Category: Manic Mondays

Manic Monday: Just Laugh

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We’ve all had “the moment.” Some call it a blond moment, others incorrectly attribute it to being Polish. Some say its a result of supperting publik edukshun, and some, like me, attribute it to a lack of coffee. When these kinds of moments happen, and they seem more frequent during the holidays, here is my advice:

LAUGH: It could be you making the mistake.
LAUGH: You’ve done something like this before!
LAUGH: Because it’s the best medicine for both them and you!
LAUGH: As God may be telling you to lighten up, or that you just need a laugh.
LAUGH: Because you can’t make stuff like such events up.

Recently I had an interesting call from a pizza place. In sharing the hilarious event with friends, the reactions were varied. In pondering “the moment,” it stuck out to me that such events are a little joy in life that keeps us from taking things too seriously. In other words, the best is to enjoy it for what it is, as we’ve all been there

The Pizza Call…
Pizza: hey, we called about your cheese pizza. You wanted that with just sauce no cheese, right?
Me: Uh, no. I ordered 1 pepperoni and 1 cheese pizza.
P: So, you want the cheese?
M: A cheese pizza would seem to need that, yes. I’d like sauce and crust with that too.
P: Ok, 1 cheese pizza with cheese, sauce, and crust. We’re putting that in the oven and you’ll get it soon.
M: Thank you.

LAUGH!

(especially on Monday)

Manic Monday: Change Education

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I greatly appreciate the thoughts on education by Sir Ken Robinson. Many of the ideas he shares I’ve been screaming all throughout school, and really started by a 9th grade teacher named Lenard Sharp. Mr. Sharp who taught Earth Science. Mr. Sharp also motivated me to excel and think in new ways. I always appreciated being ‘outside the box’ at times, but Mr. Sharp let me go ahead to do it.

For me, thinking outside the box wasn’t about being different. Being outside the box is about problem solving: taking ideas we know to be true or think may be true and applying them in new ways to new situations. This kind of thinking isn’t widely promoted. In fact, it often shows up as practical jokes, spitefulness or other forms of deviance in kids. The ones we label as trouble makers may be the ones who need what Sir Ken Robinson is talking about. I can’t help but also notice that a majority of these problem makers and boys.

If you’re interested in discipling younger generations, take seriously these thoughts seriously.

(especially on Monday)

Manic Monday: Vrooom

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Oil change day. I get to zoom in my Jetta, cleaned and ready for thousands of more miles.

I often wonder why do we love our machines or tools so much? It revolves around the image of God. God created, and machines or tools extend our ability to create.

Horsepower, power tools or gigahertz computing power it reflects our desire to create and our desire to subdue the Earth. They’re fun and a way to enjoy the gift of life. They allows to make things new.

Nothing like listening to the vroom of the engine while shifting gears. Here’s to the things that allow us to work and engage life.

(especially on Monday)

 

Manic Monday: Snow.

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You love it.
You hate it.
You cherish it.
You despise it.

Snow is a polarizing issue, just like North vs South. Whatever your pole preference, you either like or loath the stuff. I often wonder what about snow makes people go, well, batty. The ability to drive disappears. Kids become more hyper than eating 3.45 tons of sugar and red food dye. It makes Tinker Bell’s fairy dust look pre-school… Even more so when a day of from school is involved.

What is your snow attitude?

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas?” Classic holiday song.

“The one thing I now realize is that Christmas is an excuse to tolerate snow…snow… I don’t even like the sound of it…” Trans-Siberian Orchestra “What is Christmas?”

I can’t help but notice that snow was absent at the garden of Eden… Interesting how the Bible uses snow as a metaphor for covering sin and purity.

Snow…I’ll pass.

(especially on Monday)

Manic Monday: More thoughts on coffee

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Coffee amazes me. In dealing with some health issues last week it often came up the benefits of drinking what I affectionately call liquid love. Caffeine or not coffee is good stuff!

No doubt the best time to drink coffee is on Monday or Saturday mornings… One for the much needed warm embrace, the other to enjoy golden sun rays, kids playing in their pajamas, and fresh cooked french toast while still wearing a bathrobe.

We often look to big or thrilling events, but is this best? The weight of life is carried by the little things. Coveting breeds in the desire or focus for big things. We miss the little moments than can often leave a larger impact.

On the ‘Monday’ of all Mondays, God comforted Elijah. God placed him on cliff with the comment that He would pass by. After all these huge cataclysmic events, God was not there. And then a gentle breeze, a whisper, and God was there. A small thing.

Thank God for the little things like coffee!

(especially on Monday)

Manic Monday: Live to work?

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Often we get stuck in the live for the weekend rut. God created us for work. Whether your job is what you like or not like, God placed you there.

In life group we talked through what it means to “set our minds to things above.” A key conclusion we talked about fulfilling the role God gave us in each moment He places us. It’s being who God wants us to be wherever we are.

Maybe we should change perspectives and live to work. There is huge ministry opportunity to serve and help those we connect with at work, family or wherever God places you. The weekend is a joy no doubt. But there are God sightings during the work week as well.

(especially on Monday)

Manic Monday: Don’t gossip…

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10 years ago at lunchtime and I am getting yelled at. Weird.

“You can’t get engaged yet!”

Apparently I made some mistake. I was then told that the said date of engagement was to be on Sunday and not the gloomy, raining, dismal Tuesday night (yesterday at the time.) The tale of how my engagement should be unfolded before me. As the lady proceeded with her diatribe on a blown engagement, I noticed something particular.

“Do I know you?” I asked politely.

I heard many like stories, many from people I made no mention of my engagement plans to. Amazing how surprised people were. Knowing the realities my college, I shared with a  select few people what I thought I’d like to do to pop the question. This 1 year dating anniversary engagement asking on a steam train gig apparently had a positive response to polling. I particularly liked how everyone couldn’t wait for Kelly to be surprised…When EVERYONE talks about SOMEONE being surprised, a surprise is unlikely. I knew that.

No, I didn’t spread a false rumor. I just shared what I would like to do. But what I like, and what will amaze her are two different questions. I chose to go with what she wanted. Here is why: God provided the perfect setting.

Bottom line: Don’t gossip.

(especially on Monday)

PS I asked Kelly to marry me on a rainy Tuesday night. She loves walking in the rain. I gave her a gift. A doll in a wedding dress holding a ring box. I handed it to her on a covered bridge, with the sounds of rain drops on the roof and rushing water underneath. The path was lit be classic looking street lamps. It was perfect.

Engagement Tip: Ladies, when your man asks to marry you, it’s probably best to answer first and then squeeze all the oxygen out of him.