Tag Archive - encouragement

Our Friends Are Crazy

September 21, 2009 in Faith, Friends, Marriage with 2 Comments

During last week’s “PrayerFest” in prep for us sharing our story, many of our friends wrote VERY encouraging emails.

I had to share my favorite from Chad Markley (you can read about Chad and Sarah’s story HERE):

Tomorrow will get “hot” and maybe even unbearable at times. But remember like the three Israelite kids in the furnace….Christ was there waiting, he preserved them through it without a scratch or even the smell of smoke. Most of all, He used the intense heat to burn away the ropes that bound them. Tomorrow, He is going to burn the ropes that have been keeping you guys bound up!

We believe in you two, but even more so in the God that you represent.

You flip that King of Babylon the bird tomorrow and jump in that furnace head first!

We love you two.
Chad

This came in shortly after I took this picture of us Skyping:

Picture 2

Don’t worry… this only happened AFTER they prayed over us.  Or… maybe you should worry.  I’m not sure.

Everyone needs a friend that will tell them to flip the King of Babylon the bird.

Just sayin’…

Empty Words

March 19, 2009 in Friends, LifeGroup Online, Misc, Personal Entries with 12 Comments

Last night, during LifeGroup Online, I had an epiphany.  

I can’t remember who was sharing (nor should I really be telling you… so there), but someone was saying how they’re love language is words of affirmation.  THEN, we started talking about ENCOURAGEMENT vs. AFFIRMATION.

It came down to this:  

Encouragement = words for what’s to come.
Affirmation = words from what has happened.

Now that we have that settled… let me tell you what I think of all that on a personal level.

I don’t DO encouragement.  Not that I don’t give it… I just don’t accept it well.  Some people like and need encouragement.  I don’t.  I think it’s all fluff.  When I am given encouragement… it feels more like manipulation or empty words to me.  This is probably MY issue… and not a real one, so please… I hope no one gets offended here.

With that said… I REALLY appreciate DETAILED affirmation.  However, this can easily be thrown into the “fluff” category too.  As a musician who plays on the platform often, it’s not uncommon for me to hear, “good job” or “atta girl”.  This is not an ego thing… it’s just reality for me.  Accolades are the norm, however, they don’t mean much to me unless there’s a SPECIFIC “this is what you did well” attached to it.

As a result… I don’t hand out affirmation or encouragement lightly.  I believe I should only receive affirmation when I really, I mean REALLY, did something well… therefore, I’ll dish it out when I feel one has performed above and beyond the norm.

Here’s my epiphany:

I SUCK!

Just because I don’t want it or need it doesn’t mean you don’t.  So, tell me… what speaks loudest to you?I  I don’t want to just give you empty words.  How can I be a better friend/family member to you?

SPILL IT!