Sharing two great quotes from two great winners:
"Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even."
- Muhammed Ali
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
- Vince Lombardi
Determine a course of action and move ahead boldly!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Since today is Sunday I thought I'd share something Scriptural:
Ephesians 3:18b-19a >> "...grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge...."
Wide - it covers the breadth of our own experiences and reaches out to the whole world
Long - it continues the length of our lives
High - it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation
Deep - it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death
You can never be lost to God's love; God's love is TOTAL.
On a related note >>
LOVE is an action - not a feeling - and a choice.
Winners choose to love, commit to love, and work at spreading love.
I'll comment lots more on this in future blog entries. Have a great week!
Ephesians 3:18b-19a >> "...grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge...."
Wide - it covers the breadth of our own experiences and reaches out to the whole world
Long - it continues the length of our lives
High - it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation
Deep - it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death
You can never be lost to God's love; God's love is TOTAL.
On a related note >>
LOVE is an action - not a feeling - and a choice.
Winners choose to love, commit to love, and work at spreading love.
I'll comment lots more on this in future blog entries. Have a great week!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Dare to Risk
The Lord is constantly calling us out. He wants to get us to the place where He is our only security and assurance. Think of how hard we work to eliminate the risks of life. We labor, save, plan, and invest ourselves with safe responsibilities. Then we settle into the ruts of sameness and complain that life is no longer exciting.
As long as we are alive, there will be a next step in our adventure with the Lord. He constantly calls us out from where we are to a new level of risk. There will never be a time when what we've done or been can be our security. We were programmed to always be on the growing edge of new adventure.
Where is the element of creative risk in your life? What would you do if you trusted God completely? Winners are committed to risk; they dare to risk with the knowledge that He imputes strength for what He inspires us to do.
As long as we are alive, there will be a next step in our adventure with the Lord. He constantly calls us out from where we are to a new level of risk. There will never be a time when what we've done or been can be our security. We were programmed to always be on the growing edge of new adventure.
Where is the element of creative risk in your life? What would you do if you trusted God completely? Winners are committed to risk; they dare to risk with the knowledge that He imputes strength for what He inspires us to do.
Friday, May 29, 2009
L-A-O-D-I-C-E-A-N
This year's National Spelling Bee was just won last night by a very intelligent young lady from my home town of Kansas City. The winning word is also inspirational >>
Don't be Laodicean in your spiritual walk! :)
Don't be Laodicean in your spiritual walk! :)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Don't Lose Hope
I typically start my day by reading a daily devotional from In Touch, the teaching ministry of Dr. Charles Stanley (www.intouch.org). I thought I'd share parts of the devotionals from yesterday and today:
The Restorer of Lost Hopes
"...how do we endure times of trial right now? Heaven can seem so far away when pain is present and there's no relief in sight. Hope anticipates a change of circumstances for the better....What a paradox! The difficulties which cause us to lose hope are the tools the Lord uses to increase our faith and hope in Him.
Unless we're vigilant in guarding our perspective, many situations can erode optimism and trust. Biblical principles are the best defense against such discouragement. Unchanging difficult circumstances can cause despair and rob life of meaning, but Romans 5:1-5 tells us that God has a much different view about the value of trials. We are eager for our Father to just fix the problem or relieve the suffering, but He has an eternal goal in mind. His purpose in trials is to produce proven character in us, which will result in hope, not disappointment....
Hopelessness is a miserable trap that blinds a believer from seeing the Lord. The only way out is to deliberately focus on Christ through praise, prayer, and Scripture. This is probably the last thing a discouraged person wants to do, but hope awaits those who are willing to see life from God's perspective."
The Restorer of Lost Hopes
"...how do we endure times of trial right now? Heaven can seem so far away when pain is present and there's no relief in sight. Hope anticipates a change of circumstances for the better....What a paradox! The difficulties which cause us to lose hope are the tools the Lord uses to increase our faith and hope in Him.
Unless we're vigilant in guarding our perspective, many situations can erode optimism and trust. Biblical principles are the best defense against such discouragement. Unchanging difficult circumstances can cause despair and rob life of meaning, but Romans 5:1-5 tells us that God has a much different view about the value of trials. We are eager for our Father to just fix the problem or relieve the suffering, but He has an eternal goal in mind. His purpose in trials is to produce proven character in us, which will result in hope, not disappointment....
Hopelessness is a miserable trap that blinds a believer from seeing the Lord. The only way out is to deliberately focus on Christ through praise, prayer, and Scripture. This is probably the last thing a discouraged person wants to do, but hope awaits those who are willing to see life from God's perspective."
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Essence of Imagination
"What we can easily see is only a small percentage of what is possible. Imagination is having the vision to see what is just below the surface; to picture that which is essential, but invisible to the eye."
Sparking the imagination is critical for vibrant growth and longevity.
Sparking the imagination is critical for vibrant growth and longevity.
Product Testing - You're the product!
I can't remember where I first read this, so my apologies for not being able to give proper due credit. During these times of extra stress and tremendous trials in life, I hope you find value in this inspirational message.
Product Testing
Testing allows one to discover how well a product is made when placed under extreme stress. So goes for us humans as well. It is under these stressful times that we discover how well we have been trained to withstand the pressure and make right decisions regardless of outside influences.
In life, we see giving in to pressure in the form of compulsive behavior, withdrawal, anger, abuse, moral failure, and dishonesty, to name just a few manisfestations.
As God entrusts us with more and more responsibility, He brings more and more pressures into our lives to 'test the product,' to make sure that He can give even more responsibility to us. This process helps us see where we are in our maturity and determines our level of future responsibility.
Are you a product that can withstand the product test? Will you perform as the Maker designed no matter what outside pressures come? Know that you cannot perform well unless you are continually in relationship with and obedient to the One who made you.
Product Testing
Testing allows one to discover how well a product is made when placed under extreme stress. So goes for us humans as well. It is under these stressful times that we discover how well we have been trained to withstand the pressure and make right decisions regardless of outside influences.
In life, we see giving in to pressure in the form of compulsive behavior, withdrawal, anger, abuse, moral failure, and dishonesty, to name just a few manisfestations.
As God entrusts us with more and more responsibility, He brings more and more pressures into our lives to 'test the product,' to make sure that He can give even more responsibility to us. This process helps us see where we are in our maturity and determines our level of future responsibility.
Are you a product that can withstand the product test? Will you perform as the Maker designed no matter what outside pressures come? Know that you cannot perform well unless you are continually in relationship with and obedient to the One who made you.
Great Book: Search for Significance by Robert McGee
I have to start off this blog with a foundational message, taken from an excellent book called Search for Significance by author Robert McGee. I highly recommend it.
Satan's Lie >> Your Worth = Your Performance + Others' Opinions
False Beliefs: [PFRS]
Satan's Lie >> Your Worth = Your Performance + Others' Opinions
False Beliefs: [PFRS]
- Those who fail are unworthy of love and deserve to be blamed & condemned [Fear of Punishment]
- I must meet certain standards to feel good about myself [Fear of Failure]
- I must be approved (accepted) by certain others to feel good about myself [Fear of Rejection]
- I am what I am; I cannot change; I am hopeless [Shame]
Trust in GOD!
God's Truth >> Your Worth = What GOD Says About You
God's Solutions:
- I am deeply loved by GOD [1 John 4:9-10]
- I am completely forgiven, and am fully pleasing to GOD [Romans 5:1]
- I am totally accepted by GOD [Colossians 1:21-22]
- I am a new creation, complete in Christ [2 Corinthians 5:17]
Initial test message
This is a test message for this new blog, my very first ever!
My plans for 'The Winning Wei' is to make this a one-stop place for winning inspiration - tips on how to be successful in life, at work, in relationships - great devotionals, and fun motivational stories.
My references will be faith-based and optimistic.
My plans for 'The Winning Wei' is to make this a one-stop place for winning inspiration - tips on how to be successful in life, at work, in relationships - great devotionals, and fun motivational stories.
My references will be faith-based and optimistic.
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