Is It Just Me?

When I was a boy, I loved playing army men.  My friends and I would take our gear and would go off in search of the enemy. Our epic battles would take place across lawns, down the alley and in vacant lots on the near West Side of Indianapolis.  But in our minds we were storming the beaches of Normandy.  We were parachuting behind enemy lines in Germany. We took the islands of the pacific. Often outnumbered we would defeat entire divisions with just hand to hand combat!  We could save the world before dinner time every day!

Many of you can relate to that.  You may not have played army men but you may have raced bicycles.  Though you were just peddling down the sidewalk in your mind you were winning the Indy 500. Your barbie always won the beauty pageant.  In our child's mind we never lost a battle, race or contest.  Let me ask you this; where does that come from?  Where does the idea that we always win come from?  I believe that our desire to win comes from our spiritual DNA. 

The book of Genesis records that man was made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  God is the author of all creation. He saw the chaotic world of Genesis 1 and visualized that things could improve. So He spoke it and it was so.  But first he saw it in his mind.  This is where you got the idea of always winning no matter what as a kid.  It is in your spiritual make up.  The problem is that after people grow up, they leave the creative imagination behind. Then they find themselves trapped in lives were they are always the loser. 

Do you ever find you dream of doing or being something more than what you are right now?  Do you have a dream or passion that you feel burning inside of you to fulfill?  Does it keep you awake at night and consume your thoughts by day? Do you still dream of being a winner?  You may have even asked yourself; "is this for real or is it just me?" IT IS NOT JUST YOU! 

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)

God created you to be a winner.  He created you to fulfill a purpose here on this earth. He placed you here to make a difference.  It is not just you, it is God in you screaming for you to fulfill your mission.  He is prodding you to find your purpose and discover your destiny.

We were all created to be winners. As Chip Esajian says, "You were created extraordinary greatness!"  Get up and pursue your dreams! Stop worrying about what others will think.  Did you worry what people thought when you were pretending when you were a kid?  Why let what someone else thinks about your dream determine the way you feel? It is not just you feeling this way.  Millions of people live lives that Emerson called quiet desperation.  They feel something bigger on the inside, screaming to get out, but is held captive by fear, doubt and unbelief.  I will not live like that! 

Starting today determine to listen to that winner in you.  Listen to that creative power of God in your spirit that says you can do or be anything you desire to be.  It's not too late to find your passion.  It's not too late to fulfill your purpose.  It is never too late to make a difference.

God Bless you!

Be Thankful

Be Thankful


Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always for all things…”

I have heard this passage quoted mucho mas (a lot)! And, sad to say, much of the time it was interpreted incorrectly. Let me give you a few examples: “Thank you Jesus for breaking my arm!” Or “I am thankful for the painful divorce I am going through!” These are a couple of illustrations of how people have missed the point. I myself wrestled with this passage and the misguided interpretations I was given. There was just no way could I be thankful for something that brought me harm or intense personal pain. I felt that by saying “thank you” for my pain, hurt, loss or whatever, I was acknowledging that God was the author of it. I just could not wrap my head around the whole idea of God sending pain into my life. I could not believe that God would intentionally hurt me or anyone else just to teach us to be thankful. And, when I questioned people about this, I was told not to ask why or question God, just accept what He has sent. Fortunately, I learned that God is not the author of pain in my life. I discovered that he takes no pleasure in seeing me suffer. And, He is not afraid or intimidated by my questions. So, what did Paul the Apostle mean when he penned the words “giving thanks for all things”?

I believe Paul was stating that thankfulness is a life style. It is something that we should intentionally practice each and every day. Thankfulness should flow out of us and touch every aspect of our lives. You see, thankfulness starts on the inside and is not reactionary to external stimuli! Thankfulness is not something I demonstrate only when triggered it into action. It is a way of life! That no matter what is going on around me; I have a well of thankfulness I can draw from. Drinking from this well, I am refreshed when the heat is on! Am I thankful for the pain of breaking my arm? No. Am I thankful for the deep emotional hurt of a divorce? No. My thankfulness is demonstrated by me not allowing these painful life experiences to affect me. And, I can be thankful for God’s help, guidance and protection through the difficulties of life.

So, what can a person do to dig a deep well of thankfulness?

1. When you wake up every morning say “thank you” over and over again. This will get your mind and spirit moving in the right direction. Make this a practice throughout the day. Understand that thankfulness must be cultivated and maintained daily!!

2. When faced with problems, instead of asking “why is this happening to me?”, rather ask “what can I learn from this?” The way you view the problems of life will either make you bitter or better.

3. Understand that you have a choice. You are not the helpless victim of circumstances beyond your control. Make the effort to build up your internal person (the real you) to withstand the storms of life. You may not be able to change the wind, but you can change your sails!

Starting today; make faithfulness a way of life. By doing so you will discover that you have more joy, attract better people into your life and will b e a source of encouragement to others.