Habits/Routines

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Scott Ranck

At a recent work event we were given a book, “The Power of the Habit.” Charles Duhigg, the author communicates some powerful teachings that have really helped me this week. I’ve actually developed his teaching a little further. Here are a couple of my personal insights from the book. The author says all habits have three parts, the cue, the routine (craving) and the reward. He states the cue and the reward can stay the same but changing the routine will bring change. I have modified his belief by saying we have the cue, the routine and primary or secondary reward. I also believe there is an overarching thing we are trying to achieve (that is the primary reward or outcome). Let me explain.

Though we have been married 41 years, dealing with conflict or perceived irritation in Gayle has not been very successful for me. The cue for me is, 1. I hear a tone of voice that sounds negative, 2. I see a look of irritation. My routine is, 1. I assume I did something that is the cause of the tone or look, 2. I get defensive, 3. I withdraw or attack. Because this is an unproductive habit I get a secondary reward, either lack of conflict (because we both retreat) or not having to deal with a difficult issue.

Through analyzing this habit, I’ve come to see the overarching desire is for us to be able to resolve issues in a healthy way (primary reward) not just postpone or hide from the issue (secondary reward). The book talks about Starbuck’s training of employees. New employees are not left to resolve issues by what comes up naturally in the moment. They are trained to deal with angry customers, or those who are irritated and a host of other scenarios. So, I started thinking about this. When I see the cue(s), instead of my normal routine listed above, I’m tweaking my routine to look like this, 1. Don’t assume I’m the cause. 2. Invite Gayle to our dining room table for “table time.” This is a very positive place of discussion for us. 3. Listen to what the look or the tone represents from her side. 4. Ask, what I can do to help. The reward will change to the primary outcome desired which is connection and resolution.

By planning ahead, the cue(s) trigger a new routine and bring a more beneficial reward. In one week, I have modified several patterns with one or two simple tweaks. This week I’ve had a more productive devotional time in the morning, a better connection with Gayle at dinner time “Table time,” and have reintroduced a work out routine in my schedule resulting in 3 lbs. weight loss. Each of these routine changes came simply by changing one simple thing in my routine.

In summary, identify your primary desired outcome in any matter. Identify the cue(s) that launch a routine and look at the reward, both what you get and what you desire. Tweak the routine to produce the desired outcome. There is a lot of power to change in this pattern.

Blessings,
Scott

Posted in Health and wellness, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wicked or Wounded?

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Scott Ranck

Part of what I did at the cold weather shelter a couple of nights ago was run a background check on everyone who stayed. The purpose is to make sure no sexual predators are in the shelter. After everyone is in and fed, I logged onto the website and starting typing in names. It was always kind of a relief when nothing showed up. Several of our guests had a very long list of charges. Almost all of them were for some type of stealing. Breaking and entering, petty theft and other such charges.

Years ago a member of our family was addicted to drugs and actually stole from his own parents. I know some people who in times of desperation have stolen from others to be able to keep going another day. I know the Bible says stealing is a sin; stealing actually breaks one of the Ten Commandments. I have never been able to go with apparent answers that don’t delve beneath the surface. Do most people steal because they are wicked or because they are wounded? Either motive produces the same result, but if we view the person as wounded it brings about more compassion for a fellow struggler. If we view a person as wicked, it prompts fear and harshness.

Wicked or wounded? Hmmm. Makes me ponder. Wicked or wounded? When I violate some truth, some rule of God or society, do I do that because of some evil lurking in me? We all have a dark side, no doubt, but I submit except for a sociopath, most of us who violate even our own values do so because in a wounded state we don’t think clearly and make poor choices.

I’m really thinking about how difficult life is to navigate. I’ve been gifted with a good mind, a good personality and decent looks. I had two parents who were involved with my life. I was able to graduate high school and even get a college degree. I’ve had enough drive to always be able to provide for my family. All those things are blessings God has allowed me to have. What if life has given you all the exact opposite? What if your mind isn’t so good, and your personality rather than gregarious is timid and what if you don’t look too good? What if you didn’t have involved parents or what if you didn’t have parents at all? What if you had to drop out of school to survive? How would you survive? What if in all this you made some poor choices and got a criminal record? How does someone dig themselves out of that hole?

So, these are the thoughts that have been swirling through my head and heart these last few days.

Wicked or wounded?

Blessings,
Scott

Posted in Health and wellness, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wrestling With Helping the Homeless

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Scott Ranck

For many years our church was involved with helping people who had addiction problems. One of my best friends is a recovering addict and he was my mentor. We were taught and our program followed some guiding principles. The first step in recovery is admitting your problem. The second was to detox or stop using. The third was to then see what the real issues are you are medicating through sponsorship/mentorship and meetings of open sharing. Along with learning what issues you are dealing with, you also learn principles for living “Life on life’s terms.”

One thing everyone in recovery is taught is, “You are not a banker, hotel, restaurant or taxi.” In other words, addicts are experts at getting others to take care of them rather than being responsible for themselves. When an addict became, “Willing” to do what it took to get clean and sober, then we were willing to help them find their way. But, if they are not willing, there is nothing anyone can do for them.

With this backdrop, I’ve become part of a church family that is really big on feeding, sheltering, doing things for the homeless, many of whom are addicts. Some of the 43,000 homeless in Florida are people who have been hammered by our economy and found themselves unemployed and in trouble for the first time in their lives. But my experience would say the larger number of homeless, the most visible homeless are people who have chosen their addiction over everything else and have accepted living “off the land” is just part of their lot.

In many ways recently the Lord has been showing me somethings. First, there is no one righteous. Each of us miss the mark. Only by God’s grace and Christ’s righteousness is anyone made fit for life. Second, I know how poorly I handle it when life throws me a curve ball. How well would I have done if I was raised in the foster care system, never feeling like I belonged anywhere? How well would I have done if I went to Viet Nam and got an arm or leg blown off or saw friends killed or had to kill others? Some people can buck it up/suck it up and plow through those things but others can’t seem to find their way.

Two weeks ago with all this going on in my head, I’m walking down the street in West Palm Beach after a nice dinner out. A scruffy man was sitting at a street side table and when I got right to him, he flipped up a card board sign that read, “Homeless Vet Please Help.” I walked by ignoring him. I walked about a half of block and sensed the Lord say, “I have given to you freely, help him.” I looked in my wallet and the smallest bill I had was a $10! I never give them a dollar let alone a ten spot. I went back and said, “This is against my better judgement but i am supposed to give you this.” He took my money and my hand and said, “Let me show you what you are giving to.” He put my hand on a bullet wound in his head. He pulled his shirt up and showed the scars of battle and then he folded his shoe back, showing half his foot was gone. I walked away humbled.

I began asking myself, knowing me the way I do, “How would I have handled that loss?”

Last night volunteering for the first time in a cold weather shelter for the homeless, I met a guy who never knew his parents and was raised as a ward of the county system. He had a real name but said everyone called him, “Charlie Brown.” I’m not sure if that is derogatory or not but don’t think I’d want that to be my handle.

Again, I began asking myself, “How would I have handled that?”

What I am attempting to do is forget myself and have an abiding relationship with Jesus. When He says help or give I will do so. I am going to stay out of my own head and thoughts and trust if the Lord asks me to help then He is up to something in that person’s life. At the least, He loves each person no matter what.

Blessings,
Scott

Posted in Health and wellness, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Pondering Righteousness

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Scott Ranck

There is none righteous the Bible declares. Not through works of righteousness we have done but by His mercy people can be saved. No one will glory/brag in His presence. Righteousness is a standard much like a framing square to a carpenter. God’s righteous standard is simply this, no one will ever be righteous in my sight by keeping rules, by trying to be good. There is another righteousness revealed, it is righteousness because of faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is a declared righteousness. God says when you meet the standard I’ve established, faith in my Son, I declare you righteous in my sight! It’s a done deal!

Then there is the fruit of righteousness, what is that? When a person has come into relationship with God through faith in Jesus, out of the relationship, things begin to change. The Bible calls this the fruit of the spirit in one place, the fruit of righteousness in another. The person who has been declared righteous has one major focus, remain close in the relationship. When the relationship is in working order fruit happens. Thinking changes, attitudes change leading to changed behavior. People become more loving, peace-filled, joy-filled, patient, self-controlled and kind. People love God and love others. Stuff changes from the inside out, not by sheer force of will, but because of the relationship. This true out working of righteousness produces humility and gratitude.

There is another righteousness. It comes through rigorous effort and discipline. Sometimes it is merely an outward behavior that is only practiced when others are watching. This righteousness is self-induced. It isn’t the fruit that comes from connection to the ultimate source of life. It is born of the human will. It is self-righteousness. It creates an air of superiority, pride and judgementalism. It is really not righteousness at all. It is the fruit of depravity. The Bible asks, after beginning your new life in the Spirit, why do you now try to become perfect with human effort?

True righteousness is attractive and winsome; self-righteousness is ugly and repelling. True righteousness brings humility and grace toward others; self-righteousness brings pride and judgement toward others.

True righteousness is developed through our connection and relationship with God. That becomes the believers one focus. The Father is able to develop and steer and do whatever needs done from there. Abide in me and you will bring forth much fruit, for without me, you can do nothing.

Blessings,
Scott

Posted in Health and wellness, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Birthday Ponderings

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Scott Ranck

So here I sit, early in the morning on my 60th Birthday. Mentally, I still think I’m in my mid-twenties but physically, I know that isn’t true. Last night a good friend told me about a wise college professor who had just passed away recently. He said, “If there was one man I would like to be able to hook up a USB port to his head and download to my head everything he knew, it would be that man.”

That has had me thinking about life and all the accumulated knowledge and wisdom we acquire over a lifetime. It also made me think of another friend who called me on Christmas Eve. I used to be this gentleman’s pastor nearly a decade ago. In his call, he said, “you don’t know how much your teaching has shaped my thinking.”

Then last night, one of the men who has been with me for the last five years in our men’s ministry had his last night. He is moving several hours away after finally landing a good job. We talked about how he could export the men’s ministry to his new environment.

I realized combining these three concepts, the remainder of my life on earth is about downloading what the Lord has taught and is teaching me to other key people who will be able to teach others as well. No matter where life takes them or me, the big life lessons God has taught me will live on. It won’t be as quick as a USB port in the brain, it will take intentional investment but it will be a purposeful way to spend the remaining decade or two or four the Lord gives me.

That is my Birthday Ponderings!
Blessings,
Scott

Posted in Health and wellness, Spirituality | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Duck Dynasty, Powder Keg for the Cultural Revolution!

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Scott Ranck

I think America may finally be waking up! The removal of Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty by A & E has lit the fuse on the cultural revolution in America. Hard working, law-abiding, God-fearing, and traditional valued Americans, which is the vast majority of this country have been pushed into a corner and finally I think we may come out swinging! Personally, I’m tired of having to sit by and be quiet while a small percentage of vocal people who have no sense of our national history take away our constitutional rights.

I’m guessing the liberal left and the “Intolerant, tolerants” have never toured Washington D.C. and seen the scriptural inscriptions on almost all the historic monuments. I’m tired of editing everything to not offend. I’m tired as a Christian to be so freakin politically correct in an effort to reach people. I think it is time to get back to a strong, clear truth-telling way of living and let God sortem out. I am responsible for my eternal destiny and you are responsible for yours. Me being Casper milk toast isn’t going to make you want to follow Christ.

I was just a Cracker Barrel for breakfast and saw the manager put up the 40% off signs on the entire Duck Dynasty Section of merchandise. I said, “You guys too?” She said, “It wasn’t my decision!” I’m calling for all Americans who believe in free speech and our Judeo/Christian foundation to stand up and be counted. Be counted by the way you vote. Be counted by what places you spend your money. Be counted by without being obnoxious, not being afraid to speak up and counter the insanity that is modern-day America!

The Bible is God’s revealed word. It tells us what He is like and what He wants us to be like. It tells us how, you and me as fallen humans can come into a relationship with the Almighty. Because every one of us has sinned and fallen short of the ideal, doesn’t mean you discard the ideal. Yes, it does teach, incest, bestiality, fornication, adultery, homosexuality are all outside the ideal. Not because God is some killjoy, but because He wants us to have life at the fullest.

The fuse is lit, the powder keg has blown, the lines are drawn. For me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

blessings,

Scott

Cracker Barrel Folds!

Cracker Barrel Folds!

Posted in News and politics, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

In My World, Things Don’t Appear To Be Adding Up!

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Scott Ranck

Yesterday the job numbers were released. Obama and those who are his mouthpiece are saying how great the economy is doing. They have said the unemployment rate is at the lowest its been in years, etc.

At the same time I am in Palm Beach County for work. The local news said, 47 homes valued at $5 million and up have been foreclosed upon in 2013. I have watched that area of our country go down hill over the last 5-6 years . There are empty stores and houses everywhere. Some entire shopping plazas are like Ghost Towns!

How many of you have really skilled, great people in your sphere of life who are unemployed and been actively seeking employment for years? I have many friends in that situation.

So our president keeps saying how great everything is going, while the facts are over 11 million Americans have just quite looking for work. Add those numbers into the equation and our unemployment rate is still hovering around 10%. Out of the jobs produced the bulk of them are part-time. Obama care will force many more people to part-time status so employers won’t have to provide coverage.

When you read history, you wonder how did Hitler ever get away with what he did. How did the people let him rise to that kind of power? How did Castro get Cuba to a place where all the freedoms are gone and the country is run into the ground? You no longer need to study those countries to see how it happens. All you have to do is open your eyes and look at what is taking place right here under Obama’s regime. The Government is getting more and more power. More things are coming under their control. It is very possible soon all health care will be government-run. Next will be the bogus “Carbon Tax” to cripple industry. While we the sheeple seem to be powerless to stop the mad dash to bring the successful down and the impoverished up. Unfortunately, that process only brings everyone down and the Government up. Corrupt government officials who hoard resources for themselves is what makes third world countries, third world! The people suffer and it doesn’t matter as long as the fat cats in power are prospering!

It is sad to watch! But is there a Higher Ruler accomplishing a bigger purpose?

But then I read Isaiah and see what it looks like when a people turn their back on the God of heaven. I see what it looks like when God removes His hand of blessing from a people. Isaiah 5:7 ff. “The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the people of Judah his pleasant garden. He expected a crop of justice but instead he found oppression. He expected to find righteousness but instead he heard cries of violence.” The result? “Many houses will stand deserted even beautiful mansions will be empty.” The reason for all the economic collapse in Isaiah’s day? 5:13, “So my people will go into exile far away BECAUSE they do not know me.”

“What sorrow for those who say the evil is good and the good is evil.”

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on the throne and active and our country is reaping what we have sown.

Blessings,

Scott

Posted in News and politics, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“215”

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Scott Ranck

2086349190035176356UUDuMI_fsIt has taken a long time for me to fully appreciate the great gift I was given by my Dad and Mom. Growing up everyone thinks the way their family is, is normal! It is all we knew. As time passes and my life has intersected with hundreds of people, reality begins to set in. My childhood was far from “normal.” My parents married in the 1940’s and bought their first and only home “215.” Though it is  small by today’s standards, a two bedroom, 1 bathroom with approximately 1,000 sq. ft, I never noticed. Dad built a room on the back we used for a kitchen table and mom used for an office. After Eric was born, three kids in one bedroom was a little tight I guess, but we didn’t really notice. Dad made Michelle her own bedroom up in the attic and Eric and I shared the downstairs bedroom.

Our extended family was pretty good size and mostly lived close by. It seemed we had a ton of aunts and uncles and cousins. Mom would have picnics, parties and celebrations at every holiday. I remember backyard picnic/parties for as far back as I can remember. As kids getting up on the Fourth of July it was so exciting. We knew soon, all kinds of friends and relatives with all their kids and more soft drinks than we should have would be coming our way.

I remember one Thanksgiving we had a couple of tables set up down through the middle of the small living room and so many people there, we had to go out the front door, run around the house to the back door to get to the bathroom!

When I was in about 8th grade, my cousin Gary went into the military and he had an in ground trampoline he wanted to give to me. Dad said, I could have it if I dug the hole! A couple of friends and me dug the hole. We had a small but nice patio on the back of the house. When I was in 9th  grade we got an above ground swimming pool. The gatherings then were still happening but now for no reason friends gathered at our house. We had card games on the patio all summer. Sleep outs on the trampoline and swimming parties all times of the day and night!

Dad and Mom were content with 215. Neither had any desire to upgrade or move. Both of them took their last breath at the exact same place in the living room. Living room is a great way to describe the space we know as 215, because living is what took place. Living, loving and connecting with people. Relationships, now that is the stuff of life that matters! Michelle, Eric and I were privileged to grow up in that home. Our families and so many others will have 215 living in their memories and hearts for the rest of life! Today, for the first time in my life, 215 is empty. No feast, no family but if walls could talk and laugh it would be filled with both.

You can see a picture tribute on my Facebook page in a picture album titled, “215.” Thanks Dad and Mom for the stability, the love and the awesome memories you created for us at 215!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/ScottRanck/media_set?set=a.10202704255315556.1474127478&type=3

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving,

Scott

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Power Connection

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Scott Ranck

I believe God is the “first cause” in the universe. Not, He got it started and then evolution took over. I believe Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” The concept is God is so amazingly powerful that He spoke and the universe came to be. I believe it came to be as a mature universe. That means, Adam was an adult not a baby. The light from stars though light years away was already visible here.  If this is the case, then God has more energy and power than the universe because the cause is greater than the effect.

I work in the energy world and I started pondering Big Bend Power Plant, which everyone in our area has seen. It only has the capacity to generate 1,700 megawatts of electricity. That is enough to power roughly 500,000 homes or so. The idea hit me, if I could run one high voltage line from Big Bend to my home’s electric panel carrying all 1,700 megawatts; my house would explode. It couldn’t handle that much power. So, the electric company has to run that power through substations, and transformers and use all kinds of means to reduce it so it is usable by one little household. Just as a side note, our sun, gives off 384 billion, billion megawatts continually. The earth only receives a small fraction of that energy or the planet would incinerate.

1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator (go between) who can reconcile (connect) God and humanity-The man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone.” Jesus is like the “power reducer” we need to be able to connect to all God’s power. No person can see God the Father and live! Too much power; too much glory! So, God the Son went through a massive transformation to throttle back the power and glory of God so we could know Him and plug into all that power without dying!

The Father has more power than our sun, or any sun for that matter. Jesus became like household current, so weak, small humans could plug-in and have a useable power source that is from the main supply that is unlimited. So Jesus could say, as long as you are connected to me you will make an eternal difference but without me, basically, you are a speck of dust on a speck of dust hurtling through a massive universe. Paul could write, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (power).

I’m thinking staying plugged in is the way to live.

blessings,

Scott

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Created

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Scott Ranck

My mind is overwhelmed with how much I don’t know. I was thinking about the best and brightest among us and how limited all of the created ones are. Few humans are really experts at anything. Most who are experts have spent a lifetime studying one topic and possibly a few related fields. All an expert is, is someone who has discovered what already is. It is not unusual for someone to be an expert in one field and totally ignorant of other realms of life. I regularly see highly successful and learned people who are clueless about anything mechanical or related to how a home building operates.

I was at Wake Forest University Library once many years ago. At the time it was touted to be one of the largest libraries on the east coast. It was like a six-story building. I remember walking down rows and rows of books written on subjects, I didn’t know there where subjects! Think about the knowledge it takes to become a medical doctor. Each area of medicine and the human body is so complex, most doctors now specialize in one area. The human body is too complex to be an expert in every area.

Ponder this, in every area of life, science, medicine, quantum physics, mathematics, ocean and space exploration, every discovery the human race makes, is something God already knows perfectly! Nothing ever occurred to God. He never has said, “Oh, I didn’t think of that!” Or as Scripture teaches, “Who will be His counselor?”

I have read about our DNA being like computer code. Contained in DNA is everything about all life, designed from the molecular or cell level. I have seen hummingbirds design is far superior to the most sophisticated military helicopter. The human eye is far superior to a camera lens. The brain more amazing than computers.

This past summer I built a simple 12′ X 12′ shed in my back yard. No human I know would look at my shed and say that didn’t used to be there but over great periods of time, amazingly the elements miraculously produced this shed! The truth of the matter is, I could even put all the materials needed in the yard, 2 X 4’s, plywood, bags of concrete, nails, I mean giving the process a real head start. You could wait a bazillion years and the elements would never build my little puny shed! How can we look at the intricate design in human and plant life and the orchestra of the oceans and space and say, “Yeah, it just happened!” Eliminating the Creator from His creation takes massive amounts of spiritual blindness.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.” Psalm 19:1-2

Blessings,

Scott

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment