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Where Did Your Dreams Come From?

Where Did Your Dreams Come From?

My dream of being able to visit places around the world started when I was a boy.

When I was growing up, my parents managed an apartment complex. I remember the owner, Ed Beaumont. He was a nice man who would come by to collect the tenant’s rents.

Ed and his wife were world travelers. Whenever they would go somewhere, they would make sure to send us a postcard. I was fascinated by the pictures. When I would see Mr. Beaumont, I asked questions about his trips and loved hearing about his adventures.

Once when Mr. Beaumont was going away for two weeks, he asked my mother and me to take care of his talking, double yellow-headed Amazon parrot. By the second week, his bird had learned to mimic the sound of our laughter. When he came to pick up his bird, he shared about his trip.

Across the alley from where we lived was a woman who also traveled internationally. One time, she invited my parents and me to come over to her home to see the slides her most recent trip. When the lights were turned low, I watched the screen come to life with pictures of historic places including the Holy Land. She told about her trip including the history of the places she visited. For me, it was like I was there. A few years ago, my wife and I fulfilled my dream when we visited Israel.

My dream of becoming a world traveler became a reality. How about you? Where did your dreams come from?

Never stop dreaming.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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From The Author

The Big Bet on Super Bowl Sunday 2022

The Big Bet on Super Bowl Sunday 2022

Have you heard of Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale?

He bet $9,500,000 the Cincinnati Bangles would beat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

To spell it out, this man bet nine million, five hundred thousand dollars on the outcome of a single football game.

For those who watched the game, it was exciting to witness the teams trading the lead back and forth. It was not until the last minutes of the game that the Rams got a touchdown and made the extra point to move ahead.

In the remaining time, the Bangles had possession of the ball and were heading down field for what they hoped would be a game-winning touchdown or to make a field goal to at least tie the game.

The Bengals’ hopes ended when their quarterback was sacked, and they were stopped. Time ran out, and the game ended.

The Rams won the Super Bowl LVI 23 to 20.

Mattress Mack lost all of his money.

In life, there is one sure bet. We are not getting out of this life alive.

Like to bet? Instead of putting your faith in a football team to win a game, why not put your faith in Jesus Christ? He was born, lived, died, and was resurrected to give you eternal life. Life everlasting is promised in John 3:16-17 (ESV).

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Hold on to your money. There is no wager required to believe and be saved.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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The Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing

The Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing

Gathering together with believers and followers of Jesus Christ to sing praises to the King of Kings can be a joy-filled experience.

During the announcements in church one Sunday, the pastor mentioned there would be hymn sing that afternoon.

I knew immediately, my wife and I need to be there.

It had been a long time since I had heard a group of believers, hymnals in hand, start calling out hymn numbers of their favorites. When we were about to start, the song leader called out a number, we turned to the hymn, and our song leader led the singing. The organ and piano accompaniment transported us to a different time and place.

We stood and sang songs like “How Great Thou Art,” “Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus,” and The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Traditional hymnals show the dates the hymns were written or copyrighted. I thought about the rich history and how long many of these old songs had been around. For example, Martin Luther’s “A Might Fortress Is Our God” has been around since the 1527-1529.

Do you recognize the song title, “On A Hill Far Away?” I didn’t until I looked down at the words and recognized, “The old rugged cross.”

We sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus.”

Christian music has changed a lot in recent years. There are some great praise and worship songs. Personally, I listen to a lot of contemporary Christian music when driving in my car.

I will tell you, if you want to change your attitude, look up some old hymns on YouTube and sing along. Better yet, go to an old-fashioned hymn sing. You might just break in to a chorus of “Old Time Religion” with the words, “Give me that old time religion…” written in 1873.

God bless you and yours.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Conquer Your To-Do List

Conquer Your To-Do List

I recently shared my To Do List with a friend. I had a long list. A few projects would require hours. There were projects that would require other’s help. Then there were items from previous lists.

Even my optimism and lofty expectations were no match for what I felt I needed to accomplish. I finally had to admit my list was overwhelming.

The conversation changed when we started looking on the bright side.

  1. The good news is I had a written list. Statistics suggest that people with written goals are far more likely to achieve those goals than those who have never written them down.
  2. My friend was very practical when he said, “Not everything has to be done right away.” That was liberating!
  3. He also said, “Decide to do what is necessary and avoid doing the things that are unnecessary.” I realized some things I thought needed action right away were not urgent.

That reminded me of what Stephen Covey pointed out in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Tasks can be categorized by important and unimportant, and urgent and not urgent.

Important Unimportant
Urgent Important/Urgent Unimportant/ Urgent
Not Urgent Important/Not Urgent Unimportant/Not Urgent

Covey said to focus efforts on doing things that are both important and urgent. Give the least attention to things that are unimportant and not urgent.

I reexamined my list and realized I had misplaced priorities. Once properly categorized, I felt more confident. I could see myself accomplishing more in less time.

  1. Finally, we talked about my motivation in wanting to accomplish some tasks. Once I knew the answer to “why” I wanted to do some things, I became more inspired to take action.
  2. I often remember what another good friend asks, “How do you eat an elephant?”

The answer is, “One bite at a time.”

More good news: My list does not look so daunting. I am confident I will make a lot of progress on the most important and most urgent items during the next few weeks.

Today, I took action by sorting through some old files. In a few hours, I set up some new files, generated a banker’s box full of papers to shred, and had another full box to be recycled.

Fear not. Now, it is your turn.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Where Do You Want To Be In Five Years?

Where Do You Want To Be In Five Years?

My friend David and I have known each other since we attended Los Angeles High School. Over the years, we have had a favorite question we would ask each other: “Where do you want to be in five years?”

I remember how we would encourage each other as we shared our dreams for the future.

Back then, David wanted to be an attorney. On one occasion, I remember our discussing the idea of his joining the military after law school and his becoming a Judge Advocate General. I vividly remember his long-term goal. He wanted to be a member of the United States Supreme Court. David was elected Chief Justice at L.A. High, and he served for two terms in student leadership.

Back then, I also wanted to be an attorney.

As life would have it, neither of us ended up getting law degrees. Rather, David became a successful political accountant, and I became a college professor.

Recently, we revisited our favorite question. I will say there was something comforting about us discussing our dreams after all these years.

What are your hopes and dreams for the next five years?

There is an expression that has been around a while, “I am not where I want to be, but I am not where I used to be.” This quotation can help us realize that life is a process. Be encouraged.

Your dreams for the future may change. But I suggest that every so often you ask a friend, “Where do you want to be in five years.” Be prepared to listen.

Hopefully, he or she will ask you the same question. Be prepared to share.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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The Great Ice Cream Reunion in San Diego, California

The Great Ice Cream Reunion in San Diego, California

Where were you sixteen years ago?

That is how many years had passed since one man and his three sisters were all together in the same place.

I was privileged to attend the august occasion being the husband of one of the sisters.

The blissful reunion was a sight to behold. After picking up one sister in San Diego, the family made their way to Balboa Park. Although it was raining early in the day, it turned into an enjoyable time for a stroll down memory lane. The siblings were raised in Escondido and had fond memories of the area.

Most importantly, the loved ones enjoyed spending time together and  making new memories. Two stopped at a hot dog stand. Then there were interactions with a wide variety of vendors.

After a leisurely meal at Balboa Park’s Prado Restaurant, the siblings walked to the Organ Pavilion.

It was getting near dusk, but then a glorious rainbow appeared.

As it got dark, the unanimous decision was to go to the North Hills Baskin Robins for an ice cream celebration.

Can you taste the ice cream?

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.