#111 - YOU NEVER KNOW

who a person will
become. impact. serve. influence.

You never know

what a person has
seen. felt. heard. experienced.

You never know

where a person has
been. lived. come from.

You never know

when a person will
grow. change. develop. mature.

You never know

why a person is
quiet. confident. shy. outgoing.

You never know

how a person has
hurt. struggled. persevered. overcome.

You never know.

People are
who they are
what they are
where they are
when they are
why they are
and
how they are
for many different reasons.

And until I actually take the time to hear out those reasons for myself,
I will not judge them.

Everyone has equal value in the sight of God.
Everyone has a unique purpose for which they were created.
Everyone has a life that matters.

The challenge is to treat people as if that were the truth.

#110 - IF YOU ONLY KNEW

in

If you only knew
Of your destiny inside
You would decide on this day
From your art you won’t hide.

If you only knew
Of your purpose within
You would no longer bother
With that particular sin.

If you only knew
Of your assignment from birth
You would make a commitment
To realize your self-worth.

If you only knew
The true value of you
Your world would be changed.
If you only knew...

#108 - LEADERSHIP IS EMPOWERMENT

in

To help people realize their gifts.
To help people realize their potential.
To help people realize their self-worth.

Leadership is Empowerment.

To teach people why.
To teach people how.
To teach people what.

Leadership is Empowerment.

To provide encouragement when times are hard.
To provide accountability when work is not getting done.
To provide inspiration when all faith has been lost.

Leadership is Empowerment.

When those you lead:

Realize their abilities.
Understand what they have to do.
Persist until the work is completed.

Empowerment has taken place.

Leadership is Empowerment.

Who are you empowering?

#107 - THROUGH YOU

good ideas can be shared
beautiful art can be created.
old paradigms can be shifted.
positive changes can take place.
service projects can be carried out.
powerful movements can be formed.
faith, hope and love can be  restored.

Through you…

big dreams can be made manifest.
unique purposes can be completed.
specific assignments can be accomplished.

Through you, the world can be changed. Forever.

The only question is…

Are you available?

#106 - REST IS KEY

Serving is exhausting.

I have given eight presentations in the first twelve days of the year, and I am spent.

Though I am filled with joy.
Though I am overwhelmed with satisfaction.
Though I am looking forward to what is ahead.

I am exhausted.

So what will I do?

Tomorrow I will rest.
Tomorrow I will recharge.
Tomorrow I will re-evaluate.

And…why exactly are you telling me this?

Well, because you are dedicated to seeing your dreams come to pass, there will be stretches of time when you have to put your “head to the ground” and work your tail off.

But you and I know that a pace like that can’t be maintained forever.

Rest is key.

I encourage you to keep yourself aware of when you need to give yourself a break. And when it is clear that a break is necessary, take it.

You will appreciate it.
The people you serve will appreciate it.

Rest is key.

With that said, I am going to get some rest.

Do you need to do the same?

#105 - IT'S WORTH THE WAIT

It’s been more than three years.

39 months to be exact.

It has been 39 months since I left my safe, secure, salary + benefits sales job to pursue my dream.

A dream to create.
A dream to inspire.
A dream to encourage.
A dream to use my unique talents and gifts.
A dream to spend the majority of my days doing what I was created to do.

And today I had a breakthrough.

Opportunities have been made available, and to a greater degree than ever before…

My art is being received.
My talents are being utilized.
My gifts are being appreciated.

What joy!

So what does this have to do with you?

Well, I wanted to let you know that…

It’s worth the wait.

Though your business may be slow.
Though your audience may be small.
Though you realize it may not yet be your time.

It’s worth the wait.

Though you feel like giving up.
Though you have yet to be “discovered.”
Though you have no idea how much longer you can last.

It’s worth the wait.

Your ideal results…they’re worth the wait.
Your intended impact…it’s worth the wait.
Your desired experiences…they’re worth the wait.
Your dream fulfilled…it’s worth the wait.

Unspeakable joy and unforeseen fulfillment will be your reward.

Please don’t give up.

#104 - SEEDS VS. ROCKS

Which of the two are you planting?

On a daily basis, in each of the major areas of our life we have a choice:
We can plant seeds, or we can plant rocks.

One has the potential to produce a harvest.
The other has the potential to produce…well…nothing.

Maybe some examples will help to clarify.

When we complain…we plant a rock.
When we gossip…we plant a rock.
When we blame…we plant a rock.
When we criticize…we plant a rock.
When we procrastinate…we plant a rock.
When we judge others…we plant a rock.

When we watch TV excessively…we plant a rock.
When we play video games excessively…we plant a rock.
When we surf the internet excessively…we plant a rock.

When we plant rocks we waste time.
When we plant rocks we do not move forward.
When we plant rocks we give ourselves no chance of future growth.

What successful farmer have you ever seen plant a rock?!? Rocks can’t grow!

Planting seeds on the other hand is a totally different story.

When we encourage…we plant a seed.
When we listen…we plant a seed.
When we care…we plant a seed.
When we read…we plant a seed.
When we study…we plant a seed.
When we give…we plant a seed.
When we try…we plant a seed.
When we practice…we plant a seed.
When we prepare…we plant a seed.
When we create…we plant a seed.
When we share…we plant a seed.
When we collaborate…we plant a seed.

When we plant seeds we value time.
When we plant seeds we make progress.
When we plant seeds we give ourselves the chance to become great.

The most successful farmers plant seeds. Seeds produce life!

To plant rocks. Or to plant seeds. Everyday, the choice is ours.

What will you plant today?

#102 - IN REGARDS TO YOUR PRAYERS

Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. Genesis 24:15

God is working on your behalf…now.

That situation you are
going through. struggling through. persisting through.
praying for. believing for. hoping for.
worrying about. concerned about. hesitant about…

God is working it out.

Though it hurts.
Though it is difficult.
Though it can’t be understood.

Though you have waited.
Though you have believed.
Though you have hung on.

God is working on your behalf…now. Believe it.

He is lining up the resources.
He is preparing the way.
He is getting you ready.
He is getting others ready.
He is developing the technology.
He is opening the doors.

All in preparation for the day when,
Before you are even finished praying…he will answer.

Before you are finished praying…He will provide.
Before you are finished praying…He will make the way.
Before you are finished praying…He will bring healing.
Before you are finished praying…He will introduce you to your spouse.
Before you are finished praying…He will restore the joy back into your life.
Before you are finished praying…He will give you the words to say.
Before you are finished praying…He will reveal Himself, once again, as able.

Hope. Believe. Trust.

Through faith and perseverance the day will come when:
Before you are finished praying…God will come through!

But you’ve gotta’ do your part. Pray.

#101 - 3 KEY QUESTIONS

I read this tweet by Pastor Rick Warren the other day, and I truly believe that your answers to these three questions can have a huge impact on whether or not you see to completion every purpose for which you were created:

To make an impact with your life answer 3 questions: What needs to be done? Why not me? Why not now?

1. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

  • Improve the US educational system?
  • End poverty in 3rd World Countries?
  • Teach financial literacy to young adults?
  • Re-build a community?
  • Provide support to a single mother?
  • Create uplifting music?
  • Write inspirational books?
  • Encourage healthy living?
  • Love your mother?
  • Forgive your father?
  • Invest quality time with your son?

It would be nice if many of the above things were accomplished, but from your perspective, what needs to be done?

2. WHY NOT YOU?

  • Why not you be a catalyst for improving the US educational system?
  • Why not you play a role in ending poverty in 3rd World Countries?
  • Why not you start teaching financial literacy to young adults?
  • Why not you gather a team to start rebuilding a community?
  • Why not you lend a helping hand to a single mother?
  • Why not you write an uplifting song?
  • Why not you write an inspirational book?
  • Why not you start encouraging those around you to eat healthy and exercise?
  • Why not you express your love for your mother?
  • Why not you humble yourself and forgive your father?
  • Why not you take your son on a weekend getaway?

Yes, the issues are many. Yes, someone else could take care of them. But why not you?

3. WHY NOT NOW?

  • Why not take steps towards starting the program today?
  • Why not start sharing your ideas today?
  • Why not start volunteering today?
  • Why not lend a helping hand today?
  • Why not start writing those lyrics today?
  • Why not start creating that piece of art today?
  • Why not start outlining your book today?
  • Why not express your love today?
  • Why not forgive today?
  • Why not do today?

Could you start next year? Sure.
Could you start after you finish school. Of course.
Could you start when you are more financially secure? Yes.
But why not start…now?

What needs to be done?
Why not you?
Why not now?

The questions are key.

But what is even more important is our response.

#100 - IN REGARDS TO OBEDIENCE

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. Genesis 22:3-4

Abraham obeyed.

Though what he was directed to do was hard…he obeyed.
Though what he was directed to do was illogical…he obeyed.
Though what he was directed to do was going to hurt…he obeyed.

And he obeyed…early the next morning.

He didn’t wait till he was ready.
He didn’t wait till he was prepared.
He didn’t wait till he was comfortable.

Abraham did what God told him to do…immediately.

Not the next year. Not the next month. Not the next week. Not even the next night.

Early the next morning, Abraham did what God had told him to do.

What an example.

This is the kind of heart that I desire.
I desire to be one who obeys…”early the next morning.”

When I am directed to serve my wife,
I desire to be the type of husband who serves her immediately.

When I am directed to help someone in need,
I desire to be the type of person who helps them immediately.

When I am prompted to forgive a friend,
I desire to be the type of friend who forgives immediately.

When I am prompted to create,
I desire to be the type of artist who creates immediately.

No hemming. No hawing. No considering. No waiting. No justifying. No delaying.

What God tells me to do – I must do…immediately.
What God tells you to do – you must do…immediately.

Your life is at stake.
Your future is in the balance.
Your fulfillment depends on it.
Your next assignment is awaiting you.

Together, let’s decide to be a generation who chooses to obey…immediately.

#99 - YOUR ART'S DESIRE

Birth me.
Make me real.
Bring me to life.

Create me.

It’s OK if I am not perfect.
It’s OK if I will be improved upon.
It’s OK if you will make many changes to me.

Just create me.

I long to inspire.
I long to encourage.
I long to have impact.

Please create me.

I long to make people smile.
I long to make people laugh.
I long to make people happy.

You must create me.

You have no idea of the impact I will have.
You have no idea of the fulfillment you will experience.
You have no idea of the blessing I will be to all.

This is why I must be created.

I am waiting. The world is waiting.

I am your art.
You are my artist.

Create me.

#98 - IN REGARDS TO GOD'S ABILITY

Then the Lord said the Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:13-14a

It’s impossible.

If I’m not careful, that’s the phrase I can get caught up in believing.

It’s impossible for me to be a selfless husband.
It’s impossible for me to lead a thriving youth ministry.
It’s impossible for me to write material that will influence many.
It’s impossible for me to fulfill every purpose for which I was created.

The odds are stacked against me.

I don’t have enough time.
I don’t have enough money.
I don’t have enough resources.

Can you relate to this tension?
Do you have an impossible situation?
Is there a circumstance you can’t see being resolved?

If so, prayerfully you can be encouraged by this truth:

What is impossible to you, is possible to God.

In the same way He had the ability to give Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age,
He can make the impossible possible in your life.

In regards to your impossible health situation…God can.
In regards to your impossible financial situation…God can.
In regards to your impossible emotional situation…God can.
In regards to your impossible relationship situation…God can.

God can.

In regards to your impossible hopes…God can.
In regards to your impossible dreams…God can.
In regards to your impossible preferred future…God can.

In regards to anything that you believe is impossible for you…God can.

Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

#97 - IN REGARDS TO GOD'S EYES

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13

God sees you.

Every desire. Every hope. Every longing.
Every goal. Every dream. Every ambition.

God sees you.

Every hurt. Every pain. Every need.
Every doubt. Every fear. Every question.
Every disappointment. Every letdown. Every unmet expectation.

God sees you.

When you feel alone – He sees you.
When you feel discouraged – He sees you.
When you don’t know what to do – He sees you.

Though many times it feels like it,

You have not been ignored.
You have not been forgotten.
You have not been abandoned.

God sees you.

#96 - I AM COMMITTED

This year is different.

I’m not just hoping that I am going to develop healthy habits.
I’m not just wishing that my creative ideas would become a reality.
I’m not just crossing my fingers so that the goals I have will be accomplished.

To a greater degree than ever before, I am committed.

I am committed to praying with my wife every evening.
I am committed to investing time reading the Bible each day.
I am committed to posting a blog entry to edwardpaz.com every day.

I am committed.

What exactly does this mean?

Even when I’m tired, I will do what I said I would do.
Even when I’m distracted, I will do what I said I would do.
Even when I don’t want to, I will do what I said I would do.
Even when it’s uncomfortable, I will do what I said I would do.
Even when I don’t have the time, I will do what I said I would do.
Even when my excuses to slack off are good, I will do what I said I would do.

I am committed.

I have not set goals. I have made commitments.

And never before have I been so excited about the difference my commitments will make.

#95 - TWO WORDS

For me, 2010 can be summed up in two words…

So many.

So many joys.
So many tests of faith.
So many lessons learned.
So many second chances.
So many new relationships.
So many undeserved blessings.
So many personal breakthroughs.
So many unexpected opportunities.

I am so thankful for the “so many” experiences I had in 2010.

But it is my feeling that, for you and for me, the best is yet to come!

Here’s to a great year!

#94 - I AM NOT AN EXPERT

Though the tagline of this blog reads Where Inspiration Happens, up front, I’d like to let you know:

I am not an expert.

I don’t have it all together.
I don’t have all the answers.
I don’t have the secrets to success.

So why then should I care about what you have to say?!?

Well I’m glad you asked!

You should read my blog for two reasons:

1. I am a learner.

I am learning how to be an effective leader.
I am learning how to be an inspirational writer.
I am learning how to be a selfless and considerate husband.
I am learning how to interpret and apply the truths of God’s Word.

2. I am a “sharer.”

I love sharing my many mistakes.
I love sharing my frequent frustrations.
I love sharing my lessons learned.

There it is. The truth has been made known.

I am not an expert. I am a learner and I am a “sharer.”

And in 2011, I am committed to consistently share with you what I am learning in the most clear, concise and inspiring ways possible.

** I was inspired to write this post after reading this. Thanks John! **

#93 - IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOW

you can rest.
you can relax.
you can reflect.

In the Six Days that Follow

you can invest time with your spouse.
you can invest time with your children.
you can invest time with your loved ones.

In the Six Days that Follow

you can set goals.
you can dream dreams.
you can ponder your purposes.

In the Six Days that Follow

you can anticipate the New Year.
you can prepare for the New Year.
you can get excited for the New Year.

In the Six Days that Follow

much can be attempted.
much can be appreciated.
much can be accomplished.

#92 - BECAUSE HE WAS BORN

we celebrate Christmas.
we exchange gifts and presents.
we enjoy a special time with family and friends.

But more importantly…

Because He was born

My days have reason.
My years have purpose.
My life has meaning.

Because He was born

I can experience His unconditional love.
I can experience His overwhelming joy.
I can experience His perfect peace.

Because He was born

I can spend eternity with Him.
I can fulfill His purposes for my life.
I can have an intimate relationship with Him.

Because He was born

You can know Him.
You can trust Him.
You experience Him.

For without His birth there is no hope.
For without His birth there is no grace.
For without His birth there is no purpose.

I am so thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Because He was born, I can have life.

This is the beauty of Christmas.