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.