Monday 10-22-12

Random thoughts today about the last few days:

1.  I currently live in one of the most beautiful places on earth – Mexico Beach – and most of the people who live here don’t even take advantage of the beauty!

2.  Watching and hearing the stories of life change never gets old!  I love being part of a church that cares about people – City Church Tallahassee is for real!

3.  Michael Mears is one of the most passionate speakers I know.  His message about the gospel and our money was one of the best I have heard.  Proud he is my friend and office mate!

4.  People like Josh and Brandi Hignight are what make organizations succeed.  Josh and Brandi have a three-week old son – Benjamin.  They got up early Sunday and drove to Tallahassee so Josh could fulfill his duties as an usher at church.  Not because he had to but because he wanted to do it.  Love my friends!

5.  My daughter ran not one but two 5K races this weekend.  And she got 3rd place in her age group on Sunday!  A year ago she wasn’t even running and in December she’ll participate in a half marathon.  Proud Dad!

6.  Amazed at the low-level of civility in political discourse today.  In years past I would laugh at news clips from things happening in the British Parliament – we have become just like it in our lack of respect for each other – sad days.

7.  Working to help displaced seafood workers in the Apalachicola Bay area is one of the most intense things I’ve done.  People all over are hurting and just want someone to be an advocate for them.  It’s not going to be an easy solution but hopefully there will be a lasting one in the days ahead.

8.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are exciting times for us.  We try to ramp up our giving to those less fortunate than we are at this time of year.  We won’t have a big Thanksgiving dinner so we can give more to someone who doesn’t have one at all.  We’ll find a way to spend some money and some time with people at Christmas who otherwise wouldn’t have anything.  Kind of feel that’s what Jesus would want us to do.

Who know what the week will bring but I know I’ll be spending some evenings like this:

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Everyone Has a Story and It Needs to Be Told!

We all benefit from hearing the stories of others.  Everyone has a story and it can only benefit others when its told!

For more than 17 years I was the chief executive of a non profit organization that helped people with occupational training and employment.  Every month during our board meetings, I would take the time to present a story of someone who’s life was changed because of the opportunities provided by this organization.  These stories helped our directors understand the real life implications of the administrative, budget and policy decisions they made.  Numbers represent people, stories represent people. People and their stories matter.

This week I had the opportunity to speak to some seniors who soon will be graduating from Florida State University.  These students are leaders in a campus ministry and it was their chance to hear from someone with a little life experience!

I had the chance to tell them portions of the story that is Cyndi and my life together.  While sometimes I look back at our life and don’t see it as amazing or inspirational, many of these students did! As I was able to answer questions posed from the group, it was only natural to give examples from our life story – true examples that were evidence of lives where there are no coincidences.  One of the coolest things that took place that night was the telling of their own stories.  While they may only be 22 years old, each of them have a story or at least the beginnings of one.  And each story can help someone – but only if it’s told!

My story isn’t over yet!  I’m convinced the chapters that are about to unfold will be some of the most exciting yet!  While I don’t really have a clear direction for the next chapters, I’m sure they will end in ways that are worth retelling!