Mentally Tough

Today, I had the opportunity to play 18 holes of golf at Saddle Creek Golf Club. It was the first time that I have kept score for the entire 18 holes. I shot a 105. I know that most people will look at my score and laugh. I know it's not the greatest score but I have only been played maybe 40 times in my life.

However, today was a major victory for me. I never lost it. And by losing it, I mean that I never got down on myself or lost control because I had a bad shot. Before today when I would have a bad shot, I would lose it and I would be done for the rest of the day. For me, it all goes back to Romans 12:1-2. God has changed the way that I think. Is golf really worth me getting bent out of shape? NO! Is life worth us getting bent out of shape and losing it? NO! We have to allow God to change the way that we think. Areas that I have changed the way that I think:

• The way I view my wife, Kat
• My job
• People that don't get it
• Golf
• Softball
• Friends
• Struggles
• Unanswered Prayers
• Relationships

Does this mean that I won't lose it next time I play golf or the next time someone lets me down? No. But it does mean that if I let God change the way that I think each and every day that eventually I will not lose it, I will begin to think like Christ, Ephesians 4:22-24.

Discipline

Discipline is something that I have struggled with since my youth. I have always had a rebellious streak in me and I don't normally like to do things the way that everyone else does. Recently, I heard that less than 3% of the population is disciplined spiritually, physically and financially. I want to be one of those people.



Lucky for me, I married my wife Kat who started a job back in 2005 for Dave Ramsey. Before that time, I was not financially fit. During college, I maxed out two different credit cards. I always blew money and had no idea where it went. That all changed after Kat and I got married. I am very thankful that I am financially fit.



I have played soccer since the age of 5. I played travel soccer all of my youth and I even played one year of club soccer at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which is where I went to college. Thus, I have always been in pretty good shape but I have never been in great physical shape. I have never been what I would call "ripped." Hopefully, that is all about to change in the next 90 days. I started a workout routine this week called P90X. My goal is to be ripped from head to toe in the next 90 days. However, for me to achieve this goal I am going to have to be disciplined. I have to work out 6 days a week, doing different routines for around an hour a day. In addition, I am following their suggested diet as well which means lots of turkey and veggies.



Last but not least, I want to "spiritually fit." I have had plenty of moments with God and I try to spend time with God. But in reality, I need to be more disciplined. I need to set time aside every day to spend with Him. That is why for the next 90 days, I plan to spend quality time with God each and every day. I plan to read through scriptures, pray daily for my needs as well as others, and I plan to listen. Matthew 5: 48 states, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Will I be perfect at the end of this 90 days? NO! But I will be in better shape physically, financially and most important spiritually.



1 Corinthians 9:24-27 states, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Wake-Up Call

• Have you ever wondered what it would take for someone to learn something that you thought that they needed to learn?
• Have you ever been in a position where God was trying to teach you something and you didn't want to listen?

Well, I can hear God loud and clear now. Last week, I was playing basketball and felt my knee pop. I had a M.R.I. and was informed yesterday that I am going to undergo surgery next Thursday. Right in the middle of two projects that are starting that I am leading and I am unable to walk without crutches and am dependent upon others for help. My Boss and Friend asked me what God was trying to teach me. I had no idea at the time but now I understand. Here are a few of the things that I believe God wants me to learn:

• Learn to Delegate
• Learn to Slow Down
• Learn to Think before I Speak
• Learn to Trust Others
• Learn to Make Time for God
• Realize that I am not Superman or Super pastor
• Realize that I need to be more Humble and less Prideful

If you feel that God is trying to teach you something, listen. Don't learn the hard way!

2nd Saturday

I have heard it said from several employees of Rick Warren at Saddleback Church in California that he wants them to "Fail Faster." When I first heard this saying, I did not quite understand it. First, why would anyone want to fail? And second, why would they want to fail at an accelartaed pace?

As I have been working at Grace for over a year now, I now understand that I have to fail and fail fast in order to grow. We as leaders can not be afraid to try something new and fail. In fact, if we are not failing, then we are not having large enough dreams. We have to dream dreams that are so big that only God could accomplish them. If we do this, God gets the glory.

I say all of this to say that we are going to be trying new things, bringing in new ministries, and changing some things up a little bit. One new minsitry that we started was 2nd Saturday. We started this last week and had around 30 people split up doing two different types of service. One group took trash bags and cleaned up the neighborhood that our church is located in and the other group cleaned up and mowed a Historic Cemetery that is located just behind our property.

We hope that this is a ministry that continues to grow each month. Next month we are going to help spread the Christmas Cheer by teaming up with Columbia Housing Authority and have a Christmas Party for the residents.

Can't wait to see you Next Month!