tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2008:/blogs/cs//2 2008-06-23T00:13:21Z Now With More Buttery Goodness Movable Type 3.34 tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2008:/blogs/cs//2.50 2008-06-23T00:03:46Z 2008-06-23T00:13:21Z

Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior, described a time when his mentor, named Socrates, challenged Dan to sit out on a large, flat stone until he had "something of value" to share. Dan sat out on the...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior, described a time when his mentor, named Socrates, challenged Dan to sit out on a large, flat stone until he had "something of value" to share. Dan sat out on the rock for hours and hours. On more than one occasion, believing he had come up with something, he went to tell Socrates. Each of these times, Socrates decided the statement was not good enough, and he sent Dan back to the rock for more hours of pondering. Finally, Dan had an insight that he knew was something of value. When Dan shared this insight, Socrates looked up, smiled, and welcomed Dan back inside. The "something of value" that Dan had realized was this: "There are no ordinary moments." This is the essence of gratitude. No moment, nothing in life, should be taken for granted. In developing gratitude for every moment -- for the simple joys, and even for the challenging times in our lives -- we come to truly enjoy and appreciate life. Then we are able to see the magic that surrounds us every second of every minute of every day. We Live In An Entitlement Society! What in life do you feel is coming to you? Health? A good job? Children? A peaceful retirement? Check yourself out. If you're like me, you probably have a whole list of things you feel entitled to, and if you don't get them, you feel cheated. If you are unable to take a vacation or buy the home you've dreamed of, then life has robbed you of something you are entitled to! We live in a society that feeds an entitlement attitude. Having More Gratitude Begins Here 1. Eliminating entitlement from your life and embracing gratitude is spiritually and psychologically liberating. 2. Gratitude is the recognition that life owes me nothing and all the good I have is a gift. My eyes are a gift. So is my wife, my clothes, my job and my every breath. This is a major shift from the entitlement mode. 3. Recognizing that everything good in life is ultimately a gift is a fundamental truth of reality. To speak of seeing everything good we have as a gift leads us to confront the reality of a giver and the source of all this good: God. 4. Gratitude is where we begin to experience God in a powerfully personal way. A powerful, although tragic, example of someone who mastered the gratitude attitude was a great Jewish woman named Bruria. Bruria and her husband, Rabbi Meir, had two sons who both died one Friday afternoon before Shabbat. Bruria decided not to tell her husband of the tragedy until after Shabbat since, according to Jewish law, one is not permitted to have a funeral on Shabbat or to openly mourn. There was nothing they could do until after Shabbat so she kept the information to herself and allowed her husband to enjoy the day (imagine being able to do that!). Explaining where the boys were was the least of her challenges. When Shabbat was over this is how Bruria broke the horrible news to her husband. She asked him a legal question: What is the proper course of action if one person borrows two jewels from another and then the original owner requests that the return of the jewels. He replied with the obvious answer that one is obligated to return the loan upon demand. She then took her husband to where their two dead sons lay and said, "God has requested that we return the loan of our two jewels." Bruria teaches us a potentially life transforming lesson here: Everything we have is on loan! Everything We Have Is On Loan! My ears are on loan, my health is on loan, and my children are on loan. Everything is a loan that is given as a gift. What have we done that we could claim we earned life, health, financial success, or children? We have done nothing. As I mentioned earlier, when we internalize this truth, we become spiritually and psychologically liberated. How freeing to live with a sense that everything good is on loan. This is the key to internalizing the gratitude attitude. Once we understand that everything is a gift, we can begin to feel gratitude towards God, the source of all good, and grow closer to Him in an authentic and joyful way. tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2008:/blogs/cs//2.49 2008-03-15T02:54:47Z 2008-03-15T03:46:24Z

One thing that I have never been great at is something called patience. I think I am a man of preference; a man who enjoys instant gratification. Maybe you have found more of a handle on being slow-to-go or cool...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com One thing that I have never been great at is something called patience. I think I am a man of preference; a man who enjoys instant gratification. Maybe you have found more of a handle on being slow-to-go or cool as a cucumber when it comes to gleefully waiting for something desired to unfold. By the way who ever came up with the term cool as a cucumber? I guess it came from the same creative person who coined the phrase hotter than a firecracker on the fourth of July. One of my favorite quotes comes from a guy I never met or know very little about. Quite frankly all I know is the man was a famous writer. So famous I picked up just one remarkable 10 word mental resource. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, "One thing at a time and all things in succession." I have always liked the part of all things in succession. It’s that one thing at a time thing that has always driven me crazy. Does anyone relate to me out there? In truthfulness I have fallen in love with the idea of patience. The reason has not come very easily though. The reason has come by way of have to. You know the like it or lump it route that most everyone has to travel a time or two. Did I say time or two? I meant time. Times two. No! No! Wait a minute I have confused myself here--I meant time plus too many times to count. I think you get the picture. Yeah my ole friend patience has been the most difficult friendship of my life. Yet, a very necessary one I might add. Even the Bible jumps on the patience bandwagon by saying, "Let patience have her perfect work..." So patience is a her. Well that should explain all the problems that have come with patience over my lifetime. If patience is a her and her is a she, then there has to be a proverbial case of wisdom in the middle of all this somewhere. Like her being a gender thing and not being able to figure out women. Is this why I never have been able to figure out patience? I guess so since patience is a her. I know I am rambling mercilessly here. Let me just move on and separate my ramblings by adding a little common sense. The Bible really does say, "Let patience have her perfect work." The context looks like this. James 1:2-4 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. A few things I have learned in the middle of my life experiences is that it does me no good to stress about trying to reach a goal in 7 days if it has to be a month process. Or to spend all nighters trying to get ahead of the pack while missing out on a peaceful nights sleep. Then there is the challenge of taking no thought for tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of it self. I have a new friend that reminds me weekly--No worries! I guess I am living proof that old dogs can learn new tricks. Now don't think I have grown too soft on this patience or should I say impatient thing. I still have my Burger King moments. You the know the ones-- where I want it my way right away. I just know that I save myself a whole lot of grief when I sign an agreement with patience. When I sign on the dotted line I convince myself that it’s one thing at a time and all things in succession. Its here that I will have it no other way. Then again what choice do I have? Oh and by the way what choice do you have? tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2008:/blogs/cs//2.48 2008-03-04T04:54:58Z 2008-03-04T04:57:19Z

I have to admit that I never had heard of a Chuck E Cheese when I was growing up. Matter a fact there was nothing even like a Chuck E Cheese for kids like me in my neighborhood to go...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com I have to admit that I never had heard of a Chuck E Cheese when I was growing up. Matter a fact there was nothing even like a Chuck E Cheese for kids like me in my neighborhood to go to and celebrate life or to have a birthday bash. Man as I look back what a bummer! It just doesn't seem fair that so many of us missed out on a fun land like CEC. I am sure there are others who will read my blog and identify with all kinds of missing-out-on-parties over the younger years. Let's face it if we missed chances way back when, most people will offer us the ole--too bad--so sad--sorry your mad. Some may even sprinkle in some radical wisdom--stop your bellyaching and move on already. Some may even go as far as saying--forget about it and start making your life one big party now. Of course that isn't very realistic now is it. I will tell you that I do believe we can make better stuff happen in our lives if we really want to party down at times and start enjoying our world a whole lot more than we may be enjoying it. Past bummers need not keep us from future fun. In other words missing out on all those Chuck E Cheese moments doesn't have to keep cheating us from enjoying our Chuck E Cheese moments in the present tense. Hey come on find your CEC venue and get the party started. Today was my son Deaven's Birthday. He turned 4. So my wife comes up with the bright idea that we must have a family celebration and throw a party. The party was held at---well you guessed it--CHUCK E CHEESE. My wife and I had as much fun as the kids did. It does the soul well when you time warp back into a former childhood and try to make up for lost time--and of course the lack of CEC's in the world back in the day. Can you say Chuck E Cheese please? Some time soon if you haven't already done it in awhile. Stop what you are doing and go out and have some good quality clean fun. Laugh more than normal. Take some pictures for memory sake. Play some games. Eat some cake. Enjoy a sense of childhood that you may have missed. Share time with those you love. I know today was a great Birthday for Deaven. Today also was a great day for me! Smile! Say Chuck E Cheese Please! tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2008:/blogs/cs//2.47 2008-03-03T00:22:38Z 2008-03-03T00:23:09Z

Have you ever started to write an important letter to someone but found it difficult to get the words from your mind to the paper? Have you ever been faced with writing a school theme paper but ended up washed...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Have you ever started to write an important letter to someone but found it difficult to get the words from your mind to the paper? Have you ever been faced with writing a school theme paper but ended up washed out trying to express yourself. Times like this you can't even go with the flow--because there is no flow to go with. Lately my Confession Stand blogging has been on ice. The problem hasn't been due to not having anything to say it has been due to technical challenges with the publishing platform I use. I have had no flow-because there has been no flow to go with. I have not been able to express myself because I have been without the proverbial computer pen and paper options. So here I am starting all over again. Speaking of starting all over again, as difficult as that may be for some of us, starting over doesn't have to be a bad thing. Bad in the sense of always keeping us emotionally in the dark ages. Certainly many are facing "stuff" in life that has nothing to do with any major computer problems. Some are dealing with life altering or life threatening issues. Because of this life may seem less than worth living. My prayer is that a sense of hope from the heavens begins to crawl to your neighborhood and finds the place where you live. In your present circumstances you just may find yourself having to start all over again. That's if you even dare to try. You may have to start over from a failed marriage or a job loss. You may be experiencing physical and financial setbacks. You may have lost a loved one who was your anchor in life. Or you may be battling with demons of darkness that just won't leave you alone no matter the hour of the day or the day of the week. So here I am trying to sound an alarm for you. Trying to convince you that you can find a way to start all over again in spite of any flat line personal issues. Yes, I know that no one knows what kind of unamazing hell you are going through. No one may feel as awful as you do or have the kind of despair you are facing. Only you embrace your own reality. Nevertheless, I simply want to throw you a glimmer of hope that convinces you to find the fortitude to start all over again--at the place of your greatest need. It is possible you know! It is possible you know! I just wrote that didn't I? Of course I repeated myself on purpose. Just like this blog of mine--I am starting over again. But I can tell you that I have had my share of hell in life that I have willed myself through the darkness--and yes started all over again. Life in the cheap sits will always be a reality. Life in the pressure cooker will always exist. Life isn't always a tiptoe through the tulips. Rather it can be a knee deep (neck high) walk through the stinking barnyard with cow manure spread all around. Starting over again means finding our way out of that barnyard experience. If you feel like you need a new route to travel, but haven't a clue how to find your way out of the deep stuff. Here is some advice--STOP and ASK for DIRECTIONS. The last time I checked the Bible is chalk full of positive answers that can help anyone find their way out of the STUFF! This week for your sake and those you love--Ask for directions--Starting over again is a good place to start. tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.46 2007-11-15T00:14:03Z 2007-11-15T00:39:10Z

Like I promised I am back for another blog to address some of the serious problems surrounding the money pit involving debt. I used to spend so much time in this pit that I could count all my losses frontwards...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Like I promised I am back for another blog to address some of the serious problems surrounding the money pit involving debt. I used to spend so much time in this pit that I could count all my losses frontwards and backwards. Quite frankly I think I had an addiction to debt and financial crisis. I often tell people about one of my most life threatening secrets. I reveal to them that I had a winos billfold with a rich man's mentality. Boy did this help keep spinning my world around. Then I finally woke up and decided that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired of being in debt and living on fumes, shoestrings, and high interest credit cards. Being alive has always been a good thing for me, however being alive and broke often made me feel like I was a living corpse. Being alive and feeling dead is never a feel good story. being chased down by creditors and looking for odd jobs to help make up the difference is both wearing and depressing. Being in a padded room without any electricity would have been a far better alternative. But I am here to tell you I have become not only a survivor but I have moved to a new neighborhood where thrivers reside. I have climbed the mountain of debt and overall am standing at the top of my former financial woes with a renewed hope and excitement for living. I cannot lie to you there are prices to be paid and selfish trends to let go of. But if you want to start climbing your way to financial freedom the choice is yours. YOU CAN DO IT! Did you notice I said the choice is yours. I didn't say that it was anyone elses. It isn't your next door neighbors, a friend, your parents, a co-worker, a pastor or priest, a store clerk, or even one of your bill collectors. Nope! The bullseye is painted on you. You are the uno (number one) reason if you will expereince the freedom of eradicating debt and living in a newfound financial world. So if you are ready to take on the responsibility, go ahead and take a quick look in the mirror and make sure you are being absolutely honest with yourself, and come back and read my next blog. It is here you will find some great insights and tools you can use to begin your process toward financial freedom. I just figured you needed to sleep on it! Remember the choice is yours and not anyone elses. tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.44 2007-11-11T20:00:33Z 2007-11-11T20:57:45Z

Recently I read a statistic that slapped me up side the head and made a few bells and whistles go off. There still is a lingering "ringing" inside my ears. The statistic came from the infamous Federal Reserve. If you...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Here it is! Over 43% of US families spend more than they earn. To make it even clearer to you, Americans carry, on average, $5,800 in credit card debt from month to month. If one were to make only the minimum payment on that debt every month, it would take 30 years to pay it off-- and include an additional $15,000 in interest. O.K. you do the math and see if this is even possible. Here are a few other credible debt statistics (FACTS) worth sharing. * On average the typical credit card purchase is 112% higher than if using cash * 96% of all Americans will retire financially dependent on the government, family, or charity (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) * Almost one of of every 100 households in the United States will file for bankruptcy * Only 2% of homes in America are paid for * According to the National Association of Realtors the average homeowner stays in their home for 7.1 years. With an 8% mortgage, they will sell their home still owning over 90% on their mortgage. If they were to continue this trend they would NEVER pay off a mortgage in a lifetime! * On average, Americans can expect to receive just 37% of the annual retirement income they will need to live comfortably * 92% of U.S. family disposable income is spent on paying debts George Gallup ( you can Google this guy also cause I just know he has some polls named after him. It is a him isn't it?) reports that 64% of all couples argue over money. It is now the number one cause of divorce. Till debt do us part! 64% argue about it and over 54% of divorces are caused by money. If all this statistic stuff isn't full of that farm animal barnyard stuff-- you know the kind that freshens up our country air--than I can draw up only one real conclusion. Money Matters! The Way We Spend It Matters More! Oh and of course I should add that OUT OF CONTROL FINANCES ARE SYMPTOMS OF AN OUT OF CONTROL LIFE! Can anybody hear me out there? I am reminded of my days living in Florida where the Kennedy Space Center is located. What goes up must come down. In the same way what "goes out" money wise must be able to be replaced at a rapid pace or individuals, families, homes, and other stuff can easily come crashing down--leaving a trail of indebtedness--and a trail of agony and depression. Fortunately in the days ahead I have some really good news to share for anyone serious enough to go on an adventure with me traveling a road to freedom. Or you can call it climbing your way to financial freedom. Either way if your serious enough to want to get to where you want to go then you can get there, just like I can. During my next few bIogs I am going to address proven ways for anyone who is drowning in debt and confined to the blackness of some money pit--how to recover and to one day live financially free. Plan to bring your piggy bank back with you for the next few times we'll be together because you will be surprised by how much financial freedom can make some change. I am off to get my piggy bank now. See you soon! ]]> tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.43 2007-11-08T21:40:01Z 2007-11-08T22:24:53Z

Today is the day after my scheduled birthday--which was establised the day I was born. That would be my born on date called yesterday. Well all the activities are over, the celebration has ended and here I am still alive....

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Today is the day after my scheduled birthday--which was establised the day I was born. That would be my born on date called yesterday. Well all the activities are over, the celebration has ended and here I am still alive. Of course that is cool with me. I really would like to stay around planet earth a little longer so I get a chance to see our 3 and 5 year old grow up and move out. In time I want some grandkids so I can spoil them and send them back home to torment their parents. Yes, I have a sadistic side for a very good reason. You should visit our house where every day is a wild ride of energy. Speaking of energy I expended some today in a way I had used to do on a regular basis-- by playing basketball at the Iowa Fieldhouse. I had not participated in a pick-up game since I last watched the twlight zone. What an experience today has provided for me. The wisdom from the rafters kept swinging down and knocking me in the head. It was easy to wonder why I had even agreed to such foolishness. Quite impressive coming from a man who has spent nearly half of his life playing on every basketball surface possible. That would include indoor and outdoor courts, concrete and rubber surfaces, wood floors, tile floors, and get this even carpeted floors. The hours of playing this manly game are too imeasurable to figure out. But in spite of my historical accomplishments I have come to the edge of one scary personal cliff. Peering over I can only draw from the well of grit and honesty. I no longer am a kid. I am no longer the fit and energetic athlete. I am no longer the bundle of energy that could play the game from sun up to sunset. Something has happened to me. Father time has seemed to erase my credentials of being able to run, shoot, D-up, chase down loose balls, do the white man jump, and drain the rock on a consistent basis. I can't even find the gear to blow by someone, on my way to an easy lay-up. My lay ups have been silenced. It's more like lay downs from here on in. So I know what you may be wondering. Maybe its time to throw in the towel and make my playing days a spectator sport. That certainly would be the easy way out. But I have never quite been the kind of guy to just roll over and beg for mercy. No that is not my style. I just will have to find a group of guys much older than me and slower than me to hang out with--so I can relive some of my glory days. Just kidding! The truth of the matter is I have to be honest with myself. Most of the guys playing the game at this juncture in my life are younger, quicker, faster, stronger, meaner, and foul mouthed. There motto is if you can't run with the big dogs than you better stay on the porch. But I am not ready for the porch! So my conclusion to celebrating my birthday yesterday is to get in better shape, take the old guy jokes in stride, and waddle out to play more pick up games until I get lucky enough to score some baskets, block a few shots, score some baskets, and get placed on a good team that beats the pants off all the other pick up team opponents. Hey I am still feelin it! My advice from today's blog is this. When reality strikes us between the eyes--accept the reality--but never accept that reality has to be the end all of what we like to do. Just reroute a little. Make some changes. Adjust. Travel slower. Take more breaks. Eat your Wheaties 6 times a day. But never just quit for the simple sake of quitting! When reality strikes us between the eyes--then plan to strike back. Don't accept a reality beat down, but find some beat down of your own. It still is inside you at any age. It still can help you overcome issues from life-rather then living as a victim. Hey I admit I am a little older than I used to be. The reality of playing pick up games hasn't passed me totally by. Until it does I am "game" for anything! And you can be too! Next time reality strikes you between the eyes--STRIKE BACK! tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.42 2007-11-07T21:02:04Z 2007-11-08T05:20:20Z

Today is Novemeber 7th, 2007 Today is my Birthday! Today I just turned 40 something. The rest of the something really is none of your business or anyone elses. I have a young wife that keeps reminding about that "something"...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Today is Novemeber 7th, 2007 Today is my Birthday! Today I just turned 40 something. The rest of the something really is none of your business or anyone elses. I have a young wife that keeps reminding about that "something" part all the time. In addition she watches daily my financial assets wrapped up in a hefty life insurance plan that looks extremely good on paper. I am just glad that she believes the longer I stay alive the better my antique value soars. I pray her way of thinking continues as long as it can. I am relieved she is yet to prance around our house singing the here today gone tomorrow song with meaning and enthusiasm. So let's just get one thing straight--I am old--no let me repharse that--I am older than my wife and a few other people that I know, like my 3 year old and five year old sons, Joshua and Deaven. Outside of that I am not older than dirt and I don't need a Kirby vaccum cleaner to prove my manhood--as in needing help to blow out my candles. And those of you that are out there in Cyber-space who know where I live and who know my real age--well--keep your big mouths shut. No I really mean it. My wife and a few friends have already hurt my feelings enough today. So here are a few secrets to healthy aging-- 1. Keep reminding yourself that there is always somebody else in front of you in the ARP line. Someone already beat you to the senior discounts! So take your time in getting there. 2. If you never grow up (get older) you never know what it will be like to get rid of diapers--of course for some of you I know what you may be thinking--THAT DEPENDS! 3. You get to smirk at those younger than you since you have already obtained knowledge of what is around the corner--things like Preparation H, Rogaine, Geritol, Meals on Wheels, and Bingo night at the old folks home. Never tell someone younger than you what to expect. When they finally experience this stuff--then sit in your rockin chair and laugh your head off. 4. Aging is priceless--wrinkle creme companies pay older folk 2 cents on the dollar to become labatory guinea pigs. Don't bend over for those pennies on the ground--have companies hand them to you. Saves the ole back by the way! 5. During retirement--the option to become a bag boy/girl or smiling greeter at Wal Mart is always available for consideration. If you can't read or fill out the application on your own--take a younger friend with you who can. No one will ever know the difference except you. So there you have it. My secrets to healthy aging. I would have shared a few more but I just can't seem to remember any....... Oh and if you are planning to be a difference maker in this life, in your world, on your job, in your church, and in "your" ministry. I have some old timers news for you. I don't care how good you think you are doing things in the name of God-- now or in the future--none of it will matter if you end up selling your soul in losing your health, your mind or your family. The priorities of a difference maker begin at home and they stay at home. If you think you are growing things for God and the growth of your marriage is stunted shame on you. If you find yourself making a difference in the lives of other families and in the lives of other kids and not your own. Shame on you! Difference making should be home spun and home done. There are no excuses otherwise! I have seen too many, too often, pour too much, into someone elses world, life, and projects. There are way too many difference makers riding off into the sunset and arriving back home with nothing left to give. And of course this is called godly and necessary--and servanthood. Tell that one to God on judgement day. The difference maker who does not take care of his loved ones becomes worse than an infidel. I read that somewhere in the difference makers handbook--or was it the difference makers Bible. I told you my memory has been slipping gears lately. I may be getting old--I mean older, but there is one thing I have learned while spending frivilous time on the Christian merry-go-round of being a difference maker. I have gotten off the merry-go-round and have no plans to get back on it. The greatest difference I can be making begins at home and stays at home the majority of the time. I refuse to raise someone elses kids. I refuse to be married to someone elses wife. I refuse to spend more time with the guys and forget the girl. I refuse to listen to someone elses problems more then listening to the voices where I live. I refuse to give and give and give. I refuse to be a difference maker--unless the my difference making begins and ends at home. Do I sound like a cranky old man. I promise you that I'm not. They say the older we get the wiser we should get. So if you want some wise advice--as a difference maker--spend more time making a difference in the lives of those closet to you. Save the leftovers for someone else! tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.41 2007-11-03T15:28:24Z 2007-11-03T16:24:13Z

My family and I over the years have had our share of rollercoaster rides, emotional baggage, and what has seemed like tons of difficulties and tragedies. Among family circles there have been divorces, broken homes, accidents, alcohol and drug abuse,...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com My family and I over the years have had our share of rollercoaster rides, emotional baggage, and what has seemed like tons of difficulties and tragedies. Among family circles there have been divorces, broken homes, accidents, alcohol and drug abuse, critical injuries, and even sudden death. The nightmares of it all are too painful to try to re-live in a short blog. I do have time to remember my brother Wayne a strapping, well built, and God fearing man who died on Tuesday, May 17, 1994. Wayne was a successful married man with a beautiful wife and two toddlers for daughters. Life was motoring along for he and his family at the ripe age of 32, until an automobile accident changed the entire course of life. Wayne's brain stem was severed, bones crushed, and he was left in a vegatative state for nearly 4 years. It was natural coming from a belief in God that a miracle would take place. But nothing happened! There was no miracle--only family turmoil, sadness, and pain. Wayne's wife Rita carried the brunt of the weight as she played the role of nurse and caregiver. They lived in Texas while the rest of the family was scattered around the country. Rita, now reduced to a single mom was also now trying to fulfill the role of a father. She became the sole breadwinner as a school teacher. Her days were piled with so much work, effort, and struggle that the ultimate miracle was in how she even survived the ordeal and is still alive to tell about it. Then again does anyone really survive? Rita remains the hero in my heart! She climbed more emotional mountains and cleaned up more messes then most people have to do in a lifetime. She watched her husband and the father of her children receive no miracle--but rather he faded year after year--until he died a feeble and broken man. His kids were left without a father, a wife without her husband, a sibling gone, a son buried, a brother loved. Stories like these have invaded my family circle for as long as I can remember. But in my heart I realize that there are millions outside my circle that have stories of their own. They are just as broken, just as hurt, just as teary eyed and emotionally spent. They bleed just like I do. Same pains--just maybe different names, dates and locations. I admit that my Christian faith has often wavered during the deepest and darkest of times. In all truthfulness there was a time that I came to hate God and hate life. That was until I realized that remaining in the land of the living meant I would have to do it for the better or for the worse. The worse just got old! The inner demons screamed foul! O wreched man that I was. Who would deliver me from this body of death? Then it dawned on me that in spite of all the "evil" and pain that had found my hearts address-- there was God who was honest enough to remind me that in this world we would have trails and tribulations--but be of good cheer--for through me you can overcome this world. In addition--this world is not my home--I'm only passin through--my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue! The last enemy to be conquered is death. I've now chosen to not remain a living corpse. I have vowed to help inspire others in their crisis--not as an answer man--but rather a guy who has worn out a few shoes on the road of life. In my travels I keep meeting those who know my name. Those who relate to my past. Those who need to hear my story and those whose stories I need to hear. Together we become one! Together we can finally share the hidden hurts that no one else sees. Together we can find hope! Together we can find that God is still there! tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.40 2007-11-02T22:48:08Z 2007-11-02T22:50:23Z

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com ]]> tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.39 2007-11-02T21:45:44Z 2007-11-02T22:41:45Z

I really am shocked by how many days have rolled by without me stopping to write something on my blog. It has seemed like a massive amount of time since I sat at my computer to hammer out some life...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com I really am shocked by how many days have rolled by without me stopping to write something on my blog. It has seemed like a massive amount of time since I sat at my computer to hammer out some life thoughts held up inside my feeble brain. So here I am. Time for me to start getting back in the saddle again and write on a more regular basis. For those of you who have been my blog fans I do have an explanation for my wayward activities and good reasons for ending up missing in action. On September 23rd I finally led the way in launching a new adventure called LifePointe Church. LifePointe had been a compilation of over 9 months of planning and preparation. This new church venture is an out front-- on the edge-- meeting in a movie theater--- and rocking the house ministry. The music is led by front man Dave Lunsford along with band members known as JJay, Seth, and Noah. These guys play with a passion and intensity that defines the word energy. I am so proud to be associated with them. Each week they make me look really good before I deliver my 30 to 45 minute rambling in hopes of inspiring those in attendance. So to tell you the truth life has not been going on as usual. LifePointe has risen the from drawing board and come alive as a full animated script. We have been about the business we believe we need to be about. Here we are only six weeks into our piloting project and already we have topped the 100 plus mark two times (110-128) since our grand opening. Our average attendance has been 87. Our goal is to be 100 strong by the first of the year and 200 strong before year two rolls around. Our purpose is simple. To provide inspiration for daily living for those who attend LifePointe from all walks of life. We have a saying around our ministry team-- we never want to do ministry in the norm--we want to do it in the now. Culturally revelant. Simple Church! Love people and love one another. Besides isn't it love that is supposed to make the world go round? So now that am back, you still won't ever be able to guess what I may be writing about next. If I get a burr I may throw some rocks or beat a pillow. If I am feeling super good I may help someone make it to the top of the world--wherever that may be for them. If I feel serious about a subject I may throw myself in the pathway of every obstacle that tries to get in my way. If I feel like a loser I may drive myself to talk about winning in the midst of defeat. If I feel like a winner I may try not to appear prideful, but throw my personal pom poms in the air for all to see. If I am feeling lonely or in despair, I may try to cry out for some help from someone in the cyber world for a shot in the ole butt to get me upright again. Well it is really a joyous occasion for me to be back writing another blog. I look forward to the days ahead! So for all you blog fans who have missed me, here is a line from the classic movie Terminator--I'LL BE BACK! You can count on it! tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.38 2007-09-09T21:31:27Z 2007-09-09T22:51:20Z

Drum roll please..........and the meaning of addiction is? ad·dic·tion /əˈdɪkʃən/ [uh-dik-shuhn] the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Drum roll please..........and the meaning of addiction is? ad·dic·tion /əˈdɪkʃən/ [uh-dik-shuhn] the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. Wow! I believe this definition adequately describes what so many of us have faced in our lives or are still facing. The welcomed or dreaded addiction. That "thing" or "things" that magically engulf our desires and passions and completely encases us inside a bubble of consistent need. That which we need--becomes that which we become addicted to. Addiction is the impulsive--I've got to have it or else. Or else what? Our inner passion god will not be satisfied and we are liable to explode into a thousand pieces unless we can receive our next fix. We all know addiction too well, don't we? Our addictions are often exact in personality or we find ourselves struggling with some drug, alcoholic push, or sexual perversion. Then there are the other wagons full of drives that run as swift as the rapids of the Niagara Falls. Speaking about Niagara Falls I am reminded of one of the greatest historians that ever lived, Arnold Toynbee. He declared that many of us in our society have been driven to the falls. Even though warning signs clearly announce the points of no return--individuals and nations keep stumbling, bumbling, and collapsing. All due to personal addictions. So what are your addictions? Too much time at work? Too much of a couch potato sports or soap opera nut? Maybe you are a clean freak or compulsive gambler? Or possibly you continue to play Russian roulette with your life that involves the perils of alcohol/drug addiction. Then again you may be a victim of nicotine pleasures, pornography, adultery, fetishes, cutting, bondage, or other physical, emotional, and psychological dramas. An addiction is an addiction. Some addictions appear harmless like too much crocheting, to that which is possibly harmful, to that which will eventually maime, claim, take over, or potentially kill you. I just came back from speaking at a church about 70 miles from my house. This was my second time in three weeks to speak there. This is a place like any other place, with real people, who are living real lives, and who have real needs. Some of the needs overflow into the arenas of serious addictions. For which I am not the least bit surprised. Folks inside a church building are folks who turn black and blue and who bleed the color red when they are given a chance to. Churchgoers are human beings with the same SIN nature born inside the hearts of humanity. But you'd think there would be a difference here though? Wouldn't you? Jesus stated that I have come to help you overcome the world. To live a life of abundance and victory over sickness and disease. To help set you free from the bondages of addictions. He went as far as to say, once you ask me into your life then greater is he (that would be Jesus)--in you--than he (the devil--the addictions), that are in the world. If this be the case then why do we all have our own personal and private struggles? Well, I could ramble for hours on trying to draw conclusions. This blog isn't intended to have to be read at length. So I will shorten my version on addictions by saying this--YOU CAN BE FREE: OVERCOMING THE POWER OF ADDICTION IS POSSIBLE! Why can I say this so boldly. It is because there was a time I was a 7 day-a-week drinker, nightclub junkie, druggie, and fend for the party and fast lane lifestyle. I loved the world of illusion that made me feel like Superman, a Hollywood celebrity, sexy, cool, and the life of the party. O yeah I thought I was the party. You see sin is fun for a very long season until you wake up addicted, running on fumes, mentally and physically washed, and having a rich man's mentality with a wino's billfold. So who is it that carries the addiction(s) throughout life and eventually to the grave. UNO--just one! That one would be you! Or that one would be me! I have battled my own addictions all my life. But I do have some good news. There is a power beyond ourselves that can and will help us overcome any addiction we may be facing. If we get serious enough with ourselves and desire a turn-a-round--we can turn things around and get on the road to complete recovery and freedom. I know it's possible! I have an addicted personality. I have been addicted to more then we have time to talk about. Then again I am a living example that a faith in God, a relationship with Jesus Christ, and a connection to God's power called the Holy Spirit, can not only make a difference--but can be the complete difference! The Bible says, you can know the truth and the truth will set you free! Just know that all you addicts out there can be free! That comes from one addict to another. More later................. tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.37 2007-08-29T23:22:48Z 2007-08-30T15:34:30Z

I knew that some of you were waiting for some tips to help you with shutting some of those windows in your life that have kept you on the go so much you thought you were a go-go dancer. Guys...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com I knew that some of you were waiting for some tips to help you with shutting some of those windows in your life that have kept you on the go so much you thought you were a go-go dancer. Guys included! All right then go-go boys! Go=go girls! Everyone so caught up with the busyness of life. Notice I said busyness of life and not busyness in life. The truth is told we all can find reasons to be involved in the busyness of life, since life is known for its busyness. However, not all the busyness "in" life is a matter of life and death. Come on we all have "things" that have been added to our busy list that have nothing to do with personal survival. We often do them and are caught up with them--just for the sake of doing them and being caught up with them. Think about it! As a friendly reminder today when you come upon a sign that is red and has four letters posted on it what do you do? You press your brakes and you STOP. Likewise it will do you well to start pressing on the brakes of your life and begin to stop long enough to figure out what windows are needing shut in your life and what busy items should be removed from your life schedule. So here are a few tips. 1. STOP 2. ASK YOURSELF HOW CAN I SLOW DOWN 3. ELIMINATE ONE BY ONE THINGS THAT NO LONGER HAVE TO MATTER 4. DON'T FOOL YOURSELF BY BELIEVEING EVERYTHING ON YOUR LIST MATTERS 5. BE BRAVE AND THROW IT OUT LIKE JUNK IN YOUR CLOSET 6. DON'T THINK YOU CAN'T DO WITHOUT IT BECAUSE YOU CAN 7. ASK YOURSELF IF A DOCTOR TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY I CAN BE ALIVE TOMMORROW IS BY GETTING RID OF ????? I WOULD GET RID OF IT--NO QUESTIONS ASKED. I want to add a disclaimer that I make no inference of taking your spouse off the list. For most of us it would do our marriages and relationships good if we spent more time with those we love. This is not busyness at all. This is who should be on our time-share list. 8. QUIT BEING ADDICTED TO TELEVISION AND THE INTERNET. THIS IS BUSYNESS IN ITS RAWEST FORM. 9. ACCEPT NOTHING LESS THAN THE VERY BEST! IT'S YOUR BODY AND MIND THAT IS AT STAKE AND NOBODY ELSES 10. BANISH UNWARRANTED BUSYNESS OVER AND OVER AGAIN BY REPEATING NUMBERS 1-9 Time for all the busy bees to pollinate some flowers! Why not STOP and start smelling the roses? tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.36 2007-08-29T16:38:51Z 2007-08-29T17:24:15Z

Have you ever pondered how much our lives remain in motion every day? When we wake up and jump on our personally in scripted treadmills. We normally go along bellowing, full steam ahead. I just wonder how many magical times...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Have you ever pondered how much our lives remain in motion every day? When we wake up and jump on our personally in scripted treadmills. We normally go along bellowing, full steam ahead. I just wonder how many magical times we often miss due to our abrasive run-of-the-mill natures that have pigeon holed us into racers and chasers. Just why are we running so fast when time already does that for us? At the end of most days we lie awake in bed exhausted, but wide-awake, trying to figure out how to get everything accomplished--tomorrow. Or we bury ourselves in covers and pillows, not being able to remember the blur of the day or how we overslept without hearing the alarm. Folks, most of us are running on the very fumes that one day will completely disappear on us--leaving us either crippled mentally or physically. Let's just attempt to stop this madness. It's high time we quit trying to convince ourselves that life is just this way and we have no choices in how "fast paced" we live. When we get sick enough with fevers, running noses, sore throats, and aching bodies, do we ever call in sick and take some days off from work? Do we survive without being there? Does everyone else survive without us there? When we finally choose to say no to some extra project or event and vegetate on the couch for hours, does the world get along just fine without us? Or when we get buried deep enough in the stresses of life and end up in the hospital due to some physical breakdown, don't we desire to get well as soon as possible? Well friends, we better begin to make some hearty decisions to get well as soon as possible and stop our wellness from getting thrown out the window. We need to start shutting the windows. Hey, case in point. If we are motoring along down the highway and our windows are rolled down on a glorious cool temperature day and it starts to rain...then we put the windows up. If we are at home and have the windows up and it starts to rain then we put the windows down. The time is now for us to begin putting the windows in our lives both up and down. Depends on which window needs put up or down. In this up and down world the rains are always coming. The problem is we have the tendency to always be the ones getting rained on. Wet! Soaked! Drenched! Wrung out! Dripping! How is that for a word visual? The common answer to how have you been is what? O.K. just busy! Keeping busy! Real busy! Staying busy! Too busy! Oh yeah! Too busy to truly take care of ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually in the ways that will end up mattering the most to our well being. In so many ways we all are in the tank and about to become so submerged that we will soon drown in all of our busyness. That is if we haven't already gone under. In the next few blogs I will try to throw out some practical and life saving tips involving the art and choice of window shutting. We all know it's raining! What windows do you need to shut? tag:www.experiencethepointe.com,2007:/blogs/cs//2.35 2007-08-19T23:05:24Z 2007-08-19T23:45:37Z

Being 40 something and still raising kids should at least place me on the top hundred list of great dad's in America shouldn't it? I assure you that I would have placed my wife at the top of this list...

Pastor Randy www.experiencethepointe.com Being 40 something and still raising kids should at least place me on the top hundred list of great dad's in America shouldn't it? I assure you that I would have placed my wife at the top of this list except for two reasons. First of all she is female, and secondly she isn't in her forty something’s. She reminds me of this quite frequently. So onward I go with the purpose of this blog. After helping raise our 23-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, you'd figure the remainder of our lives would be magical and blissful--sort of like an eternal vacation without the kids. But then it happened. Late pregnancy number one followed two years later by later pregnancy number two. The results are now the rearing of a 3 year old and just turned 5 year old. Whoopee! I already have thrown my retirement parties out the window and decided that the purpose of having our two boys late in life must be deemed a Godsend rather then a death sentence. Each day I get older and look in the mirror convincing myself that my boys will keep me young. Like I have much of a choice anyhow. Now I realize why my wife shed a few tears during the announcement of our first of the two later bloomers. I thought it was for joyful reasons--then realized that there was something drastically wrong when the crying went on for days, around the clock, and there wasn't enough kleenex in the house to meet the need. Just joking! But it did seem a bit intense considering we thought our last son Sean was the end of the road for child raising. So here we are--once again facing the inevitable. Another first day of school challenge It is back to routine school weeks, parent-teacher meetings, school activities and plays, playground bumps and bruises, fevers, belly aches, and days of "I don't wanna go to school today." Plus so many school related issues that go beyond day one. Can someone say 12 more years twice? O boy here we go again! Tonight there will be the famous bath, the special tuck em in bed, the backpack and lunch box preparedness, and the laying out of the first day outfit. All this just to do it over and over again and again, and again... Yeah for all the mom and dads out there. For our son Joshua he will awake to the dawning of a new world for him. With excitement and his superman backpack and lunchbox he will enter the footrace until graduation. God bless him and all the other sons and daughters out there. God bless all the mommies and the daddy's too. So here we go once again. In hindsight I wouldn't want things to be any other way. Children are supposed to be a heritage from the Lord. I guess this is the place I am supposed to say, thank you Jesus. Of course I have to get my tongue unstuck from the side of my mouth. Not really! I believe for another long but great run to childrearing. For all you parents with those superman backpacks and lunchboxes I salute you. You are the heroes of the world. Just keep in mind your ultimate calling as a parent. It is to bring up your children in the reverence and understanding of God. He is the reason any of us are here on planet earth in the first place. Therefore life is not a dress rehearsal it is a journey of faith and thanksgiving. So here we go. Three cheers for all the parents! Three cheers for all the kids! Three cheers for surviving parenthood!