Chris Little

We went to the store this week and bought school supplies. Do you remember how excited you were as a kid to start school? Well, maybe not start school, but to at least get all that new stuff! The new folders, new crayons, new backpack, and everyone’s favorite…the new lunch box. You went from Star Wars to The A-Team or maybe you’re the kid that went from Strawberry Shortcake to The Smurf’s. What an exciting time – then school started.

Remember that first day of school? You got all your new stuff and you be-bop into the classroom with your backpack full of stuff and your mom has actually made you a cool lunch – for once – and you are ready for a new year. You meet old friends, new friends, get a new seat, new classroom, and a new teacher and you are giddy with excitement. Your teacher says “Hi” and asks about your summer and all is good with the world. Before you know it it is time for recess, then lunch and the day is flying by when all of a sudden the teacher says, “Class, we are going to take a quiz.” Ugh! Agh! What? Is she kidding? It’s really still summer isn’t it? We all love school until it costs us something or we have to work a little bit. We all love school in the beginning, but at the end of the school year we are so ready for it to end.

Does going to church ever feel that way to you? All excited about it and looking forward to it and then…you know, it’s church. You end up checking it off your list of completed tasks for the day/week and move on. Then the next week you gather all your stuff and then…until you are not gathering all your things and going to church? Why is that? What happened?

There are a variety of reasons why, but I have found in my own life that I can narrow it down to one – my pursuit of Jesus. I’ve forgotten the reason I go to church, am a part of the church, actually the church in action. Jesus loves the church. He actually cared so much about the church he called it his bride. What a beautiful picture! Who doesn’t love a wedding? Everyone is excited, dressed up, smells good, and everyone has hope. Hope that this marriage relationship will not just last, but be successful and thrive! Then 5, 10, 15 years down the road…is there still that excitement, does everyone still dress up, smell good, or have hope? Not always. Why? Many times it is distraction from our first love. Careers, education, kids, you name it and it can be a distraction to a marriage relationship.

The same is true for our relationship with Jesus. You met, fell in love and where standing at the altar ready for what was to become…and then you were distracted. You start going to church because you have to go. You are even inconvenienced by your need to go. So, how do you change your church experience? Go on a date with Jesus! When is the last time you intentionally set aside time for Jesus? Try it, you might like it. You might like church again too. You might actually meet some people at church who love Jesus too.

Awwww! The excitement of school supplies…I can’t wait until next school year!

Courtesy of Stock Exchange

It’s almost football season again. I admit I struggle with my fanaticism when it comes to football. I have to be intentional about how much time, thought, and energy goes into the season. I have my favorite teams and players like many people, but I study football. So, as you might guess, sometimes my passion for football gets in the way of other things.

One of the things it gets in the way of is “hearing”. Imagine the scene with me for a moment: The football game is on and I am studying intensely. Becky comes into the room and begins talking to me. I recognize she is present and I “hear” something, but I am not really listening because of my focus on the game. I say “ok” or something like that and continue watching the game. A little later in the day I vaguely remember that I said “ok” to something, but cannot remember what it is. I look around for the obvious stuff – trash taken out, clean the kitchen, etc. – and hope that those suffice. Sometimes that works. Usually it doesn’t. How do I know? I know because Becky will say, “Did you hear what I said earlier about ____________ ?” It is then that I sheepishly have to admit, “No.”

Courtesy of Stock Exchange

I’m learning that to hear my wife during a game I have to stop the game, turn and face her, and engage in active listening. It’s hard to do sometimes – especially when the Cowboys are about to score a touchdown. However, I’ve learned it’s worth it (although the thought just crossed my mind that is a good reason to have Tivo™).

I believe that many of our conversations with God are like this too. We are so focused on our “stuff” that we don’t hear the specific words that God wants to share with us. Our hearts and minds are distracted by all the other voices. It takes effort to put aside the distractions of life to hear from God. However, I guarantee that it is worth it.

What distracts you from hearing from God? When are you most available to hear from God?

P.S. I don’t have N.F.L. Sunday Ticket because that would only feed the hunger. I am tempted, but have refrained so far.

Photo Courtesy of Stock Exchange

The Gore’s announced their impending divorce last week. Who knows what are the reasons?  I am sure there are a myriad of reasons, excuses and blame to go around. However, the important part is that these two have decided to call it quits. They have been married for 40 years. That is a long time in my book.

Hearing their story made me think about several important parts of the recipe for a successful marriage. The one that kept rising to the top of the list was being intentional about romance. In know, it doesn’t sound very romantic. However, romance is almost always intentional. It takes thought and preparation to do many of the things that are “romantic”.The better you know your spouse, the more romantic you can be. Giving your spouse flowers, chocolate, and a store bought card that expresses your love for your spouse that they don’t know is potentially expected, but not necessarily romantic.

So, what is the most romantic thing you have done for your spouse this month?

Memorial Day at Little Big Horn

Memorials are an important part of life. God had the Hebrews build memorials along their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Why did God command them to build memorials? So that their children would ask, “Why is that there?” The parents could then use the memorials as “teachable moments.”

As a nation, we have established many memorials over the years. They are all over the U.S. for the purpose of adults and children asking, “Why is that there? What does it mean?” It allows us to tell the story of our nation.

Families establish memorials too. Over the years a family builds memorials at different places. The dinner table is a memorial at our house. We love to gather around it and share stories about the day, dreams for the days ahead, and lots of laughter. Our bedtime tradition is a memorial too. We gather before going to bed, read a story, play a game, pray, and laugh a lot. One of my favorite memorials is on our back deck during the summer. We eat meals outside and then light a fire in the firepit (if the wind is not blowing 1,000 mph). We sit around, look at the moon and stars, roast marshmallows, talk and laugh, and just enjoy being together. What are the memorials in your home now? Growing up?

Fire pit on the back deck

Memorial Day is coming up this weekend. May your family take a moment and give thanks for the men and women who have given their all for our freedom. May their sacrifice remind you of Jesus’ sacrifice for you. May you enjoy that freedom and sacrifice by making a memorial with your family. May it be a weekend that you remember for years to come.

Spring Break and Easter are behind us. That means summer is quickly barreling down upon us. As I child I loved the summer break. I would run, play, and just felt more “free” during the summer. I don’t know what my parents thought about summer though. It was probably more of a hassle for them to figure out what to do with me, because now being a parent I understand that my kids’ freedom usually costs me money and is not so “free.”

Summer is a wonderful time to invest more time and energy into our children. Some of you may be tired already just thinking about the energy it takes to keep going during the summer as you spend time with kids. (It would be nice if there was a magic “parent pill” that you could take sometimes to get the little extra boost you need to keep up. I used to think naps were for the kids’ benefit…now I know better).  As a parent, how can you maximize your summer time and not get burned out?

Bucket Full of Water Balloons

Here a few thoughts that I have that may help you:

• Do a pre-flight safety check and announcement. If you have flown in a decent sized airplane recently you have had this happen. We should do this as well – before, during, and prior to landing – our summer schedules. What are you checking? You are making sure that you are keeping your life roles in proper perspective. First, you are a Christ follower; second, you are a spouse; third, you are a parent; fourth, you are a . . . and so on.  Remember they tell you on the plane to always put your oxygen mask on first before helping anyone next to you. Not putting your oxygen mask on first could be detrimental to you and the one you want to assist.
• Check your fatigue meter. Have you over committed? Look at your schedule/calendar and plan some down time that allows you to relax and be refreshed.
• Check your relationship gauge. Are you under connected? Are you spending time with your spouse without the kiddos? Are you spending time with adult friends (with or without the kids)?
• Draw a picture of your child as a young adult. Next to your picture, even if it’s a stick figure, write down characteristics & qualities that you desire your children to have. What experiences do they need to have to help forge those? Use the summer to spur growth in your child – spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.
• Have fun! Let your kids be kids. Turn on the water sprinkler and run through it. Choose to be spontaneous and just enjoy your kids. This is a special time – do not miss it!

Splat! I just “whomped” you with a water balloon…what you going to do about?

Looking forward to summer,

“Marriage is easy” is a statement that sounds like a bunch of junk. It is not true. Marriage is not easy, but it can be fun & rewarding. A quick glance of Song of Solomon 7:1-8:4 shows us what I am talking about.
Marriage is easy if we choose to serve one another (v. 1). King Solomon is on his knees before his bride serving her. He is doing the job of the house servants by removing her sandals. I imagine he also included a little foot massage as he asked her about her day.
Marriage is easy when we say good things about each other immediately. We (especially us guys) are filled with good intentions that never become good actions. We think good thoughts about our loved ones, but do not immediately take action…so, we forget & it never happens.
In Song of Songs 7:2-4, Solomon told his wife how beautiful she was and in 7:5 he discusses her character (which is the best part of her or us because beauty fades). Tell your spouse how beautiful she is – often! She is hearing the opposite message from everywhere else.
Marriage is easy if you tell your spouse how much she means to you and how much you desire her. A woman needs to know she is desirable to you – no matter how long married.
Marriage is easy because she will respond. Listen to this, ” I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me.” she responds that she feels safe & secure in her relationship with her man. She knows that his desire is for her alone. “Desire” literally means to be attacked by a wild animal. How cool is that? She wants her man to pounce!
Marriage is easy when we are intentional & purposeful. She sets a date with her man (v.11).
Marriage is easy when you are creative. You can be creative then you are intentional. Creativity happens via planning. We need to develop the habit of saying “yes” to the best things so you can say ”no” to the not-best.
Marriage is easy when you are affectionate. In Solomons’ day it was prohibited for a man to touch a woman unless he was the father or brother of the girl. She wants to be able to show him off. That she loves him (Song of Songs 8:1-4).
Well, as you can see – marriage is easy – NOT! It’s hard work…but, it can be well worth it!