Joel's World

Grayson’s indoor practice.  Early season rotation looks good and powerful.

Really excited about what God is doing in our students. I asked one of our Middle School boys this morning what he had learned so far and he said, ” I learned that “holiness” means to be set apart from God.” I said, “Really.” then he caught what he had said and said, “from the world.”.

Wheeeewww!

I guess that is what happens with little sleep.

Please continent to pray that God will burn a conviction of pursuing holiness deep within the heart of our students. The world is pulling hard the other direction and our kids need to know that Gods face is turned toward those that pursue Him with their whole heart.

Today I swam 2000 yards for the first time.  It took me almost 50 minutes to complete the distance that will be the first leg of the Half Ironman Triathlon.  It felt good to reach that marker, but then I realized that I will then change clothes in 5 or 10 minutes and then ride my bike for 56 miles and then 13.1 run.  What in the world have I gotten myself into?

Not really.  I am really enjoying this challenge.

Food for thought for those trying to manage weight and training.  Let me know your thoughts.

Have you ever had your computer hacked into?  Today is my first and it is a pain.  I had to go and change all of my passwords and get the word out to everyone on Facebook.

Someone got access into my address book and sent a junk link to them.  It is nothing more than a huge distraction for everyone.  The thing it made me think about today when I was trying to spend some time in prayer was how often my prayer time gets hacked into.  Like my computer, my prayer time is my time does not belong to anyone else.  I allow people to see what I want them to see on my Facebook account, but they don’t get to read all of my documents and get my personal financial information.  At least I hope they cant.

Have you ever been spending time in prayer and been interrupted by a phone call, a text message, or something else.  Someone gains access into a very private time between you and God.  This has just been another reminder for me to do as Jesus taught us in going to our room and shut the door when we pray.  For me, that means leaving my cell phone turned off.  If I don’t, I am open to my time with God being hacked into.

Any thoughts on that issue?

Grayson’s PR at Colorado Indoor State Championships.  He took 2nd Place, 46’9.5”

I am sitting here watching my mom sleep and my dad try to sleep.  This has been a day I will never forget.  I have experienced a wide range of emotions today and am just now getting an opportunity to sit down and document some of my thoughts.

I have been reminded all day of the passage in Psalms where the Psalmist says, “This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  As the Doctors continued to come in and poke and prod his body all day long, I had a difficult time rejoicing, but I also was somehow strengthened as the day passed along.

I know that we have a long road ahead of us, but I know that my Father in Heaven has my earthly father’s best interest in mind.  I wish I could do something for him, but know that I am powerless to fix it.  When my mom got emotional and needed someone to be strong for her, I wasn’t sure I was gonna be able to do that.

Lesson learned today:  You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option you have.

Delivery is important.  Presentation makes a big difference.  But timing is everything.  Think about some of those key moments in your life when maybe you pulled the trigger a little to early or waited a little too long.

I remember the first time I told Catherine that I loved her.  So, maybe my delivery was OK at best, the presentation was solid, but my timing was definitely off.  I don’t think that eating dinner at the “Pancake House” was the best timing for that important proclamation.

There is a good picture of timing in the Bible found in the story of Esther. (Read Esther 5:1-8)  Esther carefully planned the most appropriate approach for making her request to Xerxes.  She knew that a request of such magnitude required precise timing.

Think carefully, plan skillfully, and pray constantly about your timing of delivery.  I can’t think of any instance in life that this principle wouldn’t apply.

Word to the wise young man:  The Pancake House isn’t the best place to first announce your love to your sweet heart.  Upgrade to somewhere like IHOP!

In His Grip.