Stop Talking And Start Loving!

So this post is directed to anyone who considers themselves a believer in Christ.  Obviously everyone is welcome to read, but I wanted to make that point clear since this is not directed at everyone who will read this.  I'm not throwing stones, just making a point from something that I have been wrestling with myself.

We have a tendency to talk a lot about Jesus, but have harder time acting like Him.  We want to hit people with "what the Bible says", but we ourselves often fail at living what it says.  It is easy to tell someone, "Jesus loves you!", but often times we ourselves can't love that same person.

My point is quite simple today and comes in the form of a challenge.  What if starting today, for just one week, we stopped talking to people about Jesus and simply started to love people like He did?  He asked us to love our neighbors.  What if we just did that? What if we didn't just tell people about His mercy, but we actually showed mercy like he did to the woman who was caught in adultery?  What if we stopped trying to shove our verbal message down everyone's throat and simply stepped back, humbled ourselves and allow His love to reflect from us by our actions?

So I wonder, and hope you do too, what would happen if we just stopped talking and started loving?

The Lunch Opportunity Of A Lifetime!

 

 

I recently participated in a contest for the chance to have lunch with David and Derek Carr.  If you don't know who they are, David was the star quarterback at Fresno State in 2000 and 2001.  He was the number one pick in the 2002 NFL Draft and played several years in the NFL with Houston and the New York Giants.  Derek just finished his career as a quarterback at Fresno State, broke just about every possible school record and is expected to be high round draft choice in the 2014 NFL draft.

Both brothers feel a strong connection to the Fresno community and decided to have a contest where people would tweet their favorite David and Derek Carr moments for a chance to win lunch with them.  I Tweeted, “#BulldogLunch Fav moment @DCarr8 W @ Camp Randall against Wisconsin. @derekcarrqb making my sons day with this pic!"  I was referring to the time I convinced my wife to go visit her family in Wisconsin, fully aware of the fact that Fresno State would be playing a game there!  David Carr was the quarterback at the time, Fresno State won that game in spectacular fashion and we were there to see it!  The second part of my tweet referred to Ethan and I running into Derek Carr at the hotel in Las Vegas last December.  Derek was kind enough to stop and make Ethan's day by posing for a picture with him.  Well, my tweet won!!!

First of all, winning a contest to get a phone call would have been cool, but this was a private lunch!  I was extremely excited because although these two brothers have reached "celebrity status", from a distance they seemed like very normal and down to earth guys.  They seem like they have their priorities straight and really try to live a good clean life.  It is obvious that our shared faith in God has a lot to do with how they conduct themselves.  I have admired them for how they conduct themselves and am grateful, that in a world full of celebrities going wild, there are still a few guys around who my kids can emulate.

I will not share all the details, but simply put, lunch was fantastic.  I don't know if Derek remembered us from the hotel, but he sure made it seem that way when he arrived and greeted us.  I had never met David before, so we had a few minutes to reminisce about the Wisconsin game.  We spent about an hour and a half having lunch, talking, laughing, sharing stories, taking pictures and of course getting a few items signed.  These guys were so friendly, down to earth and laid back, that a casual observer may have thought that some old buddies had gathered to have lunch and would have never guessed that we didn't really know each other. 

Derek and David helped remind me of a few things during this lunch.  I was reminded the importance of surrounding yourself with good people.  From the moment we arrived, their representative Carla was gracious and accommodating.  She even brought Adriana and Austin to the main table so they could be there with Ethan and I.   I was reminded to never forget where you came from and that returning to invest in that place is important.  I was reminded that no matter what heights God allows us to climb to in life, hanging out with other people will inevitably remind us how blessed we are.  I was reminded that no matter how busy we get (and Lord knows they are both extremely busy right now) we should take time out to "serve" other people.  Trust me; the impact is even greater when you don't know them! 

So, to David and Derek Carr, Carla Cossy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Paul Ladwig and the great staff at Fresno State (and anyone else who may have participated), I simply say thank you for all you did for us!  You created an unforgettable memory that we will never forget.  I didn’t deserve to win, but you really do reap what you sow.  I don’t help other people, encourage them, try to cheer them up or whatever so I can get something back, but just to simply reflect God’s love for me.  I honestly feel like we got this lunch opportunity of a lifetime to hang around two guys who try and live their lives the same way.

 

 

Don't Use A Hammer When a Flyswatter Will Do!

I once witnessed a scenario where in my opinion; one party strongly overreacted to the circumstances of that particular situation.  All the facts had not yet been determined, but judgment was passed regardless, and in quite a harsh manner. I feel it could have been effectively handled in another fashion, but we all choose how we react to the situations that we face.  

It is absurd to think that grabbing a hammer to swing at a pesky fly is an appropriate choice. Think of the damage that would be caused by hitting a valuable vase, a porcelain doll, a wood table or a painted wall, or someone's face with a hammer, instead of grabbing a newspaper or Flyswatter and taking care of the fly that way. You may not think so, but we all are probably guilty of bringing a hammer into a situation where a Flyswatter will do.

Sometimes we are quick to use our power to intimidate someone who is weaker instead of offering them the tools to build up their strength. Sometimes we jump to conclusions and judge people based on limited, or even no actual facts.  Some religious organizations are quick to excommunicate individuals who make mistakes instead of lovingly restoring them. Some are quick to disown family members or friends who fail to live up to expectations.  We get angry too quickly and react without thinking. We assume things and say things we later regret.  

The reality is just as if we were to use a literal hammer to kill a fly; we run the risk of causing considerable physical damage.  Likewise, when we grab the hammer of overreaction instead of the Flyswatter, we cause collateral damage to people's self esteem, we destroy relationships and sometimes cause harm that takes years to reverse, or worse yet, causes permanent damage. Obviously we all lose it from time to time and overreact, but my point today is quite simple; take a step back, don't be so quick to react and for goodness sake, don't use a hammer when a flyswatter will do!  

Ps. One of my pet peeves is people who post things as if they were their own idea when it really is not.  There is a Chinese Proverb that says: "Never use a hatchet to remove a fly from a friends forehead".  My title and illustration is was borrowed from that quote... 

Thanks for reading!  If you want to read a little more, read my first ever blog that deals with making change!  http://jonathanpantages.blogspot.com/2012/10/change-can-be-good.html

There's No Sense In Worrying!

Someone once said, "99% of the things you worry about never happen!"  Bobby McFerrin sang the lyrics, "Don’t worry, be happy!"  Jesus said in Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life..."  For some reason when life goes sideways, our immediate instinct is to worry!

I was recently reminded when a situation arose that was a bit negative.  Then another unexpected blow hit me, catching me totally off guard.  The result was an immediate sense of worry.  Why do we worry?  I'm convinced that it is due to a lack of trust; in my case, a lack of trust in God.  It is easy to say we trust in God, but it seems much easier to worry about the problem we are facing instead of just trusting.

Sometimes God wants to get our attention and remind us where our strength comes from.  Sometimes God is trying to move us in a different direction, so a problem arises that begins to nudge you down the path He wants you to go. Other times He is simply trying to teach us to not worry, but to trust in him regardless of what we are facing.

So it is time to put my money where my mouth is.  Take responsibility for what I'm responsible for, and then let God handle the rest.  Whether it is a medical situation, financial, health or otherwise, there are steps we can usually take to improve things.  It is up to God to handle everything else that is beyond our ability to fix. 

So tonight, there's no sense in worrying, so fix what you can, trust God to take care of the rest and get the best night of sleep you have had in a long time!

Thanks for reading!

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Unless you don’t watch football, you are well aware that last Sunday the Seattle Seahawks beat my beloved San Francisco 49'ers and knocked them out of the playoffs.  The game was put away when Richard Sherman made a very nice defensive play to bat away a potential touchdown pass.  If you watched the post game interviews, you saw Sherman being interviewed by Erin Andrews immediately following the game.  The emotional, passionate response from Sherman drew widespread criticism, and created a firestorm of judgment and led to many racist remarks being aimed at him. Many were quick to call him a thug.  I admit that when I saw the interview I was somewhat taken back and began to form an opinion of him.  This has turned into a perfect example of the old phrase, “never judge a book by its cover” as I learned more about Richard Sherman.
 
I took a little time to investigate, and it didn’t take long to realize that the Richard Sherman you saw in that interview is not the REAL Richard Sherman.  First of all, the guy had just made a spectacular play that in effect, assured his team would play in the Super Bowl.  Second of all, most football fans realize that there is no love lost between the Seahawks and the 49'ers.  We can argue the appropriateness of his comments all day, but he is NOT a thug, and in fact, is a very talented, opinionated, intelligent individual who in my opinion is more of an asset than a liability in society. The guy is loud, egotistical and brash, but he isn't beating anyone up, being arrested for murder, rape or other heinous crimes that others are guilty of. I believe we should cut him some slack instead of having the nationwide knee jerk reaction that has taken place.

Perhaps we don't understand Richard Sherman because we didn't grow up in Compton, CA, a city with its share of crime and gang activity.  Perhaps we don't understand him because most of us didn't graduate second in our high school class.  Perhaps we don't understand him because we never attended Stanford University; much less graduate with honors and then return to start working on a masters degree.  Perhaps we don't understand him because we have never made a game saving play in a playoff game, or even set foot on an NFL field, then have a microphone shoved into your face and asked a question about how you did your job.  Perhaps we don't understand him because we aren't millionaires with a charity called "Blanket Coverage" that provides inner city kids with the tools to succeed when the odds are stacked against them.  But most of all, perhaps we don't understand Richard Sherman because we don’t personally know him, because before we knew all the facts I just mentioned, all we really about him came from a thirty second sound bite on the television. 

My point is simple; I’m not trying to defend him in any way, if you must pass judgment on people, make sure you know their whole story.  Before you condemn someone stepping out of line, make sure you realize that there is more to that person than an emotional outburst or public misstep.  Don't wait until YOU find yourself trying to explain yourself to people who are judging and condemning you despite not having a clue who you really are!  It is much easier to pass judgment than it is to take the time to really find out who someone is.  I hope you will take the harder road and don’t judge the book by its cover.

Ps.  I really hope that Richard Sherman gets absolutely burned by a wide receiver for the winning touchdown in this Super Bowl.  It will be a fitting payback for all of us 49'er fans.  Then after his contract is up, I hope he brings his talents and skills to the Niner's for a few years!

Thanks for reading!

I Didn't Die Last Night, So Today Is A Gift!

Last night our family found ourselves entirely too close to an active shooting scene.  The local news has all the specifics, but as we sat stuck in rush hour traffic, we heard the sound of four to five gunshots very close by.  We had our kids all duck down as I quickly looked around to try and figure out what was going on. Vehicles started making U-turns and driving away, but we continued moving forward with the traffic, not aware of what had taken place. It became quite apparent to me that something terrible had just happened as we passed a truck parked in the middle of the street. The front window was shot out, a man and woman were obviously suffering and an eerie wail came from the vicinity of the vehicle. We were still not completely aware of the magnitude of what had just happened, but we later learned that there had been a shooting and the driver of the vehicle was dead.

 

I realized that, because of the heavy, slow moving rush hour traffic, had we arrived a minute earlier, our vehicle may have been fifty yards closer and right where the suspect carjacked another vehicle after shooting this couple!  I thanked God for His protection, but then a thought crossed my mind. What if the innocent victims were believers, did God not protect them?  Where was he when they needed help?  Why did he protect us and someone else we know, who the gunman actually walked by their vehicle twirling his gun, but not the victims? 

 

As I tossed the thought around in my head, another thought came to my mind; the Bible verse in Ecclesiastics 3:2 that says there is "a time to be born and a time to die".  It wasn't so much an issue of protection, but it simply was not my time to die.  Since it was not my time to die, clearly God still has some plan for my life that needs to be accomplished.  His plan for me could end today, in five years, or in fifty more, but since I'm alive, there is work to do.

 

My point is quite simple today; I didn't die last night, so today is a gift!  I should be grateful for the gift, do something with the gift and for goodness sakes, not waste the gift!  So if you are reading this, you obviously didn't die last night.  You should be grateful for the gift of life and not waste it!  What will you do with your gift of today?

 

Thanks for reading!

Thoughts From A "Behind The Scenes" Tour Of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm

Last week I attended the Western Fairs Association Conference in Anaheim.  While attending the conference, I had the unique opportunity to take a behind the scenes tour of both Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm!  It was quite a treat for a guy who is fascinated by what goes into staging any special event.  


Being the home of the "Magic Kingdom", I didn't expect to learn any secrets at Disneyland.  We took our tour and learned about their recycling program, toured their maintenance area, went upstairs into Walt Disney's apartment, rode in the private caboose of the train and my favorite part, got to see the main launch facility (yes it is a facility) for their fireworks show.   Their staff was definitely polished, extremely knowledgeable and everything seemed to be perfectly manicured and maintained.  The park was packed due to it being the last weekend before school resumed from Christmas break.  As luck had it, the Indiana Jones ride broke down, resulting in the cancellation of our tour of the rides maintenance bay and our chance to actually take a ride on it!  After miles of walking, with no break for lunch, we finally boarded a bus and headed back to our hotel. 

A few days later we boarded a bus and headed to the less popular park down the street, Knott's Berry Farm.  I was surprised to learn that Knott's is actually older than Disneyland.  The historian that met us in the parking lot informed us that Walt Disney once visited the park to get ideas for his own project.
What immediately struck me was how Knott's had the feeling of "home".  The facility and landscape wasn't perfect, but the staff members were welcoming, friendly and very laid back.  As we finished our tour of their popular restaurant, we were ushered into the kitchen where over 600 pieces of fried chicken are cooked every forty minutes!  It smelled amazing!  Not only could we see it being prepared, but much to our surprise, their head chef and other management team started serving us fried chicken, biscuits and some absolutely amazing raspberry butter!

The tour continued after our snack and we began walking through the amusement park.  The managers freely shared the costs to renovate rides and answered questions relating to the events industry.  Soon enough we were led to the front of the log ride and boarded to have fun on the newly renovated ride.  How could this tour get any better?  Well, our next stop answered that question!  We entered a building and were greeted by other managers and staff members who led us to a table full of deserts!  Blueberry pies, cheesecake, raspberry tarts, cookies and an assortment of drinks.  As we ate, their marketing team shared their strategies and offered industry related advice.

As the tour ended, I realized something; both parks offered us an experience and wowed us in different ways.  It made me realize that regardless of what industry we work in, we should strive for the visual perfection that Disneyland is so great at presenting.  However, the Knott's Berry Farm experience reminded me that most people will ignore the imperfections if you treat them right and create an experience that feels like home.

So I share this story to simply offer this food for thought:  Whether you manage a fair or a festival, pastor a church, own a restaurant, or just want to entertain friends or family in your home, having the best facility and the finest equipment is great, but just treat people right and make them feel at home and people will drive to the bad side of town, travel for hours and wait forever to experience whatever it is you have to offer.  So the question is, how are YOU treating people?