Growing and Growing

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Actually, he has been given clearance to drive a regular car. After taking and passing various tests given by the rehabilitation center, Dad can drive with a few limitations. (Mom is not so psyched, but she’ll come around.)

So … while Dad is not 100% … he is getting closer.

There does not appear to be enough time during the day to get it all done. I wonder how the John Maxwell’s, Zig Ziglar’s, Dave Ramsey’s, or Dennis Rainey’s get it done on their end?

Okay. Now that I got that out of the way, I want to tell you about something real important. It is about a family in the south Nashville area that may not have Christmas this year. Well, that was almost true until our church got involved. I spoke with the mom of this family today. I could hear the tears of joy as I explained what we proposed to do: “We want to come along side your family and help brighten your holidays.”

I proceeded to ask about the three children (ages 2, 5, 17). I asked about her husband. I asked about books. I asked about games. I asked about clothes. I asked about household items. I asked about food.

Yes. We can help this family. We already have over 25 volunteers … to help make food (BAKERS) … to help buy clothes and gifts (BUYERS) … and to help pay some bills (BANKERS). Do you live in the Nashville area and want to help this family? Do you live outside the Nashville area and want to help this family? Either way, let me know.

Be a baker, buyer, or banker!

Photo: Flickr foxypar4

While I have found the world to be full of opportunities to mentor someone else, the task becomes overwhelming to find yourself a mentor. Imagine my surprise two weeks ago when I learned that Michael Hyatt, CEO of Nelson Publishing, sent out an invitation to be a part of his mentoring group. If you live in the Nashville area and want to be considered for this amazing (yet challenging) task, please fill out an application. It will take about 30 minutes.

And now, @MichaelHyatt, here is my pitch. First, do I qualify? Yep.

• Resident of the greater Nashville … CHECK … just moved here in 2006.
• Devoted follower of Jesus Christ … CHECK … without quibble or reservation.
• Broken men, who are hungry for growth … CHECK … I am that “overwhelmed” family guy being pulled in too many directions, which causes conflict in my marriage, with my children, at my church, and through my job.
• Married career man who are in their late 20s or 30s … CHECK … although my bones feel as if I am 80.
• If already parents, children under 12 … CHECK … luckily Michael did not put a limit on the number of children (…whew…)
• Humble men, willing to look at themselves in the mirror and make changes to improve, and, at the same time willing to accept direct, personal, and comprehensive feedback without being defensive … CHECK … just read about why my daughter called me a Stupid King or why my other daughter asked about my yelling. Ouch.
• Willingness to replicate the mentoring process at least once with eight other men sometime in the future … CHECK … I’m a big fan of Pay It Forward (…Ask me one day about how I got to law school …)

While I qualify, am I the right person? Yes. My wife and I often joke about my wasted potential. Sure, I am doing okay as a provider, husband and father. But “okay” is not good enough. I want—and I think God expects—excellence. Not perfection, but excellence. While I have the heart desire to fulfill my potential … well … I’ll just say it … I lack the tools to get there.

Michael, I have too many balls in the air. Every other day a ball drops. I stop. I pray (sometimes). I pick up the ball and start over. I don’t think the answer is to get rid of those balls. I need you to teach me how to juggle.

I can’t believe Christmas is upon us so soon. As you know, I do not pimp people, places, products or things on this website too often. I made an exception last year at this time for Future of Forestry because it was such an awesome album. This year, I have to make another exception because FoF has released their Solstice DVD. Again, these guys should be playing on every Christian/Christmas radio station. Here is a preview … song starts at about :58 seconds.

If you want to send someone the Solstice DVD as a gift for Christmas, you can order it here. Just make sure that you tell them growingandgrowing.com sent you.

I was out late last night talking with a friend. Actually, we were mapping out our lives for the next year. If all goes as planned, we will be famous, multi-millionaire, speaker-guys … or bankrupt. Thanks for the great evening, Dr. Brassell.

As I pulled into the garage, I was kinda sad because I knew that I missed bedtime for most of my kids. Of course, Alie would be up reading and I would get at least one kid-hug tonight. I opened the garage door and … BAM!

There, standing before me, was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. The long, flowing hair bounced off her shoulders and reached out in an attempt to pull me closer. The rays of light shone from her face as though she were her own galaxy. Our eyes met. Sparkle. She smiled. Sparkle.

I hope my wife does not bust me checking out this woman. Oh, wait, that is my wife. Wow! She looked ten years younger. How did she do that? It must be the thug stalking cap and “Team Edward” t-shirt. Giggling like a fifteen year old school girl, she said: “Honey, I’m going to see the new Twilight movie tonight at midnight with my friends. See you later.”


So, how can you make yourself look 10 years younger? For only $20.00, you too can have this look. $10.00 for the t-shirt and $10.00 for the teenage vampire-werewolf love story movie. And there you have it.

This weekend someone told me: “You’re not right! …. We still gonna be your friend, but you ain’t right!”

For the record, that is not me (above). That is someone else who is not right! Every time some says that I am not right, I generally embrace it. I love my ain’t-right-ness.

Upon further reflection, I wanna know who came up with right-ness anyway? It certainly wasn’t Matthew Paul Turner: THAT GUY IS NOT RIGHT! (…Something tells me that Matt loves his ain’t-right-ness, too…) Now that I pointed you to Matt’s site, I am sure that I will offend any number of you, which, again, makes me not right in your eyes. Well, here are a few of my top That’sNotRight for the week:

1. Jesus Pics of the Day … by Matt … again … good one!
2. Conservatives for Palin … Are there any others?
3. Twitter + God = ChristianChirp.com. Apparently, some hackers shut it down, perhaps thinking it wasn’t right either.

After checking out these sites, if you think I am not right (…and assume that I am not right…), then think about what I think about you. You laughed at least once. You ain’t right, either!

As you can see, I have made some changes here. Every day that goes by, I am challenged more and more.

When I started this website, it was fivedevries.com … then wife got sick, got big, and screamed … and it then was sixdevries.com … then wife got sick, got big, and screamed … and it is was sevendevries.com … no, wait, there is a trend going on there … look to the future … don’t keep buying domain names with each scream … buy growingandgrowing.com …

Over the past year, you have been a part of our family as my dad was involved in a near fatal car accident, you have read about many GodThruMan moments (…where God works through man to demonstrate His existence, presence or power…), and you’ve experienced the joy of two parents when their little boy finds a Savior. We’ve even had logo contests for some great T-Shirts about praying for Dad.

Over the next year, I hope that you will continue to be part of our family. As we grow mightily and learn to prevail … my hope is that you grow mightily and prevail, too! How can you help? Right now, if you are a designer or tech-nut or thinker, please take your shot at creating a new website logo for growingandgrowing.com. Acts 19:20 tells us that “…the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.” And that’s what we want to do: spread the Word so that He becomes mighty and prevails! Let us know if you have any ideas.

The winner will receive lights, fame, glory … and a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant. (Your choice.)

Photo: Technowannabe