Single and Looking...?

I don't know where you are in your realtionship pusuit; but in the preparation of a recent message (8/24) on making tough decisions, I had time to reflect on some of the good and bad decisions that I have made over the course of my life. Many bad and many good. We really are the sum total of our decisions.

One decision I look back on with no regrets is who I married. Lori and I dated for 5 yrs before we ever walked the aisle and exchanged our vows. I can humbly and greatfully say that our relationship remained physically pure and celibate while we were dating.

I shared in my message that I had some standards that I wrote out on a crude sheet of paper, with misspellings and everything, that I have kept until this day. I had these standards for 24 yrs. I don't regret writing them and keeping them. I think ione of the reasons Lori and I have had the relationship we have had for 22 yrs is because we set high standards from the outset.

So, if you are single and looking, go speed dating, try e-harmony, check out a single's ministry some where, but set your standards high.

These were my standards...

1. I will not date a non-dedicated follower of Christ
2. I will only date someone who is Spirit-filled and will seek to allow the Holy Spirit to fill my life also.
3. I will seek my parent's approval of those I date.
4. I will not settle for any relationship that does not build me up spiritually.
5. I will strive to keep my relationship morally pure.

Happy dating...

I am 40 and Reflecting

I turned 40 a week ago so I have taken some time to reflect. Is 40 over the hill with one foot in the grave or is it potentially one foot stepping toward the best years of your life?

The Best of Times or Worst of Times...
...my health insurance went up $50 the day I turned 40. Blue Cross and Blue Shield must be telling me that sickness and poor health are imminent. However, I feel healthier and stronger than I have been in 15 yrs. I have a group of 4 guys that workout and study the Word twice a week. In the past year I have lost 3-4 inches in the waist and knocked off 10 lbs. I love to run, bike, swim, and climb. If I have one foot in the grave it's only because I am using it to get leverage to climb another hill.

... some would advise me that my career is wrapping up and I need to settle in because I won't be "marketable" much longer. I have 20 years of life and vocation experience. I hope to finish my Doctorate and walk in 2010 (one year before my daughter graduates from High School). I do not want to stop learning. I have no less than 30 years to go before I would even hope to retire from what I do. I am not even to the half way mark yet in the work I can do. According to Bob Buford's book, Half-Time, some people at this time of life start wanting to move from the successful careers to a career of significance. I am already there. And I have both. God has blessed me to be able to pastor with great success the greatest congregation on the planet. More than successful, it is having a significant impact on the people of NWA and the world through global partnership and projects. I would not step down from what I do to be the President of the United States.

...some men go through a mid-life crisis when they turn 40 and start looking for their trophy wife. I found my trophy wife and married her 17 years ago. I would marry her again if I had 40 lives to live. When you already have a geninue trophy that you love and fall more in love with every day, why settle for a plastic trophy that is sure to break and leave you and others broken. She is my best friend. We share our dreams with each other and help each other achieve them. She has followed me around the world. And to top it off..."It" is awesome. We are on our Honeymoon, please don't tell us we need to get off of it.

40 is the best year of my life. I can't wait until 41!