Daniel Skognes

I’ll be honest. Before this week, I had never heard of Damar Hamlin. I did not watch the Monday night game, so I had no idea who he was or what had happened to him. However, Tuesday morning the news and social media outlets were buzzing with the news of his cardiac arrest while playing football Monday night.

It was a sobering moment for everyone, and for the first time in NFL history, a game was halted due to an injury. Some interesting things happened. The players on the field spontaneously gathered around him to pray for him while he was getting CPR. Newscasters, other teams, coaches, and people all over the country were praying for him. I found myself praying for him as well. Miraculously, he had his breathing tube removed this week and he was able to Facetime with his family, friends, and teammates.

I think God allowed this tragedy to unite people. He brought people together in prayer that otherwise might have been enemies or at least apathetic towards one another. Damar had already laid a foundation with his teammates and coaches. They knew that he loved God, and he loved them! That love touched our entire nation this week.

Damar started a GoFundMe account to raise $2,500 for poor children in his community. As of today, over $8,000,000 has been donated. God has incredible things for Damar to still do with his life. I can’t wait to hear about the next chapter and see how God uses him for the Kingdom of God. Damar, if you happen to read this, know that we continue to pray for you and your family. A great verse for you and anyone who is going through tough times to hang on to is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

I am not sure where the quote came from, but I like it: “Learn to listen. Listen to learn.” Many obstacles keep us from listening to others: noise, electronics, phones, games, distractions and interruptions from others, etc. When we are teaching kids, we work hard to get their attention before we start speaking. We say things like “Waterfall, waterfall,” and the kids respond, “Shhhhhhhhh.” They know they are to stop what they are doing and give us their attention when we say that.

Too bad we can’t do that with adults. LOL. The older we get the more we seem to be distracted. I watch the Principal and Assistant Principals at our school and wonder how in the world they ever get anything done?! They are constantly being pulled in different directions for some “emergency.”

I think we as adults need to learn this truth and teach it to the kids: Someone else may have an “emergency,” but that does not necessarily make it OUR emergency. There are times we have to turn off the phones, turn off the emails, turn off the walkies, and set our priorities. Sometimes we have to delegate the issue. Sometimes we need to seek counsel and collaborate for a resolution. Sometimes we have to say “No,” or at least, “Let me get back to you on that.” Sometimes we just need time to think!

Listening is a skill that we can all improve upon, but it will never improve till we learn to handle the endless distractions and interruptions that life throws at us. Another truth to remember is that everyone needs to feel that they are heard and understood. It is foundational to building healthy relationships. Give others the respect of being heard….whether or not you agree with them. That will defuse many of the ticking time bombs that might otherwise possibly explode on you or others in the area.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

danskognes.com

“Behind every problem opportunity knocks.”

Daniel Skognes

Next time you are facing a problem, look for the opportunity that is presenting itself. There is an old quote that says, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” No matter what the problem, no matter how daunting it may seem, or how overwhelmed you may feel, there is opportunity.

Recently I was at work and realized I had misplaced my wallet! I was in panic mode trying to remember where I had it last. The two things that can put most people in a tailspin are losing their wallet or losing their phone. I retraced all my steps from that morning and mentioned to a couple of people at work the pickle I was in. My mind went to the worst case scenario with someone either throwing it away or worse, using my confidential information against me.

One of the people I mentioned it to was the campus policeman. He said, “You were wearing an overcoat this morning. Do you think you put it in your coat?” That was the thing that snapped my brain back to calm. I never put my wallet in my coat, but I had not checked it either.

Sure enough, there it was in my side pocket. I must have put it in there to free up my hands so I could enter the building that morning. I had been looking at a shopping list before I entered the school and kept the list in my wallet. Talk about a relief!

So what is the opportunity here? The lesson for me was to breathe and let my mind think! It is hard to think when you are in panic mode. I hope there is not a next time, but if there is, I am going to try to stay calm and let God direct my path. I’m going to the prayer room, not the panic room.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

This is probably one of the hardest things that we are commanded to do as Christ followers. It goes against everything our mind and heart wants to do. When we have been wronged, we want revenge, justice, and payback. We want them to feel the pain they have inflicted on us, and yet Jesus tells us to love them, to be kind to them, to forgive them!

I am just pointing out the obvious: That is a tall order! I don’t think we can do it on our own, either. It takes the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us do what is seemingly impossible. If you have people in your life currently or in the past who have become your enemies, let God help you do the right thing. Ask Him to help you forgive them….and to love them.

The enemy of our souls is constantly stirring us up to hate one another, to destroy relationships, and to get revenge. We will be tested in this area. I pray that God bless you and give you His perfect peace. I pray that He give you the power to forgive and to love those who have hurt you.

One of the best signs of forgiveness is when we can show them love. That is true forgiveness. That frees us to be the person that God has created us to be in His image. It does not mean we allow them to use or abuse us. They have to be held accountable. It does not mean we have to allow them in close contact to us if the situation is dangerous or unhealthy. Proper boundaries are good to have for everyone and are necessary to have peace. Pray for one another in this area that we may be able to live in freedom that God intended for us, and that strongholds be broken.

It is a choice. Choose to live in peace and to love one another. The alternative will never give you the desired results and will leave you feeling empty.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

Many years ago when I was first starting to teach elementary school, I was subbing in a first grade classroom. When I got there the kids were already in their seats and had these black markers. They were drawing all over the desks with them. I about fainted. I asked in a panicked voice: “What are y’all doing drawing all over the desks?”

The kids looked up at me with this puzzled look and just took their hands and wiped off the desks. I dropped my jaw and looked at them wide-eyed: “May I see one of those pens?” The kid closest to me handed me one. In bold letters it said, “Erasable marker.” I had never seen one before (I’m old school). I was so relieved that the desks were not ruined…and neither was my new career. LOL.

Sin is a lot like this in our lives. The Devil tempts us to sin and then condemns us when we do. He tries to convince us that we will never be good enough. We have these black marks all over us and we might even be tempted to believe the Devil’s lies that God can never accept us now. The truth is, we can’t be good enough without Christ. He is the one that has the magic eraser to make us like new again. That is great news for all mankind. We just have to admit we are messed up and need Christ to make us new. He cleans the slate, and He is the only one who can do it for us.

It is a beautiful thing when you realize how wonderful and perfect God’s love is for us. His mercies are new every morning. Have a blessed week.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

danskognes.com