Dear Friends,
This past Sunday was Father's Day. A day set aside to honor our dads with cook outs and shout outs. Social media was filled with grand photos of days spent with our dads fishing, playing, hugging and hiking. It is no coincidence that Father's Day is always celebrated on a Sunday since God is our heavenly Father. Big question - does God have a hammock?
I was convicted in a big way this year when our Pastor had us run through the Ten Commandments and compare how we were doing as a dad. I have to say, I felt I had failed on almost all accounts - including stealing candy from an occasional Easter Basket. What kind of an example was I setting as a father. I spent a good part of the day in a blue funk.
Where is the ENCOURAGEMENT you ask?
Well, my oldest son is a caring young man who helped me put things back into perspective. He said, "Dad, I have been thinking about how you feel you may have fallen today... but we all fall short... and while you may feel you have failed, you have given us the greatest model by always leading us to the one true Father who never fails us." Wow, how did he get to be so bright?
So, no matter how you judge yourself, be encouraged that your Heavenly Father sent His ONLY Son to carry that burden and He is quick to forgive us and to give us a clean slate each and every day.
BTW, my oldest will be a father this coming November - I think he's ready.
Blessings,
Dave
Monday, June 18, 2018
Monday, March 5, 2018
3D Coaching
Dear Friends,
I have been working to help bring the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) ministry to Franklin County Vermont. This is a rung on the Mentoring Ladder that is sorely needed in our region - college aged kids reaching back down into the high schools to help students find their way. I am excited.
As part of my responsibility to the Board, I have been reading up on one of their core principals, 3Dimensional (3D) Coaching. The more I read, the more I am coming to appreciate that we are all coaches in some aspect of what we do. Parent/Child. Teacher/Student. Coach/Athlete. Provider/Patient. So these 3 dimensions that I am studying are applicable in all aspects of relationships.
A First Dimensional coach is very trans-actual in nature. We assign drills, we count laps, we set plays, we compliment and we discipline. Most of what we do is the core of what we know about the sport/subject/problem.
A Second Dimensional coach reaches for the relationship. We want to know our players as people. What makes them tick? Why do they act the way they do? What motivates them to achieve? The more we know, the better we are at applying the core skills and the better we can expect the athlete to respond to our directions.
A Third Dimension coach reaches for the heart. They are all about helping achieve a level of compassion and desire that goes way beyond the X's and O's of the game or the details of the subject, or the problem at hand. They are most interested in salvation. They want to reach a level way beyond anything earthly.
The 3D Coach uses every dimension of interaction to help bring the relationship to a new level and eventually to the ultimate level.
I know that the staff at MHI is already on-board with this 3D thinking. I know that every day you strive to reach your patients not only to improve their physical health or their relationship health but to reach that spiritual level that will heal all else.
My prayer for you today is one of encouragement to continue to find new and exciting ways to reach all three dimensions in everything you do.
Blessings,
Dave
I have been working to help bring the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) ministry to Franklin County Vermont. This is a rung on the Mentoring Ladder that is sorely needed in our region - college aged kids reaching back down into the high schools to help students find their way. I am excited.
As part of my responsibility to the Board, I have been reading up on one of their core principals, 3Dimensional (3D) Coaching. The more I read, the more I am coming to appreciate that we are all coaches in some aspect of what we do. Parent/Child. Teacher/Student. Coach/Athlete. Provider/Patient. So these 3 dimensions that I am studying are applicable in all aspects of relationships.
A First Dimensional coach is very trans-actual in nature. We assign drills, we count laps, we set plays, we compliment and we discipline. Most of what we do is the core of what we know about the sport/subject/problem.
A Second Dimensional coach reaches for the relationship. We want to know our players as people. What makes them tick? Why do they act the way they do? What motivates them to achieve? The more we know, the better we are at applying the core skills and the better we can expect the athlete to respond to our directions.
A Third Dimension coach reaches for the heart. They are all about helping achieve a level of compassion and desire that goes way beyond the X's and O's of the game or the details of the subject, or the problem at hand. They are most interested in salvation. They want to reach a level way beyond anything earthly.
The 3D Coach uses every dimension of interaction to help bring the relationship to a new level and eventually to the ultimate level.
I know that the staff at MHI is already on-board with this 3D thinking. I know that every day you strive to reach your patients not only to improve their physical health or their relationship health but to reach that spiritual level that will heal all else.
My prayer for you today is one of encouragement to continue to find new and exciting ways to reach all three dimensions in everything you do.
Blessings,
Dave
Monday, February 5, 2018
Lights, Camera, Action
Dear Friends,
Good morning and I pray that your day is filled with blessings.
I am reading a devotional called; "When Coaches Pray" by Charlotte Smith, a former NCAA and WNBA All Star and now coach of the Elon University Women's Basketball Team. A wonderful and encouraging young lady.
Today, she wanted us to focus our attention on the light that we shine. Each of us is a shining example of the glory of God. How we use that light to shine His message to others is our daily calling.
She borrows the famous cinema line Lights, Camera, Action! to remind us that just having our light on, is not enough. Yes, it is important to shine the light daily, but it is equally important to be reminded that we are being watched, each and every move we make. Someone sees our every move.
And Action, of course, are we behaving in His light or are we saying one thing and living another. Each step is being modeled by someone. Is that step a tribute to His honor?
My word of encouragement today is to live every minute in the Light, Camera, Action mode. Shine your light, be aware that how you respond is being modeled by someone else, and are my actions pleasing to God today.
I am encouraged by the love you show each and every person who comes through your doors.
Blessings,
Dave
Good morning and I pray that your day is filled with blessings.
I am reading a devotional called; "When Coaches Pray" by Charlotte Smith, a former NCAA and WNBA All Star and now coach of the Elon University Women's Basketball Team. A wonderful and encouraging young lady.
Today, she wanted us to focus our attention on the light that we shine. Each of us is a shining example of the glory of God. How we use that light to shine His message to others is our daily calling.
She borrows the famous cinema line Lights, Camera, Action! to remind us that just having our light on, is not enough. Yes, it is important to shine the light daily, but it is equally important to be reminded that we are being watched, each and every move we make. Someone sees our every move.
And Action, of course, are we behaving in His light or are we saying one thing and living another. Each step is being modeled by someone. Is that step a tribute to His honor?
My word of encouragement today is to live every minute in the Light, Camera, Action mode. Shine your light, be aware that how you respond is being modeled by someone else, and are my actions pleasing to God today.
I am encouraged by the love you show each and every person who comes through your doors.
Blessings,
Dave
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
2018 - CHILL!
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
I don't know about you, but this is without a doubt the coldest start to a new year that I have ever experienced. And I have experienced a bunch!
Now when someone suggests that I just 'Chill' - I hope they don't want me to take them literally. I'm cold already.
And the forecast does not look any better.
My point? Oh yeah, my point. Well, I guess that when I look at the weather calendar and see no relief in the foreseeable future, I am reminded that no matter how cold and dark the horizon might look, God has promised me a new beginning each and every day. He doesn't promise me warm, He promises me new. And new is better than warm. Where else in our life can we know without a doubt that God has our back and that He already sees a brighter day ahead? No where.
The weatherman does not have a clue. Only in weather forecasting and baseball can you make a living being right only 25% of the time. God is right all of the time.
So even if it takes another layer of clothing to keep you warm tomorrow, remember that God is already waiting for you with a blanket, a warm cup of tea and a bright (warm) light shining on your path.
May your 2018 be filled with the joy of knowing that we serve an awesome God and that He is our true warmth!
Blessings,
Dave
Happy New Year!
I don't know about you, but this is without a doubt the coldest start to a new year that I have ever experienced. And I have experienced a bunch!
Now when someone suggests that I just 'Chill' - I hope they don't want me to take them literally. I'm cold already.
And the forecast does not look any better.
My point? Oh yeah, my point. Well, I guess that when I look at the weather calendar and see no relief in the foreseeable future, I am reminded that no matter how cold and dark the horizon might look, God has promised me a new beginning each and every day. He doesn't promise me warm, He promises me new. And new is better than warm. Where else in our life can we know without a doubt that God has our back and that He already sees a brighter day ahead? No where.
The weatherman does not have a clue. Only in weather forecasting and baseball can you make a living being right only 25% of the time. God is right all of the time.
So even if it takes another layer of clothing to keep you warm tomorrow, remember that God is already waiting for you with a blanket, a warm cup of tea and a bright (warm) light shining on your path.
May your 2018 be filled with the joy of knowing that we serve an awesome God and that He is our true warmth!
Blessings,
Dave
Monday, December 4, 2017
Once a Month Resolution Test
Good Morning Friends,
As we enter this season of joyous celebration, I am already projecting ahead to the beginning of 2018. After we have settled in with new found encouragement and spirit, warmed by the fire of the birth of our Savior, we can begin to focus on what we have to offer to the new year.
New Year's resolutions began in the Church, believe it or not but in many ways have become more self centered. "I resolve to lose weight." I resolve to quit smoking." "I resolve to eat less fat." "I resolve to be a better husband/father/brother/friend."
I want to encourage you to make 2018 the year of the community resolution. Resolve to do more for those around you. Choose a charity or group that could use your talents, prayers, resources or time and resolve to be engaged throughout the year.
So this is where the Once a Month Resolution Test applies. If you could only commit to your resolution once a month - would it make a difference?
If I went to the gym once a month vs. if I served in the local soup kitchen once a month.
If I didn't smoke one day month vs. if I made a monthly clothing donation to the Salvation Army.
If I ate one less donut a month vs. if I spent one Saturday a month at the Senior Center.
If I was nice to my wife once a month vs. if I joined a charity board of directors that met once a month.
I think you get the picture.
I encourage you to make 2018 the year of community. Who knows, you might spy a needed recipient sitting at the desk right next to yours.
Blessings for a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.
Dave
As we enter this season of joyous celebration, I am already projecting ahead to the beginning of 2018. After we have settled in with new found encouragement and spirit, warmed by the fire of the birth of our Savior, we can begin to focus on what we have to offer to the new year.
New Year's resolutions began in the Church, believe it or not but in many ways have become more self centered. "I resolve to lose weight." I resolve to quit smoking." "I resolve to eat less fat." "I resolve to be a better husband/father/brother/friend."
I want to encourage you to make 2018 the year of the community resolution. Resolve to do more for those around you. Choose a charity or group that could use your talents, prayers, resources or time and resolve to be engaged throughout the year.
So this is where the Once a Month Resolution Test applies. If you could only commit to your resolution once a month - would it make a difference?
If I went to the gym once a month vs. if I served in the local soup kitchen once a month.
If I didn't smoke one day month vs. if I made a monthly clothing donation to the Salvation Army.
If I ate one less donut a month vs. if I spent one Saturday a month at the Senior Center.
If I was nice to my wife once a month vs. if I joined a charity board of directors that met once a month.
I think you get the picture.
I encourage you to make 2018 the year of community. Who knows, you might spy a needed recipient sitting at the desk right next to yours.
Blessings for a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.
Dave
Monday, November 6, 2017
The Mentoring Ladder
Dear Friends,
Our lives are filled with opportunities to influence and to be influenced. We meet people who we instantly know would benefit from a helping hand. And at the same time, we meet others who we instantly know could have a profound impact our own lives.
I have spent many hours contemplating this phenomenon, and I have come to refer to it as the Mentoring Ladder. At any given time in our life, we are standing on a ladder composed of rungs that represent the different stages of our physical, emotional and spiritual growth. The lower rungs represent the stages of our childhood and we climb through the rungs of our schooling, work lives, retirement and old age. Ideally, this ladder is leaning firmly on a cloud that represents our heavenly destination.
No mater where we are on this ladder, there is always the opportunity for us to reach down to help someone else along and to reach up to take the hand of someone who has stopped long enough to lend us a hand to the next level. John writes, "There is no greater love than he who would lay down his life for his friend." There is no greater love than to stop your climb to assist a friend climbing behind you.
And as you can imaging, there is God's loving hand at the very top of this journey, reaching down and guiding us along the path to salvation.
I have learned something quite interesting about my own fears. I am not afraid of heights, or climbing, or flying, or being on the top floor of a sky scraper but I am deathly afraid of falling. I will forever be dependent on that hand above me, reaching down to lend me a hand of encouragement for the next rung of my journey.
As you go through your day, please know that your Board of Directors care deeply about you and your journey. We gladly reach down and offer our hands of encouragement to you as you carry out the daily mission of MHI.
I pray that you are blessed in all that you do.
In Him,
Dave Southwick
Our lives are filled with opportunities to influence and to be influenced. We meet people who we instantly know would benefit from a helping hand. And at the same time, we meet others who we instantly know could have a profound impact our own lives.
I have spent many hours contemplating this phenomenon, and I have come to refer to it as the Mentoring Ladder. At any given time in our life, we are standing on a ladder composed of rungs that represent the different stages of our physical, emotional and spiritual growth. The lower rungs represent the stages of our childhood and we climb through the rungs of our schooling, work lives, retirement and old age. Ideally, this ladder is leaning firmly on a cloud that represents our heavenly destination.
No mater where we are on this ladder, there is always the opportunity for us to reach down to help someone else along and to reach up to take the hand of someone who has stopped long enough to lend us a hand to the next level. John writes, "There is no greater love than he who would lay down his life for his friend." There is no greater love than to stop your climb to assist a friend climbing behind you.
And as you can imaging, there is God's loving hand at the very top of this journey, reaching down and guiding us along the path to salvation.
I have learned something quite interesting about my own fears. I am not afraid of heights, or climbing, or flying, or being on the top floor of a sky scraper but I am deathly afraid of falling. I will forever be dependent on that hand above me, reaching down to lend me a hand of encouragement for the next rung of my journey.
As you go through your day, please know that your Board of Directors care deeply about you and your journey. We gladly reach down and offer our hands of encouragement to you as you carry out the daily mission of MHI.
I pray that you are blessed in all that you do.
In Him,
Dave Southwick
Monday, January 23, 2017
Group Hug
Friends,
In my quiet time this morning, I came across this verse:
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT, second edition).
A certain reminder of the need for us to stop and give your co-worker a high-five or better yet a hug. A simple gesture to let them know how much you appreciate them and the work they do. Ten seconds of your day can make the difference in another's.
Blessings,
Dave
In my quiet time this morning, I came across this verse:
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT, second edition).
A certain reminder of the need for us to stop and give your co-worker a high-five or better yet a hug. A simple gesture to let them know how much you appreciate them and the work they do. Ten seconds of your day can make the difference in another's.
Blessings,
Dave
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