Afterward, one of the sportscasters was interviewing Mahut and pointed out that because of the way everything panned out Mahut had to come back after trailing every time he served in the 5th Set. He was playing from behind for over 7 hours! Tie it up. Fall behind. Tie it up. Fall behind.

They asked him how he handled it and he said, “Actually, I never thought of it that way. I just always tried to win the game I was playing.”

Got me thinking about how many times I dwell on the circumstances from the past – or the potential for the future – and forget to focus on winning the game I am playing right now.

Somehow I think I would be much happier, passionate – and successful – if I simply sought to fully immerse myself in the present.

How about you?

Is it possible to have character built without suffering?

Looking back on my life, I am having a hard time finding a time when I have truly grown apart from an event – or season – of struggle. Seems like pain always plays a vital role. Sometimes that’s suffering I deserve. The result of paths chosen. Other times the suffering is random – or even unjust in my own estimation.

And yet it’s there. Pain. Suffering. The result is almost always character strengthened, faith expanded, and gratefulness for God’s restoration.

What has been your experience with pain and suffering?

My hope and prayer is to create a tool that will enable parents (including Kari and me), youth pastors, and children’s pastors to help the next generation fall in love with God and His Word!

Over the years, I have seen too many books for parents that are heavy on theory and light on practical application. If this book will be one thing – it will be practical! People have been emailing me ideas. I’ve been talking to other parents, youth pastors, and children’s pastors. I am meeting with a friend of mine (former youth pastor and amazing researcher) next week to talk about doing some research for me to find even more resources, ministries, ideas, blogs – anything that will help turn theory into reality. We’re even dreaming about an online repository at www.thatyoumayknow.com where we can keep adding and updating resources long after the book is printed!

But I could really use your help. I want your stories, ideas, quotes, and resources for helping kids and students fall in love with God’s Word. Click the picture at the top of this article and you’ll be taken to a page where you can submit your stories and ideas.

Three reasons to submit:

1. Your stories and ideas could be used in my new book – and help the next generation love God’s Word!
2. If your submission is used, I’ll send you a free copy of the book when it comes out.
3. Just for submitting an idea (before the end of June) – I’ll send you a coupon code you can use to get a FREE COPY of my current eBook – Falling in Love with God’s Word.

“From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and, for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I’m willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. And many of them do not believe they can.”

This book is challenging and encouraging. Francis Chan writes as he speaks – with a clarity that makes the message unavoidable, yet with enough obvious love for God’s children and His church that you feel hugged and prodded at the same time.

Download it. Listen to it. I hope it encourages and challenges you as it has me.

Going off the grid is good for the brain. Since I didn’t do ANY blogging, Facebook, or Twitter for a week, it removed all the temptation to do one while doing another. I don’t think I could just stop doing Facebook, or Twitter, or blogging. They seem to go hand in hand. And once I fully unplugged from them all it was like hitting the reset button on my brain. Only took about a day or two before I wasn’t thinking “Oh…I should post that, tweet that, write about that.”

Writing/Tweeting has it’s own rhythm. Once I got back – as you can see – getting back into the rhythm isn’t easy. So much to catch up on. Other things to do. No longer near the top of my brain space. Even when I thought “I should write/blog/tweet about this” I just didn’t do it. Started using the word later a lot. Dangerous, dangerous word.

I missed the conversation. The thing I love the most about writing is the conversation that happens when I do. Some people love to write just to get thoughts out of their head and into a journal or blog. Don’t get me wrong – I find enjoyment and value in that as well. But it’s the conversation I really missed. The comments. The additional thoughts. The pushback. Basically…I missed you.

And now I’m back…good to see you again.