This Is the Time to Shout!

In the book of Joshua, in the Old Testament, we have the story of the people of God taking the city of Jericho.  To take this city was truly a miracle.  Jericho was one of the strongest cities of it’s day.  When God told His people that they would take Jericho, they probably said to themselves, “There’s no way!”  But, despite the impossibility of the situation, God’s people trusted His word to them, and believed they would achieve the victory!  God had instructed His people to march around the city and when a signal was given they were to lift up their voices with “a shout”!  God promised that when the people “shouted” the walls of Jericho would tumble down.

Praise is such an important and valuable asset to our lives!  Praise helps us acknowledge our dependence upon God and His grace in our lives.  Praise helps us have a new perspective on life, the battles that we face, the troubles we are going through, and the relationships that we struggle with from time to time.  It is so easy for us to fall into the “pit of despair”, or “to let a root of b itterness spring up in our soul”, or “give in to a spirit of revenge” because of the troubles we go through.  Don’t give in to those feelings!  Don’t become negative or sour in your soul.  Lift up your head in confidence and trust in your Heavenly Father who cares about every detail of your life.

Are you facing impossiblities in your life today?  Are there situations in front of you that are like a “dark cloud” over your life?  Are you afraid of some “giant” confronting you?  Then I would encourage you to LIFT UP YOUR VOICE IN PRAISE!  Thank God for His love.  Thank God for His faithfulness.  Praise Him that He is good.  Praise Him that all things are under His control.  Praise Him that He can fill your heart with courage and faith to meet life’s adversitites with victory.  Praise Him right now!  Even if it’s hard, praise Him!  Thank Him that He is at work in your life to glorify His name.

Is there some Jericho before you today….then SHOUT!

Are You Going Through A Time of Testing?

Most of us when we think of King David, we think of Goliath…when we think of Moses, we think of him being backed against the Red Sea with Pharoah’s chariots thundering at his heels…when we think of Joshua, we think of the impenetrable walls of Jericho…when we think of Sadrach, Meschech, and Abednego, we think of the firery furnace, and when we think of Daniel, we think of the lions den. 

In each of these stories, people were facing severely adverse circumstances in which their character, their courage, and their faith was being tested.  In fact, the test itself was important in developing the person that emerged from the conflict.  Now, I would be the last person to say that “tests” are easy to go through.  In fact, they’re often very painful and stressful.  There is, however, something in each test that has the potential to build us up into a deeper, more mature person.

Maybe you are going through a time of testing right now?  It may be at work…with your friends…your finances…your health…or, your faith.  If you are, remember that God can take that difficult thing, that painful thing in your life, and work it for good.  He can use that test to help you mature, build your character, and broaden your understanding of life and people. 

Why do we remember King David confronting Goliath, Moses parting the Red Sea, and Daniel spending the night in a lion’s den?  We remember these heroic stories because each of these individuals faced difficult “tests” in their lives, and overcame them by faith and courage.  And, not only did they move through these tough situations victoriously, but they actually became stronger persons because of the tests.  It may be that “the test” you are going through right now will build some very valuable things into your life!

Why not take that difficult thing you’re going through today and put it in the hands of God and ask Him for His help and strength.  He wants you to draw close to Him.  He wants to be at work in your life to develop you into the person that you were meant to be.  Trust Him.  Yield yourself to His will.  He has the very best in store for you.  It may be that the pain you are experiencing now is causing you to wonder if God even carees.  He does!  He loves you supremely.  Let Him has His way in all your circumstantces.  He gives each of us a wonderful promise in His Word, “Trust in Me with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will direct your steps”  (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Are you going through a time of testing?  This may be one of the greatest things that will help shape you into the person you were meant to be!

Taking the Initiative

In the workplace there’s often a delicate balance between taking the initiative to get something done and overstepping your boundaries.  I have found that most bosses really value employees who take the initiative to get things done.  Taking the initiative often shows responsibility, action, and confidence.  Bosses like these qualities in their workers. 

Some people never succeed in their jobs because they are too cautious, or timid, in taking the initiative to get things done that others will not do.  Too many people are always just waiting around, looking for someone else to take the lead.  It is important to say, that when taking the initiative to get something done, one must be careful not to overstep their boundaries or their authority.  However, when we are working within the bounds of our job description, and the expectations of our department (or group), taking the initiative to get things done can be a real plus in our yearly evaluation. 

Maybe there is something in your line of work that needs attention and no one is doing it.  Is this something you have the skills, experience, and training to do?  Is there something that you are passionate about that you could bring some expertise to?  When done at the right time, and with the proper attitude and motive, taking the initiative can bring many beneficial results to your life and to your company.

Don’t be afraid….step out and take the lead, and see what great things can be accomplished!

Remembering Yankee Stadium

Last night’s All-Star game was definitely one for the ages!  The game went 15 innings and was the longest
All-Star game played (nearly 5 hours).  The American League prevailed, 4-3.  As history would have it, this memorable game was played in Yankee Stadium, “the house that Ruth built.”  Yankee Stadium was built in 1923 and was dubbed, “the house that Ruth built”, in honor of Yankee superstar, Babe Ruth.  The baseball season of 2008 will be the last year that baseball will be played in Yankee Stadium because a new stadium is being built.

Any baseball fan will recognize that this baseball park is truly historic!  Think of the many Yankee greats that have played in this stadium:  Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Lefty Gomez, Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Tommy Henrich, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Thurman Munson, Ron Guidry, Mel Stottlemyre, Dave Winfield, and Don Mattingly.  And the list could go on when we consider other great players who played on this field:  Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Key Boyer, Bob Gibson, Harmon Killebrew, Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Al Kaline.

Many memorable events have happened at Yankee Stadium:  Babe Ruth’s 60th home run, Lou Gehrig’s farewell address, Joe DiMaggio’s 56-consecutive game hit streak, Roger Maris’ 61st home run, a tremendous 565 ft. home run blast by Mickey Mantle, and many post-season, World Series, and All-Star games. 

In some ways it’s hard seeing this historic venue being replaced.  It’s good to know that we do have our memories, and those can never be taken from us!  For those who grew up during the “golden age of baseball”, Yankee Stadium will always carry a special place in our hearts.

It’s Great To Be Valued

This past weekend we had friends visit us.  We have known these friends for 35 years.  They are truly friends that have weathered the years with us.  As my wife and I were talking about the weekend after they left, we both agreed that these friends are so special to us because we feel valued when we are with them.  How blessed we are to have friends like this!

All of us know what it is to go through life with struggles, disappointments, failures, sorrows and tough times.  Many times it is in those tough times of life that we truly come to see who are friends are!  It’s easy for people to hang with you when times are good, it’s another to have people hang with you when things are not going good.  True friends hang with you no matter what!  They accept you for who you are.  They hang with you even when others have walked away.  When you’re around them you feel valued and affirmed.

We all need friends like this!  We need people who value our friendship and are willing to stick with us no matter what.  It’s great to be valued!  It’s great to feel good about yourself because you have friends who love you, and affirm you for who you are.  I hope that you’ll take a moment right now, and pinpoint those people in your life who value you and make you feel great.  Thank God for them.  Thank God for what they bring to you when you are around them.  There’s nothing better in life than good friends!

Take One Day at a Time

Are you going through tough times?  Are you facing situations in your life which have you struggling to know what to do?  The best advice any of us can follow when we’re not sure how to fight through very difficult circumstances–just take one day at a time.  Don’t rush things.  Don’t panic.  Don’t make rash decisions.  Just slow down and take one day at a time.  When the world is shaking under your feet, the most important thing to do is make sure that you steady yourself and maintain your balance.  Taking a day at a time enables us the opportunity to evaluate things properly.  It helps us to catch our breath and see more clearly where we want to go.

Jesus had similar words for us in the gospel of Matthew when He encouraged us not to be anxious about tomorrow.  What He was really saying is that all we have is NOW, so make the most of today and don’t get so upset about tomorrow, or next week, that your mind gets locked up.  Live with faith and confidence in the present moment, knowing that God is beside you and will walk with you no matter what you are facing. 

What has you upset today?  What are you struggling with?  Take a deep breath, trust God completely, and focus on how you can make the most of the present moment.

Find That Thing and Do It!

The difference between successful people, and people who never achieve and realize their dreams, is that they make it a habit to do the things that they do not like to do.  Let me repeat that: they do the things that they do not like to do.  Many people go no where in their careers, and never see their dreams realized, because they are unwilling to do the things that need to be done.  They avoid the difficult things; the things that may demand change or sacrifice.  It’s always easier to take the path of least resistance.  It’s always easier to stay with the “status quo”, than to do the things that will bring transformation and take you to the next level.

Successful people have made it a habit of doing the things that need to be done, even if they are difficult and hard.  When you are willing to do those tough things, those things that you would rather have avoided doing, you will begin to see your own confidence level rise and your character deepened.

What is it that you have been avoiding?  Are there some tough things that you have been putting off doing?  Are there things that would move you ahead in your career, or take you to the next level in your personal and professional growth, if you would only roll up your sleeves and get to doing them?  What ONE THING, that you would rather not do, can you do this week that would move you further along?  Whatever it is, DO IT!  Don’t run from it.  Don’t let it stall you out.  Don’t procrastinate any longer.  Get to it!  Overcome it!  Make it a habit to do those things that you do not like to do!  Ask God to be your Partner in these endeavors.  He will give you the strength and courage to do those tough things.  Get to it!  You’ll be glad you did!

Take Time Out

Have you ever seen a baseball batter raise his hand and step out of the batter’s box?  Or, a pitcher stepping off the pitcher’s mound and collecting his thoughts?  Or, a tennis player temporarily stepping off the serving line for a moment so that they can regather themselves?  Each of these persons is momentarily stopping play so that they can regain their focus and concentration on what they are doing.  Each of them realizes the importance of stepping aside from what they are doing so that they can come back with greater vigor, energy, and success.

There are times when all of us need to take a “momentary time-out” from what we are doing so that we can catch a second wind, regather ourselves, and regain our focus.  Life can be crazy.  Life can get hectic.  We can find ourselves “running to and fro”, speeding through the day fatiqued and stressed out, and sometimes unable to concentrate on the things that need to be done.  When we find ourselves in times like these, we need to take a deep breath, “step  out of the batter’s box”, regain our composure, and get a second wind on what we are trying to accomplish.  Too many people never take the needed time to keep their focus sharp, and their energies strong.  All of us can “gas out” quickly if we do not take “time out” during the day to keep our concentration and skills sharp.

If a basketball coach sees that his team needs to stop play to regather themselves and catch their breath, he will jump up off the bench and call a quick time-out.  A good coach realizes the value that they can bring to the players and to the overall strategy of the game.  Many a game has been WON because a “time-out” was called at just the right time.  Maybe, right now, is the time that YOU need to call a “time-out”!  This may be the greatest gift that you can give yourself!  Keep reaching for the stars!

Do You Have a Coach?

As I have been watching the qualifications going on for this summer’s Olympic games I have been impressed that most of the great athletes competing for the Olympics have personal coaches who are there to teach them, encourage them, and help sharpen their skills.  I wonder how many of these athletes would have reached this level of competition on their own?  I’ll bet not many of them would.  There’s something fantastic about having a coach who will push us, teach us the things that we need to know, hold us accountable, bring all of their experience to bear on our learning, and encourage us so that we can grow!

Do you have a coach?  Do you have someone who is working with you and meeting with you on a regular basis?  Do you have someone who is sharing their experience and skills with you?  Do you have someone who has been “down the road” that you are traveling, who can help you navigate the way with success?  We all need someone in our lives who can stretch us, and push us, and help us achieve our goals?  Everyone of us need coaches in our lives. 

A coach may be the key to you moving ahead in your career, and helping you enlarge your vision.  Think “big picture.”  You may be stalled in your career, or in your own personal growth, because you have gone as far as your own abilities, skills, and experience can take you.  A coach may be just what you need right now to move up the next level.  I encourage you to find someone that can pull up alongside you and mentor you in your work.  You’ll be glad you did and you will benefit greatly from their wisdom and experience.  

Reach for the stars!

Get Back Up!

I was watching a show the other evening on TV and the host was interviewing several people who are millionaires.  In each case, every person had experienced some sort of setback, failure, loss, or major disappointment in their careers.  What was amazing was that each person said the same thing about their present success, “After going through a difficult time, I chose to get back up on my feet and go at it again.”

You know, when you think about it, most successful people will say the same thing.  Everyone goes through some sort of tough times or adversitites in life.  The difference, though, is that they get back up on their feet and keep going.  It’s one thing to get “knocked down”, and not get up.  It’s another thing to get “knocked down”, and get back up and get going again.  If you find yourself feeling down about some disappointment, or setback, or failure that you’ve recently experienced don’t sit and sulk about it.  Don’t allow “self-talk” to defeat you, or discourage you, or try to convince you that you won’t ever get up!

I would suggest that if you have been “knocked down”, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually, that you determine immediately that you are going to get back up and find a way to make the best of things and see your dreams come true!  Why not trust God to give you the strength that you need!  He has the best for you and will guide you all the way!  He wants to help you reach your dreams!