Why must i get so upset?

So anyway before i burst into flames with anger at something that was said yesterday morning, i would like to let everyone know that you will never ever ever get the name of the person that said this out of my mouth. Promise, and if you ask i might just rip off your ear lobes.

So to begin, I was in the car on Sunday morning after i had just taken the family picture and sat that for about 5-10 minutes in prayer. I was praying that God would show up and that He would speak in my life and let me know where He was leading me in certain decisions in my life. I think that I am extremely close to a decision however. One that will be the best for myself and those around me. So after i prayed i got outta the car and went into church.

As i am waiting for the service to begin a person comes up and in the middle of a conversation we are having they say to me: "It's not like God is going to do anything here today anyway." That person goes on to clarify with: "He will do things in individuals life but definitely not as a corporate body."

First of all for the first time in my life i can honestly say that while i was fuming inside i kept my cool. In the past i would have wrecked there world with a bold statement that instead of teaching them anything would have created a gap in the relationship between me and this person.

However, i was still stinkin mad. I was told after praying a couple of years ago that God shows up at our church because people are praying, reading their Bible, and are following God. And i took my slap on the wrist and decided not to go further but not this time. I've had it.

Many things anger me but this one is now going to be apparent to everyone so listen up. Do not i repeat do not put God into a box and put limitations on what he can and can't do! We learn deep theological truths like whatever God does is just so while i believe that yes He blesses those that do those things does not in anyway mean that God has to save a hundred people or ten people or any people for Him to show up and do a work in people's lives.

God is in no way a puppet that is on strings and can only move in directions previously laid out. By the way why did Jesus heal people and talk to people even when there was no difference going to be made in their lives. Ex: the rich young ruler, the man healed at the pool of Bethesda. There are no clear indications that these people in any way made a change in their lives spiritually.

God is working in our church. Individually and corporately we are being transformed to take the next step that God has for us. So quit being so close minded and angry and bored. It is a reflection on what you expect God to do with unfavorable circumstances.

Preaching not good, people asleep, and you are talking about God not able to do anything corporately. I'm appalled angered and disgusted at this kind of attitude. But before you all jump on the bandwagon, you are probably there too.

What kind of attitude do you come to church with? Do you yearn to see God do something miraculous? Or do you seriously doubt anything with a lasting impact can happen?

In case you forgot when everything was "good" in your eyes, people prayed God we beg for you to fall down, we don't know or understand why you have blessed us in such a way but we beg you not to take your hand away from us.

Now when we need prayer like this more than ever we fall short. Look into your hearts and see if you really yearn to see God do amazing things for people or are you just waiting for yours, your little drop of blessing.

I'm so mad about this if you couldn't tell so there is no SSS today. Later though i promise. I'm out!

Let the sparks fly...

Competitions started last week at Bartlett for the best belt in the building. Basically, we get packages that are supposed to go into certain trailers that take them to a correct location. If those packages are put into the wrong trailer it is called a missort.

The basic competitive format is that whoever has the better frequency at the end of two weeks is the winner and the belt is given free pizza at the end of the night.

To determine frequency you take the number of packages scanned divided by the number of missorts accumulated.

Well if you know me I am extremely competitive. Every pickup game is the national championship, every walk to the car is the Boston marathon, and every sudoku puzzle in the Daily helmsman is another opportunity to flex my number patterning guess and check method(patented by me in case you were wondering). So this competition means alot.

But more than just the competition at work I explain to my guys that you will always have something to compete against. And your effort that you put in is a direct reflection i believe on your performance.

"Average effort equals average performance, better effort equals better performance, but the most effort equals the best performance" quoted by a future author J.C. Thompson.

So what characterizes your life? Do you just go at things in your life ho-hum? Do you leave effort and energy untapped in your life? Or do you give it all you got really all that you got? Wonder why your organization or skills are struggling, look at the effort that you are putting into it?

However, let's not forget that God is in control and sometimes in the sovereignty of God things just might not work at all no matter how hard you try. But in the end if you have done all that you can, if you have 'shown thyself approved' it will turn out well.

God weighs the heart remember that always remember that.

SSS #2: Cranilla Craze its sweeping the nation literally like a broom and dustpan. You can ask for it by name and they can make it for you. Basically its a combination of sprite, vanilla and cranberry juice. Its simply succulent.

Tigers are now number 11 in the country and are undefeated in conference play. I'm out!

Finally...marketing

Well if you don't already know I'm a marketing major and go to the university of Memphis, go Tigers! anyway I've spent basically the last 3 years of my life going through basic education, science, math, English, and a few core business courses all of which was kinda a review of my 13 years in primary education.

But this semester and really today has peaked my interest more than ever. I will explain what marketing consists of and then those of you that know me will understand why it is so amazingly interesting and exciting to me.

First, math math math. Numbers are my thing and I've usually been pretty good with them and them with me.

Secondly, psychology. I would never ever be a psychologist however the way and patterns of people's thoughts always peak my curiosity.

Thirdly, communication. You must be an excellent verbal and script communicator in order to excel in the marketing field.

And last but not least, marketing. Marketing concepts and terminology combined with the other 3 elements make up my favorite part of business.

So basically excited to finally get to do things that i have been waiting to do since high school. Research proposals, watch commercials, do case studies on segmented groups of people, etc. etc. etc. I'm ecstatic.

Also im going to start a new feature on my blog. One i think everyone will love. I'm calling it the "Sonic Suprise of the Second" (like the alliteration?) It will be a section on different crazy Sonic drink concoction that I am really interested in right now.

Some will be great others I am just kinda curious about but im sure everyone will love it. So for my first SSS I will give one of my personal favorites(except when I'm with Kristen because she'll call me weird) is:


BLUE COCONUT CREAMSLUSH WITH CHOCOLATE SYRUP.

The bright blue flavor is extremely died down with the addition of the chocolate syrup but also thickened and results in a creamy dark sweet drink that is sure to please the senses. Anyways I'm out.

another. to add to ...

Sunday school great stimulating discussion, inquisitive young people, and a teacher with a passion for a relationship with Christ. That is what happened on Sunday.

I usually teach my sunday school class but i literally had the worst headache ever. The kind where you have to close your eyes and clinch your teeth and buttcheeks as tight as you can to bare the pain. So i let my class join jeff and dan's while i observed. My guys are usually incredibly inquisitive were more so today than on other days.

Jeff wanted to encourage and inspire the guys to dig deeper into the word of God and as the discussion intensified you could tell that they were intrigued. Different things happened and i came away more excited and happy than i have been in a long time.

Now as far as the service not as good. Someone actually got saved this Sunday which was suprising but exciting all the same. It's becoming more and more apparent as i think and pray and strive to see where God is leading me that i am here in this present location for a reason. One that i am not sure of but is of utmost importance. God always answers, remember that.

I've felt like God is not leading me one way or another right now. As i read his word the only thing that He is making apparent to me is that He is in control. Prov. 21:1 and pretty much all of Prov. 16.

This should lead me to peace but it doesn't, perhaps because of the condition of our church but more apparently the condition of my heart. I have always been a part of great things.

But when things aren't so great where i'm at do i cower into complacency? Do i just forget about where im at and look for a better situation? I should strive to make an impact now or else i wasted time.

The present is where i'm at and since i can't change the past or travel into the future my decisions have to have an impact on my current settings. Do i still question what the future holds? Absolutely. Do i wish that i knew what the decision is that i have to make? Of course. But if God is not leading me one way or the other there is a reason why and i must figure out what it is.

Analyze what God is saying to you and figure out what you should be doing to progress towards that today. I'm out.

oh yeah by the way

i see on bloglines that i only have one subscriber which makes me a lil upset but then i got really upset when i realized that i was the lone subscriber! read my blog please!!!!

imagine if...

have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you could just change a couple of big decisions that you've made. Like for instance, if i would have eaten cheerios instead of nothing this morning for breakfast i wouldn't be so hungry.

now i am imagining how if i never worked at UPS i could watch network prime time television and actually know and understand what is going on with shows like 24, American Idol, Scrubs, and Scooby Doo. Oh wait sorry that was on prime time the last time i watched tv on a weekday.

i think that we can get ourselves into trouble if we look so much at the have nots and not enough at what we have. so when we get into thinking about what could have been we lose focus on what we have.

just a lil food for thought. Also i have a wii and it is the single greatest invention of all time except for the light up keyboard that tells you where to put your fingers and those biscuits from argentina but besides those two things it's the greatest.

Grizzlies please don't try to win please. We want Kevin Durant or Greg Oden. Go Memphis sorry J.R. but coach K refusing to sign big name 1 year players will hurt your program. anyways like my friend Mr. T always says drink school, get 8 hours of drugs, stay in milk, and don't do sleep. I'm out

well, well, well

So first off i haven't held strong in my new years resolution. School has started and my usual routine takes place. 7:30 wake up class at 9 then school til around 3. Next i drive to work and get off at around 9. Then i get home eat spend time on the phone with kristen and finish any tasks that are necessary for me to do it all over again tommorrow.

But anyway besides that more and more i am thinking about what to do with the rest of my life. Kristen found some interesting news out about her life and how she will be spending a few years of it at least we think. And its exciting to see her passionate about something. She has found her niche and I am still waiting on mine. I was frustrated for myself when she told me her great news because i am still clueless as to the next step after school and her purpose looks like it is coming together, however as she was encouraged so was I. I am realizing more and more that everything is in God's timing. And He has the best planned for my life and He wants to use me in an incredible way. But as I am reading a book by Chuck Swindoll I am learning that God's word is my relief and my encouragement in my time of confusion. People i don't think realize that the Bible is how God really speaks to us. I am beginning to really understand and grasp this concept. I was reminded yesterday that God is in control and if i haven't been told yet then its not time for me to know. I would be lying if i told you that i was being calm cool and collected about all this cuz inside i am beginning to freak out. But instead of going on doctor phil or oprah I am letting God counsel and train me for His next post that He has waiting for me. I pray that all of us will remain focused on God's plan, not our own and that we will chase that plan with all that we have. So if you are like me dig and scratch and push forward to find your purpose and for those of you that know read to remain strong in your pursuit of that purpose and let nothing hold you back. You've got one life and One God leading you and guiding you on how to make the most of it and don't let anything get in your way. I'm out

Getting some things off my chest

Im gonna start by getting some things off my chest and then ill give an update on what is going on with me.

First if you are teaching people not to do something and then you make them do it. Don't expect your credibility to rise. Second, my church needs to wake up. We had less than a hundred people there on Sunday night. The young people are bored, even the adults have a hard time justifying why they are falling asleep in church. It does not suggest that we are in a spiritual slump but instead that we are more concerned with who we are as a church instead of ministering and teaching people. Make an effort don't just pass it off as one of those things that happens. Take responsibility and intiative. Alright that's enough of that.

Alright as for what is going on with me. Finishing up hub school which im so ready to get done with. I'm ready to see my guys and dominate the shipping industry once again. Also, im looking for opportunities after school. I have a few options. And to go along with JR's blog i have to pick where God leads me. He leads us to the best not to the better or good. I'm sure that people will be upset and possibly even hurt by the decisions that we make but if God makes the decision then we will just have to leave it up to Him. I'm just leaning on His word and waiting for His direction. No rash decisions out of desperation waiting is not hesitating it is marinading to make you better than you were. Nice lil rhyme huh? Anyway go Memphis!! I'm out!

The Sims UPS style

First of all i would like to report to all of you Fed-Ex junkees out there that you ran 9.8 million on your heaviest day of the year, while your competition ran 22 million for 4 days in a row think you can match up with the big dogs? I think not. Anyways today in hub school we talked with a big wig. His name was Bob Cowhen basically he's like 5 down from the CEO! He shook my hand and asked me my name and stuff. And while im in the competitive mood let me mention that while Fed Ex is huge in Memphis. The number one district in all of UPS is also the Mid-South so just remember that we were, are and will be the best. But getting to hear him talk and ask him questions was extremely interesting to me. But i just thought i would mention that to all of you out there.

Now on to the subject of my post. We have 20 people in our class all part-time sups. Divided into 5 teams of 4 people a piece. We are each given different assignments throughout and all together are in a competition to become hub champions! One of those things is a 6 round business simulation complete with virtual employees and problems that can occur on the job and as a team we must decide from a list of options the best route to take with our employees. The decisions affect skill, morale, and how they feel about us as a supervisor, this in turn determines our belt's performance (misloads, mistoggles, mispicks, safety, etc.). Not only is our team first but also there is a large gap between us and the next team. We have had zero employee turnovers, drastic improvement in all areas of production and overall increases in skill and morale. But this is what i have learned through this crazy business video game. When you spend time with your people and aren't too busy to help them become the best. They will get better. They will learn. They will achieve and make gains you never thought possible.

Why can't churches and more importantly church leaders take this approach to leadership? Why can we here our ministers from the pulpit but how often are they spending time with their congregation. How crazy would it be if we canceled church one Sunday to all go minister to homeless people. How about donate all of the money that we took up in the offering to a family that needed our help without asking for an extra love offering. Why don't we stress to our people that they need training. They need guidance more than words and counsel but on the job training.

Parents, you are on the frontlines every day. Spend time with your kids. Dads spend time with your kids they need you. They need you to train them for the battle that is life.

I find myself frustrated I am being fed with so much meaningful stuff at my job but so much la di da stuff at my church. I am losing the passion that i once welled inside. Im not afraid to say it. I'm being taught more at UPS how important people are than I am at church! Absurd but true. Im becoming frustrated and confused. Am i in freak out mode...no prov. 3:5-6 which was yesterday's reading urged me to rely on God and trust Him. There are reasons why everything happens don't rely on what you know but wait it out and God will show you. That is my life story right now. Waiting...just waiting. Burn with passion show your students, children, adults that you care and want them to succeed and most importanly show them how to do it. Keeping up with my resolution so far should be more to come

I'm out.

Stayin on track

So two posts in a row crazy i know. Yesterday at hub school after an hour lecture on accountability and loader dispatch forms, the boss comes in and tells all the memphis sups to go back to memphis and tells the barlett and oakhaven sups that we need to get ready to work. So i am psyched because i haven't worked in like 2 weeks so i am fired up and i want to try and blow up the automated machine that is oakhaven. I learned an essential truth during this 7 and a half hour workday. One of the first concepts in accountability is making sure that the person knows what he/she is supposed to do. This seems simple but an able body with a desire to work couldn't do anything because i had no direction or instruction. Too often we expect so much from our people and our church members but are we shouldering the responsibility of letting them know what is expected of them. If they don't know how can we keep them accountable? Are we doing more than our share to let people know what is expected of them and how they should behave and live according to the word? I think not. If you are upset at how people act tell them what they should do because for all you know they might have more desire than you do to impact the world they just don't know how to do it. More schooling and a commitment to blogging this year. But for now I'm out.

So here's an update

i know that most of you have probably forgotten that i exist or have just figured that i have quit blogging. But unlike most others while christmas brings a time of rejoicing and cheer and giving for me it mostly represents a break. See all of you that send those wonderful presents in the mail, well someone has to get them there on time and that someone is us UPS cheapest and most reliable ground service that there is check it out. If you are shipping any other way you are paying too much. But to update you on things that have happened since my last post. The love of my life is in town, i got a Nintendo Wii for christmas, and i am going to school to learn how to do the job that i've already been doing for 5 months now. But it is great because it is reinforcing that people are the most important resource that you have. Train, Train, Train is what we preach at UPS and people have already expressed the fact that they are scared to train someone to do your job because they might be better than you and possibly take your job or something. But the way i see it if they can do it better they should be doing it and you should find what you are better at. Plus, training someone to do your job and then allowing them to do it makes your job and life much easier. How do i know this? Well considering that 3 of my guys have moved up in the 5 months that i've had this job should give me an idea. So train and build people up not only will it help you but you will gain the support that you always wish that you had without just hoping that it will happen.

And while im writing i got a ticket for not wearing my seat belt the other day. Im not very mad because they are trying to save lives by doing this. But what i am upset about is the fact that about 30 feet in front of me someone runs a stop sign. Now im not a genius but my life might have been in danger but more lives were in danger by the guy that obviously needed a coffee real bad cuz what else is there to do in millington? But before anyone assumes (no one would ever do that would they) i wasn't speeding, i used my turn signals, i stopped at the stop lights and at the stop signs, look both ways did everything except wear my seat belt. So im pretty upset and am looking forward to my conversation with the millington court system. I will begin a new push to blog like no one has blogged before for the good of myself and those that care enough to read until tomorrow. I'm out