Seeing what it was, I went and got my wife’s cassette player, took a seat in my recliner, and listened to the tape by myself. I cried. I cried again as I thought about the experience earlier today. I am crying now as I write this. His voice was comforting. His voice took me back to a time in my life when my dad represented stability and security. He was larger than life and in him I could find no fault. He shared with me absolute and unconditional love. For a long time he was the most important person in my life.

I call my wife a couple of times each day. Sometimes I think it bothers her but usually I just want to hear her voice; to know she is there and that all is well. I call my kids, usually for no reason at all, other than to hear their sweet voices and know that they are alright. I call my mom nearly every day just so she will know the comfort of a son’s voice. And after all these years, I wish I could call my dad and hear that comforting voice on the other end of the telephone.

Who do you need to call today? Whose voice is precious to you and represents all that is good in your life? Don’t neglect those voices. Make the call because someday the only way you will hear that voice is on an old cassette tape.

A couple of years ago God challenged me to make a list of extraordinary men in my life.  These men had to have lived lives that had passed the test of time.  And, I had to have relationship with them.  They could not be men who I merely knew about.  After much thought my list ended at four.  I did not cheapen what “extraordinary” meant.  The dictionary defines extraordinary as “beyond what is ordinary or usual.”  It seems to me that it is much more than that.

The four men include my dad, Judson, who passed away a couple of years ago.  No one has left as big a mark on my life as he did.  He will forever be my hero.  Kent has been my friend and mentor for many years and is the best example in my life of a successful businessman who ministers in the workplace.  Steve is a business owner and one of my clients.  He is passionate about discipling men and running a business that places a high value on making successful employees.  Tom is character defined.  He is a man of great vision and is leaving a legacy of great godly character.

None of these men set out to make a difference in my life in particular.  Making a difference is what sets them apart.  Pleasing God in all that they do is what makes them so extraordinary.  Are you leaving a mark on the lives of people around you?  Are you making a difference or just wasting your life?

Years ago one of my closest friends betrayed me in our relationship.  He shared information from our conversation with another person.  Doing so nearly cost me my job.  I had assumed we were speaking in confidence but he obviously felt it was necessary to share the conversation with another person.  It nearly destroyed our relationship.  It impacted our families in a hurtful way.  It made things very awkward with mutual friends.  It was not a positive experience in any way…until forgiveness took place.

Eventually he called and asked to see me.  We met over lunch and he humbly asked for my forgiveness.  With some degree of reservation I forgave him.  But it was still rather awkward around him and I struggled trusting him.  But that was years ago and the decision to forgive him has nurtured a renewed and precious friendship.  Not until I released him from the hurt he caused did we move forward in our relationship.  Today we enjoy time together and I count him among a group of very special and old friends.

If you are choosing to withhold forgiveness then you are holding yourself captive along with the one who wronged you.  Forgiveness brings you freedom.  It gets you out from under the heavy burden of unforgiveness.  Forgiveness is a decision you make and can result in restored relationships.  Make a decision today to forgive!

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”  Matthew 6:14

“Family relationships can be tricky—especially at this time of year.  Minor issues like who will cook what or when to open gifts can lead to more serious conflict.  For some, deeper issues loom: Whose family will we visit?  Will the kids be with me or my ex?  How do I handle the hostility between family members?”*

These issues large or small, significant or not, can provide us the opportunity to evaluate the quality and value of relationships.  Consider your honest answers to the questions that follow:

• Is the issue that is causing conflict something that is really worth the battle?
• What is the conflict really about?  Perhaps it is just your desire to be in control.
•  Can you express love and concern by choosing to help rather than needing to have your way?
•  Is peace in your family worth the conflict that will follow a certain decision?
•  What other options do you have?

This is a time of year when wisdom and unselfish attitudes should prevail.  Consider the long term implications when making your decision regarding your holiday activities and relationships.  How will those decisions affect your friends and family?

*Quote from www.troubledwith.com

On top of the financial challenge the holiday season brought every year, there was the always awkward thought of how she would arrange getting around to all the family and when the kids would visit their father.

Her car seemed like it was on its last leg, limping around town and not even starting on really cold mornings.  Fighting the crowd at the mall was just such a hassle when all she really wanted was to just be at home after working all day.  And her son was so difficult this time of year!  There was so much to be troubled over, and on top of that she was worried about walking out into the dark parking lot!

Sound familiar?  Maybe this situation does not perfectly describe your holiday season but you can probably relate to it in some way.  What can you do to make this special time of year a blessing instead of a curse?

Start with your attitude about what you can and cannot control.  Do not get anxious about what you cannot control.  Rather, do your best at dealing effectively with the things you can control.  Work well with others, whether they are family, friends, or associates on the job.  Plan ahead, especially in the areas of your personal finances and time management.  Enlist the help of those around you who love you and want to spend time with you.  The holiday season is a great time to build relationships.  Do not allow all the stress and anxiety to rob you of the joy of the season.

In our world today many things compete for influence in our lives.  The culture we live in promotes a “me mentality” where all of life evolves around the individual.  We learn to trust anything that tickles our ears and tells us what we want to hear.  We end up counting on only those things that benefit us at the moment.  Yet what our lives need more than anything is the reliable Word of God.

The Bible is sufficient in our lives.  In contrast to the theories of men, God’s Word is absolutely comprehensive.  The Bible does not change.  Unlike the opinions and wisdom of man, God’s Word is the same today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow.

Most importantly, the Bible is true.  It is true all of the time.  Proverbs 30:5-6 says, “Every word of God proves true.  He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.  Do not add to His words or He may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.”  

Will Austin is a friend of mine and he recently shared a part of his daily start-up.  He reviews every morning his “Live For Him” list.  “Reading through this list is the very first thing I do each morning.  It allows me to recalibrate with what really matters,” he said.  He graciously gave me permission to share his LFH list with you.

1. Every second of life is a gift; no matter what I endure…this is the most important thing to remember!
2. Include God in everything I do.
3. Everything is God’s; I am merely a steward of what He allows me to use.
4. Read morning Scriptures with passion, purely searching for truth and wisdom.
5. I can’t….but God can!!!
6. Preserve my words…less talk; never answer before listening
7. Trust in the Lord as though everything depends on Him. Work as though everything depends on me.
8. Take action!!!  Ask three questions: Is the plan in harmony with God’s plan?  Will it work in real life circumstances?  Is my attitude pleasing to God?
9. Make the right decisions by:  Getting facts before answering.  Be open to new ideas.  Make sure I hear all sides of the story before judging.
10. There is great personal victory in controlling my temper!

Will said, “It is amazing how simple and to what perspective things seem to fall when I start my day this way.”  This Live For Him list can get you started every morning in the right way.  Maybe you and God need to come up with your own list.  The point is: Start things the right way everyday by including God in your plans!



Webster defines contentment as “happy enough with what one has or is.  Not desiring something more different. The absence of the need to strain and pull to get ahead.  Indifference to position, status, or possession.” The Amplified Version of the Bible defines contentment as “satisfied to the point that one is neither disturbed or disquieted. The product of gratitude.”

Few things affect our lives like a grateful spirit.  We typically have so much more than we actually need that we are blinded by our abundance.  We take our health, freedom, prosperity, and possessions for granted.  And, we are ungrateful.  In a time and place where, in our culture, we have more of everything than the rest of the world, we fail to express a spirit of gratitude to those around us who help us and to God who provides it.

More than likely you are blessed beyond your basic needs.  You probably want more of what you have and definitely more of what you do not have, but fail to recognize that you have so much that money cannot buy.  You have the love and appreciation of others.  You have a family.  You have food, shelter, clothing, and transportation.  You have a job.  Yet you still remain ungrateful!!

John D. Rockefeller, an American industrialist who, in 1870, founded Standard Oil was once asked how much money it would take for him to be really satisfied.  He answered, “Just a little bit more.”   What is it that will truly bring you contentment?

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians 4:11-13

He continues, “I have come to see reaching out to people as a way to make a difference in people’s lives as well as a way to explore and learn and enrich my own; it has become a conscious construction of my life’s path.”

Ferrazzi encourages us to “connect” with others.  Some people call “networking” what Ferrazzi calls “connecting.”  He invests in others by sharing his knowledge, resources, time and energy, friends and associates, empathy and compassion in an ongoing effort to provide value in his relationships.

Remember, all of life boils down to relationships, ultimately one’s relationship with Jesus Christ.  Ferrazzi is saying that life’s relationships, when characterized by a generous spirit, are more meaningful and valuable to everyone.  Focus on your opportunities to invest in others, whether they are family, friends, neighbors, or work associates.  Develop a generous spirit that characterizes and defines your life.

Recently both of my sons have asked young women for their hand in marriage. Within six weeks of each other they had both taken steps to dramatically change our family forever.

We are pleased for many reasons. First, they have chosen well. Both of them have taken their time building meaningful relationships with the young women they love. Second, each of the young women are physically beautiful and charming, but more important, love God with all of their hearts.

I am a blessed man. I have the relationship with each of my sons that I hoped and prayed for as they grew into manhood. We love each other and it is easy for me to respect each of them. We can talk…about anything. And occasionally they ask for my help and advice. They will each do well. They are different. You would not know they are brothers, much less twins. But they are mine. And I love and respect them very much.

Several months ago one of my sons went to his future father-in-law to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Her father’s response was positive and he graciously took the time to write me, saying, “You should be proud of your son. He is courageous and his question was cultivated from the soil of respect and integrity. My only request was that he be a diligent spiritual leader. Know that he is the answer to our prayers. Some would call you a lucky parent. I prefer to call you a blessed parent.”

I truly believe that our children are a gift from God. I love my sons who have now grown into young men. And I am a blessed man.