Recently I was trying to expand my product offering with life insurance companies I would represent. There was one company in particular I wanted to sell for who had great prices and world class reputation.
I was angry when they turned me down. I thought they were being too picky in overlooking me.
Now.. I am so grateful. I would have sold dozens of their policies by now and had a lot of explaining to do with every headline. I would have clients who had paid premiums for what could be worthless paper and not the insurance they needed.
The company who turned me down? The company I am relieved not to represent...AIG!!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Missing Texas
Most of my early years were in Texas. Primarily in Houston with a little adventure to the D/FW area when I went to seminary.
Recently, I have found myself missing it more and more. With the amazing way Facebook can connect people who were out of touch for decades, I am hearing about many of my earlier friends from high school and church still in Texas.
I recently missed an event I would have loved to been able to attend. My highs school band director, Bill "Bulldog" Brawn recently was the guest of honor at a birthday party with former band students. I have heard a few stories and seen a couple of pictures of the event on Facebook.
We called him "Bulldog" because he had he jowls of a bulldog and the apparent temperament of one as well. He was single minded and tough regarding what we would put on the field for halftime or play in a concert setting. The Dobie band did innovative things and set the standard by which many programs in Texas were measured.
Now, years later, I appreciate all types of music thanks to that experience and exposure.
I find it amazing how many people are just now discovering the power of "O Fortuna" as the opening movement to Carmina Burana. I remember the hours of practice on that and Lincolnshire Posy.
I remember one time taking the 5 best brass players to solo and ensemble contest and working on some ridiculous music with like 10 movements. We were only required to play 5. The judge asked us which we wanted to play and we asked which he wanted to hear. He asked for them all and put away the score sheet early on in the performance because we were doing an outstanding job.
Happy Birthday Mr Brawn. I hope the gift of love and thanks returned to you made your life a little warmer.
Recently, I have found myself missing it more and more. With the amazing way Facebook can connect people who were out of touch for decades, I am hearing about many of my earlier friends from high school and church still in Texas.
I recently missed an event I would have loved to been able to attend. My highs school band director, Bill "Bulldog" Brawn recently was the guest of honor at a birthday party with former band students. I have heard a few stories and seen a couple of pictures of the event on Facebook.
We called him "Bulldog" because he had he jowls of a bulldog and the apparent temperament of one as well. He was single minded and tough regarding what we would put on the field for halftime or play in a concert setting. The Dobie band did innovative things and set the standard by which many programs in Texas were measured.
Now, years later, I appreciate all types of music thanks to that experience and exposure.
I find it amazing how many people are just now discovering the power of "O Fortuna" as the opening movement to Carmina Burana. I remember the hours of practice on that and Lincolnshire Posy.
I remember one time taking the 5 best brass players to solo and ensemble contest and working on some ridiculous music with like 10 movements. We were only required to play 5. The judge asked us which we wanted to play and we asked which he wanted to hear. He asked for them all and put away the score sheet early on in the performance because we were doing an outstanding job.
Happy Birthday Mr Brawn. I hope the gift of love and thanks returned to you made your life a little warmer.
When Dad Became a Legend
As referred to in a previous post, there is a reason my kids will no longer play the game CLUE with me.
One day, we had gone to all the trouble of setting it the game up and had our positions at the table. We were ready for a good, mind stretching battle to figure out who did it, where and with what weapon. I told the kids we would play ONE game.
On my FIRST turn, I guessed, Col. Mustard, in the library and with the wrench. There was a moment of silence while the answer was verified..I was right!
The blind pig had found the acorn! My ship had come in! I should go go pick lottery numbers while I was on fire!
Instantly, the children rose up in one accord to pronounce what a wise, caring, discerning Dad they all had...NOT!!!
There were screams of disbelief and accusations of cheating. There were demands for a replay. Did not happen. I held my ground and did not play again. I am no longer allowed to play. I retired as champ and mystical mindreader.
One day, we had gone to all the trouble of setting it the game up and had our positions at the table. We were ready for a good, mind stretching battle to figure out who did it, where and with what weapon. I told the kids we would play ONE game.
On my FIRST turn, I guessed, Col. Mustard, in the library and with the wrench. There was a moment of silence while the answer was verified..I was right!
The blind pig had found the acorn! My ship had come in! I should go go pick lottery numbers while I was on fire!
Instantly, the children rose up in one accord to pronounce what a wise, caring, discerning Dad they all had...NOT!!!
There were screams of disbelief and accusations of cheating. There were demands for a replay. Did not happen. I held my ground and did not play again. I am no longer allowed to play. I retired as champ and mystical mindreader.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
When was last time you...played a table game with your family?
Today's modern family very rarely seems to have any time together, even when under the same roof. There are times when 5 of us are home and three are on separate computers, two others are watching two different TV's and the dog is just wandering around as well.
I long for the days of table games.
When our children were little we used to love UNO. Simple rules and the whole family can play. I remember one school night the kids were bugging us for road trip to get ice cream and I was trying to get them in bed. We had a UNO game to determine who would get their way. Adults (2) vs. kids(4). If either adult won, off to bed with the kids. If any of the 4 kids won, to Winn-Dixie for Blue Bell and all the toppings.
We had a spirited, highly tense game going. The kid were squirming in their seats. The talking was non-stop. Right as good Old Dad was about to win, Kristen, at the time about 6, peaked over her hand and said "Sorry" and stuck me with another card and won!
The jubilation on behalf of the kids can not be described.
My wife gave me a look that said, "Sleeper sofa" and "You are in BIG trouble" at the same time.
We took an adrenaline laced trip to buy 3 containers of Blue Bell with almost every topping the kids could imagine. (I drew the line at frozen shrimp.)
The subsequent pig fest and celebration is still recalled an relived with great fondness 8 years later.
Next Blog I will tell you why the kids HATE playing CLUE with me.
I long for the days of table games.
When our children were little we used to love UNO. Simple rules and the whole family can play. I remember one school night the kids were bugging us for road trip to get ice cream and I was trying to get them in bed. We had a UNO game to determine who would get their way. Adults (2) vs. kids(4). If either adult won, off to bed with the kids. If any of the 4 kids won, to Winn-Dixie for Blue Bell and all the toppings.
We had a spirited, highly tense game going. The kid were squirming in their seats. The talking was non-stop. Right as good Old Dad was about to win, Kristen, at the time about 6, peaked over her hand and said "Sorry" and stuck me with another card and won!
The jubilation on behalf of the kids can not be described.
My wife gave me a look that said, "Sleeper sofa" and "You are in BIG trouble" at the same time.
We took an adrenaline laced trip to buy 3 containers of Blue Bell with almost every topping the kids could imagine. (I drew the line at frozen shrimp.)
The subsequent pig fest and celebration is still recalled an relived with great fondness 8 years later.
Next Blog I will tell you why the kids HATE playing CLUE with me.
Friday, March 6, 2009
When God answers prayer...will you recognize it?
For both of you who follow this blog, I apologize for begin so inconsistent and undisciplined. I have much to catch up on but will begin with the most important first.
Why is it so hard to tell people the truth? Particularly for those who say they love one another, Christians, tend to temper things because we don't want to "hurt feeling".
Then,when we tell the truth, it is often not with a broken heart about another's condition nor with any solutions in mind.
32 days ago, I got a phone call from a friend named R.J. who helped me more with my weight than anyone who has ever tried. R.J. simply pointed me to a web site that is helping him a great deal. It is set up to help believers with sins that have dominated their lives for a long time-mine is overeating.
It has been a 32 day journey into my relationship with God and it last for 60 days. It has helped me a great deal, but I do not want to take any credit. It is has been successful as I learn to turn from satisfying myself with worldly pleasures to getting my satisfaction in the LORD.
In the meantime, I am starting a new company an doing some additional marketing for a law firm and a financial products rep. I will keep you posted more consistently. PRAY!!
Why is it so hard to tell people the truth? Particularly for those who say they love one another, Christians, tend to temper things because we don't want to "hurt feeling".
Then,when we tell the truth, it is often not with a broken heart about another's condition nor with any solutions in mind.
32 days ago, I got a phone call from a friend named R.J. who helped me more with my weight than anyone who has ever tried. R.J. simply pointed me to a web site that is helping him a great deal. It is set up to help believers with sins that have dominated their lives for a long time-mine is overeating.
It has been a 32 day journey into my relationship with God and it last for 60 days. It has helped me a great deal, but I do not want to take any credit. It is has been successful as I learn to turn from satisfying myself with worldly pleasures to getting my satisfaction in the LORD.
In the meantime, I am starting a new company an doing some additional marketing for a law firm and a financial products rep. I will keep you posted more consistently. PRAY!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
"Happy Holidays"...not for everyone
Years ago I was asked to preach in a church for Mother’s Day. What was normally a time to speak in joyful, upbeat tones I turned into a time of somber remembrance and reflection. I talked about women for whom it was not a “happy” Mother’s Day but recalled there were some women who were childless or others who had lost a child to the heartless grip of premature death. It was probably the most powerful message I have ever delivered. For the women there, someone had shined light of hope and comfort on the burden they had carried for years.
I am doing the same thing to “Happy Holidays.
The “Happy” usually comes not from stuff but from our relationships with people. Now is the time to cherish family and friends. For many, this will not be such a happy time. For they will have an aching emptiness in their hearts. There will be people no longer present at gift openings or family gatherings. They will have lost loved ones through death since this time last year and the heartache is still lingering in the shadows waiting to pounce on them and savage their hearts with ferocity.
Some are experiencing the living death of a loved one who no longer knows them due to Alzheimer’s. Their pain is unique indeed.
It has been eight years since my Mom died with congestive heart failure. This year of all years, I have thought about her more and more. Why? Probably due to physical conditions. My knees ache often and I have harder time getting around than I used to. Now it dawns on me how often I used to see my Mom struggle to rise up off of low sitting furniture or struggle to get her knees warmed up when she walked.
I am humbled when I realize at the most active times of my life, band concerts, football games and Boy Scout events, it was physically challenging for her to attend. I especially think about the long, steep climb to get up the ramp at Pasadena Memorial Football Stadium in Pasadena Texas. She attended countless football games and events there over the years. Then, followed it up with season tickets to A & M football when my brother made and eventually led the Aggie Band as a Drum Major.
She never complained. Why not? Because of “the joy set before her”, that is to see her sons and how they were growing and becoming responsible young men before her very eyes. She carried the burden of being a divorced and single Mom as a badge of honor and opportunity to love and pour her life into the two of us.
I look back and remember times our senior year in high school when my Mom would intentionally seek out our friends to say “Hi” to at band events. I used to wonder why and one day she told me. She knew kids who had not had parents attend ANY events during their high school careers. My Mom felt it her duty, no privilege to acknowledge the presence and price that kids had paid. She found it important that every child receive recognition and a little love for being there. They loved her back because of it.
So, love my life and family as I do, I somehow miss Mom more this year than others.
As you walk about this holiday season, pause and remember those who you have sent sympathy cards to in recent years. Call them or write note in your holiday cards letting them know you remember their loss and are praying for them. A kind word goes a long way.
If you are that person, from me to you, God bless you and may you know Him as your comfort and companion in these difficult days. You are not alone…we care.
I am doing the same thing to “Happy Holidays.
The “Happy” usually comes not from stuff but from our relationships with people. Now is the time to cherish family and friends. For many, this will not be such a happy time. For they will have an aching emptiness in their hearts. There will be people no longer present at gift openings or family gatherings. They will have lost loved ones through death since this time last year and the heartache is still lingering in the shadows waiting to pounce on them and savage their hearts with ferocity.
Some are experiencing the living death of a loved one who no longer knows them due to Alzheimer’s. Their pain is unique indeed.
It has been eight years since my Mom died with congestive heart failure. This year of all years, I have thought about her more and more. Why? Probably due to physical conditions. My knees ache often and I have harder time getting around than I used to. Now it dawns on me how often I used to see my Mom struggle to rise up off of low sitting furniture or struggle to get her knees warmed up when she walked.
I am humbled when I realize at the most active times of my life, band concerts, football games and Boy Scout events, it was physically challenging for her to attend. I especially think about the long, steep climb to get up the ramp at Pasadena Memorial Football Stadium in Pasadena Texas. She attended countless football games and events there over the years. Then, followed it up with season tickets to A & M football when my brother made and eventually led the Aggie Band as a Drum Major.
She never complained. Why not? Because of “the joy set before her”, that is to see her sons and how they were growing and becoming responsible young men before her very eyes. She carried the burden of being a divorced and single Mom as a badge of honor and opportunity to love and pour her life into the two of us.
I look back and remember times our senior year in high school when my Mom would intentionally seek out our friends to say “Hi” to at band events. I used to wonder why and one day she told me. She knew kids who had not had parents attend ANY events during their high school careers. My Mom felt it her duty, no privilege to acknowledge the presence and price that kids had paid. She found it important that every child receive recognition and a little love for being there. They loved her back because of it.
So, love my life and family as I do, I somehow miss Mom more this year than others.
As you walk about this holiday season, pause and remember those who you have sent sympathy cards to in recent years. Call them or write note in your holiday cards letting them know you remember their loss and are praying for them. A kind word goes a long way.
If you are that person, from me to you, God bless you and may you know Him as your comfort and companion in these difficult days. You are not alone…we care.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Stunner in New Orleans…example for all of us.
I grew up in
They believed that public education was a gift form God. Even if they had no homework, they still studied and read a great deal. They soon dominated the tops of the honor rolls throughout the greater
They have become so successful they now suffer reverse discrimination where top universities limit the enrollment in their freshmen classes.
Now… the unthinkable has happened in
Congrats to Joseph Cao for his win over Willie Jefferson. Congressman Cao graduated from high school in NW Houston, got a BS in Physics from Baylor and has made life long learning an ambition of his. It has paid off.
He is well respected in the community where he lives and serves. He is a new role model for conservatives and liberals alike. He strips away excuses for other minorities to say they are being held down. If he and Obama can rise to the top…what’s your excuse?
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