I don't look like Oprah, I don't have my own television show nor millions of dollars.  I didn't put Obama on my stage and I'm married to the person I live with.  But, I do want to steal something form Oprah, I'm going to have a book of the month today.

I found a book my son had read laying in the floor board of the jeep last week.  I picked it up and it has been in my book bag several days.  This morning as I was getting out my day timer I saw it and began reading it.  From 6:00 - 6:40 am I read.  Couldn't put it down.  When I got to the office i finished it first thing.  Easy read and VERY applicable to anyone who reads it.  The title is, Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson.  I would encourage everyone to read it.  Especially if there is any change going on in your life.

Quick summary of the book:
Four main characters.  Two mice named "Sniff" and "Scurry" and two little people (small as mice) named "Hem" and "Haw." 
The cheese is a metaphor for what we want in life.  The maze represents where you spend your time looking for what you want.

The book is about the four individuals looking for the cheese in the maze.  Hem and Haw grew comfortable when the cheese was placed in the same place every day.  But Sniff and Scurry were always ready for the cheese to disappear and were ready for that to happen.  When the cheese was finally moved Hem and Haw were mortified.  Felt as if they had been done wrong because they were owed someone placing the cheese there, it had been that way for years. (Sound familiar?) 

But Sniff and Scurry went looking for new cheese and enjoyed the adventures that came with it.  Hem and Haw stayed in the same place waiting on someone to bring them more cheese, but it never happened.  Hem finally mustered up the courage to head back into the maze and find more cheese. 

The reason this book was so fascinating to me was that it applies to our everyday life.  As we go through the maze (life) searching for more cheese (what we want out of life) we get comfortable and no one likes change.  But the one question that kept coming to mind while reading this book was, "If I wasn't scared, what could I do for Jesus?"  If I was willing to head into the maze with no fear or regret, imagine how Christ could use me. 

Along Hem's journeys he wrote notes on the wall in hopes that Haw would join him.  Haw never showed up, so sad yet so true of so many.

Here are some of Hem's writings on the wall:
1. Change happens - the cheese will always continue to move
2. Anticipate change - be prepared for the cheese to be moved
3. Monitor change - smell the cheese so you know when its getting old
4. Adapt to change quickly - the quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese
5. Change - move with the cheese
6. Enjoy change - savor the adventure and enjoy the taste of the new cheese
7. Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again - they keep moving the cheese

Few random thoughts:
* With Renatus buying the land in Africa it is time to start planning our first mission trip to Tabora.  I'll be having a meeting a week from today (August 25) at 7:00 pm here at the church.  I'll discuss in great detail what it will take for you to go.
* Renatus sent me some pictures of the first 5 Point of Tabora baptism.  AWESOME!  Show them to you on Sunday.
* I know for a fact people are praying for me, feel it.  Thank you and please keep it up.
* The first message for American Jesus is basically done.  September 13th is going to be incredible.
* Meeting with Pastor Greg from foothills on Thursday.  He knows how to lead people and God has used him to plant a church and grow to over 3000.  I want to be around great men of God and learn from them.  Who are you learning from?
* Met with coaching staff of Liberty High School this morning.  Love hanging out with these guys and pouring into them.
* Gotta get busy on this Sunday, it's not finished yet.