How Trees Are Like People

On August 18, 2015August 19, 2015 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, family tree, giving tree, how trees are like people, music, save the rainforests, trees13 Comments

As I was out on a ride today, I noticed trees that had fallen, most of them were big trees. It came to my attention the age old question, if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

In October, 2011 two giant sequoia trees fell in the Sierra Nevadas. The trees had been around for 1500 years and appeared to be perfectly healthy. The forest service thinks that a wet winter caused the ground to be too soggy to hold the roots, which are relatively shallow. These trees can live to be 4000 years old so these two trees were what we would call teenagers.

These trees that have fallen, especially the big ones, remind me how any one of us can fall at anytime. We could be doing all the right things and then fall for one of the devils lies. We could have a great marriage then hit a bad spell where we start to fight with our spouse then someone else smiles at you and you cross over to the other side. It could be someone hurt you so you turn to food for comfort. It could just be that you think you are so big and tough and smart that you wouldn’t ever do anything that bad then you stepped right over that line. These fallen trees also remind me that their is a time for everything. That it doesn’t matter how rich, how poor, how healthy, how sick, how big our house is or how fast our car is that we will all die, but only a few of us will live again in Heaven. How deep are your roots? What will you do with the time you have on this earth?

This also reminds me of the story of David. As a young teenager he conquered the giant Goliath, who thought because he was so big that he was invincible. Then David falls for Bathsheba, who was married to one of his generals. Not only does he get her pregnant but he conspires to get her husband killed to cover it up. The one who is considered to be after God’s heart falls.

I also see trees that have fallen but are still being held up by healthier trees. At first I thought of this as the bad people in our lives who are trying to hold us down. The ones who are trying to pull us down with them as they fall. Then I thought maybe it’s the other way around. Maybe it’s the healthy people that are trying to hold the bad people up. The ones that won’t give up on you, that will use the last of their strength to help you stay alive. I pray you have people in your life that will be like that for you when you fall. Trust me, we all fall at some point. I pray you have people that will guide you back, lift you up, help you get back on the right track.

I also see the dead trees. The ones that are still standing but are totally dead. No leaves. No green at all. Not even the birds will build a nest in them. This reminded me of all the people that are just dead inside. The ones that are wandering aimlessly, the ones that don’t know who they are or what they are doing, the ones who look in the mirror wondering why they are even here. The ones that don’t believe in anything. They are here just to exist. They easily go whichever way the wind blows, not worrying about the consequences of their actions.

Don’t believe for a second though that I don’t see the hundreds of trees that are full of life, growing, providing for others that are around them. It is easy to see the few dead trees and forget all about the good ones. Don’t give up. Keep growing. Keep living. I see you. I appreciate the shade you give, the shelter you provide, the food you provide, the air you give, the beauty you give this world.

What about the one tree in middle of a field? No other trees around but it provides shelter for animals. Protects them from the sun. This reminds me of Jesus, the only one we need to protect us from the harms in this world.

Let me tell you my friends that no matter what kind of tree you are, there is still hope for you. God has put all of us on this earth for a reason. He had His own son, Jesus, put on a tree for us to see that He died for all of our sins. We can be free. We are the Amazon, Borneo or the Boreal Forests. Millions of us all together, helping each other, providing shade and warmth, shielding others from the wind and rain, providing homes for others to find their way, giving out our fruits, our time, our wisdom of living many years. Yet there are others in this world that are trying to cut us down, plow through our lives, destroy our way of living to benefit themselves. They have no regard for the community we have built over many years of growing together. They just want to take us away for their own gains regardless of the consequences. They don’t care about the future, they want what they want now. We must stand strong. Stand together. Help others. Lift them up, show the dead inside the way to be alive in Christ.

Borneo Rainforest –

Amazon Rainforest –

Boreal Forest –

Maybe the real reason for global warming? There is hope. There is a net gain of forests in parts of the world.

Even though Christianity has declined in America, it is increasing in Africa and China. There will also be a time when Christianity will rebound in America. It is up to us to plant the seeds for the next generation to grow.

Oh, and for the question. Yes, God hears the sound when a tree falls. He hears and he weeps when one of His people choose to fall instead of live in His light. God hears.

The Giving Tree story –

Planting Trees by Andrew Peterson –

The Giving Tree by The Plain White T’s –

Where The Trees Stand Still by Bebo Norman –

Family Tree by Aaron Watson –

The Shade Of Poison Trees by Dashboard Confessional –

My Roots Go Deeper by Alathea –

Trees by Twenty One Pilots –

Shelter From The Storm by Bob Dylan –

Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows (since I already used the Joni Mitchell original in another post) –

A Thousand Trees by Stereophonics –

The Trees by Rush –

GPS

On August 17, 2015August 17, 2015 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God's plan, God's Positioning System, GPS, inner voice, music, right direction3 Comments

March 29, 2015, a driver following his GPS drives his SUV off a ramp to a demolished bridge in East Chicago, Indiana. His wife died in the accident. The road was marked with orange barrels and signs saying road closed.

In 2009, a driver in West Yorkshire, England followed his GPS up a steep “road” that continued to narrow until he stopped- on the edge of a cliff with his car dangling over the edge. The driver got out safely and said he trusted the GPS to get him where he needed to go.

In 2011, three women in Bellevue, Washington blindly followed their GPS down a boat ramp and into a lake. All three got out safely but the car was submerged in the lake.

In 2011 in East Brunswick, New Jersey a driver came to a T instersection. His only choices were to go left or right. Instead he followed his GPS and went straight, straight over a curb and into a house.

These are just a few of the hundreds of articles out there about people blindly following their GPS. They don’t trust their own eyes, common sense, or warning signs. I won’t even begin to tell the stories of crashes cause by distracted drivers that were looking at their GPS instead of the road right in front of them, totally ignoring stopped cars, people crossing the street, stop lights and stop signs.

I know my GPS has many times told me to turn the wrong way on a one way street. Many times it has taken me off a main freeway onto a bunch of slow side streets just to put me right back on the freeway a few miles later. I could’ve saved so much time if I followed my common sense but I was in a new state and I didn’t know. I know now and when I go there and the GPS says to get off, I stay on the freeway. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times it will tell me there is a long delay ahead and I never see the delay. Did it get cleared up in the fifteen minutes for me to get there or what happened? Only the GPS knows I guess.

Did you laugh when you read these stories? Did you say I can’t believe they would do that? Did you say use some common sense people? Has anything like this happened to you? I ask, what about you? Do you use your GPS wisely? I’m not talking about the man-made GPS. I am talking about the GPS, God Positioning System, that God has given all of us.

How many times are we going through our lives and we do something we know we shouldn’t and we hear that little voice in our head saying don’t do this. This is wrong – and we do it anyway. How many times do we do it again when we know what a bad decision it was the first time. We simply ignore the GPS.

How many times has God asked you to talk about your faith, spread the Word, make disciples and we ignore God and keep quiet. I know I have done this more times than I would like to admit to. Fear. God are you sure? You want me to go clear over there to the other side of the room and talk to someone. Look at all those people in between us. By the time I get over there they will be gone anyway. We unplug the GPS.

Could you imagine being Abraham? I’m not even talking about sacrificing your own child here, that’s for another story. I’m talking about if God said “hey you, gather your things and head out. I won’t tell you where you are going or for how long you will travel but just go, and I will lead you.” Would you do that?

What about Moses? After wandering the desert for forty years God says

at which Moses replied,

We all say who am I God? Why should I go? Can’t you send someone else?

What about Jonah?

He was swallowed by a giant fish then he was given a second chance.

What about Noah? He could’ve said no God, people will think I am crazy building an ark. What if he didn’t build it to God’s specific directions.

What about Jesus? Jesus was betrayed by a close friend, falsely arrested, accused, tempted, condemned, beaten until almost dead, crucified on a cross, and died alone and deserted by most of His followers. Yet He was never lost!

What about you? Are you following where God is asking you to go? If you head that direction but then realize the road is full of potholes and obstacles, do you turn around or keep going forward? Do you tell yourself you know a better way even though God is telling you to go a different way? I truly believe that sometimes God will have us crash into a building if that’s what it takes to get our attention. Sometimes He will have us hit rock bottom just to get us to ask Him for help.

God has given each of us an inner compass. A sense of right and wrong. Morals. Some of us choose to ignore these things and do what we want to do. Some of us will listen to the man-made GPS and not the God made GPS. Some of us choose to sit on the couch and not go anywhere.

When you are lost don’t be afraid to ask for help. When you run into an obstacle, don’t be afraid to go through it. When someone is telling you to go in the wrong direction, don’t be afraid to ask what would Jesus do? We can’t live this life living blindly. God has given us a purpose and a direction. He has also given us free choice to follow our ways or His ways. What GPS will you follow?

How easy it is for us to follow this world and its directions but not God’s directions. God doesn’t see only where you are at, He knows where you are going.

I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin –

Move In The Right Direction by Gossip –

You’ve Got A Plan by Karysn Robb-

Circles by Anthem Lights –

Put It In Drive by Tony Carter –

Messengers by Lecrae (feat For King & Country) –

Soul On Fire by Third Day –

A Pep Talk from Kid President –

Alive and Running by Kristian Stanfill –

Running Out of Air by Rekoncyle –

Running In Circles by United Pursuit Band –

I’m Running by Mary Mary –

Keep Running by Satellites and Sirens –

Running Away by Seventh Day Slumber –

New, forgotten, unknown 8/14/15 – New music Friday

On August 15, 2015August 15, 2015 By roberthansen1317In Christian, Christian life, country, gospel, music, new music Friday, pop, rockLeave a comment

I know it’s Saturday but Friday was a crazy day at work and it was Kylie’s birthday.

Stay Awhile by Belle Histoire –

Glory To Your Name by House of Peace –

Broken Lines by Foreverlin –

Better Place by Saint Asonia –

Give Em Hell by Wilson –

Good Kinda Bad by Canaan Smith –

Gorgeous by X Ambassadors –

Help Me Believe by Kirk Franklin –

Helpmate by Markilo Allen –

I Am the Others by Son Lux –

The Unofficial End Of The Summer

On August 13, 2015August 13, 2015 By roberthansen1317In back to school, Christian life, end of summer, music, summer memories5 Comments

Today is Kylie’s first day of school, her last year in elementary. How did that happen? She just started kindergarten the other day. Hard to believe how the time flies. I thought the summer disappeared when I blinked, she thinks it dragged on. Funny how the older you get, the faster it goes. Don’t wish your life away, enjoy every minute of being young.

What did you do over summer vacation? I don’t know why but I always disliked writing that essay every year. I think it was just for the teachers to see if us students remembered how to write and conjugate properly. This picture puts a new twist to my summer vacation with today’s social media world. lol

Ahh those summer memories of my youth though. The smell of the grass, sweat and dirt from playing baseball, water fun, tan legs. All that in one day then repeat the next day. I wouldn’t change the life I have lived for it has made me who I am today but I can’t believe when people say they wouldn’t go back. I would go back. No worries, no bills, moms cooking, just hanging out with friends. At least I would go back for the summer. Maybe not. That was then…and I am made new now.

My birthday is in summer so I have those memories also. Getting my license, driving across the “blue bridge” going to West Virginia because mom said I couldn’t. It had see through steel grates for the bottom and it was such a small two lane bridge you could actually give a high-five to drivers in cars going the opposite direction but I knew I could do it.

Summer nights. Fireflies. Kick the can. Rock concerts. Long walks. Girls. Mowing grass. Baseball. Basketball. Cruising. Girls. Parties. Water. Thunderstorms. Girls. Did I say girls?

My posts this week have been a little long and a little intense but they are what I believe in so I will leave you today with a short one full of memories.

Any summer memories you want to share?

Any of these songs take you down memory lane?

Any back to school stories to share?

End of the Summer by Theory of A Deadman –

Summer Forever by Billy Currington –

Beat This Summer by Brad Paisley –

Boys of Summer by Don Henley –

All Summer Long by Kid Rock –

Summer of ’69 by Bryan Adams –

Summer ’79 by The Ataris –

Summer by Calvin Harris –

Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince –

Ain’t Runnin Outta Summer by Gloriana –

Crazy Summer Nights by Hope Partlow –

Dusk and Summer by Dashboard Confessional –

Endless Summer by Aaron Lewis –

Summer Nights by Rascal Flatts –

Out Of Summertime by Scotty McCreery –

Summer Nights from Grease –

Stone In Love by Journey –

Cruel Summer by Banarama –

Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft –

The Flame by Cheap Trick – memories for me summer after I graduated

When You Look In The Mirror

On August 12, 2015September 3, 2015 By roberthansen1317In bully, Christian life, dare to be different, music, positive role model, when you look in the mirror, words, world changer10 Comments

When my wife and I went through our troubled times a few years back, I wrote on the mirror – Who do you want to be today? It was a daily reminder that when we looked in the mirror, we had a choice that day to do the right thing and live for God or do the wrong thing. It was our choice.

It is your choice who you want to be today. Do you want to be a bully? Do you want to put others down and make fun of them? Do you want to make a change and make your corner of the world a better place? God gave us free will. He let’s us choose what we will do with this time we spend on this earth.

I don’t understand bullies. I don’t understand taking your frustrations out on someone that is weaker than you. Why don’t bullies pick on someone that can fight back? Unfortunately, bullies develop early in childhood. Some reasons are lack of love, lack of attention, they see their parents be bullies, they lack social skills, etc. Psychologists have determined that bullies are untroubled by anxiety, they have a strong need to dominate and derive satisfaction from their actions, they have little or no prosocial skills – they do not know how to relate to others. They also do not understand how little they are liked because their “friends” will encourage them, laugh with them etc when they do bully. I do know bullies are hurting also. They just don’t know how to express it. I do know that if they don’t learn how to that it affects them their entire lives, their relationships, their jobs, their kids. Both bullies and their victims can be affected the rest of their lives by their actions.

The cycle can be stopped. It must be stopped.

Parents need to understand it is not boys will be boys or girls will be girls. It is a call for attention, albeit the wrong kind. Unfortunately us parents fail to see or choose not to see bullying-not sharing, throwing their toys at others- when the child is younger, which only enforces their belief that it is okay as they get older. Then as they get older parents are so consumed with work, bills, soccer practice, band practice, etc that we talk to our kids but don’t carry conversations with them on what is going on in their lives.

My wife and I have tried to raise all our girls the right way but we are a blended family and didn’t always get to teach them right. Other circumstances, Kayhla’s mom leaving her for Florida, also threw in some wrenches. For the most part I would like to believe they stand up for what they believe in and try their best to help others. I know since Kylie has been with us from birth that she has been raised to have high self esteem, to be aware of how her friends treat her, etc. I know a few times she has had trouble with a couple girls that were mean to her and she tried to talk to and be nice to and when that didn’t work she asked the teacher to move her seat so she could do her work. She also asked to have a one on one meeting with one of the girls and her teacher to discuss the issues at hand.

I can tell you I have always stood up to bullies. Most of the time when someone came at me, I stood my ground. I have never been in a fight but I have never backed down. I can tell you one story at my last job where I was the transportation manager at a scrap yard where we have some unsavory customers. My boss, who was a bully, said we were going to work until five one Christmas Eve. We had always closed at one in the past. No one said a word, except for me and I said no. We work six days a week, if we work until five we will miss Christmas Eve services, we have family to see and it isn’t right and I won’t work and neither will anyone else. He didn’t like it but sent out an email asking for everyone else’s opinion. They all said he was wrong. We closed at one that day. Maybe I have just got lucky or maybe God has always been watching out for me but in my experience, if you don’t back down, they usually walk away (I know this isn’t always true though). I have also just walked away from people, sometimes you have to be the bigger person and just walk away. Each situation is different.

I would like to say I have never been a bully but I have. When my wife made some poor choices, I berated her constantly. I wouldn’t let it drop. I was a bully. I was hurt and I wanted her to hurt. I should’ve been more Christ-like. I am human though and I am sure at one point in our lives, most of us have done something that we would consider as bully behavior. Gossip, talking about someone behind their back, putting something on social media, anything that would hurt someone else. It is so easy to always look at the negative in people but everyone has good qualities also.

We have the power to build others up. Say something nice. It doesn’t take much to say nice job on that test, you did a good job on that project, nice to see you today, anything positive that comes from the heart and is genuine.

I wouldn’t want to be the one that caused someone else to hurt themselves or even commit suicide. I don’t know how I could ever look at myself in the mirror if I did.

Again, I don’t think my words came out like I wanted them to but I hope God uses them to touch someone on this issue. You can make a difference. Be a positive role model.

When you look in the mirror will you feel good about yourself? Did you help or did hurt today? Today our mirror has on it God, Trust, Pray, Believe, Hope, Faith. It is our choice that that is who we want to be.

Teen bullying –

Reverse the Trend by Reverse Order –

Mean by Taylor Swift –

Hopeful by Bars and Melody –

Face Down by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus –

Hey Bully by Morgan Frazier –

Because of You by Kelly Clarkson –

Words by Hawk Nelson –

Speak Life by TobyMac –

I Hate Hate by About A Mile –

Dare To Be Different by Rachael Lynn –

Breathe Me by Sia –

Build You Up by Kim Taylor –

Mean Girls by Rachel Crow –

Stand Up by Mike Tompkins –

Even Though I Say by Saint Asonia –

Bully by Shinedown –

Bully by Three Days Grace –

Small Town by Thousand Foot Krutch –

Fight Song by Rachel Platten –

Somethings Gotta Give by All Time Low –

Burn Bright by Natalie Grant –

Made To Glow by Shine Bright Baby –

World Changers by Matthew West –

World Changers by Audio Adrenaline –

Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson –

Who You Are

On August 11, 2015August 11, 2015 By roberthansen1317In bully, Christian life, love who you are, music, who you are2 Comments

You are who you are and who God made you to be. You are not what others say you are. I know it is difficult to drown out the voices but there is only one voice to listen to. I know it is difficult and think these times will never end but they will get better. I wish I could say the cliques of high school end but in reality they do not. People grow up and they do mature but there will always be the jock, the geek, the beautiful, the reclusive, the invisible and the rebellious.

I think God made me to be all the above in one. I am athletic. I run and played team sports but I was never the best. I am a geek. I like superheroes and I like to read. Even though I don’t always think so a lot of people have said I am attractive. Some girls called me Handsome Hansen. Lol. I am reclusive. I am an introvert. I could spend days by myself if I could. I am rebellious. I have stood toe to toe with my boss when he was wrong. I have stood up for what is wrong. I have had people ask me to speak up for a group of employees because they knew I wasn’t afraid to go against my boss. Growing up I was more of a popular kid but I also hung out with all the above cliques. It made me more rounded as a person but it also, in my opinion, led me to not have any close friends. When you are friends with all, you can’t be a best friend to one. That’s my story, what is yours?

Do you like who you are? I’m not talking about how you look. God made each of us in His image and He made you who you are. God has used shy people, people with speech impediments, people that didn’t think they were good enough. God has used people with no legs and no arms to change the lives of thousands of people. He has used them to lead congregations, lead churches, lead nations. I am talking about how you are on the inside. Do you hate other people, do you pick on other people, do you follow others even though you know what they are doing is wrong, do you hold resentment to those that hurt you, do you seek revenge, do you forgive, do you love your enemies, do you do the right thing even if no one else will, do you stand up for the least of us? Please watch this video before you continue reading.

Nick Vujicic – yes I posted this yesterday also but it is worth watching again

I know things are more difficult now than when I was younger. Maybe I had my books knocked out of my hand or I was pushed against a locker but nothing crazy. I wasn’t really picked on nor was I a bully. I guess you could say I was just there. It wasn’t like today where social media allows you to be bullied 24/7. I know it is easier said than done but try to ignore it. The people that are bullying usually have more issues than you do. The jock that looks like he has it all together could really have issues with anxiety, trying to perform well all the time, their parents could be constantly pushing them to perform to get that scholarship. The beautiful cheerleader could have self-esteem issues. She always has to look good, watch what she eats, even have an eating disorder. Someone’s parents could be getting a divorce or fighting all the time so they take it out on you. The point is no one is perfect. We all have issues. It is how you react to those times that make you who you are.

I was cheated on, several times, because I am the nice guy. I don’t talk enough or I may not be exciting enough. I could’ve went off and seriously hurt or killed the other people or even hurt myself but in the end, I know who I am. I know God will take care of things in His time. I know the tormentors will end up being the tormented.

Suicide is not the answer. No matter how old you are. In 2013 the rate was 12.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Falling only to cancer and heart disease as the most deaths in the United States. In 2013, adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 had a suicide rate of 10.9. Surprising to me was that the highest suicide rate (19.1) was among people 45 to 64 years old. I guess mid-life crisis, loss of jobs, divorces, depression for those in my age group. Like I said, it may not get better as you get older but you must find who you are and be happy with who you are.

Suicide prevention info : Hotline Numbers: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255Crisis Text Line: Text “LISTEN” to 741-741

I saw an excellent movie also called To Write Love On Her Arms which is also an organization that can help.

One day, at your 10 or 15 or 20 year reunion you will see what I mean. The star quarterback could be bald and gained 50 lbs. The beautiful one may not be so beautiful. The plain girl is now the beautiful girl. The shy guy is now a CEO at a Fortune 500 company. The overweight person could now be a model. You never know what your future holds, only God knows the future and He has great plans for you. Be patient and wait for Him. If you aren’t ready for Jesus yet, find a positive role model. Find someone who lives selflessly. Find someone who is happy with who they are. Message me. I will help to the best of my ability. Surround yourself with positive people. It is the people you surround yourself with that you will be associated with.

Jesus was rejected by humans but He will never reject you. Look at the next few inserts.

Parents, you play a part in this also. Raise your kids to have self-esteem. Build them up. They don’t have to be the best but teach them how to love themselves and appreciate the abilities they have, not to worry about what they don’t have.

Kids, don’t spend all your time on social media. Don’t believe the lies people say to make themselves feel better. Have you ever seen some of these super models without make up? Sure they look gorgeous on the magazines but in real life not so much. Kurt Warner wasn’t drafted out of college. He knew who he was and worked hard and didn’t believe that he wasn’t good enough. He became a league MVP. Michael Jordan cut from his basketball team. Tom Brady drafted in 6th round. Six quarterbacks were thought to be better than Tom Brady. None of them are in the league or made much of an impact when they were. Did he listen that these guys were better than him? Believe in yourselves. You are so much more than what others think you are. You are loved and accepted.

Watch The Breakfast Club. Even though it is just a movie, it is right on the mark. We are all going through the same things.

This week on Girl Meets World, Girl Meets Yearbook, also dealt with knowing who you are. People are always going to say things but how you react defines the person who you are. See how God works, right when I was going to write on this topic there it is for me to see.

I apologize for the length of this but it is something I truly believe in. If everyone taught their children to have high self-esteem and these children believed in themselves, there would not be nearly as many bullies, suicides, harming oneself, and lack of doing the right thing in this world.

You are loved and accepted, you are precious and cherished. You are not your mistakes or who people say you are. Believe in yourself.

Who You Are by The Unspoken –

You Are More by Tenth Avenue North –

Who You Are by Jessie J –

Exhale by Plumb –

Be Somebody by Thousand Foot Krutch –

Who Am I by Casting Crowns –

Let It Go by Idina Menzel –

Echo by Jason Walker –

Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray –

Last Night by Skillet –

Baby Don’t Cut by B-Mike –

Dark Enough by Amanda Lopiccolo –

Scars by SayWeCanFly –

Goodbye I’m Sorry by Jamestown Story –

Saving You by Chris Ganim –

He Knows by Jeremy Camp –

All About The Bass by Meghan Trainor – I didn’t like this song at first then I really listened to the lyrics and how it was about self esteem –

Who Says by Selena Gomez –

Skyscraper by Demi Lovato –

Beauty in the Broken by Hyland –

One Day by Charice –

Unity by Shinedown –

Every Bit of Lovely by Jamie Grace –

Firework by Katy Perry –

High School Never Ends by Bowling for Soup –

High School by SuperchicK –

Let Me Win, But If I Can’t Win

On August 10, 2015August 28, 2015 By roberthansen1317In athletes, best of what you have, Christian life, do your best, I can, music, special olympics, the least of these5 Comments

The motto of the Special Olympics is “Let me win, but if I can not win, let me brave in the attempt.” With 6,500 athletes and 2,000 coaches representing 165 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event this year.

This past week I took the time to watch the Special Olympics World Games. Something I have never done before. After watching these athletes compete and hearing some of their stories, I am truly inspired. From the outside most of them don’t look like the rest of us, but on the inside most of them are better than the rest of us.

One athlete said I don’t worry about what I can’t do, I do the best at what I can do. I have gained confidence in myself. Confidence to push myself to the limits to be the best I can be. I do the best with what I do have and I don’t worry about what I don’t have. I could sit around all day and do nothing but what is the fun in that. The American Dream is about working hard and doing the best you can.

How many of us are so consumed and worried about trying to have more, trying to keep up with the Jones’s, trying to get a bigger house, faster car, a better spouse that we lose track of what we do have. I had a smaller house that I grew up in and I never thought it was small. It was all we needed. The average home in 1970 was 1523 square feet. In 2013 it was 2384 square feet. Adjusted for inflation, the prices of these homes today cost 32% more than they did 35 years ago. What could we all do with less? Less house equals less house payment equals less stress, less cleaning and less distance between others in your house. We don’t have to have bigger, better, more of this world. What could we all do with more money, more freedom, more joy, and more time with loved ones. Whether it is your job, your house, your car, your spouse, or your abilities be content with what you have and do the best you can with that.

Another athlete finished first in the 100 meter dash and second in the 200 meters. In her interview she said it’s okay, you don’t have to be first all the time. The most important thing is being a good sport and cheering on your teammates. This is the same athlete who is also battling cancer but quit her treatments so she could compete in these games.

Are you always trying to be first and when you don’t do you get upset? Do you forget how lucky you are just to be able to compete? Do you remember your coaches and teammates that helped you get to where you are? When another teammate messes up do you help pick them up or do you kick them when they are down?

Another athlete said he has to practice, do the hard work and have the dedication to try even when he doesn’t feel like it. He has to be consistent in his training. Then I know win or lose, I did my best today.

How many of us say I can’t run, I can’t eat healthy, I can’t find time for my kids, instead of saying I can and I will find a way. I can’t is a powerful phrase. It makes the possible impossible. However I can is even more powerful. Once you get it in your mind that you can, you will. My wife said she can’t run a marathon. Then we would watch The Biggest Loser and watch the contestants turn their I can’ts into I can and run one. She ran her first marathon and now feels silly for all the times she said she couldn’t because now she can and she does.

Appreciate your uniqueness, appreciate your haves and don’t worry about your have not’s. No matter what you do go all in and don’t give up. It may take time but you will reach your goals. All of us have a light inside us. All of us has a power that can’t be extinguished. Will you let your light shine?

Don’t let your first impression be your last impression. Get to know someone and you may be surprised how much they can make you a better person.

Reach Up By O.A.R feat. Cody Simpson – theme song for the Special Olympics

Fly by Avril Lavigne – for the Special Olympics –

Rise Up – Special Olympic Closing Ceremony Film –

Never Give Up –

God’s Will by Martina Mcbride –

We Can Do It by Geoff Levin –

Along The Way by Tylee Ross –

Special Olympics through the eyes of the athletes –

The story of Tim Harris –

Nick Vujicic –

Share the Journey –

You and I by Tania Fiza Rozlan –

New, forgotten, unknown 8/7/15 – New music Friday

On August 7, 2015August 7, 2015 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music FridayLeave a comment

I can’t believe it is August already. Some new musician followers this week to give a shout out to. Thanks for the follows. Once school starts next week I will try to do a special blog about some authors that follow me. I would like to read their books first but I don’t have that much time in a day. I appreciate everyone that follows me. I pray God will use the words He gives me to bring others to Him.

Please share our song at the bottom.

Victory In Jesus by Kristeen Nicole Gillooly –

He’s All Around by Christiana D’ Amore –

Rising Flames by Last Chance City –

Pi by Ari Zizzo –

If The Sun Burned Out (album Preview) by Above Stars –

Fall Into The Sea by Resistant Hearts –

Here Before by Reverse Order –

We Will Not Be Shaken by The Keirls –

Show Me The Money by Lux Lisbon –

Our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

Now on i tunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943

Today Was A Good Day

On August 5, 2015August 5, 2015 By roberthansen1317In be happy, Christian life, good day, music, rejoice in the day God has made, Today was a good day, water park, zoo3 Comments

Because of Kylie’s attitude and personality I don’t think she has had many bad days. I can’t tell you how awesome it is though when she looks at you and says “today was a good day.” She says it quite often but it never fails to make me smile.

Today was one of those days. We went to the Columbus Zoo for about an hour then went to Zoombezi Bay. I had the girls we watch with us since Kim is in Florida. We did water slides, wave pool, lazy river, and the kids area. It was a beautiful, sun and fun filled day. It wore Kylie out because she fell asleep within minutes of getting in the car.

It got me thinking. How many good days have I had? Days where at the end I said “today was a really good day.” I can’t really think of too many. Today was definitely a good day but then I think I have so much to do when I get home. Kim is going to kill me if she sees the house like this when she gets home. Today was a good day but I have to go back to work tomorrow. Today was a good day but…. why do we let ourselves ruin a good day. Why can’t we just enjoy the moment, enjoy the day God has given us and not worry about other things.

I could have 99 things go right at work but when Kim asks me how my day was I complain about the one thing that messed my entire day up. Seriously, it might have been a problem that took ten minutes of my day to resolve but I fail to mention the rest of my good day. It was a good day until….

How many times have we been enjoying a day with the family then work calls and just ruins everything and puts you in a bad mood. I used to work for a boss that was like that. I worked 60-70 hours a week and then he would call on my day off or call at nine at night. I can’t tell you how many times he called on a Saturday night, after just seeing me all day Saturday, to say I don’t like how you did something, we will talk about it Monday. I would say what is it and he would say we will just talk about it Monday. Then why are you calling me on Saturday night. Then I would worry all day Sunday on what he was going to say, if I still had a job or what and not enjoy my time with my family. Monday would come and he would forget what he wanted to talk to me about but I let it ruin my good day with my family. I don’t work there anymore. My family and my life are more important than money. I have never been happier.

When Jesus was on the cross do you think He was thinking, this is a really bad day? Did the disciples think it was a bad day? I don’t know what they were thinking but I now know that three days later was the best day in history. It was the day God had made to save us from our sins and death was defeated.

Next time you think you are having a bad day, count your blessings. Think of the things that went right. I bet more times than not you will have more good than bad happen. If by chance your day did totally stink, go home and be thankful you have a home to go to. Eat dinner and be thankful you have something to eat. Tuck your children in and go to bed and be thankful your family is safe. When you wake in the morning thank God for another day. Thank God you can get out of bed on your own. Thank God you are at home and not in a hospital.

Choose joy, not happiness. Choose to be thankful, not ungrateful. Be content. Never stop praying.

Today choose to have a good day.

Today was a good day!

CAM00374

I made this video then realized I didn’t have enough pics of “today” to make the entire video so I had to include other good days. I started to think I wish I had taken more pics but then I wouldn’t have been in the middle of all the fun so I have the other pics in my head.

It’s A Good Day by Hilary Weeks –

We Are by Big Time Rush – just because I forgot them on Date Night post, I later added a song by them, and it is Kylie’s fav band. I think we saw them in concert 5 times.

Good Day by Ron Pope –

Good Day by J Moss –

Good Day by Jewel –

Pretty Good Day by Lonestar –

Good Day To Be Alive by Jason Gray –

Good To Be Alive by Skillet –

Best Days of My Life by Jason Gray –

Best Day by Taylor Swift –

Best Day of My Life by American Authors –

Happy Day by Tim Hughes –

Today Is The Day by Lincoln Brewster –

Good Life by One Republic –

My Greatest Day by Bowling for Soup –

Wonderful Day by OAR-

Happy by Pharrell Williams –

Best Day Ever from Spongebob –

Date Night

On August 4, 2015September 25, 2015 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, connect, date night, daughter date night, lessons learned, music, quiet time7 Comments

Lessons we all can learn from my daughter. She is wise beyond her years.

CAM00325

Since my wife is in Florida, Kylie wanted to go out to eat. While the cat’s away, the mice will play is what we say. We don’t eat out much, mainly to save money but we also eat healthier at home. My wife is a personal trainer and health coach and she is an excellent cook. We eat a lot of healthy meals but we will still have pizza and other not so healthy foods occasionally. We even have had some meatless weeks. Try it. I feel so much better after the week of having no meat.

Kylie said she wanted to try buffalo wings since she has never had them. I said, “so do you want to go to BW3’s?”

Lesson 1:

She said “no, that’s more like a bar and it is too noisy. I want to go somewhere where it is quieter and we can talk.”

Hmmm. That kind of floored me. Someplace quieter so we can talk. That’s something we as adults don’t do enough of. At least I know I don’t. It also reminds me my wife and I do not go out enough to just spend time with “us”. We need to work on that.

We decide to go to TGIF’s because of endless appetizers. Mom would NOT approve. Kylie orders the buffalo wings, Memphis bbq style. I order the smoke-stacked burger and fries. (1800 calories in one meal. I had water to drink. It was good but not worth about 10-12 miles of running I would need to lose those calories.)

We start to talk and I text Kim to tell her what we ordered and Kylie says “give me your phone.” I thought she was going to text her mom also but no, she puts it on the outside of the table.

Lesson #2

She then says “no more phone during dinner.” I did use it to take pictures though. How many times have we gone out and spent the entire time on the phone and ignoring our families. The few times we have gone out to eat we are amazed of all the people doing this. We went out to dinner for our anniversary and there was a grandma with her two grandchildren and from the time they sat down, ordered the food, and then got the food, she was on the phone and her grandchildren were just sitting there doing nothing. How sad that in this world we choose to be connected to our phones, to sports scores, to news, to work -when we are off work- that we neglect the ones we should be connecting to. I’m not perfect. I have done it also. Next time you go out to eat make the no phones during dinner rule.

What did we talk about? We talked about our summer, school starting, the upcoming football season, and God. We talked about her being baptized soon. She wants to finish reading Discovering Jesus before she gets baptized. She has once chapter left then review. She said she does not want to do it in front of the entire church on a Sunday so we will need to schedule another time. I told her that’s what I did also.

Kylie eats plate #1 and gets plate #2. I believe she ate 11 or 12 of the 18 wings. When did she start putting food away like that? Plus she ate the celery (“because mom would be mad if I didn’t eat some vegetables.”) I guess we are all allowed a cheat day. It is when we do it every day that we gain weight, become unhealthy and start a downward spiral to health problems. Mom did not approve of our dinner.

We then come home and head up the stairs for Kylie to take a shower. As we are going up the stairs she says “I feel like a fat cow. I can’t believe I ate all that. My body is definitely not liking me right now.”

Lesson #3

Recognize when you have done something you shouldn’t. Whether it is eating too much (or not enough), or not exercising (or exercising too much), or drinking too much alcohol, pop, sugary drinks (and not drinking enough water) or whatever it may be. One extreme or the other. Recognize it and make a vow to yourself that you will remember this and not do it again.

“I think I ate too much.”

In summary: find someplace quiet to talk and talk, put away your phones and connect to the humans in your life, and recognize if you have gone to one extreme or the other and correct it. Break bad habits and start new ones.

Bonus lesson :

When you cook, or do anything, together, don’t leave the other person to clean up the mess. In case you were wondering, I am not the one that left the mess for someone else to do.

From our third night without mom.