Wow Black Friday is behind us. I kept to my goal of not even getting out. This year in the interest of spreading the mentality of minimization most of the ones I get gifts for will be receiving gift cards for restaurants. Most of the ones I know have all that they want so why not just get them something they will enjoy a meal and something they won’t have to dust or regift. This year hit the giftcard section of the store and get your friends something they can really appreciate, a meal at their favorite place.
Nov 28
Gratitude Day 28 – richly blessed
Nov 27
Gratitude Day 27 – Black Friday Madness
No I am not up for the Madness of Black Friday; I just wanted to get this post done. I hope you didn’t get caught up in the madness of trying to keep up with everyone else. All of this consumerism is getting way out of hand. The past couple of years we have been working on becoming more minimalist. No we don’t have a set number of anything; we are moving to what we find best defines us. What is essential to us. We are no longer trying to have what everyone else has, we are no longer keeping up with the Smiths, Jones, or even the Kardashians, By focusing on what is important to us we are able to grow the relationships. This year I encourage you to focus on the essentials for your life. Don’t give into the consumerism. Focus on the relationships.
Nov 26
Gratitude Day 26 — Happy Thanksgiving
Here we are celebrating Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. The one day I forget I am trying to be more vegan. The turkey is prepped and ready to get in the oven. Today we are not travelling we are spending time together as family. I have my oldest going to be here, my daughter will be here as well as our youngest. Today we will have fun and enjoy eating lots of potatoes and green beans. Enjoy the time you have today with your family and be Thankful in all that you do.
Nov 25
Gratitude Day 25 – Self Control
Oh how fitting that today the day before Thanksgiving that I share about self-control. Growing up we always had Thanksgiving at my Grandparents until they couldn’t do it then it was usually done at either Mom and Dads or her Brother’s house. Mom came from a fairly large family so when he add in all the cousins the house was full and overflowing to the porches and anywhere else they could fit you. This side of the family also loved to cook and in mass quantities. I am amazed that I stayed as thin as I did growing up because on Thanksgiving Day we had one meal started around noon and went until about 8. If you left and where still hungry that was your own fault because there was still food coming home with us. Now I don’t eat near as much as I used to but I still enjoy getting together for the fellowship; now we have moved the family get together to another season where it is warmer but we still have plenty of food and fun and especially fellowship. As tomorrow comes I ask you to not only enjoy the food but also focus on the fellowship. Don’t over indulge this year start now working to get fit.
Nov 24
Gratitude Day 24 — Righteousness
In the past few days I have mentioned that many times I have fallen. I am grateful for the Lord God Almighty who encourages me to keep getting up. I am grateful for being forgiven, through the blood of his Son. I am grateful for those that he put in my life to help me; my gorgeous wife of 22 years, my 3 wonderful children. My parents who still give me encouragement, my sister, and I am also thankful for you. Thank you for taking time today to read my gratitudes.
Nov 23
Monday MoJo — Stop Longing for Success
Today we are 38 days from the New Year. Every year we make resolutions; we set goals, and do you reach them? Do you keep restarting only to get derailed again? What if someone offered to help you; partnered with you to reach your goals. Sometimes we just have focus issues, this year let’s make a difference find an accountability partner to help move you forward and ensure that you are meeting your milestones. Over the next week I want you to focus on where you want to be this time next year. I want you to stop longing and to start achieving success. I have identified some of the roadblocks that we stumble upon year after year.
- Habits – bad habits have a way of working their ways back in and derailing the best plans
- Mindset – the hardest part of moving forward, allow the negative chatter to sink the ship
- Lack of Accountability – No one encouraging you no one pushing forward
This coming year I encourage you if you do not see your success coming at the close of 2015; to start now on where you truly want to be; come the end of 2016. From past experience I have seen things happen within a 90 day time frame. In the next 24 days an opportunity will be coming up to join an accountability group to help push you to a successful 2016.
Nov 23
Gratitude Day 23 – Keep your Heart on the Right Path
What exactly is the heart? To me the heart is the core; it is where I develop my guiding principles, it is my belief structure. To me keeping my heart on the right path is to nourish myself with the knowledge of the Bible. In modern times there are so many distractions that can cause you to fall off the path. I know I am not perfect, I have fallen many times but I get back up and make the necessary course corrections. We are in a season of Thankfulness; yet many are in a season of entitlement. My challenge for you is to get back to the basics; be thankful in all that you do and receive. This Thanksgiving spend time with family and be thankful for those around you. Be mindful of others; they have family also. My best advice for this week stay home on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Enjoy time with those you love. In the movie “Fields of Dreams” the words “If you build it they will come” was a common theme throughout the movie. Retailers know this principle so for the sake of others I am encouraging to help create a paradigm shift. Stay home, give the retailers a reason to allow their employees to spend time with their families.
Nov 22
Gratitude Day 22 – Ignore the Mockers
This past season I have had the privilege of hosting a study featuring Steven Furtick’s book “Crash the Chatterbox”. How often do we utilize that inner voice to mock ourselves? We need to tune our ears to God’s voice and hear is voice amongst all the other noise that is around us. Most of the noise that we hear come from 4 areas fear, condemnation, insecurity, and discouragement. It is the hardest thing to do but also the most rewarding. Listen to the still small voice that says; “Child I did not give you a spirit of fear but that of a sound mind. I sent my one and only son to redeem you of all of your sins, where you go so am I lean on me I am the rock that will rise you up.” I’m grateful to be able to hear that small voice lifting me up even when I’m down that gives me guidance when I am confused.
Nov 21
Gratitude Day 21 – guard your mouth
Today is the first Saturday I have actually had off in I don’t know how long. My work schedule has changed to where I actually am off on Saturday. I was able to stay in bed and cuddle with my wife. How often do we engage our mouth before we engage our brain? When you give utterance to the negative thoughts that are chattering away at your brain, you bring them to fruition. When you are experiencing lack in some area of your life and you talk about it and it stays in your focus you get more of what you lack. Change gears instead of focusing on your lack focusing on where you want to go focus on it not as someday I want. Adjust your focus to already having it and being thankful for having it. When you have a clear understanding and a clear focus your goals will become reality; don’t let your mouth spoil it for you.
Nov 20
Gratitude Day 20 – A man’s steps are directed
I am thankful for the direction I feel God is leading me in. I am not always sure of the exact path or where it really leads. God always illuminates the next step for me and let me know it is time to step. True I have had numerous missteps, there are many times He has lifted me up out of the darkness when I have fallen. He brushed me off and asked me “child I love you; what have you learned?
Life could be compared to a recipe if you follow it closely and do it in the right steps you end with a delicious outcome; failure to follow the directions you may not end up with the desired results.
Once you understand your purpose then you will understand your direction. Sometimes in life your purpose may change in your journey sometimes you become the tool of God to help lift someone else up. You are on a mission from God live with his purpose for you and keep your steps ordered.
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