#171 - A SIGHT TO SEE

It’s all coming together.

The people.

Trust is building.
Roles are developing.
Friendships are forming.

The opportunity.

Is visible.
Is possible.
Is excitable.

The calling.

Is being clarified.
Is being confirmed.
Is being committed to.

The people. The opportunity. The calling.

It’s all coming together.

What was once an individual’s dream is now becoming a team’s dream.
What was once an individual’s burden is now becoming a team’s burden.
What was once an individual’s purpose is now becoming a team’s purpose.

And it is a beautiful sight to see.

But during such an exciting time of progress, a reminder is necessary,

Coming together is just as beautiful as completing together.

Let us not be so…

consumed by the result that we neglect the relationships.
mesmerized by the great goal that we skip the necessary growth.
focused on the importance of the destination that we miss out on the beauty of the journey.

What a tragedy that would be.

Don’t you agree?

#170 - CONVINCED?

Are you convinced?

That your idea is good?
That your plan will work?
That your project will succeed?

Are you convinced?

That you’re worthy?
That you’re capable?
That you’re on track?

Are you convinced?

That you have been called.
That you have been chosen.
That you have been destined.

You must be convinced.

Because if you’re not, how will anyone else be?

#169 - UNLIKE MOST THINGS

Jobs change.
Friends move.
Stuff breaks.
Stocks fall.
Priorities shift.
Life happens.

But, unlike most things,

Your purpose is permanent.

It was placed within you on the day you were conceived.

It is unique.
It is specific.
It is important.

And it is forever.

It will not change.
It will not go away.
It will not be altered.

Your purpose is permanent.

Don’t you think it would be a pretty good idea to pursue it?

#168 - MY MONDAY MANTRA

This week, this one phrase will drive my efforts…

First things first.

I will not allow the things that matter the least
to prevent me from doing the things that matter the most.

I will put first things first.

In my spiritual life.
In my physical life.
In my family life.
In my work like.

First things first.

This will be my mantra.

A life lived any other way is just. not. acceptable.

#167 - A HUGE POSSIBILITY

Last night was huge.

We ate dinner with another married couple and their son.
We talked for well over six hours.
We got to know them better.

And why exactly was this so “huge?”

Because by the time we had finished talking, we realized that there is a possibility that we may partner together in the very near future to help each other fulfill the purposes for which God has created us.

And this excites me.

Why?

Because every great dream requires a great team.

And the thought of our “dream team” coming together sooner than later is exhilarating!

To have people in our lives to help shoulder the burden that we have been assigned to carry would be an answer to prayer!

Will it all work out in the end?

I don’t know.

But I want it to.
I really want it to.

And the development of your “dream team” is something that you should desire too.

#165 - IT'S IN MY HANDS

Last night I gave the sermon at my church’s Saturday evening service.

And though I thought I did a good job, shortly after my talk was completed, I began asking myself questions that I typically ask after I am finished giving a talk.

Did the people like it?
Did any lives get changed?
Did the message make sense?

But as these questions ran through my head, I sensed a still, small voice lovingly let me know…

It’s in My hands.

The results you long for – It’s in My hands.
The life change you wish to see – It’s in My hands.
The obstacles you must overcome – It’s in My hands.
The positive impact you desire to have – It’s in My hands.
The revelation you intend to communicate – It’s in My hands.
The changed world that you want to play a part in creating – It’s in My hands.

Every dream. Every hope. Every aspiration.

It’s in My hands.

Continue to do your part. And I will do mine.
Continue to plant the seed. And I will produce the harvest.
Continue to give your gift. And I will use it for My glory.

It’s in My hands.

The very same hands that were pierced with nails for you.

These are the hands that hold your life and your every desire.

Trust them.

#164 - DO SOMETHING

You’ve planned long enough.
You’ve considered long enough.
You’ve procrastinated long enough.

The time is now.

Do something.

Try the idea.
Write the lyric.
Call the friend.
Take the flight.
Send the letter.
Join the group.
Publish the post.
Start the website.
Buy the program.
Begin the routine.
Have the meeting.
Create the content.
Initiate the dialogue.

Do not wait another day.

Do something.

Can’t you see?!?

Your lack of initiative is preventing your greatness from ever seeing the light of day.

Read that again.

Draw the line in the sand.
Make today your day of disgust.
Say to yourself, “Enough is enough.” and then…

Do something…TODAY.

#163 - A VERY IMPORTANT CHOICE

Along your dream journey
You will experience that day
When a hardship arrives
To cause much delay.

It will force you to doubt.
It will take away joy.
To stop you from dreaming
Is its‘ primary ploy.

But what you must know
Is that your reaction is key.
For how you respond
Your dream longs to see.

Will you crack? Will you complain?
Will you fold? Will you quit?
Or will you push through
And to your dream, recommit?

The decision will be hard.
Trials aren’t easy to endure.
But in closing you must know
Of this one thing I am sure:

When you decide to move forward,
Not only will the adversity you survive
But your dream will rejoice
Because you kept it alive.

#162 - THE OPPORTUNITY

To influence a life.
To be an inspiration.
To make a difference.
To impact a generation.
To change the course of history forever.

This is the opportunity that I have.
This is the opportunity that you have.

The opportunity to invest your life passionately serving others with your unique gifts, talents and abilities.

I am so thankful for this opportunity.

It is the opportunity of a lifetime. 

Are you taking advantage of it?

#161 - WHY A FRIEND IS NECESSARY

Because the joys must be shared.
Because the triumphs must be enjoyed.
Because the victories must be celebrated.

This is why a friend is necessary.

Because the pains will be deep.
Because the vision will get cloudy.
Because the journey will get difficult.
Because the criticism will be relentless.
Because the failures will be heartbreaking.
Because the obstacles will seem insurmountable.

This is also why a friend is necessary.

To listen to us.
To encourage us.
To be there for us.

This is why a friend is necessary.

If you don’t have friendships, develop them.
If you do have friendships, appreciate them.

Because in the end,

The fulfillment of your dream will require them.

This is why a friend is necessary.

#160 - BE THERE IN THE END

When the other bloggers have stopped writing.
When the other artists have stopped producing.
When the other athletes have stopped practicing.

Be there in the end.

When the passionless have deserted their work.
When the uncommitted have quit their endeavors.
When the fearful have run to safety.

Be there in the end.

After the trend has burnt out.
After the fad has become old news.
After the hype has died.

Be there in the end.

Giving your gift.
Perfecting your craft.
Maintaining your discipline.

Be there in the end.

If you are…you will win.
If you aren’t…you will lose.

Be there in the end.

The world needs you to win.
The world needs you to finish well. 
The world needs your unique contribution.

Why?

Because too many people have gone to the grave without fulfilling the specific purpose for which they were created.

Be there in the end.

Another unfulfilled purpose is just. not. acceptable.

#159 - IF YOU DON'T, THEN WHO ELSE WILL?

If you don’t take the risk, then who else will?
If you don’t answer the call, then who else will?
If you don’t execute the idea, then who else will?
If you don’t solve the problem, then who else will?
If you don’t create the product, then who else will?
If you don’t lead the revolution, then who else will?
If you don’t start the movement, then who else will?
If you don’t respond to the need, then who else will?
If you don’t provide the example, then who else will?
If you don’t believe in the possibilities, then who else will?
If you don’t commit to finding the solution, then who else will?

Very likely, no one.

See to completion the specific work God has placed in your heart to do.

Because if you don’t…no one else will.

And that would be a tragedy.

#158 - GOD WANTS TO USE YOU

God wants to use you.

In big ways and in small.
To be His hands and His feet.
For a world that is desperate and dying.

Me?

Absolutely.

God wants to use you.

As a conduit to deliver His love.
As a vessel to carry His compassion.
As a channel to reveal His blessings.

Really?

Yes.

God wants to use you.

To bring life to the dead.
To bring joy to the downcast.
To bring peace to the worried.

Are you sure?

I’m positive.

God wants to use you.

In ways that will fulfill you.
In places that will delight you.
In situations that will astonish you.

Wow.

Wow is right.

God wants to use you.

Everyday of your life.
To the benefit of others.
For the glory of His name.

God wants to use you.

He really does.

The only question is,

Are you available?

#157 - GOT THE GOODS?

Ever wonder if you have what it takes –

The latest skills
The proper education
The necessary connections

to make your dream a reality?

Ever struggle with believing you’re the right person –

With the right look
With the right resume
With the right background

to see your dream come to pass?

Ever feel like you lack all the necessary abilities –

Sales. Marketing. Leadership. Networking. Team Building. Finance. Organization.

to fulfill all of the needs that your dream requires?

If so, do not be afraid.

You have been called.
You have been chosen.
You have been commissioned.

And the truth is,

God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.

In other words…

God did not call you because you already had “the goods.”
God did not call you because you already had it all together.
God did not call you because you already had everything you would need.

He called you because you were available.

Therefore…

Because of your calling, He will resource you.
Because of your calling, He will provide for you.
Because of your calling, He will equip you with every ability you need to get the job done.

So the next time you feel unqualified for the dream you have been given, remember:

God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.

#156 - THE KEY TO COMPLETION

Dreamers get anxious.

We want to see our desires fulfilled.
We want to see our destiny realized.
We want to see our dreams completed.

We want our vision of our preferred future to come to pass…now.

And when we are not seeing the progress we would like to see, we start to wonder…

Am I wasting my time?
Am I not working hard enough?
Am I pursuing the wrong dreams?

Have you ever asked yourself these questions?

Will what I’m dreaming ever become a reality?
Will I ever impact as many people as I dream of impacting?
Will my dreams ever cross their finish line?

These are tough tensions to manage.

But the following “Key to Completion” gives me hope:

What God starts, God finishes.

The idea He planted in you…He will help you make it grow.
The work He placed before you…He will help you see it through.
The dream He picked you to fulfill…He will help you see to completion.

When we do what only we can do, God does what only He can do.

He will complete it.

Now please, rest in that truth.

#155 - HOW TO FINANCE YOUR DREAM

Are you in need of financial resources to fund your dream?

If so, here’s the truth you must embrace:

What is God’s will, is God’s bill.

Need basic supplies?
Need faster technology?
Need additional education?

What is God’s will, is God’s bill.

Desire more staff?
Desire bigger buildings?
Desire improved equipment?

What is God’s will, is God’s bill.

Wanting better marketing?
Wanting stronger branding? 
Wanting greater advertising?

What is God’s will, is God’s bill.

This is good news and this is bad news.

The good news is, if it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill.
The bad news is, if it’s not God’s will, it’s not God’s bill!

So what does this mean to you and me?

We must be patient.

Be patient because God is in control.
Be patient because if we really needed it, God would provide it.
Be patient because God wants His dreams for us to come true even more than we do!

And if He wants our dreams to come true even more than we do,
we must believe without a doubt that when the time is right…

The bills will be paid.
The education will be financed.
The resources will be provided.

What is God’s will, is God’s bill.

When the time is right and the need is truly there – God will pay.

Believe it.

#154 - THE GREATEST FAILURE EVER

You were created to be a teacher,
but instead you are a “successful” salesperson.

What a shame.

You were created to be a business owner,
but instead you are a “successful” writer.

What a tragedy.

You were created to fly planes, but instead you “successfully” drive trucks.
You were created to make music, but instead you “successfully” make movies.
You were created to serve people, but instead you “successfully” promote yourself.

What a failure.

“I was created to do ___________, but instead I do ___________.”

This is a spreading epidemic and it wrecks me.
This is a worldwide problem and it saddens me.
This is an all too common story and it breaks my heart.

Why?

Dr. Myles Munroe puts it this way:

The greatest failure in life is being successful in the wrong assignment.

If you didn’t get that the first time, be sure you read it again.

God forbid you achieve success in a job that He didn’t create you to do.
God forbid you taste satisfaction in a work that He didn’t design you to take part in.
God forbid you experience significance in a pursuit that He didn’t intend you to pursue.

God forbid you miss out on the fulfillment that comes from accomplishing the specific assignment you were placed on this earth to complete.

#153 - THE CAUSE WITHIN YOU BY MATTHEW BARNETT

This month’s book was The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett and in the chapter entitled, “The Right Time to Quit” he writes,

One of the most important insights to remember about perseverance is that the pressure to quit often happens just before a major breakthrough occurs.

This was refreshing.

Though I have written on the subject of perseverance before, the idea of a “major breakthrough” following the pressure to quit was encouraging. It put the pressure to quit in perspective.

Though money may be low.
Though resources may be waning.
Though help may be nowhere in sight.

Continue.

Though you can’t imagine going another day.
Though you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Though you can’t fathom how it is going to all work out in the end.

Continue.

Your breakthrough is closer than you think.

#152 - WHY YOU WON'T CHANGE THE WORLD

You have yet to be moved.

By a particular pain.
By a specific suffering.
By a distinct dysfunction.

You have yet to be wrecked.

By a social injustice.
By a prevailing disservice.
By an unresolved inequality.

You have yet to be burdened.

By a need that needs filling.
By an issue that needs healing.  
By a hardship that needs resolving.

Ultimately, you will not change the world because…

You have yet to have your heart broken by that which breaks the heart of God.

Your wants have been your focus.
Your needs have been your priority.
Your desires have been your motivation.

This is why you won’t change the world.

BUT…

The moment you allow yourself to be deeply moved, wrecked, burdened and broken by a specific problem that exists in our world today…

You will change the world in ways you never thought were possible.

Believe it.