You get what you pay for. Every purchase is a balance of our budget versus quality. If I had an unlimited budget, I would buy the very best quality every time. If I could afford it, I would eat at the Capital Grill every day. If I could afford it, I would drive a Rolls Royce. If I could afford it, my wife would shop at Nordstroms. Quality is undeniable. Unfortunately, my budget is also undeniable. So I eat at home, a reasonable restaurant, or maybe at the Capital Grille on a very, very special occasion (Hopefully when someone else is paying!) I drive a used car or an inexpensive newer car. And my favorite clothing store is any clearance rack in the outlet[…]

We give space to those we love.  Leaving my house is not easy.  A ritual began about a year ago transforming simple good-byes into a five minute “lovefest”.  It started simple enough.  My wife and I make a point of kissing good bye every time I walk out the door.  What can I say,  I guess we really love showing we love each other.  Watching this ritual, my daughter decided she wanted some loving.  No matter what she is doing, she must stop and get her hug and kiss bye-bye.  Now my son needs the same.  If I happen to leave before my children wake or get their love, they burst into tears because I’m gone.  I’ve been chased down in my driveway by half-naked,[…]

No one cares what I know until they know that I care.  If you want a great relationship, a great company, or a great church, it all begins by earning the right to share.  I once rode a mechanical bull…once and hopefully never again!  The mechanical monstrosity had me on the ground in less than a second.  I pulled my groin muscle so bad I could barely walk for three days.  Without any experience and admittedly little athletic prowess, what made me climb on that beast in the first place?  I was earning the right to share. Now one of my very best friends, Darren was a high school senior whom I first met at McDonalds.  I was a 22 year old Young Life volunteer. […]

Being a parent is a big deal!  Whether through birth, adoption, or as an assistant/surrogate parent helping others with their children, the responsibility to love and guide another human being is an enormous responsibility and gift!  You pour your heart, your energy, your passion into their lives.  You cry, you ache, and you hope for their very best.  You do all of this with no guarantee that the lessons you’ve taught them or the love you’ve shared will be returned.  You simply do your very best, let go, and hope. Letting go scares me.  My children are still young.  But I know there will be a day, fast approaching, where I must let go.  They will make their own decisions, live with their own consequences,[…]