The Love Test

Valentines Day 2011


How's your love tank? By that, I mean, how are you doing on pouring love into others?  Here's a "test" based on 1 Corinthians 13.





Love is patient...Do you give in too easily?
Love is kind...Do you care more for others than yourself?
Love does not envy...Do you want what you can't have?
Love does not boast...Do you strut when you know you're right?
Love is not proud...Do you get a little over-confident?
Love does not dishonor others...Do you force your opinion onto others?
Love is not self-seeking...Do you have a "Me first!" attitude?
Love is not easily angered...Do you fly off the handle too quickly?
Love keeps no record of wrongs...Do you keep score of the sins of others?
Love does not delight in evil...Do you revel when others grovel?
Love rejoices with the truth...Do you take pleasure in having truth?
Love always protects...Do you put up with anything?
Love always trusts...Do you trust God always?
Love always hopes...Do you look for the best in others?
Love always perseveres...Do you look back or do you look ahead?
Love never fails...are you committed to the end?

A "D6 Dad"

In preparation for the upcoming Myrtle Beach/Dasani Half-Marathon, I had a dreaded 12-miler this past week. These long runs always go by faster when I run with a group or partner. You get to talk while you run and trust me...when you have to run for two hours, you find plenty to share.


My running buddy began to sharing about a opportunity he recently had to reach out to a homeless gentleman in our area. The point of the story wasn't the token of his generosity.  It was the presence of the curious spectators in his vehicle...his kids. He wanted them to be witnesses to what it means to love your neighbor as Jesus loves us.  He also shared how when he finds a deal on Krispie Kreme doughnuts...a buy a dozen, get a dozen steal, he'll grab his kids and take off with hope that the "Hot & Now" light is bursting in it's blaring red neon.  As they consume the first dozen, he will announce, "OK kids. Now we have to give away the other dozen."


As he shared this, it occurred to me that this guy is a D-6 Dad! To be more specific...a Deuteronomy 6 Dad! (Click here to read the text.)


Basically, he understands that it's our job to teach our kids the guiding principles of God's word. Too often parents treat the spiritual development of their children the same way they treat piano lessons or baseball.  They don't know how to do it themselves, so they drop them off with someone who does.


Don't be that parent. Embrace the blessing of leading your kids and helping them develop their God-given potential.

When you just aren't sure...

I'm revisiting some books I've read in the past and with the help of my dandy assistant, we're updating my reference system.


This morning I'm thumbing through, "The Next Generation Leader" written by Andy Stanley.  I came across this little blurb that I thought was worth sharing. The chapter title is "Managing Your Uncertainty" and he speaks to leading in uncertain times.  You know...those times in life when you just aren't sure which option to choose.  Andy makes two great points:


1) We're seldom going to be 100% certain in our decisions.  In fact, he says, at best, we'll be 80% certain.  The danger is that while we are waiting for the other 20% to materialize, we're missing out on opportunities and time.
2) It's OK to be uncertain, but not OK to be unclear.  The people we lead (yes, we all lead someone...even if it's ourselves) need to see confidence in our eyes.  He offers a few phrases to file away for times of uncertainty:

• "I don't know right now, but I am confident we can figure it out."
• "I don't know. I have never done this before. But I think we are up for the challenge."
• "I don't know, but with folks like you around, I am confident we will come up with a solution."

Good stuff to think about...

Christmas Cards Around the World

For the past 10 years, the Morris family has collected Christmas cards for missionaries around the world.  Thanks to many of you, we have collected over 24,000 cards (5,000 collected in 2011).  The missionaries use the cards for crafts with children in poverty-stricken countries.  A lot of the families use the cards as wall art in their homes.  This is a great example of one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure.  What’s even better is that every card given represents a child or adult who is hearing the message of the God who loves them and wants to know them personally.  So much so that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for their sin.

One missionary in Nigeria wrote:  "I greatly appreciate the large amount of cards you sent me.  We (missionaries) are so encouraged when we receive the packages of cards.  The cards are so colorful and the children like that."

Our part of this is project is collecting the cards, cutting them and keeping the fronts to be given out as gifts. 

If you would like to help, just send me any old cards (Christmas, Birthday, Thank You, etc).  If you have the time to cut them, that always helps, but it’s not required to participate.  Feel free to let others know about this project.  We collect cards throughout the year but our huge emphasis is obviously December - February.  Thanks in advance for your help.  It’s a simple and great way to make an impact on children and families around the world! 

Send an email to contact.dmorris@gmail.com if you want to know where to send your cards.

What Would You Do?

Watch this (it's NOT gory)...





What inhibits us from coming to the assistance of people in need? Having experienced this first hand recently, I have learned that when I rely on my REACTION to something like this, I will fail...just like the people in the video.

A month ago, I came upon a fatal automobile accident. Both vehicles were grossly mangled; one was even upside down. As I exited my vehicle I saw others running to the assistance of two individuals who were ejected from their vehicle. I approached the vehicle that was upside down and saw a hand reaching out a broken window. I got down to assess their condition. Both the driver and passenger, husband and wife, were alert with only minor injuries, just hanging upside down (no one had a knife to cut the seat belt.) Since they were "OK," I defaulted to "Good Samaritan" mode and gave my attention to cleaning debris out of the road and gathering some valuables that were scattered across the road. Once the emergency personnel arrived and I had given them the valuables I had gathered, I left. Then it hit me...

Not once had I made an attempt to comfort this couple. I didn't ask their name. I didn't stay with them until help arrived. I didn't offer to call anyone. I just left...

Why?

I have concluded that I failed in this instance because I wasn't prepared. I relied solely on my REACTION and not a RESPONSE. What's the difference? A response is premeditated. It is planned out in advance. It is having a plan.

This event was a defining moment in my life.  I seriously doubt that I'll find myself in a similar situation and react the way I did that afternoon.  And if you find yourself in a such a scenario, I hope you'll learn from my mistake and be better prepared than I was.

Brian Davis' $411,000.00 Question

Brian Davis had a hard conversation with himself on Sunday afternoon. In a playoff situation at the Verizon Heritage PGA Tournament, he held the lead and found himself in a classic battle of good vs evil. You could almost see the little angel on one shoulder and the little devil on the other. In the center of this colossal battle lay a small piece of grass.


As Davis found his ball lying among some rocks, sand, grass and reeds, he knew he had a challenging shot. As he swung his iron through the sand, his ball lifted to the green and stopped a few feet from the pin. By most standards, it was a great shot. This is when the battle began. As soon as he finished his swing, Davis knew he had a decision to make...a decision that no other person would contest...a decision of character. Some define character as "who you are when no one else is looking." This was a defining moment for Brian Davis.


On the takeaway, Davis' club made contact with a blade of grass, or as rule 13.4 calls it, "a loose impediment." It happened so fast, that the only person who knew it was Davis. The consequence for this infraction was one stroke and  would cost him the win...his first win. And so, the battle ensued: "Do I confess my mistake or do I keep my mouth shut?" Davis did the right thing and called in a PGA official for a ruling. And doing so he forfeited not only the win, but $411,000.00 (Winning purse was $1,026,000; Davis received $615,000.)


What's the point? Proverbs 22:1 tells us, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Years from now most will not remember who won the 2010 Verizon Heritage Tournament. But for weeks and possibly years to come, people will refer to Davis' example as a model for honesty. His name and integrity will be remembered long after his winnings are forgotten.


Are you hiding something that no one knows but you? Do you desire to have a "good name?"

What Gets Rewarded Gets Repeated

This may sound like a proud dad putting the spotlight on one of his kids...but it's actually not.

I received an email from one of my children's teachers complimenting her work on a recent project. While I appreciate the compliment on her behalf, I gained an even stronger appreciation for a great teacher.

"Mr. Henson", as we know him, not only recognizes the work of his students, but takes it to a whole 'nutha level by framing the work and putting it on the wall of his home. It's a simple principle: What gets rewarded gets repeated.

The good news is that this is not limited to teachers and students, but goes well beyond the classroom. It can penetrate our homes, restaurants, offices and churches. You should try it sometime. The next time someone does something that you really like, appreciate or just want to see done again, go over-board with appreciation and recognition. See if you get the same performance again.

Not only does this practice create good behaviors, it elevates your "stock" to those around you. You'll be one of those people who brighten a room when you walk in, not when you walk out.

Thanks "Mr. Henson" for reminding me of the value of praise!

God is Still God...

(Watch this in full-screen mode...it's in HD...aka...it shouldn't be blurry...)


The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

How to Organize Your Day

I don't profess to be the most organized person. I do however, attempt to control my calendar otherwise it will control me. Too often I find that when I fail to do just that, I become slave to the urgent.

Here are some simple tips to help you organize your day:

1) Prioritize Your Agenda: Covey says, "Things that matter most should never come at the expense of things that matter least."

2) Deal with Conflicts: Saying "no" is a simple way to avoid scheduling conflicts. Know your limits, and don't stretch your schedule too far.

3) Use Tools for Organizing Your Day: Sometimes soliciting help is a great way to organize your day. If you just don't have time to get everything done, consider asking someone to help carry the load.

4) Consider using Scheduling Software: If you're concerned about missing appointments or forgetting when that important task is due, use the alarm feature on most desktop calendars and cell phones.

Read the full article here: http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/get-organized/time/how-to-organize-your-day.htm

Are you Likeable?

Here are some excerpts from this month's Entrepreneur magazine. The article sheds a little light on how we can be a little more LIKEABLE to people around us. In the context of the article, it's how we relate to our customers and potential customers. In the context of our faith, it's how we relate to those who have yet to "buy in" to a relationship with Jesus Christ and just about everybody else.

The first point is real good in that the five components listed are supported by scripture. (Note, I added the scripture, not the author...)

You will capture your clients attention when you convey:

Confidence...Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Intrigue...Philippians 2:3

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

Interest in Others...Philippians 2:4

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Enthusiasm...Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

Respect...Romans 12:10

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Here are some more...

"Life is a series of popularity contests."

"If you're well liked, then you're more likely to be better in sales."

"To make choices, we go through a three-step process. First ,we listen to something out of a field of opportunities. Then, we either do or do not believe what we've heard. Finally, we put a value on what we've heard."

"Your potential clients need a reason to deem your message important enough to sit up and listen to it."

"If you're credible, you're much more likely to be believed."

Read the whole article: http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2010/march/205012.html