DO YOU REALLY CARE ?

Our world has become inundated with individuals who simply like to tell others how they feel, yet they are rarely having those conversations with the people who really matter. Some are oblivious to this reality, consequently being held hostage to self inflicted hostility. For some, it has become their standard "modus operandi" accompanied by a reckless disposition. It's that whole "I don't what they think, it's how I feel," attitude that we've seen and heard demonstrated much too often. Allow me to extend a heart and a hand to you here today.

Let's begin here with a simple exercise. Carve out a few minutes to seriously consider TAKING AN INVENTORY. This is not just something to consume your time, but this will equip and empower you to experience freedom and help others benefit as well. Something to think about AND walk about today,... tomorrow,... always!!!)

1.) Are the people you talk about with others, or those whom you post about on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), those whom you reference in your posts, those whom you love, care for, and value,... are they personally aware of your perspective, position, and passion? Do they have access to the various social media highways to view the signs that you are posting about them? 

IF THIS IS THE CASE, if at all possible, make sure you tell them personally - call them and let them hear the love and warmth in your voice. You made need to get creative in your pursuits, but believe me, it will be worth it to them, and yes, you will be rewarded as well.

2.) How about some of the negative, cutting, glaring comments you make,...are they mere innuendo's submitted in a public forum or posted on social media billboards to afford you some perceived relief (a/k/a "venting")? Have you considered that the real issues you possess are going unattended, as YOU permit whatever it is (whether perceived or real) to continue wreaking havoc IN you, ON you, and TO you? Buried deep within you is a desire to have fellowship, to experience connection, to enjoy the benefits of genuine, real, and authentic relationships. Fortunately, this is possible, but it will not be achieved without your participation. 

IF THIS IS THE CASE, stop the madness. Shift into the lane of proper conflict resolution and take some time to connect with those individuals you've been taking pleasure in avoiding to reach a resolution that will bring forth the much needed healing and restoration. The construction and maintenance of relationships requires time, energy, effort, and exercise. IF you're willing to make the investment, your world will be a much more enjoyable and fulfilling place to live, and so will the world be for those whom you invest. 

THIS WILL BE A "Win-Win" FOR EVERYONE, including God!!!

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Don't just think about it,.......DO IT TODAY. Take the time needed to launch a new beginning, a new day for you and others!!! You really can be a world changer, but it's UP to you!!!

#motivecheckers

ART OF LEADERSHIP

"I WAS AWAKENED BY THE ARTIST THIS MORNING!" 

I have discovered just as a song, painting, or book is never really perfect to the artist or author, so it is when we aspire to be leaders. At some point, we must release them into the public sector to be judged by those who will declare their "value." I have discovered that nothing ever really quite measures up, including me. However, I allow these revelations and reminders to not serve as an insult, rather an encouragement. 

Within these reminders are opportunities for me to refuel my passion and pursuit to be the very best I can be, not only for myself, but TO those, and FOR those whom I am "being" sent. You see, we must keep the songs stirring, our brushes dipped in paint, and our pen stroking the paper. The art of leadership in life is never done until we step into the presence of the One who created us - THE artist of life and love. With all of my imperfections considered and inventoried today, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to live, to learn, and to love.

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:3-6)

I'm so glad He is still working on me!

"HELP, I'M STUCK ON ME!"

"IT'S JUST THE WAY I AM!" Who told you that? 

This is often the response of someone who fails to understand they have a responsibility to work on their personality, attitude, perceptions, likes/dislikes, tolerances, humor values, work ethic, vocabulary, appetites, relationship principles, and life skills. These demand our intentional engagement.

Then, there are those who know this, yet they allow their selfishness and "I don't care" attitude to rob them of some of the rich rewards of life. Sadly, those individuals tend to live lonely lives, absent the opportunities granted to the reachable and the teachable. 

Whether at home, at work, at church, or in community, building strong relationships requires consistent effort, energy, excellence, and an enduring desire to improve our contribution in the lives of others. So, if that's tough for you to do, then just your ask yourself, who are the people (beyond your family) in your life who challenge you and call on you to be ALL you can be? If no one, that very well may be your Genesis - the place to begin!!!

This is a journey that we should enjoy, not one that we should avoid. WE can do this - let's go!!!

#theprideslide #Uturn #wearestrongertogether #live2learn #love2learn #learn2live #learn2love

WHO'S WHO IN YOUR LIFE?

There seems to be an ongoing war for some folks who tend to regularly struggle with qualitative and meaningful friendships and at times, even dating pursuits. And, there are those who encounter difficulty in building stability and longevity in their careers or employment opportunities. 

Why is this? Too often, there is this tendency to HOLD on to things that we should free ourselves from that are toxic, eventually proving their destructive presence and pursuit. On the flip side, some will LET GO of things they should have HELD tightly to - principles, ideals, relationships, and influences that should have remained. The culprit is often a lack of agreement with principles and guidance provided. 

The writer of Proverbs gives us some much needed insight, where he reveals 

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22)

Unfortunately, some people are slow to realize that just because they don't "agree" with someone or something, doesn't necessarily mean the principle, the person, or the provided guidance or counsel was wrong. 

SUMMING IT UP: Feelings are never to be the criteria to determine the accuracy, validity, or correctness of the spiritual and moral compass of our lives. #nurtureyourspirit #growingpains #lookattheevidence

"WAITING, WANTING, & WINNING!"

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

When I awoke this morning, I felt prompted to bring these words forward as a simple reminder to those who pass this way on this 5th day of May, 2015.

- You may be WAITING for your spouse to change.

- You may be WANTING your boss or coworker to change.

- You may be WAITING on your finances to change.

- You may be WANTING your children to change.

- You may be WAITING for and WANTING your health to change.

Many of the things we are often WAITING on and WANTING to see change, will only change when we "do!"

"14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:14-17)

Again, much of the change you are awaiting in your life is actually waiting on YOU. 

Friend, stop waiting and wanting and start WINNING today, by not only saying you want things to change and hoping things will change. It's time, today is the day to begin bringing order to your life by following through with the action plan you've been talking about to bring about the change you so desire, and in so many cases, that you need.

#nowfaithis

#participateinyourownrescue #faithwithoutworksisdead

#stepintothewinnerscircle

Checking Our Prayer Pulse

COULD YOU NOT TARRY FOR ONE HOUR? 

Seriously, can you imagine housing 4 early morning prayer services consistently on a daily basis in the USA? They've done it for 35 years in Korea. Profoundly,......no, Simply Amazing!!! 

As I sit and watch the fast paced culture in this entertainment hub in central Florida, there are so many "Christians" who are so busy, using their children as crutches (delayed schoolwork, weekend sports, needed sleep, supposed sickness, etc.), their jobs as justification for impaired priorities, the lack of and the need for money as their reason for working overtime, hustling to get to the entertainment parks and launching their weekend parties. 

It all comes down to one word - Priorities.

Well, maybe another word - Commitment.

Add those two words together and we get Consistency!!!

Christ must remain our life focus!!!

Some people want God to move for them, while they "stand still" and ignore His Word, His Will, and His Ways. Let's not be ignorant (derived from the root word - ignore) of our enemy's devices, rather let's identify the subtle strategies he uses to preoccupy the mind with things that really don't matter and will not qualify as justified reasons (excuses) for not pursuing God, when we stand before the Lord.

Remember,.... "IF MY PEOPLE..." (2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 26:40)

Check out a church in Korea who has biblical passion for God and the the things of God - one being, the Pulse of Heaven - PRAYER!!! 

Read the article below:
http://m.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2015/April/S-Korean-Churchs-7-Day-Service-Sundays-Not-Enough--/

IS SPOKEN LOVE NECESSARY?

WHAT DID YOU SAY!?! or

WHAT DIDN'T YOU SAY!?!

Have you ever read a quote and then pull back and think, "there's a hole in that statement!?!" I refer to them as "convoluted quotes." 

Consider the following example:

I'm certain the original writer of this statement may have been exposed to, or possibly even experienced a life occurrence evolving around the thought "Talk is Cheap,...Show Me!" This may be due to WORDS having long been one of two things - 1.) Overstated, and 2.) Underestimated

When looking at this quote, have you ever considered how the opposite is also true: "When someone DOESN'T love you, they don't have to say it, you can tell by the way they treat you." 

My personal observation with this circulated quote is, many people don't know the true meaning of love. This could result in their silence (not "saying it") showcasing their lack of love and/or perceived unneeded connection with others. 

You see, one could interpret a person's silence as love/like/connection and it not be any of those things at all. Now, consider the opposite - interpreting a person's silence as hatred/dislike/disconnect, yet they could actually possess just the opposite, a love and affinity for others. Sad, yet true!!! 

Our greatest example of love is discovered in our fellowship (not just a relationship) with God. This love is developed in, and through many ways. One of the many ways being through WORDS. Just as our relationship with God is enriched through "words," so our relationships with each other benefit from spoken WORDS. Balance is the underlying principle. We all need both WORDS spoken and the working out of those WORDS (actions). Both the WORDS we speak and our actions require focus, intentionality, and selflessness.

I'll close with some scriptural credibility: "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." (Psalm 119:103) For God so loved you and I, that He gave and He gives, He spoke, and He continues to speak today. 

So, when reading these statements that are often created with great inspirational intent, we may need to widen the lens on the surface and deepen our internal dialogue. In doing this, we will conclude that we have ALL been given the resource of WORDS to be another artistic expression of the heart. In all of your loving others, whatever you "do," refuse to underestimate the power and healing presence of an eye to eye, heart to heart outspoken "I love you!"

SUMMING IT UP: Should you find sharing your love with someone through spoken WORDS a difficult thing to do, allow that struggle to speak of just how significant those WORDS are and will prove to be for both them and yourself.

So, when considering the picture quote above, I conclude the following, "They don't have to, they want to!" 

Beloved, let us love one another truly, fully,... wholly, both in WORDS and in deed (works, actions). (Colossians 3:17)