January 2011
45 posts
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Book #1 - Soulprint
In addition to my goal of posting one inspirational blog post each day from January 1 - December 31 of this year, I also have a goal of reading, at least, one book per month.
With that said, my last post of every month will be in response to a quote from the book that I find to be insightful.
So without any further ado, here is one of my favorite quotes from Mark Batterson’s latest...
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How to Get It All Done
We all have so many…
bills to pay.
people to call.
plans to make.
emails to return.
goals to achieve.
ideas to act upon.
questions to answer.
projects to complete.
commitments to follow through on.
We all have so many things to do.
How do I suggest that we can get it all done?
Make a list of ONE.
ONE important thing to do.
Just ONE.
Then do it.
I dare you to ignore the other...
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Grateful
for my wife who loves me.
for my Savior who saved me.
for my failures which teach me.
for my mentors who inspire me.
for my books which educate me.
for my team who serves with me.
for my family who encourages me.
for my purpose which motivates me.
for my friends who celebrate with me.
for my talents that, when used, satisfy me.
for my opportunities to serve which fulfill me.
I have so...
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If You're Nervous
it’s because you care.
it’s because you’re excited.
it’s because you’re anxious.
it’s because you want to do well.
it’s because excellence is important to you.
If you’re nervous…
it’s because new is scary.
it’s because expectations are high.
it’s because people will be watching.
If you’re nervous, it might just...
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For the Long Haul
I’m in this for the long haul.
My art.
My work.
My projects.
My ministry.
My marriage.
My purposes.
Each endeavor will be pursued with a long-term mindset.
I’m not interested in…
short-term gain.
short-term impact.
short-term influence.
I’m not interested in…
temporary progress.
temporary satisfaction.
temporary recognition.
I will not be a one-hit...
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Leaders Learn
by listening. by reading. by following.
by doing. by comparing. by sharing.
by teaching. by modeling. by trying.
Leaders learn.
because they are aware of their weaknesses.
because they desire to improve upon their strengths.
because they aspire to be the very best at what they do.
Leaders learn.
from other leaders.
from their peers.
from their followers.
Leaders learn.
from their...
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In Regards to Your Ability
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” - Genesis 41:16
We cannot do it all.
As we pursue every dream, purpose and assignment within us, we will find that there are many things that we just cannot do on our own. And many times, not only can we not do them on our own, but even others will not be able to help us.
...
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Don't Get Ahead of Yourself
Things are in motion.
Progress is being made.
Goals are being accomplished.
Don’t get ahead of yourself.
Your message is spreading.
Your influence is increasing.
Your skills are developing.
Don’t get ahead of yourself.
Though you are not yet where you want to be,
you are no longer where you once were.
And that is reason to celebrate.
Don’t get ahead of yourself.
Be...
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“Criticize by creating.”
– Michaelangelo
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Simple Is Better
Simple can be taught.
Simple can be learned.
Simple can be repeated.
Simple can be executed.
Simple can be embraced.
Simple can be duplicated.
Simple can be understood.
Simple can be appreciated.
Simple is better.
Why?
Well because…
Simple is…simple.
Where in your work, relationships, business or other endeavors would you benefit from simplifying?
** 23/365 **
Original...
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In Regards to Remembering
The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. Genesis 40:23
Who have you forgotten?
Who has helped you?
Who has supported you?
Who has been there for you?
Yet you have not remembered them.
Who has sacrificed for you?
Who has come through for you?
Who has been a blessing to you?
Yet you have not appreciated them.
Who has taught you?
Who has listened to you?
Who...
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“If you’re not legacy minded, what you do ends with you.”
– Chris Nicely
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“Don’t try to put in what God left out. Instead, strive to draw out what...”
– Unknown
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Exceeded Expectations
To dream. To plan. To execute.
And then to experience results far beyond your expectations.
What a joy.
To believe. To prepare. To deliver.
And then to enjoy an outcome far better than what you could imagine.
What a blessing.
Though there will be days when you fall short.
Though there will be days when goals are not achieved.
Though there will be days when expectations are unmet.
Every so...
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“Human beings can live for forty days without food, four days without water, and...”
– Unknown
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“The future belongs to those who see the possibilities before they become...”
– John Sculley
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Silence
There is beauty in silence.
When there is nothing to say.
When there is no value to be added.
When there is a conviction to not say a word.
Sometimes, silence is the answer.
Try it.
** 20/365 **
Original Article
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“An opportunity isn’t an opportunity if you have to compromise your...”
– Mark Batterson
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Dreams Do Come True
Goals are met.
Visions come to pass.
Purposes are fulfilled.
Dreams do come true.
Though they start off as ideas.
Though they begin in obscurity.
Though they seem, at first, impossible.
Dreams do come true.
In spite of the criticisms they receive.
In spite of the obstacles they encounter.
In spite of the difficulties they experience.
Dreams do come true.
For the poor. For the rich....
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A Consistent Message
A consistent message is powerful.
It can transcend an era.
It can overcome opposition.
It can move the heart’s of men.
A consistent message is necessary.
For steady growth.
For improved results.
For forward progress.
A consistent message is influential.
It can guide a family.
It can transform a community.
It can impact a city.
It can unite a country.
It can change the world.
A...
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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...
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If You Only Knew
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...
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Compensation is Coming
For many years now
Your art has been free.
But in this short poem,
A great truth you must see.
Because you’ve been faithful
There will soon come a day
When the gift that you give
Will require much pay!
** 15/365 **
Original Article
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“If your dream isn’t scary to you it’s probably boring to God.”
– Mark Batterson
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Leadership is Empowerment
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...
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“Life minus love equals zero.”
– Rick Warren
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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...
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“When your life is over, the world will ask you only one question: Did you do...”
– Korczak Ziolkowski
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“At the end of the day, God isn’t going to ask, “Why weren’t you more like Billy...”
– Mark Batterson
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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?
...
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“To do a good thing is a good thing. To do good to be seen is not.”
– Max Lucado
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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...
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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...
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A Call to Serve
There’s more to this life
than consuming and getting
the things that we want and desire.
Though achievement is great
and pleasing to many
there exists a satisfaction that’s higher.
This joy can be found
when we start to see others
and the needs for which they are yearning.
And instead of pursuing
only that which we want
we see the importance of serving.
** 9/365 **
Original...
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“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.”
– Helen Keller
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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...
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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...
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“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another.”
– Walter Elliot
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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...
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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...
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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...
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“Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.”
– Anonymous
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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...
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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...
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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,...