Did you realize that all news we see is basically history?
Unless it’s a story in progress, then everything we read, see or hear is simply something of the past. That being said, we often think of history as something way back there in the background of time. A long time ago.
But history begins with every second we live, and start to re-live.
This past week saw many wonderful, and trying, events. From my son’s book kick-off and signing party, to playing with my granddaughter, and enjoyable conversations on the phone and in person with some family and friends, teaching, preaching, talking and doing.
A lot of history has gone down that proverbial water under the bridge. Yes… This was the week I turned 61!
Even scripture has some thoughts about our history.
Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. (1 Corinthians 10:1, MSG)
These are all warning markers–DANGER!–in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel–they at the beginning, we at the end–and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. (1 Corinthians 10:11, MSG)
I’ve thought a lot about my postings this week. (Most of my one liners are found in my Tweets: @MikeGurley) Some were released into Facebook. This does not include all my blogs as I did a major post every day. But this sort of gets me thinking… What did I say of value this week? Where was my mind, heart and spirit at?
- Watch how others survive turmoil and learn by their example. There is a better way to extricate, just like there is a better way to live.
- Retreat is always an option. Only be sure you are retreating from the right things and going into a better direction.
- Things expire after the Expiration Date: even problems. Nothing lasts forever in this life, except Christ – yesterday, today, forever.
- I had a dream last night that felt so very real – I was offered another trip to Israel!
- Life lived without a goal is not true living. Life is shorter than you think. Don’t waste your hours.
- Ever looked at a place and sighed… Home…
- Learn a lesson: Your mouth does not have to utter everything your brain thinketh.
- Strive to become the person you Wish others were. Stop worrying about making a difference and just go ahead and Be a difference. (Edward Whitmire @EWWhitmire)
- Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
- Who you are is not always who you wanted to be. There was a day I wanted to be a cop! Not IT or ministry. Go figure.
- Undercurrents of strife, hopelessness, suffering, loss, despair. There are answers to each current, all things to all- a leader must be.
- Leaders deal with undercurrents all the time. High and low tide is equally strong with what’s happening under the surface.
- A rising tide has an undercurrent of water that cannot go any higher. Gravity pulls it back seaward only to be dashed back to the beach.
- Undercurrents are not like rip tides. RT’s are found near the surface and are close to beaches. Don’t fight a RT. Ride it out. Ends soon.
- Undercurrents can be healthy as they keep you on your guard, but they prematurely tire you out and produce failure options as they persist.
- There is nothing so foolish as someone who speaks from only their view of a problem. They often never see their own role in the situation.
- Learning as I go means I am always learning and doing something with what I fill my mind with. Never stop learning!
- Passive Aggressive – what does really mean?
- Sometimes we need toxic people to show us what we do not need in our lives!
- Who do you need to get out of your life? What category do they fit in (toxic, liars, grabby, etc)? How much better off will you be?
- Years ago, I learned what it meant to follow a pastor. It was not always easy. Why is it so hard to follow shepherds?
- A shout out for my son’s book – Eleanor…on it’s release date! Check it out on Amazon.
@jgurley - I’m Popeye the Sailor Man, I’m Popeye the Sailor Man. I’m strong to the finich, Cause I eats me spinach. I’m Popeye the Sailor Man.
- Just read: You can’t fix everyone’s problem. Insight: I thought I could and felt like a failure if I didn’t. Conclusion: Relief.
- Labels identifying us are often misconstrued by our own definition of the labels meaning. Or yours.
- Your actions to prove who you claim to be are often ignored by those who really know who you are. What have you labeled yourself by?
- Waiting is laziness if you are doing nothing, even anything, while determining direction or next step. Always be “Doing”!
- Effective communicators know that one thread of their voice does not reach everyone. You must multi-thread in order to reach more. FB/TW/?
- How many times have you said, “You’ve got to be kidding me?” And it meant good things as often as frustration… Simply a catch all phrase.
- Learning to say “no” means some potentially good opportunities left on the table. I have said “no” with and without regrets.
- I love to write but I don’t live to write like I live to love and serve God, my family, my church. Is there anything else?
- Up since 3:39 or so does not necessarily make for a productive morning.
And then, last Sunday started the week with this thought:
Preparing my heart, soul and mind for what the Lord has prepared for us today in his house… Anxious and ready!
If you could pause and look over the history of your week… What you said, thought and did – could you capture a series of one-liners like this and have a positive snapshot of your week?
Something to think about. Selah.