#176 - HOLY DISCONTENT BY BILL HYBELS

One phrase –

Sums it up and says it all.

One phrase –

Explains the motivation and expresses the goal.

One phrase –

Makes it clear.

It is why you should read this book.
It is why you should discover your burden.
It is why you should complete your assignment.

The phrase:

Life that is truly life.

What a goal.
What a concept.
What a purpose.

Life that is truly life.

Is this your aim?
Is this your desire?
Is this your pursuit?

If so, press on.
If not, shouldn’t it be?

Life that is truly life.

Don’t miss out on it. Desire it. Pursue it. 

#175 - ALL YOU HAVE

But I want so bad for my dreams to come true.

I know.
I understand.
I do too.

I’m just as anxious.
I’m just as expectant.
I’m just as desiring.

I long for the day when who I am and who I desire to be is one in the same.

But here’s what I know – All I have is today.

To love.
To pursue.
To make a difference.

All you have is today.

To give your gift.
To develop your discipline.
To share your story.

All you have is today.

To be faithful.
To be persistent.
To be committed.

All you have is today.

Though you won’t get it all done today.
Though every vision for your life will not come true today.
Though every purpose for your life will not be fulfilled today.

You do have today.

And today is enough.

You can act audaciously…today.
You can give generously…today.
You can pursue passionately…today.

And something tells me that…

The day you realize that today is all you have, you will also understand that today is all you need.

Enjoy today.
Embrace today.
Appreciate today.

Your tomorrow will be glad that you did.

#174 - THE LESSON I'M LEARNING

I must be patient.

Though I understand my purpose.
Though I am committed to my dream.
Though I have accepted my assignment.

A process is required.

A process of character development.
A process of intentional preparation.
A process of deeper understanding.

I must be patient.

A process is protection.

From impure motives.
From spiritual immaturity.
From premature success.

I must be patient.

Of this simple principle I must be kept aware:

My level of patience with the process will determine my level of fulfillment through the process.

Will you be patient with your process?

#173 - WHOSE EXAMPLE DO YOU FOLLOW?

This week, I will be in Atlanta, Georgia attending the Drive Conference at North Point Community Church.

Along with 2,500 other church leaders from across the country, I am going to have the opportunity to be encouraged and inspired to be a more effective minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And I am excited!

I have a high level of respect for Andy Stanley (Lead Pastor) and an admiration for how North Point does ministry, and to be able to learn from the best of the best in an up close and personal way is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

But enough about me.

In regards to your profession, vocation or business…

Who do you admire?
Who do you respect?
Who do you learn from?

Whose example do you follow?

Who are your heroes?
Who are your mentors?
Who are your inspirations?

Whose example do you follow?

Which voices influence your work?
Which stories motivate your perseverance?
Which organizations do you aspire to be like?

And what exactly is the motivation behind having a positive example to follow?

To go farther faster.

By learning from your example’s mistakes.
By modeling your example’s strengths.
And by implementing your example’s processes.

You can go farther faster.

So……

Whose example do you follow?

#172 - ONE IS WORTH IT

Write the song.
Execute the plan.
Finish the art piece.
Publish the blog post.
Take action on the idea.
Follow through on the commitment.

Why?

Because one person may be blessed.
Because one person may be encouraged.
Because one person’s life may forever be changed for the better.

Is to impact only one person’s life my goal?

Definitely not.

But every day I am realizing more and more, that…one is worth it.

Though the hours invested are many….one is worth it.
Though I desire to positively impact the masses…one is worth it.
Though some days I just want to give up and call it quits…one is worth it.

Complete the work you know in your heart to do.

One is worth it.

#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.