Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Recharge

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. ~Psalm 51:12

The IRONMAN TRIATHLON is one of the most grueling endurance events in the world. In order to complete the race, an athlete must swim 2.4 miles, ride a bicycle 112 more miles, then run a 26.2-mile marathon. I’m tired just reading about it!

The best athletes in the world can complete this monumental challenge in under nine

hours. But for Australian Chris Legh, his Ironman experience in 1997 was memorable for the wrong reasons. Known as one of the top competitors in the sport, he was unable to keep any fluids or food down during the course of the race. As a result, he became dehydrated, leading to a number of his organs shutting down.

Fifty yards from the finish line, his body completely gave out. Legh never finished the race and would’ve died without immediate medical attention. Thankfully, he recovered and has won two Ironman events since.

But first, he had to be Restored & Recharged!

While experiences like Legh’s show us humans have physical limits to their endurance, the same can also be said about their spiritual lives. Thankfully, there are warning signs that exist before it becomes too late. When people don’t want to read their Bible or pray, if they decide to shut people out of their lives, or if church becomes just a ritual, something deeper may be going on.

They may be suffering from spiritual dehydration. Just as a “Low Fuel” light tells us to fill up the car with gas, it’s time to ask God for a renewed spirit when we see these warning signs. Consider that Jesus had crowds following him everywhere, but he knew his spiritual limits so well that he consistently took time to recharge, even when death was near (see Luke 22:39-43).

When your life’s “Low Fuel” light comes on, don’t ignore it. God wants to recharge and renew your life. Allow him to do just that. Make sure you accept his help to cross the finish line, especially at this hectic time of year.

We belive that God has BIG PLANS for us in 2010!

Let’s Remember our last four Blog-post’s ….

Let’s have the right “Reaction” to whatever He calls us to Be & Do!

Let’s allow His Holy Spirit to “Refine” us for His Glory!

Let’s work on “Realigning” ourselves to His Purpose!

Let’s Remember to get Recharged for the coming task!

From Deb & I

Have a Blessed Christmas…

See you in 2010

Please take the 4 minutes it will take and check out our last “Study” of 2009

“Rejoice”

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Realignment

Time flies, but some months seem to move even faster!

And the Christmas season seems like a sprint to the finish line of the year.

Many good intentions get lost in the busyness of this season.

Great opportunities are crowded out by secondary choices.

December could be such a memorable finishing touch, but too often it turns into a dismal rush that leaves us exhausted at year’s end.

We pray this year will be an exception.

God’s Word never tells us to live in a hurry. We don’t worship a frantic God. He has established a pace for living in the hours of the day and the seasons of the year. Rather than accept the timetable the world hands us, why not seek to live our days under God’s timing?

We don’t want to reach the end of the year and say, “I just didn’t spend much time considering the reason for the season this year—again.”We pray that for all of us, this month will hold some special moments of vivid experiences in Christ’s presence.

We need to see His glory! Let’s dedicate this, His season, to Him.

Anyone who has ever had a car Out of alignment knows the damage and the danger this phenomena can create…and it happens so easily, just one pot hole, and Wham!

The Christmas season is a great time to ask ourselves

“Is it Time for Realignment?”

How can you discover the unconscious values you may have embraced this past year? Look at how you spend your time and money. Psychiatrists M. Scott Peck observed, “When we love something it is of value to us, and when something is of value to us, we spend time with it, time enjoying it, and time taking care of it.”

Perhaps it is time to conduct a values audit in your life. Look at your calendar. Review your budget and compare it to your spending habits. Think about your passions. All of those things will lead you invariably to an accounting of your values.

If you are living by values that run contrary to your ideals, philosophy, or theology, consider what changes you must make to align who you are, what you believe, and what you do.

You don’t make decisions because they are easy. You don’t make decisions because they are Cheap. You don’t make decisions because they are Popular. You make decisions because they are Right. ~Theodore Hesburgh

The closer you are to The Christ of Christmas the safer you are.

More Presence = More Power!

How To Live Out Your Values With Integrity:

1. Learn to Articulate your Values Clearly.

2. Review them Daily.

3. Practice them Purposefully.

4. Make Decisions with them Strategically.

5. Teach them to your family Intentionally.

6. Recognize them in each other Publically.

7. Celebrate them Continually.

From Deb & I

HAVE A WONDER – FILLED – CHRISTMAS SEASON!

I Know it’s a Busy Time…But make the Time.. Check out our “STUDY TOOL”

“Realignment”...

And Your feedback is a great Encouragement to us!

This week try and tell at least one person why you are Anticipating Christmas this year.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Refinement

The act of purifying by separating from a substance all non essential or unimportant matter; a clearing from scum, dregs; as the refinement of metals. Improving something by making it more sophisticated or effective.

Am I Different? Am I Changing? Am I Growing? Am I Becoming?

Am I Willing to be “Refined?”

Abraham Lincoln said, “I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser than he was yesterday.

Am I willing to put myself through anything? Temporary pain or discomfort must mean nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take my life, and those lives around me that I influence to a new level of living.

I am interested in the unknown (as yet) plans and purpose that God has for me.

I am also aware that the only path to the unknown is through breaking the present barriers of my life, and that this is often a painful process.

There is an old Irish proverb I can relate, all too well to….

“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather is.”

We will continue to plateau or worse fall backwards if we continue to believe, and attempt today’s assignments with yesterday’s tools.

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. ~Ben Franklin

Elmer Towns teaching about personal growth said, “If you want to heat up a fireplace poker, you don’t put it across the room from the fire. No, you put it right IN the fire, right next to the hot coals. And the heat transfers. The key to growth is the same for people. To gain “Heat” for growth, (for Refinement) we need to get close to those who are already hot.” Here are a few simple steps to make that happen:

1. Spend time with Great people.

2. Learn their Great Ideas through CDs, DVDs, Blogs, Tweets, Sermons,

3. Visit Great Places that will Inspire you.

4. Attend Great Events that will prompt you to pursue change.

5. Read Great Books.


Remember: Whatever You Do Today, Do It Better Tomorrow!

If you can Handle the Heat Check out the attached Study Tool….

“The Process Of Refinement….”

See You In Church

Mark & Deb

Your Comments are our reward….Thanks.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Reaction

Character is the sum total of all our everyday choices; our “Reaction” to events to external stimulus.

Some people succeed by What they Know; some by What they Do; and a few by What they ARE!

C.S. Lewis observed, “Every time you make a Choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something a little different than it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into hellish creature.”

Nobody desires to take the path that leads downward. Each of us aspires to be something more, something bigger, something better. The secret to the uphill path comes in the individual Reaction; in the responses we make.

Listen, the hard cold truth is Tribulations, trials, troubles, tears they come to everyone, but they make some people Bitter and some Better. You either become a Burden or a Blessing to those around you based on your Reaction to these things.

There is a tremendous difference between people who have big problems and the people who make a problem big…… Reaction!

“Love is the Christlike reaction to people’s malice.

Joy is the Christlike reaction to depressing circumstances.

Peace is the Christlike reaction to troubles, threats and invitations to anxiety.

Patience is the Christlike reaction to all that is maddening.

Kindness is the Christlike reaction to all that are unkind.

Goodness is the Christlike reaction to bad people and bad behavior.

Faithfulness and gentleness are the Christlike reactions to lies and fury.

Self-control is the Christlike reaction to every situation that goads you to lose your cool and hit ….” J.I. Packer in Knowing and Doing the Will of God

Let’s Strive to cultivate the Reactions necessary to be who God wants and Needs us to be. To be that successful, passionate, giving leader.

And let’s Remember someone is watching us that needs to see Jesus in us.

Deb & I want to be Better at Reacting!

We hope you React well to this Blog?

We hope you React by using the attached study tool

The People You Meet “in” a Problem.

What’s Your Reaction? Respond with a Comment Below!!!!


Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Transformation

A complete change, usually into something with an improved appearance or usefulness…. In theology, a change of heart in man, by which his disposition and temper are conformed to the divine image; a change from hostility to holiness and love.

But I Thought God Loves Us Just Like We Are?

The answer of course is Yes!

But He Loves Us Too Much To Leave Us Who We Are!

Christians are a “work in progress.” When people outside the Christian faith examine its major themes, they ought to consider the ongoing work of the Spirit of God, helping mature and perfect believers — in religious language, this means sanctifying believers. The power to accomplish this work is not the creative ingenuity or manpower that humans can summon — it is the Spirit of Christ himself.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ~2Corinthians 3:18

When people call followers of Jesus “Christians,” it’s more than a name, it is also a description. We who try daily to follow him, also seek to live like him.

Scripture describes Christians as growing from babies into mature disciples. The grace of God has broken down barriers. We are drawn to him, and when we come to him, Christ cleanses our souls. God’s love given us through Jesus brings us rebirth and renewal.

Jesus provided the cleansing for our sin-filled life — and he made the pattern for our new life. He is the starting point in our transformation — our Alpha. And he is our goal — our Omega.

Note that he is the pattern; we are “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” As God’s image takes shape in us, we will see God’s power as we confront & conquer sin. Our transformation begins. The Lord blesses our daily living as we make Spirit lead Bible grounded decisions. We become holier, wiser, and more loving as we seek to become more obedient and reach souls for Jesus.

People pay big money to have a new look. But sadly, few believers would ever consider a change-over. The apostle Paul, however, insists that every believer should have a lasting transformation — not by scalpel, injection, laser correction or liposuction, but through the transformational power of the Holy Spirit:

Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

Have you been transformed? Can the world see the love of Jesus in your life?

It’s NOT just a New Leaf ~ It’s A New Life!

Let God begin his work of transformation in you today!

Deb & I are asking God to empower us with His Spirit.

See You In Church……

Don’t forget that God specializes in the work of transformation. In fact, the Holy Spirit’s major job description is transformation.

Study Tool ….. The Work Of The Spirit

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Guidance

Many of us struggle to understand and discern God’s guidance for our lives.

We ask questions like: What job should I take? Who should I date? Should I marry or not? Should I marry this person or that person? Should I join this church or that one? Should I have another child? Which profession should I follow? Is my present line of work the one to stay in?

Does God want me to Do This or That?

Herein lies the major perplexity of knowing and doing God’s will.

Does God lead and direct in these areas? Yes.

Does He come out and overtly tell us what to do? Rarely. (Yeah, I don’t like that either but it’s still the truth.)

So how does God guide us? Consider these principles: (Think about these)

God’s Guidance Concerns Itself More With Our Steps Than Our Overall Journey.

God’s Guidance Is More Preoccupied With The Present Than With The Future.

God’s Guidance Has Less To Do With Geography And More To Do With Morality.

God’s Guidance Is More Interested In Our Character Than Our Comfort.

God’s Guidance Is Not Insider Information.

We May Seek Guidance, But God Provides Something Better—Himself.

God’s Guidance Is That We Pursue The Guide More Than Guidance.

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. ~Isaiah 58:11

In seeking God, His plan will be revealed. Learn to be Patient. Remember, Patience is the weapon that forces deception to reveal itself.

His way will lead back through his Word.

If the step is more critical than the journey, and the present is of greater consequence than the future, and the Guide more essential than the guidance, what is needed?

We need to know the right step to take. We need to know what we must do in the present. We need to know the Guide.

God Does Not Guide Us Magically; He Guides Us Relationally.

Therefore, the Bible must be studied so we may become acquainted with the ways and thoughts of God.

God’s aim is that we become his companions who walk with him. He already knows us. Now He wants us to understand and know him.

The more we understand Him, the more real our relationship will be with Him and the more likely we are to keep in step with Him in the direction He is taking us.

The Workings Of God In Our Lives Are Not Proportionate To Our Need Of Him, But Of Our Knowledge Of Him.

Deb & I are “Seeking” to KNOW HIM MORE

Won’t You Join Us?

See You In Church.

Check out this week’s “Study Tool” ~ “Access To Wisdom”

I have to hear from YOU! Just Comment Below. It’s not hard. Just need to know somebody is reading this? Comment on the Blog; the study; Anything!!

Or Answer this Question: You notice a Self-Destructive behavior pattern in a friend who is clearly unaware of it. If saying “something” could cost the friendship Would You point it out? If yes, how do you go about it?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Direction

Instructions given by somebody who controls something or somebody; Management; Control and supervision; a feeling of having a definite goal or purpose; Prescription; either verbal or written; instruction in what manner to proceed.


If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.


Why is it so easy to “Give Direction” yet so hard to “Receive Direction?”

When we “Give” Direction, our motive is pure, we only want to help, we don’t assume to be superior, we just might have traveled that road; that experience.


But when “Someone” wants to “Direct” us we assume all these truths to be reversed.


What’s their Motive, are they trying to ruin me? They just think they are better than me!

Dude! We are so suspicious.


President Woodrow Wilson once said, “I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow.”


Listen, we even struggle with taking “Direction” from God. Unless of course He happens to agree with us.


In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. ~Proverbs 3:6


Socrates said, “Whatever authority I have rests solely on Knowing how little I Know.” It would seem to me that such Not-Knowing –Humility in the face of the mysteries of life

could open the door of our hearts to the Divine Director.

God’s earth abiding presence….”The Holy Spirit.”


This Heaven sent “Director” of surrendered lives, has our best interest at heart.

He knows when to say “Action” “Cut” “Print” ….. Go Stay wait


He has direct access to the plans and purposes God the Father intended for you and your life. He has the script…Not just today’s lines; He knows how this movie ends!

He can warn us of Impending danger. Recognition of His Voice could stop countless deaths, tragedies and difficulties.


Many broken homes and marriages could be transformed by hearing and abiding His Direction.


His voice can unlock waves of favor and blessing, He can connect you with uncommon people. Recognition of His Direction brings Inner Peace.


Confusion Is The Proof Of Rejected Truth.


Stop discussing your problems with someone incapable of solving it.

Start asking the Holy Spirit to Lead You. To Show You!


Imagine an all-wise, all knowing guide living inside you, waiting to answer all your questions….

He will Talk to you If You Listen to Him.


Joy Is The Divine Reward For Discerning The Divine Purpose Of The Immediate Moment.


Hey! Deb & I are praying for you to receive direction. So pray for us!

See You In Church


Got a few Minutes Check out the attached “Study Tool” ~ Also read the “Comment Question” below…Let’s hear from you, your thoughts! Leave comments below. (:


Walk This Way (Study Tool)


Comment Question??

Do you believe spirituality and an active religious life has anything to do with physical health and well being?

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Teachability

Capable of being taught; apt to learn; Willing to receive instruction or to learn;

"What really counts in life is what you learn after you know it all." ~John Wooden

The older we get, the more set in our ways we are likely to be. The older we get, the harder it is to master new skills and adapt to new methods. The older we get, the more likely we are to tune out ideas that would require re-thinking a point of view.

A key to success in every profession or business is teachability.

In one's personal spiritual life, pride is among the deadliest of sins for the simple reason that it prohibits learning.

We must remember that Jesus rebuked folks who wouldn't think or grow.

And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]. ~Matthew 18:3

According to the Bible, a fool is not someone who is mentally deficient. It has nothing to do with intellect, test scores, or degrees of education. The Bible defines a fool as a person with a propensity to ignore correction and continue in his own way. Jesus clearly teaches that to rebel against His word, continually making the wrong decisions, is to be a fool.

More good ideas have been killed with "We've never done it that way before" than with good reasons as to why it shouldn't be done some new way.

Prejudice against all things new is self-defeating and unworthy of people in God's image. There are no uninteresting ideas, only disinterested people.

Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~Isaiah 43:19

The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of the mind for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. As we learn and Grow, we are Blessed.

Teachers open the door. But You must enter by yourself.

Unfortunately Even Experience teaches only the teachable.

It is better to learn late than never. ~Syrus

As long as you're green, you're growing. As soon as you're ripe, you start to rot. ~Ray Kroc

He who stops being better stops being good. ~Oliver Cromwell

Teachable to the End..........

President Theodore Roosevelt is remembered as an outspoken man of action and proponent of the vigorous life. While in the White House, he was known for regular boxing and judo sessions, vigorous horseback rides, and long, strenuous hikes.

At different times in his life, TR (Roosevelt's nickname) was a cowboy in the Wild West, an explorer and big-game hunter, and a rough-riding cavalry officer in the Spanish-American War. His enthusiasm and stamina seemed boundless. As the vice-presidential candidate in 1900, he gave 673 speeches and traveled 20,000 miles while campaigning for President McKinley. And years after his presidency, while preparing to deliver a speech in Milwaukee, Roosevelt was shot in the chest by a would-be assassin. With a broken rib and a bullet in his chest, Roosevelt insisted on delivering his one-hour speech before allowing himself to be taken to the hospital.

Roosevelt's list of accomplishments is remarkable. Under his leadership, the United States emerged as a world power. He helped the country develop a first-rate navy. He built the Panama Canal. He negotiated peace between Russia and Japan, winning a Nobel Peace Prize in the process. And when people questioned TR's leadership-he had become president when McKinley was assassinated-he campaigned and was reelected by the largest majority of any president up to his time.

Ever the man of action, when Roosevelt completed his term as president in 1909, he immediately traveled to Africa where he led a scientific expedition sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution. And in 1913 he co-led a group to explore the uncharted River of Doubt in Brazil. It was a great learning adventure he said he could not pass up. "It was my last chance to be a boy,” he later admitted. He was fifty-five years old.

On January 6, 1919, at his home in New York, Theodore Roosevelt died in his sleep. At the time, Vice President Thomas Riley Marshall said, "Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake, there would have been a fight." When they removed him from his bed, they found a book under his pillow. Up to the very last, TR was still striving to learn and improve himself.

We are Not who we want to be. But we are Not who we used to be!

Deb & I are “growing” through Change with you.

Let’s All stay Teachable!

If you are Teachable you WILL WANT to check out our “Study Tool” this week.

“Power-Book” (study tool)

Feed – Back “Comment” Question!

Can a person actively change their nature, or are we all stuck the way we are? And if a person does change is it just because his or her environment changed, causing him or her to react in a different way because their nature makes them? I know my opinion. What's yours?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

CHOICES

Life is a Series of Choices.

Our Past Choices made us who we are Today.

Our Present Choices will Shape our Future.

“You are your choices.” ~Seneca

Nowhere is it written that Decisions (Choices) are supposed to be easy.

Every choice requires a combination of Intellect, Intuition, and Instinct.

These three tools can be Up-graded through Prayer & Knowledge of God’s Word. There is nothing like an Up-grade! First-Class beats coach all day.

Have you noticed that the more important the decision/choice, the harder it seems.

WHY?

Because perceived importance increases our FEAR of making the wrong choice and what that might mean. ~ (Pause here for a moment!)

When choosing between Rye or Wheat toast, I don’t agonize too much, because I know the wrong choice won’t bring the world to an end, or even ruin my day.

But will selecting the wrong college, girlfriend, career, or church mean pain or pleasure?

Ever wonder what would have happened if you had taken a Left back there in 1982 instead of a Right? If you had made different choices, something may have turned out better ~ and others, maybe worse. In any case, you may never know.

Faith reminds us that every Choice we make can serve God’s kingdom if we learn to apply Godly Wisdom & Prayer.

Not every choice we have made may have been wrapped in these two bookends, but with the right attitude about even our bad choices we can begin to see that in every choice there is the seed of WISDOM!!

If we are open to Learning and Growing from our choices, if we are honest and own our choices (stop looking for someone to blame for your choices) we can begin to see Wisdom in every choice.

With a humble heart and God’s help we can Learn even from bad Choices!

Like the Smothers brothers used to say, “If I told you to put your hand in the fire, would you do it?” ~ “Not, Again!”

We may not be able to Change the past but we can learn from it.

“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” ~ Edmund Burke

Could we add “Those who won’t own their History …….”

“Those who want to blame their mother for their History …..”

“Those who want to Deny their History …….”

“Those who won’t Learn from their History ……..”

“Yes, there are two paths you can go by But in the long run There's still time to change the road you're on.” ~ Led Zeppelin

God wants to help you with all of these Choices you have to make.

Check out the attached “Study Tool” below and tap into God’s GPS

Deb & I are Praying for you to make Right Choices!

See You In Church??

Hey, Give us a shout out! Leave a little Feedback Please. Just want to know you are out there!!

THE GUIDE …. (Study Tool)

Our Caption winner from last Blog

“Lee Web”