Monthly Archives: November 2010

Fellowship, Friendship

A New Lesson In Friendships!

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A few months ago, I started a series of messages on Friendship!  We focused on friendship with God and friendship with others!  I love and appreciate all of my friends, but realize that I have not and I do not always show this in the way that I should.  It’s not that I don’t care or that I am not interested.  It’s just that, if I am your friend, then I am your friend and nothing is going to change that on my part.  (This is how I think in my head and heart and feel that if you know me, then you should know this about me!)  What I am learning is that while I may have an expectation that my friends accept and believe that, some of my friends need continuing reassurance.  (They may know it, but not believe it or understand it!)

When I first began to realize this need that some of my friends had, my first thought was that they are not much of a friend if they don’t know me and believe me as I am.  (I have other friends that get it and it’s not a problem for them!)  And then I slowly began to realize that everybody has their on perception.  I should be able to expect that they would work to give me the benefit of the doubt, but if they don’t or won’t, then I still have the responsibility and obligation as a friend to try to help my friend see, know and experience the real me.  Some would say:  “They are not really your friend, if they have that attitude!”  But the issue is not their being my friend.  The issue is my being their friend.  I am not responsible for their actions or reactions!  I am responsible for my own.  And even when people who say they are friends are not friendly, I have a responsibility and obligation to continue to be friendly, because that’s what friends do!  (Many times all of us think we are being or doing, but we are fooling ourselves and that is why someone in the friendship has to be willing to go the extra mile or the friendship will die!)

God is our friend and we don’t always treat God the way that He should be treated, but He patiently gives us time, space, knowledge and wisdom to figure it out!  He does this because He is our friend and wants us to be a friend back!  So, before you write somebody off, make sure that you are doing your part as a friend.  It’s a blessing for you, them and everybody.  And the best part is that it brings glory to God when we get this right!  And it is really cool, when you get to travel that extra mile together!

Thank you for being my friend and for reading this blog!  I hope it challenges, encourages and blesses you!

Creativity, Growing

Stoking The Creative Fires!

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I have been participating once a week in a creative meeting!  I am really enjoying the sessions and here are a few things that I would like to pass on to encourage creativity in all of our lives!

1.) Write your ideas down! It does not matter how simple, silly or small the ideas may seem – write them down!  You may have just a seed, but seeds that are planted and nurtured – grow into big trees!  Keep a little notebook, moleskin, digital file or small recorder to record your ideas.  Don’t think that you will remember them – you won’t!  Record it and you will free your mind up for even more creative ideas!

2.) Brainstorm! Think out loud with other people and listen to their thinking out loud.  It is amazing the ideas that this will generate.  How many times have you found yourself in a conversation with someone and something they said sent your mind to thinking in a totally different direction than what they were talking about?  Find someone, if possible several “someones” and allow your brains to storm!

3.) People Watch! Observe what is going on around you.  We miss so much, because we are often so busy that we just live life in a blur!  Slow down, smell the roses and enjoy the ride by really seeing everybody and everything that God has put around you!

4.) Relocate! If you work at a desk all of the time, then move to a couch.  If you are inside all of the time, then get outside.  You get the picture – put yourself in a place to see things from a different perspective and you will be amazed at the creativity that will flow to and through your life!

5.) Get Spiritual! You were created by a very creative God.  If you don’t believe that, just look around you at all of the variety!  You were created in the image of your creative God, so you are creative too!  Talk to God and listen to God through prayer and take some time to read and look for understanding and challenge from His Word!

These are just a few of the ideas that we have been utilizing to stoke our creative fires!  It’s fun and it’s exciting and you really will be glad you did!

Excuses, Growing

5 Excuses To Ignore!

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I was thinking this morning of all the different excuses that people use to try to stop themselves or others from accomplishing something that really matters in life.  As you journey through life listen carefully and make sure that you ignore these excuses!  (By The Way – This is a lot easier said than done!)

1.)  “It Will Never Work!” We can’t discover what will work, without learning some of what won’t work!  Failure is just one more way that won’t work, which puts you one step closer to what will work!  Take a chance if it’s worth the risk!

2.)  “We’ve Never Done It That Way Before!” And at some point in time, the way you are doing it now wasn’t being done, but someone said:  Let’s try it this way and “presto!” almost like magic a new way of doing it emerged!  There is always room for improvement and growth!

3.)  “We Can’t Afford It!” And with that attitude, we probably never will be able to afford it.  If you can’t afford it, but it is necessary, then find a way to make it affordable!  Wherever God gives a vision, He also provides a path!

4.)  “It’s Not My Responsibility!” How many blessings in life would have been missed if everyone lived with this attitude?  It may not be your responsibility, but if it needs to be done, then do it and know that it is going to make a difference in someone’s life!  If somebody is willing to do what nobody wants to do, then everybody is going to benefit!

5.)  “We’re Just Not Ready!” If you wait until you are ready, the opportunity may just pass you by!  Jump in and get the job done – you will be glad you did when you see the difference that it makes in your life and in the lives of others!  If God allows your life to intersect with opportunity then consider it a personal invitation!

Blessings & G3!