How Do You Handle Big News?

    When you get big news, how do you respond?
    “Well that depends on if it's good news or bad news,” you might reply. Does it really? Studies show that successful people tend to process good and bad news in the same way. People who react poorly to bad news also tend to make bad decisions in the wake of good news.
    For example, decisions in the aftermath of seemingly great news of instant wealth, such as winning the lottery, depend largely on how that person has historically handled distasteful news, such as the loss of a job. Here’s what I have learned:
    People who tend to handle life well process news, good and bad, in the same way. First, they analyze the problems as well as the opportunities that accompany this news. Good news and bad news alike carry with them both problems and opportunities. Next, they give consideration to their options; that is different ways in which they could respond and what the likely outcomes of those options will be. Third, they get advice from credible sources. Finally, they make a decision as to whether or not the news they received warrants a response and if so, what kind of response that should be based on the options they have considered.
    It is this kind of process that determines whether or not the loss of a job brings an opportunity for something better or becomes the source of bitterness. It also determines whether or not sudden wealth sends the recipient to eventual ruin or propels him to invested generosity and success.
    So it isn’t the nature of news that makes it good or bad, it’s the response of the hearer that ultimately determines whether or not the news is good!
    I was told I could no longer live with my family when I was 17 years old. I had to do something with that news. In the end, it was good news, believe it or not. Perhaps you have recently received some disappointing news. Remember, the jury is still out. God has a way of turning what appears to be bad into what ultimately is good (Romans 8:28). And that depends largely on your reaction, whether or not you will incorporate His grace into your response.
    For all of us, big news is around the corner. It’s up to you and your submission to God’s purposes that will determine whether or not it will be good or bad for you in the end.
    “As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” –Genesis 50:20 (NLT)

Are You Going In Circles?

    Did you see the circling boat on the news last Monday? Two men went out fishing in Tampa Bay. On their way to the fishing spot, the boat hit a rogue wave causing one man to lose his balance, who fell into his friend, tumbling them both into the sea. The boat was still running and began to turn in a tight circle, around and around and around, for over an hour and a half. One of the boaters swam the long trek to shore. The other was picked up by another boater. The Coast Guard was called, but they elected to just let the boat run out of gas. After all, though the energy expended wasn’t accomplishing anything useful, it wasn’t doing any damage either. So, they just let it run in circles until it died.

    That does remind me of a lot of people. They run around in circles, around and around, giving the illusion that they are going somewhere. But there’s no driver, no direction, just wasted energy, going around and around, until all energy is expended and they run out of gas. Mesmerizing to watch, but a waste of time and energy nonetheless.

    Could that possibly be you?
    The best way to ensure that your activity is actually going somewhere, is to make sure you stay in the driver’s seat, that you know where you are going, and that you stay pointed in the right direction. Lots of activity is not enough. For a lot of people, their activity only wears them out, but they aren’t really getting anywhere.
    So where is your activity taking you? What direction are you heading in? Do you have goals? Is all of that activity planned in order to meet those goals? Or are you just reacting to life?
    Over twenty years ago, I realized I was going in circles. I was busy, but not productive. Honestly, today I’m far more productive but not as busy. I learned to set goals and schedule my week to meet those goals.
    Give it a shot. You’ll find you have more time than you thought, and you’ll get more done. It might even change your life.
    “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV).

Are You Really a Dad?

     Have you heard about Orlando Shaw, the Tennessee man who is being sued by 14 women for back child-support of his 22 children? He says that he loves all of his kids but just can’t afford to support them, largely because he says that his criminal record prevents him from finding a decent job.
     There is something to be said about the foolishness on the part of the women who bore his children, but let’s stick with Shaw. In a brief interview with WTVF News, Shaw said, “I was young and ambitious, and I love women. You can’t knock no man for loving women.”
     This guy has no clue what love is. He doesn’t love women, he uses them. Nor does he love his children. He may love the idea of having children, but love is the self-sacrificial commitment to the well-being of another. Love is responsible, selfless and supportive. This Father’s Day is no celebration for the likes of Orlando Shaw.
     This Father’s Day at The Bridge, we are celebrating real fathers, those who raise their kids, not just contributed to their DNA. And sadly, having a real man in the home with his kids is a dying breed in this country. When you look at the statistics, this is an alarming fact. In every negative category, kids without dads at home struggle. In every positive category, kids with dads involved in their lives, caring for them, supporting them, disciplining them, teaching them, and just being there for them, do far better.
     We have so many real fathers here at The Bridge to celebrate. Dads, I want to thank you for being models for the rest of the world. Thanks for showing the world the value of being the leader at home God created you to be. Thanks for taking your marriage vows seriously (that’s part of being a good dad) and being committed to your momentous responsibility of raising kids!
     Happy Fathers Day to those of you who are REALLY fathers!

Cautiously Chasing a Tornado

     Brock, my youngest son, loves to watch the Discovery Channel's, “Storm Chasers.” It follows several crews of tornado chasers who look for and follow storms that are likely to produce tornadoes. You’ve probably seen the news accounts of the tragic death of three men who were featured on the program, Tim Samaras and his son, Paul, along with colleague Carl Young, were all killed when the vehicle they were using to follow an E3 touchdown, was crushed by what is believed to be a spin-off of the main twister. It was a terrible tragedy and I grieve for the loved ones of all three.
     What was ironic about this, is that Tim Samaras, the leader, had a reputation among meteorologists as the safest of those who chased storms. Unlike some in the field, he was described by his colleagues as one who did not take risks to get in too close. He was not a thrill seeker, but a scientist who wanted to collect information for the sake of research.
     But is it really possible to be a “cautious storm chaser”? I don’t condemn these three for what happened, nor do I blame others in this field. I’m kind of a risk-taker by nature, myself. But let’s face it, chasing tornadoes is not safe. It just isn’t. I’d have a hard time describing anyone as a “cautious storm chaser.”
     But then there are those who love to play around the edges of sin while trying to convince loved ones that they are “careful.” Promiscuous people often say that they practice, “safe sex”, while making their rounds. I’ve had addicts tell me that they always make sure they use only clean needles. I’ve also had alcoholics try to reassure me that they are very careful when they drive, and can drive better after a few drinks. It’s one of the dupes of sin. Giving in clouds our thinking and misleads us into believing we are fine.
     After all, Tim Samaras was safely buckled into the seat of his storm-chasing SUV. He was found still buckled in.
     There is nothing safe about chasing tornadoes. And there is nothing safe about playing with sin. Let’s not see how close we can get. Let’s see how far away we can stay!

Proverbs 4:14-15, 19 – “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on… The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (ESV).