Monthly Archives: June 2012
June 30, 2012
Say It
Our words have the power to lift people up or push people down.
We can say something to make others feel better about themselves or make them feel worse. It’s amazing what a simple compliment will do. When you tell someone “You look nice today,” or “Great job on that presentation at the office,” or “I really enjoy working with you,” those simple words will put a spring in their step and brighten their day. It doesn’t take much time and doesn’t cost you anything, yet with your words, you can bless their life. That’s the power God has given each one of us. Every day we should have a goal of finding at least one person that we can encourage. Let’s be free with our compliments. Point out what somebody is doing right, not what they are doing wrong. There is already enough pushing people down. Let’s make it our business to lift people up, to brighten their day, to make them feel better about themselves. Remember, your words are seeds. When you deposit life and blessing into others, that’s what you’ll reap in your own life in return!
June 29, 2012
Speaking Hope
Having hope is like a drink of cool water on a hot day. Never take away hope from a person.
There have been several seasons in my life when all I had to sustain me was hope. However, hope is a powerful force that will keep you going when all else is gone. There are many of you that could tell your story of how hope kept you alive during a difficult situation. There are some of you right now that are holding on the hope will all you got. Don’t let go! If you come into contact with someone that is struggling and hope is keeping them alive, don’t you take their hope away. Just because you aren’t in a that position right now does not give you the right to do so. If you can’t say something helpful, positive, and encouraging, then just keep your big blamed mouth shut. I have been a person that would kick the hope out from under people. I am sorry to have to admit that, but it’s truth none the less. Today, I speak hope to you. If you are struggling, there is hope for you today. Don’t give up, don’t give in, hold on to that hope until you win! Go to that person you are thinking of right now and speak into their life, apologize if you need to and then give them a hand up. Be a speaker of hope to someone today!
June 28, 2012
Listen Intently
Stepping into another person’s world, building trust, establishing relationship, offering hope, giving of yourself. This is how you make a difference.
When you allow another person to share their story with you; you step into their world with no agenda. Allowing someone to just unload their stuff on you is uncommon today. Uncommon when you don’t unload back, but you listen and allow them to just share with you. It can be ugly, what they have to say will not always easy to take. However, people are hurting and have all this messy stuff build up inside them. They need someone to just listen without having to tell all about their life. This is stepping into their world, where they are comfortable. Give them the right to share with you. Give them a sanctuary where they are safe. Listen to them without having to talk about yourself. There will come a time when can share your experiences with them. Right now though they just need someone to listen intently. Be the person that you would want someone to be for you. Is there someone today who needs to just unload on you all their mess? Are you willing to listen intently to their story?
June 27, 2012
Benefit of the Doubt Podcast/Blog
When you give someone the benefit of the doubt you will make a friend and make a difference in their life.
Many times we want to just write someone off when we think or even know they have made a mistake. However, when you believe the best in that person, look for the good and the positive in them, you will make a difference in their life. It’s easy to just cut someone out of your life when they have messed up, possibly even hurt you, but you aren’t like that. You will look for the good, look for the positive. It’s there, it may be covered up, hidden and hard to find, but it’s there. Don’t give up on them. It may not be easy, but if it were easy everyone would be doing it. Find someone that needs a break. Find that person that is hurting and while they are hurting they are hurting others and show them you do care. Demonstrate that you give them that benefit of the doubt. Let them know that everyone is not against them. Give them room to make a mistake, because we all make them. Cut them enough slack to keep them from getting hurt even more. Is there someone in your life today that needs your benefit? Can you show that person that you aren’t like everyone else? Today is your day to make a difference in their life.
June 26, 2012
Got to be Right
There are two things that seem to mess up most relationships. People’s desire to be right and to correct others.
In most any relationship the want to be right and the need to correct the other person will do severe damage. I am not referring to only marriages but all types of relationships. When we have to be right and then try to make others agree with us; we will drive them away. Also, when we have to correct everyone when we feel like they are wrong, the relationship will suffer. There is right and wrong, but you may not be the one that should determine what that is. No one has it all figured out anyways. When we learn to give and have more patience with others, then the relationship will grow. Understand that you don’t have all the answers or been given the title as “All Knowing.” Relax, let others have their opinion, let them think the way they choose to think. Remember, there are others that have to deal with you and me too. You may just learn something when you listen, and realize you don’t always have to be right, because you aren’t always right. Is there a relationship today that could learn from and make stronger by not having to right or correcting the other person?
June 25, 2012
Esteem Others
In today’s culture, we don’t often hear the word esteem used very much, but the Bible tells us to esteem and delight in one another.
One definition of esteem is to hold in high regard. That means we are to honor and value one another. Even if we don’t always agree with one another, even if they don’t necessarily act honorably, we are to honor and esteem others because they are valuable in the eyes of God. Think of it this way: if you had a costly and valuable piece of jewelry, you wouldn’t just wear it to the gym or leave it on the kitchen sink. No, you would treat it carefully. You would put it in a safe place and protect it. Well, when we see others as valuable the way God sees them, we will treat them carefully as well. We should be careful in the way we talk to others. We should look for the good in them and honor them for who God made them to be. The Bible tells us that the way we treat others is like sowing seed, and it will come back to you. Choose to esteem and delight in one another. Sow good seeds, and you will see a harvest of blessing in your own life in return! Who do you need to show esteem toward today?
June 24, 2012
Giver or Taker
Your number one greatest natural resource is people. Don’t use up people but give back to make the resource greater.
Oftentimes people look at other people from the perspective of what can they do for me. However, it is time that to look at others and say; what can I do for them. The people in your life were not put there for you to use. God places people in your life for you to help. All you have to is give out of what you have; your gift. When you pour into others, then God will pour far more back into you. You then become like a fresh well or better yet; an overflowing well. When you have the mentality that all people want something; to what can I do meet their need; then God will meet your need. What difference does it really make what their thought process is? God has given to you so that you can give to others. What they think is their business. Sure, some will be ungrateful and expect you to give to them. There is a reason for that; poverty mentality that needs to be broken. However, when we expect them to be all thankful and humble; then maybe we are being prideful or selfish. We are to be givers without a motive or agenda. This can be a sensitive area for some, while for others it is a lifestyle. Do you have a freely give mentality? Can you give without expecting to get anything back from the other person? What are your motives and agenda concerning giving?
June 22, 2012
Hope Dealing
When your dreams meet reality; choose hope. Hope is worth fighting for and worth believing in.
When you don’t have hope you will lose your desire to live. Hope is the one thing that keeps many people going from day to day. Without hope people give up on their dreams. When reality comes crashing in on you, hope is the only thing that will keep you. Hope is not thought about so much when all is going great. It is when you hit those difficult times in life that hope becomes more evident. Hope will enable you to go through situations you never thought you would make it through. There are people in your life right now that have lost out on hope. Step into their world and share the hope they need so desperately. Hope is one thing that you will find worth fighting for in your life. Never let anyone steal your hope and never give it away. Hope at times will be as vital as oxygen to your body. Fight for it, protect it, and share it with others. Be a hope dealer not a hope stealer. Was there a time in your life when you lost hope? Is there someone in your life right now that is fighting to hold on to their hope? Can you be a hope dealer today?
June 21, 2012
Intrinsic Validation
In today’s fast paced world first impressions mean everything. And it’s not unusual for us to become self absorbed. But, when you’re trying to cultivate an important relationship its important to see things from the other person’s perspective.
June 21, 2012
Dream Strength
Never give up on your life. Don’t take it for granted that you are even reading this right now. You are valuable, worth it, and cared about.
There are going to be times in your life, for some it’s today, when you want to throw in the towel and give up. Nothing ever seems to work out the way it should. People tell you one thing and then do another. You’re still battling that addiction and it doesn’t seem you will ever break it. You’re family seems to be going in all different directions at once. You just want some peace and rest in your life. Don’t give up on your dreams. If God has given you a dream then He will not stop working in your life. If you do your part, know that He will do His part. When I was coaching I used to tell my players; “just give me something to work with and we will make a difference in your life.” God is saying to you today; “Just do your part and step back and watch me operate.” God has your best interest in mind. He is on your side. Is there a situation you are dealing today that doesn’t seem like is ever going to work out? Is your dream slowly fading away or gone altogether? Today is your day to regain your dream strength. Get back up, dust your self off, and get moving forward again. Today is your day!