DebriS

Are You Ready?  Yes I am.  August is one of my favorite months.  Weather starts to cool off and the kids are off to school.  That can only mean one thing:  football.  Love the High School football.  Even as a former Hillsboro Trojan, it was easy to love the Swathers.  When you work with the youth and you see them giving their best, the romance blossoms quickly.  Love the Huskers.  Again, growing up in Hillsboro in the '80s, there was no Kansas football to love.  I'm not exaggerating when I say I don't think either University ever won a game in the '80s.  I'm happy things have turned around for them now.  But there's no place like Nebraska.  And I love to fall asleep Sunday afternoons to the Pros.  I've changed my philosophy on Fantasy Football.  I only draft guys from the 3 or 4 teams I like.  For some reason the Browns players are always available.

Long day yesterday.  Our Sunday School classes kicked off with the Gospel Project.  It's a themed curriculum that connects 2 year olds thru senior adults.  Everybody study the same ideas on their level.  First time we've tried it.  Right after lunch I headed to Tulsa with Ronnie B.  If you are from Oklahoma, explain to me how it is they charge all those tolls and their roads still suck.  Mr. Sooner, please invest our toll money back into the road.  We actually had a great trip.  Attended a Small Group seminar at Discovery Bible Church.  It was awesome!!  I am very excited about the direction our Community Groups are headed.  As a youth pastor, it took about 4 attempts over 6 years to get the Hesston Youth's small groups working efficiently.  My guess is it will take some time with these as well, but I feel better prepared.

I assume we all have phrases or Bible verses that spur us on to start, finish, or persevere through life's challenges.  While working at Echo Ranch, we gobbled up any and all info that would come to us from the outside world.  Once or twice a week someone would come back from town with not only the mail, but also a USA Today.  As I read the Sports Section line by line, I came across this quote which I clipped and having taped to my computer at work:

"If you become paralyzed by the thought that you may be criticized for doing something, you're never going to be the risk taker you need to be as a good coach or leader.  Risk taking is part of it.  If it doesn't work out, you've got to accept the responsibility."  Philosopher/Coach Jeff VanGundy

Risk taking as a leader isn't permission to be reckless.  It's the courage to take a first step.

I close with a shout out to my friend, Kyle.  Character is often revealed through adversity and/or change.  You're a very good man.