It’s such a juxtaposition to think that the way up is down. Most people would assume that the way up is up. But, Jesus clearly taught something different when it comes to greatness.

One day Jesus was asked if He could arrange who would sit next to Him in eternity. The question was asked by two disciples, and probably really ticked off the others. Jesus defused the situation by defining what it would take to be great. He said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:43b-44)

The desire to be on top will hinder, not help. Rather than seeking to have your needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of others.

It seems backwards, but Jesus gave us an illustration of how it works with His own life. Here He is this eternal King, but comes as a poor child in a manger, lives a simple life as a carpenter, teacher, preacher, Rabbi. He then dies a death for a criminal, yet it was this act of humility that formed His rise in popularity. By the time He’s resurrected, the story of His life is the most popular topic in town. Now, over 2,000 years later, He’s considered the greatest person who ever lived by most.

The key to all that greatness was His willingness to humble Himself and serve us by giving His life. In a culture that thinks up is up, let’s choose to follow the true path that Jesus showed by example.

Last weekend, during my introduction, I mentioned reading several books on my recent break and that one of them focused on change.  I thought I would take some time to unpack some of the thoughts from Change Anything.

One of the initial factors identified, concerned itself with interrupting your impulses by connecting with your goals during crucial moments.  Another way that I have talked about this is “pre-deciding” before the time you have to decide.  In other words, before you get in backseat of the car with him, before you pull out your credit card, before you order your food, you decide ahead what you will do.

You say to yourself, “When it comes time to order, I won’t get what sounds good, I’ll order what’s healthiest.”  Now, this doesn’t mean there won’t be a struggle and challenge to do the right thing, but it does give you extra strength going into the situation because you have an inner resolve.

Growing up in church we used to sing, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”  It was like we were saying, “I am not going to turn around now matter what comes my way.”  So, whether you sing it, speak it, spray it, play it, or display it, be sure to decide ahead what results you want.

I have decided some things about today, I will move forward in faith, grow in my knowledge, stay pure, live a healthy lifestyle and serve my Jesus!  I’m ready for a great day, how about you?

I just heard someone the other day mention that “50% of time is wasted or spent on personal issues at work.”  I couldn’t believe it!  So, I had to do some research myself to see if they were correct.  Well, here’s what I discovered, the number of people who now admit to wasting time at work every day has reached a whopping 89%.  Seriously?  Employees are spending longer periods than ever before wasting time.

Here’s the problem with that, Scripture tells us of the value of time and not to waste it, but instead redeem the time (Eph. 5:16).  And, “whatever  you do” we are to “do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).  How is wasting time at work bringing glory to God?

Not only are we cheating our employer and getting paid for goofing off or doing personal stuff, but also we are cheating ourselves out of performing with excellence and giving a poor testimony of a believer.

So, quit reading my blog, and get back to work! 🙂

I heard about the owner of a large department store that offered a prize of $5,000 to the one giving the best answer to the question: “How can my business be most speedily and surely improved?”  Many students of economics submitted different lengthy answers.  A guy by the name of Roy McCardell received a check for $5,000 for simply writing on a postal card, “Tell your clerks to say ‘Thank you!’”

Many of us could greatly improve our marriages, homes, families, extended families, jobs, offices, schools by heading the same advice.

Wishing you and yours a most blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Motivational speakers are good at providing energy for doing things with excellence.  Sports teams will hire guests to come in and provide a pep talk to the squad about reaching a new dimension this season, achieving our potential and winning a championship.  Businesses pay big dollars to send employees to seminars that will inspire them to hit sales goals they’ve never reached before.

I applaud anything that inspires people to go further in their lives than they would on their own – bring it on!

A motivator for achieving personal excellence is the good that will come into your life and the lives of others as a result.  However, if you are a Christ follower, the Bible shares another reason to reach for your best effort:  God’s glory.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, in addition to all the great personal reasons to live life with excellence, keep in mind that we are giving an opportunity for glory to go to God.  And, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Nearly every day holds the temptation to cut corners, act selfishly, and withhold some of the truth – don’t do it!  Here’s the thing:  it may not affect you today, but sooner or later it will catch up to you.

In today’s reading from the One Year Bible we find the story of David and his affair with Bathsheba.  It’s one of a continual sliding into more and more sin to cover up the original sin.  That’s usually how it works with most people.  “I told and lie and they acted like they believe it, but now I have to keep lying so they don’t find out.” 

It may look like you can get ahead in business by being a little deceiving to your customers, but sooner or later they will sniff it out and shop elsewhere.  You may think that your parents won’t ask your friend if you were really over at their house like you said, but when they do it’s over.  Or, you may believe that your spouse won’t notice all the time on a chat site with someone of the opposite sex, but sooner or later it will come out.  And besides all of that, God is always watching. 

Even though you may look like you’re getting away with it, or no one’s paying attention, you need to know that it is affecting your relationship with your Heavenly Father.  When you displease Him with sinful behavior, you need to know that it is taking you out of alignment with His will and purpose for your life.  The impact may be delayed, but don’t be fooled into thinking that no one will notice.  God does.

I’m asking God to keep my pure from the inside out and not let anything come between me and His favor over my life.  Anything in your life that you need to come clean about before  God brings it to light?

Have you ever had someone make a promise to you like, “I’ll call you about this tomorrow”, only to fail to follow through?  Is there anything any more irritating? 

I just had this happen again recently.  A vendor (with truss systems) came and looked over a job I wanted them to do and said, “I’ll send you a quote by email tomorrow.”  Only problem is, that was last week and I still haven’t heard from him.  What is wrong with these people!  Do they think that customers like being lied to?  What would happen if they actually did the work (which I’m thinking I need to find someone else who follows through) and I delayed payment?  Would they be as understanding as they expect me to be? 

The Bible even talks about not making empty promises.  You see, I would rather you didn’t promise me anything at all, rather than promise and fail to deliver.  Or, here’s another suggestion, if for some unforseen reason you couldn’t get me the quote the next day, then email or call and let me know that, don’t just leave me hanging. 

In a sluggish economy, where everyone should value actually having a job, you would think people would pay more attention to the customer.  I’m I the only one in America bothered by this? 

Seems to me that if someone would actually put the other person first, they could have more business than imaginable.  I know I’m looking for them, and if I find them, I’ll let you know all their contact information so you can avoid the frustration of the over-promisers.  I bet there are tons of others who would do the same.