Archive for the Encouragement Category
The decisions we make on a moment by moment basis can have tremendous impact on the course of our future. My wife had the opportunity to interview a man who went from being a sports hero to a zero – and has found his center in Christ. Since so many sports analogies also apply to the business world, I thought it would be a blessing to share his story with you.
1976 was a time of memorable firsts in Canada. Toronto’s iconic CN Tower was first opened to the public. The Timbit was introduced to coffee-lovers. And the Montreal Summer Olympics marked the first time the Olympic Games were held in Canada.
For a young 18-year-old, those ’76 Olympics were the beginning of a fast road to stardom. Johnny “Lam” Jones earned the opportunity of a lifetime – a spot on the USA Olympic Track and Field Team. At the 1976 class AAA high school track and field championships, he gained star-status when he took the baton in the final leg of the mile relay and ran his way from seventh all the way to first place; winning Lampasas the Championship title.
That summer, Johnny had earned the opportunity of a lifetime – a spot on the USA Olympic Track and Field Team for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. His amazing speed awarded him a 6th place finish in the 100m and Olympic Gold as part of the 4 x 100m relay (he ran a leg of USA’s 4x100m relay that blew away the competition with a time of 38.33). Combining his Olympic performance with his high school glory – Johnny’s place was sealed as a Texas Sports Legend.
At the University of Texas, Johnny continued his success as both a track athlete and a NCAA football player. In 1980, Johnny and his grandpa watched the NFL Draft from the quiet of their home, and when Johnny was selected as the second overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft – as a wide receiver for the New York Jets – Johnny felt like he was on top of the world. However, his poor choices brought that world to ruin.
“New York is a long way from Lampasas,” Johnny said, “in high school, my life was nothing but sports. I had a few casual drinks and such in college, but I wasn’t prepared at all for what New York would throw at me. Somehow you think you can be a casual drinker or casual pot smoker – but before you know it, there is nothing casual about it.”
Before Johnny could process what was happening, he was hooked on something much tougher than the Texas Longhorns – crack cocaine. The sports accomplishments he’d worked so hard for, and the legendary stories of his speed, were replaced by stories of disappointment and failure. Johnny hit bottom.
Without delving too much into the details, Johnny said simply, “I knew I needed help.” He turned himself in at a rehab center; the first step on a new path. It was tough – but Johnny got clean. He was clean for almost 18 years before being diagnosed with bone cancer, a battle he has now been fighting for 6 years.
Through a series of seemingly random connections (but Johnny knows were God at work), a few months ago, he ended up walking into the head offices of Lay Witnesses for Christ International – a sports-ministry that gives world-class athletes a chance to use the platform athletic celebrity has given them to be witnesses for the power of Christ. He was overwhelmed with what he saw.
“As I walked the hall of LWFCI and took in the pictures and memorabilia I was blown away. I saw pictures of a young Carl Lewis speaking to crowds about his faith, and then saw pictures of an older Carl Lewis doing exactly the same. I saw pictures of so many other sports stars speaking out, doing it right, and it struck me hard just how far off the path I had gone. I am so impressed by the unashamed way in which Dr. Mings (LWFCI Founder) and those involved with him share their faith. He puts it on the line and doesn’t leave you wondering what he believes. The light went on for me that I need to come out of the wilderness. At first, I felt embarrassed. My own history makes it real clear where I started to go wrong – drugs and alcohol. I let down so many people. If I can share what happened to me to help some kids stay on the right track, I’ll gladly do it.”
Johnny is now a key spokes-Olympian for LWFCI’s Right Track: Drug, Alcohol & Violence Prevention Program. Right Track has held over 5,000 assemblies and mini-camps all over the world to educate and encourage kids to refrain from getting off of God’s path for their lives. Olympians and other world-class athletes speak openly to kids about the dangers of substance abuse and violent behavior. Johnny is thrilled to partner to move them forward even more.
Johnny sees how God continues to align the pieces so that he can do his part and share the story of his failures to encourage kids not to do the same. My wife and I are going to London next summer to the Olympics to witness alongside him to athletes, coaches and spectators.
Even though we are grown men, the danger of straying off of God’s track for our lives exists. No matter how old or young – temptation will come. It is important to take our lesson from the failures of others. There is no “casual” sin.
Johnny told my wife, “At first I wished there were more people around me when I was younger, telling me the dangers of what I was doing. But looking back, I realize they were there – I just wasn’t listening. Shoot – My own grandpa was a minister – how much closer can you get? I want to share what happened to me and hope that someone will listen and not make the same mistakes.”
“I don’t know why I’m still here,” Johnny said, “but I know it isn’t to be sitting on my butt doing nothing. I’ve been blessed and I know I haven’t done a single thing to deserve it.”
September 8th, 2011 in
Encouragement |
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‘What me worry’ was a classic line by Alfred E. Neumann, the iconic cartoon character with the cauliflower ears from Mad Magazine, which started up sometime in my youth. That line certainly wasn’t my philosophy when I was growing up, I didn’t take Alfred’s mantra to heart when I was younger; in fact I even had ulcers before I even finished my education. Worry always seemed to be a major part of my day. But things have changed.
Today, I’m in Nova Scotia after two long days of driving from central Ontario; this is my third trip here as my daughter is going to university at Acadia and Dad is the transporter of all that is hers. Both she and my wife fly down, while the dog and I trek the 1,837 km’s [but whose counting] from door to door with all her stuff. Just before we left Ontario there were all kinds of dire warnings over Hurricane Irene, which was pummeling the east coast of the United States; it was heading for the Maritimes. People’s concern over me traveling at this time reminded me of my trip here last year.
We were staying at a little cottage just outside of Wolfville, and during my travels I met a couple from New York City. They had decided to take off and get away from the Big Apple for a week; they considered the Carolinas but figured it would be too hot and there was always the possibility of running into a hurricane! So they decided to come to Nova Scotia instead.
Every day that week the temperature in the Annapolis Valley was in the 30’s and at weeks end, Hurricane Earl was to whack the Bay of Fundy and all the communities on it. I loved this couples attitude; they had some concerns, but they had made some preparations, and now weren’t worried. All and sundry were being warned and everyone we knew took the warning seriously.
As I stated, things have changed for me since my early days. My faith has helped me overcome the worries that constantly nagged me and truly affected my personality. Most things don’t bother me too much, but finances still send me into a twist now days; but I’m trying to turn over all my concerns over to the Lord. Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all that he has done.
September 2nd, 2011 in
Encouragement |
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Proverbs 28:13 Bible in Basic English
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 New International Version (1984)
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
I recently watched a program on TV that reminded me of a great truth – it is the small foxes that spoil the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15). It is the small sins of the heart, mind and attitude which sometimes hinder your growth and success in life, both spiritually and materially.
The lesson is, of course, that little, seemingly insignificant things can cause grossly disproportionate damage. We must guard ourselves against little foxes that do great harm to a Christian’s life.
I recently was invited to a children’s birthday party that was happening the next day. I didn’t’ have time to purchase a gift but I knew my son really wanted to go. I was assured that no gift was necessary, but it really bothered me to go there empty handed. On the day of the party, I remembered that I had purchased a children’s kitchen set for my two boys, but my husband didn’t want me to give it to them (very old fashioned I think – boys must eat too). Anyway, it was sitting there unopened for a long time. My mind went to it and thought maybe I should give that to the little girl whose birthday party we were going to. I quickly dismissed that thought as I was still holding out that we would use it one day. To make a long story short, we went to the party – it was nice, all was well.
That night I could not sleep. The thought that I was reminded to give that gift to the little girl disturbed my sleep. The next morning I saw this television program that centred around the verse noted above in Proverbs 28:13 and it really spoke to my situation.
Is it a sin to not give something when specifically prompted to? I guess it depends on who you ask, but it was for me. Those who conceal sin which they know is sin will not find “mercy”. That is powerful. The judgement for concealing sin (no matter how small or large it is) is on the mercy we receive. Mercy impacts our ability to succeed in life – it is only through the Lord’s mercy that we receive anything.
This has a profound impact for business people (and anyone – really) who has the opportunity to cover-up areas of weakness or wrongful doing. It is even taught in our culture to cover-up and deflect blame as much as possible to save face and project confidence.
This “small fox” produces the fruit of lack of mercy from the Lord and a judgment on our full blessing.
This week I learned or rather relearned a great teaching on speaking my truth. What could easily have been covered-up (as I hadn’t told anyone about it) God revealed to me as a sin of the heart that I was justifying to myself.
We have received much mercy from the Lord, but because he is perfect and just, there is judgment for not confronting, confessing and turning from all sin in our life.
What would the world look like if we took responsibility for areas where we are covering-up our wrongdoings, misdeeds, wrong attitudes, etc? Very different I suspect….
Marguerite Mcleod-Fleming
August 17, 2011
August 18th, 2011 in
Encouragement |
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Here’s a question for you: “What if you woke up this morning and the only things you had left were the things you thanked God for yesterday?”
Yikes. I threw God a quick prayer of thanks for finding a good parking spot when I had to stop at Staples and pick up some printing. But did I really stop and thank God yesterday for the things in my life that matter?
God knew our human selves would tend to spend much time focusing on our lack. Although this is true in all areas of life, let me ask how much time to you spend focused on the lack in your business?
Lack of money. Lack of resources. Lack of time. Lack of clients. Lack of _________ (fill in what you have worried about today). Repeatedly in Scripture He tells us, “Give thanks! Give thanks! Give thanks!” For everything… including our work and all it entails.
Need some reference? Visit Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
And of course Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
When business is slow or you are struggling in some aspect of your work – it is important to acknowledge where change needs to be made, but it is even more important to remain thankful. As you work through the struggle, you need to be intentional about noticing the positive things that are happening.
The temptation in tough times is to focus on the “lack.” Giving in to this temptation will keep you in a place of anxiety. I don’t know anyone (myself included) who makes good decisions when in a place of anxiety. Scripture tells us peace follows thankfulness. Never do we read that peace comes after panic.
My suggestion: Take a few minutes each day to journal the things you have in your business to be thankful for. This is a critical step to keeping a level head about you as seek to build a business that glorifies God.
WHAT THINGS ARE WITHIN A CHRISTIAN’S CONTROL (Part 3 of 3)?
My first blog covered Attitude, the second – Goals, and this one is really the key:
3. Self-Discipline: this is the master key to success in any endeavour. Plato said “The first and best victory is to conquer self.” “There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline, none of them work.” Kop Kopmeyer
Or, as 2 Tim 1:7 puts it “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” I personally believe that whenever God lists things in scripture, He always puts the toughest one last! When the fruit of the Spirit is listed in Galatians, which one is last? You guessed it – self-control (aka self-discipline)! You must know that overcoming the ‘greatest obstacle’ (self) is the key to the greatest success.
Here are five steps to help you:
i) Develop and follow your priorities: everyone is pressed for time, but successful people have a plan – they follow through on what’s really important and release everything else.
2 Timothy 2:1-7 The Message So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.
ii) Make a disciplined lifestyle your goal: it’s not a one-time event! One of the best ways to nurture self-discipline is to develop systems and routines, especially in areas crucial to your long-term success.
Joshua 1:7-9 NKJV Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
iii) Challenge your excuses: challenge and eliminate any tendency you may have to make excuses.
Romans 1:20 NIV For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
iv) Remove rewards until you finish the job: If you lack self-discipline, you may be in the habit of enjoying chocolates before eating your veggies. Delayed gratification is still gratification!
Galatians 5:22-23 NASB But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
v) Stay focused on results: if you concentrate on the difficulty you will get discouraged. Instead, count the benefits of doing what’s right, and then dive in.
Philippians 4:8-9 AMP For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honourable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how would you rate yourself on each of the five components of self-discipline listed above?
Which component needs the most improvement? What one thing can you start doing today, to move you in the right direction?
WHAT THINGS ARE WITHIN A CHRISTIAN’S CONTROL (Part 2 of 3)?
My first blog covered attitude. This one will discuss the second thing within our control:
2. Goals: if you don’t know where you’re headed, how will you know when you get there? A goal is a specific, measurable, and time-bound end toward which you direct specific effort until achieved. People become successful in their chosen field because they know what they want, they know why they want it, and, they know what they are willing to do for it. You should have goals for every aspect of life. Many people have very vague goals, like “more money” or “to be happy”. We know that neither of those is the answer to a truly fulfilling life.
“Vision is the world’s most desperate need. There are no hopeless situations, only people who think hopelessly.” Winifred Newman
As Christians, we must be careful to let God, not goals, rule our lives! More than anything, God wants to develop a deep personal relationship with each one of us. However, He did give us specific gifts and talents that He wants us to use to bring Him glory.
I believe God wants us to set goals and pursue them, but He is more interested in us being able to hear His still, small voice . . . and be instantly obedient to it when He calls for a change of plans. The story that best exemplifies this to me, is of Abraham going up the mountain to sacrifice Isaac.
Here are a few scripture references regarding goals:
Proverbs 29:18 AMP Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]–blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.
Habakkuk 2:3 NASB “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.
Galatians 1:10 NLT Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Philippians 3:12-14 The Message I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
Do you have clearly defined goals for every aspect of your life? If yes, share them with a close friend for feedback and accountability.
How much did you involve God in setting your goals – do they glorify you, or God?
My final blog will focus on Self-discipline.
WHAT THINGS ARE WITHIN A CHRISTIAN’S CONTROL (Part 1 of 3)?
I am sure there are many more, but I will focus on three key things (in my opinion). The first of these is:
1. Attitude: there is a huge difference between optimism and hope. The role of a Christian is to bring hope to any situation.
“One of the most important distinctions I have learned in the course of reflection on Jewish history is the difference between optimism and hope. Optimism is the belief that things will get better. Hope is the faith that, together, we can make things better. Optimism is a passive virtue; hope, an active one. It takes no courage to be an optimist, but it takes a great deal of courage to have hope.” Jonathan Sacks, The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations
The Bible also has much too say about having a hopeful attitude. Here are just a few scriptures:
Job 4:6 NKJV Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope?
Psalm 31:24 AMP Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!
Romans 15:3-6 The Message That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus! For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Colossians 1:27 NIV To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Do people see you as a person of hope?
How would you rate your attitude?
Next blog will focus on Goals.
Remember the passage about Jesus healed a sick woman. It’s a story within another story where Jesus were going with Jairus to his place to look at Jairus’ little daughter who was dying.
During the trip, a large crowd followed and pressed around Jesus. There were so many people all around him. You wouldn’t even recognize a particular person in the crowd. If we were to do a movie, it would be like a scene of a busy market place in Indiana Jones. The camera then slowly zoomed to an unnoticeable woman behind the crowd. Her head was covered and she didn’t want anyone to notice her. She kept her head down and tried to avoid any contact with anybody. She quietly raised her hand and reached out to Jesus’ clothes. Immediately a miracle happened and her sickness was healed.
Jesus realized that his power had gone out. He turned around and asked who touched his clothes. His disciples who walked along with him were clueless. “Huh! There were so many people. What do you mean? I couldn’t even know who bumped into me or even stepped on my toes.” Jesus didn’t reply to his disciple but he kept looking. The woman knew what happened. She experienced great power and she was afriad. She cried and kneeled down before him. But Jesus smiled and said “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
This is a very familiar story to many of you but let’s review three lessons in this story.
1) Notice in the passage, it uses the word “suffering”. It’s not just a sickness. It’s suffering. It’s something painful and sad deep inside your heart. It could be something that is very hurtful and you can’t even tell anyone. It could be something that you want help the most but you are so ashamed of. Perhaps it’s the trouble marriage or it’s the problem relationship between you and your kid. The woman was at the end of her rope. She tried everything for so long and her situation continued to get worse. Do we usually do the same thing that we would go our own ways and try everything else until we realize that Jesus is the only way we need?
2) There were so many people around Jesus and someone would have touched him. His disciples might even bump into him a few times while walking alongside with him. Why was the woman the only one to receive the power and experience the miracle? Not even his clueless disciples around him at that time. Jesus gave us the answer. He said “your faith has healed you”. The key is faith. For many of us, faith seems to fade away over time. It’s not what you do or what you know but “faith”. In Matthew 21:21, Jesus said that if you have faith and do not doubt, you can even command the mountain to go into the sea. What’s the state of your faith?
3) There are things in our life that we wouldn’t bring it out. The woman didn’t want anyone to notice her. We want comfort and encourgement from others but often we got criticism instead. To make the matter worse, the most criticism may even come from ones who are the “experienced” individuals at church. But Jesus call the woman “daughter”, a name with so much love and comfort. A name with an inseparable and unchangeable relationship. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. How do you treat others when they are in painful situation? Perhaps it’s an individual going through a divorce, do you quickly put on your “judge hat”? When you are suffering, do you know that Jesus will always love and comfort you?
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Have you ever camped in the woods on a dark night? if so, you probably remmer what its’s like to walk away from your campfire into the night. In only a few steps, darkness can seem to swallow you. Turning and walking back toward the fire is much more reassuring than groping around in the dark. And having a flashlight for the pathway is even better.
Today’s Scripture compares God’s Word to a campfire or flashlight on a dark night. Human words pituring a special future have a similar potential. They can draw a person toward the warmth of genuine concern and fulfilled potential. And instead of leaving that person to walk into a dark unknown, they can illuminate a pathway lined with hope and purpose.
When we picture a special future for our children, a spouse, friends or an employee, we provide them with a clear light to help illuminate their path in life.
Written by Gary Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D – Giving The Blessing, Daily Thoughts on The Joy of Giving
By Barry McCabe
After 30 minutes on the road I was having serious doubts. I was by myself in a rented car trying to find my way through Tel Aviv to Old Joffa and it was getting dark. The traffic and street signs were almost all in Hebrew and or Arabic, with only the odd one
in English. Motorcycles and scooters were firing past me on both sides of the car as my head was swiveling around looking for suggested landmarks.
Today was the first day of a three-week vacation in the Holy Land; I was starting to question my sanity. What had I got myself into?
I was supposed to have gone with a church group to Israel for 8 days. Two things happened to derail that idea; our local economy was shaky as I live about 30 minutes from General Motors who were seeking a financial bailout at that time because of the worldwide financial downturn, and Israel had recently raced into to Gaza to put a halt to the incessant rocket attacks on their territory. Nobody wanted to go except me.
My wife was a huge supporter of my idea to go by myself for three weeks and travel Israel from top to bottom with the possibility of going to Egypt and Jordan too. Although I had been fortunate enough to travel quite a few places around the world on business and
had stayed at some rather nice hotels, this was going to be different; I decided that I was going to revisit my youth, [I had hitch-hiked through Europe in the 60’s] I was going to stay in youth hostels and camps along the way.
When I finally got to the first hostel, I was rattled; what should have been a one-hour journey took me almost three. The conditions were fairly primitive and when I met two of my roommates, one was from Belgium one from Holland; they both were only 21
years old. Again I started questioning the wisdom traveling alone and the wisdom of staying in places that seemed to be populated by folks who were 1/3 of my age. I felt so uncomfortable, I was out of my comfort zone.
That night as I lay in my bunk I asked the Lord for guidance, I asked Him for direction, I asked for protection. I had recently read Psalm 34 where we find in verse 19 the words: ‘The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue every time.’
About 3:30 in the morning I woke up and I knew that I wasn’t going to sleep any more, the whole time-change thing. I went to the washroom and on my way back I saw lights on in the common room and heard the shuffling of paper; I headed that way and found
someone whose hair was the same colour as mine. And he had his Bible open. I asked him if I could join him.
Duane in his 70’s, was from Missouri and he was visiting with his Pastor and another friend his age; they had rented a car, had gone through Israel from top to bottom, staying at hostels and camps just like I had planned. For the next three hours he filled me in
on all the things that I should see and offered me solid advice on travelling, as he and his wife had been missionaries in Israel for 2 years in the 70’s. All of a sudden I felt so comfortable; the Lord, speaking through Duane, had rescued me. He said you are in for a
very exciting time; you are about to be amazed by this land of Israel and the people you’ll meet.
Whether it was Derrick a student volunteer from the American Mennonite Society; Hannah a host from Nazareth Village; Wim, an 80 year old Australian who was visiting Israel for the seventh time; or Monica who guided me through the Kidron Valley, in the next three weeks the Lord provided me with other Christians along the way that made this trip such a wonderful, precious adventure.
