Paul and Susan

So I get to the theatre and my kids go in with Susan … I’m on popcorn duty. I’m standing behind an older gentleman who is staring at the popcorn prices. The comedy begins.

“How much for a large?”
“$5″
“How much for a large with the free topping?”
“it’s free sir … it’s $5″
“Well how much without the topping?”
“it’s still $5 sir … the topping is free.”

5 minuntes later, the previews are almost over and this guy just can’t understand this very complicated concept. Finally he orders.

“I’ll have the Xtra large with the free topping.”
“OK, that’s 6.48″
(angrily yelling) “but I only have $5!!!”

I’m not sure why it was the girls fault he only had $5, but here’s what I learned…

1. Remember the planets in our solar system revolve around the sun … not you.

I found it amazing that he was oblivious to the 18 other people in line behind him while he fussed over $1.48. I felt like flipping him a toonie just to calm everyone’s nerves behind him. A good reminder that regardless of what we are experiencing – there are other people who are being affected by our choices. (Deut 30:19)

2. Learn to accept responsibility graciously.

Why he was upset at the girl that HE only had 5 dolars in HIS wallet I will never understand. And why I like blaming people for things that are really my fault I will never understand. Be responsible, apologize, own it, and move on. (James 4:6)

3. Patience is a virtue that I need in my life.

Enough said. The last thing we need is an article about a youth pastor being arrested for assault in the popcorn line at Galaxy. (Romans 5:3-4)

If you’re a reader in the Waterloo area, I’ll be speaking tonight 7:00pm at Koinonia (http://kcf.org/) stop by, I’d love to meet you.
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I took my one and only daddy’s girl to see “Game Plan” for our daddy daughter date together when that movie came out. It seemed like a little girl movie she’d enjoy, and it was a good excuse to see Duane Johnson and pretend I didn’t really want to. Here’s what I learned:

1. Go Big or Go Home

This of course is what they tell us at the beginning of the movie during the 57 minute previews. When I took my girl, I wanted her to experience the real deal, so I spent $11 on popcorn and pop – arguably the greatest scam in entertainment. The point is, she enjoyed the blessing with no concept of the cost. Go big with your faith, because there was a cost paid you and I are never going to fully understand. John 3:16

2. Make sure you’re in the right seat.

As we walked in I was shocked to discover only about 13 people in the theatre … I mean, come on people – this is Duane Johnson in a Disney flick we’re talking about here. Well I suppose not everyone shares in my appreciation for good talent. It was fun to watch my girl carefully analyze each row in search for the perfect seats. So although there were about 88 to choose from, she had us in the perfect spot, and was very proud of herself for getting us there. In life, there’s a ton of choices – you better make sure you’re connected to people who will get you in the right seat. Because the “seat” you’re in determines your perspective on everything you see.  Matt 6:22

3. Never stop trying new things and growing

I couldn’t help but wonder what would possess The Rock to take this role in a Disney kids movie … until I started to think about the challenge of playing a character so unlike everything you’ve ever done. I imagine he didn’t need the money – I would venture a guess that he saw the entire thing as a huge challenge. Not a bad way to approach life – don’t type-cast yourself. Psalm 139:14

Pass this blog onto friends who you think would like it!
If you’re a reader in the Waterloo area, I am speaking at http://kcf.org/ this coming Wednesday and Susan and I would love to meet you!

A few years ago if you asked me if I drank a lot of coffee I would have said no. I know what coffee drinkers look like … I worked with a number of Dutch guys for 2 years and so compared to them, nobody drank a lot of coffee. (Insert various FIFA jokes here).

A few years ago in January, Susan and I were positioning ourselves for a new year, expecting great things,  and decided to participate in a fast that our church was doing. I had never fasted before – unless you count when you forget your lunch, which from a theological point of view, is more of an involuntary vow of stomache rumbling.

So, the fast began, the coffee runs ceased, and then …. all hell broke loose for 4 days. Here’s what I learned …

1. You Make Really Really Really Bad decisions when you’re in pain.

I know that caffeine affects people differently, but for me, it was the equivalent of giving a small angry troll a tack hammer and have him sit on my shoulders all day whacking me in the temple.  Saying I was irritable was like saying Godzilla  wasn’t very kind at times. When you are going to make decisions, being well rested, having your mind clear, being in good health and giving yourself time to think is so important. Too often we make decisions in temporary challenges, and the consequences of those decisions are not temporary, but long term.  Time is your friend, speed kills.

2. Addiction is Like soil erosion, you can’t see it until it’s too late

I was addicted to caffeine and had no idea. Again, some of my Dutch friends can top off the night with a gallon of coffee and go straight to bed, but for me, the caffeine had me and I had no idea. Addictions are like that. A friend of mine once said, “When you get hit by a train, it’s never the caboose that kills you.”  One thing can lead to another and it is sooooooo easy. And easily justified in our minds in a lot of cases.  Susan would comment on how much coffee I had, but naturally, she was way off. It wasn’t until my left eye was slightly shut from the 4 day headache I had while I detoxed that I realized she may have been onto something. Who’s trying to get your attention on something that has you?

3. When your numb, you’re dumb

When I was numb to how much caffeine I was taking in regularly I was dumbed to it’s impact on my body. Now that my body is decaf, If I get a coffee that isn’t, I know about it. Like when the drive through people screw up and I’m in bed at 2AM contemplating driving over there just to say, “Hi. It’s me. I asked for decaf and because of you, I’m going to be no good at work tomorrow – here’s my invoice for my losses.” What have you been numb to for so long you’re dumb to? (problem is, someone else might have to help with that – ouch.)

I’ll be speaking this Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am and next Wednesday evening 7pm at Koinonia  http://kcf.org/

If you’re a reader in the area, come on by – Susan and I would love to meet you!