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| My wife...
My wife had a significant birthday today. Happy Birthday Sweetheart! You are stunningly beautiful!
Love, Todd
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| someone to believe in...
Today, I had a conversation with young boy who is going through a rough time. He spoke to me about how his class doesn't treat him very well. I said, "well, I hope today somethings change today. I can't promise you everyone will change, but some will." He nodded, but I knew he did not believe me. So I said, "Just give it a chance and be open.' He seemed to let that settle a bit better in his mind.
At the end of the day, the first young man to speak offered his apologies to this young man I spoke to for how he was being treated. He also said he would try and be a better friend to him. Things changed a bit. Not everyone, but a few will change. Today, that kid had someone to believe in.
Why this is on my mind is in recent news Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer I have ever scene is involved in scandal. I really like Tiger Woods and I still do. I do not agree with his choices, but I am sure he would disagree with some of my very own. However, I was hoping that it would not be a scandal. I wanted a world class athlete that is admired by many not to be involved in this type of thing. We see it way to often. I wanted someone to believe in.
So often what we believe in falls sadly short. There is one...there is one...
Not a elite athlete or superstar or musician or American Idol or garbage man or politician or teacher or pipe fitter or Buddha or MLK jr. or Ghandi or father or Husband or Mother or Son or Daughter or child. Not one of these or any other I would place on the list. There is only one...
He came from humble beginnings. Born among livestock. Served, healed and loved. He sacrificed that no matter who you are or when we fail that we(you and I) still have an opportunity to come to the one who created us. There is only one...someone to believe and they are worth following...
Tiger your transgression only remind me that I have my own. I hope that you can be restored, I hope your family can be restored.
_Todd
-Todd
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| Raising the bar...
In my work, I share with high school that as we get older we raise the bar. When we were kids we called each other dork and geek, but as we got older we raised the bar. The terms we have for each other are more nasty, more sexual. I don't need to write the words because you probably hear them everyday. Raising the bar is not always a good thing.
Recently, in Hollywood. One of thee fakest places in the world. The town values people who can create buzz. If you cannot stay in the news you are irrelevant. Everyday, they make a play for the spotlight. It's not just the people, it's the organization that run that town as well. Can you imagine every day scheming to grab attention. Can you imagine when your scheming becomes old or irrelevant? What does that do to your own value in your own eyes?
In the last few days, a young man named Adam Lambert performed on stage for some awards show. He raised the bar much like a high school student does when they call a classmate, "a retard or slut". He raised the bar to shock and offend. Of course, he knew the reaction he would get. He was even ready with his defense when people would say it was offensive. The truth is Adam had a choice. Get by on his talent or become relevant for the moment by shocking the world. He made his choice on how he would raise the bar. The show itself was well aware of its place, but it will hide behind the fact that people will blame Adam Lambert. The producers and those involved are just as guilty of raising the bar.
How are you raising the bar? Are you getting kinder? how about more gentle? How about more caring toward others? Are you serving people more? Are you being more generous? Are you being more compassionate? Are you be more approachable? are you sharing more of your own life? Are you raising the bar?
-Todd
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| Hate...a powerful word
Today was a sad day but it needs to be marked. My oldest daughter in melt down mode yelled "I hate you". I was stunned. I know it was only a matter of time that she would use those words. But you know what it sucked. I know she doesn't really know what she is really saying and how those words hurt people.
It wasn't pretty and there were severe consequences for her. When she finally settled down we had a long conversation about those words. We then spoke a long time talking about good words and what makes people smile. I asked Isabelle what words make her smile. She replied, "When people say, I like you."
We both smiled. Words have impact.
Love Daddy
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| Things of God and Man...
What does it mean to understand the things of God...I know what it means to see from the eyes of Man.
God's perspective: Everyone is made in God's image. Each person's value is determined not by who we are but by God's love for us.
Man's perspective: We are valuable based on who we are. It sounds good doesn't it? However, what I know is true is that I am broken...I am broken.
God's perspective: We are broken. He is Holy. (Holy means "set apart")
There is the rub. How does one who is unworthy, broken come to be in relationship with one who is Holy?
It can't be by just being who we are...if we continue to just be who we are, then we continue to be without relationship with the one who created us. This is a matter for eternity.
I am broken and I am in need of being made new, to be holy. God you call me, you call us to confess our brokeness and our need for you...
I am broken and in need of you.
-Todd
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