These are the dozen short statements that control the direction, priority, and focus of my life. I wrote these after a year of writing and erasing, writing, and rewriting as I considered all the possiblitities. I tried writing full sentences, but knew I would struggle remembering them, and finally settled on this list of 2 and 3 word statements as the best possible choice of words that would guide me in all that I did. I finished this on my 50th birthday, 17 years ago. I remember thinking at the time, boy, I wish I hadn’t waited so long in my life to come up with this list, but now it seems so long ago and as I have constantly reviewed, thought about, and meditated on these 12 short statements they have been instrumental in excellerating my pursuit of character and fruit in my life, rather than slowing down as I have gotten older and developed various health issues and problems. Just reading this list is like drinking an energy drink, I wake up, get excited, and start planning and making goals and todo lists. It is now 9:30 pm and I have not yet pedaled my stationary recumbent bike for an hour, and I don’t want to in the worst way, so I read these values that are the focus of my life, and I get up out of my recliner and get after it. Not that I want to any more than before, but now I know I have to so quit procrastinating and just do it.

1. Love God
2. Love Patty (the way Jesus loves the Church)
3. Love people
4. Raise champions
5. Make disciples
6. Keep it simple
7. Train well
8. Be strong
9. Be wise
10. Work hard
11. Be a witness
12. Finish strong