I've gotten into a bad routine this summer.  Whenever I come home from the office I'll go and lay down for a few minutes, which usually turn into at least an hour.  After dinner and other evening activities I'm usually back in my bedroom watching something completely useless.  Here lies another problem I can't turn the TV off if I get interested in something, no matter the time.  Since I get up early every morning I was only getting 6 and sometimes 5 hours of sleep.  I was feeling so tired by mid afternoon.

During the month of July I really began reading a lot again.  Just finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Couple more chapters left in IT by Craig Groshell.  Reading a leadership book by John Maxwell and finishing up Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson.  I was getting a little irritated because I didn't have the time to read as much as I wanted.  DUH!  Wonder why?  Was frustrated because I couldn't get our bills in order.  Frustrated because I wasn't spending enough ime in the evening with Deb and Jacob.  Soooooo, Monday morning I made the decision to fast from TV this entire week.  I'm not going to watch one minute until Saturday.

Here is the amazing thing, last night I finished getting all the bills in order, starting reading another book, Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey.  I've already read this one but going through it again.  I want to start the envelope system to help us save some money.  Another blog for another day.  Push mowed the front yard only after riding 18 miles on my bike with Clark.  Watched the end of Jacob's football practice, came home and swam with him for a while.  Warmed up his dinner so Debbie could walk with some friends.    Finished the evening by getting my workout bag ready for this morning and was in bed before 11:00.  I wonder where all the time came from?

I get so aggravated with people who say they don't have time to read the Bible.  We all have 24 hours a day, what we do with that time is up to us.  I've said from the pulpit 100 times, if you don't have time to read, cut the stinking TV off.  I finally took my own advice.  Amazing how much more time I found.  Only discouraging part of the evening was realizing just how little money Deb and I actually have.  But, every bill is paid and the fridge is full!

Let me end by asking you a question?  What if you turned the TV off for a week?  What could you get done?  Think of the time you could spend hanging out with God, your spouse and children.  Maybe the TV isn't what needs to be cut off for a while.  Maybe it is the computer or something else.  Point is, sometimes we have to say no to some good things so we can say yes to great things!

Some random thoughts:
* Can't believe I'm writing this, thinking about twittering.  Corey set one up for me.  Just not sure if I want to do it or not.  Giving it a test run this week.  If you want to check it out CLICK HERE
* Had an awesome day this far.  Hung out with God from 6:00 - 7:30.  Worked out (swam 20 laps and lifted hard) and spent two hours working on Sundays message.  Meeting with Liberty coaches for accountability time at 2:00.
* Hope to have this Sunday finished today.  Very creative Sunday in store.  I'll have a lot of fun teaching this week.
* Jacob told me he flat laid someone out last night.  Again, such a Herman.
* Think were going to change the name of the fall series from, "Who is Jesus to you?"  to "American Jesus."
* Dealing with some spiritual stuff, pray for me.
* Going fishing with my buddy Mike Durham and a professional guide tomorrow night.  If we don't catch anything, taking a break!
* Want to get back to work on Sunday morning.  Can't work on one thing for more than two hours.  Need a break.  Writing this was a good break, plus I went down stairs and took a leak.  Spoke to the staff and found out Tim's baby just had her shots. 
* Back to work.