Is the Goal to Win?

Recent NPR conversation discussed a candidate backing down from a tough decision b/c he wants to win reelection this year.

Such a comment makes me wonder, is the goal to win at all cost? How much of ourselves are we willing to sacrifice to win? What will we win if we exchange who we are for what "others" want (from us)?

 Or is the goal in some way different?

If winning at all cost is the goal, then sadly it would make us all losers. We would lose integrity, trust, truth, relationship, peace, joy and goodness.

Thankfully, we know the God of all hope and grace who won victory over death and held out the perfect example. Character first - then victory is certain!

This tip helps...

Remember to re-frame life and life's circumstances in the Light and Hope of Eternity!

Quick Hitter: What the world needs

The world needs people with passions - to consume the junk it produces.

God needs people with passions - to consume the eternal love He gives!

God wants you and He wants you to want Him, and all the goodness of His steadfast love! 

Even though

I was just sitting here thinking about some of our past weeks.  Many of them have been quite strange, but actually very good.  I feel like, even though we have so many weeks were we have been up early, up late, dealing with grades, colds, bills, and blow ups - we are still here and God is still good!

Even on the mornings were Ava or Emma wake up at 4:00 am or earlier.  Yes, it sounds insane to think nicely of waking up at 4 when you didn't go to bed until after 12.  However, I realized that Ava, Emma and I share a special time at 4:30 / 5:00 when we are working out or waking others up.  For example, there was the time that I got to see Emma and Ava light up at each other and laugh uncontrollably.  It was amazing, refreshing and delightful, even if it meant I couldn't get Emma's diaper on.

I hope that we won't have weeks filled with misunderstandings, chipped teeth, hurt feelings, BoosterThons, disobedience and nasty bathrooms.  But, if we do, I'm glad that the same God of this week will meet us there with forgiveness, reconciliation, hope, love, peace, sweet moment, joyful smiles, childlike innocence and coffee!  Yeah, coffee!