With a dream of 100 tents you would think our friends and associates would have been excited! But in reality, no one on our team in Russia believed. Initially, many Russians thought we were crazy and wondered, who were those crazy Americans?

But we had a vision in our hearts! We did our research and found the facts, we communicated our dream and made plans for the possible delays we might face as we raised the funds for this new undertaking.

By breaking down our dream into logical steps we were able to sustain ourselves in the difficult times. Clarity in your vision statement and in your plans will allow you to move forward when others are still questioning the value of your dream.

Have you ever had an idea that family and friends seemed to think did not fit your future? Get that dream out today, dust it off, refine it and begin dreaming again! Remember, dreams are created a size too big for us to grow into—but with careful planning and execution you will succeed!

I recall when my husband and I wanted to purchase a tent for Eurasia. We were excited because our mentor, Dr. TL Osborn, had been telling the people of the former Soviet countries to purchase tents to help the churches begin new churches.

WOW! It looked like we had an idea from God. But when we met with our mentor his response to us was, “Well, that’s not God.” Then he asked, “How many republics, nations, and regions are there in the ex-Soviet territories?”  We knew the answer to that question was a little over 100, so our response to his question was easy: “We need 100 tents!”

Immediately our mentor responded, “Now THAT’S an idea big enough for God to get involved with!” 

We thought we had a big dream with one tent that cost $25,000, but what we soon discovered was that 100 tents made room for many organizations and people from around the globe to dream along with us! Now, over 15 years later, we have 70 tents in that region and two small factories producing tents! If your dream is big enough, you can make room for others to join you in your dream!

Click here to see our vision now!  http://bit.ly/1U6SI8A

On one of my husband’s journeys he was seated on the plane next to a leading cancer research doctor. This doctor told my husband that we are no closer to a cure for cancer today than when he first began his cancer research many years ago. He also stated that those who improved while suffering from cancer had taken control of their own cancer therapy.

Could it be that you should take control of your treatment, or whatever process of rehabilitation that you are in?

Today, as a first step in treatment, we are going to talk about taking control of your lifestyle. In the United States, 75% of health care dollars go to treatment of chronic disease. These persistent conditions are the nation’s leading cause of death and disability, leaving deaths in their wake that could have been prevented; lifelong disability that could have been avoided; and an overall compromised quality of life.

In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says that health care costs are escalating, and 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases. So, although many fear epidemics such as H1N1, SARS or Ebola, the reality is that most deaths occur due to chronic health issues.

Chronic diseases are often preventable and frequently manageable. In fact, many chronic diseases could be prevented, delayed, or alleviated through simple lifestyle changes! The CDC estimates that eliminating three risk factors—poor diet, inactivity, and smoking—would prevent 80% of heart disease and stroke; 80% of Type 2 diabetes; and 40% of cancer.

So let’s begin and make a lifestyle adjustment. It is possible to adjust the foundation of our lives and adjust our thinking. We can eliminate these 3 risk factors: poor diet, inactivity and smoking—and eliminate chronic disease!

In 2010, an award-winning historical British film called “The King’s Speech” documented the life of King George the VI of Great Britain. He was known as the stuttering king and dreaded public speaking; a responsibility every monarch was expected to do often and do well. In 1925 he gave a closing speech at Wembley Stadium in London. The speech was a terrible ordeal for both him and his listeners as he stuttered through it with lengthy pauses. Everyone waited for it to end.

Psychologists tell us anyone can stutter if pushed too far. A very stressful situation, or a very aggressive interrogation or conversation can cause a person to stutter, however, most children grow out of it. King George did not grow out of his childhood stuttering and required intensive therapy.

In 1939, as Germany threatened to invade England, King George rallied his strength, rose above his difficulties, and found the resolve to inspire the nation as England declared war on Hitler. With the help of Australian born speech therapist, Lionel Logue, he conquered his disability and courageously stirred the people of Great Britain to action.

I want you to know that miracles are available today, yet King George discovered practical tools to overcome his stuttering and dislike of public speaking.

Whether you are in search of a miracle or practical tools, I encourage you today go to my website: www.LeslieMcNulty.com. We are here to help you, and have made tools available to you that can change your life!

One afternoon a young Russian man by the name of Ildus approached the platform in one of our outdoor events. This young man was so excited he could hardly wait to tell others what God had done for him. I was speaking when Ildus decided it was time to share his story. Ildus was so full of joy! He was pointing at his heart as if to say, “I am not alone—something has happened in my heart!”

Just as Ildus opened his mouth to speak, my husband arrived at the meeting. This young man was now grunting into the microphone pointing at his heart. I remember my husband looking at me as if to say, why is this guy on the platform? He’s not normal and he can’t speak!

Have you ever felt rejected because you are different? Or because you lack skills that other people seem to come by easily? I know that Ildus felt all alone and had little to live for. He’d been rejected by his family and was living on the streets; rummaging through garbage and wandering around aimlessly. In fact, one of our team members had just taken him into his own home.

The next evening, as my husband was speaking, Ildus once again approached the platform.  Several of us were attempting to get my husband’s attention, because something very different was about to unfold!  Kevin kept telling them not to give Ildus the mic, but finally we prevailed.  When Ildus took the microphone, he began to speak in perfect Russian!  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card to show the audience. We were shocked to learn that it was his special medical ID, and that he was classified as having the most severe level of mental retardation!

He looked at the crowd and said, “You know me, I am the guy that begs from the trash cans—but something happened to me last night! Jesus came into my room while I was sleeping and put His finger on my forehead and on my tongue. For the first time in my life the fog has cleared from my mind! For the first time in my life I can think and speak clearly!”

Regardless of your situation, today you can rise above whatever holds you back and discover that you have a friend with God. He will come to you today and reconcile what distresses you. Just say these simple words with me, “Come into my life, Lord, and release me from the fear that holds me back. Like Ildus, heal my heart and touch my mind.”  If you would like more information on miracles, please contact us today. We are waiting to hear from you! http://bit.ly/1gmsroF

Is your dream transferable? Who else will benefit from the majestic view of your dream? Is it motivational? Do you get excited about your dream? If you get excited others will also!

The following questions will help you clarify your dream by crafting a vision statement that identifies your destination, your purpose and your values. Remember these words: Transferable, Memorable and Motivational.

1. Does your vision statement identify your destination? Where are you going?
2. Does your vision statement define your purpose? Why do you exist? What greater good will your vision serve
3. Does your vision statement convey your values? What principles guide your decisions or actions on your journey?
4. Can your vision be easily captured by your audience?
5. Is your vision memorable? Use action words and succinct sayings to convey your thoughts. Avoid clichés or overly used statements.
6. And remember this. Is your vision motivational? Ask that question. It should be inspiring. If no one is excited about your vision you may not be effectively communicating.

Three things to remember as you continue moving forward with your dream:

Be Tenacious—toward your goal, tenacity is a firm grip on the future you have seen with the eye of your faith and in the heart of your imagination.

Be Gracious—not everyone is with your on your journey! Certainly many won’t believe and some will even question your motivation! Be gracious. You will win them over in the long run, and even if you don’t, the fruit of your actions will prove the wisdom of your decisions. With your actions, remember never to sweat the small stuff that goes wrong or the small distractions from the faithless around you. Stay with God; stay on principle; stay focused; be gracious. Today you can decide: I will be gracious to those who stand in the way of my dream! I will not allow the voice of negativity to halt my dreams!

And last: Be Spacious—make room for others. Include those you want to take along with you on the journey. No one likes going it alone! Dream big enough to include others in your dream. When others realize there is room for them they will join the team. Ask yourself, Who can I include? Are you living in a desert or near the vast ocean of abundant possibility? You may be in a desert, but can you see the Oasis!

Go to my website and download your free “LIVE YOUR DREAM” worksheets!  http://bit.ly/1KOOCxR

For the next two days we will learn the importance of instilling vision in others. I want to look briefly at three words: Magnetic, Magnanimous and Majestic.

Is your vision MAGNETIC? Is it attracting interest from others? Is it drawing resources to you?

Regardless of your socio-economic status, the world around you has extra resources looking to be employed, and your vision will provide a roadmap for those resources and people to travel along.

Ask yourself, What am I attracting to my vision? Is it what I want? Is it what I am expecting?

Your second word: MAGNANIMOUS.  Are you generous of spirit? It will take quite a bit of generosity of spirit, time, and talent to get you to your destination. The word magnanimous means to be royal in nature, noble in character, and capable of gracious behavior. Are you forgiving, charitable? Learn to think like nobility. You will need these characteristics when friends, family, and those you have trusted fail you on the pathway to your dream.

The result of being magnanimous is that you won’t sweat the small stuff…that’s what happens when you know who you are and when you know where you are headed. And you are made for royalty! You are made for DESTINY!

The third word: MAJESTIC. Is your dream memorable? This word asks, “What value will my dream add to others and to society?”

IS your dream quantifiable? What great results do you anticipate? How many people will you help? How much income will it generate? What great issue in society are you addressing?

Personally, I have a goal to feed and educate 12,000 children daily to improve the lifestyle of one billion people through education and training. I want you to think about your goals and then quantify them—be specific!

Go to my website and download your free “LIVE YOUR DREAM” worksheets!  http://bit.ly/1KOOCxR

Today we continue with some steps to help you in Putting Your Dream to the Test.

• Regard the experts. John Maxwell, leadership expert and noted author of over 60 books says, “In 40 years I’ve realized that the payments required for reaching a dream never stop. The higher you want to go the more you must give up, and the greater price you pay the greater joy you feel when you finally reach your dream!”

• Keep the Dream alive whatever it takes. Ask these questions: How long before I succeed? What if I fail on my first attempt? Look for incremental progress, because it always takes longer than you expect! Don’t live in the desire for completion, live in the reality of incremental change. As long as you are moving forward you are making progress!

The Cost of your dream? Face the reality that you may need to raise the funds to acquire your dream, you may need a new education, you may need to find legal assistance to initiate your idea!

You might say, “I don’t have enough money to fulfill my vision!” Believe it or not, that’s not a new thought!  Most dreams begin with very little. We have always taught young leaders that money follows vision.

Remember, it’s not the money in your pocket that counts, but the value of the idea in your mouth that will open the door to opportunity. It’s not what you have or what you know, but often it’s the Who that you will meet that will make a dream a reality! Ask yourself, “Who do I know?” “Who can I get to know?”

Go to my website and download your free “LIVE YOUR DREAM” worksheets!  http://bit.ly/1gmsroFhttps://

Today and tomorrow in my Live Your Dream series I want to talk about Putting Your Dream to the Test.  What measurements, standards or costs are associated with your dream?

Anything worth having has a price attached. As an athlete I learned early on: no pain, no gain. What do I mean? To improve our game, skills, and opportunity we had to practice, practice, practice! In the daily pursuit of our dream sometimes we didn’t feel like carrying on, but the sheer will of fortitude, the desire to win, and the constant challenge to press beyond our current capabilities kept us charging forward toward our destination.

Today, let’s begin refining our dream by discovering the facts. How do we do this? We begin by first researching what it takes.  We ask questions such as, “what price is too high to pay?” You can count the cost of your dream by asking some more specific questions:

• What will my dream cost me personally—financially and emotionally?
• What will my dream cost my family, my marriage?
• What will my dream require from my current free time? Are you willing to give up your free time to learn a new skill, take a class, build a prototype, set a goal? Consider the price before you embark!

Go to my website and download your free “LIVE YOUR DREAM” worksheets!  http://bit.ly/1gmsroFhttps://

Have you ever asked yourself, “How do I live my dream? Where do I begin?”

Abraham, a man of God in the bible, desired to have a family. He and his wife were very old, beyond the child bearing age. But God gave Abraham a dream and told him to, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, that’s how many descendants you will have!”

Maybe life’s struggles or hard economic times tell you to downsize your dream but ideas are meant to be SUPERSIZED! Dream big – live large with your ideas!

When capturing your dream, take off the limits. You are like a star in the sky, shining with potential. If each one of us dares to dream the impossible we can change our lives, our families and our communities!

Go to my website and download your free “LIVE YOUR DREAM” worksheets! http://bit.ly/1gmsroF

Scripture: Genesis 15:5