From the In Touch devotional magazine (http://www.intouch.org/):
'Doctors recommend regular checkups to make sure that our bodies are functioning properly. Though we might not even realize something is wrong, an undetected problem could potentially cause other health issues. The same is true of our relationship with the heavenly Father. He desires that we seek His truth daily, allowing Him to shed light on anything that hinders our walk.
And, just as some people are nervous about seeing their physician, we might feel fearful of inviting the Holy Spirit to examine our lives. It can be frightening to realize the truth about our sin and see ourselves as we actually are. And furthermore, knowing that God will require our repentance and obedience may also cause discomfort in our lives.
But the rewards are great. First, our Father removes any spiritual "blockages" that impede a close walk with Him. Second, we gain greater intimacy with the Lord and with others. Third, our energy is renewed as resentment, fear, and other ungodly attitudes stop draining us; serving God becomes a joy instead of a duty. Fourth, regardless of circumstance, we experience spiritual freedom through forgiveness. All of these benefits lead to deeper fulfillment, peace, and joy.
Maturity is a lifelong process. The Father will continue to grow His children until He brings them home. Seek God's wisdom and truth, and ask Him to reveal anything holding you back from a beautiful friendship with Him. He wants to walk closely with you all your days—and eternally.'
The start of the new year is a great time to resolve to have frequent spiritual check-ups with God throughout the year. Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Goals
From the book The Best of Success, compiled by Wynn Davis:
Goals - The purpose of goals is to focus our attention. The mind will not reach toward achievement until it has clear objectives. The magic begins wen we set goals. It is then that the switch is turned on, the current begins to flow, and the power to accomplish becomes a reality.
"People with goals succeed because they know where they're going."
- Earl Nightingale
"The indespensable first step to getting things you want out of life is this: decide what you want."
- Ben Stein
"The world has the habit of making room for the man whose words and actions show that he knows where he is going."
- Napoleon Hill
Goals - The purpose of goals is to focus our attention. The mind will not reach toward achievement until it has clear objectives. The magic begins wen we set goals. It is then that the switch is turned on, the current begins to flow, and the power to accomplish becomes a reality.
"People with goals succeed because they know where they're going."
- Earl Nightingale
"The indespensable first step to getting things you want out of life is this: decide what you want."
- Ben Stein
"The world has the habit of making room for the man whose words and actions show that he knows where he is going."
- Napoleon Hill
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
An Inner Strength
From the devotional book God's Way Day by Day, by Charles Stanley:
"Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles."
- Isaiah 40:31
'Our definition for character and all matters pertaining to the human heart are to be derived from looking at Jesus and seeking to become like Him.
God's desire is that we have inner strength based upon our faith and our relationship with Him. Then when storms strike, everything around us and even our own health and well-being may take a hit, but our spirits remain vibrant, hopeful, and strong.'
Winners have tremendous inner strength.
"Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles."
- Isaiah 40:31
'Our definition for character and all matters pertaining to the human heart are to be derived from looking at Jesus and seeking to become like Him.
God's desire is that we have inner strength based upon our faith and our relationship with Him. Then when storms strike, everything around us and even our own health and well-being may take a hit, but our spirits remain vibrant, hopeful, and strong.'
Winners have tremendous inner strength.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Charity
From the book Minute Motivators for Leaders, by Stan Toler:
'Little people carry grudges. Great people forgive and forget. Little people hold on to insults. Great people let them go. Little people nurture thoughts of revenge. Great people move on. Leaders are big people. They're tolerant, indulgent, forgiving. Leaders are charitable....
The way a leader reacts means the difference between leadership greatness and mediocrity. Reacting with revenge is self-defeating. It only enhances the conflict and leaves the defender with inner turmoil - and fewer friends. Reacting with charity is influential....
Great leaders refuse to allow personal insults to distract them. They've abandoned themselves in pursuit of a greater good - the enrichment and welfare of others.
Ask any leader why he or she is willing to forgive and forget, and you'll hear, "I don't have time to be bitter. I only have time to be better."
Winners forgive quickly.
'Little people carry grudges. Great people forgive and forget. Little people hold on to insults. Great people let them go. Little people nurture thoughts of revenge. Great people move on. Leaders are big people. They're tolerant, indulgent, forgiving. Leaders are charitable....
The way a leader reacts means the difference between leadership greatness and mediocrity. Reacting with revenge is self-defeating. It only enhances the conflict and leaves the defender with inner turmoil - and fewer friends. Reacting with charity is influential....
Great leaders refuse to allow personal insults to distract them. They've abandoned themselves in pursuit of a greater good - the enrichment and welfare of others.
Ask any leader why he or she is willing to forgive and forget, and you'll hear, "I don't have time to be bitter. I only have time to be better."
Winners forgive quickly.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Running the Race of Faith
From the November issue of In Touch magazine (http://www.intouch.org/):
Hebrews 12:1-3
'The runners in a marathon must all follow a clearly marked course. Suppose one of the athletes decides to pick his own path. He keeps to the 26-mile race standard and sets his finish line in the same spot as the official one, but he runs through neighborhoods with fewer hills and across less crowded parks. His plan seems excellent to him, but when he crosses the finish line, there will be no medal or ribbon waiting.
What a silly thing for a person to do! Yet, believers fall into this very trap when they decide the course for their life instead of running the race God sets. By submitting to His will - doing what He says and going where He leads - we remain on the right path. But the moment we revert to our old habits and start making decisions based on our own wisdom, we go far afield.
For believers, the finish line is the same whether they run the race God's way or their own way - namely, heaven. However, the difference is what we have to show for all the energy expended getting there. No one wants to look back and say, "I didn't really accomplish anything of value." Regardless of how grand a legacy someone leaves, the only truly lasting and worthwhile deeds are those done for the Lord and in the power of His Spirit.
Thankfully, no matter how far off course we veer, the Holy Spirit is still present. He reminds us of the right path - as well as the power available to get back on it and persevere. Your route is set; your choice clear.'
Winners run the race set before them and finish well.
Hebrews 12:1-3
'The runners in a marathon must all follow a clearly marked course. Suppose one of the athletes decides to pick his own path. He keeps to the 26-mile race standard and sets his finish line in the same spot as the official one, but he runs through neighborhoods with fewer hills and across less crowded parks. His plan seems excellent to him, but when he crosses the finish line, there will be no medal or ribbon waiting.
What a silly thing for a person to do! Yet, believers fall into this very trap when they decide the course for their life instead of running the race God sets. By submitting to His will - doing what He says and going where He leads - we remain on the right path. But the moment we revert to our old habits and start making decisions based on our own wisdom, we go far afield.
For believers, the finish line is the same whether they run the race God's way or their own way - namely, heaven. However, the difference is what we have to show for all the energy expended getting there. No one wants to look back and say, "I didn't really accomplish anything of value." Regardless of how grand a legacy someone leaves, the only truly lasting and worthwhile deeds are those done for the Lord and in the power of His Spirit.
Thankfully, no matter how far off course we veer, the Holy Spirit is still present. He reminds us of the right path - as well as the power available to get back on it and persevere. Your route is set; your choice clear.'
Winners run the race set before them and finish well.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Business As Usual
From the online devotional Today God Is First (http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
'Imagine if the God of the universe decided to visit planet earth as a new baby and you were given the opportunity to host His first night-in your hotel! Think of the future promotional possibilities..."God stayed here His first night!" You could sell tickets to see the room where He was born. What an opportunity to make history as a small-business owner!
God had need of a business owner's establishment one night 2,000 years ago. But there was no room for God in this business that night. There was no room for the unexpected miracle; no awareness of what was taking place in the heavenlies, no sign that God might be reaching out to this workplace believer to be used like no other in all of history.
Every day God has need of some man or woman's job. He wants to demonstrate miracles in their work. But there is no room in their work for Jesus. He is not asked to participate.
That night God slept in a stable. That night a business opportunity from Heaven was missed. It was business as usual.
May we all have spiritual eyes and ears to know when our Master needs what He has entrusted to us for His purposes.'
Winners don't forget the true meaning of Christmas the day after....
'Imagine if the God of the universe decided to visit planet earth as a new baby and you were given the opportunity to host His first night-in your hotel! Think of the future promotional possibilities..."God stayed here His first night!" You could sell tickets to see the room where He was born. What an opportunity to make history as a small-business owner!
God had need of a business owner's establishment one night 2,000 years ago. But there was no room for God in this business that night. There was no room for the unexpected miracle; no awareness of what was taking place in the heavenlies, no sign that God might be reaching out to this workplace believer to be used like no other in all of history.
Every day God has need of some man or woman's job. He wants to demonstrate miracles in their work. But there is no room in their work for Jesus. He is not asked to participate.
That night God slept in a stable. That night a business opportunity from Heaven was missed. It was business as usual.
May we all have spiritual eyes and ears to know when our Master needs what He has entrusted to us for His purposes.'
Winners don't forget the true meaning of Christmas the day after....
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Hope of the World
From the classic bestseller devotional God's Best for My Life, by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'Christmas is a festival of hope. And there is nothing our world needs more desperately than authentic hope. We have placed our hope in all the wrong things. The false gods of human progress, inventive genius, the future, armed power, financial security, governmental effectiveness, movements, great leaders, political parties, negotiation - all have fallen from their thrones. They have been exposed as unreliable sources of hope. We have discovered that to hope in any of them is to know eventual disappointment and to ultimately experience despair.
But hopelessness is also profoundly personal. People disappoint us when we place our hope in them. It's heartbreaking when they fail us or are unable to be our source of happiness. We place hope in our careers, our financial planning, and our abilities. Life's reversals shock us with the realization that our hope has been misplaced. Our plans for the future may pull us on to tomorrow with the longing that things will happen as we've dreamed. But things seldom work out as we've planned. Circumstances, people, ourselves, and our talents are not reliable sources of hope.
What we need is a hope that's more than wishful thinking or blind expectation that everything will work out smoothly.
We need a hope that is vibrant in pain, consistent in grief, indefatigable when people break our hearts, unassailable in disappointment, and unflagging in life's pressure. Do you have a hope like that? Is your hope ultimately reliable?
True hope is inadvertant. It does not come from searching for hope. It grows out of two basic convictions: that God is in charge and that He intervenes. This is why a true experience of Christmas gives us lasting hope.'
"The ground of our hope is Christ in the world, but the evidence of our hope is Christ in the heart." - Matthew Henry
'Christmas is a festival of hope. And there is nothing our world needs more desperately than authentic hope. We have placed our hope in all the wrong things. The false gods of human progress, inventive genius, the future, armed power, financial security, governmental effectiveness, movements, great leaders, political parties, negotiation - all have fallen from their thrones. They have been exposed as unreliable sources of hope. We have discovered that to hope in any of them is to know eventual disappointment and to ultimately experience despair.
But hopelessness is also profoundly personal. People disappoint us when we place our hope in them. It's heartbreaking when they fail us or are unable to be our source of happiness. We place hope in our careers, our financial planning, and our abilities. Life's reversals shock us with the realization that our hope has been misplaced. Our plans for the future may pull us on to tomorrow with the longing that things will happen as we've dreamed. But things seldom work out as we've planned. Circumstances, people, ourselves, and our talents are not reliable sources of hope.
What we need is a hope that's more than wishful thinking or blind expectation that everything will work out smoothly.
We need a hope that is vibrant in pain, consistent in grief, indefatigable when people break our hearts, unassailable in disappointment, and unflagging in life's pressure. Do you have a hope like that? Is your hope ultimately reliable?
True hope is inadvertant. It does not come from searching for hope. It grows out of two basic convictions: that God is in charge and that He intervenes. This is why a true experience of Christmas gives us lasting hope.'
"The ground of our hope is Christ in the world, but the evidence of our hope is Christ in the heart." - Matthew Henry
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
'Twas the Night JESUS Came
I'm not quite sure whom the author is of this, but this is one of my most favorite Christmas devotionals:
‘Twas the night JESUS came, and all through the house
not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bibles were left on the shelf without care,
for no one thought that JESUS would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling or bowing a head;
and Mom in her rocker with baby in her lap
was watching the late show while I took a nap.
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but angels proclaiming that JESUS was here!
The light of his face made me cover my head
–it was JESUS - returning just as he said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
when He said, - “It’s Not Here” - my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
while all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I’d known that THIS was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of JESUS is now drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
we’ll find that the Bible was true after all.
May you cherish the true meaning of Christmas this season.
‘Twas the night JESUS came, and all through the house
not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bibles were left on the shelf without care,
for no one thought that JESUS would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling or bowing a head;
and Mom in her rocker with baby in her lap
was watching the late show while I took a nap.
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but angels proclaiming that JESUS was here!
The light of his face made me cover my head
–it was JESUS - returning just as he said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
when He said, - “It’s Not Here” - my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
while all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I’d known that THIS was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of JESUS is now drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
we’ll find that the Bible was true after all.
May you cherish the true meaning of Christmas this season.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Celebrated Around the World
Here are three fun and informative links that reveal how Christmas is celebrated around the world:
http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/
http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide
Merry Christmas!
http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/
http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Top 10 Christmas Books
I happened to Google 'great Christmas stories' and one of the results was a link to an interesting listing of 'Top 10 Christmas Books.' According to that listing's author/compiler, they are:
10. The Greatest Story Ever Told, by Fulton Oursler
9. The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
8. The Christmas Tree, by Judy Salamon
7. The Crippled Lamb, by Max Lucado
6. The Christmas Box, by Richard Paul Evans
5. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson
4. One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham
3. Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Clement Moore
2. How The Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss
1. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
I have to admit that I haven't read many of these books, and personally know some of these more by their movie versions; of course this listing is subjective.
Maybe this winter is a good time to rediscover the wonder of Christmas with these and other quality Christmas stories.
10. The Greatest Story Ever Told, by Fulton Oursler
9. The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
8. The Christmas Tree, by Judy Salamon
7. The Crippled Lamb, by Max Lucado
6. The Christmas Box, by Richard Paul Evans
5. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson
4. One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham
3. Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Clement Moore
2. How The Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss
1. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
I have to admit that I haven't read many of these books, and personally know some of these more by their movie versions; of course this listing is subjective.
Maybe this winter is a good time to rediscover the wonder of Christmas with these and other quality Christmas stories.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Give and Take of Christmas
Excerpted from the same title article by Dan Schaeffer, in the December issue of In Touch magazine (http://www.intouch.org/):
'At Christmas, more opportunities to do good are made available to us than at any other time of the year. So each year, charities vie for ways to help us take pleasure in giving, hitting us early and often, as they know the generous feelings don’t always last beyond December 25. For eleven months out of the year, we may be fairly apathetic to the needs of others, but at Christmas we go out of our way to be generous—and if not to strangers, then at least to the people in our lives. Have you ever wondered why?
I believe that one of the reasons is because our modern culture has drilled into us the message that the true spirit of Christmas is about giving to others. It’s not only commercially successful; it seems to work on an emotional level as well. It’s personified in the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge, who awakens to his miserly nature just in the nick of time,...is transformed when he ends his scrimy ways and embraces the true spirit of Christmas by becoming generous, and thus a better person.
Has the real Christmas story, the entrance of God into our world, prompted this spirit of giving? In many cases, yes. But in some cases, no. Giving is certainly a wonderful way to respond to Christ’s love at Christmas, but is it the true spirit of Christmas? It’s interesting to consider that Dickens’ tale of the crusty old Ebenezer Scrooge has possibly done more to form the collective notion of what the Christmas spirit is than the biblical account of Jesus’ birth in Luke.
A Christmas Carol vs. the Christmas Story
Christmas is the chance for many of us to rescue our self-esteem—to prove the goodness of our character to ourselves as well as others. All the gifts we give at Christmas (whether given freely or under compulsion) convince us that we really are good, and even wonderful, people. Just look at how generous we are!
Let me hasten to add here that these acts of kindness are truly wonderful and I don’t wish to undermine them in any way. But it’s worth asking ourselves why we often don’t feel the same about demonstrating kindness and helping others in need throughout the rest of the year. Is the real Christmas spirit about giving? Is that the primary message of the incarnation?
John 3:16 reminds us that the incarnation was about God’s giving: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son . . .” James reminds us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). See, Christmas must be about giving.
But who is doing the giving, and who is doing the receiving? The biblical account of Jesus’ entrance into our world reveals that we are the recipients of an incomparable divine gift—and the giver in the story is God, who emptied Himself to come to us and save us. We are the receivers who did nothing to deserve this tremendous gift. It’s obviously a more powerful story than that of Ebenezer Scrooge, but alas, not as easily flattering.
Dickens’ tale simply makes us feel better about ourselves. We are encouraged by the message that we, too, can become better people through generosity. "A Christmas Carol" reminds us that even the worst among us (which Ebenezer Scrooge personifies) can ultimately redeem themselves through charitable action.
...The Christmas story is not about how blessed it is to be givers, but about how essential it is to see ourselves as receivers. This strange story . . . tells us of an unimaginable gift from a stranger, a God whom we hardly even knew.
Of course, Christmas is still an appropriate time to express the love of Christ through special giving and acts of compassion. It isn’t the act we must scrutinize, but the motivation and the goal behind it: is it self-esteem that we want to cultivate this time of year, or gratitude for the grace we’ve been shown?
So, this season, as you prepare your gift-giving, focus on what you have received. Let the grace and mercy that God has lavished on you first fill your heart, and then flow through you to others. In so doing, you invite those around you to join in your grateful celebration. Allow yourself to experience the wonder and joy of gratitude in this holy season. Feel what Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the magi, Simeon, and Anna must have felt. Remember that you can give only because you first received. Your gift of time or treasure is merely an extension of God’s gift of love to you.'
'At Christmas, more opportunities to do good are made available to us than at any other time of the year. So each year, charities vie for ways to help us take pleasure in giving, hitting us early and often, as they know the generous feelings don’t always last beyond December 25. For eleven months out of the year, we may be fairly apathetic to the needs of others, but at Christmas we go out of our way to be generous—and if not to strangers, then at least to the people in our lives. Have you ever wondered why?
I believe that one of the reasons is because our modern culture has drilled into us the message that the true spirit of Christmas is about giving to others. It’s not only commercially successful; it seems to work on an emotional level as well. It’s personified in the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge, who awakens to his miserly nature just in the nick of time,...is transformed when he ends his scrimy ways and embraces the true spirit of Christmas by becoming generous, and thus a better person.
Has the real Christmas story, the entrance of God into our world, prompted this spirit of giving? In many cases, yes. But in some cases, no. Giving is certainly a wonderful way to respond to Christ’s love at Christmas, but is it the true spirit of Christmas? It’s interesting to consider that Dickens’ tale of the crusty old Ebenezer Scrooge has possibly done more to form the collective notion of what the Christmas spirit is than the biblical account of Jesus’ birth in Luke.
A Christmas Carol vs. the Christmas Story
Christmas is the chance for many of us to rescue our self-esteem—to prove the goodness of our character to ourselves as well as others. All the gifts we give at Christmas (whether given freely or under compulsion) convince us that we really are good, and even wonderful, people. Just look at how generous we are!
Let me hasten to add here that these acts of kindness are truly wonderful and I don’t wish to undermine them in any way. But it’s worth asking ourselves why we often don’t feel the same about demonstrating kindness and helping others in need throughout the rest of the year. Is the real Christmas spirit about giving? Is that the primary message of the incarnation?
John 3:16 reminds us that the incarnation was about God’s giving: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son . . .” James reminds us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). See, Christmas must be about giving.
But who is doing the giving, and who is doing the receiving? The biblical account of Jesus’ entrance into our world reveals that we are the recipients of an incomparable divine gift—and the giver in the story is God, who emptied Himself to come to us and save us. We are the receivers who did nothing to deserve this tremendous gift. It’s obviously a more powerful story than that of Ebenezer Scrooge, but alas, not as easily flattering.
Dickens’ tale simply makes us feel better about ourselves. We are encouraged by the message that we, too, can become better people through generosity. "A Christmas Carol" reminds us that even the worst among us (which Ebenezer Scrooge personifies) can ultimately redeem themselves through charitable action.
...The Christmas story is not about how blessed it is to be givers, but about how essential it is to see ourselves as receivers. This strange story . . . tells us of an unimaginable gift from a stranger, a God whom we hardly even knew.
Of course, Christmas is still an appropriate time to express the love of Christ through special giving and acts of compassion. It isn’t the act we must scrutinize, but the motivation and the goal behind it: is it self-esteem that we want to cultivate this time of year, or gratitude for the grace we’ve been shown?
So, this season, as you prepare your gift-giving, focus on what you have received. Let the grace and mercy that God has lavished on you first fill your heart, and then flow through you to others. In so doing, you invite those around you to join in your grateful celebration. Allow yourself to experience the wonder and joy of gratitude in this holy season. Feel what Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the magi, Simeon, and Anna must have felt. Remember that you can give only because you first received. Your gift of time or treasure is merely an extension of God’s gift of love to you.'
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Knowledge
From the book Minute Motivators for Leaders, by Stan Toler:
"As a rule, he or she who has the most information will have the greatest success in life." - Disraeli
'There was a farmer who posted this sign on the pasture fence: "Trespassers are welcome. Just be sure to cross the field in 9.9 seconds. The bull can make it in ten!" In this fast-moving age of information, it's easy to get left behind. Leaders try to stay ahead of charging bulls by staying alert and by staying informed.
They read constantly. They learn how to pick the meat off an article or a news item and leave the bones. They know what's in the news, and they keep up on trade journals. There's always a book on their nightstand.
They learn while they're on the move. They beg, borrow, or buy tapes of specialists in their area and play them when they're mobile.
They attend seminars and workshops and take every opportunity to learn from the best in their field. They take notes, file their notes, and then utilize them.
Leaders thirst for understanding and insight. But they understand that knowledge is not a pond; it's a river (that they do not hesitate to wade out into).'
Winners stay current.
"As a rule, he or she who has the most information will have the greatest success in life." - Disraeli
'There was a farmer who posted this sign on the pasture fence: "Trespassers are welcome. Just be sure to cross the field in 9.9 seconds. The bull can make it in ten!" In this fast-moving age of information, it's easy to get left behind. Leaders try to stay ahead of charging bulls by staying alert and by staying informed.
They read constantly. They learn how to pick the meat off an article or a news item and leave the bones. They know what's in the news, and they keep up on trade journals. There's always a book on their nightstand.
They learn while they're on the move. They beg, borrow, or buy tapes of specialists in their area and play them when they're mobile.
They attend seminars and workshops and take every opportunity to learn from the best in their field. They take notes, file their notes, and then utilize them.
Leaders thirst for understanding and insight. But they understand that knowledge is not a pond; it's a river (that they do not hesitate to wade out into).'
Winners stay current.
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Power of Serving Others
From the daily devotional Today God Is First (http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
'There is a Kingdom principle I find few really understand. The principle is this: When you focus on serving others, your need is often met through God's supernatural law of serving.
I've seen this happen so many times. The law of sowing and reaping comes into play in this Kingdom principle:
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Cor 9:6-9)
Whenever God calls me to serve another person with my time and resources, I notice how God measures resources back to me from unrelated sources.
We don't serve others to get. However, when you do serve others, there is a Kingdom principle that works on your behalf as fruit of your service. Is there someone you need to serve today?'
Winners serve others.
'There is a Kingdom principle I find few really understand. The principle is this: When you focus on serving others, your need is often met through God's supernatural law of serving.
I've seen this happen so many times. The law of sowing and reaping comes into play in this Kingdom principle:
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Cor 9:6-9)
Whenever God calls me to serve another person with my time and resources, I notice how God measures resources back to me from unrelated sources.
We don't serve others to get. However, when you do serve others, there is a Kingdom principle that works on your behalf as fruit of your service. Is there someone you need to serve today?'
Winners serve others.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Go For It!
From the classic bestseller devotional God's Best for My Life, by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'There are three ways to live. The first is to do our will on our power. That's humanism. The second is to do our will on Christ's power. That's religion. The third is to do Christ's will with Christ's power. That's the abundant life.
Ephesians 5:18 >> "...Be filled with the Spirit."
...launch out into the adventure of the abundant life...Each new possibility or problem presents us with an opportunity to be given fresh power for the immediate situation, circumstance, or relationship.
Today each of us faces tasks which are beyond us. We wonder how we can take what will be thrown to or at us. Don't worry! The Lord never gives us more than He can handle. Our only concern is to find out what He guides and then to step out daringly, knowing that we will have the power we need. He will give us intellectual insight, the right words to say, and the will to do His will. We need not be afraid.
Our confidence is not that the Lord has joined our team, but that we have joined His.' [reflect upon this subtle but critical point!]
Winners are filled with the Spirit!
'There are three ways to live. The first is to do our will on our power. That's humanism. The second is to do our will on Christ's power. That's religion. The third is to do Christ's will with Christ's power. That's the abundant life.
Ephesians 5:18 >> "...Be filled with the Spirit."
...launch out into the adventure of the abundant life...Each new possibility or problem presents us with an opportunity to be given fresh power for the immediate situation, circumstance, or relationship.
Today each of us faces tasks which are beyond us. We wonder how we can take what will be thrown to or at us. Don't worry! The Lord never gives us more than He can handle. Our only concern is to find out what He guides and then to step out daringly, knowing that we will have the power we need. He will give us intellectual insight, the right words to say, and the will to do His will. We need not be afraid.
Our confidence is not that the Lord has joined our team, but that we have joined His.' [reflect upon this subtle but critical point!]
Winners are filled with the Spirit!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Recognizing a Stroke
The following was sent to me from a friend. Since it only takes a moment to read, yet can be so pivotal for saving lives, I share it with you all:
If a stroke victim is treated within the first 3 hours, the effects of the stroke may be totally reversed.
There are 3 simple questions to ask someone who has concerns about maybe having a stroke (the first three letters of the word):
S - Ask the individual to SMILE
T - Ask the individual to TALK - coherently
R - Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS
If the person cannot do any one of these, stroke is possible and immediately call for medical help.
Also, ask the individual to Stick Out their tongue. If the tongue is crooked, goes to one side or the other, a stroke having occurred is also possible.
Remember, the first 3 hours are critical!
Winners know how to recognize a stroke!
If a stroke victim is treated within the first 3 hours, the effects of the stroke may be totally reversed.
There are 3 simple questions to ask someone who has concerns about maybe having a stroke (the first three letters of the word):
S - Ask the individual to SMILE
T - Ask the individual to TALK - coherently
R - Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS
If the person cannot do any one of these, stroke is possible and immediately call for medical help.
Also, ask the individual to Stick Out their tongue. If the tongue is crooked, goes to one side or the other, a stroke having occurred is also possible.
Remember, the first 3 hours are critical!
Winners know how to recognize a stroke!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Talents Used for God
From the daily devotional God's Way Day by Day, by Charles F. Stanley:
'God desires for us to become all that He created us to be. He expects us to develop and then to use all of the talents, abilities, and gifts that He has placed within us. He intends for us to maximize our potential - to become the man or woman He created us to be.
God's plan is for us to accomplish all of the work that He sets before us. He does not call us to unfinished tasks or halfhearted ventures. When God places a challenge, opportunity, or goal in front of us, He expects us to pursue it with our whole heart, mind, and soul and to experience a measure of success in accomplishing what He has called us to do.'
Winners maximize their potential.
'God desires for us to become all that He created us to be. He expects us to develop and then to use all of the talents, abilities, and gifts that He has placed within us. He intends for us to maximize our potential - to become the man or woman He created us to be.
God's plan is for us to accomplish all of the work that He sets before us. He does not call us to unfinished tasks or halfhearted ventures. When God places a challenge, opportunity, or goal in front of us, He expects us to pursue it with our whole heart, mind, and soul and to experience a measure of success in accomplishing what He has called us to do.'
Winners maximize their potential.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Transparency
From the book Minute Motivators for Leaders, by Stan Toler:
'Good leaders are not afraid to admit weakness. In fact, they honestly examine themselves in order to identify areas of need. In being transparent about themselves, they can focus on turning their weaknesses into strengths.
Effective leaders don't have to be right all the time. They're not control freaks. They're humble enough to acknowledge their achievements and to admit when they've been a part of the problem rather than the solution.
Effective leaders are willing to acknowledge the things they don't know. In today's highly evolving society, precepts and methods change almost daily. Leaders try to swim in the currents of that ever-changing technology.
Also, effective leaders are willing to acknowledge the things they can't do. They don't fear incompetence; they just fight it. They are constantly developing their skills and creating new solutions to old problems.
Effective leaders aren't afraid to ask for help. By doing so, they not only open the door to self-improvement, but they also gain personal strength.
Leaders live in the construction zone.'
'Good leaders are not afraid to admit weakness. In fact, they honestly examine themselves in order to identify areas of need. In being transparent about themselves, they can focus on turning their weaknesses into strengths.
Effective leaders don't have to be right all the time. They're not control freaks. They're humble enough to acknowledge their achievements and to admit when they've been a part of the problem rather than the solution.
Effective leaders are willing to acknowledge the things they don't know. In today's highly evolving society, precepts and methods change almost daily. Leaders try to swim in the currents of that ever-changing technology.
Also, effective leaders are willing to acknowledge the things they can't do. They don't fear incompetence; they just fight it. They are constantly developing their skills and creating new solutions to old problems.
Effective leaders aren't afraid to ask for help. By doing so, they not only open the door to self-improvement, but they also gain personal strength.
Leaders live in the construction zone.'
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Know Your God
From the In Touch devotionals (http://www.intouch.org/):
'Throughout the world, and even within the church, one can find a wide variety of beliefs about God. To avoid confusion and deception, we need to know a few essential truths about the Lord.
The inerrancy of the Bible. Unless a person has a firm belief in this doctrine, all of his ideas about the Lord will be subjective. Scripture is God's thoughts written without error by men who were governed by the Holy Spirit. Fulfilled prophecy is proof that this book is never wrong (Isaiah 48:3).
An accurate understanding of God. The Lord is one divine Being expressed in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are equal in every way, but their jobs differ. Think of the Father as the initiator, the Son as the implementer, and the Spirit as the energizer. All three were involved in creation as well as the plan of salvation.
The Son, who existed in eternity past, came to earth by being born of a virgin. He is the God-man, having added humanity to His deity. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended to the Father in heaven.
The Holy Spirit is our power source. He indwells every believer in Christ, transforming character, revealing truth, and enabling obedience to God.
Our Creator wants us to know Him. Isn't that amazing?
He shares His thoughts with us and invites us to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him.
What all of us need to realize is that humans are a lot more like sheep than we care to admit. In this life, we don't really know where we're going, even when the landscape looks familiar. But the Shepherd has our journey perfectly planned.'
Winners keep within the range of His voice instead of straying into pastures that 'look' green and tasty.
'Every day we have the privilege of opening His Word and having a heart-to-heart conversation with our loving God. He's waiting for you. Join Him today.'
'Throughout the world, and even within the church, one can find a wide variety of beliefs about God. To avoid confusion and deception, we need to know a few essential truths about the Lord.
The inerrancy of the Bible. Unless a person has a firm belief in this doctrine, all of his ideas about the Lord will be subjective. Scripture is God's thoughts written without error by men who were governed by the Holy Spirit. Fulfilled prophecy is proof that this book is never wrong (Isaiah 48:3).
An accurate understanding of God. The Lord is one divine Being expressed in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are equal in every way, but their jobs differ. Think of the Father as the initiator, the Son as the implementer, and the Spirit as the energizer. All three were involved in creation as well as the plan of salvation.
The Son, who existed in eternity past, came to earth by being born of a virgin. He is the God-man, having added humanity to His deity. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended to the Father in heaven.
The Holy Spirit is our power source. He indwells every believer in Christ, transforming character, revealing truth, and enabling obedience to God.
Our Creator wants us to know Him. Isn't that amazing?
He shares His thoughts with us and invites us to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him.
What all of us need to realize is that humans are a lot more like sheep than we care to admit. In this life, we don't really know where we're going, even when the landscape looks familiar. But the Shepherd has our journey perfectly planned.'
Winners keep within the range of His voice instead of straying into pastures that 'look' green and tasty.
'Every day we have the privilege of opening His Word and having a heart-to-heart conversation with our loving God. He's waiting for you. Join Him today.'
Friday, December 11, 2009
No Manna Stores
From the daily devotional Today God Is First (http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
'When God took the nation of Israel through the desert, there was one thing the people simply could not do outside of God alone: They could not provide for themselves. They could not plant. They could not harvest. They could not manufacture. It was a place and time where nothing but complete dependence was the rule.
God gave manna one day at a time. The manna spoiled the day after, so they could never store it. They could not go to the manna store to get more. They couldn't start a manna business to capitalize on all the free manna....when God takes you to the desert, there is nothing you can do to change it until He wants to change it, so do not strive against God in the desert place.
Has God taken you into the desert? Is He forcing you to depend wholly on His provision?
Pray that you will learn the lessons God desires you to learn in the desert place. He will bring you out when He has accomplished all He wants to build in your life. Remember that it is a season; you will not be there forever. He understands that no one can stay in a desolate place forever.'
'When God took the nation of Israel through the desert, there was one thing the people simply could not do outside of God alone: They could not provide for themselves. They could not plant. They could not harvest. They could not manufacture. It was a place and time where nothing but complete dependence was the rule.
God gave manna one day at a time. The manna spoiled the day after, so they could never store it. They could not go to the manna store to get more. They couldn't start a manna business to capitalize on all the free manna....when God takes you to the desert, there is nothing you can do to change it until He wants to change it, so do not strive against God in the desert place.
Has God taken you into the desert? Is He forcing you to depend wholly on His provision?
Pray that you will learn the lessons God desires you to learn in the desert place. He will bring you out when He has accomplished all He wants to build in your life. Remember that it is a season; you will not be there forever. He understands that no one can stay in a desolate place forever.'
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The First Step Is the Hardest
From the bestseller devotional classic God's Best For My Life, by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'...The Lord wants to do tremendous things in our lives, but He graciously gives us the opportunity of participating. He wants to know how serious we are about crossing our Jordan River and claiming the promised land He has prepared.
There is no limit to what He can do if we will dare to get the soles of our feet wet.
Often the first step to realizing a miracle of God in our lives is to ask for guidance, receive a promise, and then act as if it were ours...There will be no miracle until we get the soles of our feet wet.
Do it today!'
'...The Lord wants to do tremendous things in our lives, but He graciously gives us the opportunity of participating. He wants to know how serious we are about crossing our Jordan River and claiming the promised land He has prepared.
There is no limit to what He can do if we will dare to get the soles of our feet wet.
Often the first step to realizing a miracle of God in our lives is to ask for guidance, receive a promise, and then act as if it were ours...There will be no miracle until we get the soles of our feet wet.
Do it today!'
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Persistence
From the book The Best of Success, compiled by Wynn Davis:
Persistence - The power to hold on in spite of everything, the power to endure - this is the winner's quality. Persistence is the ability to face defeat again and again without giving up -- to push on in the face of great difficulty, knowing that victory can be yours. Persistence means taking pains to overcome every obstacle, and to do what's necessary to reach your goals.
"I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
- John D. Rockefeller
"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats."
- B.C. Forbes
"Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown."
- H. Ross Perot
"Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse,
That you must not quit."
- Unknown
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
- Calvin Coolidge
Winners master persistence.
Persistence - The power to hold on in spite of everything, the power to endure - this is the winner's quality. Persistence is the ability to face defeat again and again without giving up -- to push on in the face of great difficulty, knowing that victory can be yours. Persistence means taking pains to overcome every obstacle, and to do what's necessary to reach your goals.
"I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
- John D. Rockefeller
"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats."
- B.C. Forbes
"Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown."
- H. Ross Perot
"Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse,
That you must not quit."
- Unknown
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
- Calvin Coolidge
Winners master persistence.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Impact of a Good Friend
From the devotional book God's Way Day by Day, by Charles Stanley:
'A good friend builds us up so that we want to become and to accomplish all that our friend believes we can be and do....
A good friend can help you become more productive, have a higher energy level, and have more enthusiasm for life. A good friend gives you the confidence to take godly risks, embrace new challenges, and move to the next level in your work or hobby.
When you know that someone loves you and is standing with you and believes in you...you are far more willing to step out in faith and develop your full potential physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. A good friend gives you an abiding confidence.'
Winners work at cultivating good friends.
'A good friend builds us up so that we want to become and to accomplish all that our friend believes we can be and do....
A good friend can help you become more productive, have a higher energy level, and have more enthusiasm for life. A good friend gives you the confidence to take godly risks, embrace new challenges, and move to the next level in your work or hobby.
When you know that someone loves you and is standing with you and believes in you...you are far more willing to step out in faith and develop your full potential physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. A good friend gives you an abiding confidence.'
Winners work at cultivating good friends.
Monday, December 7, 2009
More Winning Quotes
"Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forego an advantage."
- Benjamn Disraeli
"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."
- Katharine Hepburn
"The thing you really believe in always happens...and the belief in a thing makes it happen."
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Benjamn Disraeli
"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."
- Katharine Hepburn
"The thing you really believe in always happens...and the belief in a thing makes it happen."
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Using Time Well
From the In Touch devotionals (http://www.intouch.org/):
'...the Lord gives us resources and abilities, and He desires that we use them well. One such gift is time.
In order to manage our days effectively, we should continually review them: What activities did we choose? How long did each one take? What were the results? This discipline will reveal what is most important to us.
In looking closely at our assessments, we can determine what drives our decisions about how to use time. Some people merely respond to circumstances for a majority of their day. They jump from one thing to the next, answering phone calls, reorganizing shelves, or doing anything that appears in their world at the moment. But this style of living misses the mark.
Other people spend their time according to their desires. They want to relax, so they get home and watch television for the evening. Or they love to hunt, so they use their time to research equipment and locate wildlife in the forest. Desires are not bad, but they should not drive the bulk of our actions.
Thankfully, there are also people who live according to what they deem important. Loving God and serving others, for instance, are two biblical values that should, ideally, determine what we do with our time.
If you itemize your activities and their time consumption over the course of a week, you might be surprised at the dominating events. Each moment is a gift, so set aside a few minutes each evening to plan. Then revisit the way you spent the last 24 hours.'
Winners live purposefully.
'...the Lord gives us resources and abilities, and He desires that we use them well. One such gift is time.
In order to manage our days effectively, we should continually review them: What activities did we choose? How long did each one take? What were the results? This discipline will reveal what is most important to us.
In looking closely at our assessments, we can determine what drives our decisions about how to use time. Some people merely respond to circumstances for a majority of their day. They jump from one thing to the next, answering phone calls, reorganizing shelves, or doing anything that appears in their world at the moment. But this style of living misses the mark.
Other people spend their time according to their desires. They want to relax, so they get home and watch television for the evening. Or they love to hunt, so they use their time to research equipment and locate wildlife in the forest. Desires are not bad, but they should not drive the bulk of our actions.
Thankfully, there are also people who live according to what they deem important. Loving God and serving others, for instance, are two biblical values that should, ideally, determine what we do with our time.
If you itemize your activities and their time consumption over the course of a week, you might be surprised at the dominating events. Each moment is a gift, so set aside a few minutes each evening to plan. Then revisit the way you spent the last 24 hours.'
Winners live purposefully.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Caring
From the book Minute Motivators for Leaders, by Stan Toler:
'Leaders take a genuine interest in their followers. For a good leader, building up the team is high on the agenda. Next to spiritual commitments, a commitment to others is a primary leadership quality. Wisdom and skill are necessary, but without an ability to relate to others in a caring way, the leader's impact will be insignificant. Leaders care about the concerns of others.
They care about the personal welfare of their associates and relate to them on a personal level. They not only know their names, they know their likes and dislikes. They know their hobbies. They know where they came from and where they're going; they know their background; and they know as much about their future plans as they possibly can.
They realize that each of their associates has an extended family. And that extended family has achievements or setbacks that will directly affect the attitude of the associate. By expressing an interest in the extended family, the leader expresses a personal concern that ties him or her to the team member.
Leaders like people.
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
- Howard Hendricks
Winners really care about people.
'Leaders take a genuine interest in their followers. For a good leader, building up the team is high on the agenda. Next to spiritual commitments, a commitment to others is a primary leadership quality. Wisdom and skill are necessary, but without an ability to relate to others in a caring way, the leader's impact will be insignificant. Leaders care about the concerns of others.
They care about the personal welfare of their associates and relate to them on a personal level. They not only know their names, they know their likes and dislikes. They know their hobbies. They know where they came from and where they're going; they know their background; and they know as much about their future plans as they possibly can.
They realize that each of their associates has an extended family. And that extended family has achievements or setbacks that will directly affect the attitude of the associate. By expressing an interest in the extended family, the leader expresses a personal concern that ties him or her to the team member.
Leaders like people.
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
- Howard Hendricks
Winners really care about people.
Friday, December 4, 2009
More Winning Quotes
"The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live."
- Ethel Percy Andrus
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
- Theodore Roosevelt
"The secret of a leader lies in the tests he has faced over the whole course of his life and the habit of action he develops in meeting those tests."
- Gail Sheehy
- Ethel Percy Andrus
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
- Theodore Roosevelt
"The secret of a leader lies in the tests he has faced over the whole course of his life and the habit of action he develops in meeting those tests."
- Gail Sheehy
Thursday, December 3, 2009
God's Best Enables Our Best
From the bestseller devotional classic God's Best for My Life, by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'There is a powerful story told of Leonardo da Vinci. One day in his studio he started work on a large canvas. He labored on it, choosing the subject carefully, arranging the perspective, sketching the outline, applying the colors, and developing the background. Then for some unknown reason he stopped, with the painting still unfinished. He called one of his students and asked him to finish it. The student was flabbergasted. How could he finish a painting by one of the world's truly great masters?
He protested his inadequacy and insufficiency for so challenging a task. But the great artist silenced him: "Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?" he asked.
That's really Jesus' question, isn't it? He began it all 2000 years ago. His life, message, death, resurrection, and living presence started the great painting of the redemption of the world. He has given us the task to finish the painting. But there's a difference. Da Vinci left his student alone; Jesus never does that. He has given us the color palette, and He whispers his guiding insight to us at each uncertain stroke.'
'There is a powerful story told of Leonardo da Vinci. One day in his studio he started work on a large canvas. He labored on it, choosing the subject carefully, arranging the perspective, sketching the outline, applying the colors, and developing the background. Then for some unknown reason he stopped, with the painting still unfinished. He called one of his students and asked him to finish it. The student was flabbergasted. How could he finish a painting by one of the world's truly great masters?
He protested his inadequacy and insufficiency for so challenging a task. But the great artist silenced him: "Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?" he asked.
That's really Jesus' question, isn't it? He began it all 2000 years ago. His life, message, death, resurrection, and living presence started the great painting of the redemption of the world. He has given us the task to finish the painting. But there's a difference. Da Vinci left his student alone; Jesus never does that. He has given us the color palette, and He whispers his guiding insight to us at each uncertain stroke.'
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Imagination
From the book The Best of Success, compiled by Wynn Davis:
Imagination - Seeing all possibilities, seeing all that can be done, and how it can be done, marks the power of imagination. Your imagination stands as your own personal laboratory. Here you can rehearse the possibilities, map out plans, and visualize overcoming obstacles. Imagination turns possibilities into reality.
"The great successful men of the world have used their imagination...they think ahead and create their mental picture, and then go to work materializing that picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building - steadily building."
- Robert Collier
"For imagination sets the goal 'picture' which our automatic mechanism works on. We act, or fail to act, not because of 'will', as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination."
- Maxwell Maltz
"The entrepreneur is essentially a visualizer and an actualizer...He can visualize something, and when he visualizes it he sees exactly how to make it happen."
- Robert L. Schwartz
Winners become as great as their dominant aspiration.
Imagination - Seeing all possibilities, seeing all that can be done, and how it can be done, marks the power of imagination. Your imagination stands as your own personal laboratory. Here you can rehearse the possibilities, map out plans, and visualize overcoming obstacles. Imagination turns possibilities into reality.
"The great successful men of the world have used their imagination...they think ahead and create their mental picture, and then go to work materializing that picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building - steadily building."
- Robert Collier
"For imagination sets the goal 'picture' which our automatic mechanism works on. We act, or fail to act, not because of 'will', as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination."
- Maxwell Maltz
"The entrepreneur is essentially a visualizer and an actualizer...He can visualize something, and when he visualizes it he sees exactly how to make it happen."
- Robert L. Schwartz
Winners become as great as their dominant aspiration.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Willing to Change
From the God's Way Day by Day devotional, by Charles Stanley:
'God moves us from place to place, from situation to situation, from experience to experience, to "grow us up" so He can use us more.
As long as we are willing to yield to His methods and are willing to grow and change, He will find greater and greater ways to use the talents and abilities that He gave us at our birth, as well as the spiritual gifts and potential in Christ that He gave us at our spiritual birth.
God is working and waiting and watching, always in the process of wooing His children to Himself and of preparing us to receive what He has already prepared for us.'
Isn't it great to know that God has plans for you?! What would you be willing to do to have those plans revealed? What's stopping you?
'God moves us from place to place, from situation to situation, from experience to experience, to "grow us up" so He can use us more.
As long as we are willing to yield to His methods and are willing to grow and change, He will find greater and greater ways to use the talents and abilities that He gave us at our birth, as well as the spiritual gifts and potential in Christ that He gave us at our spiritual birth.
God is working and waiting and watching, always in the process of wooing His children to Himself and of preparing us to receive what He has already prepared for us.'
Isn't it great to know that God has plans for you?! What would you be willing to do to have those plans revealed? What's stopping you?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Discipline
From the book Minute Motivators for Leaders, by Stan Toler:
'Effective leaders know how to discipline themselves in order to reach their goals. Ineffective leaders place their personal comfort or interests above the mission. Their efforts are sporadic, and, subsequently, their record of achievement is checkered.
Effective leaders have disciplined work habits. They are dependable, punctual, consistent, and trustworthy. Leaders know how to focus on a project, avoid distractions, and move toward a stated goal.
Effective leaders have disciplined personal habits. They know that sobriety, moderation, and an even temper are character qualities that will benefit them throughout their lives; so they work at these qualities. They take care of their bodies. They exercise. They eat wisely. They get plenty of rest.
Effective leaders have disciplined spiritual habits. They spend time in reverent reflection and worship. They read inspirational books and listen to inspiring tapes. They read the Bible. They spend time communing with God in prayer.
Discipline is not optional. Leaders know that a steady, sustained effort is necessary to accomplish the mission.
Leaders put themselves on a short leash.'
Leaders are self-controlled.
'Effective leaders know how to discipline themselves in order to reach their goals. Ineffective leaders place their personal comfort or interests above the mission. Their efforts are sporadic, and, subsequently, their record of achievement is checkered.
Effective leaders have disciplined work habits. They are dependable, punctual, consistent, and trustworthy. Leaders know how to focus on a project, avoid distractions, and move toward a stated goal.
Effective leaders have disciplined personal habits. They know that sobriety, moderation, and an even temper are character qualities that will benefit them throughout their lives; so they work at these qualities. They take care of their bodies. They exercise. They eat wisely. They get plenty of rest.
Effective leaders have disciplined spiritual habits. They spend time in reverent reflection and worship. They read inspirational books and listen to inspiring tapes. They read the Bible. They spend time communing with God in prayer.
Discipline is not optional. Leaders know that a steady, sustained effort is necessary to accomplish the mission.
Leaders put themselves on a short leash.'
Leaders are self-controlled.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Staying Connected
From the Today God Is First devotionals (http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
'Two of the greatest inventions of my time have been the laptop computer and e-mail. The laptop means I no longer have to stay in one place to be productive in my business life. E-mail has allowed me to stay connected to people all around the world with the touch of a button.
My greatest frustration is when either of these does not work. Sometimes e-mail cannot be used because I can't get a connection. Sometimes I cannot use my laptop because I have not properly charged it, and then the charge runs out while I am on an airplane. Both of these situations mean I am unable to tap into the resource that allows me to fulfill my calling in my work to the fullest.
The morning time with God is much like these situations. God pours His Word into my spirit, and I am recharged. This recharging has an important effect on my day. It allows me the greatest opportunity to hear the small voice that directs my steps. If I refuse to "get connected," I risk following my own ways of fulfilling the duties of my day. It sets forth the opportunity for God to speak into my spirit what He desires for me each day. It allows me to focus on God's purposes, not mine.
The only way to know someone is to spend time with him or her. The only way to discern the voice of another is to hear that person's voice.'
Winners stay connected to God and hear His directions for their lives.
'Two of the greatest inventions of my time have been the laptop computer and e-mail. The laptop means I no longer have to stay in one place to be productive in my business life. E-mail has allowed me to stay connected to people all around the world with the touch of a button.
My greatest frustration is when either of these does not work. Sometimes e-mail cannot be used because I can't get a connection. Sometimes I cannot use my laptop because I have not properly charged it, and then the charge runs out while I am on an airplane. Both of these situations mean I am unable to tap into the resource that allows me to fulfill my calling in my work to the fullest.
The morning time with God is much like these situations. God pours His Word into my spirit, and I am recharged. This recharging has an important effect on my day. It allows me the greatest opportunity to hear the small voice that directs my steps. If I refuse to "get connected," I risk following my own ways of fulfilling the duties of my day. It sets forth the opportunity for God to speak into my spirit what He desires for me each day. It allows me to focus on God's purposes, not mine.
The only way to know someone is to spend time with him or her. The only way to discern the voice of another is to hear that person's voice.'
Winners stay connected to God and hear His directions for their lives.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
An Hour of Gratitude
Here are excerpts from a great article by Sharon Hersh in the November issue of the In Touch monthly publication (http://www.intouch.org/):
'...I woke up this morning remembering a commitment I made to myself for the month of November: that I would spend one hour each day giving thanks. So I turn the light on and my alarm clock off, and both work predictably - while 1.6 billion people around the globe live without electricity. They rely on burning wood and waste for light and heat...So, I give thanks for electricity.
...I'm extraordinarily grateful for my cell ("mobile" outside USA), considering that, in the developing world, a majority of people live with limited access to telephone, basic Internet, or even postal service...Recently, I read about a study on loneliness and felt deep sadness to learn that one-fourth of those surveyed reported often having no one to talk to.
...I was embarrassingly unaware that much of the world's population doesn't have access to a toilet...it's an avoidable non-issue for us only because we live in the privileged First World. Elsewhere, the lack of sanitary plumbing is one of the major causes of early childhood death and disease.
...For a quarter of the world's population, a glass of clean water is never an option, which is why more than two million people die every year from diseases contracted simply by drinking water. With every sip, I give thanks.
...Considering that approximately 15 out of every 1,000 Americans have a hearing impairment, I thank God that I can hear the words and melodies coming from a miraculous three-inch device that stores all my favorite songs.
...My heart overflows with gratitude as I savor every bite of a pumpkin bagel slathered with peanut-butter. I'll never forget the newspaper photos I saw last year of starving Haitian families making "cookies" from dirt, salt, and shortening to stave off their hunger pangs.
It takes only the highlights from a single hour in my day to confirm that I have a lot to be grateful for.
...In just one hour of reviewing my portfolio of wealth, I'm reminded that we aren't prosperous because of what we have. It's the measure of gratitude that we carry with us into the world - even for 60 minutes a day - that makes us rich.'
Winners give thanks, all the time.
'...I woke up this morning remembering a commitment I made to myself for the month of November: that I would spend one hour each day giving thanks. So I turn the light on and my alarm clock off, and both work predictably - while 1.6 billion people around the globe live without electricity. They rely on burning wood and waste for light and heat...So, I give thanks for electricity.
...I'm extraordinarily grateful for my cell ("mobile" outside USA), considering that, in the developing world, a majority of people live with limited access to telephone, basic Internet, or even postal service...Recently, I read about a study on loneliness and felt deep sadness to learn that one-fourth of those surveyed reported often having no one to talk to.
...I was embarrassingly unaware that much of the world's population doesn't have access to a toilet...it's an avoidable non-issue for us only because we live in the privileged First World. Elsewhere, the lack of sanitary plumbing is one of the major causes of early childhood death and disease.
...For a quarter of the world's population, a glass of clean water is never an option, which is why more than two million people die every year from diseases contracted simply by drinking water. With every sip, I give thanks.
...Considering that approximately 15 out of every 1,000 Americans have a hearing impairment, I thank God that I can hear the words and melodies coming from a miraculous three-inch device that stores all my favorite songs.
...My heart overflows with gratitude as I savor every bite of a pumpkin bagel slathered with peanut-butter. I'll never forget the newspaper photos I saw last year of starving Haitian families making "cookies" from dirt, salt, and shortening to stave off their hunger pangs.
It takes only the highlights from a single hour in my day to confirm that I have a lot to be grateful for.
...In just one hour of reviewing my portfolio of wealth, I'm reminded that we aren't prosperous because of what we have. It's the measure of gratitude that we carry with us into the world - even for 60 minutes a day - that makes us rich.'
Winners give thanks, all the time.
Friday, November 27, 2009
God is Bigger Than Life
From the book God's Way Day by Day, by Charles F. Stanley:
'God is bigger than any problem life's circumstances can throw at me. I have complete confidence that God is able to take care of any situation and provide an answer to any question or problem - He has all the resources of the universe to draw upon in helping each one of us through any type of crisis if we will trust Him.
...He is the source of my strength, my provision, my protection, and my ultimate success in life. I have absolutely no doubt that God is in control of every second of my future.'
Who's in control of your life?
'God is bigger than any problem life's circumstances can throw at me. I have complete confidence that God is able to take care of any situation and provide an answer to any question or problem - He has all the resources of the universe to draw upon in helping each one of us through any type of crisis if we will trust Him.
...He is the source of my strength, my provision, my protection, and my ultimate success in life. I have absolutely no doubt that God is in control of every second of my future.'
Who's in control of your life?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanks-living!
From God's Best for My Life by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'A little boy of a Vietnamese refugee family was having a difficult time learning English. He had a particular problem with "g's" and "l's." On Thanksgiving Day he attended church services with his family. After the service he tried hard to join in the Thanksgiving greeting. He shook hands and said, "Happy Thanks-living!"
Not a bad description of real thanksgiving. When we are truly thankful, it radically affects our living - our relationships, attitudes, moods, actions, and reaction.
God's grace, plus our gratitude, equals greatness. When we give God the glory, greatness grows in our character. We become affirmers of others. When is the last time told people in your life that you are thankful for them?'
Winners have a happy thanks-living!
'A little boy of a Vietnamese refugee family was having a difficult time learning English. He had a particular problem with "g's" and "l's." On Thanksgiving Day he attended church services with his family. After the service he tried hard to join in the Thanksgiving greeting. He shook hands and said, "Happy Thanks-living!"
Not a bad description of real thanksgiving. When we are truly thankful, it radically affects our living - our relationships, attitudes, moods, actions, and reaction.
God's grace, plus our gratitude, equals greatness. When we give God the glory, greatness grows in our character. We become affirmers of others. When is the last time told people in your life that you are thankful for them?'
Winners have a happy thanks-living!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
It Is Good to Give Thanks to GOD
From the Nov. 24th In Touch devotional (http://www.intouch.org/):
'Thanksgiving Day should never become a substitute for the daily expression of gratitude to God for all that He has done.
Because our culture is largely characterized by ingratitude, we need to work at developing a grateful heart. Even in prayer, we can become self-centered and drift from one petition to another without a word of praise to God. Giving thanks refocuses our attention onto the Lord as we remember His love and faithfulness and praise Him or who He is and what He has done.
Thanksgiving refreshes our souls as we spend time with God, concentrating on His goodness and grace. Anxiety is replaced with peace, and despondency with joy. If you wake up each morning and thank the Lord for deliverance from the power of sin, provision for all your needs, and guidance for the day ahead, what is left to cause worry or discouragement?
Gratitude to God for His faithfulness in the past increases faith and strengthens trust in Him for the future. Remember how He carried you in times of pain, helped you in periods of weakness, and supplied all your needs. You can trust Him with whatever lies ahead.
To establish a habit of thanksgiving, recall God's lovingkindness in the morning, and recount His faithfulness at night. Thank Him for blessings - and also for the deep work He is doing in you through difficulties.'
Winners grow their gratitude and trust in GOD.
Happy Thanksgiving!
'Thanksgiving Day should never become a substitute for the daily expression of gratitude to God for all that He has done.
Because our culture is largely characterized by ingratitude, we need to work at developing a grateful heart. Even in prayer, we can become self-centered and drift from one petition to another without a word of praise to God. Giving thanks refocuses our attention onto the Lord as we remember His love and faithfulness and praise Him or who He is and what He has done.
Thanksgiving refreshes our souls as we spend time with God, concentrating on His goodness and grace. Anxiety is replaced with peace, and despondency with joy. If you wake up each morning and thank the Lord for deliverance from the power of sin, provision for all your needs, and guidance for the day ahead, what is left to cause worry or discouragement?
Gratitude to God for His faithfulness in the past increases faith and strengthens trust in Him for the future. Remember how He carried you in times of pain, helped you in periods of weakness, and supplied all your needs. You can trust Him with whatever lies ahead.
To establish a habit of thanksgiving, recall God's lovingkindness in the morning, and recount His faithfulness at night. Thank Him for blessings - and also for the deep work He is doing in you through difficulties.'
Winners grow their gratitude and trust in GOD.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Failure
From the book The Best of Success, compiled by Wynn Davis:
Failure - Successful people are not afraid to fail. They have the ability to accept their failures and continue on, knowing that failure is a natural consequence of trying. The law of failure is one of the most powerful of all the success laws because you only really fail when you quit trying.
"There can be no failure to a man who has not lost his courage, his character, his self-respect, or his self-confidence. He is still a king."
- Orison Swett Marden
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly..."
- Theodore Roosevelt
"The freedom to fail is vital if you're going to succeed. Most successful men fail time and time again, and it is a measure of their strength that failure merely propels them into some new attempt at success."
- Michael Korda
Failure - Successful people are not afraid to fail. They have the ability to accept their failures and continue on, knowing that failure is a natural consequence of trying. The law of failure is one of the most powerful of all the success laws because you only really fail when you quit trying.
"There can be no failure to a man who has not lost his courage, his character, his self-respect, or his self-confidence. He is still a king."
- Orison Swett Marden
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly..."
- Theodore Roosevelt
"The freedom to fail is vital if you're going to succeed. Most successful men fail time and time again, and it is a measure of their strength that failure merely propels them into some new attempt at success."
- Michael Korda
Monday, November 23, 2009
Exercise for Your Mind
From the book Simple Secrets for Becoming Healthy, Wealthy & Wise, by David Niven:
'Regular exercise, starting with something as easy as a daily walk, has not only physical health benefits but mental health benefits. The functioning and efficiency of the brain have been shown to improve with exercise.
Sedentary people were tested on their ability to plan, to make and remember choices, and to adapt to changing circumstances. Half were then assigned to a daily walking program, while half were not. When they were retested six months later, only the walkers showed a 25 percent improvement.'
Winners exercise both the body and the mind.
'Regular exercise, starting with something as easy as a daily walk, has not only physical health benefits but mental health benefits. The functioning and efficiency of the brain have been shown to improve with exercise.
Sedentary people were tested on their ability to plan, to make and remember choices, and to adapt to changing circumstances. Half were then assigned to a daily walking program, while half were not. When they were retested six months later, only the walkers showed a 25 percent improvement.'
Winners exercise both the body and the mind.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Power of Persistence
From the November 11-12 In Touch devotionals (http://www.intouch.org/):
'Everyone desires success. Simply wanting it, however, won't guarantee achievement. That's why many people fail to reach their goal; they encounter hardship and give up.
Persistence is the combination of strong desire and willpower - it is the capacity to stay on course in the face of difficulty and refuse to quit.
There are several things we can do to gain the attitude of persistence. The most important is to set goals under God's leadership - challenging goals that demand our best and require His help. Then, developing a passion to make the goal a reality will likely drive us toward our desired outcome.
In addition, we should refuse to listen to criticism and instead surround ourselves with people who will encourage us. Certain steps may fail, but we should look for a personal lesson in every defeat. Finally, we are to believe that we can reach the goal, and then must rely on God to enable us.
Biblical success means two things: achieving what the Lord calls you to do and becoming the person He desires you to be. Seek His specific goals for your life. Persevering through obstacles will be a faith-building adventure that teaches you to depend on the heavenly Father.
The Father has great goals for our lives. Striving for anything less will neither fulfill us nor achieve what God has planned in our life. Once His direction is clear, we should passionately pursue God's purposes with the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance - especially when obstacles arise.'
Winners don't give up!
'Everyone desires success. Simply wanting it, however, won't guarantee achievement. That's why many people fail to reach their goal; they encounter hardship and give up.
Persistence is the combination of strong desire and willpower - it is the capacity to stay on course in the face of difficulty and refuse to quit.
There are several things we can do to gain the attitude of persistence. The most important is to set goals under God's leadership - challenging goals that demand our best and require His help. Then, developing a passion to make the goal a reality will likely drive us toward our desired outcome.
In addition, we should refuse to listen to criticism and instead surround ourselves with people who will encourage us. Certain steps may fail, but we should look for a personal lesson in every defeat. Finally, we are to believe that we can reach the goal, and then must rely on God to enable us.
Biblical success means two things: achieving what the Lord calls you to do and becoming the person He desires you to be. Seek His specific goals for your life. Persevering through obstacles will be a faith-building adventure that teaches you to depend on the heavenly Father.
The Father has great goals for our lives. Striving for anything less will neither fulfill us nor achieve what God has planned in our life. Once His direction is clear, we should passionately pursue God's purposes with the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance - especially when obstacles arise.'
Winners don't give up!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Responsiveness
From Minute Motivators for Leaders, by Stan Toler:
"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord."
- Proverbs 16:20
'All leaders listen - sooner or later. Good leaders listen early. They are responsive to honest feedback and good suggestions.
Leaders listen to their "customers"....not only listen, they respond by going the extra mile in trying to meeting customer needs.
Leaders listen to other leaders. Like a golfer learning from the previous putt on the green, a leader "goes to school" on the experience of others.
Leaders listen to their own instincts. They understand that "gut feelings" are often dependable barometers. They learn to respond to their inner voice and take positions that sometimes even go against the grain of the organization.'
Winners listen and respond.
"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord."
- Proverbs 16:20
'All leaders listen - sooner or later. Good leaders listen early. They are responsive to honest feedback and good suggestions.
Leaders listen to their "customers"....not only listen, they respond by going the extra mile in trying to meeting customer needs.
Leaders listen to other leaders. Like a golfer learning from the previous putt on the green, a leader "goes to school" on the experience of others.
Leaders listen to their own instincts. They understand that "gut feelings" are often dependable barometers. They learn to respond to their inner voice and take positions that sometimes even go against the grain of the organization.'
Winners listen and respond.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Starting Over
From the Nov. 20th Today God Is First devotional (http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position." - James 1:9
'Do you find yourself in humble circumstances? If so, James tells us that we are to take pride in this "high" position. These two things would seem to be an oxymoron. Most of us would not consider humble circumstances a high position. Successful business tells us that being on top means being wealthy, attaining favor and status, or having power to influence. However, Jesus influenced not from power, but from weakness.
J.C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store. He first launched his chain of "The Golden Rule" stores in 1907. In 1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he lost $40 million.
By 1932, he had to sell out to satisfy...creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. ...Crushed in spirit from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God will take care of you.... Penney followed the music to its source and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man, his health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age fifty-six.
By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state, and for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year.
The success of J.C. Penney can be traced to God's mercy in his life to bring him out of his humble circumstance. Do you find yourself in a humble circumstance?
God is the only one who can help you see your humble circumstance from His viewpoint-a high position. It is a high position because of what God is going to teach you in this place. He does not intend you to stay there; it is merely a stopping place to learn some important things you would not learn otherwise.'
Winners press into God and trust Him for the outcome to your circumstances.
"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position." - James 1:9
'Do you find yourself in humble circumstances? If so, James tells us that we are to take pride in this "high" position. These two things would seem to be an oxymoron. Most of us would not consider humble circumstances a high position. Successful business tells us that being on top means being wealthy, attaining favor and status, or having power to influence. However, Jesus influenced not from power, but from weakness.
J.C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store. He first launched his chain of "The Golden Rule" stores in 1907. In 1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he lost $40 million.
By 1932, he had to sell out to satisfy...creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. ...Crushed in spirit from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God will take care of you.... Penney followed the music to its source and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man, his health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age fifty-six.
By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state, and for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year.
The success of J.C. Penney can be traced to God's mercy in his life to bring him out of his humble circumstance. Do you find yourself in a humble circumstance?
God is the only one who can help you see your humble circumstance from His viewpoint-a high position. It is a high position because of what God is going to teach you in this place. He does not intend you to stay there; it is merely a stopping place to learn some important things you would not learn otherwise.'
Winners press into God and trust Him for the outcome to your circumstances.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Today Is All We Have
From the God's Best for My Life devotional book by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'One of the most disturbing aspects of anxiety is concern for the future...It is the unwritten chapter of our lives which distresses most of us.
Jesus gives us the key: let tomorrow take care of itself; live today to the full.
The point is that if we live the way He suggested today, tomorrow will be more glorious than we ever dared to imagine. The reason for this is that what we do today will be inseparably related to what can happen tomorrow. We can have something to say about what will happen by how we handle what's happening.
Most of us get so tomorrow-oriented that we do not enjoy the present moment. We are preoccupied by what is coming, and we fail to experience what is. We press on in preparation as if some new plan, relationship, or opportunity will make everything different. It is good to plan but not to the point that we miss what God is saying in the difficult or unpleasant thing we may now be living through.
The seeds of tomorrow's harvest are today. How we cultivate them will determine what we will reap.'
Winners don't forget to live...today!
'One of the most disturbing aspects of anxiety is concern for the future...It is the unwritten chapter of our lives which distresses most of us.
Jesus gives us the key: let tomorrow take care of itself; live today to the full.
The point is that if we live the way He suggested today, tomorrow will be more glorious than we ever dared to imagine. The reason for this is that what we do today will be inseparably related to what can happen tomorrow. We can have something to say about what will happen by how we handle what's happening.
Most of us get so tomorrow-oriented that we do not enjoy the present moment. We are preoccupied by what is coming, and we fail to experience what is. We press on in preparation as if some new plan, relationship, or opportunity will make everything different. It is good to plan but not to the point that we miss what God is saying in the difficult or unpleasant thing we may now be living through.
The seeds of tomorrow's harvest are today. How we cultivate them will determine what we will reap.'
Winners don't forget to live...today!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Courage
From The Best of Success, compiled by Wynn Davis:
Courage
Courage is a special kind of knowledge; the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared, and how not to fear what ought not to be feared. From this knowledge comes an inner strength that subconsciously inspires us to push on in the face of great difficulty. What can seem impossible is often possible, with courage.
"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared."
- Eddie Rickenbacher
"If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.'"
- Ann Landers
"Little minds attain and are subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them."
- Washington Irving
Courage
Courage is a special kind of knowledge; the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared, and how not to fear what ought not to be feared. From this knowledge comes an inner strength that subconsciously inspires us to push on in the face of great difficulty. What can seem impossible is often possible, with courage.
"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared."
- Eddie Rickenbacher
"If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.'"
- Ann Landers
"Little minds attain and are subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them."
- Washington Irving
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Our Potential is Vast
From the God's Way Day by Day devotional by Charles F. Stanley:
'God has given us a great potential. Our potential is vast - so much greater than most of us know. The majority of people never even stop to think about potential, and those who do usually estimate the potential as being much less than it actually is. As a result, we shortchange ourselves, achieve less, and fail to dream big enough dreams.
God is infinite, and when He pours Himself into us and into our abilities, we take on His capacity, not our capacity. When God pours Himself into the tasks that He calls us to do, there is no limit to how much He can multiply our efforts to accomplish His purposes.'
'God has given us a great potential. Our potential is vast - so much greater than most of us know. The majority of people never even stop to think about potential, and those who do usually estimate the potential as being much less than it actually is. As a result, we shortchange ourselves, achieve less, and fail to dream big enough dreams.
God is infinite, and when He pours Himself into us and into our abilities, we take on His capacity, not our capacity. When God pours Himself into the tasks that He calls us to do, there is no limit to how much He can multiply our efforts to accomplish His purposes.'
Monday, November 16, 2009
More Winning Quotes
More winning quotes for winners from winners:
"The luxury of doing good surpasses every other personal enjoyment."
- John Gay
"This is as true in everyday life as it is in battle: we are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our mind, or whether to act and, in acting, to live."
- Omar Bradley
"If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing."
- Margaret Thatcher
"The luxury of doing good surpasses every other personal enjoyment."
- John Gay
"This is as true in everyday life as it is in battle: we are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our mind, or whether to act and, in acting, to live."
- Omar Bradley
"If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing."
- Margaret Thatcher
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Time for Success
From the November 13th In Touch devotional (http://www.intouch.org/):
Ephesians 5:15-17
'The Bible clearly teaches us to use our days wisely. Time is a gift. Almighty God has given each person a span of days to live on earth. But our life is fleeting and uncertain - James compares it to a vapor that "appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Time is also irrevocable - we cannot hit "rewind" and undo anything.
Considering this, it is foolish to waste such a precious resource. But so often, we do. Be alert to avoid these hindrances to living each moment fully and purposefully:
* Misplaced priorities result in wasted opportunities. Our values will determine the emphasis we place on each activity and the amount of time we allot to it.
* Procrastination and perfectionism soak up valuable time that could have been used to benefit the kingdom.
* Lack of concentration drains time of its potential. For example, we have to train ourselves to focus on reading God's Word and not to get sidetracked.
What values drive the way you utilize your time?
Is there something that keeps you from living each moment in a way that pleases the Lord?
You will never have a chance to live today again.'
Winners live each day with intention.
Ephesians 5:15-17
'The Bible clearly teaches us to use our days wisely. Time is a gift. Almighty God has given each person a span of days to live on earth. But our life is fleeting and uncertain - James compares it to a vapor that "appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Time is also irrevocable - we cannot hit "rewind" and undo anything.
Considering this, it is foolish to waste such a precious resource. But so often, we do. Be alert to avoid these hindrances to living each moment fully and purposefully:
* Misplaced priorities result in wasted opportunities. Our values will determine the emphasis we place on each activity and the amount of time we allot to it.
* Procrastination and perfectionism soak up valuable time that could have been used to benefit the kingdom.
* Lack of concentration drains time of its potential. For example, we have to train ourselves to focus on reading God's Word and not to get sidetracked.
What values drive the way you utilize your time?
Is there something that keeps you from living each moment in a way that pleases the Lord?
You will never have a chance to live today again.'
Winners live each day with intention.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Focus
From the book Minute Motivators for Leaders by Stan Toler:
"A good leader remains focused. Controlling your destination is better than being controlled by it."
- Jack Welch
'Distractions are the bane of the ineffective leader. Like a hound chasing two rabbits at once, the unproductive leader changes directions frequently. Consequently, his or her followers become confused and frustrated. Never knowing exactly what to do, they usually end up doing nothing.
But productive leaders have a single focus. They "chase" one thing at a time. They've narrowed their attention. They know what needs to be done, and they know what they will have to do to accomplish it. They've zeroed in on the mission.
They also know what resources are available to carry out the mission. They know how to gather manpower for the task. Focused leaders usually don't lack followers. People with a mind to work naturally gravitate to someone who is able to give them good directions.
Effective leaders understand what team skills are needed. They know who the team specialists are, and they understand whose individual talents are best suited for the assignment.
Effective leaders are not interested in doing ten good things. They want to do one thing and do it right.'
Winners focus on the mission.
"A good leader remains focused. Controlling your destination is better than being controlled by it."
- Jack Welch
'Distractions are the bane of the ineffective leader. Like a hound chasing two rabbits at once, the unproductive leader changes directions frequently. Consequently, his or her followers become confused and frustrated. Never knowing exactly what to do, they usually end up doing nothing.
But productive leaders have a single focus. They "chase" one thing at a time. They've narrowed their attention. They know what needs to be done, and they know what they will have to do to accomplish it. They've zeroed in on the mission.
They also know what resources are available to carry out the mission. They know how to gather manpower for the task. Focused leaders usually don't lack followers. People with a mind to work naturally gravitate to someone who is able to give them good directions.
Effective leaders understand what team skills are needed. They know who the team specialists are, and they understand whose individual talents are best suited for the assignment.
Effective leaders are not interested in doing ten good things. They want to do one thing and do it right.'
Winners focus on the mission.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Know What You Believe
From the November 6th In Touch devotional (http://www.intouch.org/):
'All people have a belief system, whether they realize it or not. Even those who claim there is no God have faith that He does not exist. What we believe affects every area of our lives and shapes every decision we make, yet few of us take the time to really think about what we accept as true.
All belief systems have a foundation. Some people base their convictions on what fits their lifestyle, reasoning, and desires. However, Jesus calls His followers to adapt life to their faith in Him and the authority of His Word.
Anytime we add other philosophies or ideas to Scripture or pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe, we create our own version of faith based on personal reasoning. God's Word is the only true and reliable foundation for belief, because it contains the recorded thoughts of an eternal, all-knowing God. All other concepts must be measured against it to determine their validity....
This world will offer you a variety of philosophies which sound good but are laced with lies. A faith anchored in the Scriptures is your protection against deception.'
Winners know what they believe.
'All people have a belief system, whether they realize it or not. Even those who claim there is no God have faith that He does not exist. What we believe affects every area of our lives and shapes every decision we make, yet few of us take the time to really think about what we accept as true.
All belief systems have a foundation. Some people base their convictions on what fits their lifestyle, reasoning, and desires. However, Jesus calls His followers to adapt life to their faith in Him and the authority of His Word.
Anytime we add other philosophies or ideas to Scripture or pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe, we create our own version of faith based on personal reasoning. God's Word is the only true and reliable foundation for belief, because it contains the recorded thoughts of an eternal, all-knowing God. All other concepts must be measured against it to determine their validity....
This world will offer you a variety of philosophies which sound good but are laced with lies. A faith anchored in the Scriptures is your protection against deception.'
Winners know what they believe.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Stability in the Storm
From the God's Best for My Life devotional by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'A stable person established in the gospel can be distinguished by patience. He or she knows that God is in charge and is working out His purposes...
...trials produce patience. In the midst of difficulty we are to ask the Lord for wisdom, asking in faith, knowing that He will give us exactly what we need to stand firm. The strength of a great oak tree is in its roots. The winds that blow against it only strengthen the roots.
James gives us a frightening metaphor for an unstable person: a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. But the One who is able gives us courage to match the wind.
"God, teach me to be patient, Teach me to go slow--
Teach me how to 'wait on You' when my way I do not know....
Teach me how to quiet my racing, rising heart,
So I may hear the answer You are trying to impart....
Teach me to let go, dear God, and pray undisturbed until
My heart is filled with inner peace, and I learn to know Your will."
- Helen Steiner Rice'
'A stable person established in the gospel can be distinguished by patience. He or she knows that God is in charge and is working out His purposes...
...trials produce patience. In the midst of difficulty we are to ask the Lord for wisdom, asking in faith, knowing that He will give us exactly what we need to stand firm. The strength of a great oak tree is in its roots. The winds that blow against it only strengthen the roots.
James gives us a frightening metaphor for an unstable person: a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. But the One who is able gives us courage to match the wind.
"God, teach me to be patient, Teach me to go slow--
Teach me how to 'wait on You' when my way I do not know....
Teach me how to quiet my racing, rising heart,
So I may hear the answer You are trying to impart....
Teach me to let go, dear God, and pray undisturbed until
My heart is filled with inner peace, and I learn to know Your will."
- Helen Steiner Rice'
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Opportunity
From The Best of Success, compiled by Wynn Davis:
Opportunity - There are no limits to our opportunities. Most of us see only a small portion of what is possible. We create opportunities by seeing the possibilities, and having the persistence to act upon them. You must always remember...Opportunities are always there, but you must look for them.
"Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They have developed the opportunity that was at hand."
- Bruce Barton
"Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."
- Joseph Sugarman
"The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."
- George Bernard Shaw
Opportunity - There are no limits to our opportunities. Most of us see only a small portion of what is possible. We create opportunities by seeing the possibilities, and having the persistence to act upon them. You must always remember...Opportunities are always there, but you must look for them.
"Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They have developed the opportunity that was at hand."
- Bruce Barton
"Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."
- Joseph Sugarman
"The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."
- George Bernard Shaw
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wise Decisions
From the God's Way Day by Day devotional by Charles F. Stanley:
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding."
- Proverbs 3:13
'We need God's wisdom in our business dealings, our health, our relationships, our parenting, our finances, and our relationship with Him. No area of life is beyond the need for wisdom, off-limits to God's wisdom, or ignored by God's Word. God's wisdom can be readily applied to every decision or choice we make, every relationship we have, every emotion we feel, every action we take, every opinion we hold, and every idea or challenge we pursue.'
'Nuff said! :)
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding."
- Proverbs 3:13
'We need God's wisdom in our business dealings, our health, our relationships, our parenting, our finances, and our relationship with Him. No area of life is beyond the need for wisdom, off-limits to God's wisdom, or ignored by God's Word. God's wisdom can be readily applied to every decision or choice we make, every relationship we have, every emotion we feel, every action we take, every opinion we hold, and every idea or challenge we pursue.'
'Nuff said! :)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Inspirational Quotes
Sharing 3 inspirational quotes:
"Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent."
- Samuel Johnson
"Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.
- Alan Alda
"The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense."
- Thomas Edison
"Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent."
- Samuel Johnson
"Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.
- Alan Alda
"The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense."
- Thomas Edison
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Victorious Life
From the Oct. 3rd In Touch devotional (http://www.intouch.org/):
'...we, like David, can live triumphantly, even in the midst of terrifying and "impossible" circumstances.
First, we need to understand success from the Lord's perspective: Goals should align with Scripture; then our heavenly Father directs us, and we follow with confidence.
Second, we - like David - ought to have a clear picture of what needs to be accomplished. Good goals should be clear enough to write in a sentence or two....
Whether facing a daunting challenge...or an easier undertaking, you should live intentionally. Ask the Lord for direction and purpose as you write down goals, both big and small.'
'...we, like David, can live triumphantly, even in the midst of terrifying and "impossible" circumstances.
First, we need to understand success from the Lord's perspective: Goals should align with Scripture; then our heavenly Father directs us, and we follow with confidence.
Second, we - like David - ought to have a clear picture of what needs to be accomplished. Good goals should be clear enough to write in a sentence or two....
Whether facing a daunting challenge...or an easier undertaking, you should live intentionally. Ask the Lord for direction and purpose as you write down goals, both big and small.'
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Priority
From Minute Motivators for Leaders by Stan Toler:
'Ineffective leaders do the obvious things first. Effective leaders do the important things first. A good leader knows that urgent and vital are not equivalent terms. Many tasks cry out for attention. But the effective leader decides which of those tasks are truly important to the achievement of a goal.
Simple urgency is not enough. The task must be vital to the mission. Every movement must be intricately linked to the core values and purpose of the organization. That demands the leader's focus. In the busyness of the day, th question must be asked: "Does this activity work toward accomplishing our purpose?"
Good leaders understand that not every vital task can be done at once. Some activities will be more important tomorrow than they are today. Careful selection is a mark of leadership. A firm grasp of when is just as important as grasping what, who, or how in the management of a project.
Leaders set priorities. They ask, "If I can accomplish only one thing today, what will it be?"'
Winners prioritize tasks to be done.
'Ineffective leaders do the obvious things first. Effective leaders do the important things first. A good leader knows that urgent and vital are not equivalent terms. Many tasks cry out for attention. But the effective leader decides which of those tasks are truly important to the achievement of a goal.
Simple urgency is not enough. The task must be vital to the mission. Every movement must be intricately linked to the core values and purpose of the organization. That demands the leader's focus. In the busyness of the day, th question must be asked: "Does this activity work toward accomplishing our purpose?"
Good leaders understand that not every vital task can be done at once. Some activities will be more important tomorrow than they are today. Careful selection is a mark of leadership. A firm grasp of when is just as important as grasping what, who, or how in the management of a project.
Leaders set priorities. They ask, "If I can accomplish only one thing today, what will it be?"'
Winners prioritize tasks to be done.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Face to Face
From the Nov. 4th Today God Is First devotional (http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
"I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete."
- 2 John 12
'It is easy to fire off a letter to someone in this age of electronic communication because of its expediency. In business we call this being efficient. However, there are times when nothing but a face-to-face meeting is the appropriate means of communication. We know that verbal skills are a very small portion of communication. Body language, voice tone, and our expressions make up the majority of our overall communication. This cannot be seen through a letter or electronic medium.
Next time a situation arises that requires more focused communication, consider whether the situation requires a personal visit. You may find this will be the key to resolving issues that otherwise might end in a stalemate.'
"I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete."
- 2 John 12
'It is easy to fire off a letter to someone in this age of electronic communication because of its expediency. In business we call this being efficient. However, there are times when nothing but a face-to-face meeting is the appropriate means of communication. We know that verbal skills are a very small portion of communication. Body language, voice tone, and our expressions make up the majority of our overall communication. This cannot be seen through a letter or electronic medium.
Next time a situation arises that requires more focused communication, consider whether the situation requires a personal visit. You may find this will be the key to resolving issues that otherwise might end in a stalemate.'
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Confirmation of Closed Doors
From the classic bestseller devotional God's Best for My Life by Lloyd John Ogilvie:
'God opens and closes doors. A closed door can affirm another open door. When we commit ourselves to do the will of the Lord, He slams other distracting, lesser doors to assure us that we have made the right decision...
The task of a committed Christian is to walk through the open doors and not try to beat down the closed doors. There are times when it is clear that we should move on to the next step of God's strategy.'
Winners find out what the Lord wants them to do, make a commitment, and get on with it!
'God opens and closes doors. A closed door can affirm another open door. When we commit ourselves to do the will of the Lord, He slams other distracting, lesser doors to assure us that we have made the right decision...
The task of a committed Christian is to walk through the open doors and not try to beat down the closed doors. There are times when it is clear that we should move on to the next step of God's strategy.'
Winners find out what the Lord wants them to do, make a commitment, and get on with it!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Honesty
From the book The Best of Success compiled by Wynn Davis:
Honesty - Before us lies two paths -- honesty or dishonesty.
The ignorant embark on the dishonest path; the wise on the honest. For when you help others, you help yourself; when you hurt others, you hurt yourself. Those who remain honest know the truth: character overshadows money, trust rises above fame. And honesty is still the best policy.
"To many a man, and sometimes to a youth, there comes the opportunity to choose between honorable competence and tainted wealth...The young man who starts out to be poor and honorable, holds in his hand one of the strongest elements of success."
- Orison Swett Marden
"You cannot do wrong without suffering wrong."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure."
- Joseph Sugarman
Honesty - Before us lies two paths -- honesty or dishonesty.
The ignorant embark on the dishonest path; the wise on the honest. For when you help others, you help yourself; when you hurt others, you hurt yourself. Those who remain honest know the truth: character overshadows money, trust rises above fame. And honesty is still the best policy.
"To many a man, and sometimes to a youth, there comes the opportunity to choose between honorable competence and tainted wealth...The young man who starts out to be poor and honorable, holds in his hand one of the strongest elements of success."
- Orison Swett Marden
"You cannot do wrong without suffering wrong."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure."
- Joseph Sugarman
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Balanced and Growing
From the devotional God's Way Day by Day by Charles F. Stanley:
'If a three-legged stool has one leg that is longer or shorter than the others, the stool is out of balance. It is unstable. God's desire for you is that you be emotionally stable, consistent, reliable, and even in your temperament. He desires for your physical needs to be satisfied. He desires for your spiritual life to be balanced and growing.
His will is never for one of His children to be on an emotional, physical, or spiritual roller coaster of extreme highs and lows. Rather, He desires that you be in balance and that you be able to confront both positive and negative situations with a consistency of joy, love, and peace.'
Winners are balanced and growing.
'If a three-legged stool has one leg that is longer or shorter than the others, the stool is out of balance. It is unstable. God's desire for you is that you be emotionally stable, consistent, reliable, and even in your temperament. He desires for your physical needs to be satisfied. He desires for your spiritual life to be balanced and growing.
His will is never for one of His children to be on an emotional, physical, or spiritual roller coaster of extreme highs and lows. Rather, He desires that you be in balance and that you be able to confront both positive and negative situations with a consistency of joy, love, and peace.'
Winners are balanced and growing.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Speak to Others with Love and Respect
Here's the final entry from the book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work by Richard Carlson:
* Tap into Your Secret Stress-Buster - Breathing can help alleviate stress; remind yourself to take slightly deeper breaths
* Don't Go There - If you feel that a path you're taking might induce negative feelings, behavior, or situations, don't go there
* Remember to Appreciate the People You Work With - People need and deserve to be appreciated; if you want to be around people who are happier and more loyal, show them your appreciation
* Speak to Others with Love and Respect - It's not only proper and less stressful to speak to other people in a kind and respectful manner, it is also smart business
* Don't Sweat Your Critics - When faced with critics, use their criticism to add to your growth; don't allow yourself to become too affected
* Reduce Your Self-Induced Stress - Believe it or not, you are personally responsible for a lot of the stress you are feeling; pay attention to your thoughts and try to dismiss the self-defeating ones
* Become Aware of the Thought Factor - Your experience of life comes from your own thinking and perception; choose to respond positively to negative situations
* Ease Off Your Ego - Choose to shrink the size of your ego; this will take a lot of humility and patience but this will ease a lot of pressure
* Remember, Small Stuff Happens - Accept that you will encounter a lot of small stuff within the day; instead of worrying or panicking, just accept that you will have to deal with them
* Don't Live for Retirement - Every day is important so you might as well be happy right now; if you do so, you will be happy every single day for the rest of your life
Winners live for today; don't postpone being happy.
* Tap into Your Secret Stress-Buster - Breathing can help alleviate stress; remind yourself to take slightly deeper breaths
* Don't Go There - If you feel that a path you're taking might induce negative feelings, behavior, or situations, don't go there
* Remember to Appreciate the People You Work With - People need and deserve to be appreciated; if you want to be around people who are happier and more loyal, show them your appreciation
* Speak to Others with Love and Respect - It's not only proper and less stressful to speak to other people in a kind and respectful manner, it is also smart business
* Don't Sweat Your Critics - When faced with critics, use their criticism to add to your growth; don't allow yourself to become too affected
* Reduce Your Self-Induced Stress - Believe it or not, you are personally responsible for a lot of the stress you are feeling; pay attention to your thoughts and try to dismiss the self-defeating ones
* Become Aware of the Thought Factor - Your experience of life comes from your own thinking and perception; choose to respond positively to negative situations
* Ease Off Your Ego - Choose to shrink the size of your ego; this will take a lot of humility and patience but this will ease a lot of pressure
* Remember, Small Stuff Happens - Accept that you will encounter a lot of small stuff within the day; instead of worrying or panicking, just accept that you will have to deal with them
* Don't Live for Retirement - Every day is important so you might as well be happy right now; if you do so, you will be happy every single day for the rest of your life
Winners live for today; don't postpone being happy.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Holy Spirit Empowers Believers
From the Oct. 28th In Touch devotional (http://www.intouch.org/):
'Our heavenly Father has called us to live a supernatural life - one that is contrary to the world's thinking.
To live the Lord's way takes His divine power. In order to draw on His strength, believers need to develop attitudes of humility, trust, and perseverance.
God opposes the proud, who think, I can do this myself (James 4:6). He pours out his strength to the ones who know that they cannot accomplish the goal but believe that He can do so through them. The Lord wants us to trust Him. He may at times ask us to remain in an uncomfortable situation or take on a task that seems far beyond our capability. In either circumstance, relying on Him will bring us the inner fortitude to choose His way.
When we feel too weak to resist temptation or too fearful to pursue the Lord's plan, we must persevere in prayer. That will draw us closer to Him, build our faith, and invite Him to work His will in and through us.
Today the body of Christ is experiencing a lack of spiritual power. Believers have a diminishing influence in our culture as our lives often reflect the world's values. To turn this around, we need to cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He will empower us when we do.'
'Our heavenly Father has called us to live a supernatural life - one that is contrary to the world's thinking.
To live the Lord's way takes His divine power. In order to draw on His strength, believers need to develop attitudes of humility, trust, and perseverance.
God opposes the proud, who think, I can do this myself (James 4:6). He pours out his strength to the ones who know that they cannot accomplish the goal but believe that He can do so through them. The Lord wants us to trust Him. He may at times ask us to remain in an uncomfortable situation or take on a task that seems far beyond our capability. In either circumstance, relying on Him will bring us the inner fortitude to choose His way.
When we feel too weak to resist temptation or too fearful to pursue the Lord's plan, we must persevere in prayer. That will draw us closer to Him, build our faith, and invite Him to work His will in and through us.
Today the body of Christ is experiencing a lack of spiritual power. Believers have a diminishing influence in our culture as our lives often reflect the world's values. To turn this around, we need to cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He will empower us when we do.'
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Character
From Minute Motivators for Leaders by Stan Toler:
"Reputation is made in a moment. Character is built in a lifetime."
- James Leggett
'Lots of people can get the job done. Industry, science, education - each profession has its stellar achievers. Personal competence is not a rare quality these days...But personal character is becoming rather elusive....
"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right," the ancient leadership adage demands. But leaders of character are more concerned with doing the right thing than they are in doing things right. Right methods without right motives are shallow at best and evil at their worst. In the end, the great leader is not the person who can simply get the job done. It is the person who knows how to link motives with methods.
Leadership that makes a difference includes a personal willingness to do the right thing. It makes tough choices - moral choices, spiritual choices, ethical choices, right choices.'
Winners do the right things.
"Reputation is made in a moment. Character is built in a lifetime."
- James Leggett
'Lots of people can get the job done. Industry, science, education - each profession has its stellar achievers. Personal competence is not a rare quality these days...But personal character is becoming rather elusive....
"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right," the ancient leadership adage demands. But leaders of character are more concerned with doing the right thing than they are in doing things right. Right methods without right motives are shallow at best and evil at their worst. In the end, the great leader is not the person who can simply get the job done. It is the person who knows how to link motives with methods.
Leadership that makes a difference includes a personal willingness to do the right thing. It makes tough choices - moral choices, spiritual choices, ethical choices, right choices.'
Winners do the right things.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Isolation Chamber
From the Oct. 26th Today God Is First devotional
(http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
'There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities - simply inactivity.
During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is an isolation chamber designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something," while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God."
You know the signs that you have been brought into this chamber when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.
Most religious people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot say what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.
Has God brought you to a place of being still? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, the chamber will open soon after.'
(http://www.todaygodisfirst.com/):
'There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities - simply inactivity.
During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is an isolation chamber designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something," while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God."
You know the signs that you have been brought into this chamber when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.
Most religious people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot say what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.
Has God brought you to a place of being still? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, the chamber will open soon after.'
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