Psalm 37:24 (New International Version)
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Yesterday was my first day out in the field with my new sales manager tagging along and offering up critique along the way. I have to laugh because he wanted to personally introduce me to four longstanding accounts he thunk he had a great relationship with. All four terminated the relationship; one actually told him (us) to "get the ef" out of here and don't come back! Clunk!
That could have devestated my fragile persona ;). The first thing we know in sales, is that rejection comes with the game. They aren't rejecting me personally, but rather the product, idea, or a presumed lack of need for what is being presented. So, yesterday was a good day in terms of setting sale performance; if my numbers are low, they can initially be attributed to events he knows about firsthand.
In a much larger sense, we stumble and fall in most aspects of life at one time or another. We can choose to take it personally, or get back up and keep moving along. Isn't it good to know that God will not let us fall too hard or too far before he upholds with His hand. which coincidentally is the same one that also spans the universe.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Navy SEAL's
One of my favorite beaches in San Diego has a Navy SEAL training facility adjacent to it. Often, the SEAL's practice maneuvers which include running a route with 100lb packs on their backs.
Life's path rarely is straight and level, sometimes steep and slippery. I can't think of a time in the past decade that hasn't been a struggle. God tells us to cast our burdens on Him as our frames were not intended to carry 100lbs packs for any extended period oftime or distance. Some? Yes. All the time? No. So why do we continue carrying around all these packs of guilt, anxiety, worry, and stress. When we decide to hand over the pack, finnally, we can stand up sraight and tall, and this life can become much more enjoyable while enhancing our ability to help others by sharing in carrying their load until they realize the need to hand theirs over as well.
I heard a story somewhere, some time ago about a Roman punishment where a dead person was attached to your back. As it rotted, it would affect the tissue of the person carrying the carcass, and eventually kill the carrier as well. I know that's a morbid example, but the most explicit one I could think of when it comes to our worries and doubts.
Life's path rarely is straight and level, sometimes steep and slippery. I can't think of a time in the past decade that hasn't been a struggle. God tells us to cast our burdens on Him as our frames were not intended to carry 100lbs packs for any extended period oftime or distance. Some? Yes. All the time? No. So why do we continue carrying around all these packs of guilt, anxiety, worry, and stress. When we decide to hand over the pack, finnally, we can stand up sraight and tall, and this life can become much more enjoyable while enhancing our ability to help others by sharing in carrying their load until they realize the need to hand theirs over as well.
I heard a story somewhere, some time ago about a Roman punishment where a dead person was attached to your back. As it rotted, it would affect the tissue of the person carrying the carcass, and eventually kill the carrier as well. I know that's a morbid example, but the most explicit one I could think of when it comes to our worries and doubts.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
No Worries
I finished up the last of the chemo treatments, and I am starting to get my energy back. The area seems to be healing up nicely, so no worries right?
I think man is the only one of God's creations to anticipate future events. That's both a blessing and a curse. It is so easy to worry and have anxiety over what will happen tomorrow, yet true faith comes into play in a real way when life throws a curve ball at you. But we know God will never leave us or forsake us!
Hebrews 10:23 (The Message)
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
So, today is a new day; I have my health, I start a new job today, and it's going to be a great day with God as my rudder guiding me through these rough seas.
I think man is the only one of God's creations to anticipate future events. That's both a blessing and a curse. It is so easy to worry and have anxiety over what will happen tomorrow, yet true faith comes into play in a real way when life throws a curve ball at you. But we know God will never leave us or forsake us!
Hebrews 10:23 (The Message)
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
So, today is a new day; I have my health, I start a new job today, and it's going to be a great day with God as my rudder guiding me through these rough seas.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Had a little scare this week when I started coughing up blood.
I've been learning some new vocabulary; systemic, membranes, drug interaction, side effects, chemical therapy (chemo). Melanoma Carcinoma. Just the sound of that one sounds scary doesn't it? What I thought was just going to be a routine mole check turned out to be a little something more, as an area not associated with moles was discovered; about the size of a Quarter on the surface, and a lopsided Silver Dollar beneath.
I was scared for a moment, but that passed when I again realized that God is in control, has our days numbered, and knew us while in the womb, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139&version=NIV
The jury is still out as to whether it is sun related or just one more story to tell. I'm leaning toward the latter since my hands, arms, ears, etc are and always have been in the sun yet statistically, skin cancer starts in areas that either are generally covered or have had sunscreen applied. Historically, prior to the 60's, skin cancer was an aberration, but in the 60's, PABA as a sunscreen touted to protect skin from premature aging was introduced. Today chances of getting skin cancer are much higher, now whether there is a correlation between the two remains to be seen. One thing is clear however, that demographic areas that have extended periods where there is lack of sun exposure incur higher rates of skin cancer, diabetes, lack of energy, and depression. More and more research is being conducted on the interaction between the suns rays, calcium, vitamins A and D, and the importance of those for better overall health.
I've been learning some new vocabulary; systemic, membranes, drug interaction, side effects, chemical therapy (chemo). Melanoma Carcinoma. Just the sound of that one sounds scary doesn't it? What I thought was just going to be a routine mole check turned out to be a little something more, as an area not associated with moles was discovered; about the size of a Quarter on the surface, and a lopsided Silver Dollar beneath.
I was scared for a moment, but that passed when I again realized that God is in control, has our days numbered, and knew us while in the womb, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139&version=NIV
The jury is still out as to whether it is sun related or just one more story to tell. I'm leaning toward the latter since my hands, arms, ears, etc are and always have been in the sun yet statistically, skin cancer starts in areas that either are generally covered or have had sunscreen applied. Historically, prior to the 60's, skin cancer was an aberration, but in the 60's, PABA as a sunscreen touted to protect skin from premature aging was introduced. Today chances of getting skin cancer are much higher, now whether there is a correlation between the two remains to be seen. One thing is clear however, that demographic areas that have extended periods where there is lack of sun exposure incur higher rates of skin cancer, diabetes, lack of energy, and depression. More and more research is being conducted on the interaction between the suns rays, calcium, vitamins A and D, and the importance of those for better overall health.
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