How many times have you looked up to people only to find out that they are not really the person you thought they were? Without naming names, there are Hollywood actors, politicians, pro golfers, preachers, business leaders, and even friends that turned out to be big ole fakes.

One such person I know was very “cool” and other people actually wanted to be like that person; then, one day the person fell off the grid and everyone became aware of who they really were. Many times, you will read about Hollywood actors and pro athletes who just simply fall off the wagon one day. Once you hear what they did, you realize that you should have never held them up as a good example.

I can think of several athletes and pastors that once they were exposed, they never were able to get it back together in life. This is important. Once they lost the respect of their peers and of themselves, most often they could never get it back. Satan tempts us in all areas, and it always seems so easy to just let go. What Satan doesn’t show you is what happens when you lose your own self-respect. The result is usually failure that you never come back from.

My point is to be very vigilant and purposeful in life because it is very fragile. The greatest emotion a person can develop is one of self-respect and hope for the future. When you lose one or the other of those emotions, many people find themselves lost in life. So, be aware and very focused as you make decisions in your life because more times than not, the small decisions can become the big ones.

Choose your examples well and never wish to be like someone else because there is only one you. If you believe anything you have ever heard, hear this: God did not make a mistake when he made you, your personality, your looks, etc. Never be intimidated in any area and think you are less than someone else. God knew before Jesus was born exactly where you would live in the world, exactly who you would be, and exactly why he made you like you are.

You don’t need idols, stars or athletes to look up to. Just make a decision to be who you are and never wish to be someone else or place other people as the example you want to become. All you need to become is you. KT

I love Christmas music and find the music very therapeutic. It is because the music is based on joy, and the settings are about a holiday season centered around home and family. In my car, there is a hard drive to the music system where I can download CDs, and the music is stored without having to get the CD out and plug it in. I have all kinds of music on that hard drive, but included is about four full CDs of Christmas music.

Many times (you don’t really want to know how often) if I am traveling or had a stressful day, I will turn on some White Christmas or Silver Bells to relax me. Kind of strange, right? What I didn’t say is that I do this at all times of the year only when I am alone in the car. There is something about the Christmas season that seems to heal the soul, create hope in your spirit, and help you focus on the good in other people. It helps the return of joy and the hope of the future.

It is said that in combat zones during WWII that they played Christmas music throughout the hospitals and bases that were stationed overseas. They played the music because of the hope, joy, and sense of family that it builds in the human spirit. There was no better place to create those thoughts than on military bases overseas. They wanted the soldiers to know what they were fighting for because they knew that the hope of getting home was one of the greatest images a soldier could have.

So, I know that Christmas music is everywhere during this season of the year, but keep an old Bing Crosby White Christmas ready for when things don’t go so good in July and you need something to lift your spirit. Think of me when you play it because there is a good chance I will have it on as well. KT

I believe sports are the best way to tell who a person really is. When you get them outside of their comfort zone, you usually see who they are. For instance, if you are playing golf, you can tell many things about the other person, such as if they anger quickly, if they are honest, level headed, enjoyable to be around…you can basically tell who a person is by how they are on the golf course. It is much the same with water skiing, basketball, football, and fishing.

My father-in-law was a man’s man, and his name was Max Phillips. He was deeply respected by his peers. He started a fence company when he was a young man and was the best of the best in the fencing business. He was married to my mother-in-law from his youth until the day he died. Together, they had seven children; my wife, Elaine, is their oldest daughter. I think it is beautiful thing when someone becomes very, very good at their career. This was the case with Max. He was born to be a salesman and knew instinctively how to sale with integrity. He would help crews install fences all day, go home for dinner with his family, and then go back out to sell fencing jobs in the evenings; he did this six days a week.

Max had one quality that I admired most and that was the quality to be mentally where he was physically. God help the crew he was working with; he would outwork almost everyone. When he was fishing or camping or with his family, he was fully engaged in that moment.

One day in particular I remember well; I was fishing with him at a lake south of where we live. He was in the front of the boat, and I was in the back. We were casting, reeling, talking, and enjoying time together. It was coming up on lunchtime and I said to Max, the next one who catches a fish has to buy the other’s lunch. He said ok, so I turned around and started trying to catch the next fish. I heard some stirring in the front of the boat,  looked around, and Max has one rod and reel in his hands casting as fast as he could. I looked closer, and he had a rod and reel under each foot with bobbers in the water. He was fishing with three rods and reels at the same time and was completely focused on beating me. Well, you probably know how the lunch bet ended up. Yes, he caught the next fish, and I had to buy lunch.

I learned several big lessons watching Max that day. First was to be in the moment, and the second was to simply try your best in life at whatever you are doing. See, if you try your best, that is all you can do. Many of us do not try our best all the time, and we save our best for special things. What would life be like if you tried with all your might at everything you did? Every email, every phone call, every time you played with your children or grandchildren, every time you prayed, every time you talked to someone? Basically tried your best all the time? I believe if we did this, we would find life more fulfilling, more enjoyable, and could possibly become the person God wants us to become.

So, a simple fishing trip with my father-in-law taught me that day how to be in life and how to give it your all with integrity. As I said earlier, Max Phillips was a man’s man and even though he was short in stature, he was big in spirit and in everything he did. KT

I have a beautiful family. I had some time this morning to just think and read; I found myself looking at pictures on my phone and going back to read texts and emails from my family. I am very aware of just how blessed I am, but it is times like these when I reflect on really how blessed I am.

I married my high school sweetheart 36 years ago, and I love our life together. We have two amazing daughters, ages 31 and 27, and the best two son-in-laws any parent could plan for. We have the two most beautiful granddaughters in the world….literally the world. Ha.

I was going though some files at home last week and saw notes and pictures from my daughters when they were in grade school, high school, college, etc. I believe these notes get more special as the years go by because they remind me of how blessed I am to have my two precious daughters. Elaine is the bride of my youth, literally, because we have been together since junior year of high school. God has brought us through many years together and also through many life issues and changes. Today, we find ourselves in a very special place in life where we are able to enjoy our family, work, and world around us.

When I look back over the years, I can very clearly see God’s hand on many of the decisions we made. At the time, those decisions seemed like average choices and the normal flow of life, but looking back, I can see they were anything but minor decisions. I heard a wise man tell me once that there are four major decisions in everyone’s life that rise above all the others. Who will I serve, what will I do in life, who will I spend my life with, and where will we live our life. When I look at these four decisions in my life, I can see God’s hand all over each of them.

In summary, I find myself blessed beyond measure when I take a step back and really look at the life that God has allowed me to live. May your life be a blessing as well; we all should take a minute to reflect on really how blessed and thankful we are. KT