So, it is getting to be that time of the year when hurricane's frequent here is in the sunshine state. There are a few "tropical storm" impressions that have developed, but nothing has hit here as of yet. But...the Florida showers come and go as a daily occurrence. Earlier this year, I made another post about the rain. In fact, I think we can look to the rain for many examples in our lives.

In fact, our lives can be like a hurricane. With that being said, we can be having a wonderful week then all of a sudden, a little bit of a mishap can happen which can bring us down and teach us some mighty fine lessons. After a time of storms, the "rain" clears and we continue on as we did before.

he best thing to do in this time is not get frustrated, but learn as much as you can. Life throws many storms our way, take the higher road and never take for granted the sunny days. What are your thoughts? What are you going through that might be encouraging to others?

Ken

Labels: 2009, actions, Bible, Change in my Life, christ, consequences, effects, experiences, future, history, maturity, observations, over reacting, stubborn, tomorrow, yesterday

This blog is difficult for me to write. I've been burned with this very thing. Needless to say, I have learned a very painful lesson, and honestly...glad that I did. So let's jump right in.

During tonight's message at First Baptist Orlando, Pastor David Uth touched on a topic that I have struggled with in the past, and still do. This is not word-for-word what he said, but paraphrased... "Instead of talking "about" someone when you have a problem with them, try talking "with" them."

I am not going into details, on my experience, but I am going to give some observations. Still to this day, I dislike severely confrontations. I remember when I managed a Chick-fil-A. I had to do a large amount of confrontation. It is not fun for me, and I am taking a wild assumption here that there are not many people that would find it fun.

(**Disclaimer: I am using the word "people" in this paragraph not calling anyone out. I am talking to myself as well.**) I see it time and time again. Person A has a problem with person B, and they do whatever means they see fit in order to "call out" that person, but tend to forget the appropriate way of dealing with the problem. Going to that person in private and discussing the matter in which is an issue. How does this help share God's love? How does God look at this? Can the action cause more harm than good?

So, let us keep in mind, we do not have all of the information. I spoke with Scott tonight, and he gave me an example of a situation he was it where a lady wrote a letter to a group of people because he was misquoted by the news media. Scott explained himself to her and told her the situation, and she understood. But did she go and do the correct action to make it right? No.

In my own life, I find that I am a person that will deal with major confrontation issues, but a majority of the time I just let them go. That is something I need to work on. It is the fact that I am completely uncomfortable in those situations. Trust me in saying that I had a situation that happened YEARS ago in which I handled incorrectly and that still comes up to bite me. Did I do what I needed to at the time? Yes. But the person has refused to forgive the wrong doing I inflicted toward him, therefore hindering the friendship from going any further.

If you have never listened or took to heart anything that I have ever said, please take this snippet and apply it to your life. "Instead of talking "about" someone when you have a problem with them, try talking "with" them."

Thank you for reading.

-Ken

Labels: careers, Change in my Life, christ, church, David Uth, experiences, FIrst Orlando, forgiveness, friendships, ministry, Scott Link, stubborn

There are many types of people that rub my fur (if I was a cat) the wrong way. A person that has the know-it-all attitude. Believe me, I believe people can have much knowledge about topics . . . but when you mix arrogance with that knowledge, you are doing something wrong. I know many people that are experts at their craft and I highly respect those individuals. Being arrogant and a bully is no way to gain respect by anyone. You may think people have respect for you, but at the end of the day, things are much different that what you think.

Then, to add on top of that, when that person puts themselves in jokes that they are not a part of, that is just a formula for failure.

Through my experiences and heeding the advice of my father and many other influential people in my life, bullies are fed upon your emotion. The more attention you give them, the more fuel they will have for condemning you. The proper way to deal with bullies is to not. Let them be . . . walk away and be the bigger person. Obviously, they aren't going to because they are the bully! They have chosen the low road, so you as the better person should chose the high road.

What do we do from here?

Step 1 - You do not feed the fire by being abrasive toward the individual.

Step 2 - You do not allow the person to know that he effects you (where applicable)

Step 3 - Be professional and move on. Arrogant people will receive their judgment and will eventually find out the hard way what they have been doing and living is not an appropriate style.

In the heat of the moment, you can not let these people effect you. We should and Christ sets the example that we should be the bigger person. When this person effects you, just move on and continue doing what you know is right. They will learn on their own time. It is not your responsibility to justify anything.

-Ken

Labels: annoying, Bible, christ, different, disciplined, education, example, experiences, God, haters, rant, scripture, stubborn

Ending my trip to Atlanta, I enjoyed a great night at church and dinner with the Hurst family. I made the decision to drive back to Florida after that, which would put me back in Orlando at 6am. I tend to prefer to drive at night because there are fewer people on the roads and it brings good time to listen to music, watch movies and think about things.

I left Atlanta at about 11:30pm that evening. Things were fine, I made some phone calls as I drove and talked to a few people before they went to bed, which is what I typically do. My mind was committed to driving all night to arrive at my destination. Every part of me believed that I could do it. It hit me...about in Macon, GA. The fatigue was bearing down on me. It was at that time I began questioning my decision to drive after a long day. My mind was made up to drive and make it back, but I had to respect the fact that my body was exhausted after a long day of worship and fellowship with friends and family. It was then when I called a hotel and made an amendment to my plan to stop and sleep for the night.

I checked in and went right to sleep. I woke up at about 10:15am and continued my trip. I made it back safely. It is now, that I think back upon my trip and wonder if I really could have made the trip safely in that state. Was I really that tired?

Oftentimes in our lives, we over commit to things we want. In friendships / relationships, goals, jobs or projects. Although our intentions are good from the front, sometimes the fatigue sets in and in reality the goal can not be accomplished. But how will you compensate for the change? Will you do the right thing and find a safe medium to solve the problem? Or, perhaps will you continue, even though the warning signs are present and risk making a big mistake and loosing everything or something that is important to you?

Make the right decision. Listen to the warning signs. I will be the first to admit that I am a stubborn person, but trust me, you will be a better person for it. Believe it or not...

-Ken

Labels: Atlanta, committment, decision, drive, fatigue, Orlando, overcommitment, stubborn, tired