Double Portion Inspiration

My boys enjoy video games, like most kids.  This generation is so stimulated by those interactive games that it has seeped into our classrooms.  My 4th grader has to complete homework every night on a private educational website that looks similar to Facebook. Normally, when my boys play on the weekends, I snuggle into take a nap.  It is one of the RARE times in my house that it is quiet.  The other times at home are filled with rowdy boys making crazy noises with their body parts.   With a simple xbox controller they can CREATE themselves in this fantasy world.  They choose from a plethora of features like eyewear, skin color, hair style, shoes, body type, etc.  They have the ability to build the perfect athlete, with the perfect skills and stamina.  No work has been done to achieve all this, just a little boys creative imagery.  My youngest always HAS to win.  If he doesn't, he carries around an attitude all day,...

I've been home for the past couple of days. A normally hectic schedule was brought to a screeching hault after the doctor diagnosed me with bronchitis and the flu. I was scheduled to be in Jacksonville today in meetings. At 4pm I would have traveled home like usual and missed the final airing of the Oprah Winfrey Show . Instead I sat on my couch glued to the television, only moving during commercials, so that I could listen to her parting words. Today was an opportunity to hear her "love letter" to her audience. She shared some key lessons learned from the past 25 years. I will share a few of them with you: Everyone has a calling You were birthed with a purpose. Use your life to serve the world. 2. The power of validation Each person wants to know they are heard and valued. 3. Know the voice of God Wait and listen for his whispers 4. Become a safe harbor Let others know that they can depend on you to be their "safe place". 5. There are no coincidences Only God...