Flashback and Flashforward

Hey felllas, 


Hope life is well.  Just wanted to drop a seed in your mind about something you might want to do with your boo in the coming days.  Since we all live such busy lives, sometimes it's easy to appreciate the phases of life that we're in, particularly if the current phase is a difficult one on the journey towards realizing your vision/dreams for your family.  Nevertheless, each phase has something wonderful to appreciate, and for you and your spouse, it's always fun and purposeful to look back together, see where you've been, give thanks, and look forward to see where you're going and express gratitude for where you are as well.  


So, I challenge you all to have a flashback and flashforward moment with your wives, it'll change your perspective on today- i guarantee it!

Husbands with Big Dreams...

So, something's been on my mind now for a few days lately as I have had the opportunity to really sit back and gather my thoughts on vacation this past week.  It's been this idea that each of us have big dreams, and we're still waiting on things to happen (to some degree) for those dreams to come to pass.  As I pondered why this was, and how I could change this for myself particularly, it began to occur to me that like-minded individuals tend to flock together.  All we need is one of us to break through and really step out on faith and realize their dreams.  I know each of us are so excited and ready to support one another, but there are some steps we've got to take both individually (to get our dreams ready to launch) and collectively to be able to fully support each other.  So here's what I propose:  


On the individual level, we need to consider Proverbs 3:5-6 as our guidepost to determine if we're truly ready to step out on God or not.  Here are some questions that I'm asking myself right now about my particular dreams (i encourage you to do the same): 


Testing your dreams: questions to ask yourself (taken from Proverbs 3:5-6):

1. What is God telling me to do?  What exactly have I specifically heard Him say to me?
2. Is it bigger than what I think I can accomplish on my own?
3. Does it require partnering with other people?  Who/what type of people, and how will I partner with them?
4. What will be the ultimate outcome of my dreams?  What impact will it have for the kingdom of God?
5. How will this dream force me to grow and develop as a man, husband, and Christian? 
6. How is this idea similiar/different to what I have always wanted to do/seen done before?  Am i really letting God outside of the box here?
7. How am I serving others through this dream?

Testing your dreams with others:  questions to ask each other at our next bible-study:

1. Who do I trust to share this dream with?  
2. Who will challenge me to grow appropriately, and hold me accountable?  
3. How is the success of my friend connected to my own success and vice versa?  
4. In what ways can your friends show support/encourage you towards your dreams?  
5. In what ways can you do the same towards theirs?  

Dudes- we've got to get serious about having these kinds of conversations more often and more consistently.  I know we all lead busy lives, but it's our time to realize our dreams.  I just have such a great sense of urgency about this given the fact that if things are going to change, it has to start with us- the heads of our households.  So, let's make this happen.  Let's get back in the habit of having our regular dudes bible studies (and for the folks on this blog who've never participated- you're welcome to join).  

I'm going to throw out some dates for our next b-study and let Hosea take it from there (like that delegation Mr. Gibbs!): 

- Friday evening (i'm babysitting Riles while Samantha works so I'm limited to my house so we could meet there)

- Saturday morning (perhaps bible study first over an early breakfast)

- Sunday morning (again- perhaps b-study first over an early breakfast) 

- Sunday after church- I know the ladies are getting together then- Paul do you have class this time?  

SDW3