For those who may not follow me on Facebook, I have started a podcast that goes along with this blog. We take some of the blog posts and expand them into some deeper discusions. The podcast is available on Apple Podcast App, Spotify and IHeart Radio apps. Just search for Regular Guy Russ podcast. I will embed a link here as well. Would love for you to spend some time with me via the podcast and as always welcome your feedback.
I was talking to some friends the other day about the typical guy topic – sports. It’s football and hockey season so there’s always lots to talk about. You know, real life changing and extremely critical discussions. We were talking about players and games, and all that goes along with sports debates. It got me thinking of some of the great athletes that didn’t live up to the hype or missed the mark of where they could have been.
I thought of an interview I watched with Michael Vick. Pure Quarterback talent, a truly gifted athlete. He had some issues though that cost him his career and even earned him almost 2 years behind bars. What I remember about that interview though was how he talked about early on in his NFL career he relied solely on his talent. He said he didn’t study the playbook or put much effort into practice because he knew that on gameday he could outrun, out throw and out do just about everyone else on the field.
Made me consider all the times and places I’ve relied solely on my “talent.” Things that I am OK at like work, being a parent or husband or even a Christian and sometimes I have been guilty of exactly what Mike did, I didn’t put in 100% simply because I could get by with 80%.
As much as we criticize athletes for not giving it their all, we are all guilty of the same. What about you? Where, if you are honest, do you find yourself “mailing it in?” Relying on just “talent” and not putting in the “practice” time and effort to do or be our absolute best.
Think of what we could all do or the roadblocks we can avoid by just putting in the work – the practice. More focus on our kids, spouses or jobs. More attention to detail in our spiritual life, asking God’s help in the roles we find ourselves in instead of just what we have in the tank.
“Practice” is hard. I hate getting up early, but I know that’s my best time to practice my devotions for the day. It’s easier to lose my temper or hold a grudge than to “practice” patience. But the great ones do just that. The Athletes in the gym or on the field for hours. The great men and women used by God like Billy Graham who studied and prayed for hours before speaking.
Don’t lose sight though. “Practice” is important, but it’s not the total solution. You see Zechariah 4:6 reminds us “. . . not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.” So, practice – it helps but only through the power of Him do we accomplish all we can.
Practice – Important! But not all in our strength. Find where you need the practice and put in the work.
I mean just look at that dude! Suave, Handsome, already showing great promise! Too bad it would be all downhill from there!
Yes, that’s me – age 6. One of the best Christmases ever as far as gifts go. Evil Knievel ruled the world when I was 6, or so I thought. That railroad – the train ran by itself and didn’t need batteries. The Bowling Pin game was a must have because my older cousin Bub had one. And that orange and white record player – man the bass that thing pumped out. Ok, just kidding with that but I was singing along like a champ with my collection of 45’s.
Here’s a little secret and don’t judge. Through the magic of Ebay and thanks to people who obviously hold on to inane toys way too long, I have been able to re-purchase all the items in that photo. They are tucked neatly away till I am old and gray and my son finds himself purging my junk and sells them on Ebay again!
It’s the Christmas season so I thought I would try and keep this one on the lighter side. What’s your best gift ever? What’s been your favorite Christmas present? Comment on the blog or on Facebook if you accessed the post that way.
It’s interesting to think about the best gift(s) and that it’s so very different for each of us. Maybe it wasn’t the gift but the memory surrouding it or the person who gave it. We tried a new Tradition at our house where at least 1 gift had to be something homemade. Haven’t done a good job at keeping that up but sometimes the commercial atmosphere and ease of Amazon make it easy to fill up under the tree yet still be empty. For my retired Dad I have been making and canning soups and stews and baking homemade bread for gifts. He likes having those things to eat on a cold winter evening.
Of course the analogy for me is obviously clear. Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given . . .” The reason we celebrate at Christmas is because it truly was and is the Best Gift. His birth, death and resurrection provides the way – the promise of eternal life. Nothing in a brown box from Amazon tops that!
Oh and that part about me buying all those old toys on Ebay – Yep, that’s exactly what God did for us. The Creator of the Universe who holds every right to us and all that we are, He gave his son to pay our debt – Re-Purchased us at a premium- so that we might have hope.
Enjoy this Christmas season. Savor each gift big or small. Maybe this season you will get the “one” that you will remember. Better yet – maybe you will GIVE the “one” that someone else remembers.
Above all remember the one gift we have all been given – truly the Best Gift Of All!
We all have them hopefully. A friend who you are rarely serious with, only when needed and that’s the point. Someone who knows you and you enjoy calling them “friend.” I happen to have a couple and feel very blessed to have them. One of them sent me a funny text today asking me about our annual routine of helping to serve Thanksgiving lunch at work.
It was funny becasue we no longer work together anymore and as a result of COVID and other factors there isn’t even an office in town for my old company anymore and he has joined the recently swollen ranks of work at home folks. It was funny because he and I used to complain about taking our turn serving but we always ended up enjoying it. Ribbing each other mercilessly as we always do much to the delight of all who passed through the line. As I reminisced about all those years serving dinners together I realized I missed it, missed the people, they felt like family after over 20 years.
Family. Thursday will be Thanksgiving. If that comes as a surprise to you, good luck finding a turkey! Seriously though, Thanksgiving is a major holiday when people gather with family and friends, eat lots of turkey, sides and desserts and hopefully give thanks for the blessings in their lives.
Yes, it can be stressful with all the cooking and sometimes tense family interactions. Yes, logistics and all the to do’s can make the holiday seem like a job and not a celebration. But that’s not how it’s supposed to be.
You see, just as I realized I would not get another opportunity to complain about serving company lunches and then laugh and be goofy while doing it, I am also all to aware of the many homes that will have empty chairs at the table this year. My wife and I have said ” see you soon” to 3 very close Uncles in just the last 3 months. That’s 3 families that will have a large part of them missing this year as the mashed potatoes begin their rounds. Traditions that will be broken for the first time in years. And while many will give thanks, many will quietly shed a tear for the empty chair and be left with just the memories to be thankful for.
I mentioned earlier that we said “see you soon” to our Uncles and not goodbye. Said that on purpose. You see all 3 of our Uncles were believers in Christ. We know that we will most certainly “see them soon” healed and whole and celebrating with Jesus. If you or your family members don’t have that decision settled, please do so this Thanksgiving season. Nothing better to be thankful for than that!
Oh, and please do me a favor. As you gather around the table to eat, talk and then eat some more, take a mental picture of the table and those gathered around it. Breathe it in, savor it all, chaos included, for a moment. We just don’t know what chair will be empty next year.
We’ve all had to do it. Probably multiple times. It’s something I really don’t like doing for some reason. But live long enough and eventually you will have to deal with it. The dreaded return of an item!
Maybe it’s my retail background. My first real job as a teenager was working at JC Penney. Returns meant big headaches and usually crabby customers. Or maybe it’s my luck. I can promise you that I will choose the 1 out of 20 on a shelf that’s cracked, missing a bolt, knob or instructions – Every Time!
This time was pretty easy. I bought some of those doggie steps for our Maize dog who seems to be a little too short to get to all the places she finds important. You know, the sofa and the bed. Turns out what I found wasn’t her style and she politely declined to use them. So, back to the store it went.
I was prepared. I had left the tag on it and of course, more importantly, kept the receipt. Seems stores always want you to have the receipt to show that you bought the item from them and currently own it. The gal at the register was nice, took just a few minutes and I was relieved of the unfashionable steps, according to Maize dog, and the money refunded back. I chuckled to myself on the way out about how proud I was to have kept the receipt. That’s when it hit me. Receipts.
Defined as “proof, evidence; acknowledgement of receiving goods or money.” Sometimes receipts are an afterthought. Did I really need a piece of paper showing I bought a cheeseburger that I really didn’t need? Sometimes they are way too much – looking at you CVS and your 10-foot receipts! Our society requires them though. For Returns, for Insurance, for complex legal transactions. They are all forms of receipts.
Proof though. That’s the bottom line. In our present culture that makes us question everything, what receipts do I have? What things do I have or can show “proof” of that are really important?
I can say I’m a good driver, or a good gardener but do I have “receipts” to prove it? My insurance agent and my pantry can vouch for those things. But what about my love for my family? Can I show proof – do I have receipts?
Sometimes we have receipts for things we really don’t want to have them for. I know my life is filled with mistakes and bad decisions that I can show receipts for but wish I didn’t have. Wish those were lost or ran through the washer. But often those “bad receipts” have helped me grow and become a better person once I finally looked at the receipt and owned it.
What about my faith? Anyone can talk about having faith but are there receipts? In Matthew 7 Christ reminds us that a good tree bears good fruit – shows it’s receipts.
So next time you are cleaning your car or your pockets and find those pesky receipts or try to return something without one, think of the things in your life that you have receipts for and give thanks. Or maybe it’s something you thought you had but after searching, just couldn’t find the receipt for it and make a plan for ownership.
I know I am dating myself here. For some folks reading this post you may be way too young to remember some of these examples but I think you will still get the point. Old timers – you ready?
For us “older” folks who have seen the blur of “Progress” and “Technology”, think about this. When was the final time you dropped a coin into a payphone and placed a call? When was the last time you dropped a needle on a vinyl LP and listened to an album? Do you remember the final time you had to pop that plastic case open and check that the VHS movie was re-wound before taking it back to Blockbuster? What about the last time you ever had to get up from your chair and walk over to the TV to change the channel dial? Can you recall the very last time you had to grab a pencil, turn the wheels on the cassette tape and pray that it would rewind with out twisting or breaking?
Obviuously I could go on and on. As quickly as something “new” comes out, it’s just as quickly obselete and replaced. Those things we take for granted in our daily routines quickly fade to memories of “oh yeah, I remember that!” Floppy disks, cordless phones, VCRs, even CDs are ancient history. I’ve done all the things I’ve listed above but as I was trying to explain some of these things to my son the other day, it hit me. I did all of them as part of life at one point and then, without much fanfare, one day I did it for last time – ever. Maybe if I would have known that last drop off trip to Blockbuster would be the final time I could have savored it a little. Maybe appreciated that last time I slid a needle onto vinyl and listened to a song infused with the hiss and pops a little more if I would have known it would go away.
My point here is not to wax nostalgic, something I do a lot these days. The point is that we’ve all moved quietly onto the “next thing” often without thinking about the last or final time something mundane or routine would occur. Life experiences are the same way. A job you’ve been at forever ends or you leave for a new one. That commute, breakroom or desk that’s been a part of your routine – there’s a final time that you are there and it’s a part of you.
Unfortunately death is the cruelest robber. It robs us of our friends and family and the lifetime of interactions that was just part of our everyday are gone. In a literal heartbeat. Did we get a chance to say goodbye? Did we cherish the moments no matter how small while we had that special person? Would we have done it any different if we knew it would “be the last time” to see or speak to that loved one?
You see Mary, the mother of Jesus, understood this very well. In Luke chapter 2 we are able to have a brief look into the relationship of Christ and his mother. Luke tells us “but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” She cherished every moment with Jesus, marveled at his ministry and held on to hope during the dark moments of the crucifixion.
What’s the next technolgy trend, the latest gizmo or gadget? What process or items get discarded and found on Ebay tomorrow as “Antique?” I don’t know and we don’t know what changes our lives face tomorrow. So ponder a little more. Cherish those family times no matter how mundane. Who knows – may be the last time you can.
You step in, push a button then the door closes. Within a few seconds the door opens again to reveal a whole new world!
I can hear your gasps and sense your shock of amazement! This wonderful machine has the potential to change all our lives, LOL. Just follow me with this one for a moment.
I work in a multi-floor office building that has a bank of elevators. Last week happened to be one of those busy and stressful weeks. Days that seemed nothing went right and always a new problem to solve. You’ve had them as well I am guessing. I had a few moments one day to make a quick trip downstairs to the Cafeteria to refill my water bottle. As I stepped on the elevator alone and pushed the button, the doors closed and I immediately found myself exhaling. You know one of those long deep breaths that makes you feel like you just let all the stress out with it. For those brief few seconds I was alone, quiet and able to relax. When the door opened I was on a different floor away from the hustle and bustle of my work area. Another few moments to relax.
This whole experience that happens multiple times a day for many of us gave me pause. What if life was really like that? What if we were able to mentally and emotionally “close the door” on problems and challenges and then re-open our hearts and minds to a whole new landscape? A fresh start.
Would be GREAT! but it doesn’t happen that way. We’re human. We process, hold on, carry baggage, get stuck – all the things would not want to have happen to you while riding an elevator.
We all face life events and crisis that takes us weeks, months, and even years to process and move on from. Sometimes we turn to the wrong things or people to try and get that elevator door to close and whisk us away from the problem. Sometimes we haven’t learned what is needed and when the door does open we find that the problem or challenges has simply ridden with us and we face it all over.
While we are all human and face these issues all the time, there is hope. You see Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5 that when we find and accept Christ that we are “New Creatures” and that “all things become new.” A relationship with Christ IS our elevator, able to give us a new perspective. You know something else? He also joins us in that elevator ride so we are not there alone, so that He can talk with us about the issues and it’s not that uncomfortable elevator silence with strangers.
So next time you hop on an elevator and suddenly find yourself transported to a whole new floor, think of how there is hope and help to move you in your life’s journey as well. Oh, and if you are claustrophobic like me, be thankful that the hope He brings never leaves you stuck!
“It refers to the moment when a player – whether out of bravado, recklessness or desperation- bets all of their chips on a single hand.”
The Stanley Cup playoffs. As an avid Pittsburg Penguins fan, I look forward to this time of year with both excitement and anxiety. Excited as the Pens usually have a good team and make the playoffs each year. Anxious because you never know if they have what it takes to win the championship.
At the trading deadline this year the Penguins picked up a talented veteran from the LA Kings named Jeff Carter. For those of you who don’t care about sports, stay with me I promise I’m getting to the point. In his first interview as a Penguin, Jeff said something that got me thinking. He was considering retirement but when the offer to play for the Penguins and compete for a Cup came he said “yeah this is great, I’m all in.”
All in. There it was. Been thinking about that for weeks. You read the definition at the beginning. When either bravado or recklessness makes you “bet it all.” What if we apply that into our daily lives?
As I’ve written before these blogs are really about the things I’m working through in life and I share them with you. I’ve been silent on my blog recently because I’ve really been struggling with this one.
I’ve been really pondering and seeking what things are really worth going “all in” for. Where should I throw all my chips and never look back? What’s so important that going “all in” is the only play to make a difference? Easy answers like my marriage and my son come quickly to mind. My faith and walk with God – another no brainer. But if it’s that clear and easy why do I often look down and find I still have chips left – still have something I’ve held back and not went all in with?
Fear, pride, doubt – all of the above. Honestly still wrestling with all these. Asking for divine help to truly go “all in” on the things that matter and make a difference.
Want another kicker? Jeff’s story didn’t end well this season. Penguins won their division, made the playoffs and their 1st round matchup had them winning easily on paper. But it’s a team sport. It was the goalie’s first playoff series, couple of guys got hurt and just like that others couldn’t or wouldn’t go “all in” and so Jeff and the other Pens are playing golf instead of competing for the Cup.
Ain’t that life too? You go “all in” but your co- workers don’t or your spouse or your fellow church members or friends aren’t ready. Kind of makes you want to throw in your cards and take your chips and go home.
But let me tell you about someone who did go “all in.” Jesus Christ. He came into this world and gave it all – including His life – to make a way for us to be forgiven. We who could never be perfect to be found “not guilty.”
So I will continue to work through where and how to go “all in.” Maybe you will too. When we commit 1000% we make a difference, can change the world. Pray for me on my journey and I’ll do the same for you.
Hopefully Spring is here to stay! I know the calendar said March 20th but sometimes nature forgets to check the calendar and offers just enough nice weather to make you forget about Winter only to bring back some Winter like days. At least here in North Carolina anyway. When Spring arrives and then gives way to Summer it will mean a change in Seasons. I know, news flash right? But as I thought about Spring and the seasonal changes it brings, it’s made me think a lot more about seasons.
Luckily the places and states I’ve lived in along the East Coast experience all 4 seasons. Sometimes all in 1 day! But that term gets thrown around a lot. When we are experiencing hard or difficult times, it’s often said “it’s the season I’m in.” Our own lives are often pictured with an analogy of ” Seasons” as we age along our life’s journey.
So I checked the definition as I pondered the term. “A time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature : an indefinite period of time.” So what? I began to see in my self-reflection that I am often wishing or rushing seasons literally and figuratively. I wish away the late Winter time in anticipation of Spring and planting a new garden. I only want to rush through the hot, dog days of Summer to get to Fall and the next Hunting Season. Seems I am guilty in life as well. Never quite content with where I find myself, always thinking of next week, next month or next year. Wishing those tough times would pass quickly so I can get to what I perceive to be a better “Season.”
I know there are worse things in the world. But as I thought about Seasons and my tendency to want to move from one to another ASAP, it gave me pause to think about what I am missing in the hurry I often find myself. Those long, cold Winter days in January and February that I think I dread – what lessons do they have to teach when I am forced to slow down? My rough Season of tough times, what am I supposed to see and be learning during those times that I miss by wishing the “Season” would change? It’s easy to wish for the blossoms of Spring or brilliance of Fall, but there’s something to be found, some treasure in each and every Season you find yourself in.
You see the Apostle Paul said in Philippians chapter 4 that “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Situation – Season if you will. That from a man in Prison awaiting imminent execution!
So whatever season you find yourself in – Literally and Figuratively – whether it’s taking care of an aging parent, facing medical or financial problems, starting a new job, looking at Retirement or maybe it’s just a day to sit outside and appreciate the Creator’s gift of creation, don’t wish it away. Don’t try to rush through the time as I often do. As Paul said, look to be content, look for what you can learn, look for the person you are there to help. After all the other part of the definition is “an indefinite period of time.” Days, Months, Years – look to enjoy your Season, I know I will be working on it too!
February in North Carolina can bring some crazy weather. Sometimes we get those Spring teaser days of 60 degrees, sometimes we get 6 inches of snow or even the dreaded ice storms.
Had a couple of those recently. I misread the Tea Leaves and didn’t think the first ice storm would be as bad as it turned out to be. Man was I wrong! Really Wrong! Power outages everywhere, roads closed, and lots of trees and limbs down. One of the few times I was caught unprepared. One of the largest trees on my property fell. Fell right through our chicken run, crashed through our chain link fence around the house and missed our house by only a few feet. Measured it to be 82 feet tall.
After the initial shock of the crash and having our power go out at the same time, I headed out to survey the damage. Lots of it to be sure but thankfully no people or critters were harmed. But as I looked at the damage I couldn’t stop thinking of how it happened.
This regal old Tulip Poplar was big and tall. If I had the patience to count the rings I am sure it’s every bit of 100 years old. Definitely a big old Grandaddy of our small patch of woods. So how did it fall? I am sure it wasn’t the first storm it’s weathered. That’s when I made the connection.
It wasn’t just the load of ice although that was a contributing factor. No, it was pulled over from the roots as you can see. It’s been a really wet winter here, we are several inches of rain above average. Add heavy rains, mix in some extra weight of ice and voila, Fallen Tree.
As I pondered the hectic events and the job of cleanup I faced, I connected my tree event with a recent sad report about a very prominent person in the Ministry. Seems he had been hiding some dark secrets. With all the good and positive things he’s done, he fell. Just like my tree. How are they connected? Shallow Roots.
My tall old tree didn’t really have deep roots after all as you can see. No way to know that as it stood tall and looked like every other tree until bad weather came. Same as the fallen Minister, sometimes things can remain hidden – for a while. We all have heavy rains and ice that buffet us in our life’s journey. We all face storms in life, it’s a given. But what and how deep are we rooted in?
Faith? Family? Or maybe we think we’re strong in just ourselves. Old Poplar tree probably felt that way as he outgrew the other trees around him. But when the wind blows and rains come, our roots get tested. They can fail us and send us toppling and crashing with devastating effects on our lives.
While I’ve been busy over the last few weekends with cleanup and repair, I’ve been thinking of roots. What holds me fast? When I lost my Mom to cancer, when I experienced job loss, during my storms did my roots hold? Did I lean or waiver or did my life’s tree dig deeper, look for more stability in the things that matter and hold us firm even in the worst of times?
If the rains, wind and ice haven’t hit your life’s tree yet, they will. If you are weathering a storm right now, dig deeper. Be rooted deeply in the soil of God, dig deeper into the shelter of friends and family and be amazed how tall your tree will stand.
Regular Guy Russ 