Sunday, November 27, 2005

Near Sighted or Far Sighted?

I don't know about you, but as I'm getting older (43 to be exact) my vision is not what it used to be. I recently had my eyes checked and the Doctor made this comment, "Do you wear bifocals?" I said, "No I don't." He then quipped, "You will." So, I just got my first pair of progressive bifocals. The world suddenly looks different. I can actually see details as I look at trees and signs that are far away. And reading! Wow, so that's what the texture of paper looks like! I'm discovering the value of clear vision!

We have been doing an "Extreme Makeover" on our church's mission and strategy. It has raised questions that not only apply to a company or an organization, but to an individual as well. Here are some key questions that might help you to see clearer:

What do I see in front of me? This is being near sighted. Be brutually honest and realistic with this one. Jim Collins says that we must be realistic about our current state in order to have a clear solution to bring positive change. Narrow your focus and give energy to what you do really well.

What do I see down the road? This is being far sighted. It's the big picture. Step back and be objective. Invite the input of those who you respect and who are wiser than you. I have been inviting the thoughts, opinions and questions of those around me lately and it is taking me to the next level. Beware, you have to have some level of personal security, because you are probably not where you think you are!

What do I want to become? This question must be forged out of prayer and a personal relationship with Jesus. Anything outside of this is "carnal" and "after the flesh." What is really important and what really matters?

What do I want to do? What are your dreams? What keeps you awake at night? What is keeping you from following your dream? Is it in line with God's revealed will?

Where do I want to go? i.e. in life in general. Not geographical location. Where do I need to go to accomplish my vision? What needs to change? Where do I need to change?

I hope this helps someone. It has brought clarity to our church's vision and my own personal vision as well. So, put on your glasses and let's get to work!

Have an Amazing Day!
Jimmy

Friday, November 18, 2005

Having a Good Day on Purpose!

Is your day happening to you or are you happening to your day? Its different for me from day to day. Today, I've decided I'm going to happen to my day. For me, it means making a quality decision to attack my day with zeal and enthusiasm!

Like you, I have a lot of things to get done. Some tasks are menial and some have great significance. Its easier for me to give more energy to the things that are significant. But today, I'm making a choice to give equal weight and effort to the little things. I don't want to miss one moment of this day.

I've decided to do away with the "got to's" and embrace everything today as the "get to's!" Enthusiasm is not only powerful, its contagious. As my vision for my mission on this planet continues to get defined and become clearer I'm finding that it energizes and empowers me to work with more clarity and purpose. I'm more intentional and focused. I'm living life on purpose!

It seems to be catching with those that I work with and do life with. I tell you what... let me sneeze on you with this thing called "purpose" and perhaps you will catch the germ! I'm feeling very contagious lately!

Have an Amazing Day!
Jimmy

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Running to Win!

Whether you realize it or not, you are running in an amazing race. Its the race of life. You have a lane assignment, a starting line, hurdles to negotiate and a finish line. In previous posts I've talked about the hurdles of disappointment and distraction.

Today I want to discuss "In order to win you must know where to begin." Most people have "Spiritual Writer's Block" in their walk of faith. They do not know how to run because they don't know how to start. I used to experience this problem in college when I was given the assignment of writing an essay or theme paper. When I could get the thesis sentence then the paper was effortless.

One principle that has helped me to run in my lane with passion and strength is "Clarify the Win." You have to define what's important and what really matters in a given situation or environment. For example what is the "Win" for your marriage, education, career, spiritual growth, leisure time, etc. If you don't know what the "win" is, then you won't be able to start the race. No target, no bull's-eye. No finish line, no direction. No goal, no score. No win, no clarity.

1 Cor 9:26 "So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step."

Here are three steps to "Clarifying the Wins" for your life, career, family, etc.
  1. Sum up your wins in a simple phrase.
  2. Keep your wins as specific as possible.
  3. Restate your wins frequently.
For example in my marriage my clarified win is: "Experiencing Life over Doing Life." In my career my clarified win is "Being a Minister over Doing Ministry." For my family it's "Quality of Family Relationships over Quantity of Material Things Gained."

I hope this helps. Clarifying your win will give you a target to shoot at and a finish line to run to. Be blessed, be encouraged and run your race to win!

Have an Amazing Day!
Jimmy


Sunday, November 06, 2005

Handling the Hurdle of Distraction

Do you ever get distracted? Of course you do and so do I. Distraction causes you to lose focus and when you lose focus you lose momentum. It takes you off your rhythm and pace and causes you to lose your stride in this amazing race called life.

According to the AC Nielson Co., the average American watches 3 hrs and 46 minutes of TV everyday. That's more than 52 days of non-stop TV watching per year!

In a very real sense, distraction is our cultures number one past time. Entertainment is all about distraction. I call it "Vegging." You know turn on the TV, check out a video, surf the net, hit a golf ball, work out, leave town for a day or two. All of us have our way of escaping the here and now.

However, when it comes to running the race of life, distraction can be a very real weapon that the Enemy can use to knock you out of the race.

Here's a simple "true-ism:" Distraction produces In-action.

In the Bible, the writer of Philippians, Paul, puts it this way, "I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." Phil 3:13 (NLT)

Paul gives us two practical ways to handle the hurdle of distraction: 1) Don't look back and 2) Look forward to what is ahead. Simple, practical, relevant.

What are the negative distractions that are causing you to lose your focus and momentum? Identify them and talk to God about them. That's called confession. Ask God to help you remove the distractions and look forward to what is ahead. "This too shall pass!" You will make it! You can do it with God's help!

As for me? I'm not looking back and I'm choosing to stay focused on what's in front of me.

Have an Amazing Day!
Jimmy
jimmy@morningstarabilene.com