The importance of belonging

I used to read lots of Louis L'Amour westerns (if he was still alive and writing, I'd still be reading but I've read them all). The hero was always a tall, lean, strong-jawed loner who rode in off the range, saved the town, fell in love with the girl of his dreams, and then settled down.

Americans seem enthralled with the strong loner. The reality is that none of us do well in a vacuum and all of us need to belong. For the past 8 years, since Stadia was formed, I have had the privilege of working with a team that has made us all better. When things go well, you have people around to celebrate the victories. When things are tough, there is no place better to be than in the middle of people who love and care for you.

For me, being part of a team is a natural. I'm a relationship sponge and have rarely met someone I didn't like. For others, it takes a bit more work. But, it is worth it.

It's not rocket science, it just takes connecting with people, caring for them, and letting yourself be open, honest and vulnerable to them. Sometimes it will not be reciprocated, but most often, the rewards far outweigh the risk. If you don't have a family or team to which to belong, start now to build one. Take the initiative. You'll be glad you did!

Thanks, Stadia team, for being my family.

digital kisses

I just kissed my wife good morning on Skype.  It’s really not the same.  I miss you honey!

Together we will,

Marcus Bigelow

President | Stadia: Together We Will…

333 Sunset Dr.  Rocklin, CA 95765 | 707-718-3730 cell
www.stadia.cc

Posted via email from marcusbigelow's posterous

If Jesus comes

While I doubt seriously that Harold Camping is right about May 21 being the day Jesus will come (he's been wrong before), every time someone predicts Jesus coming I am forced to say, "He could be right", not because of their own ability to forsee the future,but because Jesus could come at any time.

Here is my prayer for every single person I know (and more abstractly for those I don't know),

1) I pray that you know Jesus as your friend, Savior and Lord. There is no way under heaven by which you can share eternity with God without knowing Jesus personally.

It's really pretty simple.

First, you must believe that Jesus is the God's solution for our lives and throw yourself on God's grace. I know I'm not good enough in myself to ever earn God's favor-- and in your heart of hearts you probably agree with that. (About yourself--if you know me I know you agree about me!)

Second, tell someone that you believe. It doesn't have to be a preacher or in church, just acknowledge to someone that you are going to trust Jesus. When we try to be secret Christians, Satan snatches it away from us by convincing us that our choice to follow Jesus wasn't really real.

Third, agree with God to go his way. Instead of always trying to do things your way, make an about face and agree to do it God's way.

Fourth, be baptized. Being immersed is a spiritual drama wherein we act out the saving event, Christ's death, burial and resurrection in our life. There is nothing magic about water baptism, but God has said he will meet us there.

So, if Jesus comes today or tomorrow, I pray we will spend eternity together basking in the glow of God's love and lving out an eternity of challenge and fulfillment.

I was going to say, thank you for being my friend. But, if Jesus comes tomorrow, I'll just tell you in heaven. See you there.

Hate

Hate is like a boomerang that misses the target and comes back and hits you in the head.

Louis Zamporini

Together we will

Marc Bigelow
Sent from my Android phone using TouchDown (www.nitrodesk.com)

Posted via email from marcusbigelow's posterous

Good Grief it's raining

Here I sit, looking out the window on May 9, and it’s cold and rainy.  This is California, it’s supposed to be hot.

Marcus Bigelow

Posted via email from marcusbigelow's posterous

Christmas Evans

Raised in an abusive family, illiterate at age 17, lost his eye in a knife fight while in a drunken brawl, became a preacher of the gospel whom God used to bring thousands to himself.  Wrote these words, “ Consider in the first place the great importance, to a preacher, of a blameless life.”  Such is grace that brings complete forgiveness.  “Remember this,  that you cannot commit some loved sin in private and perform the work of the ministry in public,  with facility and acceptance.”  I am challenged to personal purity in my life.

Together we will,

Marcus Bigelow

President | Stadia: Together We Will…

333 Sunset Dr.  Rocklin, CA 95765 | 707-718-3730 cell
www.stadia.cc

Posted via email from marcusbigelow's posterous

A great blog

I subscribe to Michael Hyatt’s blog on leadership and communication.  I find at least 3 or more times a week I say Wow!  Today’s blog on Playing Full Out was particularly touching to me.  Here’s the link. http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=f09b4d9bdd&e=b5fc4a0be3

Together we will,

Marcus Bigelow

President | Stadia: Together We Will…

333 Sunset Dr.  Rocklin, CA 95765 | 707-718-3730 cell
www.stadia.cc

Posted via email from marcusbigelow's posterous