Florida

we are enjoying a great vaction in Naples, Florida.

we woke up at 5am to make an 8:30am flight in Detroit on Tuesday. i know, i'm not gonna get any simpathy from anyone being that i have enjoyed the 85 degree weather and the pool right outside our condo.

traveling is challenging with 2 kids under 3 yrs. old. trying to make yourself relax, avoid work, and focus on refreshing yourself may be one of the hardest things i make myself do. well, running is right up there, which i am going to try to do tomorrow morning.

i remember when someone told me once that, "you teach what you know and reproduce who you are." that my seem like a weird statement for those of you who are working on reproducing offspring of your own right now, but has so much truth to it.

we can teach others stuff or we can reproduce what God has birthed inside. the older i get and the more i learn about God, i am convinced that He rarely shows/reveals/teaches someone something that is just for that person. He wants/desires/expects us to reproduce that thought/idea/vision/passion/heartbeat/love in others.

steps to reproduction (no, this will not go past PG-13 rating):

(1) know who you are in Christ

(2) invest in yourself through reading, studying, spending time with great leaders, and yes . . . vacations!

(3) never compromise your time alone with God (this is the greatest non-negotiable thing in your life) - don't mess this up!

(4) lead others by sharing who you are in Christ and your experiences

(5) pray for God's Spirit to bring the increase

so, Florida makes me think about a lot of things . . . relaxing, beaches, sunshine, and yes, even reproducing . . . who i am!

peace