thankful... really?

Well, it's Thanksgiving day and I feel humbled as I sit and begin to share this thoughts. I guess I'm feeling like there are often times I say thank you but don't really live out a real heart of gratitude. We're taught to say "thank you" from early childhood because it is the right thing to do. I'm certainly not suggesting that we not say "thank you"... I just want to challenge us to go beyond just saying the words.

I think when we realize how important the people are that God has so strategically placed in our lives we can begin to experience the emotion of true gratitude. I'm thinking about these people today... the people God has put in my life and I'm very thankful...

my family - my wife and children - my Mom, Dad, brother and Angela's family...
my friends... those that I share fellowship and community with...
my church... great folks who encourage one another to follow Jesus...
my coworkers and employees... who are committed to working together toward success...
my ballplayers... a team of young men who respond everyday to great challenges on and off the court
my mentors... so many that have had great impact on my life over the years...

and so many more...

I am very thankful today that my life's joy is directly related to all of these people God has purposefully put in my path to enjoy the journey with!

Let's all find ways to show true gratitude today!

sales authenticity...

Authenticity is not a part of system selling. Systems and sales plans focus on the selling process... big mistake. Authentic people create buying atmospheres where the potential customer recognizes how they benefit, how they profit, how they produce...

Remember... "People don't like to be sold, but they love to buy!"

Authenticity of any sale is not in the system or plan ... it's in the salesperson. If you're authentic, you don't have to say it or even prove it. It shows and speaks for itself. That's the most powerful part of being authentic... if done properly... it's unspoken ... there's no hype ... it's just real!

Sales folks ... BE AUTHENTIC! DON'T BE FAKE! THINK MORE...BE MORE... AND DO MORE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS... because you care!

livin' on a prayer...

A new series started last week at True North Church and I've been challenged all week long from the thoughts shared last Sunday. We've been challenged to memorize some Scripture verses over the next few weeks about prayer.

This week has been Psalms 139:23-24 ... "Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Is there anyone else out there who is a little restless or uneasy about giving full access to their heart and thoughts? Not an easy thing to do... because I'm certain that in giving such access something will be found that I will not like... but it has been a good week just making myself sit and rest before the Lord and let him look into my heart... listening to Him for His leading... if you haven't done this in a while... stop now and do it!

Some provoking thoughts shared last Sunday:

Secret sin can't coexist with peace. We must allow the Lord full access and full reign for peace to be a reality!

There's no healing that comes from hiding. Maybe there are some things we should all surrender to God... and even let some dear friends know about some things in our lives so that we no longer have to hide them. True healing and freedom comes when there is nothing hidden.

Pray with me... "Search me O God and know my heart..."

day date with Angela...

I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning... Angela and I have decided to spend part of the day together... we're going to breakfast together and do some Christmas gift planning! It will be a lot of fun ... I love hanging out with my beautiful wife!
Love you honey!

proud of kids...

Every parent is proud of their kids ... but just need to give a shout out to them...

Luke has recently made his high school JV basketball team at Garner High School. He is performing well in early practices and I think he is going to have a great season.

Noah and Nate have recently finished up fantastic fall baseball seasons. Both had a great experience and became one of the best players on their respective teams. They just wrapped up end of season parties and brought home trophies and awards. They are great boys! Now they're both getting ready for some hoops!

Hope is the one I'm extra proud of right now. She has been doing gymnastics for several years now and continues to get better and better. In the past she has been reluctant to participate competitively, but has decided to go for it this weekend. This Saturday afternoon she'll be competing in her first event of the season. I'm so looking forward to watching my beautiful daughter do her thing!

If you can't tell... I love my kids!

off to a great start...

Wake Tech basketball is here and we're rolling full speed ahead with our inaugural season. What an experience this has been. Serving as the Assistant Head Coach at the Junior College level has been a tremendous learning and rewarding experience thus far. I'm not sure how it happens between a coach and players that have never known each other... but I have fallen in love with the guys on this team and the chemistry they have together. There are certainly challenges as with every team, but these guys just seem to respond really well when pushed to the next level.

The season thus far has led to a 4-2 early record. The two losses were both heart-breakers... a 4 point loss to a highly ranked Division 1 team and a 2 point buzzer-beater loss in double overtime (138-136). We won our first conference game last night against Catawba Valley Community College 75-72 after being down by 13 points at halftime. It was a great and spirited comeback.

We will be off for another game against a Division 1 team Brunswick Community College tomorrow evening. Wish us luck!

Go Eagles!