Loved By The Father

This past Monday was my birthday and to be honest, I'd completely forgotten about it. I've been so focused on school, teaching, gigs, and ministry lately that I completely bypassed stress on the way to busy. My mom called me AT 6 AM to play (over the phone) our traditional birthday song for each other, Solomon Burke's "Today Is Your Birthday" and my eyes widened. I smiled through gritted teeth because, for a moment, realizing it was my birthday was added stress. On top of everything I'm dealing with, going through, and contemplating, I'm aging? Sheesh. I went through the day's routine with classes, teaching lessons and rehearsals. My parents insisted on taking me out for dinner and it was nice. I really love those guys. Coolest people I know, for real. After dinner, in the car, I started thinking about the past year and all its ups and downs and I got emotional. I got lost in thoughts of my history: Failure, Resilience, Lonli...

Ever feel like you you're going through your life without experiencing passion or joy? We were designed to live and thrive best and most when we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. Are you always busy, running, and working, but never see any product, reward, or fruit? Sometimes, you have to look at what you've made your prize. What are you working toward? What have you made your goal? I've learned that when you establish a goal, you alter your actions, behavior, speech, and thoughts to accomplish the goal. If your goal is to earn a spot in the cello section of a major symphony orchestra, you'll schedule everything in your life around practicing/rehearsing/studying/interview/etc. If your goal is to pass a test or make a presentation, you will work toward accomplishing that goal with things like studying, research, getting adequate rest and/or eating well. Examine your actions, speech, and thoughts. By those things, what would it seem they're worki...