Integrity

This is a subject that I've wanted to get on here for a while. Cause I'm not completely sure that people understand what it is (myself included). I believe that as a Christian I am called to live a life of integrity, and therefore, it is probably something that I should be able to wrap my mind around. Here is what Webster's says it is. But, what does that mean to me in my spiritual walk and my career and the direction of my life?

As far as work is concerned, my boss would tell you that my setting and meeting deadlines and my overall reliability demonstrates my level of integrity. This isn't really a problem for me at work, nor do I think in my personal life. Although it is something that some of my friends seem to struggle with...telling me they will be somewhere at 6 and showing up at 8...and they're not even Cuban!!! And don't get me started on those dang Cubans.

In my spiritual life what does this mean, what should I be portraying to the world? Should I be presenting myself to them: the imperfect, unsure, scared man that I am, or should I be wearing my church face all the time, making everybody think that my life is great because I'm a Christian? I hate that, and it's not me...everything is not always alright, even though I've got it pretty dang good, I don't always feel like being nice (make "don't always" = "hardly ever"), but then I constantly face the fear that one small misstep, letting loose my temper on a non Christian will ruin any chances I have of sharing Christ's love with them without them being overwhelmed by their contempt for me. It's not fair, but who said it would be right?

Personally, I think integrity is being "true" all the time, whether this means meeting obligations or just being as transparent as possible with whoever I deal with on a daily basis. Perhaps that pure honesty will be what demonstrates to them that I rely on a higher power than myself for my day to day survival. You would think they would take one look at me and realize that I don't deserve any of the amazing blessings that I have received and instantly beg me to tell them what my secret is, and I could just tell them, come to Jesus and then your life can be this amazing too! But that wouldn't be true now would it.

What happened to Christmas?

It's probably just me.

Or maybe it's the fact that there is no snow in Orlando and it's just starting to cool off around here.

I guess I could also blame it on society (which I think I will).

What the crap happened to Christmas!!! I didn't even feel it coming on, besides when it hit my credit card statement (a little harder than I had hoped). The last thing I remember was the day after Thanksgiving when I was trying to figure out how to roll out of bed, and drag my sorry behind to Best Buy.

Why do the marketers feel that they need to instill such a sense of urgency into the customer in order for them to buy things. If your dang product didn't suck so much, you wouldn't have to tell me to "BUY NOW!" and hope that my lack of self restraint would take over. And who is it that told everybody that it's cool to have the newest toy on the block. I think I can finally support the retro revolution, because at least that is old crap instead of new crap.

I wish we could go back to a simpler time (like the revolutionary war) when people got by just fine on the essentials, and amazingly enough, were still pretty happy, even if they did only have one leg...(I apologize for the cheap shot Peggy).

And don't even get me started on the failure of the local Church to utilize the season for evangelism...they're more concerned with the liberal attack on the use of the word Christmas. Of course the freakin liberals are going to attack Christmas, they're dang liberals, that's what they do!!! And you know what, they're attack is working! because nobody is trying to do evangelism, they're just trying to save face and counter the attacks. The Church as a whole is missing yet another opportunity to see more people believe in Jesus!

Oh man, I'm exhausted...holler back and get DANG ANGRY!!!

Let's get it started

I figure it's about time I get one of these things together, since apparently everybody else is doing it. I also notice that I should only have to post once every month or so in order to keep up with the average, that shouldn't be a problem since I have loads of free time at work to do things like this.

So I guess I should give a quick update of what's going on in my life so we can get this thing rolling. If you don't know, I work for the mouse here in O-town, and I have the wonderful privelage of being everyone's favorite person. Yeah, that's right, they have made me the auditor. I get to audit all non Disney owned and operated companies that do business on Disney property (merchandise locations, hotels, restaurants, whatever). It's a good time, however, some people say it hasn't helped my issues with pride, since I get to boss people around all the time and they tremble in fear when I approach.

I started with Disney about one year ago as an intern while I was finishing up my Masters in Business Administration (MBA). When my internship was over, they offered me a full time salaried position. Shortly after that I purchased a 3 bedroom 2 bath condo near the Orlando Airport in a new development (which you are all welcome to come and visit and stay at). Needless to say they pay me way too much for what I do, and I'm even getting my own intern in a few weeks. I moved into my new place July 3rd.

Then on August 20th, I proposed to my girlfriend of 8 months, Jessie Holden. Of course, she said yes (see my pride shining through) and we are planning on getting married on July 22nd in Palm Beach Gardens. So far the plans are going well (I guess, since she's handling most of it). I hope that you will all give us a call if you ever come through town, so she will have the pleasure of meeting each of you.

With all that said, I will now open the floor to rants and raves about nothing in particular. I hope to be adding comments to this every week or so, but who knows, maybe I'll do it daily...