Maddy for Class President

This is Maddy's speech she is writing to run for class President.

I would love for you to vote for me but I should tell you why you should vote for me. I make straight A’s. If you need a friend by your shoulder I will always there for you.

If you are struggling on something and I can help I will help you anytime you just have to ask I would be glad to help. Well if you don’t like what nice things I will do for you I will always be happy to listen to what you have to say. Well if you think you cant do some thing remember this new things are fun to try so come on try you never know you can turn out to be a champion of that new sport or eat the food you just tried all the time so don’t be afraid step in the game.

Thank you for listening.

Service and the Barter System

Why don't men serve in the church? I think it is because the oldest form of economy in the world is ingrained in the male soul. The barter system is based on two people trading a product or service for another product or service for what is perceived as equitable. The problem with service in the church is the average guy says why trade an hour or two of service for nothing in return. That is a literal observation because the actual return is far greater than the investment. When do you serve that you don't get way more out of it than you put in to it? We think it is a sacrifice but really the servant gets more than they give so it is hard to understand. I think if men understood that service in the church is not based on the barter system they would serve. If I said give me one dollar and I will give you three in return you would come back everyday. Well that is the way service in the church works. You can't give more than you get. It is impossible in God's economy to out give Him. I dare you to try.

Am I too Connected?

Am I too connected?

That is the question I have been asking myself for the last few months.

I have a Blackberry on my hip almost 17 hours a day.

I Facebook.

I Tweeter.

I have men that speak into my life weekly and some daily.

I have 2 email addresses and 3 phone numbers.

I manage a team of really smart guys and a few million dollars of projects at work.

I run a men's ministry of 250+ men and serve my church in the television ministry.

I am writing a book with a great friend.

I also have 5 kids and a dog.

This all is only possible because I have an incredible bride who loves and serves Christ more than me.

I am not complaining at all. I am blessed beyond imagination. I want a ministry of thousands and a career that allows me to reach even more people for Christ. I want to write more books and have more kids and even get another dog.

Okay the more kids will probably be grandkids many many years from now but the rest is true.

I get about 200 emails a day and at least 50 calls. I try my best to respond to everyone either personally or through one of the guys on my leadership team. I work hard to make sure I am present with the kids and my wife but sadly I fail miserably sometimes.

Why am I writing this post? Not to whine but rather to give some ideas of what has worked for me.

1. My bride has her own ringtone on my phone on my phone an it rings no matter the setting.

2. When my kids call my phone rings. All other email and calls just vibrate so I know they can wait and don't require immediate attention.

3. My gmail only forwards certain emails to my BB. I still check it daily but some people get straight through and some don't.

4. My BB is not with me when I spend time in God's word. Not in the room because I would look and I know it.

5. I don't read email forwards of jokes or that Obama is sending pickles to the moon. Sorry if you send them but that is just a waste of time for me.

6. I don't care that my yard is not perfect. I am OCD and I like perfect grass but it is not worth hours every week. Did I mention I have 4 boys? Or grounds crew if you like.

7. I rest. I take time away with my bride and without. Believe it or not this is what makes me a better husband and father.

8. I put audiobooks and sermons on my ipod. This way during my drive I can learn from people already past where I am in life. Beats the heck out of pop music or talk radio.

9. I don't keep up with the Jones. If you want a pool I will swim in it and ride in your boat or plane but I don't want something else to manage rather than enjoy.

10. Live like no one else so you can live like no one else. Get your money in order. NOW! Get on Dave Ramsey's program and make it work. We buy too much and save nothing in this country. I did it years back and have loved it more than any education I received in school.

Live on 80% give 10% save 10%.

This one plan has allowed us to give back in ways I would not have dreamed of in the past. I'm not bragging but those hard years were totally worth it to not worry about credit cards and bill collectors. I won't lie it was hard and took a long time but I am grateful I did it now.

So I hope this ramble helps someone but if not then at least you got to spend a little time thinking about your life.

Honor

My church (Bay Area Fellowship) just finished a series on Honor. My Pastor talked about the military and how vital their role was in our lives and I totally agree 100%. One of the other topics was honor in our day to day lives with regards to our spouse, kids, employer, ex-spouse or even someone who hurt us long ago. To honor someone is a God given command for your life. In regards to the people who we admire or love it is easy to honor them but with an ex-spouse or employer with no sense of right or wrong it becomes difficult. God still calls us to honor the person that has been put in authority over us. Now obviously if this person is asking you to break God's laws then you should consider that or if they are physically hurting you but in general you know what I mean.

On June 1st my bride and I went to San Antonio to attend a promotion ceremony for my friend that has earned the rank of Warrant Officer in the US Coast Guard. He is the first Warrant Officer in his rate ever in the over 200 year history of the USCG. His name is Jim Pitts and we joined the USCG in 1991 together with 2 other friends from our hometown. He is the only one that has remained in the USCG and at the ripe old age of 43 he will be eligible for retirement. I will be trying to figure out how to live with my daughter being 12 and he will be retiring.

The reason he has accomplished so much in the USCG is because he is a man of honor. He did more than he was asked and more than was expected consistently for the last 18 years. He has served under 4 Presidents and countless officers. He has never dishonored his leadership by talking about them in a negative way. He has served in some terrible places and seen some things that would keep you awake at night. He does not wear the uniform with pride in his accomplishments but rather a pride in the men and women that came before him and a responsibility to the ones that follow him. He is a man of very few words but exactly the one you want speaking for you in the position he now holds.

If there is an example of a man we want on that post protecting our freedom WO1 James G Pitts is that man and I am honored to call him my friend and my brother.

Friends VS Texas Friends

FRIENDS: Never ask for food.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Always bring the food.

FRIENDS: Will say 'hello'.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.

FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Cry with you.

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, playing

dominoes or cards and just being together.

FRIENDS: Know a few things about you..

TEXAS FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing..

TEXAS FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' back-ends that left you.

FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, 'I'm home!'.

FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you're sick

TEXAS FRIENDS: will cut your grass and clean your house then

come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you

come home

FRIENDS: have you on speed dial

TEXAS FRIENDS: have your number memorized.

FRIENDS: Are for a while.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Are for life.

FRIENDS: Might ignore this.

TEXAS FRIENDS: Will forward this to all their Texas Friends and those

who once lived in Texas