What does “friendship” mean to you? Unconditional acceptance, Unwavering Commitment, Unswerving Loyalty? The Holy Scripture states, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”
Many centuries ago, a young man named Patrick discovered this friend. In the year 401, a village on the coast of Britain was attacked by slave traders and a 16 year old boy was taken. Stripped of the comforts of his home life as well the future of an education and career, he was made a shepherd-slave to a distant clan. For Patrick, life was miserable. In a land of unknown languages, he experienced severe hunger as well as months of isolation on bitterly cold mountainsides.
These severe circumstances drove Patrick to God. Turning to his family’s faith, he spent his bitter days in constant prayer. As he did, a deep love of God and a profound sense of God’s Spirit was at work within him. Scripture says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
Can you imagine what Patrick endured? God knew. And just as He knew what Patrick endured, He knows what you are going through today. Scripture tells us God has felt our very weaknesses. Perhaps you are being held in captivity to your own thoughts. In captivity to a terrible family situation or a life destroying habit. Regardless of where you find yourself, I want you to know that Jesus said, “I don’t call you servants, you are not a slave…I call you friends.”
If you have a need and would like someone to pray with you, contact us today at http://bit.ly/1KzCS1T
Scriptures: James 4:8, John 15:15
You and I were created to walk and fellowship with the source of dignity – GOD! A famous author said: “Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace.” This source of our dignity is greater than a human dignity built solely upon our actions.
A life lived with dignity is a life where we don’t measure ourselves by the standard of others, but we measure ourselves according to the values that we have set for ourselves. Ask yourself this question: “What standard or values have I set for my own life?”
When you stop comparing yourself to others you can rise above average and become truly exceptional! Remember, comparison limits your expression to what you have seen in others. Identifying YOUR uniqueness will allow you to shine with ease.
Right now, consider your own unique qualities. Have you considered how unique you are? I encourage you right now to jot down one of your unique qualities! Your uniqueness can be as simple as the thing you love to do! No one is just like you! And no one is truly an enemy to your future except you!
Quote: “Today, people have the means to live, but nothing to live for.” – Victor E. Frankl
Victor E. Frankl, a Nazi prison camp survivor and a renowned psychotherapist, discovered that in the midst of great human tragedy he could retreat to his true spiritual self and find a picture of life that was not relegated to the external—but empowered him through the eye of his imagination.
Human dignity is an internal characteristic that allows us to draw an image of self not dependent upon what others say or what others do, but dependent upon an inner source of spiritual strength. Have you found this source of inner strength?
Victor Frankl connected with this strength and in his mind found the true meaning of life. Yet, as many would observe, this spiritual strength comes from a living “God” connection with the true spiritual self. This “God” connection as some would say, has little to no meaning if the word “God” is meant to include everything or all things worshipped. But, this “God” source that penetrates throughout eternity has a name and a purpose—to restore humanity to the “true” dignity for which we were created.
Scripture: Psalm 8:4-6, 9
What is Dignity? Is it missing from your life? Is dignity the preservation of the family name at any cost? Is it the justification of any action regardless of cost? History shows us that national dignity is the motivation for wars, genocide and other atrocities. Yet true dignity comes at the moment you realize that God has great plans for you!
David the Psalmist said, ‘Who is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God has a name, He is called The Great “I Am”. Scripture says He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We find true dignity in trusting in the One who calls us a king and a lord—regardless of our station in life! This King of kings and Lord of lords offers to you today a new view on life, a new opportunity to discover Him. Let’s pray together. “Lord Jesus, I want to know you. Come into my heart and reveal yourself to me today. Come into my heart and lift me up today.”
Scripture: Psalm 8:4-6,9 ESV
My experience from working with people in over 60 nations shows me that DREAMS need an action plan and strategic intention in order to move forward! A dream of the heart without a plan, simply put, is nothing more than a fantasy! Together we can discover simple truths and take action steps that will enable you to identify and fulfill the dream that is in your heart!
Let’s begin with STEP 1 – Establishing a LITMUS test—a foundation on which to begin. This foundation requires three important questions for defining your Dream. These questions also create a standard for you to measure your dream by, as well as setting parameters for your life that will guide you throughout your dream building process.
QUESTION #1: Is my dream good for God? A simple, yet profound question by which to measure our dream. What would God want me to do to better or to improve the world around me? What is His highest and best will for my life?
I can tell you that God’s will is not a mystery or drudgery! Knowing God’s will produces confidence! When you can say your dream is within the will of God, it is as if God Himself is saying this must be done.
QUESTION #2: Is my dream good for People? Creating win-win scenarios for people unlocks great potential and resource, and paves a way for others to join you in your business, mission or project. Remember…solving a problem for someone else is a clear path to your own problems being solved!
QUESTION #3: Is my dream good for Me? Only by understanding how valuable you are can you value your dream. Measure the cost you must pay physically, emotionally and spiritually! Consider what this new idea, vision or dream will introduce into your world? Ask yourself this question—are you ready?
What does the word “dignity” mean to you? One of history’s great examples is found in the life of Queen Victoria of England.
“I never was happy until I was 18,” Victoria declared. On the day of her birthday in May 1837, Kensington palace was festooned with banners and crowds cheered her as her carriage drove out. However, her mother, the duchess, was in despair. Her daughter was now of age, and the king was still alive.
As the king’s health worsened, the duchess devised a devious plan, spreading rumors that Victoria was too stupid to rule and attempted to blackmail her into appointing their financial manager, Conroy, as her personal advisor. Conroy even threatened to lock Victoria up and starve her!
On June 19th at Windsor Castle, the king’s health seriously deteriorated, and just after midnight he breathed his last. Upon his death, the Lord Chamberlain and the Archbishop of Canterbury set off to inform Victoria. The duchess prevented the meeting while attempting one last maneuver to convince Victoria she was incapable of ruling. At six o’clock she wakened Victoria with the news that the great men were waiting to see her. The duchess tried to enter the meeting, but Victoria refused her request. Here we see Victoria’s character begin to shine!
Victoria’s first act was to ask for an hour alone. Then she asked servants to remove her bed from her mother’s room. Next, she faced the Lords of England. Addressing them, she began a reign that lasted longer than that of any other British monarch and any female monarch in history – a reign of 63 years and seven months. The Victorian era was a period of great industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire.
The story of Queen Victoria is a story of dignity! Victoria understood that she was raised for nobility—for divine dignity. And in the moment of crisis, she rose to the occasion and acted on her nobility. Royalty may be a birthright, but it is not birthed until acted upon. Victoria acted and began a reign that impacted the globe!
On our many travels to Australia our friends would tell us about the “tall poppy syndrome.” It was explained to us this way: anytime anyone raises their head higher than others, they are cut down. Essentially, the purpose is to keep everyone running at the same pace.
Perhaps you feel cut down—as if life has passed you by. Perhaps when facing great challenge, you have not acted with dignity – whether in business, sports, family or education.
God does not see you as a tall poppy; He sees you as a crown of splendor. The Psalmist David said God is “the lifter of my head.” Regardless of the missed or failed opportunities, we can take courage and recognize that if God lifts your head no one can put it down! Jesus said, if I be lifted up I will draw all people UP to Me.
Today allow God to be the lifter of your head. Reach out and receive the true dignity He offers to those who call upon His name!
Scriptures: Psalm 3:3 (ESV), John 12:32 (paraphrased, emphasis mine)
I remember an experience with a new roommate in college. We went to the local shopping center for lunch, and as we were walking through the long corridors, my roommate suddenly began having a panic attack. She fearfully repeated, “Leslie, Leslie – why are all these people staring at me? What’s wrong with me??” At first I didn’t understand what she was saying, and frankly, I didn’t even notice! Then it dawned on me, they weren’t staring at her. I told her to walk several steps behind me and see what happened. She was so relieved to see nothing was wrong with her, and that they were actually staring at me!
I have spent my life being the tallest person in a classroom, on a basketball team, in a restaurant, at my office, or just about anywhere. Recently, I remember stopping for the day in Mumbai. As we enjoyed the sights, people began following me, wanting to take pictures with me. Small groups of young people, women with children and entire families kept gathering around me for pictures! I didn’t know what to think…I’m tall? I’m unique? Do they think they recognize me? I finally realized I wasn’t going to see any sights, so I just decided to enjoy the people!
Have you ever felt self-conscious? Have you ever wondered if the whole world is staring at you? I have. According to Psychology Today, self-consciousness keeps us fighting the battle to control our self-image. But obsessing over our shortcomings inevitably traps us in embarrassment and shame.
How do we rise above self-consciousness and triumph in life? First, contrast self-consciousness with self-worth. Self-consciousness is an awareness of differences and shortcomings compared to others. Self-worth is built upon an internal perspective of ourselves. It is discovery of our intrinsic value, lived out through our dreams of the future. The dictionary states self-worth is the sense of one’s own value as a person. It is self-esteem or self-respect.
Self-worth can find its basis in biblical truth by knowing that we are created in God’s image; by understanding that we are wonderfully made; by realizing that our lives were written in God’s book before we were born! This Creator has chosen to live in the hearts of people! You can identify with Him today! How? By simply calling upon His name! God in heaven, Who revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus is waiting right now for you to call upon Him! Why wait? Call on Him now!
Today we complete your toolbox with the final tool to help you on your journey to realizing your goals and aspirations with confidence!
Tool #3: Track Your Progress!
Journal writing is one of the best tools for organizing mental clutter, by capturing thoughts and emotions in writing. After my mentor’s wife of 53 years passed away, he began documenting their life together and the “WHY?” behind her early demise. “When I finished writing this book,” he said, “I knew I was ready to move forward. I was healed.”
You can create different journals for different parts of your journey. One may be for personal healing and insight, while another may be an “idea journal” reserved for capturing inspiration.
How do you use an idea journal? Keep a small notebook in your purse or pocket and jot down your ideas throughout the day. Often during quiet moments of reflection, you’ll find your written ideas weave an interesting tapestry.
Early morning is another vital time for journaling your thoughts! Keep a notepad by your bed—I like to call mine my morning ‘think-pad.’ Glean these early thoughts before a child or a morning hello interrupts your clarity. Never minimize the importance of capturing these early thoughts! Your heart and mind are working while you sleep, planning life’s journey! Start each day with your idea journal, capturing your morning revelation.
If you need to simplify, an electronic journal, cellphone or voice recorder can help you record your fresh ideas and the answers to your soul-searching questions!
Today we continue equipping your toolbox with tools that will help free you from mental clutter and keep you motivated toward achieving your aspirations!
Tool #2: Try a New Activity!
I am constantly learning! Why? Despite all the information we have at our fingertips, one of life’s greatest obstacles is the fear of the unknown.
Information is power to change, and education is one of the greatest sources of personal growth! The electronic age allows access for skilled and unskilled, alike. I learn through internet articles, professional journals, on-line courses and personal coaches.
What have you wanted to do but were afraid to attempt? Overcome that fear by trying ONE new activity! Why not go back to school? Or take an on-line course? Having trouble getting started? Find a coach or trainer who can motivate you in your new activity. Many free on-line training and coaching tools are available!
Are you low on funds? Become a volunteer! You can often learn a new skill while volunteering at places needing help. Volunteering has been one of my greatest learning methods! It’s totally free, it only costs your time. Get busy—you CAN do something now!
