Encouragement

This weekend Asbury University Eagles participated in the ITA Regional Tournament in Georgetown, Kentucky.

The weather challenged the tournament. Matches were scheduled for 8AM and play finished at midnight on Thursday and Friday nights. By Saturday morning the players and most of the coaches were dragging.

One coach stood out to me as a great encourager. He was tall and loud on a foggy morning where most of the players looked like they'd rather be sleeping.

He clapped for his kids. He encouraged them. He had kids on more than one court, and he even called out encouraging words to the girls three courts away.

If his kids lost a point but played hard he still encouraged them. Up or down, he was there with something good to say to get them pumped.

I'd like to be as encouraging to others, as I saw this man.

I hope you have a great week.

Unstoppable

Unstoppable will release October 2.




Unstoppable can be found on Amazon and your favorite retail bookstore.


You can watch a book trailer on you tube. This is Nick Vujicic's story about faith in action. He's the director of a non-profit agency, Life Without Limbs and tours the world as a motivational speaker.

Please check this out, you won't want to miss it.

Tailgating fun

Yesterday we went to the UK vs WKU game.

My dad got a parking pass, so we loaded one car with food and games. The rest of us parked and walked over to the green lot.

At any Lutz family function we start with food. So we ate.

We celebrated my niece's birthday.

We talked.

And we played corn hole.

Some of us had more fun at the tailgating party than we did at the game.

Thank goodness for the pre-game party.

New fruit--Pollia Condensata

I discovered a new fruit today on Pinterest.

It's the Pollia Condensata plant. It grows in the African rainforest, and scientists claim it's the most colorful plant ever seen.

It's skin changes color depending on the angle from which you look at it. I learned that animals don't eat this fruit. It's used mostly by animals for mimicry, mate choice and for signaling.

I find that sad. Fruit is meant to be eaten not just looked at.

This makes me wonder if I'm doing what God created me for. Am I loving and worshiping God like he hoped I would?

Am I a reflection of his love to others?

Something to think about.

Whole foods

Last week a good friend told me she'd met with a nutritionist. I asked her what the main thing was she'd learned.

"Whole Foods," she said.

Okay. I can do that.

It's easier with breakfast and lunch. For instance today I ate an apple, almonds and carrots for lunch.

So for supper I decided to try something new. Stuffed peppers. They always look pretty in magazines. So I went online and found a recipe.

I stuffed my pepper with whole grain rice, yes I cooked it first, tomatoes, spinach and sprinkled cheddar cheese on it at the end.

It looked pretty and smelled nice. But that's where the beauty ended. I don't know where I went wrong, but next time I'll make a salad.

Goodbye Andy Roddick

This week the tennis world said goodbye to Andy Roddick. His professional career began and ended at the US Open.

I've watched both of my sons play tennis competitively since 1996, and I'm still watching them play.

In December 2003, we all went to see Andy play at Rupp Arena in Lexington when he was here to help raise money for UK's tennis team. I've cheered for him the last ten years and will miss him.

So last night was Andy's last professional match. He played against Del Potro, who was a real gentleman. By the last set, I was crying. And when Andy made his final speech, I had a box of tissues in my lap.

I've got about three more years to watch Scott play tennis, and then I hope I hold it together better than I did last night.

Isaac

Hurricane Isaac has caused death and destruction for many.

The damage has been extensive and many have been forced to evacuate.

One family in Louisiana left for the hurricane and returned home when they thought it was safe. Soon a tornado hit their house. They survived, but they'll have to rebuild.

But for those of us in Wilmore, Kentucky, we're hoping for some blessed relief from the dry summer.

Many times in life I look at a situation by how it affects me. One lesson I'll take from Ike is there's more than one way to view a situation.