Picture a little girl who wanted to fly.
She inflated a big red balloon with helium, shut her eyes, and her imagination told her she was flying.
She loved it.
Her grip on the balloon grew tighter until, POP!, the balloon burst.
The girl opened her eyes and saw her feet on the ground.
She cried because she wasn’t flying any more.
Little did she know, she never was.
The same is true for you and I.
Only the red balloon is our ego.
May we open our eyes before it pops.
I can not prevent a broken heart, for in doing so, I would prevent you from experiencing love.
I can not prevent a scraped knee, for in doing so, I would prevent you from climbing new heights.
I can not prevent a wounded ego, for in doing so, I would prevent you from becoming a humble leader.
I can not prevent a fear of the unknown, for in doing so, I would prevent you from overcoming fear and living life one step at a time into the unknown.
I can not prevent an uncomfortable silence, for in doing so, I would prevent you from seeing the danger of comfort.
I can not prevent a hurtful insult, for in doing so, I would prevent you from finding your identity is not rooted in what others say.
I can not prevent a few wrong turns, for in doing so, I would prevent you from discovering a better way.
I can not prevent an awkward moment, for in doing so, I would prevent you from realizing you are wonderfully, and utterly, human.
I can not prevent an embarrassing situation, for in doing so, I would prevent you from learning to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously.
I can not prevent occasions of doubt, for in doing so, I would prevent you from unlocking what it means to have faith.
Daddy loves you.
Love God. Love People. Live Free.
So you’ve really messed up.
You’ve done things you shouldn’t have done.
Said things you shouldn’t have said.
Thought things you shouldn’t have thought.
Become someone you didn’t intend to become.
Are you responsible for what you’ve done, said, thought, and become?
Absolutely.
You know it. You’ve owned it. You’re living the ramifications of it.
But.
This chapter of your life does not have to be the story of your life.
Your story is a story of grace.
It’s time to practice what you’ve preached.
The same grace you’ve given others, you now need to receive.
The hero of your story?
Well, it’s not you.
But you know who it is.
Return to Him.
Follow Him around.
He is your confidence.
He is your joy.
He is your better story.
You’ve blown it in a big way.
But God is bigger than your mess.
You think you’ve given a black eye to your cause.
The good news?
No one can kill the cause.
It’s bigger than us.
Your days may seem cloudy but your story is bright.
Not because you’re great.
Because He is.
Wrap your story up in His story.
Fitting the world in 140 characters or less.
Exploring the world in 140 characters or less.
This is Twitter.
Twitter is a conversation.
When you post on Twitter, you’re either continuing a conversation or creating one.
This is what many Twitter people miss- particularly businessses.
The goal isn’t to pimp yourself.
The goal is to contribute.
Twitter is a pulse.
There are millions of people (and growing) from all over the planet on Twitter.
Is there an easier way to check the pulse of the globe?
Especially without it being controlled by the media, government, or agenda-driven organizations?
Twitter is sociology on steroids.
What are people thinking at certain times of the day.
What events in the world are capturing the attention of the world.
Twitter has really become the new public opinion poll.
It’s an unfiltered collective and full of bias and opinions and that’s what makes it so wonderful.
Twitter is relational.
If you don’t have people that you know, or are getting to know, it’s not fun.
After all, who wants to talk to an empty room?
Sometimes, the best way to get to know someone is to know the little things about them.
Twitter is about the little things.
What people watch, where they eat, artists they listen to, authors they read, friends they chill with, what annoys them, what makes them laugh.
Twitter’s like a perpetual first date.
Discovering preferences, habits, pet peeves, life rhythms, characters, issues, opinions, wisdom, and absurdities.
It’s all contained in the hairball that is Twitter.
Twitter is what you make it.
It’s not Twitter’s fault if you think it’s pointless.
You just haven’t made a point yet.
That’s the beauty of Twitter.
It’s a blank canvas and we are the artists.
Find me on Twitter at twitter.com/jasonsalamun
This quote is for the folks who have the courage to go for it.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
- Teddy Roosevelt
Pursue yours.
When a parent chases their God-given dreams with their God-given talents, it tells their children they can too.
The parents who choose to be a martyr and sacrifice their passions “for the sake of the kids” are only fooling themselves.
They’re actually making it more difficult for them.
Making dreams seem more unattainable.
Parents, we set the example.
Let’s give our kids some footprints to follow.
Let’s show them a better way.
Take them along for the ride.
And love them along the way.
Pray they become who God created them to be.
And do what God calls them to do.
Lead by being who God created you to be and doing what God is calling you to do.
That’s how we help our kids pursue their dreams.
Allow me to give you a warning:
If you ever tell me a dream you want to pursue, I will pursue you until you begin to pursue it.
That’s a whole lotta pursuing going on.
You see, I love seeing people take a dream, an idea, a God-given vision, and go for it.
Too many of us settle for a life of inaction and good intentions.
Allow me to share one of my dreams:
I want to write a book (or more).
I’ve written short stories (like this one) from time to time but never a book.
This summer I’m beginning work on my first book.
I’m going for it.
There are details to be worked out however, for now, I just need to write.
Stay tuned to the blog if you’re interested in following the journey.
From time to time, I’ll share more about the idea of the book, maybe some tidbits, and the publishing progress.
My friends at Project Church will be the ones helping me work through it as I’ll be incorporating some of my writings into the messages I teach during this summer.
Would appreciate your prayers and support.
And if you’re a writer, advice is always welcomed.
So that’s what I’m doing.
What about you?
What do you need to go for?
When I was a kid, I collected baseball cards.
Today, I collect experiences.
I blame it on Forrest Gump in a way.
That film moved me when I first saw it.
His life was a single story made up of multiple stories.
Stories worth telling.
A life in full.
I wanted a life like that.
In my life so far, I’ve experienced many cool things.
Some of my favorite snapshots…
Popping the question to my bride-to-be during a huge blizzard.
Going overseas when I was in the Air Force for a critical mission (a Top Gun moment)
Sitting in a boardroom atop the Chase Manhattan building overlooking New York City helping make some strategic decisions for a Fortune 500 company.
Seeing my daughter born.
Baptizing my son on Father’s Day a few years back.
Teaching the first message at Project Church and seeing it move from a vision to becoming a reality (we’re still in the becoming phase).
Being able to say thank you and I love you to my Maw-Maw before she breathed her last.
Going to my first wrestling match as a kid and touching all the pro wrestlers as they entered the ring.
Seeing my parents slow dance in the living room to “Sea of Love.”
Planting a tree in Israel.
Driving with my high school buddies on a Friday night listening to “1979″ by the Smashing Pumpkins.
See my beautiful wife walk down the aisle at our wedding.
There are so many more things.
But I have many regrets.
Not just things I’ve done.
But things left undone.
Dreams and experiences collecting dust.
What about you?
Are you living a life worth telling stories about?
Better yet, what’s the story your life is telling?
We settle for a life of trinkets and trash.
When we could have so much more.
Don’t collect Precious Moments, create them.
Your life matters.
Don’t waste it.
You were meant for more.
Love God.
This will fill your heart.
Love people.
This will give you meaning.
Collect experiences.
This will give you stories.
Live free!
Saturday, May 30 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Dublin Square Irish Pub
$5 to register
$10 for t-shirt
Great prizes for finalists
The men and women who serve in volunteer fire departments throughout Rapid City and the Black Hills sacrifice their time, energy, and often their lives for the good of our community.
To say thank you, Project Church is sponsoring a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament for these modern-day superheroes.
We hope to not only raise funds for equipment, maintenance, and training, but also raise awareness for this wonderful cause.
We created a website at rockpaperscissorslove.com where you can get more information.
If it goes well, we might put on similar tournaments for various causes throughout the year.
We understand it’s not typical for a church to hold a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament.
Especially in a pub.
But Project Church is not your typical church.
We are a new church in Rapid City, SD who are in the city, for the city; committed to knowing culture, loving people, and seeing stories changed by Jesus.
Visit projectchurch.net to discover more.
“I cut my long baby hair.”
Song: Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine
Why it Strikes? As I grow and mature, I see remnants of immaturity that I need to grow out of.
“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”
Song: Anthem by Leonard Cohen
Why it Strikes? Reminds me that God is the remedy for my depravity.
“He said I have many mansions. And there are many rooms to see. But I left by the back door. And I threw away the key.”
Song: The First Time by U2
Why it Strikes? Jesus spoke of finding hidden treasure in a field and then going to sell everything you have to buy the field. Yet sometimes, I settle.
“Don’t you know son that I love you? And I don’t care where you’ve been. So please come home.”
Song: Please Come Home by Dustin Kensrue
Why it Strikes? It’s for all the prodigals and a beautiful portrait of God’s grace of which I still need.
“Rest in my arms, sleep in my bed, there’s a design -to what I did and said.”
Song: Vito’s Ordination Song by Sufjan Stevens
Why it Strikes? Peace comes through trust. I’m a restless spirit who often needs to be reminded, and rest, in God’s providence.
“The kingdom of the heavens is now advancing. Invade my heart. Invade this broken town.”
Song: Your Love is Strong by Jon Foreman
Why it Strikes? God’s moving…despite me…and for us.
“Come all you weary, move through the earth. Spurned in fine restaurants, kicked out of church.”
Song: Come All You Weary by Thrice
Why it Strikes? Jesus is better than religion and he came to save sinners like me. This song also reminds me of why we started our church.
“I am so easily satisfied by the call of lovers so less wild.”
Song: Wedding Dress by Derek Webb
Why it Strikes? Is Jesus enough? Is Jesus my joy? Or am I using him for something else I love more?
“You’d hate for the kids to think that you’ve lost your cool.”
Song: Pork and Beans by Weezer
Why it Strikes? I care way too much about what other people think. I’m learning to care about that less and less and hopefully, care for people more and more.
“The people he knew were less than golden hearted. Gamblers and Robbers. Drinkers and Jokers. All soul searchers. Like you and me.”
Song: Christmas Song by Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
Why it Strikes? This lyric reveals the company Jesus kept. Too many of us Christians tend to not look at ourselves as “one of those people” which is sad, because we are. May I not forget.
Any lyrics striking you these days?
