Being a Princess is very demanding work; there are parties to attend, guests to entertain, lots of dancing, and of course kissing frogs. 

That’s very tiring and sometimes a Princess just needs to take a royal nap. 

Isn’t amazing that even while sleeping, a princess can look so cute?

I could begin this post by exaggerating on how it is harder than ever today to trust anyone.   That would simply be inflating a common reality throughout all time.  People can and will let you down, they always have, it’s nothing new. 

So how can you know if you can trust someone?  Well, to me, it’s like climbing a tree.  As you climb a tree, some tree limbs are going to very obvious that they will not hold your weight, so don’t put your full weight on that one or you will experience disaster!  Some limbs may look good, but they may have a hidden weakness.   It is always prudent to put some weight on that limb, test it while securely holding on to something solid.  If the limb proves trustworthy, it has integrity, then you can feel comfortable putting your full weight down on it.  As you climb higher and higher this principle becomes a matter of life and death.

Put a little weight down on that new relationship, does it hold?  Does he/she pass the test?  Think, then, before you climb any higher.  We can, and should, have many acquaintances, even low limb friends, but be discerning about those you will climb high with.  I’m reminded of what a very wise man once said,

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

At last night’s men’s group, I was struck by the truth that every man needs a Jonathan.  By that I mean a close, dear friend.  The kind of friend David had in Jonathan.  You can read about it in 1 Samuel 18-20.  

I have found that the thing that men need the most, a close, dear, trusted friend, happens to be the thing that many men are least successful at.  I don’t know all the reasons why that is true…it just is.  Maybe it is that something gets twisted somewhere between being a boy and becoming a man.   I have great memories of just being who you were as a kid.  You didn’t need to try to be something else.  Oh, yeah we competed all the time, but it was just for fun; we’d do stuff like who can run the fastest, jump the highest, spit or pee the longest.  Life was good without the masks. 

Why is it that so many adults feel the need to prove themselves?  Why are so many compelled to try to show themselves better than their peers?  What is that brass ring they are reaching for that gives them tunnel vision and turns them into a poser?  We’ll never develop a Jonathan quality friend when we are hiding behind a mask. 

Be careful and discern who you want to invest your life in as a Jonathan.  But when you find your Jonathan, do everything in your power to keep him!

I laughed so hard I think I had an accident….. OICMP

In a world where so many people struggle with unhealthy addictions, one can come to think that any and all addictions are unhealthy.  This is simply not the case.  To be addicted in and of itself is not necessarily a bad think.  It all depends on what you are addictied to.  The word addict comes from the Latin, addicere, meaning to give assent, to apply habitually, to devote, etc.  This can be applied to unhealthy and healthy subjects.

For instance, I am totally, completely, without hope of recovery, addicted to my wife.  If you would ask her, she would say this is a good thing.  I think for all marriages this would be a healthy trait.  I’m not just a litte devoted to her….I’m 100% sold out.

I’m also convinced we are all addicts of something.  For those who are addicted to unhealthy subjects the only cure is to redirect that addiction to something healthy.  For instance, one who is addicted to smoking needs to become addicted to the joys of a nicotine free life.  One who is addicted to alcohol needs to become hopelessly addicted to sobriety, etc.

I’m certain the best addiction in life as we know it, is an addiction to person of Jesus!  Please know the difference between being addicted to the person of Jesus and addicted to a religion.  Religious addictions can result in monstrous and totally dysfunctional and irrational behavior.  Addiction to a relationship with Jesus will result in a peace that passes all human understanding.  Being addicted to Jesus will enable one to experience life to fullest!  A relationship with Jesus is a gateway addiction; it will lead to other addictions, such as addictions to spouse, family, helping other people, community, love, joy, kindness, patience, gentleness, etc.

We are all addicted to something.  The only question is, is it healthy or unhealthy?  What are you addicted to? 

In the fictional Harry Potter stories, Dementors, generally human in shape, are covered in dark, hooded cloaks which reveal only grey, decayed hands and faces.  These creatures have no eyes, and there is a large hole where the mouth should be, which is used for sucking the soul out of the victim in a process called the “Dementor’s Kiss.” 

As I was dealing with the destructive effects of pornography on yet another family, I was struck by the notion that pornography is like kissing a Dementor.  Those who participate in viewing pornography deceive themselves into thinking the activity is private and affects no one but themselves.  In the same way the Dementor’s kiss sucks the soul out of its victim, so too does pornography;  leaving behind only the shell of a person .   

Pornography leaves plenty of destruction in its wake.  Shame.  Hurt.  Betrayal.  Devaluing of humans.  Relationships are built on the connection of one soul to another.  When the soul has been sucked dry by the Dementor’s pornographic kiss - there is nothing left.  Relationships….everywhere, begin to break apart.

God created us in his image.  He values everyone.  He gives life and love.  Pornography devalues everyone involved in the process and reduces its victims to empty shells. 

If you are involved in pornography, please know that you can be freed.  Paul promises us that “we can do all things through Him, who give us strength.”  With God all things are possible.  I pray that you would be freed from the Dementor’s Kiss and that God would fill you with His Spirit!

Just a couple of quotes from a book I am currently enjoying:

 We are all chasing daylight.  Our lives are but a brief moment in time.  Blink and it’s gone.  As soon as we are fully aware of life, we become fully aware of death.  The more moments we live, the faster they speed by us.

Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die today

It’s all about the dash

We are all born with an expiration date - make the most of it!

“You are but a mist that appears for a little while and then it vanishes.”  James 4:14

Logitech Joins NASDAQ-100 Index
Wednesday January 31, 3:31 pm ET

FREMONT, Calif. & ROMANEL-SUR-MORGES, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Logitech International (Nasdaq:LOGI - News; SWX:LOGN - News) today announced that the company will become part of the NASDAQ-100 Index® (NASDAQ:NDX - News) and the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index(SM) (NASDAQ:NDXE - News), effective prior to the market opening on Thursday, February 1, 2007. The company will also be included in the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock® (NASDAQ:QQQQ - News).

“Having just delivered our thirty-third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, Logitech is delighted to join the leading companies that make up the prestigious NASDAQ-100 Index,” said Mark Hawkins, Logitech senior vice president of finance and information technology and chief financial officer.

“Logitech has been a leader in technology innovation for more than 25 years,” said Bruce Aust, NASDAQ executive vice president. “With its consistent track record of great products, revenue growth and profits, Logitech is a fitting addition to the NASDAQ-100 Index.”