Over the weekend I had the privilege to enjoy watching my youngest son coach his first spring football game. The team he lends his talents to is his former high school, which is interesting because he gets to rub shoulders with some of his old coaches. After the scrimmage we sat down and had a review on what could be done better, and several of his old coaches stopped by to say hello and renew old acquaintances. During the conversation, my son commented on how much he appreciated what they had gone through teaching him, as now he was on their side of the fence and had a different perspective. Here's why this hit me....
As a coach, my son brings to the table a Pop Warner National Championship, he was voted Defensive Back of the decade for his efforts during his high school career, he then went on to college where he set school records, and finally advanced to the rank of a football player who was paid to play the game he loved. One might say he has the "fruit on the tree," when it comes to success on the field. Yet despite the accomplishments, there are those who he mentors as a coach that disregard what he advises them to do as a player to improve their game. Apparently, in spite of contrary input from one who has excelled at the level they are performing at, those players believe they have a better way. Interestingly enough there are also some that take the input willingly, and also find a better level of success on the field. So not only do some choose to disregard mentoring from one who has walked the path they are on, they also ignore when others listen and achieve better results. There are so many ways to apply this lesson, but here's this is where it took me....
A child was born on this earth, the son of our Creator, who walked the earth and modeled the perfect life. He knew exactly the path to take to achieve success and gain His place in heaven. Yet most of us ignore His teachings because we think we have a better way. We dismiss the little tweaks we need to make to improve ourselves in the eyes of the Lord, even though we had a mentor show us the proper technique. We own the results, just like those football players who choose to ignore input own their lack of success on the field. Jesus has the "fruit on the tree," so why would one dismiss His example?
Like my son learned this weekend, we all need to change our perspective.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Thank You Mom!
A very Happy Mother's Day to all! It's such an incredible calling to be a mother. A responsibility like no other! You carry the seed of human life till it dawns on the new world, then you have an opportunity to mold that seed into your message to people you'll never meet! Motherhood carries with it unending worry, a lack of appreciation, long hours, and a mental toughness like no other task. Yet another child is born every second, and today we honor that sacrifice. We'd all be nothing but a dream without our mothers. So do your best to make today special for the one who provided us a path to our beginning. She did her best,(and made it possible) to make everyday special for you!
Happy Mother's Day!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Happy Mother's Day!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, May 12, 2012
What's Important Now!
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."-Matthew 6:19-21
What an outstanding reminder of our earthly purpose! We live in a world that lacks delayed gratification, instead bowing to the I've got to have it now syndrome. And for what? It'll break, rust, decay, or simply become outdated, or out of style within a short period of time. Our focus should be on what is important for the long term, not the shallow satisfaction of the here and now. How long does the memory of a baby's laughter stay with us? It never seems to go out of style. What a keepsake is the longing glance of the one you love, something that you carry forever. These are the "things" we need to strive for, and put on the top of our "to do" list.
Material things leave us, relationships do not. While the people may go, their memory is implanted on our being. Be one of those memories!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
What an outstanding reminder of our earthly purpose! We live in a world that lacks delayed gratification, instead bowing to the I've got to have it now syndrome. And for what? It'll break, rust, decay, or simply become outdated, or out of style within a short period of time. Our focus should be on what is important for the long term, not the shallow satisfaction of the here and now. How long does the memory of a baby's laughter stay with us? It never seems to go out of style. What a keepsake is the longing glance of the one you love, something that you carry forever. These are the "things" we need to strive for, and put on the top of our "to do" list.
Material things leave us, relationships do not. While the people may go, their memory is implanted on our being. Be one of those memories!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Flame Of Freedom!
Imagine yourself an entrepreneur. You have a business and no one takes the time to balance the books, or even check the register to ensure sales match income. How long do you think that business would be capable of keeping it's doors open? I have just described to you the federal government and their method of operation for the last few years. No budget, no accountability, and spiraling in debt. In a word, bankrupt!
Our founding fathers were very wise men. They put in just enough regulation to keep everything on the up and up, as long as the original design was held in tact. But they also understood human nature, see if these next two predictions ring a bell...
"Sir, there are two passions that have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
And...
"Sir, thought we may set out in the beginning with moderate salaries, we shall find that such will not be of long continuance. Reasons will never be wanting for proposed augmentations; and there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. Hence, as all history informs us, there has been in every state and every kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and the governed, the one striving to obtain more for it's support, and the other to pay less."
These were reminders from one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin. He reminds us that power and money are cruel masters, and that the temptation of the elected to abuse the fiscal responsibility ceded them is overwhelming. Power and money corrupt! Never has this been more prevalent than in today's political arena.
America's politicians have exploited the taxpayers long enough, voting themselves salaries, retirement packages, and benefits far above what a wealthy taxpayer would consider reasonable for their position of employment. They've passed out entitlements beyond what any society can maintain in efforts to secure votes, then scoff in the face of taxpayers at the thought of budgetary restraints. They condone immoral behavior, contrary to the printed word of the Bible; the very instrument that the founding fathers used to base our country's foundation upon. All to pander to specific voting blocks in the effort to maintain power. This perversion of the definition of a civil right is exactly what Franklin fore warned us about when he said...
"Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
Alexis De Tocqueville toured our fledgling nation and had this observation...
>"There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equaled by their ignorance and debasement; while in America, one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world, the people fulfill with fervor all the outward duties of religion."
Is De Tocqueville's description of Europe really where we want to be? Or is the second half of that sentence the real America? We can stand around and ask, what happened? Or we can restore the culture, find candidates that grasp the concept of leadership and morality and restore this great nation back to exceptionalism. The first step is to insure our thinking is on track. Take the free Mental Fitness Challenge @
http://www.mental-fitness-challenge.com/default.aspx
Highlight "more info" and click on the pre-challenge details. There is a free assessment and video package!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our founding fathers were very wise men. They put in just enough regulation to keep everything on the up and up, as long as the original design was held in tact. But they also understood human nature, see if these next two predictions ring a bell...
"Sir, there are two passions that have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
And...
"Sir, thought we may set out in the beginning with moderate salaries, we shall find that such will not be of long continuance. Reasons will never be wanting for proposed augmentations; and there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. Hence, as all history informs us, there has been in every state and every kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and the governed, the one striving to obtain more for it's support, and the other to pay less."
These were reminders from one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin. He reminds us that power and money are cruel masters, and that the temptation of the elected to abuse the fiscal responsibility ceded them is overwhelming. Power and money corrupt! Never has this been more prevalent than in today's political arena.
America's politicians have exploited the taxpayers long enough, voting themselves salaries, retirement packages, and benefits far above what a wealthy taxpayer would consider reasonable for their position of employment. They've passed out entitlements beyond what any society can maintain in efforts to secure votes, then scoff in the face of taxpayers at the thought of budgetary restraints. They condone immoral behavior, contrary to the printed word of the Bible; the very instrument that the founding fathers used to base our country's foundation upon. All to pander to specific voting blocks in the effort to maintain power. This perversion of the definition of a civil right is exactly what Franklin fore warned us about when he said...
"Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
Alexis De Tocqueville toured our fledgling nation and had this observation...
>"There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equaled by their ignorance and debasement; while in America, one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world, the people fulfill with fervor all the outward duties of religion."
Is De Tocqueville's description of Europe really where we want to be? Or is the second half of that sentence the real America? We can stand around and ask, what happened? Or we can restore the culture, find candidates that grasp the concept of leadership and morality and restore this great nation back to exceptionalism. The first step is to insure our thinking is on track. Take the free Mental Fitness Challenge @
http://www.mental-fitness-challenge.com/default.aspx
Highlight "more info" and click on the pre-challenge details. There is a free assessment and video package!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Awakening!
I have been overwhelmed and inspired by the realization of how many Americans actually are beginning to rise up and be counted as citizens that understand the problems we are facing today are not of party affiliation, but of the abuse of government in general. We need to continue this enlightenment as it becomes more apparent everyday that those elected officials in Washington, with very few exceptions, just don't yet get it.
Our founding documents, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, The Constitution, etc, are akin to a recipe of principles. Any ingredient left out spoils the final outcome. It's like baking a cake and deciding not to use eggs. Would one expect a treat or a disaster? The same applies here!
Our forefather's need to be free was guided by Judeo-Christian principles, Natural Law, and limited government. As a people we desire the God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as long as they fell inside the parameters of Natural Law, the Ten Commandments, limited government involvement. There are a few in Washington that either don't understand that, or deliberately ignore our mission statement.
Let me refresh so everyone is up to speed.
The concept of unalienable rights is based on Natural Law.
The concept of habeas corpus is based on Natural Law.
The concept of limited government is based on Natural Law.
The concept of separation of powers is based on Natural Law.
The concept of checks and balances is based on Natural Law.
The concept of self preservation is based on Natural Law.
The right to contract is based on Natural Law.
Laws protecting the family and the institution of marriage are all based on natural law. Including and not limited to the definition of marriage.
The right to bear arms is based on Natural Law.
The principle of no taxation without representation is based on Natural Law.
These are just a few examples that illustrate how the mission statement of our founders was arrived at. They are also examples of what's been forgotten in our nation. We've become a nation obsessed with the pursuit of happiness... at all costs. Ignoring the importance of following the recipe for freedom. Mainly the problem is we've forgotten or ignore another important principle.
The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders!
Because...
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."-Proverbs 29:2
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our founding documents, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, The Constitution, etc, are akin to a recipe of principles. Any ingredient left out spoils the final outcome. It's like baking a cake and deciding not to use eggs. Would one expect a treat or a disaster? The same applies here!
Our forefather's need to be free was guided by Judeo-Christian principles, Natural Law, and limited government. As a people we desire the God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as long as they fell inside the parameters of Natural Law, the Ten Commandments, limited government involvement. There are a few in Washington that either don't understand that, or deliberately ignore our mission statement.
Let me refresh so everyone is up to speed.
The concept of unalienable rights is based on Natural Law.
The concept of habeas corpus is based on Natural Law.
The concept of limited government is based on Natural Law.
The concept of separation of powers is based on Natural Law.
The concept of checks and balances is based on Natural Law.
The concept of self preservation is based on Natural Law.
The right to contract is based on Natural Law.
Laws protecting the family and the institution of marriage are all based on natural law. Including and not limited to the definition of marriage.
The right to bear arms is based on Natural Law.
The principle of no taxation without representation is based on Natural Law.
These are just a few examples that illustrate how the mission statement of our founders was arrived at. They are also examples of what's been forgotten in our nation. We've become a nation obsessed with the pursuit of happiness... at all costs. Ignoring the importance of following the recipe for freedom. Mainly the problem is we've forgotten or ignore another important principle.
The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders!
Because...
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."-Proverbs 29:2
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Facts Of Life!
It's not uncommon to encounter people who question where exactly the youth of this society are heading. Honestly, it's an age old dilemma, my parents wondered about my generation, and theirs about them. But there is a bit of a difference between now and the past. You see my parents enjoyed a stable family unit where divorce was a taboo and if your parents separated it was unusual. My generation the divorce problem became more prevalent, yet was not a normal event, something seen as an anomaly. Today's generation not only is divorce expected, a single parent family is the norm as most don't even take the time to generate the paperwork to get a marriage certificate. So what is the effect on the children?
A child has a tremendous respect and love for their mother and father, and dearly wants to please them. They have a fear or an anxiety of offending the one they love, not because of torture or punishment, but rather because they are afraid of displeasing the one who is, in that child's world the source of security and love. So consequently, if there is an imbalance of what the child relies upon for security by a dysfunctional parenting structure, would it be a stretch to expect rebellion?
Let's add top that formula some additional input that wasn't common is generations before. Single parents trying to compensate and allowing a lax discipline, or worse yet disparaging the other parent while venting their displeasure with a lack of support both financially and time wise. Excessive gift giving or privileges again to replace the missing love of an absent parent. Or an abandonment of quality time because a one parent home has income needs that need to be met.
The environment has changed that children are raised in, and not for the better in too many cases. It follows that the moral decline of this next generation will ensue. Not only is the home life in shambles, there is no spiritual guidance to set a true north on the child's moral compass. This is not a formula for success, but as bleak as this picture is painted, it's not difficult to turn the tide. We simply need to influence this dysfunction back on a path of family values. That has to be made more attractive to the masses than the current norm of a broken home. We need to highlight the value of a two parent system, and expose the woes of going it alone. Selfish attitudes need to be replaced with ones of sharing. Is it not better that three people all share a loving relationship than two, isn't four or five better yet? The loneliness of being a single parent needs to be exposed for the hardship it is. When shown all the options, don't we usually make the right choices?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
A child has a tremendous respect and love for their mother and father, and dearly wants to please them. They have a fear or an anxiety of offending the one they love, not because of torture or punishment, but rather because they are afraid of displeasing the one who is, in that child's world the source of security and love. So consequently, if there is an imbalance of what the child relies upon for security by a dysfunctional parenting structure, would it be a stretch to expect rebellion?
Let's add top that formula some additional input that wasn't common is generations before. Single parents trying to compensate and allowing a lax discipline, or worse yet disparaging the other parent while venting their displeasure with a lack of support both financially and time wise. Excessive gift giving or privileges again to replace the missing love of an absent parent. Or an abandonment of quality time because a one parent home has income needs that need to be met.
The environment has changed that children are raised in, and not for the better in too many cases. It follows that the moral decline of this next generation will ensue. Not only is the home life in shambles, there is no spiritual guidance to set a true north on the child's moral compass. This is not a formula for success, but as bleak as this picture is painted, it's not difficult to turn the tide. We simply need to influence this dysfunction back on a path of family values. That has to be made more attractive to the masses than the current norm of a broken home. We need to highlight the value of a two parent system, and expose the woes of going it alone. Selfish attitudes need to be replaced with ones of sharing. Is it not better that three people all share a loving relationship than two, isn't four or five better yet? The loneliness of being a single parent needs to be exposed for the hardship it is. When shown all the options, don't we usually make the right choices?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
It's All About You!
Well today is fishing day. Since we have a big shark trip planned very shortly, it's going to require some fresh bait. To accommodate that need a great excuse for yet another day on the water is required. So today we are going trolling to capture some oily, bloody fish; just what a big shark considers to be outstanding table fare. This my friends is a great example of specific intent. We have a defined mission and a purpose for that mission.
Now specific intent is not enough! It's mandatory that this expedition leave the dock with an expectation of success. This is where a positive attitude comes into play. All the preparation in the world cannot overcome a crummy attitude, because you might not always get what you deserve, but you certainly get what you expect. When you embark on a mission as crucial as this, a positive attitude is essential to success. No level of expectation...No success! Remember, in the words of John Maxwell,"Attitude is the difference maker!"
Now it's time for us to shove off!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Now specific intent is not enough! It's mandatory that this expedition leave the dock with an expectation of success. This is where a positive attitude comes into play. All the preparation in the world cannot overcome a crummy attitude, because you might not always get what you deserve, but you certainly get what you expect. When you embark on a mission as crucial as this, a positive attitude is essential to success. No level of expectation...No success! Remember, in the words of John Maxwell,"Attitude is the difference maker!"
Now it's time for us to shove off!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
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