Here Comes The Sun

Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2011 by Aaron Mora in Labels: , ,
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Just got back yesterday from sunny San Diego! Being my first trip to the west coast, I can see why people have been known to leave everything behind and head to California. That is, unless you aren't a big fan of sunny warm weather, palm trees, and beautiful beaches.

I went with my lovely wife, Kati, who had the opportunity to take part in the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE). Luckily I was able to get a pass to the expo and meet some high level celebrities, eg. the Jimmy Dean Sun Guy from the commercials. My awkward smile in this picture is the result of my preceding mildly inappropriate comment about how I enjoyed his sausages.

Other picture opportunities included the California Raisin, Miss California, and the US Olympic Water Polo Team. To my dismay, I missed my opportunity for photos with these stars cause I was in line to get Kati a book she wanted which was being signed by the author (if that's not love I don't know what is).

But interestingly, at this conference the real stars were the dietitians who were well known in their field. Being an outsider peeking in, I struggled to know who was who. But I was full of pride that my wife, who happens to be the Fiber Plus Wellness Advocate and the mastermind behind a successful nutrition blog, aroundtheplate.org, was in the group of individuals who were recognized by other dietitians from across the country.

Flying back to the cooler, rainy Michigan weather was a bit of a let down. Although Kati and I did miss our boys terribly while we were gone. There was a small part of me that would have liked to have had grandma load the boys on a plane and send them out to the west coast where we could stay forever on the beach and be warm. But alas, Michigan can be pretty swell too...

Parable of the Talents

Posted: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by Aaron Mora in Labels: ,
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I am preparing to teach at Crave and Element this week on the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25. I remember reading this story when I was younger and thinking the master was kind of a jerk to treat so harshly the final servant who buried the money in fear of losing it. Wasn't this servant just someone who was playing it safe and didn't want to risk angering the master if he failed or lost what he had been given. Given my own insecurities, I think I could relate.


But now I see this parable as a call to utilize the gifts we are given to accomplish greater and more amazing things than sitting on our hands ever could. We are unable to see the duplication of our humble offerings if we are too afraid to share them with the world. And according to this parable, God obviously has a strong desire for us to be good stewards with what we are given.

It reminds me of a parent's desire for their child to be successful and their disappointment when they don't push towards their full potential. As a teenager my parents were always very supportive of me, especially academically, and encouraged me to do well in school. Lucky for me, I typically didn't struggle in class and learning came easy. Perhaps too easy, as it didn't require much effort in grade school. I have many distinct memories of sleeping in unique places in many classrooms.

Incidentally, hard work was a lesson I learned quickly after graduation. My freshmen year in college I took an accelerated Chemistry course and got my first C ever! (In my defense it was a C+). I can remember talking to my mom and dad about the course afterwards and honestly saying I had not put my full effort into the class. Their desire for me to reach my full potential during that conversation made me want to work harder next time (and I did, I ended up graduating cum laude)! Similarly, God desires for each of us to develop the talents we have to bless other people and live a life filled with joy and fulfillment.

So how do we live out the call of this parable? I don't think it always means we have to leave everything and go serve the poor in a third world country, although sometimes it might. It does mean that where ever we are, our goal as Christ Followers should be to use our talents for God's glory. In doing so we save ourselves from the disappointment of unmet potential.

And so it begins...

Posted: by Aaron Mora in Labels:
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In the midst of a busy life, lately I've felt compelled to not let life slip by. Considering I have a tendency to forget too quickly my experiences, I've figured a great way to slow it down would be to chronicle my life through story. So this blog is my attempt at assessing life.

As I was searching for an available blog name, I realized there are infinitely more "new" blogs with a single entry dated several years back then there are blogs full of posts and ideas. I suppose its a similar lack of follow through on good intentions which leaves most journals or diaries empty next to the bedside. I know I've had a few.

But I'm hoping to challenge myself and keep this blog full of ideas, thoughts on upcoming messages, zany family happenings, and much more. Thanks for checking it out with me...