Happy New Year

How to Have a Better 2015

It’s almost a new year. Most of us usually come up with a few things we want to do so that we have a better life: Exercising regularly, spending more time with family, and getting organized. All are noble endeavors. But true transformation happens when we stop doing certain things. Think about the possibilities of what your life would look like if you stopped doing the following:

Stop neglecting your relationship with God. Use God’s wisdom and resources to heal you and become the person God created you to become.

Stop holding on to your past failures and hurts. You have failed before and you have been hurt. Your past will not define or predict your future unless you let it. Stop letting it. Instead of lamenting over past failures and hurts, learn from them, and do your part to make tomorrow better than yesterday. 

Stop running from problems and dysfunctional behaviors. Avoiding real issues that need to be dealt with are not going to move you forward in life. Prioritize and tackle your problems one at a time. 

Stop trying to please people. It is not possible to fully and continually please another person. So stop trying. Do you really want an imperfect person’s perceptions about you to determine your self-worth? Listen to people. Love people. But don’t let others determine your value and happiness. 

Stop being indecisive about what you want. Find your passion and pursue it. Today. There are only so many tomorrows. A year from now, you will wish you had started today. Define and chase your dreams.

Stop being afraid to take a few risks. Your greatest regrets in life will not be times you have fallen or not succeeded. Your greatest regrets in life will be the opportunities you didn’t take. You can get up from a fall. You can’t make a shot you don’t take. 

Stop being ungrateful. Envy and jealousy are cruel criminals. They steal today’s blessings like no other. Every moment you spend practicing envy and jealousy—you miss the beauty of life’s many blessings. And you have many of them! You will not experience contentment and joy if you aren’t intentionally thankful for your current blessings. 

Stop not living in the present. Many of life’s greatest moments are spontaneous and not planned. We can plan and create environments where great moments happen, but we must live in the present to experience the great moment. We were not created to be spectators in this once-to-be-lived-and-never-to-be-repeated life. We are participants. So participate. Today.

WE Minute: Be the Message

We are starting a new series series this Sunday. Here is the preview:

Christmas Prayer

Almighty God, 

You have given us your Son. You have given us Yourself. 
Emmanuel. God is with us. 

When we are angry, afraid, alone, and anxious. 
You are with us. 

When we celebrate, are courageous, live in community, and are calm. 
You are with us.

Let this Christmas be our yearly reminder of your grace: 

You give us the Hope of the World. 
Bring hope to the world and to our world.
With a baby, you brought joy into the world on this day so many years ago.
Help us accept this gift and share it with others.
You give us love in the person of Jesus.
Help us to experience your love and to be more loving to others and to ourselves.
You give us the Prince of Peace.
Bring peace to the world and to our world.
You give us the Resurrection and the Life.
Raise us to new levels of life. 

Through the piles of presents – remind us of your presence. 
You are with us.
In our brokenness and busyness – remind us who you are and whose we are.
You are with us. 

Jesus is the Light of the World! 
Thank you for lighting our path.
Help us to be a reflection of his light to the world. 

You have given us your Son. You have given us Yourself. 
Emmanuel. God is with us.
Encourage us to accept and embrace this most wonderful gift.
Teach us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. 

Christmas. This day and because of this day. 

You are with us. 

Amen!

Christmas Eve Message

The message of Christmas is that God is with us. I talked about the census and how life was busy, stressful, and demanding for people during the time of Mary and Joseph. Fast forward to 2014 - these things still clutter our relationship with God. The encouragement is to accept God's offers of grace and rest. 

My Bible Reader and Me

Birthday Boy

David is 8 today. Couldn't ask for a kid who is more fun than him.

Blue Christmas

This was the message from a different kind of Christmas worship experience: Blue Christmas. It was worship for people who have a tough time at Christmas. We focused on hope and healing. Pastors and worship leaders -- if you want a copy of the liturgy we created -- just let us know and we'll send it to you.

Esther Exploring the Church Property

Such a beautiful day for December

Kid's Christmas Program

What a wonderful morning!

Sunturn

December 21st is the longest night of the year. At least for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. In Norway the day is significant. Darkness covers the land and light is absent in much of the country. Winter is long and can be harsh. But the Norwegians celebrate the day and even have a name for it: sunturn. Early Norse legend has it that the sun would stop, turn 180 degrees, and start heading the other direction.

Science has since proven the Vikings wrong, but sunturn remains a day of hope and healing. The worst is behind them. Tough days will still exist, and the people make no implication otherwise, but the nights get shorter and the days longer. The promise of sun and life are in front of them. Each new day is better than the one before. The people have emerged as stronger.

Sunturn is our story as well. We go through seasons of light and darkness. Darkness has a name. Actually darkness has many names: death, disease, dysfunction, dejection, depression, and distance. God knew this would be the case:

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. –John 16:33

The people of ancient Israel had it pretty tough. Their life was a life of exile. Broken dreams, broken hearts, broken lives. They wanted a place to call their own. And then the prophet spoke on behalf of God. He didn’t promise them a place. He did something better. He promised them a person.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. –Isaiah 9:2

God delivered the promise one dark night in Bethlehem. Mary had a baby and the world would never quite be the same again. It was sunturn. Light replaced darkness once and for all. Things wouldn’t be perfect, but from now on, God would be present. 

I have been a pastor for about twenty years with a few breaks here and there for graduate school. I have observed and experienced that Christmas can be a challenging, if not difficult, time for some. The hurts we carry are as real as the darkness of the night sky. If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone. Loss, depression, financial struggles, distance from family, or life being overwhelming can make Christmas a difficult. 

But hope is here. God sent Jesus to serve us and save us. To love us and lead us.

I invite you to Blue Christmas—a Christmas Eve Service of healing and hope at Millard West High School on Sunday, December 21st at 6:00pm. We will remember. We will reflect. We will look at real issues. And we will look at how a really big God floods darkness with Light. If you are looking for hope and healing. If you are longing for the sunturn—these 60 minutes will be for you.

The best is yet to come

Craig

Today's Best Photo

This isn't Benjamin usually school attire, but his show choir is performing
at various elementary schools today.

WE Minute: Comparing Ourselves to Others

Sixty seconds on why not to compare ourselves to others.

Christmas at the Movies: Christmas Vacation

Today's message was on how to deal with stress and experience peace.

Pause
Pray
Prioritize
Progress
Persevere

Friday in Photos

Took a break from writing Sunday's message on stress. Watched
Coach Riley's press conference. Seems humble and personable.

Lunch at Freddy's Steakburgers. Now open 100 yards from my office.
I'm going to need to start running again. Soon.

Benjamin eating Biscoff Cookies surrounding crunchy Biscoff spread.
Belgium's version of an Oreo.

Thoughts on Stress

It’s that time of year. Christmas. Our to-do list is a little longer. Our schedules are a little fuller. Our responsibilities are a little greater. Many of us are busy, tired, and stressed out.

I’m not sure if this is what God had in mind for a day that is supposed to be sacred and set apart. A day we celebrate Jesus entering the world. A day where God’s invitation to enter our lives still stands.

Not much stress happening here

Is it surprising the most stressful time of the year for many of us is Christmas and the weeks leading up to it? Probably not. You even know the reason why—we want everything to be perfect. Or at least close enough. The meals. The cookies. The family pictures. The family relationships. The presents. The house. The schedule.

Consider giving yourself something this Christmas. Something really cool. The gift of self-compassion. Socrates was compelling in that we should know ourselves and understand ourselves. But something even more compelling exists: loving ourselves.

Trying to attain the impossible isn’t showing self-compassion. It is setting us up for a lifetime of failure. Loving ourselves means learning to trust ourselves, being kind to ourselves, and treating ourselves with respect.

A perfectionist is generally trying to earn or win the approval of another. Perfectionists are raised to believe: I am what I accomplish. In sports, academics, or rule-following. Perfectionism is other focused: what will they think? Healthy growth is self-focused: how can I get better? 

Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, live perfectly, and do everything perfectly—I can avoid or minimize the pain in my life. But perfection is unattainable. Perfectionism says: “Ugh. Nothing fits. I’m fat and not attractive. I need to be different than I am right now to be worthy of love and belonging.”

Healthy growth says: “I want this for me. I want to feel better and be healthier. The scale or the measuring tape doesn’t tell me if I am loved or not. I am loved by God and worthy of being loved by others right now.”

A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. If your Christmas card isn’t perfect or you don’t get one out this year—it’s okay. If you don’t get to every party—life will go on. If you don’t get to see all your family or if you see all your family and things aren’t perfect—you are human.

A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life. Replacing perfectionism and its related need for approval with self-compassion and grace will move us from stress and anxiety to peace and abundance. And that is a good move.

The best it yet to come…

Craig

The Lunch I Never Ate

A late drive-thru lunch for me followed immediately
by picking David up early from school means no
Chick-fil-A for me.

WE Minute: How to Deal With Stress

A Prayer for Loneliness

Here is yesterday's prayer:

Dear God,

I feel alone. 

My heart hurts.

Sometimes it seems nobody understands me.

Sometimes it seems nobody really cares about me.

I feel lonely when I am alone. 

I feel lonely when I am with others. 

Sometimes it seems my family and friends don’t get me. 

Sometimes it seems I can’t communicate well with others. 

I am grateful for those who love me. 

Bless me with life-giving relationships. 

Relationships where I am listened to and supported. 

Relationships where I can share and be shared with. 

Relationships where I can love and be loved. 

Relationships where others will tell me that everything will be okay. 

May I build bridges and not walls. 

Remove distrust, selfishness, and stubbornness from my life. 

Help me to trust, serve, and be compassionate. 

Let me do my part in creating healthy relationships. 

Thank You for listening to me. 

Thank You for understanding me. 

Thank You for Your patience. 

Thank You for Your presence. 

Invade my life. 

Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. 

Take away my loneliness. 

Replace my emptiness with the fullness of Your love. 

Fill my heart with hope. 

Make me hungry and thirsty for more of You. 

Help me to draw nearer and closer to You. 

Reveal Yourself more fully to me. 

May I relate to others more and better. 

May I love myself because You loved me first. 

May I find times and spaces to love and be loved by You. 

May I experience the fullness of life through Your grace. 

Amen.

Christmas and the Movies: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This morning's message on what loneliness is and how to deal with it.

Good Day for a Nap

David and Esther enjoying the 70 degree late November weather

Dining Room Makeover

I was given the task of painting the dining room this weekend. Here are the results.

Before

After

Thanksgiving Eve Worship

The things WE are grateful for

David and Chase being grateful

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Dear God,
Create in me a thankful heart.
Develop in me a grateful mind.
Give me an appreciative spirit.

I confess feelings of jealously toward the actions of others.
I confess feelings of envy toward the possessions, attributes, and skills of others.I confess feelings of greed that have caused ungratefulness in my life.
Create in me a thankful heart.

I have focused on what I don’t have rather than what I do have.

I have taken for granted many of your blessings.

I have wanted more than I have needed.

Create in me a thankful heart.

For your fellowship

For my family

For my friends

I give you thanks.

For a warm bed to sleep and good food to eat

For clean water to drink and a clear mind to think

For comfortable clothes to wear and a life to share

I give you thanks.

For your grace for my mistakes

For your power when I am weak

For your love when I am alone

I give you thanks.

For your presence and promise in times of grief and trials

For your hope and light in days of despair and darkness

For creating the unique person I am

I give you thanks.

For laughter and smiles and hugs and most tears

For the ability to embrace and to be embraced

For recovery, restoration, repair, and reconciliation

I give you thanks.

Give me an appreciative spirit.

Develop in me a grateful mind.

Create in me a thankful heart.

Amen.

Loneliness

Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, Only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Loneliness is poverty

Loneliness is the first thing God identified as not being good. Many since and some more often, but none before.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” –Genesis 2:18

Loneliness is not good. It took God just over a chapter and a half to figure it out. Mother Teresa saw the emptiness and dysfunction of loneliness:

The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.

You agree: Loneliness is poverty.

A crowd is not necessarily company

Loneliness and being alone are two different things altogether. A person can be surrounded by others or sitting next to another and be totally alone. Inches of physical separation feel like miles of isolation. The cruelest form of loneliness is when it is felt in close proximity with a loved one who is no longer communicating.

Solitude is not necessarily loneliness

Loneliness and being alone are two different things altogether. A person can be in solitude and totally embrace who they are in relationship to themselves and others. Miles of physical separation cannot stop emotional intimacy. Loneliness expresses the anguish of being alone and the pain of being unloved. Solitude talks of the place and the time where and when a person becomes restored and refreshed so that they can become healthier for themselves and others.

Walls and bridges

People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. Distrust is a wall. Trust is a bridge. Selfishness is a wall. Servanthood is a bridge. The need to be right is a wall. Learning is a bridge. Being stubborn is a wall. Being compassionate is a bridge. Listening to respond is a wall. Listening to understand is a bridge. 

The deer at the water’s edge

A place exists in our heart that can only be filled with God’s love. Nothing else. A person can feel lonely in the presence of their newest friend, their oldest friend, strangers, loved ones, whoever. Finally, loneliness is more or less an awareness that something is missing in our hearts that takes more than people to fill. 

The Psalmist knew this:

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. (Psalm 42:1-2)

In the end, it is God we are longing and thirsting for. Augustine puts it best:

You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in You. 

The best is yet to come…

Craig

WE Minute: Happy Thanksgiving

This Week's Message: WE Are Rich

The Week in Pictures

David buying a gift for his brother

Lunch with David

Sauerkraut, sausage, banana peppers, onion, and dill pickles

Getting ready for the game

Thanksgiving

I remember Thanksgiving Day of years gone by. Our crowded house was even more crowded than usual. My mom and sisters worked in the kitchen. The smell of turkey filled the house. My dad and older brother went pheasant hunting. I snacked on scraps and provided entertainment for the guests. Uncle Bud was always the first to arrive. He was a farmer. Never late to anything. Both sets of grandparents would come a little later with all sorts of food. Grandpa Pete brought a relish tray and some sort of orange slush the kids weren’t allowed to drink. Grandpa Adolf brought various smelly fish and sweet Norwegian pastries.

Around one o’clock the food started coming and it didn’t stop coming for hours. Turkey, potatoes of various varieties, oysters, hard-boiled eggs with a whipped yellow filling, lefse, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and of course pumpkin pie and apple pie.

The women always cleaned up. (Don’t blame me for that. I’m the baby in the family.) The men went to the family room and watched the Cowboys or the Lions play football. Most fell asleep. Maybe hibernate is a better word. I would go look for leftovers with great success, as there were always plenty around. The rest of the day was spent outside enjoying walks rustling through the leaves in the cool and crisp air, playing fiercely competitive board games, and exchanging ideas for Christmas gifts.

Today, Thanksgiving is usually still celebrated by a feast and with family. It is a welcomed few days off for most workers. Often Christmas decorations are put out. And then there is planning for shopping the morning after Thanksgiving—a strategic plot on how to get one member of each family to Walmart, Best Buy, and Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Old Navy before five o’clock the next morning. We have come a long way since the first Thanksgiving.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. –Thorton Wilder

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:18

It is easy to forget that contentment in life usually does not come by achieving or acquiring something we do not currently have, but instead by recognizing and appreciating what we have been blessed with. It is a whole lot better to embrace thanksgiving as a life-long attitude than it is to occasionally remember to feel or be thankful. The feast doesn’t have to be a day. The feast can be daily. It is God’s plan for our life that we be thankful to Him and thankful to others. Not so much for God or for others. But for us. Thanksgiving is a simple attitude adjustment that can simply change our lives.

Each day, be intentionally thankful. Write down a few things you are thankful for. From the common to the complex. Be grateful. Tell, give, and show God thank you. Tell, give, and show others thank you. Your life won’t ever quite be the same again.

The best is yet to come…

Craig

At School With David

Sharing 20 McNuggets and some fries with David

David's gift for Benjamin

WE Minute: Our First Potluck

Be Rich in Good Works

Yesterday's message. I used a great quote from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism:

Do all the good you can. 

By all the means you can. 

In all the ways you can. 

In all the places you can. 

At all the times you can. 

To all the people you can. 

As long as ever you can.

Family

Benjamin and Alex hanging out

Keeping score at David's basketball game

Basketball

Hanging out at the Creighton game with David

Vision Sunday

The first church I served out of seminary was a church in a county-seat town in northwest Iowa. The people always joked around that I was either the youngest adult or the oldest kid. The best humor exhibits truth and this was true. 

During my three years there we clarified our vision. We figured out who God wanted us to become and what God wanted us to do. We started new ministries, we ended some, and we repurposed others. We all embraced our present and our future together. 

Our vision at The Water’s Edge is clear and succinct: 

To be a church who relentlessly pursues a transforming relationship with God, generously extends hope to the hurting, sacrificially serves our families, and radically invests in the next generation. 

Our mission has always been the same. I can’t imagine it changing: 

To lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. 

As far as vision and mission statements go, these are wonderful. Something much more wonderful occurs when we live these out. 

Our first Easter - 2008 - Russell Middle School

Next Sunday, November 23rd, I will be talking about our present and our future. We have so much exciting stuff going on. One thing I know is that God is leading us into a deeper and more meaningful prayer life: as individuals, as families, and as a church. And one thing I know God cares about deeply is you. Your growth, your healing, your service, your generosity, and your relationships with others and God. 

Another thing I loved about the church in Iowa was that they loved to eat. Good food. Lots of food. We had these dinners called potlucks. People would bring strange salads with things like ramen noodles and cranberries and marshmallows. And for some reason they tasted wonderful. Men would bring various forms of meat. Pies and cakes were the dessert if you had room. 

We have shared many meals at The Water’s Edge. Pancake breakfasts, Blues and BBQ, Chili-Cook-offs, etc… Next Sunday, November 23rd, after the 10:30 worship experience, we will be having our first ever potluck. I’ll whip up some Norwegian food and am looking forward to trying your salads. Most importantly, I’m just excited to sit down and share a meal with my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Next Sunday is a great day to invite people to worship and eat with us. They can get an idea about who we are, who we hope to become, and join us for lunch. One simple invitation from you can put somebody in an environment where God can do great things. That’s the dream. 

The best is yet to come… 

Craig 

WE Minute: Being Rich in Generosity and Good Works

Be Rich: Sharing and Generosity

WE Minute: Lessons from Bungee Jumping

Trusting in God Who Richly Provides

Yesterday's message.

The Church at The Water's Edge

A shot of Mariner's Church from Irvine, California.
This is a small part of their larger campus. 

Inside the chapel. Such a cool building. 

Another Finnestad Enters a Religious Order

Happy Halloween

A Pastor's Appreciation

Last Sunday, after the 10:30 worship experience, a few third graders gave me a basket. The basket contained some of my favorite things: York Peppermint Patties, Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups, and a bag of jalapeño potato chips. A few days later, the basket is empty. I fought the boys for the chocolate and our dog for the chips. Strange, but true.

Also included in the basket were a bunch of cards created and written by our third graders. They were whimsical, thoughtful, and kind. It took a while, but I read though every single one of them. I laughed, smiled, and maybe even cried a little. I always appreciate and am grateful for any cards or gifts during Pastor Appreciation Month—but this one stands out. Lots of people put a lot of effort into it. Thanks to the leaders of the Third Grade Bible Mentoring Program, the mentors, and all the students.

The month is a little awkward for me. I have always considered myself blessed to be a pastor and I appreciate people. Never has this been more true than my time at The Water’s Edge. A church may exist with better, more loving, more generous, funner, and more committed people—I just haven’t come across it and don’t expect I ever will.

I’m grateful to be invited to be part of your lives. You invite me to your hospital room to bless your babies. You invite me to your house for graduations. You let me stand two feet in front of you and perform your weddings. You trust me with your story and invite me to share mine.

I’m grateful you love my family like they are your own. You know I am a dad and don’t expect me do everything all the time. You let me know it’s a good thing to coach soccer and pick the kids up from school. You don’t expect my wife to be a full-time volunteer staff person, but just want her to be who God created her to be. 

I’m grateful you all pay my salary and are generous with that. I know many who sacrifice to see The Water’s Edge prevail. I thank God daily for you providing for my family.

I’m grateful you love our church. I don’t have to spend much time resolving conflict because you all love each other. I don’t ever have to beg for volunteers because you step up. I rarely have to say “no” to a good idea or a God idea because you embrace stewardship.

I’m grateful for your grace. You don’t expect perfection. But you love me enough to expect growth. You have people present and systems in place to make this possible for me.

I’m grateful you are my family. Children of God. Brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ. Men, women, and children who gather at The Water’s Edge to hear the teachings of Jesus. People who go into our various worlds to live out those sacred, life-changing, life-giving, challenging, comforting, holy teachings.

I appreciate you.

Craig

Esther and Jalapeño Chips

Probably the only dog on the world who likes jalapeño potato chips.

Picking up David after school.
We were happy to see each other.

WE Minute: Being Rich and Uganda Update

Be Rich: The Good News and Bad News About Being Rich

A little long-winded this week. Sorry about that!

Check out the book How to Be Rich by Andy Stanley. Excellent resource. 

A Typical Saturday

Benjamin being a good sport about traveling with the Spikeball kit

My plus-one for tonight's wedding. The usual suspect was watching David play basketball.

My security detail for tonight's wedding.
Not much else needs to or can be said.

Lessons from Winning

I could write an entire book on losing as a soccer coach. Maybe even a collection of books. The OFC Arsenal has suffered some serious beat downs under my leadership over the years. The last few seasons we improved, but generally lost more than we won. This fall, the boys were the best team in the league and won the Fall Cup. Losing teaches lessons winning doesn’t teach, but winning teaches important life lessons as well.

1. Practice Makes Perfect, Or At Least A Whole Lot Better

We practiced more than ever this season. Probably at least twice as much. Fifteen trainings before our first game. Two or three practices per week once the games started. We got better. It was amazing to their transformation physically and as a soccer team from the first practice to their last game.

Application: Getting better at something requires hard, focused, intentional work. No shortcuts. This applies to relationships, athletics, academics, work, and growing closer to God.

2. Get Past Your Past

We played many of the same teams we played the last few years. Teams who out-played us, out-coached us, and out-hustled us. The boys (and the coach) believed they could do what they weren’t able to do in previous seasons.

Application: Thankfully our past doesn’t have to be our future. Our past can defeat us, define us, or develop us. Everyday—ordinary people do an extraordinary thing—they do something they weren’t able to do yesterday. Let your past develop you.

3. Play Your Game

We are not a pretty team. The long, graceful passes or the quick ball movement isn’t something we have mastered yet. Their coach doesn’t have a British accent, rather he is a pastor who learned about soccer from watching YouTube videos. But, the boys are strong and physical. Their defense is relentless. I coach them to play physical, but fair. They always wear the other team out. 

Application: If you are trying to grow as a disciple, but have Attention Deficit Disorder, long prayers are not where you should invest your time. If you love science, take a bunch of science electives. If you love to sell and meet people, find a job selling a product or a service. Live in your sweet spot. Not somebody else’s.

4. One Team is Better Than Eleven Individuals

A team is simply a collection of people who can become more together than they could separately. The boys embraced that this season. They communicated well, pushed one other in practice, played to the strengths of their teammates, and believed in each other.

Application: Find people who make you better. Ask for help and support. And invest in a few others.

5. Winning Isn’t Everything

Winning is objective—namely who has more points at the end of the game. Growth is subjective. Winning is about comparison to others. Growth is comparison to who we used to be. Hopefully over the years, the boys have learned to place more value in growth than winning.

Application: Don’t compare yourself to who you perceive somebody else is today. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Spend your life growing.