I’m a sucker for guilt.
Guilt me and I’ll probably buy from you.
Guilt me and I’ll probably show up to meet with you.
Guilt me and I’ll send out that RT.
But let’s be honest. That’s all you’re getting because your guilt did nothing to inspire me, build into me or show me that you value me for anything other than meeting your needs.
Guilt is shallow and short lived.
Hope you guys had an amazing Easter weekend. I was praying like crazy for all of you pastors out there. I know it can be a long weekend, but I’m sure God moved powerfully in your churches.
Somehow, between the gazillion services I got the opportunity to meet up with my family at my mom’s house to watch some good ole fashioned Easter egg hunting. Love my family so much.
Hey, tomorrow is a big day for me as Empty Promises: The Truth About You, Your Desires, and the Lies You’re Believing
One last random thought. The older I get the more I use the phrase “remember when.” About 3 times a week I loose my cell phone. Generally it’s in my house. This is the only time I ever even process the fact that we have a home phone. Remember when you used to use your home phone for more than just calling to locate your lost cell phone in the house?
I think completing this thought will be a fun way to start our week.
Remember when…
I recently read an article by John Ortberg entitled, “Higher Stakes Friendships.” He talked about these so called “five rules of friendship” this group of guys used as guidelines for their conversations. The “five rules” were…
1. We can ask anything, no holds barred.
2. If you answer, you must tell the truth, as much as you know it.
3. If you don’t answer, you must say why you won’t or can’t answer.
4. Everything that is said to each other will be held in absolute confidence.
5. We will make absolutely no judgments of each other.
I like these “five rules.” The only thing I might add is to number 5. While we won’t make any judgments of each other we will speak truth into one another’s lives.
You know, I’m humbled and thankful to be able to say that I actually have a handful of people in my life that I can and do have these kind of conversations with.
Having someone you can call at 3am….matters.
Having someone that can look you in the eye and tell you you’ve absolutely lost your flippin’ mind…matters.
Having someone who’s there on your way up and they’re just as close on the way down…matters.
So my encouragement to you is don’t settle for anything less than deep relationships that…matter.
This past weekend was the opening of baseball season for us. This year we’ve got 3 boys playing on 3 separate teams so my life is basically over for the next 8 weeks. 
After half a decade of following his brothers to the ballpark, our youngest, Brewer, has finally made it to the big time. Here’s a quick video of his first hit this year which culminates in a dramatic slide into first base (which was, ironically, not as dramatic as his older brother who chose to slide headfirst into homeplate on a forced walk from 3rd).
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Now repeat over and over and over.
I had an amazing weekend with the family that included friends, animals, amazing conversations, and a few firsts such as drinking from a fresh water spring and building a tire swing. Getting away for a few days and remembering how to breathe again is always a good thing.
How was your weekend?
I’ve watched my kids do some crazy things in our neighborhood to make money.
There was the time I watched Jett pick up sticks in one of the neighbor’s yard only to later go to their door and try to sell them some “firewood.” He tried to sell “diamonds” which were actually just rocks. We’ve had several watered down kool-aid & recycled Halloween candy stands. However, this one may top them all.
This week Brandi looked out the window to find our two youngest dancing in the front yard…
They were also holding this sign…
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love their entrepreneurial spirit. I encourage my kids to be creative and innovative, but this isn’t exactly what I was thinking. Dear God, please be with me and please let this be the last time they dance for money. The next two decades will be interesting.
What’s the craziest thing you or one of your kids have done to make money?
Today is Valentine’s Day and for the 2nd year in a row I’m in India and away from my sweetheart. Having said that, let me go ahead and give my wife a long distance shout out, “Happy Valentines Day, baby! I love you more than words can express. Can’t imagine life without you and one of the many things I love and appreciate about you is that you encourage me to chase my heart even when it leads to me being on the other side of the earth.”
I thought some of you might need a little help today. I saw this fun little article the other day in Relevant Magazine entitled “29 Creative Ways To Say I Love You.” Here are the top ten.
1. Share five minutes of uninterrupted eye contact. Creepy … but definitely a memory.
2. Watch a sunset or sunrise together… with your favorite indie rock anthem playing in the background and pretend you’re in a slightly obvious hipster film.
3. Call your parents and thank them for specific things they’ve done for you.
4. Pick out a book and read aloud together. Quality time together and the expansion of your individual/collective knowledge bases.
5. Set up a “media-free” day/evening so you can fully focus attention on a loved one.
6. Get fancy. It’s a classic, but dressing up and splurging on a friend or loved one is a timeless way to tell someone you care.
7. “Family Loves Michael.” Throw a surprise “We appreciate you!” party with close friends where everyone gives a short speech about why someone is loved.
8. Plan “the perfect date.” Do exactly what he or she loves to do, with no strings attached.
9. Rent an ice-skating rink. Play “Endless Love” over the PA, and have dinner at center ice.
10. Re-visit a first date or first meeting place and reminisce about what brought you together, what you’ve learned since and what you’re looking forward to together.
Go HERE to see the other 19.
So how are you celebrating Valentine’s Day?
