Recently I posted a link to an article in New Man magazine that featured an “open letter” to Dr. Tony Campolo. Well, Dr. Campolo reponds.

tryphorgettin

This is a funny video. What will happen if too many people forget?

It’s finally here. The 2007 College Football season officially starts for my favorite team tomorrow at 2:30pm central. Here’s a video tribute to my favorite team.

I posted yesterday that I have adopted a new life motto, No Excuses! In every aspect of my life, I am determined to live life without making any excuses. I was then sent a link to this video clip from the movie, Facing The Giants. Many of you have already seen the movie. I haven’t but it is on my list to rent. Today, it just moved up to the top of my list.

Never give up. Give it all you’ve got. It’s all heart from here. Work through the pain. Give it your best.

Whew! Are you as tired watching this as I was? Doesn’t it pump you up?!

I watched this earlier today and then tonight I decided to go for my run. It was raining but I told myself, “no excuses”. I started running. There’s a long and fairly steep hill that goes 1/4 to 1/2 mile. I usually walk briskly up that hill. Tonight I told myself - no excuses. As much as it hurt, I ran all the way to the top. Once I got to the top, I wanted to stop and walk but I told myself - no excuses. I ran around the park - up and down more hills, (no excuses). I ran down the big hill and instead of turning to home, I kept going (no excuses). I ran and I ran - through pain, through the rain, through the mud. (no excuses) I finally reached my house - 1 1/2 hours later. I didn’t stop once. I ran all that time - no excuses.

It’s all about attitude. If you tell yourself that you can’t do it, you won’t. If you stop as soon as you start feeling that pain, you will never get stronger. But, if you tell yourself that you can do it, and you stay persistent, you will eventually finish. If you push through the pain and continue on, you will get stronger.

The best thing about living life with no excuses is that if affects every part of your life. Want to spend more time with your kids - then do it (no excuses). Want your spouse to love you more? Then make a committment to enhance your relationship! (no excuses) Want to get closer to God? Then dedicate more time to improve your relationship with Him. (no excuses). Feel foolish talking about God with your friends? Do it anyway (no excuses).

OK - you get the idea. Now go out and live life! No Excuses!

I write a daily devotional for the church that I attend and currently we are studying the book of Philippians. Today’s daily posting was on Philippians 3:12-16 in which Paul compared his quest for pursuing Christ to a race. You can read the full post where I related the following story…

As many of you know, I have been on a diet since January. A few months into my diet, I started exercising at the gym almost every day and more recently, I have been running about 4 miles every other day. It’s hard work. Normally, after a run, I am exhausted, hot, sweaty and sore. I know that I have pushed my muscles to their limits. I know that I am getting stronger because eight years in the Marine Corps taught me that nothing worthwhile comes without a little discomfort, and strength does not come without a little pain.

My desire to not only lose weight but also get back into shape has caused me to do some pretty irrational things. Just the other day, I decided that I needed to go for a jog. It didn’t matter that it was raining. When I lived in Japan, I ran in the rain everyday! It didn’t matter that I decided that I didn’t need my glasses - and almost got lost because I couldn’t see the trail. It didn’t matter that half-way into my run, someone stopped me to let me know that we were under a tornado warning. I kept running until I met my exercise goal for that day.

About the time I found out that I was jogging during a tornado warning, a question popped into my head so clearly that it had to be God speaking to me. He asked me, “If you are willing to endure pain, look foolish, feel uncomfortable, be accountable to others and dedicate yourself to improving your physical health, why can’t you do the same with your spiritual health?”

With my diet and exercise, I have a goal. I have something to work towards. I keep pushing myself to achieve my daily goals. Paul equated his pursuit of perfection in Christ Jesus with a race. He had a goal and worked daily to achieve that goal. He was willing to endure pain, suffering, loneliness and other hardships to press-on toward his prize. He was willing to appear foolish for the sake of Christ. Nothing was going to stop him from achieving his goal.

My new motto is “No Excuses!” Both spiritually and physically!

Most everyone has heard of John D. Rockefeller. He revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of modern philanthropy. Rockefeller had always believed since he was a child that his purpose in life was to make as much money as possible, and then use it wisely to improve the lot of mankind.

I have been reading a book that he wrote called, “Random Reminiscences of Men and Events” via the DailyLit _{[an awesome way to read a book by the way]} Every day, during my reading, I am struck by how wise this man was. I can cull bits of business advice out of the most innocuous of his memories. Today, I was struck by how this man stayed humble even with all his success.

When he died in 1937, he was worth over 192 billion dollars, yet, he didn’t let it get to his head. Early on, as his business started making money, he would go to bed telling himself, “Now a little success, soon you will fall down, soon you will be overthrown. Because you have got a start, you think you are quite a merchant; look out, or you will lose your head–go steady.” He explained it this way. These intimate conversations with myself, I am sure, had a great influence on my life. I was afraid I could not stand my prosperity, and tried to teach myself not to get puffed up with any foolish notions.

Here is arguably the richest man in the world in his time, telling himself not to get too puffed up. Even with all his success, he was humble and it showed. He gave away billions and established a legacy of philanthropy that continues to this day.

So, I don’t have billions but it got me thinking about being humble.

1. Honor those who serve you. You can tell a lot about people by who they honor.
2. Utilize your talents to serve others.
3. Model humility. If you need an example - think Mother Teresa.
4. Become an example to others. If you model humility, others who look up to you will follow.
5. Learn. If you are consistently learning, you are consistently growing.
6. Enjoy life! Take time to notice your surroundings. You might be surprised at what you see!

But then again, I am reminded of an old country tune…

“Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way!”

These are purportedly hanging on the wall at Mother Theresa’s orphanage in India. Something to ponder….

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Two days ago, Apple (AAPL) stock lost 6% of it’s value. As a loyal Apple stockholder, I have learned not to put too much weight in peoples perceptions. Apple has taken hits over the years but has always bounced back. I’ve been tempted to sell many times but I kept riding my gut feeling. This time I was nervous.

If you haven’t slept through the last few months, you most likely know that Apple released the iPhone which from everything I’ve read, has pretty much lived up to the hype. The problem is that AT&T, who is the only cellphone carrier for the iPhone, reported small activation numbers. The market panicked and the stock went down. With all of the experts being disappointed in the activation figures, shouldn’t I be worried also? Should I sell off my Apple stock?

Patience is something that is hard to practice - especially when it comes to things we consider important - but necessary if we want to be successful. Patience makes sure you have more information before making decisions. Patience makes sure you don’t act out in an emotional state. Patience allow you to take a breath. Patience gives the time for the pieces to fall into place.

I am reminded that patience is one of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22). Patience can also aid in persuasion (Proverbs 25:15). John Quincy Adams said, “Patience and perserverence have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” Patience is a difficult but, good thing to practice.

I didn’t sell. I practiced patience. As of this writing, the stock price has gained back all it lost and then some. It’s a good day!

I know it’s been a long time so I thought I’d just post a short update on how I’m coming with my weight loss. It’s actually an anniversary of sorts. 26 weeks! 6 months! And how am I doing?

Well, I’ve lost 77.4 lbs!

My main goal is to lose 149 lbs so I am a little over half way! I am still averaging over 2 lbs per week. I am out of my XXXL shirts and into just XL shirts!

What’s my secret? Diet and exercise! No really! And….. it doesn’t hurt to have someone to be accountable to. For me, it is a room full of ladies at the local Weight Watchers meeting. Most of the time, I’m the only guy there so I’ve got to represent!

Lately, I’ve started running again. I was always too heavy to run and my joints just wouldn’t take it. Now, I’m starting and I actually feel pretty good. I’m at the run/walk/run/walk/walk/walk stage right now but gradually I’m working my way up. I even told my wife that I think I would like to run an triathalon (swim,bike,run). OK - I’m dreaming there but it’s good to have a goal!

Oh.. and one more thing that keeps me going?

I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Speaking of Philippians, we’re starting a new series on Philippians. I’ll be writing the daily emails for the study so if you’re interested, check out our Shine Like A Star series and sign up for the daily emails!

I just started reading Make It Great! with Phil Gerbyshak. Just one look at his big toothy grin makes me laugh - and starts my day off great. He posted recently about some questions to ask yourself as you review your first 6 months of 2007! Read his post and ask yourself the questions. It’s a very enlightening exercise!

20 Questions: Monday Morning Greatness

Have a great Monday!