Make a Difference!

"A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell, where their influence stops." Henry B. Adams

It's that time of year again, time for the start of school! As I reflect, I am reminded of one of my favorite childhood memories. Prior to our football or basketball games, our coach would give us a pep talk. Normally these talks were brief but fiery as they were designed to motivate and encourage us. In the same way, as we stand at the dawning of another school year, I want to offer some encouraging words to all school staff.

First remember that we have so much to be thankful for. At this present time, it's a blessing to even have a job. Even more, it's a privilege to have the opportunity to invest in the lives of children. Everyday I am thrilled to impact and influence the lives of students in a positive way.

Secondly, let God direct your paths for He alone knows what lies ahead. One of God's attributes is His Providence. That word can be broken down into two parts; pro (before) and video (to see). In essence, God sees before! That's important because, though we don't know what the future holds, we do know He holds the future and can give us the proper direction for this school year.

Finally, I want to share a clip from one of my favorite speakers in the world, Professor Joe Martin. In this he talks about our responsibility as teachers to unwrap the unique gifts that our children have. I encourage you to take the time to recognize the tremendous gifts that are just waiting to be unleashed. This year, go and make a difference!

Check out the clip below for it will inspire you!
http://www.youtube.com/user/joemartinspeaker#p/u/4/XsuuEbALHa0

PEACE!

What makes you strong?

“Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair...” Langston Hughes

Well day three of boot camp is over and it was the bomb! Not only was it physically challenging but it was also mentally stimulating. As I was exercising with arm bands, the instructor told me to lean back to gain more resistance. It was at this time that I had an “Aha moment” for I realized an important truth; it’s the resistance that makes one stronger. As we examine our personal experiences the same holds true for our lives. As a matter of fact, many of the greatest people we know are great not because they were isolated or insulated from pressures, pain or problematic predicaments. Instead, these were the ingredients that have made them who they are! I believe that this is one of the lessons that we can learn from one of my favorite poets, Langston Hughes. In his poem entitled, “Mother to Son”. Hughes uses vivid metaphors to relay a moving message from a mother to her son. A complete copy of the poem can be found below at: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mother-to-son/

As we eavesdrop on this conversation, there is an important lesson for us to learn as well.

The Presence of problems doesn’t have to prevent Personal Progress.
The simplistic statement, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair” clearly conveys that life is not always easy. The mother explains that her stairway in life has been filled with tacks, splinters, torn up boards, and bareness. However, instead of allowing hardships to hinder, or hold her hostage she proudly proclaims, “I’se still goin, I’se still climbin.” Like the mother, we can agree that there are seasons in our lives that do not always portray the elegance and extravagance a crystal stairway. However these are the moments when God can instill within us a spirit of determination that allows us to climb to higher and go further than we would have ever initially climbed. Can I show you some examples? Joseph wouldn’t have become Prime Minister of Egypt had he not been thrown in prison. Nehemiah never would have become governor of his hometown had it not been destroyed. Peter never would have walked on water if he hadn’t faced a storm. In addition you wouldn’t have the skills, sagacity and sensitivity that you have now if you had not experienced some setbacks along the way.

In closing I want to share the story of a young man who as a teenager aspired to be an Olympic swimmer. Sadly, one year a hurricane came through his island and destroyed the local swimming pools. It looked as if his dreams had been dashed and deferred. However, someone noticed that his height and asked if he ever thought about playing basketball. It was then that he began to play and now he is one of the greatest NBA players of all-time. Tim Duncan didn’t allow his problems to paralyze him but instead used them to help him make progress. That’s the message for someone today, though problems may be prevalent, remember the marvelous mother’s words, “Keep climbing, and keep going, for life is no crystal stair.”

PEACE!

What do you really want?

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51 (NIV)

As I was participating in an early morning boot camp at the fabulous Fitness Connection, the following quote written on their whiteboard arrested my attention. It said, Don’t sacrifice what you want for what you want now. Prior to seeing it, I must admit that my muscles were very fatigued, and part of me wanted to stop, throw in the towel and wave the white flag of surrender. However after reading it, instead of settling for what I wanted at that moment, I was reenergized to instead go after what I really want (bulging biceps and tremendous triceps!) I believe that my experience describes our daily dilemma as we are forced to make many choices. This dynamic of decision-making is sometimes difficult because inherent in all of us is the tendency to choose what is comfortable, convenient or what is conducive to give temporary pleasure. We are constantly bombarded by things that sound good, feel good, tastes good and looks good. In these times, if we are able to follow the example of Bartimaeus, we will be able to make the best decision and make the most of our moment. How does it work?

1. Stay focused on your goal. From the onset Bartimaeus has one thing in mind which is to be able to see. In vs. 51 when Jesus asks him what he wanted, he doesn’t deviate from that desire. He is able to plainly state that his ultimate wish is to be able to see. Have you ever asked yourself, “What do I really want?” What is it that you long for, or will help you get to your destiny? After finding the answer write it down, say it repeatedly and demonstrate the determination to go after it daily.

2. Don’t settle for surface stuff. It’s easy to get sidetracked by surface stuff which may bring us temporary pleasure but not lasting satisfaction. Bartimaeus was a beggar and he could have easily asked for money. However, he understood that after regaining his sight he wouldn’t have to be codependent anymore. Refuse to get detoured or distracted from your destiny. As the Fitness Connection says, “Don’t sacrifice what you want for what you want now.”

I’m glad that I was able to stick with my workout because I know that it will eventually pay off. In the same way, one day you’ll be able to look back and say, “I’m glad I made the right decision.” I believe that’s the meaning of Robert Frost’s poem, The Road not Taken. I leave you with the last stanza of that poem.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

P.S.- If you live in the Shelby County area, and are looking to get in shape, look no further. Join the Fitness Connection and let Shone, Marco and Gaye show you practical ways to improve your fitness. Check them out at: http://www.fitnessconnect.net/

PEACE!

Making the Most of your Moment Part 2

Many people rebuked him (Bartimaeus), they told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more… Mark 10:48

As you start to make your move, understand that there will always be those whose aim is to get you to vacillate, hesitate and procrastinate. However, in order to make the most of your moment not only should you recognize your opportunities, you also have to resist your opposition. It's true that opposition comes in various shapes and forms. While we readily recognize it when comes from our haters, it sometimes comes from those who are closest to us. Whether it comes from friend or foe, you have to summon the courage to resist those who resist you! In our text, our friend Bartimaeus shows us how to handle opposition. How does it work?

1. Don’t let others opinions about you stop you from getting what God has for you.
The crowd told Bartimaeus to be quiet probably because they saw his dream or goal as being too big. In their mind he was only a blind beggar who Jesus didn’t have time to deal with. Many people will have opinions about you as well, such as; you’re too young, old, or inexperienced. They may even say that you don’t have enough resources or the right background. In these times, you have to be able to ignore what others conclude about you that is based on where you are now. Stay focused on your goal and refuse to let their labels limit you!

2. Use their hateration as motivation to get to your destination.
The more the crowd told Bartimaeus to be quiet, the louder he began to shout. In essence what was designed to stop him actually stirred something in him. The lives of many great men are often littered with people who cause friction. As John Mason said, “When you make your mark in life, you will always attract erasers.” However it is often opposition that pushes us into success. The great Michael Jordan, who seemed to hit more game-winning shots on the opposing team’s court, was often asked how he was able to play so well away from home. To him it was simple, while many players allow the negative criticism from the crowd to hold them down, he used it to it lift him to another level.

Today move past your opposition and make the most of your moment!

Peace!

Make the most of your Moment!

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47 (NLV)

Don't miss this moment don't let it pass you by
Time keeps moving and it never rewinds

Those lyrics from Mary Mary’s 2011 song entitled Slow Walk, reminds each of us about the significance of moments. Our lives can basically be depicted as a series of moments in which we can choose to either maximize or minimize. As the song suggests, we must be careful because our moments are not standing still, indeed they are in motion. In essence we must make the most of our moments. That’s the lesson we learn from a most unlikely person named Bartimaeus. The writer Mark introduces Bartimaeus, a blind man who lived in the city of Jericho. His daily experience was to sit by the roadside and beg. However, Bartimaeus’ life would forever change on this particular day as he made the most of his moment. His experience teaches us a few things about moments.

1. Moments should be maximized. Although Bartimaeus didn’t have physical eyesight, he had enough spiritual insight to understand who Jesus was. He referred to him by his Messianic title, son of David. Bartimaeus knew this was his chance or opportunity, so he began to scream for help. Are you able to recognize the opportunities that are available to you today? Our days are filled with countless opportunities to learn, lift, lead, laugh, live, and most importantly love. Take full advantage of them!

2. Moments can be missed. In the text above, Jesus was exiting the city of Jericho, for this was the last time He would pass that way. Only one man and a few friends took advantage of this. Imagine how many people missed their moment that day. Have you ever missed a moment? If we are honest, in some sense, I think we all have. Now left are only the memories of what could have or should have been. However, if you are still alive, understand that although you may not be able to press rewind, God in grace has given you another moment. Don't miss this moment; don't let it pass you by!

In closing I would like to encourage you with the words of the late great Benjamin E. Mays. This former president of the prestigious Morehouse College used to often quote this poem to his students.

I’ve only just a minute,
Only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon me, can’t refuse it,
Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,
But it’s up to me to use it.
I must suffer if I lose it,
Give an account if I abuse it,
Just a tiny little minute,
But eternity is in it.

Go ahead and make the most of your moment!

PEACE!

Getting it Back Together!

The story is told of the daughter of a puzzle maker who was working on a 500 piece puzzle of the world. She was very excited as she was halfway finished with it. As she hurried upstairs trying to move the puzzle to her room, she accidently tripped and fell in full view of her family. To her dismay, puzzle pieces were now scattered all over the floor. As her father saw her situation, he couldn’t help but feel her frustration. Walking over, he extended his hand, placed the puzzle box in her hands, and helped carry the broken world to her room.

How many of our lives can be portrayed by this little girl’s predicament. On the one hand, many of us started out with high aspirations to put our world together. However, on our way, something happened and now we are constantly reminded of broken plans and dreams. If we are honest we must admit that things don’t always go as we had planned. As Robert Burns said, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” To make matters worse, we seem to fall where others can see us. However, in these times instead of giving up on our situation we need to do as the little girl did.
After getting up and walking with her dad, two hours later the little girl exclaimed from the top of the stairs, “My world is back together again!” How was she able to get it together?

1. Though she was down, she refused to stay down. From time to time, we all experience unplanned situations that knock us down. But as my dad always says, “No man is beaten because he gets knocked down, he is only beaten if he stays down.” Understand that the Father’s hand is ready and able to help you get back up again.

2. She received a picture that would enable her to get it together. After getting up, her father put the box in her hands. Remember that every puzzle has a picture on the box that shows what it’s supposed to look like. In the same way, our Father gives us a picture or vision for our life. Unfortunately many of us disregard the picture. Imagine how difficult it would be to put together a large puzzle without a picture. In the same it is difficult to assemble your purpose without a picture or vision.

3. She let her Father help put her world back together again. Instead of trying to do it all by herself, she trusted someone who had experience with puzzles. Our Father, can be trusted and is an expert at putting worlds, and lives back together again.

Never feel that your world has to stay torn up. It’s not too late for God to help you get it back together again!

Purpose in Pictures

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

Recently, my wife and I went to see the movie X-Men First Class, which I highly recommend. Since we were running late, we got inside the theater just as the movie was beginning. This meant that we had missed one of my favorite parts, the previews. “Why do I like previews," you may ask? It is because I know that previews give us glimpses of coming attractions. In the same way, I believe that God gives us previews of things to come, which is called vision. Have you ever repeatedly dreamt about something that you are passionate about? Have you ever imagined or seen yourself serving your gift in some way? Those mental images may well be connected to the vision for your life. Understand that vision comes when you see your purpose. In essence vision is purpose in pictures! As the above scripture indicates, having vision is vital. The same passage in the Message translation says, “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves.” This passage reminds us of two things.

1. Without God’s vision for your life, you are in danger of stumbling. It’s just like trying to walk around in your house at night in the midst of a power outage. How many times have you bumped into things, or worse hurt yourself? Why? Because you couldn’t see where you were going. In the same way, how often has this happened in our own lives because of lack of vision?
2. You need to receive God’s vision for your life. His vision will always be bigger, bolder, and brighter than anything we can see ourselves. Let Him give you the right picture so that you will know where you are heading. Why trust your eyesight when you can get Divine insight!

The story is told about Walt Disney who died a couple of years prior to the opening of Disney World. Later, someone said to his widow, “It’s a shame that he didn’t get to see the opening of the park.” To which she remarked, “He did see it and that’s the only reason it exists!” Having a vision is an essential part of fulfilling your purpose.

PEACE!

Purpose on Paper

“A short pencil is better than a long memory.”

I can still hear those words ringing in my ear, as they were often often uttered by my parents. They were reminding me that important things need to be written down. During this month I’ve been discussing how to live with purpose which can ultimately lead to your success. I encourage you to take time to review those posts especially, “High Definition Life”. Now it’s time to move to the next step, which is, writing it down in the form of a statement. A purpose or mission statement is a general concept of what you want to accomplish. It basically clarifies your existence. As I mentioned before, Jesus Christ stated his purpose in Matthew 20:28, “I came to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many.” A teacher may say, “I equip students to be successful citizens in the world.” A comedian may say, “I tell jokes to help people laugh and deal with their stress.” Developing a purpose statement is vital because it provides a reference point to keep us aligned with our purpose. There are several resources that will help you think reflectively regarding your purpose. I recommend the following: http://www.franklincovey.com/msb/

Now go ahead and put that purpose on paper!

PEACE!

Keep moving Forward!

"Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee." Mark 16:7

John Maxwell in his fabulous book, Failing Forward, tells the story of aviation pioneer Dr. Samuel Langley. While we have all heard about the Wright brothers, it was Langley who was expected to put the first airplane in the sky. Langley, a respected scientist, was even funded by the U.S. War Department to develop the first piloted airplane. However, after failing to fly on two different occasions, he decided to give up on his passion to fly. A couple of days later, two uneducated, unknown, and unfunded brothers flew the first plane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Sadly, what happened to Langley is often what happens to many of us. We allow failure to make us think we are a failure. Even though we really believe that our life has purpose, we tend to give up prematurely and miss out on what God had in mind for us. However, I want to tell you today that your failure does not have to be fatal nor final but it can be fruitful if you learn from it! That's the same lesson the apostle Peter learned in his own experience. For Peter had failed miserably in doing, what he previously said he would never do, by denying the Lord Jesus 3 times. But the scripture above teaches us that though Peter failed, God still had big plans for him that would enable him to keep moving forward. How can we keep moving forward?

1. Refuse to let your imperfections impair your impact. Many people never maximize their potential because they only focus on their flaws. They feel that it's too late to be used by God and seem to find themselves sinking deeper and deeper into self-pity. However, Peter's experience shows that you can still have a purposeful and purpose-filled future despite your past failures. Today we view Peter, not as a failure, but as one of the greatest apostles. If you are being haunted by the guilt of your past understand that God still has a purpose for your life!

2. Recognize that God wants you to move forward despite your failure. Some people never seem to progress past their failures. But you have to choose to move past your past and walk into a brand new future. That was the message for Peter as he was directed to meet Jesus in Galilee. It's also the message for us today- Keep moving forward!

Now I must admit that my title is not original with me. It was the magnificant motto of a character named Louis in the movie, Meet the Robinsons. After failing repeatedly as an inventor, instead of giving up, he refused to let failure get the best of him. In the end he kept moving forward to become a world-famous inventor. Imagine what would have happened if he had become paralyzed by failure? Imagine what would have happened if Peter had stayed stuck on his own failure. More importantly, what will happen to your destiny if you don't decide to move forward? My friend- Keep Moving Forward!

PEACE!