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www.jayhardwick.com Deadly Vipers Part 4: Scary

Long Way To Grow II

A man sitting in a movie theater noticed a bear sitting next to him. He asked, Aren't you a bear? The bear nods, so the man asked, So what are you doing at the movies? The bear answered, Well, I liked the book. (I think I would have asked, Have you ever mauled a man to death in a theater?)

Right question, wrong question . . . the right question is not, where did I finish? But the right question is, How will I determine success?

In the 17th Annual Spring Valley Presbyterian Bizarre Bazaar 5K last Saturday there were two groups of people. The ones who finished ahead of me (a bunch) were one group. The other group was the humiliated souls who finished behind me (a few). In front of me were the very young, the very old, women, etc. Let me set the record straight again though, no limping dogs or very old men with sticks finished in the group ahead. Behind me were people in every age group.

If I choose to focus on either group I have problems. The group of ahead . . . they are workout freaks who have wrong priorities. The group ahead can make me think I could never be like them so why try. The group behind makes me feel much better. Ah, the sweet taste of superiority. Nothing like it. Some behind me were athletic looking, younger, workout people, and I kicked their butt. Yeah! No need to fly any higher as long is someone is back there.

Don't want to sound like a humanist here. Man is not the measure of all things. God has certain Ten Commandment type standards that are the same for all of us, no matter what. See the truth is, there was no way to measure the heart Saturday in the Bizarre Bazaar 5K. No one knows how hard anyone was working out. No one knows the personal obstacles we each had to overcome to get there. No one has produced an accurate scale to measure personal giftedness.

So as Smokey Bear used to say, You and Only You (along with God Himself) know the level you should be performing. Don't be relieved or discourage by how you placed last Saturday. Only you and God knows what race is most important and whether you are in the right one. Only God can measure the heart (II Chronicles 16:9). He knows if you are underachieving or overachieving and where. So, my favorite, question . . . particularly for you . . . What is Your Next Step?

Spent most of the day yesterday in Spartanburg Cracker Barrel yesterday with movement makers Neal McGlohon, Larry Bateman, Kermit Morris, and the woman formerly know as Meredith Neal . . . now known as Poe. Awesome. Canada, Greer, and networks were just a few exciting things that God is doing. Don't deserve to be at that table, but, I am not going to excuse myself. We are all in the race and God knows where I was supposed to be there.

Off today with my sweetie. Birthday number . . . I think 48 but I haven't medicated yet this morning, comes for me I think tomorrow. I will check my drivers license and get back with you. Football, birthdays, and preaching at Willow this weekend. I will keep you posted.

I Have A Long Way To Grow

I really didn't finish 103 out of 100 in the 17th Annual Spring Valley Presbyterian Bizarre Bazaar 5K run this past Saturday. I thought it was really funny though. You know, what I said earlier about the very old man, with a walking stick and two stray dogs, one that walked with a limp who beat me.

The truth is, at 27 minutes and 14 seconds, I probably finished in the final third of the pack. I may never see the final race results. The obvious question is: Where did I finish? But, the all powerful QBQ is: What standard do I use for determining personal success? The question is tricky but important.

Two years ago I was a physical, emotional, and spiritual train wreck. Don't tell them at world headquarters. On the surface, I think most thought I was doing a decent job. I was grossly overweight and was taking all the 40 something medications that we normally take. I was deeply depressed and little use to my wife and family. I could barely make it to the mailbox and back without having to take a break for Diet Pepsi and Doritos.

I have experienced changes, more than many do in their 40's. God was in it all. Because, in Him, I live, and breathe, and have my being. Problem was, I was breathing in Him before, I just got out of breath a lot faster.

Where am I going here? Stay with me. A punch line to the heart is coming. Most of you are above average at something. So, is that good enough? Isn't running the race enough for me, considering my story? Why isn't experiencing some humble physical, emotional, and spiritual changes the finish line? If I set my standard of success by other people it would be.

My life is secure in Christ. Nothing can change my position with Him. 5K races, Diet Pepsi, Doritos and the likr do not cause me to gain or lose His grace. How I live, however, is an investment of the gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities He has given me. So, other people do not set my standard of success. I have a long way to grow. Finishing ahead of a few people is not enough. He has higher plans than that (Jeremiah 29:11). What will you do to help see His plans more clearly today? What is your growth plan? I think I want to talk more about that.

World Headquarters yesterday. I needed the day I did not think I would get. Off to Spartanburg with movement makers, those who create environments through which God can do landscaping. Coaching conversations, too. Life is good.

Thinking Outside the Litter Box

A picture of a real cat standing upright was featured in a cat litter ad. The cat seemed to really need a bathroom. Can you relate? The ad sold litter with supernatural odor killing capabilities. The caption was, It's hard to find your litter box if you can't smell it.

Will you go beyond the urgent today? How? What will stop today from being just another day to search for the nearest litter box? Here are some things to look for besides the most obvious:

1) A deeper conversation (instead of How you doing? . . . try, What are you thinking, reading, watching, learning, dreaming?) People have fascinating stories. Everybody has something they want to talk about, even the quiet ones. Usually their stories are the best.

2) A different kind of book or experience. I think I am losing it. I made myself listen to classical music on Sirius yesterday. At first, I was uncomfortable. Then, I started liking it. Then, I got really scared and went back to ESPN. I am still proud. For a moment in time I saw beyond the litter box.

3) A conversation with a coach. I am sorry. I am obsessing. A real coach, however, will help you think outside the litter box. He/she will encourage action, movement, progress, and page turning.

4) A God connection. Dare I say? What connects me with God today may be different than what connects you? We have spiritual warm spots. Some are can't misses. Beyond the obvious, scripture and prayer there are other warm spots. For me it is conversations with particular people. Another way is listening to certain songs. Also, reading few pages of certain devotional authors like Blackaby can be a warm spot.

Great visit to Aiken, yesterday. BTW, the two worst, I got really lost, experiences happened in Aiken. I admit, with sweaty palms, I drove back to confront my fears. All went well!

I am impressed with the courage of God's people. Hung out with my pastor, Bill Howard http://www.willowridgechurch.org/ for a few minutes yesterday morning. He gave me the gift of listening. He gives that to me often. Had time to hang out at world headquarters, too. Today, landscaping, and catch up in Columbia. Hope to see beyond the litter box. I will let you know.