Growin' Up Gregory

If I could sum up my status for 2019, it would be that I am truly blessed.  I am fortunate to have so many of the things that money can't buy - a loving immediate and extended family, health for myself and family, security, joy, and the list could go on.   And while I'm extremely grateful for where I am in life at this point, I know that there are areas that I need to improve in.  So for 2020, I want to be more intentional in focusing on certain aspects of my life and the lives of those around me.  That's actually a start - last night I asked Britt what goals she wanted for the year or what her plans were for the family and she mentioned that some people focus on a single word instead of a list of goals.  Looks like I can check "listen to my wife better" off my list now right?!? So here are some of my thoughts, plans, and goals heading into this next decade (in no particular order). 1.  Read 15+ books.  Let me be honest, I didn't start readin...

I recently finished reading "Praying Circles Around Your Marriage" by Joel & Nina Schmidgall.  I heard them on a podcast talking about the book and knew that my marriage was something I wanted to focus on improving in 2020 and years to come so I did exactly what I ask my wife not to do - I got online and made an impulse buy.  Wait, it gets even better - I got two books for the price of two because they had a bundle special!  I probably would have fussed at her (see the reason for needing the book) for buying something on a whim like this but I'm trusting that the return on investment will be worth it...and I saved by doing the bundle LOL! Anyway, before I bore everyone, let me share a little about the book so you can decide for yourself if you should go get you a copy.  They offer seven 'circles' you can surround your marriage with to make you a better spouse, couple, and family (if that happens too).   P.S. - If you're dating, engaged, married, o...

One thing I've noticed about successful people, "The Great Ones" as I like to call them, is that they are undaunted by other people's successes.  I've noticed it with authors, speakers, musicians, and others.  Authors who each have books they need to sell write forewords and recommendations of each other.  Musicians collaborate and partner on songs. Speakers endorse each other and often refer a trusted (and talented) "competitor" if they are unable to do a requested engagement. Think about that.  Here you have authors recommending someone else's book, musicians promoting someone else while they have CDs to sell, and speakers finding an equally comparable replacement instead of making it work or just saying no. This stems from a Win-Win and Abundance mentality.  Not everyone has it and we all likely struggle with it at times.  Once you begin to realize that you don't need EVERY sale, EVERY loan, EVERY deal...

I get it, really I do.  We all want to spend time with our loved ones at Christmas.  We want to slow down to enjoy the moments without whirling haphazardly from one destination to the next.  We all know we should be more concerned with presence than presents.  But for some of us, it's hard.  And in my case - it's not you, it's me. With a recent tragedy in our family, I took time to reflect and several memories that came to mind were Christmas and other family gatherings.  This concept really sank in the other day when someone asked me if I still had my grandparents.  When I had to respond to their question with, "I don't," it got me a little deeper than I anticipated. Actually, I never had many grandparents at all.  My dad's parents passed away before I was born.  My grandpa died when I was 6.  I remember being sad.  I remember crying.  But I didn't fully understand death and luckily I was spared from it for many years....

Most of us have seen a movie or commercial where a child stumbles through the house on Christmas Eve and discovers Santa Claus carefully placing presents under their Christmas tree.  Upon this shocking discovery, the child becomes fully enlightened by Santa's existence and exclaims, "You do exist!"  The child has heard the stories and seen the presents before, but prior to having this proof for himself, he didn't quite believe.  But now, he knows that Santa is real. If you know God, think back to before you knew who He was.  You likely had heard stories about creation, burning bushes, floods, and many other miracles.  But until you saw the proof and the facts really got into your head and your heart, they likely still didn't seem real.  It's almost like that little boy before he saw Santa - you had heard about him, you had seen some evidence, but you didn't really believe. Thankfully, God has given us significant proof that He does exist.  Psalm ...