That's what he told me. I was on the phone with a good bud from college (so we've known each other for a long time.) During our college years we would meet up every week and discuss the surface and deeper things of life. We did this for a little over a year. We would usually meet up in a dining hall and eat for about an hour or so and talk about living this life with Jesus, how we stink and screw up in following Jesus, how faithful God is, scripture, life happenings, etc. We'd also catch up on the phone or with other friends and generally be of encouragement and edificaiton to each other. That's why we started to become intentional about our friendship. Before we just saw each other at church or a bible study, talk about how tired we were, talk about the weather, or talk about some silly class experience, and talk about deeper things if the time allowed. 

A funny thing happened as we began to meet up, hang out and discuss the more important things of life. Usually when my friend was in need of advice or encouragement and I would share some thoughts and scripture with him that turned out to be exactly what I needed to hear, realize, and live. We were experiencing different life scenarios but it seemed as if God was teaching me the same things he was teaching my friend. At least one third of our converations to date have been had these suprises of "ouch" and "ohhhh" moments where I realize some things in me in needs to change or that I have been foolish about God's places in my life and quickly see the error of my ways. 

So in our last conversation. My friend was talking about a dissapointing work situation in the big picture of living a life that pleases the Lord. He said, "I'm willing to lose in order to win." I quickly wrote it down on my dry erase board between the windown and closet.

So this refrain has been bouncing in me for the past week and half and it's starting to rub off on a couple of things. Obviously to be continued.