Deveoping Self Discipline 4

In concluding our study of self discipline: some more subtle discipline traits can be addressed and incorporated in the growth process. Take pride in accepting responsibility, finish what you start, be on time, keep your word, accept constructive criticism, practice self denial in areas of food, exercise and entertainment, develop a joyful and grateful attitude.

Lastly, the spiritual dimension. Be aware of the spiritual warfare we face in the quest for growth. Study Ephesians 6 to learn how to be victorious in that battle. Also, could we go so far as to say that resisting the Scriptural command to be “self-controlled” is sin. Is a repentant spirit a significant attitude to portray in our quest for building self discipline?

Proverbs 21:5 tells us: Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. The NIV Study Bible elaborates, “Faithful completion of mundane tasks is a great accomplishment. Such work is patiently carried out according to a plan. Diligence does not come naturally to most people. It is to a result of a strong character. Don’t look for quick and easy answers. Be a diligent servant of God.”

Practicing self discipline requires enormous effort, just like breaking any other addiction. Hard work consisting of a strong will and a consistent endeavor eventually produces the rewards of a disciplined life. Just like any other skill learned, the initiation is difficult, but the more it is practiced, the easier it will become. The way of progress in self discipline is neither swift nor easy.

Addicts at times relapse – slipping back into their pattern of escape. If or when this happens to you. Shake it off. Again resist succumbing to the addiction to ease, to instant gratification. You will enjoy the resulting life style that gives you a huge advantage in life.

I would encourage us all to develop the discipline of solitude – spending quality time with God each day in prayer, Bible, journaling, memorizing Scripture, worshipping. The discipline of deepening intimacy with the Father is a stability in life beyond measure, especially during this time of world wide economic upheaval.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

I' check back with you in a week. Will be in Kentucky.

Developing Self Discipline 3

The fifth consideration in developing self discipline: PRIORITIZE. Instead of operating under a week’s schedule, some prefer to function with daily “do-lists.” Getting the more tedious or difficult tasks accomplished first sets the tone for an anticipation of finishing with easier responsibilities. This plan should provide some “down time” for times of relaxation.

May I suggest that much TV viewing is counterproductive to rejuvenation. Keep your entertainment dimension productive, creative and stimulating with a worthwhile hobby, reading a good book, taking a walk, listening to uplifting music, conversing with someone.

Consider also emotional issues regarding self discipline. Do you believe lies about yourself like, “You don’t deserve the success that comes from discipline?” Or, “You’ve never been a disciplined person. You’re wired that way because you are an artistic free style person.”

One person wrote saying, "An exercise I have appreciated involves learning to listen to my inner voice which is really a composite of the voices of my parents, my sister, my teachers, my culture, and my interpretations of those voices. The source of the lies often originate in this arena.
I divide a sheet of paper into three columns. In the first column I write and will rewrite a truth that I want in my life. An example might be: I live my dreams from my authentic heart. In the second column I wait to hear my inner voices responses which might be, you have no heart. Then I write the truth again I live my dreams from my authentic heart. Again in the second column I write the responses like your dreams are stupid. I keep going rewriting the truth and then writing the responses until I uncover the core issue(s) or the voices stop. Then in the third column I will give a truth that counters it, such as Yes, I have a new heart that was given me by Jesus Himself, or my dreams may need tweeking to be more realistic, but I am working on them and my dreams are a wonderful part of me."

The same can be done with self discipline. Lies can be “you won’t be successful so why start," or “I’m like my dad and he was never disciplined, so why should I try?”
I believe the process involves digging deep until the core issue(s) are revealed, put away and truth is faced and implemented.

Another emotional issue that could be thwarting your development of self discipline is “passive aggressiveness.” You might have had a parent who consistently criticized you for not having a disciplined life, producing anger toward that person. Instead of expressing that anger to the parent (and collect more criticism), you bury the anger into the subconscious. So a way to express the anger subtlely is to make them mad by doing the opposite of what they want you to do.

More tomorrow

Devloping Self Discipline - 2

Step #3 in the process of developing the trait of self discipline: SCHEDULING

Sunday night is a good time to plan for the week. Create a grid on a sheet of paper – days of the week across the top, hours of the day down the left side. Insert your activities in the designated spots according to day and time. Build a foundation around these four areas: work, play, relationships and God connection. Call your accountability partner each night for a few seconds, reporting in on the effectiveness of your day’s schedule. Some tweaking of the schedule may be necessary.
The simple reality is that if you don't control your time, everything (and everyone) else will.

The fourth consideration: short term goals. Instead of saying, “Saturday afternoon, I’m cleaning up the garage.” It would be better to plan and hour on the task or have as a goal to work on organizing one portion of the garage. A friend of mine is currently in that process. His comments: “I didn’t think there was instant gratification in self discipline. But I’m finding great satisfaction in getting one corner of my garage cleaned up and looking forward to expanding the area. I’ll soon be able to get my car in here and work on it.” He is finding the short term goal accomplished gives him the satisfaction motivation to continue to the large goal of the entire garage organized and clean.

Do the small things and soon the big things will be conquered.

More on Monday!

Developing Self Discipline

Some thoughts now to those who want to improve their self discipline. To improve their effectiveness in living. To develop the ability to concentrate, focus on goals and consistently stay within parameters they have established for success. To break the addiction to ease.

As difficult as it is to break that addiction and to begin Developing Self Discipline, the person who walks with God has the promise of 2 Timothy 1:6-7 “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

God has given His children a spirit of power, love and self discipline. We are instructed to “fan the flame” – to cause those gifts from God to grow. The process begins with:

1.”Ya gotta wanna.” Own the destructiveness of the addiction. Face the pain of regret. For example, if I don’t break the addiction to ease regarding physical exercise and memorizing Scripture, my mind and body will be affected. In a sense, I’m sinning against my own body and that can affect others close to me.

Many find themselves saying, “But what do I do if even after facing the pain of regret, I still don’t have the motivation to expend the effort to grow in self discipline?” As a follower of Christ, we can go to Him and say, “God, I seemingly can’t muster up the wherewithal to begin this task. Would you empower me to “want to?” Philippians 2:13 tells us that God not only helps us obey but also helps us want to obey. And we pray that long, theological prayer, “HELP! God, I want to be a more effective disciple of yours. HELP."

2. As the process continues, consider having a helper. I’ve never observed a person with low self discipline ever change significantly without an accountability partner. James 5:16 tells us, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

Connect with a person who can shoot straight with you in an encouraging way. “Joe, tomorrow I’m setting as an objective to have 15 minutes in Bible reading and prayer and 15 minutes of a brisk walk.” A quick 30 second reporting in phone call ensues the following night stating the day's results. The process is repeated until a little change is observed which can signal the “reporting in” procedure can be every other night, until connection once a week or once a month is sufficient.

More on the process in tomorrow's post.

Self Discipline - a Balance

One person I interviewed regarding self discipline and addiction added a dimension that was interesting. "As you work on building self discipline," Steve said, "don’t become obsessed with it. Make sure you have moments for luxurious time for yourself."

He also suggested to see Christ’s model of self discipline as directed to two arenas – Christ’s discipline was people oriented not production geared, and was focused on the advancement of The Kingdom.

My experience counseling those who lacked self discipline was that unless they became obsessive about scheduling and structure to begin the growth process, they didn’t make the switch. It seems to break the addiction to ease, one has to obsess on self discipline for a time – say, 30 days – until it becomes the beginnings of a habit. Then back off some and allow oneself to enjoy the luxury of spontaneous time. This regimen may not be a necessity for all people. Starting easy and building up discipline worked for some. But obsession for 30 days is the approach that I’ve observed that brings the quickest change.

Regarding Christ’s motivation for discipline being relational Kingdom building, I must confess that my high discipline score has for most of my life been production oriented for approval and recognition. I suspect there‘ll be a smidgen of that contaminating the rest of my life, but the preponderance of self discipline now is relational oriented. And the results are so much more gratifying – a shift from “see Ray run. See how fast Ray runs.” To “who could benefit from Ray’s love and encouragement today?” Not perfect, but growing in that direction.

Discipline: Parable of the Wise, Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25 :1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

As you read different commentaries on this passage, the interprtations vary. I’d like to add my perspective.I believe the five foolish virgins represent for us the foolishness of lack of self discipline. They were too lazy to prepare their lamps for the responsibility of escorting the bridegroom to his new venue.

Various Christian colleges have bemoaned the fact that their freshmen students are Bible illiterate. They didn’t buy sufficient oil for their lamps. They didn’t discipline their time and themselves to have a consistent time with God in His Word. As christians they were unprepared to face the challenges of leaving home and beginning the stage of adulthood.

When I was in counseling full time, I’d frequently see a client begin a life of self discipline – exercise, consistent time with God, the discipline of bringing negative thoughts into captivity, etc. They were becoming free. A few months after the cessation of counseling, some would return and say, “It’s not working any more. I’m back to the old problems.”
My first question I’d ask them, “How are you doing with a consistent time with God?” Invariably they’d make a statement something like, “I got so busy I just didn’t have time to be in prayer and Bible study.” Like the five foolish virgins, they were unprepared to meet the challenge. Romans 12:2 was no longer in effect. (“Be transformed by the renewing of the mind.)” Their transformation had been aborted because they had stopped renewing the mind. They were living with the pain of regret instead of enjoying life because of the pain of self-discipline.

Life’s two teachers: wisdom and consequences. To achieve wisdom for effective living and dying requires the pain of self discipline. (The five wise virgins.) Rather than wisdom, many choose to live by consequences and experience the pain of regret. The five foolish virgins.) Their addiction to “ease” relegates them to miss out on the blessings of wisdom.

Self Discipline and addiction - 7

To demonstrate a spirit of self discipline in our area, let me share with you an article in the Idaho Press Tribune, 10-13-08, written by Bruce Mason.
“Barak Watson rolls out of bed early, throws on the gear, slips on the socks, ties those shoes and it’s time to start running. Ten miles. Twelve miles. Arms pumping, legs churning. Fifteen miles. Shoes thumping, lungs heaving. Seventeen miles. Chest burning, body screaming ‘uncle.’ Eighteen miles. Now he’s done running.

“Welcome to regimen of the No.1 Class 4A cross country runner in Idaho, who runs as many as 20 miles in one day, 75-80 miles in one week, and enough miles in one month to challenge an automotive vehicle.

And get this, his legs aren’t his best asset. His heart is. Humility. Empathy. Compassion. It’s all instilled inside this homeschooled senior kid whose character is as phenomenal as his first-place finishes.”

His coach labels Barak as one with a Christian heart… a never-quit attitude. Fighting to the end. Grinding with every last ounce of energy.. Pushing. Pushing. The article goes on to give more of his training regimen and prospects for the future.
Watson says, “I’ll ask the Lord if he’ll finish me all the way through.” His coach believes he’ll be able to run with anyone in the country.

The self discipline word that leaps out at me here is the word, “focus.” We’ll be looking at ways to build self discipline later and “focus” will be one aspect.
Go all the way, Barak.

Self Discipline and Addiction - 6

The contributor to yesterday's blog continues.

"I have more questions. When is it feel good time?
Is self discipline a destination or some thing to take with us on the journey of life? Maybe its just a matter of setting short term goals end to end to reach a long term desired outcome. Not looking too far forward, I’m hoping to break down my long term goals into what can be accomplished today.

“Is it as simple as picking up the clothes on my closet floor everyday? Or not putting them there in the first place?
“I’m beginning to see that nothing long term is accomplished without self discipline and that is a continuing part of my drug recovery.
“How can I possess something I know nothing about? It is hell learning something at the age of 50 when I should have learned this when I was 6 or 7.
“I’m going to define self discipline as the ability to enjoy something you must do or don’t want to do because in the end, doing right is a reward in it self. The reward? A life changing for the better – prayer, praise and worship life, home life, love life, work and hobbies all involves some sort of discipline.”

He goes on to say that the book “Richest Man Whoever Lived” says that the root cause of laziness is self-centeredness, conceit, ignorance and irresponsibility.

I like the way this contributor to the blog is wrestling with his addiction to ease. He has broken the hard addiction to meth. Now it’s time for the self discipline to become a habit, rather than the addiction to ease, self gratification.

We’ll be going through steps of correction later.

Self Discipline and addiction - 5

One person emailed yesterday, "Should we really classify everything as an addiction? Why not call it sin??”

Good point. “TO him who knows to do well and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.”
Question: what do you do with sin? Answer: repent. Does that solve the self discipline dilemma? No! If I’m an alcoholic I can repent til I’m blue in the face. But that doesn’t rid me of the addiction to alcohol. Repentance is but the first step in the recovery process. And so with self discipline. If’ I’m addicted to ease, the easy way out, to self gratification, that habit must be aggressively attacked and a plan of action followed. (Which we’ll look at in some upcoming posts.)

One person writes saying, “What lies beyond the curtain of self discipline? A changed life? Or should we be so dramatic? Isn’t it as easy as Nike says, “Just do it.” But why can’t I? Is it fear? Fear of what? A great fear of failure overwhelms me at the onset of any project at which I’m not proficient. It sometimes keeps me from moving forward – except at work where I need to perform. I’ve had a lifetime of failure and don’t want to bring anymore upon myself. Fear of failure is definitely a significant cause for my lack of self discipline.”

He is basically saying, “if I don’t start something, I can’t set myself up for failure. So I'll take the path of ease and not even try.”

He goes on to say, “Do I feel unworthy of experiencing the results of self discipline? Or is it worse? Maybe I’m just lazy.
“No that’s not it. I can and do work hard – very hard. But only when there is a reward at the end - a paycheck or praise from someone.

“Is it low self esteem? Lack of maturity? Both? Maybe my expectations are too high for myself so I don’t attempt to begin. (Fear of failure again?)

“If self discipline is an ongoing thing – never ending. Where is the reward? There just is no instant gratification in self discipline. “Oops! Not always true. I took all day Saturday to clean part of my garage. There is a space for me to move around. That was gratifying. I guess it just wasn’t instant because it took me a few hours to accomplish the partly finished task. I sure felt good about it though."

We’ll wrestle with more of his thoughts tomorrow.

Self Discipline and addiction - 4

One person responded to the self discipline blog this way by sharing a journaling she did this week:
“I feel I am a hedonist. I seek pleasure, in a way, because I love to be warm and comfortable and in control of my own time. I don’t think I’m lazy. I work hard around our home and I work hard at work. But I begin to feel a little out of sorts and slightly depressed when I think about getting up at 5:30, getting ready and going to work. I really actually dread it.

"Weird thing is, it really is a great job once I get there. Lord, please help me with my “mental” so I can enjoy today and look forward to each day no matter what I must do. I want my joy to come from You, deep within and not base it on my own comfort.”

She continued with: “I went on to praise the Lord for all He has done and is doing in our lives. I really am grateful and I want my life and thoughts to reflect God’s goodness and mercy. SO, I will continue to ask Him to work in my brain! Am I addicted to my own comforts? I do make myself do what I have to do. I just want my attitude to be in line with it.”

My reaction to her email? What a prime example of self discipline. I commend her for doing what she doesn’t want to do – getting out of her comfortable bed and going to work. Great! But she adds a twist to this whole self discipline thing – attitude. If we’re following Biblical principles for living we are to give thanks in all things and for all things, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:16 and Ephesians 5:30. And we are to “rejoice evermore,” Philippians 4:4.

The direction here is to not only sharpen self discipline skills but that they be matched with a joyful, grateful spirit. How does that happen? If the Bible commands something, God has to come through with the empowerment to accomplish what has been directed. Begin with prayer something like, “Father, I’m not experiencing the self discipline I need, nor the joyful and grateful attitude about it. Do in and through me what I am unable to do myself. Philippians 2:13 tells me that you will help me obey and also help me want to obey. I need that empowerment Father, as I do my part in cooperating with you. And by he way, thank you for the many blessings I have. You have been so good to me.”

So, the thought for today: Don’t just sharpen self discipline skills, but develop a more positive, joyful and grateful spirit, especially in those areas that self discipline is a challenge.

More later on the process of change.

Is Lack of Self Discipline an Addiction - 3

Summarizing our exploration of, “Is lack of self discipline an addiction.” Because it is so very difficult to change that attribute, it appears to be comparable to breaking an addiction to drugs/alcohol or cigarettes.

A reader stopped me yesterday and told me that he has been free from alcohol and meth for over six years, “but the addiction I’m having the most trouble with is lack of self discipline.”

Let’s label the problem “laziness.” That is a more ugly description of the weakness, consequently should provide more motivation to change. I have many weaknesses but laziness is not one of them…until of late – in two areas. Memorizing Scripture and exercising. A combination of the aging process and Parkinson’s is curbing the appetite for both. This is a “bear” to change. I need to. Both are for my overall health. Maybe if I look at what God says about laziness that will help motivate me to revamp in those two problem areas.

2 Thes.3:6 Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don't permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn't sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. (Message)

Proverbs 13:4 Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. NLT

Proverbs 18:9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. NLT

To those passages I say, “I don’t classify my self as a lazy person except in those two mentioned areas, to which I can apply the Biblical principles.
“But I’m not a lazy person,” another person may say. ”I just procrastinate.” Whether the label is lazy, mentally lazy, lack of self discipline or procrastination, the process of correction is extremely difficult, like breaking an addiction.

To what may we be addicted? In broaching this question to others, I heard these replies: “I was addicted to hedonism (pleasure seeking).” Others said, “to self-centeredness – self trust, self sufficiency, self will (I want what I want when I want it), to ease – the easy way.”

“Discipline is an inconvenience. I don’t want to be inconvenienced. I like instant gratification. Ease is more gratifying than discipline. There is no instant gratification in self discipline. However. the short term gain of ease produces long term pain (of regret).”

“I’m addicted to me. It’s all about me. Rebellion. I want what I want, no matter the results.”
“My addiction is to daydreaming. In the distraction I can get what I want without working for it.”
“I’ve slacked off so long it has become a habit – an addiction. I can’t break that inertia.”

Summarizing these replies, it appears that the general source of the addiction is the word, “EASE.” Or INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
Consequently, we can say that the pay-off, the reward for lack of self discipline is easiness, the road of less resistance, the self indulgent path.
Are we beginning to grasp the magnitude of the seeming impenetrability of that shield?
I’m not suggesting “all work and no play.” Fun in life is important. However our society is shouting from the roof tops, “You only go around once. Enjoy our (product.) Choose the easy way.”
More tomorrow.

Is laziness an Addiction - 2

We’re wrestling with the question, “Is lack of discipline, or laziness or procrastination, what ever you want to call it, an addiction?” If so, what is the addict addicted to? And, what is the payoff – the reward for this malady?

I’m finding that across the board, this is a weakness that is most difficult to turn around. Laziness isn’t destructive to the body as drugs and alcohol are, so motivation to change is lacking. May I add that the destruction is much more subtle. Guilt is usually the result of knowing something needs to be done and not doing it or putting it off. Guilt, however so subtle, wreaks havoc on our minds and bodies.

Someone might be saying, “What’s the big deal about self discipline? I’m a spontaneous person and I get things done. Lack of discipline is not hurting me. Why should I go through all the pain of scheduling, planning ahead and then have to stick with the schedule. I’ll get in a rut and my spontaneity will be lost.”

I’ve been working on this challenge the last couple days – getting thoughts from my Lighthouse Mission guys. From my prayer partner, Dan. From my bright wife and some research on the web. Explore with me and send me any of your thoughts (rburwick@mindspring.com).

Let’s first define self discipline. Discipline is the ability to force yourself to do something that you know you must do, even if you don’t feel like it. There are many distractions to self discipline today – TV, sports, video games, cell phone texting, and noises of all kinds. A thought that must be brought into subjection is, “Why should I do something which is boring or difficult when I can do something that is easy and fun instead?” Our society makes having fun so easy that working at things that really matter in life, that requires self discipline, just doesn’t seem as important.

The college student who puts off writing that paper or reading that 100 pages due by a certain date because sports center is on TV or that video game is “calling.” Results: work done at the last minute is usually not as productive, not as thorough; sleep is lost; tension stresses the body, etc. etc.

The house wife who puts off an unpleasant task. The pastor who procrastinates with sermon preparation. The average Christian who finds the lure of the news or some extra sleep more important than spending a half hour in developing intimacy with God through Bible and prayer.

So, what is the value of self discipline? Basically, the things in life that are worth having, that have long term value and meaning are usually the things that require hard work, inconvenience and time. The accomplished musician or athlete. The research scientist. The person walking closely with God. The everyday worker who desires promotion – all of these benefit from the “pain” of self discipline. Oh, the musician, the athlete, the worker can get by with slacking, but production is effected and self esteem diminishes.

I’m not suggesting we follow the words of Trevor Brazille, 4 time PRCA World Champion All Around Cowboy. At the Pendleton Roundup this year he was signing his picture with the words, “The best never rest.” I’m not sure if he adheres to that credo completely. If so, a burnout is on the way. But I’m positive that laziness has not been the contributing factor to his rodeo success.
We’ll continue this exploration in the next blog.

Is Laziness an Addiction

Former basketball cagers who played for me at Cascade College over 40 years ago.

Got a question for you all. As you know, I have the joy and privlege of teaching at the Lighthouse Mission. The programmers there have all been addicted to drugs/alcohol and many have been incarcerated because of it. The reasons for the addiction are usually sought out, faced and worked through so that when the person leaves in a year, he is not a "dry drunk."

The thought struck me yesterday that a person who has trouble with self-discipline has an addiction. Because, in working with some very special people lately who struggle with building a disciplined life, I'm finding that they are in the throes of resistance just like breaking an addiction. The program is just not working.



Consequently, I'm now wondering how I can classify this "addiction." Are they addicted to laziness? To hedonism - pleasure seeking - the pleasure of being comfortable over the "pain of discipline? To self - self trust, self will (I want what I want), self-sufficiency? And what is the pay-off for the lack of discipline?



Do you have any ideas or experience? I'm thinking that if we can label this an addiction, the problem will be taken more seriously, subsequently attacked more viciously.



My blog's comments section is not working, so if you have any suggestions, please send them to rburwick@mindspring.com. And thanks.

Basketball Reunion

We've been gone the past week. Portland town. Alumni gathering of the old Cascade College that is now part of Seattle Pacific University. What a special time. A bunch of the basketball players from over 40 years ago reunioned the night before the Alumni event. What a joy to be with men that helped me cut my eye teeth on basketball coaching in the early '60's.

It was a unique event for two reasons besides reconnecting with the young men. I was reminded that in College I was told to get out of education because no school would ever hire me. Stuttering! But man can't stifle God's plan for His children. I went from college right into college coaching, initiating the intercollegiate program at Cascade. Then, 14 years later, the college that said no school would ever hire me because of my stuttering - DID. That's "praise the Lord" material.

Reconnecting. Reminder of God's blessings. And I was blessed to receive the "Medallion of Honor for Distinguished Service." The weekend was overwhelming. Gratitude to God for blessing this liitle ol' stuttering North Dakota farmboy, who spoke with such frustration as a school boy that I wanted to quit school in the eighth grade and live on a farm the rest of my life where people wouldn't see and hear me speak.

I wrote about the event in my journal. May I be so presumptious as to share it with you?

Wow, the afterglow from the Cascade College Reunion weekend events could illuminate the night sky of Nampa indefinitely. What a thrill to reconnect with you special men! Receiving the undeserved Medal of Honor was a highlight, but that definitely took a back seat to the warmth and caring from you to each other and to me. The "highest highlight" of the weekend happened after the medallion presentation when you came to the podium and surrounded me with your love and appreciation. I was overwhelmed! What a blessing, a masterpiece that will forever be etched in the museum of my memories.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Vern for spearheading the event; to Velma for all the Friday night food preparation; to Joby and Arlys for their beautiful home and dessert; to you who drove a far piece to come; to all of you who could have chosen to spend the weekend in other activity. To God and to you all, I am soooo grateful.

Thanks for allowing me to share this happy event with you.

God speaks through visions

God spoke to Abraham and Sarah through a vision, telling them they would give birth to a child in their old age.

A vision from God confronted Peter with his racial prejudice.

Isaiah’s vision of God’s majesty propelled him into a vocational attitude of , “Here am I, send me.”

I’ve experienced only one vision of which I am aware. I was coaching with Fred Crowell a basketball team called Athletes in Action, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. As we played major universities around the country, we’d stay in people’s homes. It seemed that Fred and I were often placed in homes that sought our personal counsel. We enjoyed listening to people’s challenges and walking through the Bible with them, giving them God’s perspective. We jokingly said, “When we retire from coaching,, we’ll start a counseling center.”

My family and I moved from the basketball team to take a staff position in Spokane, Washington. Though directing the ministry at a local university, counseling seemed to play a significant role in my contacts with students.

While there we were given a free trip to Hawaii. Lying on the beach one day, soaking up rays, the clearest picture came to me. I was sitting in a counseling office, with the words coming to me plainly, “Start a counseling center in Spokane.” And that was the beginning of Northwest Counseling Services and later Northwest Basketball Camps that now serve over 11,000 campers each summer. God not only spoke through visions in Bible times, but does now. It was exciting being a recipient of a vision from the Lord and becoming actively involved with it.

Care must be taken in listening to God through visions, because it could be a hallucination! GOd does and has spoken through visions.