I recently made a decision that will stick with me for a lifetime. Cost me $35 in the moment, but will hopefully open many doors in the future.
Made me think: Wait a tic - aren't all decisions like that?
Yea, yea they are.
Reminded today of the importance of every thought, every word and every action.
And I'm thankful that in Christ, all of those things can be redeemed for His glory.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
reality
For the most part, I don't watch TV and try to avoid reality TV. But no matter how gaudy, infuriatingly stupid, and unnecessarily staged and dramatic reality TV shows are... c'mon, I know we all secretly watch 'em. There's something about watching other people go through life's dramatic and not so dramatic moments where we feel we have a special connection with the protagonists - because we know (or desperately hope) that it's all "really real".
I heard about this one show, Top Shot on the History Channel from some other Marines. Thought I'd check it out. I blazed through 2 seasons (almost 20 hours!) in about 2 weeks. Sick. But it was so good.
16 expert marksmen hand-picked from all walks of life compete against one another for a prize. There's everyone from military, law enforcement, exhibition shooters, competitive shooters, and hunters. They shoot a variety of rifles, pistols, and primitive weapons set up in all kinds of crazy courses to test their skills. For most of the time, they must work in teams. The top few finalists go head to head as individual competitors.
The cool part about this show is that there is a real sense of respect and overall maturity between the contestants. Can't quite put a finger on it, but this is just what manhood is all about. Integrity, leadership, helping one another out, doing what's right, learning something new, and adapting and overcoming new challenges. Very different and way cooler than most other reality TV shows out there. The contestants respect one another's talents and experiences, and keep the drama to a minimum. Simply, politics and emotions aside, they just want to compete against the best and know that they've earned the title of "Top Shot" in a legitimate way.
That said, I want to highlight two guys in Season 2: Chris and George. Chris is a hunter and outdoors man, and George is a military sniper and they grew to be close friends throughout their time competing together. Both make it to the final three.
The show's host asks each competitor beforehand what they plan on doing if they win the $100,000 grand prize.
George: Buy 2 guns every week for a year.
Chris: Put my kids through college.
Brian: Put my kid through school and the rest of it goes into my house.
After hearing Chris and Brian, George remarks: I'm single with no dependents. I have no commitments. When I heard Chris and Brian putting their kids through college, makes me feel kinda bad about beating them in this competition.
For most of the show, George comes off as a cocky meat-head from Jersey who's always throwing around snide remarks. In fact, there are a bunch of blogs and posts dedicated to calling George a gigantic "d-bag". To me, it's all in good fun - mostly "locker room talk" - a little trash talking here and there. But in a completely unexpected move, George surprised me.
George claims that he'd rather know for sure that he was beat fair and square by a better shooter than winning by forfeiture. But judging by the two men's reactions, it was clear that George's actions were selfless. George, fully capable of winning the whole competition, willingly put himself on the line and put Chris before himself out of respect and love.
George misses his next shot and gets eliminated, Chris and Brian go head to head, and Chris ends up winning the whole thing. It was so cool because right from the get-go, Chris served and led his team, helping them every step of the way. Even during the individual competitions, Chris was the one giving feedback to his competitors and always going out of his way to help them perform better. Selfless leadership.
Selflessness comes with rewards. When it's all about winning for yourself, sometimes you actually end up losing no matter what the outcome of the game. When you strive to win for others, there's more purpose and urgency behind your win. But when you lose so that another may win, that's sacrificial love, and there's true victory in that.
That's the Gospel - in a show about shooting weapons.
Enough reality TV... back to "real" life.
I heard about this one show, Top Shot on the History Channel from some other Marines. Thought I'd check it out. I blazed through 2 seasons (almost 20 hours!) in about 2 weeks. Sick. But it was so good.
16 expert marksmen hand-picked from all walks of life compete against one another for a prize. There's everyone from military, law enforcement, exhibition shooters, competitive shooters, and hunters. They shoot a variety of rifles, pistols, and primitive weapons set up in all kinds of crazy courses to test their skills. For most of the time, they must work in teams. The top few finalists go head to head as individual competitors.
The cool part about this show is that there is a real sense of respect and overall maturity between the contestants. Can't quite put a finger on it, but this is just what manhood is all about. Integrity, leadership, helping one another out, doing what's right, learning something new, and adapting and overcoming new challenges. Very different and way cooler than most other reality TV shows out there. The contestants respect one another's talents and experiences, and keep the drama to a minimum. Simply, politics and emotions aside, they just want to compete against the best and know that they've earned the title of "Top Shot" in a legitimate way.
That said, I want to highlight two guys in Season 2: Chris and George. Chris is a hunter and outdoors man, and George is a military sniper and they grew to be close friends throughout their time competing together. Both make it to the final three.
(Season 2's last three contestants, from left to right: George, Chris, Brian)
The show's host asks each competitor beforehand what they plan on doing if they win the $100,000 grand prize.
George: Buy 2 guns every week for a year.
Chris: Put my kids through college.
Brian: Put my kid through school and the rest of it goes into my house.
After hearing Chris and Brian, George remarks: I'm single with no dependents. I have no commitments. When I heard Chris and Brian putting their kids through college, makes me feel kinda bad about beating them in this competition.
For most of the show, George comes off as a cocky meat-head from Jersey who's always throwing around snide remarks. In fact, there are a bunch of blogs and posts dedicated to calling George a gigantic "d-bag". To me, it's all in good fun - mostly "locker room talk" - a little trash talking here and there. But in a completely unexpected move, George surprised me.
George claims that he'd rather know for sure that he was beat fair and square by a better shooter than winning by forfeiture. But judging by the two men's reactions, it was clear that George's actions were selfless. George, fully capable of winning the whole competition, willingly put himself on the line and put Chris before himself out of respect and love.
George misses his next shot and gets eliminated, Chris and Brian go head to head, and Chris ends up winning the whole thing. It was so cool because right from the get-go, Chris served and led his team, helping them every step of the way. Even during the individual competitions, Chris was the one giving feedback to his competitors and always going out of his way to help them perform better. Selfless leadership.
Selflessness comes with rewards. When it's all about winning for yourself, sometimes you actually end up losing no matter what the outcome of the game. When you strive to win for others, there's more purpose and urgency behind your win. But when you lose so that another may win, that's sacrificial love, and there's true victory in that.
That's the Gospel - in a show about shooting weapons.
Enough reality TV... back to "real" life.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Working Wednesdays: My Day Job
I was actually laid off a few weeks ago and have been out of a job since. Job hunting has actually been eye-opening: I've been looking for just about anything and everything that fits my schedule. My mindset is to try something new and develop new skills.
One main difference that I've seen in myself compared to past years? I place far less value on the career and job title itself than on the actual opportunity. I'm more and more confident in how God has been working in me, in my character - and seeing that my career does not define me. A job and paycheck are not where I place my self-worth, but my job is a mere vehicle on which I get to live out the purposes of God.
John 6:
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
One main difference that I've seen in myself compared to past years? I place far less value on the career and job title itself than on the actual opportunity. I'm more and more confident in how God has been working in me, in my character - and seeing that my career does not define me. A job and paycheck are not where I place my self-worth, but my job is a mere vehicle on which I get to live out the purposes of God.
John 6:
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
true
"If you aren't making mistakes, you aren't innovating. If you are making the same mistakes, you aren't learning." - Rick Warren
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Top Ten Tuesdayzzz
Top 10 Things to Do to Stay Awake
so sleeeeepy...
10. Drink water/coffee/soda
9. Close eyes. Rub eyeballs vigorously.
8. Never-ending push-ups
7. Scream-sing to loud music (especially if you're driving)
6. Take a walk
5. Wash the face with some nice cold water
4. Slap yourself in the face
3. Have someone else slap you... in the face
2. Dangerous: Attempt a power nap
1. Just surrender and succumb to sweet sweet sleep
game.over.
so sleeeeepy...
10. Drink water/coffee/soda
9. Close eyes. Rub eyeballs vigorously.
8. Never-ending push-ups
7. Scream-sing to loud music (especially if you're driving)
6. Take a walk
5. Wash the face with some nice cold water
4. Slap yourself in the face
3. Have someone else slap you... in the face
2. Dangerous: Attempt a power nap
1. Just surrender and succumb to sweet sweet sleep
game.over.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Top Ten Tuesdays
On a rotational basis and based purely on my own opinion, I shall start "Top 10 Tuesdays". I figure this will get me to post more regularly. Topics will vary depending on whatever I feel like at the moment.
Top Ten Things to do during Finals Week (if you're not a student)
1. Catch up on sleep
2. Read for pleasure
3. Take time to cook dinner
4. Have a cup of coffee or tea and listen to some music
5. Organize and clean... everything...
6. Skim through old journals and blogs
7. Go for a jog
8. Finally answer all those starred emails
9. Call folks and catch up
10. Pray for the students taking finals!
... and try not to rub in the students' faces that I don't have to take exams :)
Top Ten Things to do during Finals Week (if you're not a student)
1. Catch up on sleep
2. Read for pleasure
3. Take time to cook dinner
4. Have a cup of coffee or tea and listen to some music
5. Organize and clean... everything...
6. Skim through old journals and blogs
7. Go for a jog
8. Finally answer all those starred emails
9. Call folks and catch up
10. Pray for the students taking finals!
... and try not to rub in the students' faces that I don't have to take exams :)
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