The time has come...

This time of year is usually associated with "resolutions" or goals for what we want to accomplish in the new year. For me, it is going to be a very different year as I will, for the first time in over 10 years, only have one "actual" job. Of course, anybody who knows me knows that I will still be doing all sorts of things (maybe more than before) but I will not be collecting a check in return for my services. I'm looking forward to it even though it will mean I have to make some sacrifices.

As you read this, I hope it gets you thinking about your life. What are your goals for the upcoming year? What are some things you haven't been doing as well as you can? What sacrifices are you willing to give up to achieve those things?

Some of my goals for 2007:
Read my Bible daily. Not to prepare classes but for myself.
Coach one of my kids' sports teams. I used to do this...
Build shelves in my garage. Yep, I might have to use a saw!
Submit our QI program at CHC for an award. It's getting close...
Support my wife's business continue to grow to where it is a true second income.

Yep, that's a few of them. So what are your goals? Here's how to set a goal: Be SMART!

Specific - Don't just say "lose weight"... lose how much??
Measureable - How will you know when you get there?
Attainable - What do you have to do to get there? Is it possible?
Realistic - Is it even something you "want" to do? Is it something you "can" do?
Tangible - Can you feel what it's like? Is there something that drives you towards your goal?

Of course, these are just guidelines to help but the main idea is that YOU set a GOAL for yourself and try to get there. People who set goals tend to be much more successful than those who don't. So in 2007, be ready to take on some new challenges and reach a little higher!

Be blessed!
Vince

New Orleans

I was in New Orleans last weekend for a conference and had a chance to visit alot of the city. The first thing I noticed was all the closed down businesses. Even in the French Quarter, where the flooding damage was minimal, there were many closed businesses. In other parts of the city, the flooding damage from Katrina was obvious. There were entire neighborhoods unlivable. Still not even cleaned up! And it wasn't just poor neighborhoods... we went though a ritzy part of town where these big beautiful houses were practically destroyed. Some were still charred from fire. Others still had spraypainted words like "911" or "Please Help" or "Pets Inside".

This picture shows where the water line was on one house. There were literally thousands of homes like this or worse.

As sad as that is, there was hope. The city was trying to "return to normal" and the reality is that it likely will... in a few years. Right now, the most hopeful thing in the city is the churches! Yeah, the churches, along with some other local organizations, are taking matters into their own hands and fixing up houses and people's lives. I visited the Carrollton Avenue Church of Christ that runs "Operation Nehemiah" which helps build homes of church members. Others help people find houses to live in while they wait for theirs. Between the damage I saw and the hope I found, there was more than enough fodder to make me want to go help myself! And don't be surprised if I do... maybe in 2007?? We'll see.

On another note, I did get to see many of the things the city is famous for... good food, good music, and good times. We had beignets at Cafe Du Monde which were awesome. We ate at Mother's (President Bush ate there last month). We also walked down the Riverwalk (a big mall near the Mississippi). Also, we went to Jackson Square, which is a famous corner of the French Quarter and home of the Saint Louis Cathedral. All in all, it was an "action packed" four days.

Oh, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were staying at out hotel because Brad Pitt was filming a movie called "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons" which was being filmed at our hotel and is due out in 2008. We watched a little of the filming (I even accidently got myself put into one of the scenes before being asked to move). They drove by us in a white Rolls Royce so I can now say I "saw" them!

In the end, it was a very good trip. I learned alot about how much bigger the world is... and realized how quickly it can be destroyed and how people have the ability to overcome so many adversities. I think we can learn from the churches in New Orleans who seem to be living this verse everyday and showing that it's true:

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Think about it. And Be blessed!
Vince