thirteen years is a long time to be without your best friend

Thirteen years ago the world became a little less safe. I know that doesn’t make much sense–that a man in his 60’s with failing health made my world safe, but he did. His presence was comfort. His wisdom was gold. His teasing was the whipped cream of life. His pessimism gave me something to shake my head at.

Dad’s absence never strays far.

I remember a lot of things about my dad. Most of them are none of your business, and wouldn’t mean a tinker’s damn to you anyway.

The thing I’ve been thinking about this morning is (after I became an adult) how excited my dad was to see me–every time. He would get that smile and that look on his face that projected genuine exictement–that he was getting to see me and spend some time with me. It always made me feel good.

I guess this year is especially hard because my son is getting ready to move away to school. In a lot of ways he has been my new best friend. It’s going to be hard on me, but maybe, just maybe I can learn a lesson from Dad–and make my son feel the way I felt so many years ago.

DR

if a picture is worth a thousand words…

what does this picture say?

the morning after…

…some are jubilant.

…some are suicidal.

…some are bragadocious.

…some are full of excuses.

…some are resolved to move forward.

…some are intent on digging in their heels.

…some are questioning “why?”

…some are cheering “about time!”

…One is still sovereign.

…One is in Charge.

…One is waiting for us to realize that.

Have a great day!

David

non-political post about politics

I know, that sounds absurd.

But as we near election time, I need to make a confession.  I have been absolutely disgusted with the election process this year — and I have been whining and complaining far too much.

Recently, I thought I had decided to “check out” and not to participate. But it seems that the One who resides in and guides my life has decided otherwise.

My recent thoughts have centered on my friends in Burma (Myanmar) and their continuing struggle against a military junta who knows nothing of kindness or peace. As I have been thinking about their struggle, I have come to be convicted that to “check out” of the process would be to insult the freedom that we have in this country. I would stand speechless before Thomas and John (my friends in Burma) as I would try to explain a good enough reason not to vote.

So, I’m “checking back in” and I hope that you will follow the prompting of the One who resides in and guides your life to do the same.

Peace,

David

an election eve prayer…

Father -

You alone are Wisdom, Truth, and Justice. You alone are Mercy, Hope, and Compassion. You alone are Life, Joy, and Peace. Help us never to substitute hope in a human for those things that only You can provide.

May we listen to You alone as we cast ballots, pursuade friends, and engage in conversations.

Remind us this season that our Hope is in God. Remind us that Your Sovereignty will never be thwarted by human hands. Help us to remember that: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

The people of old screamed for a king, and you gave them Saul. Even though there was calamity, even though there was distress, and even though Saul was imperfect–Your perfect plan of redemption was accomplished.

So, Gracious Father, during this season help our confidence be in You alone.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

this had to suck…

from BBC news

Man’s arm trapped in train toilet

A passenger on a French train had to be rescued by firemen after having his arm sucked down the on-board toilet.

The 26-year-old victim was trapped when he tried to fish out his mobile phone, which had fallen into the toilet bowl, and fell foul of the suction system.

The high-speed TGV train had to stop for two hours while firemen cut through the train’s pipework.

The man was carried away by emergency services, with the toilet still attached to his arm.

“He came out on a stretcher, with his hand still jammed in the toilet bowl, which they had to saw clean off,” said Benoit Gigou, a witness to the man’s plight.

The incident happened on Sunday evening, aboard a train travelling in western France from La Rochelle to Bordeaux.

GTD is, well, helping get things done!

My post on Sept. 10th about my quest for organization suggests that I was unorganized. That’s an understatement.

My new system is working well–I have been more productive this past 6 weeks than I have in a long time. (even with the interruption of sonny boy’s surgery)

I’ve also converted a friend to the system!

It feels good to be more organized and more productive.

David

Kingdom minded in a political world…

I’m just wondering this political season (as I hear “evangelicals” talk about THE ISSUE(S))

Shouldn’t the issue be: Which candidate displays a mature walk with the Lord?

If a mature walk with the Lord affects every area of our lives, perhaps that should be the ’single issue’ that we vote for?

Thoughts?

David

Conference Highlights…

I am in Texas at a Development Conference for Christian organizational leaders. Conference highlights thus far:

• Development is everyone in your organization’s opportunity (Board, staff, volunteers) – not just the responsibility of the ‘hired professionals’.

• Giving is predominately emotive – but backed by logic.

• When it comes to development – an ounce of passion goes further than a pound of logic.

• Your organization does not have ‘needs’ – you are providing a solution to an identified problem.

• People give what they are expected to give – people give when they are asked to give.

• Write your copy on an eighth grade reading level.

• Use short words. 75% of your words should be five characters or less. Use short sentences. Maximum sentence length should be 15 words, but you should average 10 words or less.

• Word choice is critical in communication.  Use fewer adjectives and adverbs, and stronger nouns and verbs.

• Only 11% of Americans think charities do a good job of spending wisely. Report, report, report!

• The most important copy you write in your newsletters is the headlines, followed closely by the captions to pictures. (this is a verified fact from market research)

And much, much more

Out for now -

David

Experiments in Getting to the Point

Reading a blog by Abraham Piper – yeah, that Piper. It’s called Twenty-two Words It’s convincing me to develop a more succinct style.  Maybe.