I'm not speeding...I'm qualifying

This is another one of those times where I (Riley) get to post on my dad's blog.

Inspired by the book by Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts, I am going to start a series of posts called My Thousand Gifts: Giving thanks to the Lord. Every once in a while, you will see a new post with more things I am giving thanks for. I invite you to join me in this exercise in humbling ourselves in the Name of the Lord. But, keep in mind, this is not just thinking of random things that make your happy. If you always, no matter what it is, look on your situation with eyes of grace, that grace will lead to gratitude. And that can lead to joy if you look upon it and just bring the good out of the situation. Your gifts can be anything you are grateful for. ANYTHING. This is one of the main ideas from the book. If you want to know more, but don't want to jump right in, visit www.aholyexperience.com, or just read the book. If you just want to relax, there's also some great piano music that plays simultaneously. It helps clear your mind. Well, all right, here's post one of My Thousand Gifts. I am not going to give a specific number; it's better to let it flow from the heart.

1.my family
2.my puppies
3.Having God as my savior in new life
4.My friends at BOBS
5.the BOBS program
6.Having loyal friends
7.Knowing I am safe because we have troops fighting for us
8.Having the money to buy things I need
9.Sports
10.Shoes on my feet
11.My calling to be a missionary
12.Fishing
13.A good education
14.Food to nourish my body
15.Clean water
16.Books
17.Music
18.New ministers at our church
19.Praying or connecting with God in some way
20.Piano
21.Missionaries
22.The Bible; connections to the past
23.air conditioner in this crazy heat

Labels: my thousand gifts post 1

There may be occasions where my 11 year old son, Riley, posts a blog. This is one of those times.

I really like what Danny Sims says on his blog, simsdanny.blogspot.com. On his most recent post, he gives a list of ten of his favorite things to do when he is down. A few of my highlights are #10. listen to good music which I do all the time #4. Hitting my favorite chair and finding a fun movie lovin' that quality family time!, and #8. going to a local park with a nice lake and finding a good place to walk. One of my top favorites was #2. praying, reflecting on scripture, and writing. Before doing my devo every night, I pray and reflect on some specific things the book asks me to pray for and other things that need praying for in my life. Growing in our relationships with God is important to me and my family. My advice: try to keep a daily relationship going with Him. Pray and read the Bible. The closer you become to Him, the more wisdom and riches in Heaven you will have. Keeping your relationship is important to Him!

Labels: my first post, response to Danny Sims's blog

Please answer the following questions. about image seven in the Habitudes book.

1. Read Mark 4:26-32. If the man's job is to prepare the soil and plant the seed, how can we compare this job to ours as leaders who want to grow people?

2. What does it mean to create a healthy "environment" in our organization?

3. What are some of the major changes that our school has made in the last couple of years? What are some changes that you have made in your specific role at ACS? Are we being effective?

Chapter four of Habitudes is called Family Virus. Please post your thoughts regarding this chapter. Tell us what impacted you and how it impacts your role at ACS.

I look forward to reading your comments.

You should have 50% of the book completed. Please post your comments pertaining to your book and the following two questions:

1. Tell us one thing you have learned from the book you are reading and link at least one scripture with it.

2. Share one way that you can see how the Lord has shaped a character in your book or describe how the Lord is shaping your life based on what you are learning.

Seniors, please post your thoughts regarding the first quarter of the book you are reading. Share with us what has impacted you in the book thus far and how what you are reading can be applied to your life. Please post a paragraph for each answer.

We look forward to reading your comments. All posts should be made prior to class on Monday, September 27.

No matter how big or impossible the task, leaders, find a way to get the job done. Their passion helps them to be creative and their persistence enables them to finish what they start, whatever it takes.

Elmore spends the first part of the chapter describing a story about something that seemed impossible. He tells the story of a friend that had to find a gorilla for a truck ad. After much hard work, the job was completed.

I like the quote in the middle of the chapter by Hamilton Wright Mable, "Don't worry about opposition. Remember, a kite rises against the wind, not with the wind." It is hard to face challenges head-on, but when we do we can soar higher. How do you do that and how do you teach your students to do that?

Acts 20:24 and 2 Timothy 4:5-8 are mentioned in this chapter. Did the words of those verses strike you in any way?

On page 50 Elmore asks some questions for each of us to think about. He asks us to evaluate if we are proactive, if we are passionate, and if we are persistent. Think through those areas and share some feedback on where you are and how we pass those characteristics on to our students.

I look forward to your thoughts.