Day #30- We All Have Something To Offer

I once ran across a book, and this is going to sound pathetic but I don't remember anything about the book except for the basic story line.  But for the purpose of this post and all that it has to offer.. the storyline is all I need.

Basically, the main character.. whoever that was, was a little on the depressed side.  He didn't really think he had ant talent and he couldn't really figure out if there was anything he could offer.  Therefore,  in a desperate attempt to be accepted he went out and searched for something he could be good at.  He went to friends and family and experimented with their hobbies and talents.  Needless to say, none of them worked out and he was left feeling like a failure all over again.  But of course, the book wasn't going to end there.  In the end, he found something that he could do. And so,  he made it special and he made it unique.

We all have those moments when we feel as if we're not really good at anything and that we don't have much to offer.  But in reality, we have plenty to offer, we just have to have the willingness to be open to whatever that may be.  Everyone has special gifts and talents.  And when each of us come face to face with whatever that talent is, I hope we can embrace it and make it our own with the radiance of Godly confidence.  We have something special that the Lord has equipped us with to build one another up and expand the kingdom of Heaven.  Ephesians 4:12, "To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

And so my friends and faithful readers.  Thus ends the 30 Day Challenge. I can tell you personally that my time spent writing these was an enjoyable one.  I'm sure Andrew feels the same way, and don't worry, I'll make him write on here again. ;) Unfortunately, I will probably be returned to my previous state of Writers Block until something else great comes along for me to pore over.  But until then, thank you everyone!!

Day #29- Personal best is a good goal, but God's standard is the best.

I had a miserable running experience a couple days ago.  For starters, I felt sick before we even started the workout, mix that with the 100 degree weather and my unconditioned body and I could tell this was not going to be an enjoyable practice.  But we have the state meet this weekend and therefore, giving up and sitting out was the last thing on my mind.  I can't speak for anyone else, but when it comes to myself and my own physical capabilities.. I try my best not to give up if I know I can do it.  


"What are we running today?"  I asked in hopes that it would be something sort of easy to ease myself back into shape after my 2 week vacation.  "A mile and a half"  This was not the response I was expecting, but okay, I can do that.  "Is that all we are doing today?" "Nope" Oh great.. I thought.  I drank some more water and and walked up to the starting line.  "Josh is trying to kill me"  He just laughed.  We should make him run this with us.  I got ready to run, I wasn't exactly anticipating the intense run ahead but complaining wouldn't do me any good, and besides I always feel good after a hard workout.  


This was the worst running experience in all my years of running.  


By the second lap I was on the verge of throwing up.  So I  went to go get some water.  While at the same time giving myself a pep talk.  I didn't know if I could finish it, but I was gonna try my best.  I walked back out into the heat and started running.  Of course, my annoying stomach had to get in the way again.. the terrible nauseous feeling wouldn't leave. But I tried not to stop.  By the middle of the third lap, my body really had it out for me.  My stomach felt like it twisted up into a giant and immensely painful knot.  I would stop every couple yards because it hurt so bad, breathing was a more difficult task than usual and I had a really bad headache.  I went ahead and  finished the lap before stopping again for some water.  


"Conner are you okay?  Go ahead and sit out" Coach tells me.  I was mortified. I've never been asked to sit out because I couldn't handle something.  Needless to say, I was feeling a very high level of frustration towards myself.  I felt like I had failed because I couldn't finish the last three laps.  I have to set goals for myself so I have something to strive for a push myself towards and in the end this makes me feel more accomplished. I stood up, I was prepared to finish what I started.  "Coach I'm going to go ahead and finish the three laps" "No it's okay" "But I can do it"  "It's fine don't worry about it, we're all about to run some more anyway."  I was a little disappointed but I had the chance to make it up.  We ended up having another mile to run and while It still hurt, I wasn't planning on stopping and I ran them almost the whole way through.  


We are imperfect beings.  But with God we have a perfect standard to work towards.  I enjoy setting goals for myself because I always end up being surprised at my own capabilities, I can keep moving the bar higher and in the end, bettering myself.   


God just wants us to give 100% in everything we do.  There was only so much I could do with my stomach hurting that bad. I gave my best so I shouldn't have been so upset with myself.  I'm not a sports obsessed nut. But I can't help but feel disappointed when I set a goal for myself and I can't complete it.  Setting goals can apply to all areas of life and it's good to have a reachable standard to work towards.  But don't beat yourself up when you can't complete a goal you've set for yourself, as long as you've given your best.  Now you have the opportunity to learn and aim for that goal again. 


In the end, our ultimate goal is Jesus Christ and completing what we have been put here to do.  Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."


{Conner Danielle}

Day 28: A Light in the Dark

Cynicism is something that this world has too much of. This world sure can feel pretty full of despair. On the news you hear about nothing but celebrities, war, shootings and debt. At least it seems like it. Every once in a while you will hear of something that cheers you some, but it's definitely in the minority. Everyone has days where the clouds don't seem to want to leave, and you can't seem to shake off the gloom over your head.

Find somebody to encourage today. Even though you may not feel so great yourself, try to help someone else out. We all know how good it feels to know that someone else cares, and encouragement on a bad day can work wonders. Life can be dark sometimes, but when we get a good breath of fresh air, and a moment in the light, it makes all the difference. We all have the power to do this for someone else. Psalm 46 says,  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." With God on our side, we have nothing to fear in this world. He is our source of strength, which he gives to us to be  lights to others. We are not here to be cynical and pessimistic, but instead to spread word of the hope that we have. 

"A word of encouragement during failure is worth an hour of praise after success." 




-Andrew

Day #27: Don't Be A Complainer

If I were standing in front of a group of  little kids right now I would ask..

"So how many of you have ever complained about something."


There would be a short silence and then a majority of them would fearlessly lift their tiny innocent hands.  A few of them would look around at their peers.  There would be some giggling.  And the "louder ones" of the group would start telling me about the last time they complained about something.  There would probably be one or two that wouldn't raise their hands at all.  "You've never complained about anything.. at all?" I would probably ask them.  Knowing that they have, they would probably only shrug their little shoulders. "I have definitely done my share of complaining" I would tell them and then we would go on from there.

The truth is, everyone has complained about something.  In fact, I complained just this morning about how I wish my face would just look clear for once.  But really, if we think about it.. is complaining about how my face isn't clear really going to make it magically look fine again tomorrow morning?  Well.. probably not. Truth is, complaining doesn't get us anywhere.  If complaining were to do anything, it would probably make us feel worse and give us a bad attitude.  Philippians 2:14 says, "Do all things without grumbling or questioning". We're supposed to live without the grumbling and complaining.  Of course we aren't perfect, and yes we will probably still complain about things.  but that doesn't  mean we can't be wary of our own malcontent.  Next time you want to complain about something or someone, catch yourself.  And instead of a dissatisfied remark, use your words to bless those around you. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

{Conner Danielle}

Day # 26: The Golden Rule

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ~Matthew 7:12

It's one of the greatest principles ever taught, but one of the hardest to actually learn. It's one that really tests your measure of self-control and your ability to treat others with respect. Living in a family of ten should've given me adequate practice, and I ought to be a master of the Golden Rule, but I am quite a failure at it. Most of the time I let my selfish whims get the best of me.

Trying to practice the Golden Rule in everything is extremely difficult, and the ability is reserved for those in the world who got a larger slice of the perfect pie, but that does not mean that you should not try at all. Imagine a world where everyone treated everyone else with the same kind of care and respect that we treat ourselves with. We, as flawed humans, are incapable of always treating others with that kind of respect, and it shows us how much need of a savior we have. All of our shortcomings do, and there is nothing we could do by ourselves. I have plenty of opportunities to practice, but I don't. You must truly have a desire to practice it, otherwise you will never succeed.

This corrupt world is full of people who think that they are better than others. Where else would racism, classes, and all manner of inequality and evil treatment of others come from? We all do it.Some more than others, but we are all guilty of putting ourselves before others, or degrading them by what we say and do. If the golden rule was law, then there would be very little need for any other. The Golden Rule is the foundation of civility that a society should be built on. It's rather interesting that the golden rule is taught by the main religions of the world, yet finding someone who truly lives by it is very difficult. Learn to treat others how you would like to be treated, put others before yourself and you have everything to gain. Even though you probably will never be able to always live by this rule, it is at least our duty to try, and trying is all that can be asked.

Day #25: Do What It Takes.. Sorta

We live in a cruel world.  The easiest way to cope with it's insanity is to live apart from it and become only strangers. {Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."} But this doesn't mean we sit on our couches all day and drink sweet tea, while becoming engrossed in a Law and Order marathon. 

We are free!  Is it fair that not all people can experience this freedom?  I don't think so.  We have a reason to sing and dance. {There's A Reason- MercyMe}  But not everyone has been presented with this marvelous and enchanting reason.  This freedom allows us to become separate from the world and live with joy even when the world around us is etched with the permanent lines of hurt, pain, and dissatisfaction. {1 Peter 2:9, "That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light."}

I sit in the car and stare out the window.  I ask the Lord to let me see the world through his perfect eyes. The people rush by.  Do they know where they're going?  Do they realize they're lost?  I've always feared rejection.  What If I were to lose them as a friend or acquaintance if I told them about Jesus?  What if they were to get angry with me?  The Lord's quiet, patient words echoed in my ears..

What's more important?  Their life or you not feeling rejected?

He's right.  I've been rejected before and I got over it.  Even the deepest of human emotions can't last forever.  But where they will go after this is eternal.. and it will last forever. 

We have been given  duty.  A very special difficult one that will require our dedication, perseverance and faith.  To go out into this dark and dangerous world, to cut through the weeds of malice and deceit  and pave a way for Christianity. We are the salt and light of the world.  Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." It will difficult but that's why we have been properly equipped. {John 17:15-18,  "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."}  




Lord, I want to feel your heart



And see the world through your eyes


I want to be your hands and feet


I want to live a life that leads




Ready yourselves, ready yourselves


Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night


Ready yourselves, ready yourselves


May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise




Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out


Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound


Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out


And as the day draws near


We'll sing until the whole world hears




Lord, let your sleeping giant rise


Catch the demons by surprise


Holy nation sanctified


Let this be our battle cry




Ready yourselves, ready yourselves


Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night


Ready yourselves, ready yourselves


May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise




Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out


Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound


Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out


And as the day draws near


We'll sing until the whole world hears




We'll sing until the whole world hears


We'll sing until the whole world hears




I want to be your hands and feet


I want live a life that leads


To see you set the captive free


Until the whole world hears.

{Casting Crowns- Until the Whole World Hears}


{Conner Danielle}

Day #24: Lighten up

  "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." 

~James Joyce

I love Ultimate frisbee, but the people I play with are extremely, I mean overly competitive. I thought I was  competitive, but some of the people out there are as, or far more so than I. Just recently we've had two injuries, one being a broken collar bone, and the other my brother's mouth. Out on the field,  you realize that to get the frisbee passed in your direction, you must first learn that catching the frisbee is the ultimate goal, and bodily injuries to yourself or others, is second priority. That's why they call it "Ultimate frisbee." Catch it, or don't expect it to visit you much after. Mistakes aren't welcome, and if you are a mistake incarnate, this is not the place for you. Sarcasm aside, mistakes aren't taken kindly to, so don't worry about it if your running full speed into a chain-link fence, it's better to be a hurt hero, than a healthy hang-up. 

All of us make mistakes, and really, mistakes are nothing to be ashamed of. It's really funny to see some of the best frisbee players make ridiculous screw-ups, and then hide their red faces behind a abashed sort of grin. That can be so satisfying. Nonetheless, it doesn't matter how good you are, whenever you get cocky, or over-confident, mistakes lie in wait of discovery. When you're finally able to overcome the embarrassment of making mistakes, you realize that often, they are just opportunities to learn. Failure is just another word for experience. Don't beat yourself up and don't over-think your shortcomings. Lighten up learn, and be an inspiration to those who follow in your failure footsteps. Dale Carnegie said, "The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way." 

The light bulb, a small but valuable invention was created by trial-and-error and thousands of mistakes. It took Thomas Edison over 10,000 tries to find the perfect filament that could sustain and resist strong heat. When asked about his failures he said, "I have not failed, I have only found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison persevered and learned from the mistakes that he made, and today, we have him to thank for electric light. 

"A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them." ~John Maxwell

Day #23- Don't Fight It

"Don't fight it"

This small simple 3 word phrase is all the book gave me to work with.  I'm not entirely sure what it means, but if I were to guess it would be something along the lines of what I talked about in one of my previous posts.  Learning to love it.  So for those of you who missed that one.. you're in luck!  This post will be short and sweet.

We have a 6 year old in our family.  And while she is usually very obedient and respectful, she definitely has her "moments" when she doesn't want to do things.  And when she doesn't want to do something, we all know it, our house instantly becomes a war zone. It could be something as simple as, Go get your room cleaned up OR Go clean up the mess you left in the living room and she will definitely let us know if that's something she doesn't want to do.  What would usually take about 10 minutes to complete has now turned into an hour long ordeal that normally results in a nice long time out.  If she would have just accepted in the beginning what needed to be done, this mess could have easily been avoided.  Of course, I'm not just pointing fingers at her, we're all guilty of it.  We may not all throw temper tantrums but we all have our own special little ways of showing people we don't want to do something.  Mine would be a bad attitude, something I need to learn to overcome. If we could "learn to love it" then we could easily avoid the mess that usually comes from "fighting it".

Life will be full of things we won't want to do.  I don't want to do math.. but I still have to so I might as well learn to love and make it easier for my dad as well as make it more enjoyable for myself (I still haven't figured out how to do that.) When we fight things we don't want to do, we're only making it miserable for ourselves and those around us.  So live with a cheerful attitude, let the light of Christ shine through you in everything you do! James 1:2 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds."

{Phillippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!"}


{Conner Danielle}

John 5:11 says, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

Let us live and work with the joy of the Lord!

Day #22: "Success is nothing but luck. Just ask any failure."

It Couldn't be Done

~Edgar Albert Guest

"Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That maybe it couldn’t, but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "couldn’t be done," and you’ll do it."

Anybody can say it won't work, and anybody can give up, but it is those with strength and perseverance who succeed. What are your goals? Are they difficult ones to achieve? Everyone gets discouraged, and everyone gives up, but the difference between winners and losers is the drive behind their pursuit of goals. Nathaniel Bowditch was a child when his mother died, which left his father to provide for 7 children. As was the custom of that time, his father apprenticed him for nine years, so that he could learn a trade. Nat Bowditch had a love for learning, and even though that became very difficult, he taught himself several languages, mathematics,  navigation and astronomy. At the age of 25, he was considered the brightest mathematical mind in the colonies. Even today, his book, The American Practical Navigator, is called "the seaman's bible."  Nathaniel Bowditch's story is one of perseverance. Even when his circumstance made it very difficult to learn, he persevered, and worked very hard to teach himself what he wanted to learn. He was the only man to ever graduate from Harvard university without ever setting foot in a classroom. 

Stories like these are inspiring, but most of us think that we could never be like that. Many think they are simply too normal and mediocre. Anyone who doesn't try will always be mediocre, and those who quit will fail. Sometimes competing against yourself gives us more drive to succeed. Set goals for yourself and live up to them. Whether your goal be small and personal, or great and life-changing the same rules apply. If you quit, you lose, but if you persevere, the possibilities could be endless. Thomas Edison said, "His genius he was quite content in one brief sentence to define; Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine." Success is the consequence of drive and sweat, if you're afraid of them, success may not be for you. In striving for goals, time is not wasted by failure. Instead, time is wasted when we fail and then give up, because we can no longer use what we have learned from our failures. Whatever it is, keep up the good work, and finish the race. 

It isn't the easy things that make us stronger, and like a tree is strengthened by lack of water, we are strengthened by failure. The trials in life are what give us gratitude for what we have, and the strength to press on. Every cloud has a silver lining.

I don't think so...

Day #21 "What do you say?"

It was 10:00 at night and i was laying there listening to some comedian rattle off some of America's problems in a very humorous manner. While the piece itself was supposed to make you laugh (which it did) I couldn't help but find truth in what he was saying. While I don't remember the exact wording what he basically said was this,




"We're the wealthiest nation and we still find things to complain about."


Yes, I realize there was nothing humorous about that. I leave it to the comedians to be funny. But what he said was very true. We're a very spoiled nation. Look at us walking around with our iPhone's and Blackberries. Twitter, email, Facebook and chat at just the touch of a button. And we Still complain about what we don't have. And we still whine about what we want. Truth is, we might just be able to learn something from that comedian.. how about maybe.. practicing gratitude? I have everything I need, food to eat, a bed to sleep on, clothes to wear. I have a phone that works and a roof to live under. What more do I possibly need? Well, nothing really. But let's look at it this way.. What more do I want? I remember when I got my first iPod. I was about 12 years old and I remember being super happy because I paid for half of it myself. I remember my dad telling me how my infatuation with this new device wouldn't last long because sooner or later something else would come along that I would like even more. Of course I denied this, but it was only a matter of time. Dad was right, as he usually is..


But this time it wasn't a new iPod I was after, it was a cell phone. At this time.. my parents were adamantly against the cell phone. "Maybe 8th grade" they told me. And I could do is wait. 2 years later and I was probably one of the only people in 8th grade without a cell phone. If I had been homeschooled, it probably wouldn't have mattered as much, but you know that thing called peer pressure? Well it got to me. They finally decided to let me have one at the end of my 8th grade year right before my Washington D.C school field trip. It was a "go phone" .. nothing fancy, but it could call people and at the time that was good enough for me. It was definitely my parents pay of teaching me to budget my own money (I was the one paying for it). I thought I was content and for a while I was until I got bored of that phone. My parent's are certainly not one for giving me what I want for the sole reason that I want it, but I guess they realized that I had learned my budgeting lesson and so we went and I bought a new one a year later.


While I could go on and on with that story, the main point here was that I didn't stay content for long. Instead of simply being thankful for what I already had, I dreamed of things I still wanted. When I visited China a few years back I saw with my own eyes what it's like to live in an impoverished third world country and I felt slightly ashamed. We have everything we could possibly need, and some of these people didn't even have an adequate roof to shield them from the unpredictable weather. I don't want to make anyone feel bad, but I think we should realize how truly blessed me and stop taking all of our luxuries for granted. We have the most amazing God watching over us.. Why are we sitting around wishing for things when we has given us exactly what we need?




Matthew 6:26-30 says,


"Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? "










Let's practice gratitude.

{Conner Danielle}

Day #20: If

Well, I'm supposed to be writing about procrastination today, but I went back and found that I had already written about it twice, so you guys shouldn't have a problem with that anymore. If you would like me to tell you again about why you shouldn't put things off, just ask, and I'd be happy to. For today, I found something that I think applies to most people. A few things that we can all strive to become...

If

~Rudyard Kipling

"If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream---and not make dreams your master; If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:. If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!"

Day #19 Time Flies

People tend to take time for granted, I being one of those people. I don't realize how special time really is. Time is limited. We can't be promised a tomorrow. But we do have today to live to it's fullest.

Everyone I'm sure has heard the phrase, "don't wish your life away." at least once in your life. My mom is very fond of that phrase.  While we are very fond of.. Well.. Wishing our life away.  Of course its not intentional  but there have been plenty of times when I have subconsciously wished for today to be over and tomorrow to come more quickly.  I should of realized at that moment that the time I was wishing away I could never have back. It was gone for good. If we have limited time, then why are we wasting it? Shouldn't we be spending it more wisely?

We as Christians should be out in the world being fishers of men, leading people to Christ. As opposed to sitting on the couch, myself included.  It is our duty to bring people the light of Christ but We can't really fulfill that duty if we're too busy staring at a tv screen or trapped behind a video game.  Time is indeed sacred, we need to treat it as such.

1 Corinthians 7:29
"What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn as if they did not; those who are happy as if they were not; those who buy something as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in it's present form is passing away."

{Conner Danielle}

Day #18: Excuses, excuses

My dad doesn't like it when we have our five good reasons why we didn't do this or that, and I can't blame him. My bro's and I are all extremely talented at wheedling our ways out of dropped responsibilities,.. I hope we have gotten a little more responsible over time, but yeah, we've had our share of excuse making. Usually, our excuses are partially valid, but that doesn't mean we tried our best. Responsibility requires loyalty and faithfulness, and that's what excuses free us from. Learning responsibility early is a good thing and I'm thankful my parents have tried to make us responsible, even though we can be rather irre-so.. 

I think responsibilities greatest enemy is procrastination, something that gives me a lot of trouble. I can find a way to put anything off, and no matter how many times I heard about "pokey" who always put everything off, I find myself following in his cartoon footsteps. Thankfully, I have an excuse for every time I don't get something done, because I'm just awesome like that. 

Luke 16:10 says, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." 

I like the quote, "Excuses are the nails to build a house of failure." As long as you're excusing your way out of mistakes, you won't learn to accept them and improve. I really don't think I should be writing this blog post. 

"Bad men excuse their faults; good men abandon them."~Anonymous

Day #17: Commitment.. (I couldn't come up with anything creative.)

And again.. for the third time. I have yet another childhood story.  But I had many interesting, dangerous and full of fun childhood experiences so this is probably not the last time you'll get one of my, "When I was younger" stories. 

When we were younger and forced to find creativity in a seemingly uncreative world we would play the famously known and accepted childhood favorite "Hide and Seek" in our cousin's basement.  It was a blast!  It was big and dark with unending places to hide.  But, with many places to hide comes many places to almost kill yourself, but those are stories for a different day.  The four of us would congregate in the basement and decide who would would be doomed to count first.  We would play for a while.  End up slightly bruised and laughing (there were dangerous obstacles at every turn.)  Then came that moment.  Sydney would get tagged.  "Okay, Sydney's it!"  "Nooo!! I don't want to be it!"  She would spend a few minutes pouting and explaining to us why she shouldn't be it.  I, being the oldest, took it as my responsibily to use my persuasive skills to get her to be "it".  But to no avail, she wasn't getting her way thus she made the final desicion.  "I'm not playing anymore!"  And with that, she would turn around and strut upstairs with an occasional sniffle.

There's this thing called "commitment". When you commit to something, it's our responsibility to stay commited to it.  Wether it's a job, a relationship, or even a game of hide and seek. I have told myself that If I'm going to start somthing I need to finish it.  Thank goodness my parents have always been there to keep me accountable to that.  Because in an uncommited world, being convicted with commitment is a difficult yet crucial task. Look at the divorce rates.. they're getting higher because commitment is flying out the window.  Things will get hard.  And just because they do doesn't mean you give up, just all the more reason to hold on tighter.  Like Sydney didn't do so many times.  I love her to death, but if she would have just stayed committed to our silly game of hide and seek maybe we wouldn't of had to prematurely end so many games.  Sometimes it's hard to stay commited to something.  There have been plenty of times when I just don't feel like going to work, or doing what my dad wants me to.  But that does mean you give up.  Commitment requires you to hang on through the good and the bad.  Not just the good, which is probably why so many marriages and relationships fail. 

This also means having a commited relationship with the Lord.  Reading your Bible and obeying his word.  We need to strive to be a people that stays committed through the good and bad times.  To anything.. it doesn't matter what it is. 

{Conner Danielle}

Day #16: The Search for Happiness

Our world is full of stuff. With almost 7 billion people, who all like it, it's no surprise... 

Everyone searches for happiness, and people may get a taste of it in many different things, but things will never bring us true happiness. I've thought many times about things that I want, and how much better off I would be if I had them, but look at the lives of people who can have basically anything they want! Celebrities, politicians, and the wealthy people of the world can be some of the most discontent people alive. Many of them lose the ability to find happiness in simplicity. It is simple, money and stuff cannot bring you happiness. Some people's appetites for money, power and stuff is insatiable,  the more they get, the more they want, and the more they waste their lives. 

Contentment is the key to happiness. To be content with what you have, will not leave you chasing things, and feeling like you never have enough. Look around, most of us have family and friends, and those of us that believe in God, always have him to look to. Collecting things for ourselves may never make us truly happy, but doing things for others definitely can! Usually, when we do something to make others happy, we end up being just as happy or more ourselves. Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." 

Happiness is what you make of it. There have been many people who have been in horrible situations, and yet they still find happiness in simply knowing that there is a God that loves them. They have contentment in the middle of hell. Happiness is not about everything going your way, but instead learning to look beyond the imperfections, and being thankful for what we have been given. Frederick Keonig said, "We tend to forget that happiness does not come as a result of getting what we don't have, but rather recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

The more you have, the more you want, the saying goes, and that is the reason that the world is full of stuff. People think that possessions, power and money will bring them happiness, when they're missing out on happiness greater than any other. Psalm 118:24 says,"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Day #15: It is possible to enjoy your own company.. Who knew?

I used to be an only child.  Those were fun times.. I had daddy and mommy all to myself. No sharing.  Just us in our happy little 3 person family. Until..

I'm just kidding.  I'm not going to go off about my family.  The point I was originally trying to make was when I was an only child I had to learn to not only endure but also enjoy my own company.  Of course, mom was usually there to play dinosaurs with me at my beckoned call.  But there were times when she just needed a break (I don't blame her).  So with dad at work and her enjoying "mommy time" I was left to fend for myself in the world a.k.a my room.  So I had to enjoy my own company.  Which, I'm sure I did.

Now fast forward 10 years..

We have three of us!  While I learned to be content with playing alone, Jordan is a very different story.  She is completely dependent on us to entertain her.  Sydney normally answers the call, but occasionally she comes begging to me.  "Connnoww come jump on the trampoline with me"  "Connowww come help me with gymnastics."  I love her and I love hanging out with her, but there are times when I wish she would just go off and entertain herself.   She does occasionally go off and play by herself, but as the word "occasional" suggests, this isn't something that happens often.

We won't always have people around us and we don't have to constantly be entertained by other people. Yes, while we social beings by nature sometimes we just need to learn to enjoy our own company.  I love going off by myself to think.  No one to distract me, just to be alone.  You don't always have to be alone, but when you are.. just enjoy it. :)

Day #14: The Courage to Continue That Counts

I used to want to be famous. I was pretty young though, so I didn't know what all that involved, and since then, I've had second thoughts. I wanted to be an actor, and the profession kind of runs in the family. A few of my distantly related cousins have made their way in the world through acting, and though very few people actually succeed, those few work hard at what they do. This doesn't just apply to acting or being famous. It applies to all forms of success in everything you do. Rarely ever do people succeed without working very hard to accomplish their goals. That's what success requires; effort, drive and perseverance. Sometimes we fail, but failure allows us to become stronger, if only we will persevere. Dale Carnegie said it well,  "Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success."  Basketball star Michael Jordan said, "I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." 

If failure were the end, all of us would be done, because all of us have failed at some point in our lives. If you want to do something great, if you want to achieve success, you must learn to be patient, to persevere, to overcome failure, to work hard, and most of all, to believe that you can.  Your own strength and enthusiasm is one of they keys to achieving your goals. My friend Stephen Rosenberger, who a lot of you probably know, is biking across the country right now. That was his dream, and it isn't any easy one to achieve, but he is making it a reality due to effort, determination, and belief in his ability. I admire him for putting so much effort into achieving his goals, and I'm sure his determination will always be a tool that he will use in achieving success in whatever he does. 

So whether your goal is 4,000 miles of road, or simply trying to get your PC to thaw out, remember that failure is not the end, but only another start, except with more experience and knowledge. 

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." ~Bill Cosby

-Andrew

Day #13: Learn to "Love" it

As the designated “bearer of bad news” I have something sad but seemingly obvious to point out.  We are not going to love everything we do. I know, I know I’m sure  that was a huge surprise to some of you.  But on a serious note, we are going to encounter things that we will absolutely dread doing.  We need to know how to deal with those miserable things we will confront in life. 

I have a bad habit of saying “I don’t want to”.  I try not to, but sometimes it just slips out.  And of course, it’s obvious when I don’t want to do something, verbally    pointing it out doesn’t really do much good. My goal is to do everything with a cheerful attitude. 

A long time ago when it was just Sydney and I, we had a knack for coming up with the most creative ways have fun doing things that were normally not fun.  We would turn everything into a game to make it infinitely more fun, get it done quicker, and laugh while doing it.  Back in the day, I wanted to be an interior designer.  Yes, that was my dream.  I was so psyched about it that I actually enjoyed following my dad around Home Depot cause it meant I could run to the paint section and bring home tons of those color cards.  But no, my mild obsession didn’t stop there.. I opened my own office.  Next thing I knew I was sitting behind a fold out table, stacks of color coded cards and pamphlets planning my next trip to Home Depot.  So whenever It was my turn to clean the house, I would magically transform into one of those ladies on HGTV and act like I was re-doing my house.  I look back and laugh at how silly this was, but it helped me get the job done while making it more enjoyable all at the same time.  

Of course you don’t have to play pretend to have fun doing something you don’t want to do.  It all starts with the attitude.  Adjust your attitude and you’re all set!  Pray that the Lord would help you with your attitude so that you have a smile on your face no matter what you're doing.  The truth is, we will encounter things we will hate, but to learn to love them is something that will prove very useful. Learn to love the things in life. 


{Conner Danielle}

Day #12: You're stronger than you think

"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."~Anonymous

Most of us have some goals in life, some greater than others, and likewise, most of us face a problem when it comes to our goals.  It is one that we have the power to overcome, but we must first have the determination to overcome it. We don't believe in ourselves. We simply don't realize that we have the ability and strength to succeed, and all we lack is the determination to try.  Take the Wright brothers, the men who built the first heavier-than-air machine. Even though people laughed at them for the idea, they had the confidence to actually try, and the determination to succeed. People who believed in their strength are the ones who we have to thank for the greatest technology, conveniences and masterpieces. Michelangelo Buonarroti and the Sistine Chapel, Thomas Edison and the light bulb are just a few of the great achievements that are the result of determination, and the belief in possibility. 

Now, I know your goal may not be to build the Eiffel tower, or even out paint Michelangelo, but this applies to every goal you have to pursue. Believe in yourself, and believe in your strength. Most of all, realize that you were created the way you are, by a loving God. Ask him for the strength to succeed, whether you are trying to break a habit, or run the marathon. Luke 11:9 says, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." 

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts."

Sir Winston Churchill

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

~Philippians 4:13

Day #11- Don't take it personally

This post is gonna be rather short and sweet. I was up early for a track meet, and ended up lounging in the lovely Texas sun all day.  It was fun, but my energy seems to have left me.  Who knew just moving my fingers across a keyboard could be such a hassle? ;) 

Insecurity is an unfortunate thing that seems to have sneakily slipped into our culture.  It tries to hide, but we can all see it, it's nasty presence is always detected.  I've had people say pretty awful things to me, and I'm not going to attempt to tell you not to feel hurt because chances are, you will still hurt.  Even if you're like me, when in that moment acting like you don't care seems like the best way to go about it.  Deep deep down, the pain still resides.  Insecurity ravages everyone.  Often people will beat down on other people for the sole purpose of making themselves either feel or look better.  People can be hurtful, we can all attest to that. But sometimes it's better to just ignore people who can obviously never find anything nice to say.  What's the point of stressing your self over an opinion, which, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't even matter?  The only opinion that matters is the Lord's.. listen to it.

¹ You have searched me, LORD, 
   and you know me. 
² You know when I sit and when I rise; 
   you perceive my thoughts from afar. 
³ You discern my going out and my lying down; 
   you are familiar with all my ways. 
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue 
   you, LORD, know it completely. 
⁵ You hem me in behind and before, 
   and you lay your hand upon me. 
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, 
   too lofty for me to attain.
 ⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit? 
   Where can I flee from your presence? 
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 
   if I settle on the far side of the sea, 
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, 
   your right hand will hold me fast. 
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me 
   and the light become night around me,” 
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you; 
   the night will shine like the day, 
   for darkness is as light to you.
 ¹³ For you created my inmost being; 
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
   your works are wonderful, 
   I know that full well. 
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you 
   when I was made in the secret place, 
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; 
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book 
   before one of them came to be. 
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God! 
   How vast is the sum of them! 
¹⁸ Were I to count them, 
   they would outnumber the grains of sand— 
   when I awake, I am still with you.

{Psalm 139}


{Conner Danielle}

Day #10: Iron Sharpens Iron

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Teenagers like to be independent, unrestrained, and in control. Believe me I know because I am one. The teen years are a transition between childhood and adulthood, and too often we want to jump from being passenger to pilot when we aren't ready for it. The teenage years are a time of learning about life, but also about accountability and responsibility.   

Guys tend to have more trouble with learning accountability than girls, because guys naturally want to have all the control over themselves, and other people. Which explains why there haven't been that many female tyrants, because guys, in their natural habitats, are rather animalish freaks. 

When we are children, we are accountable to our parents, but when we become adults, that accountability switches from our parents, to ourselves, others, and God. Our friends can also be channels of accountability. Like Ecclesiastes says, two are better than one, because they can help each other out! True friends are for asking how you're doing, and really meaning it. Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, so one a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." 

Trust is essential to accountability. Unless you can trust a person, you cannot be accountable to them. A true friend is someone who loves you no matter what, and isn't afraid of seeing who you really are under your mask. "A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity." Proverbs 17: 17  Trustworthy people are hard to find, and a good friend is a diamond in the rough. Gitotto di Bondone said, "The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights." 

Marriage is the ultimate test of accountability, and sadly, many fail this test, which is why the divorce rate in America is 50%. We hear about it every day, in songs, celebrities, and reality, lack of accountability destroys marriages because people can no longer trust each other. Couples too often try to do things individually, instead of together, and the end up falling with no one to help them up. This world has a massive lack of accountability which is being replaced with apathy and compromise.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13

~Andy

Day #9: Change IS possible

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Sometimes we undermine ourselves.  "I could never accomplish anything great.. I'm too small and insignificant". Or one that I've even said, "I could never do anything to change the world, I'm just one person."  That's true, individually we are just one person.  But each and every one of us has the capacity for something great with the Lord's help.  We just have to have the willingness to persevere toward that goal and the determination that equips us to never back down. Of course we can't do anything without the Lord's help, but with him on our side.. what can we not do? 

This world we find ourselves encompassed in is in desperate need of change.  And we have the ability to do something about it.  Not to long ago I was in the car with my dad, I was voicing my frustration about how I wanted to do something that would change the world but I didn't know how.  He explained to me that changing the world doesn't have to involve doing something big that everyone notices immediately.  It can be something little.  But in the end.. the impact can be huge!  Missionary's in other countries often go unnoticed by the rest of the world.  Yes, they are known by their church, family, and friends, but other than that.. there's no spot light.  Yet they are changing the world everyday.  Daily Bread Food ministries reaches out to those in poverty every day.  Every day they are making a positive influence on so many peoples lives.  They may not be changing the whole world in and of itself, but they sure are impacting each of those peoples lives.  You don't have to strive to change the world all at once, what if we started with individual people?  What if we changed the world one person at a time?

"If you have the desire to change, the decisiveness to take action, the determination to persist on your forward track and the discipline to make yourself do whatever you need to do, your self confidence and your success are inevitable."

{Conner Danielle}