4:6-7]
– Cast your burden on the Lord… [Psalm 55:22]
– Call upon me in the day of trouble… [Psalm 50:12]
– Casting all your care upon him… [1 Peter 5:7]

Jesus offers us a strategic program to defeat the giant of worry.

Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” 1

David Jeremiah summarized it this way: 2

– Don’t dwell on yesterday’s mess
– Don’t dwell on yesterday’s success
– Don’t dwell on yesterday’s distress

1 – Matthew 6:34

2 – David Jeremiah’s book is available here on Amazon.com