An error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17 NIV
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
think good thoughts
Being at peace with yourself is a direct result of finding peace with God.
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Friday, December 25, 2009
a Merrier Christmas gaurantee
| Dec 25 - A Time to Forget "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him...Until seventy times seven." Remember when...? That's a question we hear a lot this time of year. Reminiscing with family and friends, we browse through Christmases gone by, enjoying the memories until inevitably, we stumble across the memories we would rather forget. Scripture Study: Matthew 18:21-35
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| Kenneth Copeland Ministries | |||
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
A Christmas Skit - fun stuff
The song was written by Tony Haselden, former member of Louisiana's Leroux.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz9LShc6ArE&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz9LShc6ArE&feature=channel
Saturday, December 19, 2009
think good thoughts
"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
~~~ The late Dr. Adrian Rogers , 1931 to 2005 ~~~
~~~ The late Dr. Adrian Rogers , 1931 to 2005 ~~~
think good thoughts ...
It is always better to fail at doing something than to excel in doing nothing.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
think good thoughts ...
Sports do not build character. They reveal it.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:4 NIV
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:4 NIV
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Character
The Character Crisis
by John MacArthurCopyright 2008, Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
by John MacArthurCopyright 2008, Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Character Crisis Society has suffered terrible decay as the love of iniquity has trumped noble character. Sadly, what Western culture once regarded as virtuous and good has become almost unrecognizable. Take a few minutes to consider the importance of character, find its source, and commit yourself to the quest—the quest for character.Character. It has an old-fashioned sound to it, like a faded relic of the Victorian era. We live in a materialistic culture where prestige, prosperity, and popularity are valued more than genuine integrity. In fact personal character hardly seems to matter very much at all nowadays—at least in the realms of mass media, entertainment, politics, and pop culture.Only a few select moral qualities are still prized by society at large. They are chiefly liberal community values such as diversity, tolerance, and broad-mindedness. Sometimes they are even called virtues. But when traits like those are blended with hypocrisy or employed to justify some other iniquity, they become mere caricatures of authentic virtue.Meanwhile, genuine individual virtue—the stuff of which true, timeless, praiseworthy character is made—has been formally relegated to the sphere of “personal” things best not talked about openly. These days, even an elected national leader’s personal character is supposed to be treated as a wholly private matter.As a result, our society’s most prominent celebrities include countless people who actually are known best for gigantic character flaws. Notice, for example, the people who usually grace the covers of celebrity magazines. Very few are decent role models. Often they are actually people who exemplify the worst kinds of character traits. No morally sane, thinking parents would ever hope for their own children to emulate the lifestyles or embrace the values of most of our society’s best-known figures. Big personalities are highly revered anyway, because celebrity itself counts more than character in a society without any moral anchor.In fact, over the past few decades so many famous people in our society have been charged with serious crimes that a cable television series is devoted exclusively to covering stories about the legal problems of some of our culture’s favorite figures. Still, both the public and the media continue to confer celebrity status on more and more bizarre characters.How have we come to this? The greatest cultures throughout human history have always reserved the highest positions of eminence and respect for true heroes—people who distinguish themselves by great self-sacrifice, moral excellence, or some truly great accomplishment. They only societies that confer celebrity status on immoral and villainous people have been cultures in serious decline and on the precipice of utter ruin.One of the universally understood rules of thumb that governed western society until a few short decades ago was that people who achieved fame had a duty to be wholesome role models. Even men and women who weren’t really of sterling virtue in private sought to keep their character flaws hidden from the public—because if their moral defects became known, they lost their star status. Political figures could not remain in office if they were found culpable for any scandalous moral indiscretion.That is no longer the case. Today’s celebrities proudly flaunt their decadence. With the rise of a massive entertainment industry in the second half of the twentieth century, celebrity became a cheap and shallow commodity. Honest character is now seen as totally optional—or worse, hopelessly unfashionable. As a matter of fact, in certain segments of today’s entertainment and music industries, authentic virtue would be practically incompatible with fame and success. Some of the best-known figures in the recording industry, for example, are avowed gangsters who openly glorify evil in their lyrics. It is frightening to contemplate the future of a society where so many people so badly lacking in character can attain celebrity status so easily—and often hang onto their fame and influence no matter what crimes they commit.The Bible says that is exactly what happens when a society rejects God and thereby incurs His righteous judgment. Romans 1:21-32 describes the downward path of a culture abandoned to sin. Take note of the roster of evils that finally overwhelm every fallen society. The list closely resembles everything currently fashionable in the world of entertainment and celebrity:Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32)That describes our culture to the letter, doesn’t it? People today literally entertain themselves with iniquity, heedlessly applauding those who sin most flagrantly. Society today makes celebrities of people who in our grandparents’ generation would have been deemed the most contemptible rogues. Almost everything that used to be considered shameful is now celebrated. We therefore live in a culture where personal character and individual virtue are rapidly evaporating at almost every level. Virtue and infamy have traded places.According to the Bible, God designed us to be men and women of exemplary character. He repeatedly commands us to pursue what is virtuous and shun what is evil. From cover to cover in Scripture, iniquity is condemned and virtue is exalted.Clearly, we are supposed to be men and women of excellent character. We’re commanded to “hold fast what is good [and] abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).But where do we go to learn how to do that? Popular culture will not point the way for us. Scripture alone is a reliable lamp for our feet and light for our path (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word points the way in the quest for character.The Bible contains numerous lists of positive character qualities. Second Peter 1:5-8, for example, gives a catalogue of virtues and urges us to add to our faith. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, the qualities of authentic love in 1 Corinthians 13, and the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 all list similar traits that describe true excellence of character.Truly excellent character is actually a reflection of the moral nature of God Himself. For that reason, all virtues are interdependent and closely related. And all of them are the fruit of God’s grace. As you study biblical virtue, may you perceive the true beauty of Christ’s character and desire to see it reproduced in your own life. Excerpted from The Quest for Character, by John MacArthur.© Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Collection" by:
Tony CapocciaBible Bulletin Board Box 119Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022Our websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com Email: tony@biblebb.comOnline since 1986
Sunday, November 29, 2009
think good thoughts ...
People will be more impressed by the depth of your conviction than the height of your logic.
My son forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:1,4
My son forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:1,4
Saturday, November 28, 2009
perspective on love ... from a 6 year old!
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
Chrissy - age 6
Thursday, November 26, 2009
think good thoughts ...
Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
For His merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117:2
For His merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117:2
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
think good thoughts ...
Wisdom is the wealth of the wise.
For the value of wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it. Proverbs 8:11 TLB
For the value of wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it. Proverbs 8:11 TLB
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
think good thoughts ...
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of anyone else.
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Romans 15:1,2 NAS
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Romans 15:1,2 NAS
Monday, November 23, 2009
think good thoughts
A professional is someone who can do his best work when he doesn’t feel like it.
To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best.1 Corinthians 9:25 TLB
To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best.1 Corinthians 9:25 TLB
Sunday, November 15, 2009
think good thoughts ...
Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.
I would have you learn this great fact; that a life of doing right is the wises life there is. If you live that kind of life, you’ll not limp or stumble as you run.
Proverbs 4:11,12 TLB
I would have you learn this great fact; that a life of doing right is the wises life there is. If you live that kind of life, you’ll not limp or stumble as you run.
Proverbs 4:11,12 TLB
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Skynyrd Tribute Weekend 2009
Skynyrd Tribute Weekend 2009
I wanna’ thank Charlie and Nadine for, once again handling the logistics of the Skynyrd Tribute Weekend 2009. They’ve been organizing these events for years without complaint because their focus in on the music and the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and all of the Southern Rockers who have “plowed the road” and given us some of the most genuine, plain speaking, homelike music that’s ever been written! These events are free to all of us but that doesn’t mean there aren’t expenses at every turn - and - it’s like livin’ on a farm - there’s always work to be done! From all of us to Charlie & Nadine (Southpaw & Wailer) we all appreciate the sacrifices you guys willingly make in order for us to have a safe, comfortable family reunion together and it was GREAT wasn’t it! With pure motives; Charlie & Nadine have done more to preserve the Southern Rock tradition than anyone I know of in this city. You work so hard to make sure our heartstrings stay tied together!
If I could sum up the “Christian faith” in one word, that word would be: “others” - Charlie and Nadine have a true heart for “others.” In fact, that’s why we all save our pennies and travel the miles every year; it’s to be with “others” ... we all have a heart for “others.” No matter what’s goin’ on through the rest of the year, we come together in Jacksonville to share ourselves, our hearts, our joy and sorrow and everything that keeps us movin’ forward. We live to be a part of someone else’s dream; to strengthen each other in love and laughter. It’s not about me, and it’s not about you it’s all about “us” ... it’s about what we do for each other and what we all mean to each other - that’s why we come together for these weekends under the “umbrella” of God’s love. It’s about the music and carrying the torch to the next generation. From 1977 to 2009 Skynyrd has lost a lot of members – that means we’ve lost them too. Some of us knew them personally and some of us may have just gotten an autograph but we’ve all been influenced by Skynyrd music.
The Skynyrd Tribute Weekends are “easy to feel” but hard to explain; ya’ just have to be there, right? (spoken like a true hippie!) Lifelong love and friendships have developed from these rockin’ weekends and the really cool part is, as long as we’re around we’ll keep comin’ back for more ... because there’s always more! Like any family reunion we were “missing” some friends this year but for those in attendance this was a memorable weekend.
With each passing year we know there’s no guarantee that we’ll see the same people next year so we’re twice blessed every time we reunite. When the weekend is over and we travel home, we’re all a little “richer” because we go home with more love and more friends than we had before. We go home thankful for one more memory to “tuck away” in our heart. We all “add” something to each other’s lives that wasn’t there before. We all walk away with something better than before. No matter how good or bad life’s been treating us, we have each other and it can always get better!
AND how ‘bout a round of applause for Kymystry! Thanks guys, for lettin’ me sit in and jam!
I’m humbled to be able to play music and perform “with” my friends “for” my friends! It was great to see familiar faces and such a pleasure to meet new friends. We’re gonna’ be friends for a long time, ya’ know? I’m thankful to be associated with friends like all of you. Thanks again Southpaw & Wailer … until next year … Cya...
HeartStrings are tied....
Barry Lee Harwood
I wanna’ thank Charlie and Nadine for, once again handling the logistics of the Skynyrd Tribute Weekend 2009. They’ve been organizing these events for years without complaint because their focus in on the music and the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and all of the Southern Rockers who have “plowed the road” and given us some of the most genuine, plain speaking, homelike music that’s ever been written! These events are free to all of us but that doesn’t mean there aren’t expenses at every turn - and - it’s like livin’ on a farm - there’s always work to be done! From all of us to Charlie & Nadine (Southpaw & Wailer) we all appreciate the sacrifices you guys willingly make in order for us to have a safe, comfortable family reunion together and it was GREAT wasn’t it! With pure motives; Charlie & Nadine have done more to preserve the Southern Rock tradition than anyone I know of in this city. You work so hard to make sure our heartstrings stay tied together!
If I could sum up the “Christian faith” in one word, that word would be: “others” - Charlie and Nadine have a true heart for “others.” In fact, that’s why we all save our pennies and travel the miles every year; it’s to be with “others” ... we all have a heart for “others.” No matter what’s goin’ on through the rest of the year, we come together in Jacksonville to share ourselves, our hearts, our joy and sorrow and everything that keeps us movin’ forward. We live to be a part of someone else’s dream; to strengthen each other in love and laughter. It’s not about me, and it’s not about you it’s all about “us” ... it’s about what we do for each other and what we all mean to each other - that’s why we come together for these weekends under the “umbrella” of God’s love. It’s about the music and carrying the torch to the next generation. From 1977 to 2009 Skynyrd has lost a lot of members – that means we’ve lost them too. Some of us knew them personally and some of us may have just gotten an autograph but we’ve all been influenced by Skynyrd music.
The Skynyrd Tribute Weekends are “easy to feel” but hard to explain; ya’ just have to be there, right? (spoken like a true hippie!) Lifelong love and friendships have developed from these rockin’ weekends and the really cool part is, as long as we’re around we’ll keep comin’ back for more ... because there’s always more! Like any family reunion we were “missing” some friends this year but for those in attendance this was a memorable weekend.
With each passing year we know there’s no guarantee that we’ll see the same people next year so we’re twice blessed every time we reunite. When the weekend is over and we travel home, we’re all a little “richer” because we go home with more love and more friends than we had before. We go home thankful for one more memory to “tuck away” in our heart. We all “add” something to each other’s lives that wasn’t there before. We all walk away with something better than before. No matter how good or bad life’s been treating us, we have each other and it can always get better!
AND how ‘bout a round of applause for Kymystry! Thanks guys, for lettin’ me sit in and jam!
I’m humbled to be able to play music and perform “with” my friends “for” my friends! It was great to see familiar faces and such a pleasure to meet new friends. We’re gonna’ be friends for a long time, ya’ know? I’m thankful to be associated with friends like all of you. Thanks again Southpaw & Wailer … until next year … Cya...
HeartStrings are tied....
Barry Lee Harwood
Friday, November 13, 2009
think good thoughts
Character is not made in crisis it is only exhibited.
I have set the lord always before me because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16:8
I have set the lord always before me because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16:8
Thursday, November 12, 2009
think good thoughts
From John Maxwell’s Newsletter:
The unrelenting release of full passion, strength and abilities is amazing in the life of a leader. Yet, it rarely happens that passions, abilities and opportunities all line up at the exact same time.
Often times someone's passion is high, while their abilities are low or the opportunity isn't right. Or, perhaps, the opportunity arrives, but they find themselves sapped of strength and passion, even though they possess the ability.
Passion is in most leaders - sometimes in the form of ambition or inspiration.
Abilities are developed over time - via experience, life and learning.
Opportunity arises less than passion and abilities - it is about timing, and being in the right partnerships or business.
Lining all three up can seem almost impossible. Therefore, I propose the following:
Hone your passion to be a consuming, all-time fervor while you work on your specific abilities and strengths to serve OTHER people versus simply serving your self. In doing this you will find your opportunities happen more often, and, because you are focused outwardly you will worry less about missing opportunities and naturally step into them with ease and grace. Opportunity will then find you rather than you having to search for it.
Aligning Opportunity
The unrelenting release of full passion, strength and abilities is amazing in the life of a leader. Yet, it rarely happens that passions, abilities and opportunities all line up at the exact same time.
Often times someone's passion is high, while their abilities are low or the opportunity isn't right. Or, perhaps, the opportunity arrives, but they find themselves sapped of strength and passion, even though they possess the ability.
Passion is in most leaders - sometimes in the form of ambition or inspiration.
Abilities are developed over time - via experience, life and learning.
Opportunity arises less than passion and abilities - it is about timing, and being in the right partnerships or business.
Lining all three up can seem almost impossible. Therefore, I propose the following:
Hone your passion to be a consuming, all-time fervor while you work on your specific abilities and strengths to serve OTHER people versus simply serving your self. In doing this you will find your opportunities happen more often, and, because you are focused outwardly you will worry less about missing opportunities and naturally step into them with ease and grace. Opportunity will then find you rather than you having to search for it.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts Pt 11 November 8 2009
Pt 11 - taken from "The Wall" - writings by Barry Lee Harwood
Everyone has a comfort zone; we need comfort zones. Some people hoard their comfort zone while other people share their zone. Our comfort zones are custom made like a fence around our property and - depending on our upbringing and our perception and perspective of the truth - change daily. From time to time “life” (so called) dictates that we need to leave the comfort of our comfort zones and for most folks that makes life downright uncomfortable. The human response is to fight to stay in our comfort zone! At the root of “the fight” is fear. We know that fear can cause a “fight or flight” response. Of course there are some people who love to come out of their comfort zone – they’ve made an art of coming out of their comfort zone – they’ve made a living by coming out of their comfort zones! Most people, however, protect their comfort zones and fight for their right to stay within the boundaries of their zone. Being forced to come out of our comfort zone causes “the rub” between individuals; at the root of conflict is fear – find the fear and you solve the conflict.
People can become afraid of trying to make their dreams come true because it requires coming out of their comfort zone and that means (here comes that “C” word again) “change” … but if we want something different then we have to do something different. Somehow we have to be excited about change or, we’ll never change and if we don’t change; life and time will pass us by. Excitement and enthusiasm can override fear – faith can move the mountain – our comfort zone can expand and we have more room to walk in love. We have more reason to walk in love. We can also play it safe and stay in our comfort zone; but we’ll wither on the vine.
Routines don’t require as much effort. It’s a whole lot easier to do nothing. It’s much less confusing to stay in a rut – create your own status quo – compromise your ambition and make excuses as to why there’s no hope for the future. It’s so much easier to fail because there’s no work involved; it takes zero effort to do nothing! You can “point the finger of blame” and “change the remote” with the same finger; now that’s talent!
The only way to have something you’ve never had before is to do something you’ve never done before. Fear is the most complex emotion that exists and if we “give in” to it, it can be a powerful weapon against us. Fear is like a flat tire. Fear is having faith in the wrong thing. Fear believes a lie instead of the truth. It’s like a virus on a hard drive; fear will make you hurt your own self. Fear will cause you to “play it safe,” never step out on faith and you’ll miss your dreams altogether. Remember, we have to become oblivious to impossibilities … dreams don’t come to us, we have to stretch to reach them and we have to work to make them come true. The work involved in making dreams come true brings joy to our lives because when you know why you’re here it relieves the pressure. What pressure – the pressure of not knowing the purpose of your visit to this earth!
Right now I’m the best “me” I’ve ever been. Is it because I’m just lucky, or because I have such a great history of success? No. It’s because I have such a profound history of failure! I learned how to succeed by learning how to fail! I learned how to fail by learning “who I am” in Christ Jesus or, more accurately, who I am “without” Christ Jesus. I learned that compassion is the connection; I learned to love; I learned to walk in love - I learned how to use faith and I learned that faith works by love. I also learned that I could re-set the clock and start over when I fail because I’m forgiven and the past stays in the past where it belongs … and is forgotten. I learned that failure is not the end of the story as long as my motives are pure. Sounds like I’ve learned all there is to know; are you kidding me? I’ve learned a lot but I still learn something new every day and, as the saying goes, “it’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts!”
The Bible says to “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” In other words, God will give your heart “the things” your heart should desire; the dreams your heart will “see.” God’s dreams are pregnant with the power to make them come true, just like God’s written and spoken Word.
No doubt, there is a dream in your heart; a desire to fulfill your destiny. God planted dream seeds in your heart before you were born and now’s the time, now’s the place and now’s the hour to scale the wall to freedom and make dreams come true for you and yours. It’s what we learn after we “know it all” that really counts! Where is God in your life … where do you go for comfort …where does your joy come from? It all comes down to a dream … ya’ gotta’ have a dream … ya’ gotta give the gift.
Everyone has a comfort zone; we need comfort zones. Some people hoard their comfort zone while other people share their zone. Our comfort zones are custom made like a fence around our property and - depending on our upbringing and our perception and perspective of the truth - change daily. From time to time “life” (so called) dictates that we need to leave the comfort of our comfort zones and for most folks that makes life downright uncomfortable. The human response is to fight to stay in our comfort zone! At the root of “the fight” is fear. We know that fear can cause a “fight or flight” response. Of course there are some people who love to come out of their comfort zone – they’ve made an art of coming out of their comfort zone – they’ve made a living by coming out of their comfort zones! Most people, however, protect their comfort zones and fight for their right to stay within the boundaries of their zone. Being forced to come out of our comfort zone causes “the rub” between individuals; at the root of conflict is fear – find the fear and you solve the conflict.
People can become afraid of trying to make their dreams come true because it requires coming out of their comfort zone and that means (here comes that “C” word again) “change” … but if we want something different then we have to do something different. Somehow we have to be excited about change or, we’ll never change and if we don’t change; life and time will pass us by. Excitement and enthusiasm can override fear – faith can move the mountain – our comfort zone can expand and we have more room to walk in love. We have more reason to walk in love. We can also play it safe and stay in our comfort zone; but we’ll wither on the vine.
Routines don’t require as much effort. It’s a whole lot easier to do nothing. It’s much less confusing to stay in a rut – create your own status quo – compromise your ambition and make excuses as to why there’s no hope for the future. It’s so much easier to fail because there’s no work involved; it takes zero effort to do nothing! You can “point the finger of blame” and “change the remote” with the same finger; now that’s talent!
The only way to have something you’ve never had before is to do something you’ve never done before. Fear is the most complex emotion that exists and if we “give in” to it, it can be a powerful weapon against us. Fear is like a flat tire. Fear is having faith in the wrong thing. Fear believes a lie instead of the truth. It’s like a virus on a hard drive; fear will make you hurt your own self. Fear will cause you to “play it safe,” never step out on faith and you’ll miss your dreams altogether. Remember, we have to become oblivious to impossibilities … dreams don’t come to us, we have to stretch to reach them and we have to work to make them come true. The work involved in making dreams come true brings joy to our lives because when you know why you’re here it relieves the pressure. What pressure – the pressure of not knowing the purpose of your visit to this earth!
Right now I’m the best “me” I’ve ever been. Is it because I’m just lucky, or because I have such a great history of success? No. It’s because I have such a profound history of failure! I learned how to succeed by learning how to fail! I learned how to fail by learning “who I am” in Christ Jesus or, more accurately, who I am “without” Christ Jesus. I learned that compassion is the connection; I learned to love; I learned to walk in love - I learned how to use faith and I learned that faith works by love. I also learned that I could re-set the clock and start over when I fail because I’m forgiven and the past stays in the past where it belongs … and is forgotten. I learned that failure is not the end of the story as long as my motives are pure. Sounds like I’ve learned all there is to know; are you kidding me? I’ve learned a lot but I still learn something new every day and, as the saying goes, “it’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts!”
The Bible says to “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” In other words, God will give your heart “the things” your heart should desire; the dreams your heart will “see.” God’s dreams are pregnant with the power to make them come true, just like God’s written and spoken Word.
No doubt, there is a dream in your heart; a desire to fulfill your destiny. God planted dream seeds in your heart before you were born and now’s the time, now’s the place and now’s the hour to scale the wall to freedom and make dreams come true for you and yours. It’s what we learn after we “know it all” that really counts! Where is God in your life … where do you go for comfort …where does your joy come from? It all comes down to a dream … ya’ gotta’ have a dream … ya’ gotta give the gift.
think good thoughts ...
God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Psalm 68:19
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts pt 10 November 1, 2009
There are no new trials and situations out there! Problems are common to everyone. Friends, family and strangers; we all face the same challenges everyday. I’ve been through changes that you haven’t – you’ve been through changes that I have yet to face. We’re all at different levels of ignorance so we all have the ability to both teach and learn from each other based on our life’s experiences. We can’t force our will on anyone. We can’t “make” another human being change so sometimes we have to walk away; sometimes we have to walk alone. My daughter has a motto: “F.I.D.O”. An acronym for “Forget It and Drive On”! If there’s nothing you can do about it at the time then … F.I.D.O.
We can’t ever let “bad news” and “negative spins” throw us off our game. We can’t be afraid of the evil in this world. Fear is “faith in the problem” instead of faith in the solution.
F. E. A. R. is an acronym; “False Evidence Appearing Real! Fear is the most complex of all emotions. Fear can be fuel. We should negative thoughts, negative words, negative people, places and things as stepping-stones to get to where we’re going. Anything that says, “You can’t” will be your breakfast. Anything that says, “You won’t” will be your lunch and anything or anyone that says “you’ll never” will be your supper. Use adversity as fuel for the fire that drives you on. Use trials and situations as oil to keep the engine turning smoothly. Your dream has to be bigger than your problems. God put the dream in your heart but you are the contractor who has to build it. Keep hope alive because hope is your blueprint for the dream in your heart. God’s Word and faith in Gods Word provides all the building material you need for the job. You gotta’ be able to “see” the invisible to “do” the impossible and if you can dream it you can do it!
There are two major reasons we fail. The first is … “trying” and the second is … “not trying!” That brings “fear” into play here; fear of the unknown. Fear stops “motivation” dead in its tracks. We become afraid of “change” and “change” is life’s compass. Do I hit a home run every time I step into the batter’s box? No. Do I strike out every turn at bat? No. Does either uncertainty keep me from batting? No. What guarantee do I have that I won’t fail? Hebrews 11:1 is a good place to start. I can say with certainty that I know I can succeed. What evidence do I have? I have faith; faith is my evidence! My faith is the vision that I see in myself. I “see” myself hitting a home run. I step into the batters box with hope. My faith is proof that I can hit a home run so I swing at the ball with courage. Faith is like a muscle … the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the stronger it gets the more you want to use it because it has the strength to get the job done with less effort. There’s a mountain between me and where I need to be. Faith can move that mountain so I don’t waste time and effort climbing or going around it. When you experience faith “moving a mountain” out of your way you’ll never be the same.
Jesus referred to “ye of little faith”. The word “little” means “weak”. “Weak faith” considers the problem. Peter “stepped out of the boat” with strong faith and he walked on the water until his focus shifted to the wind and the waves - he “considered the storm” around him – his fear of the storm changed his perception of the truth and he sank into the water with weak faith. Fear and faith cannot occupy the same space at the same time. The Bible says Abraham was “fully persuaded” meaning there was no doubt – no fear – no unbelief. Impossible? No; it just takes practice and commitment. Building strong faith is no different than when I learned to play guitar. I practiced every day and when I achieved notoriety for my ability – I kept practicing! It’s amazing to me that after all these years of playing guitar I learn something new every time I pick it up and play it. Peter had strong enough faith to actually walk on water. When he took his eyes off of the dream he still had faith; it just wasn’t strong enough to keep him on the water … you might say his faith was watered down! The storm became bigger than his faith. His focus shifted to his five senses and what his eyes could see rather than looking through the eyes of faith which “see’s” the things that we hope for but are not yet manifested. It was dark when God said, “let there be light.” The light was “in God” - God’s faith “saw” light in the Universe - Gods faith was released by His words and then, there was light. Some people become afraid to try because - in their mind - they already “see” themselves failing; or they “think” there’s a possibility of failure.
Proverbs 23: 7 says “As a man thinks in his heart so is he”. Thoughts create reality in our mind - faith is the substance of the things we hope for in life. If our thoughts stay focused on faith; we walk on the water. Even though the storm is raging all around us; we walk on the water. Even though the 120 mph wind and the 50ft waves are very real; we walk on the water and we walk right on through the circumstance. The storm will come to an end and we will outlast it. Faith is our proof – faith is our title deed to the desires of our heart. Faith activates all the resources of Heaven and at the same time keeps the “spiritual outlaw” in the dark because the outlaw is carnally minded; his power lies in the realm of the five senses. Faith operates beyond and outside the sense realm. If we put our faith in the information received from our five senses we’ll sink. If Peter would have listened to his five senses – he would have never stepped out of the boat in the first place!
We’ve all heard “I’ll believe it when I see it.” But faith says, “I see it because I believe it.” I “see” myself crossing the finish line before I put my running shoes on; I “feel” the banner across my chest as I cross the finish line before I even put my feet in the starting blocks. I “hear” the crowd cheering me on before I set foot on the track. I “see” it, through the eyes of faith and that is my substance and my reality. As I said, we have to be able to “see” the invisible to “do” the impossible; to hit the home run. Failure draws just as much attention to us as success. We “become” successful or we “become” a failure but what we allow ourselves “to become” is our choice. Falling down is no problem … staying down becomes a problem … to us and everyone in our lives. Our ego can handle success but our pride cannot handle failure. Fear sets in and we wig out! We can be poor or we can be powerful but we can’t be both at the same time … the choice is ours to make. Life is a journey, not a destination.
So many people become content, complacent, weary or just plain indifferent. They pull over to the side of the road and never go any further. They see no need to move on and so their dreams - along with their life - die slowly; like suicide in slow motion. Their purpose is never fulfilled. Their “gift” is never given. Their talent and ability … never exposed. “Big deal; so who care’s?” I DO. You have a gift for me … you’re a courier for a deed that may change my life. You’re a blessing. You’re a lighthouse that let’s me know where the rocks are. You’re a compass that gives me direction at just the right time and keeps me from turning on the wrong road … so where are you?
We can’t ever let “bad news” and “negative spins” throw us off our game. We can’t be afraid of the evil in this world. Fear is “faith in the problem” instead of faith in the solution.
F. E. A. R. is an acronym; “False Evidence Appearing Real! Fear is the most complex of all emotions. Fear can be fuel. We should negative thoughts, negative words, negative people, places and things as stepping-stones to get to where we’re going. Anything that says, “You can’t” will be your breakfast. Anything that says, “You won’t” will be your lunch and anything or anyone that says “you’ll never” will be your supper. Use adversity as fuel for the fire that drives you on. Use trials and situations as oil to keep the engine turning smoothly. Your dream has to be bigger than your problems. God put the dream in your heart but you are the contractor who has to build it. Keep hope alive because hope is your blueprint for the dream in your heart. God’s Word and faith in Gods Word provides all the building material you need for the job. You gotta’ be able to “see” the invisible to “do” the impossible and if you can dream it you can do it!
There are two major reasons we fail. The first is … “trying” and the second is … “not trying!” That brings “fear” into play here; fear of the unknown. Fear stops “motivation” dead in its tracks. We become afraid of “change” and “change” is life’s compass. Do I hit a home run every time I step into the batter’s box? No. Do I strike out every turn at bat? No. Does either uncertainty keep me from batting? No. What guarantee do I have that I won’t fail? Hebrews 11:1 is a good place to start. I can say with certainty that I know I can succeed. What evidence do I have? I have faith; faith is my evidence! My faith is the vision that I see in myself. I “see” myself hitting a home run. I step into the batters box with hope. My faith is proof that I can hit a home run so I swing at the ball with courage. Faith is like a muscle … the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the stronger it gets the more you want to use it because it has the strength to get the job done with less effort. There’s a mountain between me and where I need to be. Faith can move that mountain so I don’t waste time and effort climbing or going around it. When you experience faith “moving a mountain” out of your way you’ll never be the same.
Jesus referred to “ye of little faith”. The word “little” means “weak”. “Weak faith” considers the problem. Peter “stepped out of the boat” with strong faith and he walked on the water until his focus shifted to the wind and the waves - he “considered the storm” around him – his fear of the storm changed his perception of the truth and he sank into the water with weak faith. Fear and faith cannot occupy the same space at the same time. The Bible says Abraham was “fully persuaded” meaning there was no doubt – no fear – no unbelief. Impossible? No; it just takes practice and commitment. Building strong faith is no different than when I learned to play guitar. I practiced every day and when I achieved notoriety for my ability – I kept practicing! It’s amazing to me that after all these years of playing guitar I learn something new every time I pick it up and play it. Peter had strong enough faith to actually walk on water. When he took his eyes off of the dream he still had faith; it just wasn’t strong enough to keep him on the water … you might say his faith was watered down! The storm became bigger than his faith. His focus shifted to his five senses and what his eyes could see rather than looking through the eyes of faith which “see’s” the things that we hope for but are not yet manifested. It was dark when God said, “let there be light.” The light was “in God” - God’s faith “saw” light in the Universe - Gods faith was released by His words and then, there was light. Some people become afraid to try because - in their mind - they already “see” themselves failing; or they “think” there’s a possibility of failure.
Proverbs 23: 7 says “As a man thinks in his heart so is he”. Thoughts create reality in our mind - faith is the substance of the things we hope for in life. If our thoughts stay focused on faith; we walk on the water. Even though the storm is raging all around us; we walk on the water. Even though the 120 mph wind and the 50ft waves are very real; we walk on the water and we walk right on through the circumstance. The storm will come to an end and we will outlast it. Faith is our proof – faith is our title deed to the desires of our heart. Faith activates all the resources of Heaven and at the same time keeps the “spiritual outlaw” in the dark because the outlaw is carnally minded; his power lies in the realm of the five senses. Faith operates beyond and outside the sense realm. If we put our faith in the information received from our five senses we’ll sink. If Peter would have listened to his five senses – he would have never stepped out of the boat in the first place!
We’ve all heard “I’ll believe it when I see it.” But faith says, “I see it because I believe it.” I “see” myself crossing the finish line before I put my running shoes on; I “feel” the banner across my chest as I cross the finish line before I even put my feet in the starting blocks. I “hear” the crowd cheering me on before I set foot on the track. I “see” it, through the eyes of faith and that is my substance and my reality. As I said, we have to be able to “see” the invisible to “do” the impossible; to hit the home run. Failure draws just as much attention to us as success. We “become” successful or we “become” a failure but what we allow ourselves “to become” is our choice. Falling down is no problem … staying down becomes a problem … to us and everyone in our lives. Our ego can handle success but our pride cannot handle failure. Fear sets in and we wig out! We can be poor or we can be powerful but we can’t be both at the same time … the choice is ours to make. Life is a journey, not a destination.
So many people become content, complacent, weary or just plain indifferent. They pull over to the side of the road and never go any further. They see no need to move on and so their dreams - along with their life - die slowly; like suicide in slow motion. Their purpose is never fulfilled. Their “gift” is never given. Their talent and ability … never exposed. “Big deal; so who care’s?” I DO. You have a gift for me … you’re a courier for a deed that may change my life. You’re a blessing. You’re a lighthouse that let’s me know where the rocks are. You’re a compass that gives me direction at just the right time and keeps me from turning on the wrong road … so where are you?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts pt9
Adversity will either de-rail you and slow you down … discourage you and cause you to give up, give in, compromise and quit … or it will fortify your resolve and drive you closer to your call and purpose. If we learn from mistakes we come back smarter and more determined than before. Mistakes are sometimes misinterpretations of the truth. If our motives are pure we can easily see the lesson in our mistakes and move on. Some people use mistakes as an excuse to stay in the rut while others become more focused and more centered with better strategies. We should not only overcome adversity but come back with stronger fire power and more accurate aim and a more mature attitude and that separates winners and losers … leaders and followers. Mistakes sometimes cause failure but I believe there are areas in our life where we’re not supposed to succeed. Success in one area of our life may steer us away from our true destiny. If I had succeeded in Sports I would never have picked up a guitar; never written a song. Jesus turned stones into bread and water into wine. He could have had the most successful Bread & Wine franchise in history; but that wasn’t His destiny. His destiny was the cross. He stayed focused and didn’t allow successes along the way to distract from His mission. There’s no in-between; we constantly move either forward or backward. There’s no such thing as “standing still while we make up our minds”. Standing still is equal to moving backward and that means losing ground. If we choose to stand still the “rip-current” of adversity will sweep us away. As long as we’re “in motion” we can stay one step ahead of adversity.
Adversity is at work 24/7 with a focused agenda. Adversity gained control in the Garden of Eden; adversity lost control when Jesus said, “it is finished.” Now there’s no excuse for failure. No longer do we have to live “under the circumstances.” Matthew 28: 18. The truth is; failure has to have permission to take place in our lives! We either succeed or we fail to succeed but we do have a choice and the choice is ours alone to make. We make choices to win or lose … minute by minute … every minute of every day. If you’re given to the notion that “some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you” … then you’re not walking in love and faith will not work effectively because you’ve created a back door “just in case things don’t work” out the way you had hoped. You’re trying to get something for nothing; you’re letting “pride and fear” keep you moored to the dock and if your ship never sails - your ship will never come in. You’ll never experience the joy of sailing through the adventures this lifetime has to offer and you’ll never pull into the port o’ call where there are people waiting for you. Destinies are tied to your destiny - people who need your gift. Good or bad; every action and inaction is a seed sown and we most definitely reap what we sow.
Adversity is “the breakfast of champions”! We need to get off our apathy. We need to get our eye’s off of ourselves and help make someone else’s dream come true because whatever we make happen in someone else’s life, God will make happen in our own. We are the sum total of every decision we’ve made in our life. The “wise man” built his house on a rock and the “foolish” man built his house on the sand. What makes the wise man so wise? It’s because he expected the storms of life. He knew trouble would challenge him, but his foundation was solid and the house he built on that solid foundation could weather the storms. The “foolish man” said, “well, that’s just life; ain’t nuthin’ you’kin do about it” … “whatever” and his house was destroyed in the storm! Wise choices come with age, experience and determination and that’s why there are no “young” wise men - only “old” wise men!
There IS a dream in your heart … God put it there. It may be buried underneath years of heartache and pain, doubt, fear and unbelief but it IS there. I challenge you to define it, see it, and make it come true. When we were kids we had no problem dreaming … all day long. A “dream” is that thing in our life we want bad enough that we’re willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen; willing to CHANGE. It takes discipline, courage, resilience, faith and hope and they all have to come from you … from your spirit, soul and body. When God brings you to it, He’ll see you through it but the choice to stay on course, run the race and cross the finish line comes from you and when your dream does come true … you’ll have the necessary character that it takes to keep it and no one will be able to steal it. Don’t listen to the “nay Sayers” and remember, “The critics don’t count.” Problems are a given. We know the problems are there but I say, “Flush’em.” Problems may come in the form of friends, loved one’s, enemies, family or your own deeds but don’t allow problems to stand in the way of your success because, remember, you’re on a mission and someone needs the gift you have for them. Don’t tell God how big your problems are; tell your problems how big your God is!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts pt 8
Purpose and calling are two different things. Calling woos us. Calling leads and guides us to purpose and purpose is “that thing” that pulls us out of bed every morning with excitement and enthusiasm. Together they make destiny clear and when destiny is clear life is fulfilling. A fulfilled life is empowered by God to succeed and cannot help but make life better for everything and everyone connected to it. “Calling” is a sort of “consecration” if you will; we know we’ve been elected to do a specific job and that job becomes our life’s work and the work blesses the lives of others which in turn will bless us. Calling is just what it is; an invitation. I think we lie if we say “we never heard a call in our life.” It’s easier to say that than to admit we heard the calling and were indifferent, selfish and too lazy to respond. Some people know early on in their lives what their purpose and calling are. Some people live an entire life and then die without ever finding out and some people know but refuse to pursue their purpose and calling. Everyone’s constitution is different but freedom of choice is one thing we all have in common. We can choose life and success or, we can choose failure and death. Am I saying we’ll just keel over dead if we don’t realize our purpose? No, I’m talking about spiritual malnutrition. We’ve all, at one time or another compromised our integrity and paid the price for bad choices and decisions. Whatever the reason for not pursuing our dream, the end result is the same … a life unfulfilled. You might “think and grow rich” or you might just “grow old and die” but if purpose and calling aren’t pursued then destiny is left behind and life – no matter how good or bad – is unfulfilled. Success is getting from one side of “the wall” to the other. Success = dreams come true; reaching the Promise Land and then taking possession of it. Success comes with a price; otherwise it’s worthless. Success comes only by struggle; otherwise it is gratuitous and won’t last because it’s built on the sand.
Everyone’s “wall” is different and everyone has their own way of overcoming the wall they face as well as their own time frame for overcoming it. Some people leap right over the wall with no problem … they move toward God with total abandon, like Peter stepping out of the boat and onto the water. Some people take their time getting over the wall and some people never even try because they have no clue … they’re content with life on “this” side of the wall and for one reason or another don’t care about what’s on the other side; their self esteem is too low to produce the energy they need to fight the good fight of faith. We can’t be overcomers if there’s nothing to overcome. By definition, “succeed” means “to take the place of.” Take the place of what? Take the place of failure! If there’s no opposition, no struggle then it’s not really success, just a free ride. Our ability to overcome the wall in our life depends largely on our upbringing and how we were raised … how we were taught to deal with trials and situations … how we’re equipped to handle failure. We all have to deal with issues and drama. We all face trials and situations because even though God is in control, there is a spiritual outlaw loose on this planet who has nothing better to do than stir up trouble in our lives. This outlaw won’t play fair and won’t quit playing so we have to stay one step ahead of his game all the time. He’s a tactician; he knows your nature; he has a print out on your weaknesses; he knows how to evaluate your “hot buttons” and he knows what it takes to trip you up; he has a profile and a contract on you, BUT … he has no power over us unless we give it to him through compromise. Whatever resource we use to put him in his place determines our success or failure in this lifetime, which in turn determines success or failure in our eternal lifetime as well. It’s not just enough to “make it to Heaven” when we leave this world. God has restored Heaven on earth, otherwise how can we pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” and not believe that we can actually live our lives above the circumstances?
Everyone’s “wall” is different and everyone has their own way of overcoming the wall they face as well as their own time frame for overcoming it. Some people leap right over the wall with no problem … they move toward God with total abandon, like Peter stepping out of the boat and onto the water. Some people take their time getting over the wall and some people never even try because they have no clue … they’re content with life on “this” side of the wall and for one reason or another don’t care about what’s on the other side; their self esteem is too low to produce the energy they need to fight the good fight of faith. We can’t be overcomers if there’s nothing to overcome. By definition, “succeed” means “to take the place of.” Take the place of what? Take the place of failure! If there’s no opposition, no struggle then it’s not really success, just a free ride. Our ability to overcome the wall in our life depends largely on our upbringing and how we were raised … how we were taught to deal with trials and situations … how we’re equipped to handle failure. We all have to deal with issues and drama. We all face trials and situations because even though God is in control, there is a spiritual outlaw loose on this planet who has nothing better to do than stir up trouble in our lives. This outlaw won’t play fair and won’t quit playing so we have to stay one step ahead of his game all the time. He’s a tactician; he knows your nature; he has a print out on your weaknesses; he knows how to evaluate your “hot buttons” and he knows what it takes to trip you up; he has a profile and a contract on you, BUT … he has no power over us unless we give it to him through compromise. Whatever resource we use to put him in his place determines our success or failure in this lifetime, which in turn determines success or failure in our eternal lifetime as well. It’s not just enough to “make it to Heaven” when we leave this world. God has restored Heaven on earth, otherwise how can we pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” and not believe that we can actually live our lives above the circumstances?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sunday Rockin Chair Toughts Pt7
We’re born with an “audience” to reach. You don’t have to be a public figure to have an audience of your own. Any friendship or acquaintance; any customer base or neighbor is an audience. There are no “chance meetings” in our lifetime. Of course public figures, like entertainers, have the most obvious audiences but an auto mechanic has an audience too! A dentist has an audience – a grocery store checker has an audience! Our neighborhood is an audience. We have a gift that comes into play when we interact with others. We have a gift they need and they have a gift that we need. Gifts are unique to each individual and whatever our “gift” is, there are lives that will be lived incompletely unless we “give” them the gift we’ve been given to deliver to them. How do we know who needs our gift and how do we know when to give it? We don’t! When I strap on my guitar and walk onto a stage it’s obviously “time to give my gift” but what about afterwards?
Our individual gift is a unique ingredient that will help complete the life of another and encourage and refresh them on their journey. Nothing happens by accident and every interaction is an opportunity to “give the gift” designed specifically for others; at that certain time and place. We may meet and become lifelong friends or our paths may cross only once but either way - an exchange takes place; we have something to offer each other. We each have a talent designed to bless each other at that moment in time. We think of talent as an obvious gift of music or athletic ability but everyone is talented with something that makes us individually unique. Our uniqueness is the gift we share with the world around us; something I require and something you require; something custom made for others. It may not even be noticeable for years after we meet. Your gift can be a word - a song - a smile … something … but it’s a gift that I’ll do without until you give it to me. Your gift will never be in my life unless you put it there. No one else is able to give your gift to me; only you! The same is true for me. We’re all missing pieces of the puzzle in someone else’s life. We complete the puzzle in each other’s lives by being who God called us to be.
Our individual gift is a unique ingredient that will help complete the life of another and encourage and refresh them on their journey. Nothing happens by accident and every interaction is an opportunity to “give the gift” designed specifically for others; at that certain time and place. We may meet and become lifelong friends or our paths may cross only once but either way - an exchange takes place; we have something to offer each other. We each have a talent designed to bless each other at that moment in time. We think of talent as an obvious gift of music or athletic ability but everyone is talented with something that makes us individually unique. Our uniqueness is the gift we share with the world around us; something I require and something you require; something custom made for others. It may not even be noticeable for years after we meet. Your gift can be a word - a song - a smile … something … but it’s a gift that I’ll do without until you give it to me. Your gift will never be in my life unless you put it there. No one else is able to give your gift to me; only you! The same is true for me. We’re all missing pieces of the puzzle in someone else’s life. We complete the puzzle in each other’s lives by being who God called us to be.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts Pt5
Everything we need to succeed is on the inside of us; in our spirit, soul and body. A dream “sees” the invisible, our heart believes the invisible, our mind forms a plan to make the invisible possible and our body carries out the necessary action to make our dreams reality. When we make dreams come true, when we reach for something “beyond ourselves” it leads us to places and situations that build the character we need to keep and maintain the blessing that comes from making dreams come true. It also affects everyone around us. It even affects people we’ll never meet because our success has a ripple effect that causes others to succeed. Our actions network around the planet because we’re all connected at the heart. We’re all created in the image of God.
Michelangelo walked into the Sistine chapel and looked up at the ceiling. He “saw” (with the eyes of his spirit) a painting; a work of art. He “saw” a place to use his talent and ability; his gift. He “saw” the finished painting on the ceiling, and then he set out to do it. He made his dream come true. Maybe he considered the fact that he would spend forty years on his back, maybe he didn’t, and that’s beside the point because he followed his dream & vision, counted the cost and made it happen.
Follow me on this; as a songwriter, I sit in a room or studio (wherever) with a guitar, a piece of paper and a pen and I write a song. I take the song into the studio with other musicians and record it. I make necessary contacts to have the song distributed and played on radio stations in today’s world. People like what they hear and they purchase the song. The process from “my pen” to “your ear” then creates a family of people around the world who appreciate my work. But, as I sat in my room, before I wrote one word or one chord, I “saw” the whole process before it ever happened and I believed that it actually could happen. I “saw” myself turning on the radio and hearing my song - I “saw” people enjoying my music - I “saw” myself onstage performing my song for them - I “saw” myself doing radio interviews - I “saw” lives being touched by my music. In my heart and soul, I “saw” my success before it ever happened. Now, that’s faith in action! On the other hand, I could have given in to doubt fear and unbelief. I could’ve talked myself right out of my dream before it ever started! I could have said, “ohhh, this will never happen for me, no one will ever wanna’ hear my little ol’ song, it’s too much work … what if they don’t like my music … what if they laugh at me … there’s too much competition … how can I believe that my song will ever be heard around the world?” Well, I chose to believe that I could and would … and I did! I was fully persuaded that God would bring His plan and purpose for my life to pass … and He did.
Are there challenges? You bet! Are there heartaches and disappointments? Absolutely! Did I ever doubt myself and give up … yes! But the joy that comes from crossing the finish line overpowers any memory of the trials and situations we encounter along the way. I’ve witnessed childbirth firsthand. I’ve watched a woman bring a baby into the world; I’ve seen the pain on her face during labor and then after the baby is born the pain is overshadowed by the joy of holding her baby - she’s ready to have another one! Amazing! You have to “see” yourself crossing the finish line before you ever enter the race; if you don’t … you’ll never even put on your running shoes and you’ll miss out on the good life that God has already set aside for you. We already have it – we just have to go and get it! Make it happen!
Michelangelo walked into the Sistine chapel and looked up at the ceiling. He “saw” (with the eyes of his spirit) a painting; a work of art. He “saw” a place to use his talent and ability; his gift. He “saw” the finished painting on the ceiling, and then he set out to do it. He made his dream come true. Maybe he considered the fact that he would spend forty years on his back, maybe he didn’t, and that’s beside the point because he followed his dream & vision, counted the cost and made it happen.
Follow me on this; as a songwriter, I sit in a room or studio (wherever) with a guitar, a piece of paper and a pen and I write a song. I take the song into the studio with other musicians and record it. I make necessary contacts to have the song distributed and played on radio stations in today’s world. People like what they hear and they purchase the song. The process from “my pen” to “your ear” then creates a family of people around the world who appreciate my work. But, as I sat in my room, before I wrote one word or one chord, I “saw” the whole process before it ever happened and I believed that it actually could happen. I “saw” myself turning on the radio and hearing my song - I “saw” people enjoying my music - I “saw” myself onstage performing my song for them - I “saw” myself doing radio interviews - I “saw” lives being touched by my music. In my heart and soul, I “saw” my success before it ever happened. Now, that’s faith in action! On the other hand, I could have given in to doubt fear and unbelief. I could’ve talked myself right out of my dream before it ever started! I could have said, “ohhh, this will never happen for me, no one will ever wanna’ hear my little ol’ song, it’s too much work … what if they don’t like my music … what if they laugh at me … there’s too much competition … how can I believe that my song will ever be heard around the world?” Well, I chose to believe that I could and would … and I did! I was fully persuaded that God would bring His plan and purpose for my life to pass … and He did.
Are there challenges? You bet! Are there heartaches and disappointments? Absolutely! Did I ever doubt myself and give up … yes! But the joy that comes from crossing the finish line overpowers any memory of the trials and situations we encounter along the way. I’ve witnessed childbirth firsthand. I’ve watched a woman bring a baby into the world; I’ve seen the pain on her face during labor and then after the baby is born the pain is overshadowed by the joy of holding her baby - she’s ready to have another one! Amazing! You have to “see” yourself crossing the finish line before you ever enter the race; if you don’t … you’ll never even put on your running shoes and you’ll miss out on the good life that God has already set aside for you. We already have it – we just have to go and get it! Make it happen!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
what is LOVE to an 5 year old?
Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts Pt 4
We’re born knowing how to dream. We’re born with all the resources we need to make dreams come true but as we grow into adulthood it’s easy to learn how to give up, give in, compromise and settle for whatever life we can squeak by with. The easiest thing in the world to do is … nothing. As we grow up we find out what we’re really made of and how we measure up to the calling on our life. Even though we’re all created in the image of God, we may not like the person we become because we’re all at different levels of spiritual maturity. We may not like who we are because of how we’ve been trained to succeed and fail, and if we can’t accomplish our purpose where we are, and if we can’t make dreams come true because of who we are, then it’s decision time. Our life either moves forward or backward, there’s no standing still so we constantly have to deal with the “C” word … change!
Our purpose for life is a hunger and thirst that only destiny fulfilled can satisfy. Some of us settle for what we can get because it’s easier than doing what it takes to create our hearts desire. It’s easier to let our surroundings tell us who we are & why we’re here than to find out for ourselves. We know what we want but we don’t wanna’ do what it takes to make it happen.
As we grow older we learn faith, or we learn fear, but success only comes when we are oblivious to the impossible. In order to “do the impossible” we have to “see the invisible.” With eyes wide open or with eyes closed shut, we have to “see” dreams come true through the eyes of faith. You’ve been given a gift. Don’t be afraid to give it away! Don’t be afraid of the good success it will bring to you and so many others! If ya’ do what ya’ fear, the fear disappears and as it does, we make dreams come true by acting as though all things are possible.
We are born with dreams in our heart and we’re born with all the equipment, resources, talent & ability to make those dreams come true in our lives.
Our purpose for life is a hunger and thirst that only destiny fulfilled can satisfy. Some of us settle for what we can get because it’s easier than doing what it takes to create our hearts desire. It’s easier to let our surroundings tell us who we are & why we’re here than to find out for ourselves. We know what we want but we don’t wanna’ do what it takes to make it happen.
As we grow older we learn faith, or we learn fear, but success only comes when we are oblivious to the impossible. In order to “do the impossible” we have to “see the invisible.” With eyes wide open or with eyes closed shut, we have to “see” dreams come true through the eyes of faith. You’ve been given a gift. Don’t be afraid to give it away! Don’t be afraid of the good success it will bring to you and so many others! If ya’ do what ya’ fear, the fear disappears and as it does, we make dreams come true by acting as though all things are possible.
We are born with dreams in our heart and we’re born with all the equipment, resources, talent & ability to make those dreams come true in our lives.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
think good thoughts
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
…in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:12 NAS
…in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:12 NAS
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
what is Love to an 8 year old?
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8
Emily - age 8
my music
My parents were musicians and songwriters - my Granparents were musicians and songwriters - all my kinfolk are musically inclined to some degree! When I was a kid I thought that's what a person was supposed to do when they grew up!
I was influenced my a lotta different styles of music. As a songwriter; I don't wake up and say,"hmmm, I think I'll right a Country song today" or "I feel like writing a Southern Rock song today". All I have to do is pick up an instrument; any instrument - and before I finish tuning it; a song will begin to take shape - all I do is follow where it leads me! Sometimes I write a song in my head while I'm driving-or even while I'm talking to someone. I'm writing all the time. Writing music is not a problem for me!
Every CHARIOT album will contain music from several different genres; it's just the way I write. As I recall; it was the same way with the Beatles! You never knew WHAT was gonna be on the album - there wasn't any certain style - it was a scatter shot of great songs "by the Beatles"!
My songs are pages from my diary. The life I've lived-the way I've lived it and what I've learned from my experience. Nothing new or unique about that! Check out "No Regrets" at www.chariotband.com - I like what it says. We all need to walk away from drama-we all need to make changes for the better; everyday. Is it possible to live a life with "no regrets"? I believe so.
"No Regrets" was born outta those Southern Rock roots in my soul! Lemme know what you think!
Barry Lee
I was influenced my a lotta different styles of music. As a songwriter; I don't wake up and say,"hmmm, I think I'll right a Country song today" or "I feel like writing a Southern Rock song today". All I have to do is pick up an instrument; any instrument - and before I finish tuning it; a song will begin to take shape - all I do is follow where it leads me! Sometimes I write a song in my head while I'm driving-or even while I'm talking to someone. I'm writing all the time. Writing music is not a problem for me!
Every CHARIOT album will contain music from several different genres; it's just the way I write. As I recall; it was the same way with the Beatles! You never knew WHAT was gonna be on the album - there wasn't any certain style - it was a scatter shot of great songs "by the Beatles"!
My songs are pages from my diary. The life I've lived-the way I've lived it and what I've learned from my experience. Nothing new or unique about that! Check out "No Regrets" at www.chariotband.com - I like what it says. We all need to walk away from drama-we all need to make changes for the better; everyday. Is it possible to live a life with "no regrets"? I believe so.
"No Regrets" was born outta those Southern Rock roots in my soul! Lemme know what you think!
Barry Lee
Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts (from 9.13.09)
As we grow into adulthood though, our aspirations and goals can become “just hard work” which becomes a “home to work” routine that digs us into a rut til eventually our dreams are replaced with whatever we talked ourselves into “settling for” instead of what we truly desired to achieve. It becomes much easier to just “go with the flow” than to discover the joy of making dreams come true. The only way we can truly fail is to give up and quit; compromise is the beginning of failure.
Like a kid walking into a store and seeing a brand new shiny bicycle. Dad & Mom say, “We can’t afford the bike” and you say, “I’ll settle for a skateboard.” Dreams are slowly replaced by apathetic notions and the fear of not being able to afford the necessities of life. The fear of failure makes the wall seem much higher than it really is. So we settle for sub-standard material and the life we build won’t be able to stand against the inevitable storms that come. Don’t go with the flow because the flow is going to hell!
The dream is there to drive us, to inspire us, to provide a reason for us to move forward every day but, somewhere along the way, we sometimes compromise our standards and destiny becomes just whatever happens to us instead of what we make happen for us. We slowly begin to allow circumstances to become our reality and destiny instead of using our God given talent and ability to control the circumstances and overcome the challenges.
The reason that dreams are in our heart in the first place is for the benefit of those around us. Here’s an example from my own life: I’m a musician/songwriter. God created music, did He not? He created music and He gave me the talent and ability to create music. It is my gift. It’s God’s gift to me … not for me. God gave the gift to me to give to others and when I do, it blesses other people.
Like a kid walking into a store and seeing a brand new shiny bicycle. Dad & Mom say, “We can’t afford the bike” and you say, “I’ll settle for a skateboard.” Dreams are slowly replaced by apathetic notions and the fear of not being able to afford the necessities of life. The fear of failure makes the wall seem much higher than it really is. So we settle for sub-standard material and the life we build won’t be able to stand against the inevitable storms that come. Don’t go with the flow because the flow is going to hell!
The dream is there to drive us, to inspire us, to provide a reason for us to move forward every day but, somewhere along the way, we sometimes compromise our standards and destiny becomes just whatever happens to us instead of what we make happen for us. We slowly begin to allow circumstances to become our reality and destiny instead of using our God given talent and ability to control the circumstances and overcome the challenges.
The reason that dreams are in our heart in the first place is for the benefit of those around us. Here’s an example from my own life: I’m a musician/songwriter. God created music, did He not? He created music and He gave me the talent and ability to create music. It is my gift. It’s God’s gift to me … not for me. God gave the gift to me to give to others and when I do, it blesses other people.
think good thoughts
The past should be a springboard not a hammock.
…"but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
Philippians 3:13
…"but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
Philippians 3:13
Noah Webster
Noah Webster Quote
The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries and evils which men suffer from; vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.
Noah Webster
The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries and evils which men suffer from; vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.
Noah Webster
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sunday Rockin Chair thoughts
Dreams ... ya' gotta' have a dream. Dreams can be anything from a beautiful person to a hallucination ... from hope to imagination. When we were kids dreams were the desires of our heart. When we were kids dreaming was the natural thing to do. Don't we remember lying on our back in the grass on a warm sunny day staring up at the clouds and thinking about what we would do, who we would become and where we would go when we grew up? Thinking about all the things we wanted to have, wanted to do ... dreaming of places we wanted to go and people we wanted to go there with. We gave little thought as to "how" these dreams would come true, we just believed they would because when we were kids .... dreamin' was easy. As kids, we hadn't yet experienced the challenges that we would eventually face as we grew older but that was an advantage because we were oblivious to impossibilities so dreaming dreams was "our mission" in life!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Elizabeth Gilbert
I thought this was very well timed (in my own life). It took years for me to realize that "it's not about me" and that my gift was not meant to bring glory, fame & fortune to myself - my gift was meant for me to "give" to others - we're all missing puzzle peices in each others lives - you have something that completes the puzzle in MY life and I have something that completes the puzzle in YOUR life! Our lives are not our own!
Monday, August 24, 2009
just a thought ....
One–half the trouble of this life can be traced to saying yes too quick, and not saying no soon enough.
Proverbs 29:20 (NLT)
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
Proverbs 29:20 (NLT)
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Breakfast at the HeartStrings Cafe
If you've been on my mailing list for at least five years then you've been receiving my "Breakfast at the HeartStrings Cafe" mailings. These were daily devotional readings take from Kenneth Copeland Ministries Website (also available in book form). You can now access these devotionals and have them sent to your email address from the KCM link found at:
www.chariotband.com ... click the Weblinks button!
www.chariotband.com ... click the Weblinks button!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
It Takes Time!
It Takes Time
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.
While working to bring the current CHARIOT album to completion I’ve been pulled in different directions by involvement in other musical projects - service to my church - incidents and accidents and just plain old weird stuff! “Life” (so called) has thrown a lot of curve balls and sliders across my “home plate” – but trials and situations do not affect my enthusiasm and determination. No release date is set for my CHARIOT album. To give you an idea of what the packaged product will sound like I’ve posted a few unfinished versions here on the site. I’ll add to and update these selections so check back often. For info and updates and notification by email please join the mailing list.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.
While working to bring the current CHARIOT album to completion I’ve been pulled in different directions by involvement in other musical projects - service to my church - incidents and accidents and just plain old weird stuff! “Life” (so called) has thrown a lot of curve balls and sliders across my “home plate” – but trials and situations do not affect my enthusiasm and determination. No release date is set for my CHARIOT album. To give you an idea of what the packaged product will sound like I’ve posted a few unfinished versions here on the site. I’ll add to and update these selections so check back often. For info and updates and notification by email please join the mailing list.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
* WELCOME *
Welcome to the CHARIOT Band Blog!
A place to keep informed and up-to-date about the happenings of Barry Lee Harwood & CHARIOT.
Stay tuned.....exciting things are on the way...
A place to keep informed and up-to-date about the happenings of Barry Lee Harwood & CHARIOT.
Stay tuned.....exciting things are on the way...