To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Faith

Hope rises!

blog_779096_2875342_1458488334You may have noticed that I have ended a few of my Sunday blogs this month with the thought that hope is rising. Well indeed, today is PALM SUNDAY and hope is rising!

This week we are going to talk about ideas! We are all always in great hope that we will have those IDEAS that create something special, something fun, meaningful and perhaps even INCREDIBLE. An idea that brings our family closer, elevates our career, fills our financial needs, or brings meaning to those things we care about passionately.

I fully BELIEVE that “GOD IDEAS” (A God idea is one that you can’t stop thinking about, and has grabbed your heart… one that surely must have come from God) – are quite possible for us to attract if we simply give our lives to God in prayer and faith. As the above captures so perfectly. Make him your first priority and he promises a fulfilled life.

Happy Easter Week! My prayers for you to be filled fully with HOPE this week!

(Photo Creds: Pinterest)

What do I lack?

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It’s Tuesday and February is off and running. I don’t usually cite biblical references during the week, but this one ties right in and is the best example of this “important conversation”  with the topic of “What do I lack?”

In Matthew 19:20 the rich man asks, “The young man said to him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Wow! Right there in print,  in the most read book of all time, we have this important conversation based on this thought that I feel is super important to serving well and living a life of excellence.

(In case you wondered,  I do not do cite the Bible typically mid-week because this blog reaches into the professional communities on Tue/Thursday and some people and organizations do not appreciate this- however, I pray for a day when that is totally acceptable and even valued.)

This can be a conversation with ourself, or those that hold us accountable, those we love and that love us enough to help us along in life by being honest and fair.  In sports, you often hear the announcers talking about whether or not the defense or offense lacks leadership, dedication, passion, talent, healthy players, etc.. Those are fair questions and I believe ones we have to ask ourselves on a regular basis if we truly want to excel in our key areas of value.

What are some questions you need to ask yourself?

Am I lacking discipline toward a healthy lifestyle?
Am I lacking energy in general and néed to seek answers from a trusted physician?
Am I lacking organization and sanity?
Am I lacking positive thinking?
Am I lacking love and protection of good friends that care about me?

In order to get better we have to assess the “gaps” and work on a repair strategy.  Let me know how I can help you with this tough question and important conversation. It would be an honor!

(Photo Creds:  Pinterest:  Subject: GoPro Shots- Very cool!)

Bold prayers

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Favorite author- favorite life mantra! I have learned so much from reading Mark Batterson (Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, If, Trip Around the Sun, All In, Draw the Circle, The Grave Robber, Soul Print, Praying Circles Around the Lives of your Children, Primal).

He’s a midwest boy, basketball player, turned church planter in Washington D.C. His stories are easy to read, and inspiring. A perfect combination of compelling anecdotes and real life strategies.

This week we will be focused on bold visions, specifically bold visions for our country (since it is an election year, and a big one at that!) and bold visions for our families. What better way to kick off the week than to hit our knees (literally or physically) and push out some prayers into the universe that just might advance us to the next level in peace and personal satisfaction and create positive anticipation for what life has to offer.

I’ll be praying for all of you this week. Be bold.

(Photo Creds:  We Heart It)

Christmas Eve, the gift of anticipation

blog_749488_2826667_1450980610Christmas Eve for a child, young and sometimes old, is filled with anticipation.

Anticipation being that waiting period before something exciting happens. In this case, celebrations unfold and hearts are filled with the expecting of what’s to come. While researching for this post, I ran across the amazing blog below by Jeff Goins.

Jeff is one of the great writing talents in the United States today and worth your time if you appreciate this type of work.  I believe you will find his words full of wisdom on this topic of waiting.  I for sure learned some new concepts that help me to frame up this amazing season in a way that is deeper and richer.

“After years of learning important lessons about life, I now realize that the magic of Christmas was never about the day. It was always about the waiting.”  – Jeff Goins  See full post here.

Ultimately, the primary point is how great it is that the birth of Jesus was just the beginning, the anticipation of what is to come!  His birth merely started the story of what was to come.

I pray today that your hearts will be filled with the anticipation of what God will do in your lives and those of your family and friends during the next year. Have the merriest of days and embrace the moments. You all are a gift to me personally and I am forever grateful.

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Bring what you have

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Seriously this photo is awesome! I love all of the fun holiday cards, so I’m going to use a few this week with my message. Thank you to Pinterest for their cool factor in capturing such fun in one site.

In addition to my pastor and church, I love to listen each week to Steven Furtick who happens to serve a church called Elevation in Charlotte, NC. His energy amazes and his message almost always hits me square between the eyes. A few weeks ago he focused on the concept that God didn’t really ask us for much, really only what we have to bring. He mentioned many of the great stories in the Bible. With the Christmas season upon us I can’t stop thinking that Mary and Joseph pretty much gave all they had, givng a life and their lives that would alter the world forever.

What is it that you have that you should “bring” this season?

CHEER for those that you simply need to celebrate, or even someone you don’t even know?HOPE for someone who is running short?
A WARM EMBRACE or a thoughtful card for someone who is facing this holiday without a loved one?
HONOR for our elders that have paved the way?

Let’s all bring what we have and together make this the best ever! It’s really up to us to make that decision – powerful, cool and a bit scary. I hope you all will challenge yourself to sacrifice your time and self to create a season of brilliance.

Simple Thoughts Sunday

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Bold in our thinking, our priorities, our actions, our intentions, our love, our prayers.

Just imagine what could be achieved if we all were to be as bold as possible? You know, we were truly called to be bold: To use the amazing gifts that God gave us, and to step in and be the hands and feet of Christ and serve others to improve our world.

What can you do this week to showcase boldness? Pray bigger and broader, then watch what happens.

WORLD CHANGING PRAYER

blog_717887_2776636_1441767722I love Sundays!  They are a day of rest and recreation, and a day to REFLECT.

I have heard some version of this quote several times in this past year.  Often it ends with the thought, “Would the world look any different, or just yours?”  POW!  That hurts….At times, we are all selfish, praying for arriving safely and having a good week at work.  Because this little “thought”  keeps finding it’s way into my newsfeed, on to my facebook… I believe it is trying to find a place INTO MY HEART.

PRAYER is POWERFUL.  There are stories that blow my mind about PRAYER and honestly, I need to THINK BIGGER, BELIEVE FOR GREATER,  ENLARGE MY DREAMS…

Today I am REFLECTING on this thought-  I would love a world where everyone is fed, safe, rescued, restored, lifted up, believed in, THRIVING, JOYFUL… I NEED TO PRAY BIGGER PRAYERS….  How about you?

Integrating Faith and Work

If you are a Christ follower, then people should know it.  The great commandment is intended for us to share the stories, bring others along for the ride, and ensure lives are made better.

Doing this while managing a career is downright tough and in most cases against company policy.  So, how can I demonstrate Christ without overstepping?

  • Be cheerful to others
  • Spread joy to others by encouraging
  • Be a person of excellence – uphold the highest level of integrity, and yes, this includes adding copy paper at all levels.
  • Demonstrate commitment to your leaders
  • Maintain a good balance between family, work, and health
  • Care for others – serve needs and use your organization to help the community when you can

Easy enough, right?  Not so much – We all know it’s hard to demonstrate Christ on a daily basis. However, by doing these basics, others will recognize that there is something different in us and they just might ask you why.  Trust me, I know this from personal experience.  The difference, Christ lives through me. 

Importance of Community … The Best 2 Minute Sermon

Although it was a severely painful situation.  In the wake of my good friend’s tragic loss/murder of her son and father, at the high school vigil, I heard the best sermon ever- and it was only 2 minutes long.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader spoke out of Isiah. While he did share about the parting of the waters at the Red Sea, there was another instance in the scripture that was equally as important.  God asked that if He were to part the waters that He needed them to take the first step.  

In his short portrayal of the story, this young and amazing man, asked the audience to lock arms with this family and step into healing together as a community.  All I can say is, “WOW!”
We need each other on this journey and it is easier to take the first step if you have a community to join you in both pleasure and pain.