tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343784012024-03-07T15:55:09.233-08:00Perfection is overrated.We strive everyday to be perfect and then inevitably something happens that ruins that idea. We will never be perfect no matter how hard we try.....so we might as well learn that each day is considered a clean slate and enjoy the ride that God has sent us on.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-16921485305999356722009-08-31T19:56:00.000-07:002009-08-31T20:29:54.166-07:00The day it all beganMay 31st, 1974:<br /><br />This is the day that I was born. I was born in St. Mary's hospital just outside the campus of Washington University - St. Louis and the apartment where I would spend my first 6 months of life sat directly across the street from the hospital ... my parents liked to plan ahead.<br /><br />I remember nothing about this day .... I was given a name that would identify me within all facets of my life. I always find it a little strange that the one title that is probably the most important identifying feature that all of us have .... is given to us with absolutely no regard to our own personal decision. This is how you end up with names like "Billy Bob Sue", "Stevie Stephens", and my personal favorite "Harry Richard" ( think about that one for a minute). There are people all over this world walking around swearing their parents name under their breath as they deal with the scars of having been called to the principals office over the loud speaker in high school:<br /><br />"Will Ben Dover please report to the principals office".......(seriously,his parents should be put in jail).<br /><br />So back to May 31st, 1974.<br /><br />When you are born there is this expectation that you are going to great things and this burden is immediately bestowed upon you by your parents. They look at you and are instantly determined to not make the same mistakes that they feel their parents made with them. Your life is instantly determined based on the actions of your grandparents ..... the very people who you will adore as you grow up are the same people who set the foundation for all of the things that will ---- you up down the line. <br /><br />Life is vicious in that regard. We are constantly correcting for the mistakes of those that came before us. We feel that in order for life to get better we must shake off the rust of our previous upbringing and give our children the perfect life. <br /><br />Why is that? What is it about the past that makes all of us want to try and change the future.<br /><br />What do you think? What is the one thing that would make the biggest difference in your life if we could change one thing your parents taught you?<br /><br />Tell me your thoughts.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-1873438839856011272009-08-25T20:35:00.000-07:002009-08-25T20:56:52.392-07:00OrdinaryI am back.<br /><br />I have decided that life is much more interesting when you remove the false label of "minister". There is a binding force that occurs when one lines themselves behind the institution that is the church. There are things that cannot be said, opportunities that cannot be explored, topics that cannot be broached. <br /><br />At age 35, I believe that I have discovered a secret that many of us should embrace:<br /><br />I'm ordinary.<br /><br />I am a father, a husband, a co-worker, a son, a brother, a nephew, an uncle, and a grandson. I get up each morning, put my legs into a pair of pants, grab a cup of Dunkin, and spend 45 minutes listening to sports radio while staring at the licence plates of my other ordinary counterparts.<br /><br />I did not dream of this life, nor did I reach out and try to give it back. I chose this life and in between waking up and going to sleep I have determined that there isn't a whole lot that I can do to change that.<br /><br />So tonight I begin a new literary journey. I am going to write about what life is like for a 35 year old father and what types of hurdles one most jump through to keep moving everything along.<br /><br />We'll start tomorrow......Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-7517712945423429682008-01-02T07:43:00.000-08:002008-01-02T08:22:29.092-08:00The Season of PossibilityHello!<br /><br />I was sitting on my living room floor, the fire was gently crackling (I like to think that gas fireplaces crackle), the glow of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Christmas</span> lights shined on the walls, and the clock on the wall stated "1am".<br /><br />I was 1 hour into 2008.........nothing had really changed yet..........but I know that things will...........they always do. I know that we have absolutely no chance of predicting those things which will be different, but here is my list of ten things I would love to see happen in 2008.<br /><br />______________________________________________________________<br /><br /><strong>10. I would like people to start looking past the surface when dealing with others. We have grown into such a "label" world that it is hard to truly get to know someone because of the immediate desire to classify by outward appearance.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>9. I want to see school systems and parents to not be so quick to medicate based on poor performance or perceived lack of attention. There tends to be a lot more going on than meets the eye.....find the key to the child's mind and all will begin to flow.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>8. I want politicians to look me in the eye and speak without rhetoric. I want honesty and an individual that I can get behind.......there is to much at stake to just hand the job to the person with the most money.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>7. I want to begin to see an assurance that when my daughter reaches adult hood that the opportunities afforded to me will still be available. There seems to be an increasing gap between rich and poor.......the country is polarizing itself........we sometimes forget that we are basically the same.........money or no money..........you are still human.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>6. I would love to have at least one person hold the door and smile at me when I have an arm full of bags and a 1 yr old hanging off my shoulders. It isn't hard......we have to remember to look around and see who is in need of a little help.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>5. I worry about teenagers today. Not because of the things that they do....but because of the pressures that the adult world puts on them. I am tired of seeing stressed out youth who have forgotten that this life is supposed to be fun......give them a break every now and then.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>4. I would like to see the world take a deep breath and relax for a minute. We all need to stop being reactionary and allow for all of the pieces to fall into place. We keep throwing the puzzle on the floor before we have a chance to complete it.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>3. There are people who walk this earth who are inherently bad.......we need to stop the idolizing of such individuals. There are people who walk this earth who are inherently good......we need to promote those individuals.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>2. There are children dying all over this world.........we should stop this..........now.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>1. The world has forgotten that God created all of this. We try so hard to position ourselves on the "right" side of the line.......that we forget that there is a very real possibility that God may have a bigger plan than we can even imagine. We need to stop the limiting of life and reach across the table of differences and shake the hand of our brother or sister. The answer is so simple and yet it is one of the hardest things to achieve.</strong><br /><br />Will 2008 be the beginning of change?<br /><br />The answer begins with us.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-19249544193761968862007-12-19T09:05:00.000-08:002007-12-19T10:09:36.558-08:00Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas"<strong><em>Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to tonight's feature fight between two age old foes! In this corner...standing at an even 6 ft...wearing the red and green shorts...Merry Christmas!!!!"</em></strong><br /><br />Applause erupts throughout the arena....<br /><br /><strong><em>"And in this corner....standing at 6 ft...wearing the colors of the world...Happy Holidays!!!"</em></strong><br /><br />Applause erupts again....a couple of "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Boo's</span>" can be heard in the background...<br /><br />The two foes approach the center of the ring and with the ringing of the bell they begin to fight!<br /><br /><br />Really? <br /><br />This is what it has come to...we now spend our time battling over a phrase? <br /><br />We sit in the month of December and are currently six days from Christmas....and this is the comment I heard on the radio the other day:<br /><br /><strong><em>"I don't care if you like me saying 'Merry Christmas' or not! This month is about the birth of Christ and if you don't like me saying it.....well then.....Go To Hell! Especially since you are going there anyway!"</em></strong><br /><br />Nice.<br /><br />I am sure that God is giving that individual a standing ovation as we speak....because when God sent His son to earth that was what the point was....damn everybody to hell who doesn't "join up".<br /><br />There seems to be a growing swell of support for the idea of "fighting back" against those who speak out against Christianity. The common perception was that Christians were too passive and not able to stand up to the outspoken religious sects of the world. That they are an easy prey because of their desire to "turn the other cheek" and their ability to respect those who they share this world with. What people were actually saying is that Christians have taken the teachings of Jesus Christ to heart and look how funny it is that they are actually attempting to implement peace and love into their lives. <br /><br />That tendency has shifted though. We have many Christian leaders who are moving into the dangerous realm of placing a distinct line between "those who are" and "those who aren't". There are terms such as "Battle Cry" and "Front Lines" being thrown around which is designed to stir up the emotions of the Christian faithful. There is a drive to pronounce the Christian Faith as an "Us vs Them" scenario and questions asking "Whose side are you on?" are becoming more and more frequent.<br /><br />I have to believe that God is shaking His head in utter disappointment as He sees His name associated with the dividing of His own people. This life journey we are on does not lend itself to looking across the table and dismissing a fellow human because of a different belief system. The fact remains that we are all created in God's image and that means white, black, red, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">islamic</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jewish</span>, christian, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">buddhist</span>, heterosexual, homosexual. That is the beauty of this world that God has provided for us and all of the wonderful people that He has enabled us to come in contact with. When one uses God to separate humanity we are merely defeating the unifying force which is His love.<br /><br />When God sent His son Jesus it was an act meant to bring the world together, it was meant to create peace, it was meant to enable the world to see the type of God we have. The problem lies in the human desire to "know" and "judge". We want so badly to have our belief system be the right one and we are willing to sacrifice the peaceful gift of Jesus in order to show the world we are right. <br /><br />If Christians do not lose the attitude that we are better than those who follow other religions than we are doomed to fail at the very purpose of Jesus. This month is not yours and the season of Christmas is not reserved for your enjoyment....in fact if we follow the example of Jesus it actually belongs to all of those who are on the outside looking in. The question is what do they see when peering through the windows of the Christian faith? Is it a room full of pompous know it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">alls</span> or is it a room with a manger and a sign saying 'welcome'?<br /><br />Happy Holidays.<br /><br />Merry Christmas.<br /><br />Open your eyes....this world is for the inn keepers, the shepherds, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">wisemen</span>....it for all who want to partake. Live your life as an example of what Jesus was sent to promote and leave the attitude at home....Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-20091124844936346572007-12-18T08:36:00.000-08:002007-12-18T08:41:12.660-08:00Buy the Book!Hello!<br /><br />Just wanted to put a post out there about a new book that I have been published in! The book is a magazine called: <em>Haruah Breath of Heaven</em> and they also have a series of books that they release. If you would like to purchase the book that my devotion is in please click on the following link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/1167896">http://www.lulu.com/content/1167896</a><br /><br />The piece that they used is called: "Could You Handle It" and it revolves around the courageous life of a member of my congregation. Please check it out!!Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-31496206113415721802007-12-06T06:17:00.000-08:002007-12-06T06:20:28.150-08:00Just Trying to Wake Up“I can’t move.”<br /><br />Joe had been standing in the same spot for the last 30 years and all of a sudden God was telling him it was time to walk. This had become a very comfortable place and Joe had enjoyed his stay but there was no denying this push coming from above.<br /><br />“I can’t move.”<br /><br />It wasn’t that he didn’t want to take the next step. He just didn’t know how. His life path had been predictable, easy, a walk in the park. He had seen other people forced to move but he figured that it would never happen to him. He had everything that he needed and walking just didn’t seem to be a very smart move.<br /><br />“I can’t move.”<br /><br />He loved God and enjoyed all of the perks that come with being spiritual. He loved private moments of prayer, the singing of songs on a peaceful morning, and an invigorating religious class. He could look into a child’s eyes and see the pure joy of life. There had been great moments of joy and deep times of spirituality. He had grown up with the umbrella of God’s love and he had grown fond of the relationship.<br /><br />“I can’t move.”<br /><br />He looked around the room and wished that there was someone else who would move for him. It was empty. He looked down at his feet and began to cry. He cried for the loss of innocence, the loss of comfort, and the loss of simplicity. God had chosen him for the next chapter and there was nothing he could do about it.<br /><br />“I have to move.”<br /><br />The dreams had been to real…the voice of God too strong. He had woken up with sweat pouring off his body and the voices from his slumber had echoed in his brain. He had stood up and found his feet locked into place on the floor.<br /><br />“I have to move.”<br /><br />There was going to be a gift. There was going to be child. There was going to be a king. The voice had told him all of this. He wanted to believe but that would mean he would have to walk. He heard a shuffling of feet at the door.<br /><br />“Joseph….are you alright?”<br /><br />He looked down at his feet and wiped the tears away. He looked up at the beautiful face of his precious Mary and took a step towards her…<br /><br />“I’m fine Mary…just trying to wake up.”Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-70013465357578017912007-11-28T08:04:00.000-08:002007-11-28T08:28:12.506-08:00OppositesThere once was a man who had nothing.<br /><br />There once was a man who had everything.<br /><br />They both had the same name, dressed in the same manner, ate the same food, drove the same car, and loved the same woman. When they looked into the mirror.....they even looked the same.<br /><br />But...<br /><br />One man had nothing and the other had everything.<br /><br />How can this be?<br /><br />How can one person have it all and yet feel as if they have nothing? How can one person look at their life and feel unsatisfied but in actuality have what everyone else wants? Who can eat to their hearts content but then look across the table and want more? How can one drive to work but then feel as if they have not achieved success?<br /><br />How can one man have nothing and everything all at the same time?<br /><br />I don't know....but I want to.<br /><br />I can't figure it out.....but I desire to.<br /><br />I am good.....but yet I fail.<br /><br />I smile......and yet I cry.<br /><br />When one looks out into the world......do they look out content with what is within their grasp or do they let go of what they hold in an attempt to grab on to something else?<br /><br />There was a child.......he grew.......he taught........he died........he rose.......<br /><br />He is within your grasp and yet when you let go...........He doesn't fall.<br /><br />Chase your Life but the Truth lies within you.<br /><br />Look around and realize you are here. Right where you are supposed to be.<br /><br />I have....I want....<br /><br />God.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-85060572609518168382007-11-07T08:39:00.000-08:002007-11-07T09:15:17.517-08:00The Opening of Our EyesThe eyes of a child never lie.<br /><br />One of my favorite times of the day is early in the morning when my daughter starts to wake-up. There is a slight desperation to her cries...as if she knows that it is morning and has the idea that the louder she cries the quicker breakfast will arrive. I ease the door to the nursery open and gently walk over to the crib....I peer into the pink abyss that is her bed. She pauses for a moment as she studies this new intrusion into her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sight line</span>....and then it happens.<br /><br />The smile.<br /><br />Her mouth widens, her eyes flicker with recognition, and the arms immediately go up. Her dad has come and it is time to get up and face the day. I relish the feeling of her weight in my arms and we make our way down the stairs to enjoy a quality breakfast of rice cereal and mashed bananas. Life doesn't get any better than this.....<br /><br />So many of us want this same relationship with God. We want to cry out when we wake to the realization of being alone and we long to see God peering over the bars of our lives....a smile on His face. There is nothing worse than opening your eyes and being completely alone.....especially when the last time you closed them....there were people all around you. <br /><br />This the life sequence of faith. There are ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys, good and bad days. There are moments where we close our eyes to the obvious and pursue that which makes us feel good.....but eventually the glow fades and our eyes open again to the world we actually live in. The world that we wish to live in and the reality of where our bodies lie can be very different. The question that arises is where does God reside? Does He go with us when our eyes close to the reality of His love? Does He accompany us down the dark roads of desire? Will we feel His presence when our thoughts turn to those things that take us farther from Him?<br /><br />Would I leave my daughter in a time of need? Would I fail to fix a wound that my little girl receives? Would I leave my daughter to cry in fear? Would I sit and watch while she encountered a circumstance beyond her comprehension?<br /><br />No.<br /><br />God goes with you in whatever direction you go. Whether it be a descent into darkness or an ascension to opportunistic glory. He must go for He understands that we are just children trying to find our way in this crazy world. The roller coaster ride which is our faith journey dictates that we are in constant need of supervision. When our eyes are open to all that He is giving to us....He is there. When our eyes close to His love....He is there. When we awake....back from the nightmare of the failures of desire....He is there.<br /><br />He will never leave......you may try......but you are in His grip.<br /><br />Forever.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-15349994358161129522007-10-24T10:02:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:18:15.300-07:00Are You Ready for the Day?<span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">When you wake up in the morning and look into the mirror:</span><br /><ol><li><strong>Today is a new day...yesterday is done.</strong></li><li><strong>What are you going to do today that the person staring back would be proud of?</strong></li><li><strong>Are your eyes open to the possibility of change?</strong></li><li><strong>Is your mouth ready to speak in the defense of another?</strong></li><li><strong>Do you see potential?</strong></li><li><strong>Is today about Luck or about God? </strong></li><li><strong>Who are you going to support today?</strong></li><li><strong>Can you see what God has done?</strong></li><li><strong>Will you cheat the person staring back at you or give them a chance?</strong></li><li><strong>Be honest.....who is staring back at you: Reality or Dream?</strong></li></ol><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Is it time to make the Dream a Reality? Will you allow God to work through you today? Will your eyes be open to those in trouble around you? Are you willing to step out of the mirror and into the world?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Good Luck?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">No Luck.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Just God.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Now brush those teeth and get out there.......</span></p>Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-89086670269426788122007-10-17T09:00:00.000-07:002007-10-17T09:49:03.551-07:00Falling DownToday my daughter began her first lesson in Life.<br /><br />I am sitting on the floor of my living room and my daughter is talking up a storm. I have no idea what she is saying but I know that it means a lot to her since her eyes betray the determination that she holds inside. She stops briefly, wobbles a little, and falls face first onto the floor. I catch my breath but resist the urge to pick her up....she must learn. Her little hands press down on the floor, her head slowly rises off the carpet, and her deep black eyes stare at me with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">curiosity</span>.<br /><br />Then she smiles. It's the most beautiful smile that I have ever seen and I give her a wink. She giggles. I laugh. She falls face first onto the floor again. I wait. She pushes herself up and we begin the routine again. <br /><br />She falls and then picks herself up. She is learning about life and I get a first row seat.<br /><br />Awesome.<br /><br />There are two ways of looking at moments of uncertainty. We can embrace the fact that we have no idea what is going on or we can stress over the fact that tomorrow is hidden in the haze of today. There is always a fear that the next step we take is going to be the one which launches us into a terrifying free fall and we can only pray that there is a soft piece of carpet to cushion the fall. Will that next step be one of pure satisfaction or one of pure hell? Will we find peace or terror? Will we be happy or sent into a black hole of confusion? What will the decisions that we make today mean for our lives tomorrow?<br /><br />Will God be there when we take that step? Will God be there when the bottom falls out? Will God be there when we fall?<br /><br />It is easy to find God when we are successful. When all is right in the world it is very easy to make the connection between what is good and the work of God. When that prayer is answered and life seems to be moving along with ease and certainty....we have no problem putting God at the center of it. It is when we are faced with an uncertain future and when a good life becomes a confusing one....it is then that we wonder where God has gone.<br /><br />The basic fact of decision making is that there is always the chance that the decision made will lead you down a road that you didn't necessarily want to take. There is always the possibility that you might fall and it might hurt. We can also make a choice that turns out to be great and our lives are turned into something that is so much better than we ever dreamed. <br /><br />Either way....God will be there.<br /><br />We are going to fall down. We are going to stand.<br /><br />This is Life.<br /><br />There is a reason that I won't pick my daughter up when she falls. She has to learn that one must push themselves back up and dust themselves off. She has to learn that giving up is not an option and when life knocks you down there is only one option available.......Get Up.<br /><br />The key to the whole process is where I place myself when she does fall. The first thing that she sees when she lifts her head up off the floor is my face. I am always there and my words of encouragement resonate within her head. She studies my face to see if all is okay and when she sees that I am confident that she will recover.....she smiles.... for my confidence becomes her confidence.<br /><br />Will you fall in Life? <br /><br />Yes.<br /><br />Will God be there?<br /><br />Yes.....just look for the smiling face.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-31306994163125945842007-10-03T12:05:00.001-07:002007-10-03T12:33:57.118-07:00Being Different is Being the SameIn our interaction with each other there sometimes needs to be a reminder that we are all in this together. There are so many circumstances in which we look at each other as being completely different....so here are five ways in which we are all the same.<br /><br /><ol><li><strong>The air that I breathe is the same air that you breathe. The air was created by God...therefore we all partake in the "breath" of God.</strong></li><li><strong>When I bleed the color is red, when you bleed the color is red, when Jesus bled the color was red. </strong></li><li><strong>When the sun shines we all have the same predetermined amount of time in which to use that light.....the question is how will you use it?</strong></li><li><strong>We all have muscles with which to smile.....it just depends on if you work those muscles which makes the result different.</strong></li><li><strong>God loves you and God loves me.</strong></li></ol><p>We concentrate so much on those things that make us different. Whether it be skin color, income, schools we attend, people we love, the church we go to......the list is endless. </p><p>Why?</p><p>By pointing at someone and claiming that they are different....you are also pointing at yourself and saying that you are different as well. </p><p>Relish the fact that you are who God made you. Enjoy the fact that there are quirks about you that give you that individual touch. Don't worry about being "in line". Find the things that God has given you and use them to promote the differences in all of us. I don't want to be you and you should not want to be me. We should desire the ability to be ourselves. Let the breath of God enter you, let the blood of Christ invigorate you, give your best effort when the sun is high, and give those face muscles a work out.</p><p>We are all loved by God, but it is the recognizing of the unique which enables us to stand on our own two feet.</p><p>We can be different for God made us the same.</p><p> </p>Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-21879405495317228052007-09-26T05:48:00.000-07:002007-09-26T06:28:23.937-07:00Will He Give Up?What do you do when the various paths that God has laid out for you seem to blend together?<br /><br />You have every intention of doing the things that God wants you to do, but there are choices which constantly bombard you....and you are afraid that if you make the wrong one....God will simply give up.<br /><br />Does God ever throw His hands up and decide that you are a lost cause?<br /><br />Yes?<br /><br />No?<br /><br />I have had the pleasure of meeting many different people in my life and the one constant that always seems to run through all of them is the desire to do good. I have met people in hospitals, prisons, flight decks of airplanes, school grounds, university classrooms, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">restaurants</span> half-way around the world, church <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sanctuaries</span>...and that is just the beginning of the list. In each circumstance it is evident that being human gives us the ability to do good and to try and better our lives each day. The trick is that some of us are really good at it and others seem to struggle mightily just to get through each day without hurting someone else. It is this diverse mix of humanity that makes up the world that God watches over and which He cares for. <br /><br />Within this group resides those people who are scared that if they get out of the line that they view God has put them in......then God will get them. This is usually because of some type of tragedy that has befallen that individual in the past. They went through hell and then found God in the process, thus turning their lives over to God and promising to follow the path laid out for them. Their lives continue and they quickly learn that trying to figure out what God has in store for you is quite difficult. The choices which can be made are numerous and they try to pick through the various options and pick the one that God wants them to choose. These people are very picky for they feel that their lives hang in the balance.....make the wrong choice and tragedy may strike again. God knows how to keep them in line and the thought of going through hell again is just to frightening.<br /><br />This is a rough way to go through life and the paralyzing fear can wreak havoc on the lives of those hanging onto the notion of not wanting to choose the wrong path. <br /><br />I don't believe that God is out to get us. I don't believe that God sits up on His throne with His finger on the red button of tragedy, ready to push it if we take a path that doesn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">coincide</span> with His plan. I sincerely believe that all God truly wants is to go with us while we travel on our roads of life. God doesn't cause tragedy in order to bring us back to Him.....that would be like beating your dog everyday and then opening the door and inviting the animal to come sleep in your bed. No....God wants to be a part of whatever choice we make. He wants to be involved in the conversation, He wants to be included in the dream, He wants His love to have a place at the table of whatever meal we choose to eat.<br /><br />God does not give up on us............ever.<br /><br />We may frustrate Him, we may sadden Him, we may do things that cause Him to shake His head in disbelief, but there is nothing that we can do which will cause His hand to be withdrawn from our life. Like any good parent there is an understanding that children are going to make mistakes and even though it may seem as if the mistakes are never ending.......the parent loves their child irregardless. <br /><br />The great thing about including God in the conversation is that His strong moral stance will drive us to make the appropriate decision. If we listen to the love of God and make sure that we transfer that voice into our everyday view, then how can we go wrong?<br /><br />Go ahead and make the choice.<br /><br />Just take God with you.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-53964037094180027352007-09-12T12:29:00.000-07:002007-09-12T12:49:41.757-07:00Which Came First?What comes first.<br /><br />Sunday or Monday?<br /><br />I had this thought while having a discussion for a Masters class that I am taking. We were discussing the importance of the Sabbath and in the midst of the discussion it was mentioned that since Sunday was the first day of the week that it should be treated with more importance than the others.<br /><br />Sunday is first?!<br /><br />I thought Monday was first!<br /><br />I know that this might seem to be a trivial comment and many of you may be shaking your heads wondering if I have lost my mind. I assure you that I haven't and I actually am perplexed by this new notion.<br /><br />I have always viewed Sunday as the seventh day. At the end of a long week we can come together for a day of rest and get rejuvenated for the days to come. We go to church, enjoy the weather, watch some football, and generally do the things we need to accomplish in order for the new week to kick off the next day. Sunday has been the clean up day....the last day to take a breath and head out into the world the next morning.<br /><br />Monday has always been the first day of the week. All of the issues that we left on Friday are anxiously waiting for us when we walk in the door. That paper that was due, the project which needs to be accomplished, the meetings that need to be held, the phone calls that have to be made. All of these items that we quickly jump into so that we can get our week started on the right foot. The thought of Saturday and Sunday seem like far off goals that we must work to reach.<br /><br />What if we put Sunday first? Is it appropriate that the one day we are supposed to leave for God we save for last? Shouldn't we promote God to the front of the line and make His day our number one priority?<br /><br />This doesn't mean that we need to change what we do on Sunday. We should get up, spend time with family, attend church, eat a meal together, watch some football, go for a walk.....basically get ready for what the week is going to bring. We should do this with the knowledge that God goes with us when we board that bus, poke along in traffic, and drop our children off at daycare. If we wait to the end of the week and then ask God to give us peace from the week that we just had....we are closing the barn door after the horse has already left! <br /><br />If we ask God for peace and guidance in the week that is coming....now we are giving ourselves a little reassurance that no matter what we encounter in the next six days....God will be there with us.<br /><br />So let's start the week on Sunday! Give God the first day.......not the last.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-212866040291727872007-09-05T06:40:00.000-07:002007-09-05T07:23:54.715-07:00Just DanceThere is a dance that we all partake in and it tends to last a lifetime.<br /><br />I have been dancing for 33 years and hope to continue for years to come. I enjoy the dance and even though there have been times when I have stood in the middle of the floor and wondered where everyone has gone.....I have never stopped dancing.<br /><br />There are times when the room has been filled with people and the music has been blaring with my favorite tunes. I have moved with great feeling and my body has felt alive. The faces of my past shoot by me in a whirl of smiles and shouts. We dance together and for a period of time my life is seemingly perfect. <br /><br />Then the music slows and the energy wanes. The faces slow and soon I am keenly aware of being alone. I stare off into the shadows and notice that there is a darkness into which I cannot penetrate. I am not allowed to leave the room and so I dance. I dance to the music and allow the sadness to control my movements. The sound of my scuffling feet and gentle sobs are all that echo across the walls. The dance continues and I move to the music of life.<br /><br />Then the melody begins to change and the rhythm picks up. The lights shine and I glance around waiting for the party to begin again. The faces are back and we enjoy the feeling of the pulsating beat coursing through our bodies. We move again and there is laughter where there was once a sob. I throw my arms out and relish the moment for it is fleeting....I know that the music will slow again but I must enjoy the moment....it is a gift given to me.<br /><br />And so it goes.......I dance.......over and over.........I dance.<br /><br />There will come a day when the music will gently slow and then stop. The lights will come up and the door to my room will open, beckoning me to leave. I don't know what is on the other side of that door but I am fairly certain that the music of angels awaits me.<br /><br />So my friends the only option we have in this life is to dance. No matter what the mood or beat might be......we must dance. Tap your feet......move your arms.....bob your head.......<br /><br />Just dance.....<br /><br />Dance to the rhythm of Life.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-34872747124844221832007-07-06T08:58:00.001-07:002007-07-25T07:38:04.640-07:00Gone To See About a Girl<strong>The house is quiet.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Not for long............. : )</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>We left as two.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>We'll be back as three.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>See all of you soon!!</strong>Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-34401501308231039832007-06-27T06:46:00.000-07:002007-06-27T09:05:05.643-07:00My GirlsI sit quietly on my patio and ponder.....<br /><br />My life is very strange.<br /><br />I begin to say a prayer for my wife who is away on business in Milwaukee, then I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">segway</span> into a prayer for my new daughter who is in China, and then I finish up with a prayer of thanks for the life of my other daughter who resides in heaven.<br /><br />I am in Kentucky and my girls are in Milwaukee, China, and Heaven.<br /><br />My life is very strange.<br /><br />This is not how I would have pictured my life to look like ten years ago. My family spread out across the universe and me sitting on a patio reading a golf magazine....weird. It is actually so strange that one needs to chuckle a little....in fact we can move that emotion into outright laughter. If we aren't able to smile at the curve balls that life throws at us then we will never truly gain happiness.<br /><br />We all carry ideas of how our lives are supposed to look and as we move through our years it is hard to watch as our plans get rearranged and turned around. When we are young the world seems so large and the possibilities are endless. People ask you what kind of life you want to live and you fill the answer with grand pictures of success, children, perfect spouses, large homes, fast cars, powerful jobs, and numerous other "dreams". We head out from our adolescent lives and begin to work towards what we are certain will be a life filled with all of the "fruits" that life has to offer. It seems like it should come easy since every time we turn on the TV it is evident that the rest of America seems to be living the life we want to have....our turn will surely come. <br /><br />Then things start to happen that we didn't expect. That perfect spouse doesn't materialize when they are supposed to, jobs don't pay enough, children come to soon or not at all, illness grabs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ahold</span> of you, addiction rears its ugly head, and that large home seems so far away. We start to get bogged down in the quick sand of life and yet we push on determined to accomplish all of the goals that were set when we were young. We begin to pull out the credit cards, settle for loans that bite us later on, chase jobs in search of satisfaction, and desperately grab onto partners that may not make us happy but will provide the mirror of a satisfied life. We judge our happiness on whether or not we meet the levels of success set by the media and those in the entertainment industry. We begin to move faster and faster hoping to beat the ticking clock which is our inevitable death.....days begin to blur.....years accelerate.....we must gain the goals that were set....our life flies by.<br /><br />Somebody take a breath......please......just pause for one second.<br /><br />I don't know much but I have learned one important lesson in this crazy life called "Todd". It is that God will provide what you need when you need it. This fascination with living the life that is falsely depicted on our TV screens will ultimately destroy you if allowed. In the pause of a moment look at what is around you and who has been provided for your journey through this short stay on Earth. It is very easy to get so caught up in the marathon of greed that we miss opportunities to interact with those around us. It is not hard to get buried by the weight of grief and not be able to see those who are offering hands of assistance. When the chasing of what we want overshadows the granting of what we need than it is time to re-evaluate.<br /><br />I always wanted to be successful, have a wonderful wife, two children, and a house in the suburbs. <br /><br />I work for God, have an unbelievable wife away on business in Milwaukee, a new 5 mos old child in China, an angel of a daughter in Heaven, and I sit on my patio in a suburb of Cincinnati.<br /><br />God does give you what you need......it just may not be how you thought it would look. Get out of your tunnel vision.....your goals are closer than you think.<br /><br />I sit quietly on my patio and chuckle.....life is strange.....<br /><br />Good night Milwaukee, good night China, good night Heaven.<br /><br />Sleep tight girls.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-79517828389160539722007-06-20T05:14:00.000-07:002007-06-20T06:08:31.265-07:00Imprints of ChoiceWe hear so many times about coming to a fork in the road and not knowing which way to go. We peer to the right and then back to the left.....each direction has their positives and negatives. We stand back and scratch our heads wondering and trying to see into the future. We weigh all of the different possibilities...what friends can we possibly lose or gain and will it be monetarily beneficial to our life in the long run.<br /><br />Maybe while we sit and think there are other people running by who seemingly have no problem choosing what direction they need to go. We politely wave and watch as their confident forms disappear down the path of their choice. It seems so easy for them and yet the frustration mounts as our own inability to choose a direction grows to enormous proportions. <br /><br />Then we get a shot of courage and take a couple of steps down a path.......but then we look behind us and the fear of being wrong over takes us. Back to the fork we go....confident that as long we don't make the decision then we can't make the wrong one. The imprint of our footprints grows deep as each passing moment takes us closer to nothing but the present.<br /><br />There are so many of us out there who are stuck. We started out with energy and enthusiasm, but then life started to fight back with its usual tenacity. We began to feel bogged down and the battle became a war. The days started to run together and before we knew it the decision to just get out of bed became the focal point of our existence. A life that was once full of promise and optimism became a 45 minute drive in rush hour traffic, a cup of coffee, and an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">inventive</span> dinner in front of our favorite news personality. We have moments of movement but they are confined to the steep walls in which our existence takes place. <br /><br />The imprints of our footprints grow deeper.<br /><br /><strong>The fear of making the wrong decision sometimes is the very choice that will kill you.</strong><br /><br />The beauty of the world that God has provided for us is that we are able to make choices! If we look at how this world is set up it becomes evident that it is a world of constant movement and flux. It is filled with people who make decisions and then head out with the knowledge of having made a choice that will make them feel at peace with the world. The trick is to understand that every choice has the ability to change your life but it is how you make the choice which will determine the ultimate destination.<br /><br />There are no guarantees that a choice will reap fruit but if done correctly you will be guaranteed protection from the fear of failure. What many people don't realize is that while standing at the fork in the road they are not alone. They will spin around in circles trying to find someone who will make the decision for them but all they tend to find are people who have only their personal interests in mind.<br /><br />Look within yourself....<br /><br />God resides in each of us and we in Him. We are often afraid to engage God in conversation since sometimes the advice may not be what we want to hear, but deep in our heart we know it to be true. As we look down the two paths it will become apparent which one to choose by what the "tug" of our heart tells us. It is in the pull of what we know to be true that our purest decisions are made and it is there where God resides. The choices of life are hard but they are given to us in order that we may not only impact our existence but others as well. <br /><br />The fork in the road may pose a daunting task but a road is not meant to be looked at....no....it is meant to be travelled. <br /><br />Say a prayer, feel the tug, and take a step. <br /><br />The road awaits......let's see where it goes.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-41503708250544021392007-06-13T07:26:00.000-07:002007-06-13T09:28:44.519-07:00Perfection Has Been AttainedWhat a face.....<br /><br />When I started this blog over a year ago I started off with an explanation into how the idea of perfection and the striving towards its ideals were a waste of time. I told of how the pursuit of such a value was impossible and that we should understand that perfection did not exist here on earth.<br /><br />I stand corrected.<br /><br />There is a little girl named Wei Lu who is currently sleeping in an orphanage about 8,000 miles to the west of me and I would have to say that she is "perfect". Her eyes are the deepest black, her cheeks hold a twinge of red, her mouth is a shade of ruby, and I am fairly certain that she is a fighter just like her new mom and dad. I have searched for many a year to find exactly what God might look like and I believe I have my answer. <br /><br />She sleeps and I dream.....this is how it should be.<br /><br />I am still in the frame of mind that "perfection-is-overrated" and truly believe that the world's fascination with being good at everything is very detrimental to our future. I am changing my tune though when it comes to the idea that God would never strive for perfection within His own children. I continue to look at my new daughter's face and can't help but think along the lines of how "perfect" she looks. I can find no flaw and if God created her.....than perfection has been achieved. I am a "newbie" to this whole parent realm and won't even hold my daughter for the first time for another six weeks! I wonder if other parents ever take a moment and truly look at their children as a gift from God and what an impact they have on these beautiful packages.<br /><br />If you are a parent I want to ask all of you a question and please answer it honestly.<br /><br /><strong>Do you love your child?</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Okay.....here is the second question.<br /><br /><strong>Do they know that you love them? Have you reminded them of your feelings?</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Go back to the first time you laid eyes on your children. Remember the overwhelming feelings, the smiles, the tears, the promises of endless love. Before the strep throats, temper tantrums, report cards, sport teams, and piano lessons.......before life got complicated. <br /><br />Remember?<br /><br />There are defining moments in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">everyone's</span> life and often they get lost in the fog of the world's pursuit of making sure that we conform to normalcy. The defining moment that we all have in common is that when we were born our lives began and from that point the world changed forever. What was normal yesterday suddenly ceased to exist because of the insertion of another child into this vast world. We as parents have this unbelievable responsibility to care for this gift from God. We don't know what is in store for our children but I will guarantee that there is a plan and we must remember who put these children into the world and whose image they are designed after.<br /><br />For one moment put aside the anxiety of parenthood and take a good look at your child's face.....remember the first time you laid eyes on this gift from God. Take yourself back to the feeling of utter devotion and recognize that this is still the same child, the same one you held close to your chest, the same one who you sang to late at night.......go back and get lost again.<br /><br />I have held perfection before and had to say goodbye before I was ready. I have seen perfection again and as she closes her eyes tonight......her father sits a world away awash in the rays of a new day.<br /><br />She sleeps and I dream...........the way it should be.<br /><br />God has struck again........perfection has been attained.<br /><br /><br /><strong>**<span style="font-size:78%;">Thank you to Kim for the inspiration.</span></strong>Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-56376431665323916142007-06-06T07:24:00.000-07:002007-06-06T08:19:34.267-07:00Don't Be AfraidMy Grandfather passed away over the weekend and he leaves behind a woman he was married to for over 60 years. They were an inseparable couple.....this has got to be one of the hardest things that my Grandmother has ever had to do. <br /><br />I could sit here and talk about the many attributes of my grandfather and then move on to the various ways that he has had a positive influence on my life. I am choosing to keep those thoughts private at this time and allow myself to enjoy and relish what a wonderful man he was and continues to be.<br /><br />There is one gift that my grandfather gave me which I would like to share with all of you. It is actually a quote lifted from a letter that was sent to me while in flight school.<br /><br /><strong>"Don't Be Afraid."</strong><br /><br />That was it. A simple quote that has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">engrained</span> itself into my memory. It came in a letter that was primarily written by my grandmother stating how proud they were of what I was doing and that they hoped all was well down in Florida. As was his custom my grandfather would always sign his own name at the bottom and then add a little comment. This time the comment was:<br /><br /><strong>"Don't Be Afraid."</strong><br /><br />It has stuck with me all of these years because it can be used in many different situations. I have called upon this comment while trying to land a plane that was on fire, dealing with the death of my daughter, choosing whether or not to change jobs, and now coming to terms with my grandfather's death. It is so simple and yet transcends over many different emotional and figurative levels. <br /><br />All of us deal with fear every day. It can be paralyzing in some instances and other times it can drive us to be successful. There are moments where we look out into the future and shudder with fright at what might be out there. There are other moments that because of what has happened in the past the strong grip of fear reaches up and prevents us from moving forward. There are small fears, big fears, wide fears, narrow fears and a bunch of fears that lie in between. <br /><br />Fear can control our lives and without the ability to see past our own inhibitions than we will never maximize who we are truly supposed to be.<br /><br />My grandfather understood that.<br /><br />He used to tell the story of standing on a troop transport ship hundreds of miles off the coast of Japan during World War II. He was part of a massive invasion force that was going to attack mainland Japan in an attempt to end the war. He told of knowing that his death was nearly imminent since the predictions were dire for those making the initial attack and that even though he was afraid that he was prepared to die if needed. There was pride in his voice whenever he told that story and I remember from a very young age understanding the idea behind sacrifice and death.<br /><br />"Don't Be Afraid."<br /><br />This was not a quote telling me to never have fear in my life. This was a quote telling me to acknowledge when you are afraid and then move past it. This is a quote telling all of us that when we are staring fear in the face that we have two decisions: <br /><br />1. Allow fear to drive us in the direction that it wants us to go<br />or<br />2. Recognize that fear is merely an emotion that is rooted within our own minds and move forward towards what we know to be true.<br /><br />My grandfather was a great man and my grandmother is a great woman. They took this world by storm and have never allowed it to dictate who they must be. When I look in the mirror I am beginning to see that many of my attributes are a direct result of who my grandfather was and I carry a great deal of pride with that.<br /><br />To my grandmother: "Don't Be Afraid"<br />To my mother: "Don't Be Afraid"<br />To my uncles: "Don't Be Afraid"<br />To the world: "Don't Be Afraid"<br /><br />To my grandfather: Fear not......God has come to take you home. <br /><br />I'll see you again......take care of my little one and let her know I love her.......<br /><br />Love,<br />TexTodd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-13569464539876587282007-05-30T05:07:00.001-07:002007-05-30T06:15:57.776-07:00Stand Alone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjQHftZ9Asc63TQ67Dq_G2IZm3XW7FB5uU-VTmTkn5jOSijBRU13fjkZ8ruM-4j9AprBGM1APiCXHqo-2f5NBAOLGxxjlhf8AY59eftvYD8YBXI0BKtx2oAv22om_yXYgEfLBw/s1600-h/DSC00275.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070325338787213314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjQHftZ9Asc63TQ67Dq_G2IZm3XW7FB5uU-VTmTkn5jOSijBRU13fjkZ8ruM-4j9AprBGM1APiCXHqo-2f5NBAOLGxxjlhf8AY59eftvYD8YBXI0BKtx2oAv22om_yXYgEfLBw/s200/DSC00275.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>There are moments in life where one must stand alone. </div><div> </div><div></div>It takes guts.<br /><br />It takes vision.<br /><br />It takes a belief that when all is said and done that what you have stood for will make this world a better place and the loneliness of the battle can finally fade away. It is not an easy task and many times the reaction to your decision will be hurtful...... <br /><br />I remember in a History class during college that the professor asked a question that I knew I had the answer for. I was a freshman and the class was a Senior level course full of people who were much better prepared to enter into a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">discussion</span> with the articulate professor. Various other students began to answer the question and I sat there with my eyes looking at the desk while trying to decide whether or not to actually raise my hand or not. I listened while the professor politely dismissed each answer as being a good attempt but not what he was looking for. Finally, the room fell silent and all eyes were focused on the professor.....except mine. The professor asked if there were any more attempts and I sadly kept my head down....to afraid to answer.<br /><br />I would have been right.<br /><br />I also would have received 20 points of extra credit on my next exam.<br /><br />I was not happy.<br /><br />There is a problem <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occurring</span> in our society today in which the ability to make a decision has become hindered by the uncertainty of what life will be like tomorrow. We are bombarded each day with so many images of death and destruction that we soon become fearful to leave the confines of what we know to be safe. Like cattle we wake up each morning and travel the same roads, eat the same food, talk to the same people and generally avoid venturing out of what our routine has dictated. When a change is proposed we balk at the idea of having do something different and steer clear of what we don't know.<br /><br />What if the change is for the better? What if the change is something that you have been looking for? What if the change will make your life have meaning?<br /><br />There are many times that we see something that we know to be good, but those around us lack the ability to open their eyes to the possibility. We hate the idea of departing on a new road without the companionship of our friends and family, but there are times when your departure may actually benefit those you love in the long run. <br /><br />When God presents a new direction don't be afraid to look at your fears. The fearful part is normal but the lack of movement is not. We were not put here to just sit inside our ten mile comfort zone and wait to die. Listen for the opportunities and even though it may feel as if you are standing alone....understand that you are rooted in the love of God.<br /><br />The question from the Professor?<br /><br /><strong>"What one entity has influenced the shape and structure of the world throughout history?"</strong><br /><br />The answer?<br /><br /><strong>"God."</strong><br /><br />I knew the answer. I was just to afraid to share it. Sometimes one must stand alone and share what they know to be true.<br /><br />How can you go wrong when the answer is God?Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-72482493777687009202007-05-23T11:16:00.000-07:002007-05-23T11:54:09.337-07:00ThoughtsWhen did God become a weapon?<br /><br />When did leaders decide that the right decision was less important than the correct decision?<br /><br />When did looking to the future become a chore?<br /><br />Who took the past away from the rear view window?<br /><br />Where did the quiet thinker retire to?<br /><br />What happened to listening and caring?<br /><br />If we must take care of the strong and the weak............how are we ever going to survive?<br /><br />Who decided that text messaging was the best way to deal with problems? What happened to honesty and a handshake?<br /><br />If the old are wise and the young are learning..........shouldn't somebody be teaching the other?<br /><br />If we all live by our own mission statements............won't we all just run into each other?<br /><br />Jesus didn't have the New Testament...........<br /><br />Love your neighbor..........hardest thing you will ever do. <br /><br />When did it become okay to ignore the new? Weren't we all new once?<br /><br />When did it become okay to push aside the old? Won't we all be old soon?<br /><br />We don't know what happens in 5 seconds......<br /><br />There are people who will love you one moment and then hate you the next........oh well.<br /><br />When people reach out to you.....take their hands.....they just might see something that you don't.<br /><br />God loves you. God loves me. God forgives you. God forgives me. I forgive you.......God said I should.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-85638655352972341692007-05-15T11:57:00.000-07:002007-05-15T11:59:07.653-07:00As They Prepare to Leave<p>There are so many different ways that one can choose to go in life. The paths of our lives are constantly intersecting and every now and then we plow into somebody. It is that chance encounter at the grocery store, the bump while walking down the street, the slamming of the brakes at a stop sign….the list is endless. If you think of all that has to happen for any one of us to literally bump into each other, it will make your brain hurt. If you really wanted to get hypothetical you could trace it back to your birth. If you had been born a minute or two later….think of all the people you never would have met….think of how different your life would be. Who would you never have known? What experiences would never have happened? Who would you be?<br /><br />I believe that each individual has the power to change the course of another. Whether that change be for good or evil is completely up to the person being acted on. I don’t know who is out there today that I will either help or hinder in the future. I don’t know whose future I will change due to an action or statement. What I do know is that I have a responsibility to live a life in which “opportunity” should be a verb. I need to look for those moments in which I can help, promote, or change someone’s life. In turn I want others to look at my life and do the same for me. I want my “collisions” with other humans to mean something. I want my chance encounters to be earth shattering and my polite conversations to start something. I want to understand what it is I am supposed to do while I am here.<br /><br />This is the time of year when I have to get ready to say good-bye to my Seniors. They are already to starting to get that look in their eye and I know that soon they will depart for various parts of the country. It is a strange moment for a youth minister for the opportunity to teach is slowly slipping away and there is a pressure to make sure that they understand. I can only imagine what it must feel like for the parents! I have watched them grow in maturity and stature, but there is always the worry that I have not done enough. So I am going to give a quick synopsis of what I think they should know.<br /><br /><strong>I want them to be leaders of their lives. <br /><br />I want them to have a strong faith foundation. I understand that they will go through varying degrees of faith, but I hope that the foundation is good enough to weather those moments of uncertainty. <br /><br />They need to be able to look at opportunity and seize it. This world is filled with those who would much rather sit back and allow others to dictate how things are supposed to work. If you can step forward and say, “follow me!” than everything gets a little easier. <br /><br />I want them to believe in compassion. This world will try and tell you that you can be better than everybody else. What the world doesn’t tell you is that the only way to the top is on the arms of others. Treat others with respect and they will lift you……treat others poorly and they will drop you. So simple….yet so hard to grasp.<br /><br />Above all I want them to know how much God truly does love them. There will be happy times and there will be sad times, but the one constant is God’s unwavering Love. It is always there.<br /></strong><br /><br />There are moments when I wonder if I have done enough for these fine young people. I will have a conversation or overhear a comment and a sadness envelopes me as I pray that they have understood what the last two years have been about. I know that they have listened and that friendships have been strengthened……but life can get rough out there. I want them to be prepared. <br /><br />They must never give up. Ever. In the face of adversity they must prevail, in the face of uncertainty they must listen to their hearts, in the face of sadness they must open their mouths to God. <br /><br />Our lives are constantly intersecting and I was lucky enough to bump into these teenagers during my travels. They have shaped my life through their actions, kind words, and knowing glances and I can only hope that God has touched them in the same way. <br /><br />I believe that each individual has the power to alter the life of another. You never know who is going to cross your path, but when they do make sure to take a moment and say hello.<br /><br />The foundation has been laid and now it is time to build.<br /><br /> </p>Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-88985057293841260862007-05-08T05:18:00.000-07:002007-05-08T07:15:25.485-07:00You Can't Go Back"Hello?"<br /><br />The young man peered into the darkness and tried to allow the shadows to take shape.<br /><br />"Hello.....is anybody there?"<br /><br />The silence answered in the expected manner and the young man took a tentative step through the doorway. He was immediately enveloped with a sense of fear and he began to back out of the room only to find that the door had disappeared.<br /><br /><em>"You can't go back."</em> A voice whispered through the abyss<br /><br />The man whirled around, desperately trying to see who was in the room with him.<br /><br />"Who said that!" He yelled.<br /><br /><em>"You know."</em> The voice whispered back.<br /><br />The voice did sound familiar and the man searched back through his memories.....and then it came to him.<br /><br />"Destiny......is that you?" The man asked quietly.<br /><br /><em>"Yes."</em><br /><br />"I haven't heard from you in years.....why show up now?"<br /><br /><em>"I thought that you might need some help considering your situation."</em><br /><br />"Situation?" The man furrowed his brow in confusion.<br /><br /><em>"You know.....that day."</em><br /><br />"Oh......." The man's voice trailed off as he tried to fight off the memories.<br /><br /><em>"Listen. I just wanted to make sure that you understood that there is a purpose for your life and thought you might want to have a little reassurance."</em><br /><br />"Thanks....." The man stood quietly in the void waiting for the conversation to continue.....it didn't.<br /><br />"Destiny?"<br /><br /><em>"Yes."</em> The voice whispered back.<br /><br />"It is really dark in here....any chance we can get some light? I would love to see you face to face."<br /><br /><em>"You know you aren't allowed to see me. It doesn't work like that."</em><br /><br />"It would be a lot easier to interact with you if I could at least look at you."<br /><br /><em>"Trust me....if you saw me then your life would just get more complicated. It is better if you just follow me."</em><br /><br />"What if I don't want to follow you? What if I decide to just stay where I am?"<br /><br /><em>"I stay as well....I only move if you move."</em><br /><br />"Great..."<br /><br /><em>"So....are you going to take a step?" </em> Destiny asked with a bit of irritation.<br /><br />"Maybe....where are you taking me?"<br /><br /><em>"To Him."</em><br /><br />"Him?"<br /><br /><em>"Him."</em><br /><br />The young man gathered his thoughts and tried to will his feet to step forward but it was just to difficult.<br /><br />"I can't move....I'm scared." He said with a quiet voice.<br /><br /><em>"Put your hand down by your side."</em> <br /><br />"What? What is that going to do?" the young man asked.<br /><br /><em>"Go ahead and do it. I have somebody who will help guide you."</em><br /><br />The man slowly ran his hand down his shirt and rested it gently on his pant leg. <br /><br /><em>"Okay.....now what?"</em><br /><br />He heard a rustling down by his feet and then sucked his breath in when he felt the small fingers of a child grasp onto one of his fingers. He smiled as he heard the little giggle that he knew so well.<br /><br />"Hello Angel." He said with a gentle whisper.<br /><br /><strong>"Hi Daddy."</strong> The little one responded back with a tiny laugh.<br /><br /><em>"So.......are you ready to take the next step?"</em> Destiny asked again.<br /><br />The young man peered into the darkness and felt the small squeeze of his daughter's finger at his side. He took a deep breath.....<br /><br />"Yes." <br /><br />Destiny let out a little sigh and then gave the order.<br /><br /><em>"Just follow my voice......it is a long journey. He is waiting for you.....in fact He is the one who sent me."</em><br /><br />The young man began to walk and then he heard Destiny begin to sing in the most beautiful voice.....<br /><br /><em>"Amazing Grace.....how sweet the sound.....that saved a wretch like me......"</em><br /><br />He felt a slight tug on his hand and he heard his daughter say...<br /><br /><strong>"Just follow the voice Dad......just follow the voice."</strong>Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-11796512680833047992007-05-01T18:25:00.000-07:002007-05-01T20:03:29.252-07:00Success?It is in my genetic make-up to try and be the best at everything I do. I very rarely succeed at truly becoming great at something but I will die trying. There have been times in my life when that drive has blinded me from various paths that I may have taken. This desire has caused me great joy, but it has also brought pain and sadness. I have seen amazing sights on this journey but I have also spent many a night gripped in the arms of darkness. It seems as if success can be as painful as it can be exciting.<br /><br />Is it possible to be truly successful?<br /><br />What is success to you? There are a myriad of different scenarios in which one can portray themselves as successful. For some it is the acquiring of material wealth, for others it is the raising of a family. Some people view success in the beauty of living, while a select few look at success through the eyes of death. Sometimes people may feel successful in one thing but then failures in another. A corner office position is successful, but that child support check signals failure. The unemployment line brings you down, but the smiling baby waiting at home is what makes you live. The track marks on your arm speak of past defeats but the spouse sleeping next to you brings a sparkle to your eye.<br /><br />Defeat can be the catalyst for success. <br /><br />Success can be the cause of defeat.<br /><br />Have you ever sat in your room and just cried? Have you ever taken an inventory of your life and wondered what happened? Have you ever looked up into the heavens and wondered what to do next?<br /><br />We are driven by our society to be successful. If we don't have the right jobs, possessions, homes than we are told that our lives don't amount to much. We are asked what our next step is going to be? How will we capitalize on the next big venture? Are we going to risk it all or play it safe? How are we going to succeed in the life that we have been given? <br /><br />So we look around at the life we live and start to categorize everything.<br /><br />Car: Not big enough<br /><br />House: Wrong neighborhood<br /><br />Friends: Not popular enough<br /><br />Children: Not smart enough<br /><br />We disregard those things that we do have and longingly look across the street wondering how to acquire their life. Our children tug at our pants and we gently move them away while peering through the curtains at the people we would like to be. Life swirls around us and we just sit wondering how we will make it to the top. <br /><br />What if success was not measured by the material, but by the emotional output? What if we were able to determine the quality of someones life based on the amount of people they helped? Rather than looking across the street and wondering how to acquire the wealth of our neighbors, what if we tried to figure out a way to better their lives. What if that list that we made changed?<br /><br />Car: Does someone need a ride?<br /><br />House: Who needs shelter?<br /><br />Friends: How can I help?<br /><br />Children: I love you. No matter what.<br /><br />The thing that many of us forget is that we all tend to spend our time staring out the windows of our lives at each other. It is the old adage, "the grass is always greener on the other side". The fact is that the grass may look green but without nutrients it will end up dying. The nutrients don't reside in the silver paint of the latest vehicle, but in the gifts of our Father. Use the gifts that are given to you and watch for those in need.......it is in the moment of giving that true success can be found.<br /><br />Stop staring at each other.....walk across the street and lend a hand.Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34378401.post-75693790015023060522007-04-26T06:21:00.000-07:002007-04-26T06:25:14.930-07:00From the Halls of Kentucky VHello all! Today we continue our youth series titled "From the Halls of Kentucky". I am lucky to have some great writing talent among the teenagers that I work with and I wanted to share some of their insight with you. Today's devotion is from a young man named Randall. It deals with the realization of what this life truly means and gives some insight in how to live it. Enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Realization</strong><br /><br />Some people may say that I am the typical teen living the typical life of an eighteen year old. I get up every morning and go about my normal routine of getting ready for school. I go outside, start my car, and crank the heat up hoping that it will disintegrate all of the icy matter that has built up over the past few hours. Then I am off to start another day of my life in this crazy world. I find myself constantly on the run trying to live my life so I have something to look back on. I guess I am just now realizing that you need to slow down and take life step by step. I try to point myself more towards God but I still manage to let that part of life slip away.<br /><br />Romans 12: 18 talks about living in peace with everyone. I find myself starting to look at life as a race. A race to see who can find themselves at the finish line and then be able to take a step back and say that they have officially accomplished life. I feel that this verse is trying to say that even though people in this world have different opinions we need to accept that and treat them as if they were your own blood. It would take more time out of our crazy lives to be someone’s enemy then simply just their friend. It shouldn’t matter what color, race, or gender the other person is, we just need to remember that we are all human and will make mistakes; in order to better ourselves, we need to move on and accept life.<br /><br /><strong>Randall</strong>Todd Tribblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15392959610089916497noreply@blogger.com0