Friday, July 31, 2015

On Teaching People How To Treat You

I'm loved in an incredible way by a lovely woman.

She routinely tells me she appreciates me and I frequently tell her I love her.

This morning I shared with her a minor house-project I completed (that might otherwise go unnoticed because of location).  The conversation went like this.

Me:  "I finished that foam insulation install yesterday and just today insured all the gaps were sealed using a sandable bonding product I'll seal in around the edges, then sand another day." 
Wife: Silence as she was applying make-up. 
Me, speaking as if I were my wife:  "Oh! Thank you, Sweetie.  I'm so thankful to have a husband who gets projects done and knows how to fix things." 
Wife, then said lovingly, "Oh! Thank you, Sweetie.  I'm so thankful to have a husband who gets projects done and knows how to fix things."

My wife very likely would have told me thanks without me "telling her what to say" as she routinely speaks with kindness to me.

And yet, I thought to myself, too how good it felt for her to say those words back to me.  She did not "parrot" them back nor "sarcastically" repeat my words.

She stopped her make-up application and said with kindness only what I said.

And it caused me to remember two things:

(1) We all need affirmation - often!

(2) There is nothing wrong with - and perhaps even something very important about - teaching someone how you want to be treated.  Teaching someone how to love you for what you need to hear.

I'm thankful to be so wonderfully loved and I hope, loving.

Don't be afraid to teach those you love how to love you.  And learn to, how to love them! Words of affirmation and love are meaningful to every human!




Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Life's Complexity - Glad I'm In Shape

Life's been too complex.

Some great stuff going on, too,  to share later.

I'll be back here soon.  Waiting out a few things.

Right now I'm glad that I exercise routinely to stay in shape.  The benefits of being in shape allow me to "do things" on the "spur of the moment" when I get a unique opportunity to be outdoors.

Thankful for the outdoors and good health.


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Newness with each new Spring


Life's complex - and has been particularly curious in recent weeks.

Today I think to myself, "I'm ready."

As I watch newly formed green leaves tussled by the wind, I think about how newness emerges in life. 

"I'm ready for & celebrate the possibilities of newness."

Picture  is the view from my window.


Thursday, February 12, 2015

Resources on Considering Seminary


I'm sharing a link to David Murray's Blog, "Head, Heart, Hand" where he shares numerous excellent links for people considering a seminary education.

If you have thoughts about a seminary education (or many forms of graduate theological education toward any degree) . . . 

If you want to review perspectives to consider before enrolling

At this link you will find many, many, many more links to resource your thinking!




David, who I have yet to meet personally, is professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and the pastor of the Free Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI.

Sunday, February 01, 2015

Author Royalties

I doubt I'll write a book that will reshape the world. I will continue to write.

I don't write to make money. I write to share.

Received one of my book's royalty cheques.

It's just enough for the family to eat out a couple of times or one really nice date with my wife!

That's just fine with me!