Overcomer series

Life is simple, you make choices and then you dont look back-- From Fast and Furious

                                     A HomeTown Girl Makes it Big!


Overcomers come in all shapes and sizes. We tend to think of successful people as professional athletes, actors, or CEO of Fortune 500 companies. However most of  the successful people in this country have one thing in common they have a dream  a vision, and they set out to achieve it.

Recently I came across a local news article that reminded me of a business that i go past nearly every day. Its SuperDuper publications and its provides creative materials for teachers. Over twenty years ago Susan , a speech pathogist working with elementary school children. Webber was a frustrated teacher who saw  a real need in the boring literature that many teachers used. She saw an opportunity and then began a journey to design it. It began with a mailing in the mid-1980's. This mailing was wildly successful and she began what has now become a 28 million dollar a year

As in many entrepenurial endeavors, one has to bankroll the entire thing with the hopes that it will succeed. With Susan they emptied the savings acct and plowed it entirely into two textbooks (workbooks). She came home and cried realizing what she had done. This hometown lady  saw the need  and was willing to  step out in faith...and so it is with every entrepeneur including the Colonel (Kentucky Fried Chicken) David Thomas (wendys)  and Sam Walton  (walmart).  I wonder how many great ideas will die because they will never given life!  (acted upon)?

The Webbers encapsulate the  youthful spirit that made this nation great. They didnt listen to the naysayers that thought their designs were too childish  and wouldnt be taken seriously!  They just went out there and find out what worked.

Her husband, at the attorney, had just launched his business when Susan started, today they both work in a 144,00 sq ft warehouse. built like a castle. It is built to foster creativity as seen in the King Tut room as well as Rt 66, Moose Lodge, Hippie Heaven and others. I love to hear how they made their "living" fun.

Which brings me to my point of all successful entrepeneurs: they make their living fun!  Compare that the with OG its Monday morning crowd and you see why theyre  happy  I love  to see people have the courage to follow up on their dreams..

The creative juices continue to flow at SuperDuper.. in fact looking at their site may inspire a few creative notions of your own.

Here is the link to the article:
:http://www.bbt.com/bbt/wealth/stories/superduper.html

http://www.superduperinc.com/

I havent met Susan personally but I know that she would be the first to tell you, Follow your Dreams. Decide and then go for it.

"Motivation will get up in the morning but the force of habit will keep you on track."

Next blog will talk about such a one who by the force of their good habit created a life that they wanted. Along the way the way I am asked, well are you doing what God wants you to do. and I reply He wants me to do what I find joy in!!

Idaho Farm boy to Beverly Hills!

Most people have never heard of John Earl Shoaf, who is that ?  Well I bet you have heard of Jim Rohm if you  have been in sales for any length of time your manager has recommended or placed into your hands literature of CDs  by him.  Jim was reponsible for mentoring some of the greatest entrepeneurs of  our time, including Mark Victor Hansen, Tony Robbins, and many others.

He started out as farm boy in rural Idaho. He  worked as a clerk and at  25 wanted more.. one day he went and heard a speaker named John  Earl Roaf. This man, Roaf, from very humble beginnings himself rose to Executive  Vice President of a company selling nutritional products. Jim applied everything he had been taught and went from being a average worker to a millionaire in six short years, by the time he was 31 he  was well on his way to  a new career and new opportunities.

He published "The Five Missing Pieces of Lifes Puzzle" and many other works. Check outjimrohm.com and you will find an abundance of helps.  Due to his early success as a motivational speaker and  promoting himself as "Idaho farm boy moves to Beverly Hills"  he was invited to speak at luncheon and seminars all over the country... and a new career was born. He was one of the founding fathers of the success-self help movement.

Many thousands maybe millions have benefited from his ideas and story. The reason for his success early on was  focus. Focus is the driver that made him unique and stand out.  I say to you the same thing and to me as well. The key to your success in life will be your focus.  While many of us tend to shift from one idea to another the ones that really get ahead are the ones that lock down on good thing (objective) and bear down on it to its completion.

Jim Rohn our overcomer in this  Overcomer series.

Another  great man mentored by Jim is Jack Canfield author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

You can get some free helps by going to chickensoupforthesoul.com
 Join the online club and participate..
Have a good one!-

Have you ever really been hungry?

The World Hunger Organization has stated that of the nearly 7 billion people in the world, almost one billion will go hungry... and thats only counting the ones that are nearly starving.  Many more get by one meal ( if you can call it that) a day.

Have you ever been truly hungry? I mean a gnawing hungry that would make you want to eat anything that moved?  I rarely fast and most Christians dont fast for  more than a  day at a time: can you imagine going days without food?

Meanwhile here in the States, this Thursday and going through all the weekend we will have more than we can possibly eat. In fact our leftovers will be used to feed the poor.. Well sit down and have a grand meal with family, then have seconds later, maybe the piece of pie with ice cream  and coffee. Some people will gorge themselves with food, never taking a moment to consider their largesse.

Morever there are many who just as soon get swept up with the commercial tide that sweeps down on stores  all this week including Black Friday. They may toss a dollar bill in the salvation army basket,  but the fortunate nature of their existence doesnt really register with them. I  mean thats the way it has always been. They reckon that it will always be this way, but beware: It may not.

The Bible does say, in James 4:13-15  paraphrased,  We should not presume that we will do this or that, make plans without God. Rather we should say, "If the  Lord will, we will do this or that!" I  have been very presumptive about the good things in my life.   God abundantly supplies us with benefits, as Psalm 103 says and we should not assume that it shall continue. Sometimes we have to be prepared for the good times and the not so good times. Most of us have not experiened real persecution or famine in our  lifetime.  Paul knew how to enjoy the good and the bad,. "I have learned in whatesoever state I am therewith to be content!"

  * Out grocery stores are well stocked
  * Our water supply is continuos

  *  Our oil supply ( at least for the moment) remain unbroken

 * Our health is for most of us good and for others robust


Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and praise. Lets keep it that way, and focus more on the needs of others than it being a time of self agrandizement. As Christians, we are conduits of Gods blessing, How can we be that if we are imitating everybody else out there?   Ask yourself how you can be  a channel of blessing to someone today and the rest of your life. The old song says "Make me a channel of blessing today"

Here is a interesting linkhttp://www.thp.org/learn_more/issues/know_your_world_facts_about_hunger_and_poverty







Remember that the true hunger  that all humans have is for God. Our mission is to bridge that gap and show them that He can fill that hunger. 

Lets Revive True Sportsmanship!

A recent article by Jerry Kreber a scout for the Cleveland Indians, and coach for many years in youth leagues and teams has laid his finger on the pulse of a  problem, THE LACK OF SPORTSMANSHIP!

Notice I didnt say Christian Sportsmanship, although that would be nice. No.. any kind of real sporstmanship. He says that technology has played a role in making people more prone to taunting and excessive celebration in games.  First of all let me say that technology is a  wonderful tool, if used well, however the net and chat rooms have made the bantering sink to new low levels. There is no real accountability for words, in fact the  NFL sometimes encourges this by allowing it on the field.

Today athletes can post their own websites, and you tube their personal videos adds to idea of personal promotion rather than team concept.  In sports modesty is condemned and laughed at, and vanity is encouraged.. As Christians, we know this  concept is wrong  and harmful to  a  Christians walk.  Imitating the wold, is not the way to be authentic.  The way I see it, thank God for your abilities your good health and give the ref the ball. I recently watched a local Furman game and saw good sportmanship. Score, have fun but dont taunt  and trash talk.  It only demeans you!  Am i saying a certain amt of self promotion for college and pro days, no.  Its just we need to know how to draw the line!

Witness the taunting of the Detroil Lions defensive lineman as they sack Tim Tebow. No its not enough to celebrate a good play, they have to..

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-11-02/does-some-of-the-tebow-mocking-cross-the-line

Or an excellent article by Jeremele Hill of ESPN:

http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7177658/lions-players-disrespected-tim-tebow-faith

In it she talks  about  the way that the media and the world looks at true Christianity. The smug mocking attidude doesnt befit a true sportsman let alone a Christian. The issue is not in the taunts and celebration, its more of why Christians, specifically serious believers are targeted?

Does a fleeting moment of exposure mean that  its ok to mock a mans faith?  She remarked that people have a hard time accepting a  a strong believer because it makes them  uncomfortable.

Back to our topic of sportsmanship. It all starts at the home and with coaches,, if they allow these kind of things  then the attidude will prevail.  Whatever happened to just saying great play or going back to the huddle? why do you have to mock someone else in the process?   Parents  can condone bad behaviour or even encourage kids to act out by their behaviour at games.. I have seen men and women swear and curse and come close to  threatening the refs in games. Kids will follow the parents example.

Coaches can set a good example by cracking down on that "smug mocking" attidude of athletes before it gets started.. They set the mood the tone and the behaviour of the athletes. If you let it go or tolerate by just saying a few words, and let him play, you are party to it!

Brian Schulman, author of "Death of Sportsmanship" and creator of LTS (Learning Through Sports) educational system wanted to create something that taught kids, athletes  about good sportsmahship. I definitely think he is on to something.  Just because a  kid goes to a Christian school doesnt mean he has learned Christian sportmanship. Its not a coerced thing its a learned -from the heart thing..

Here is the linkhttp://www.learningthroughsports.com/star_sportsmanship.php

The Race that won the Big Races.... Overcomers series

I'm begining a series of articles on overcomers which I hope will be uplifting to you.. I welcome your comments and suggestions.  Please follow if you like... These  may be drawn from athletes, businessmen or women, actors, yes even policitians. The intent is to  encourage and  inspire us in our daily journey.

Many times the catalyst of many a person success starts from something pretty small. or so it might seem. However Glenn Cunningham didnt think it was small. Some of you might remember Glenn Cunningham as a super Olympic track star from the 1930's.  What stands out  about him what his sheer determination.  He broke through an invisible barrier that others would have never attempted. He overcame  intimidating obstacles and so can you.

Glenn was badly burned in a school house fire at eight. Doctors said he would never walk again, and even recommended that he have his legs ampuated.  Thank GOd his parents decided against it, and encouraged him to go to therapy. Through painful adjustments and therapy he was miraculously able to walk  and run .. by age 12 he had beaten some of his friends in a foot race. He reflects fondly on this, " as the race  that was the most important one.." the race that allowed him to find his true passion.

In the years ahead  he set the high school record for the mile, at 4.24 and later brought that down to 4.04 as a professional. That mark was unequaled until 17 years later when Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute barrier. All this from a man, who doctors said couldnt walk.. He went on to compete in the Olympics capturing the silver medal in the mile, and doing quite well in other middle distance races such as the 800 meters.

I have set some links in the blog that you might find helpful..., but I want to stress some  uncommon qualities about Glenn that we all would do well to emulate. First he had a strong spiritual foundation.. Unashamed to be called a Christian, he would quote Isaiah 40:31.   " They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."   Today Christians that are outspoken like Glenn are ridiculed and even mocked. Check the Detroit Lions antics of Tim Tebow when they sacked him  several times in a football game.  IN this present age. people dont are uneasy about a strong Christian and will seek to bring him down, if only due to their discomfort!

Second  I want you to notice from the article :  His tremendous drive. This sounds like Michael Jordan. doesnt it? " Tell me something I can do it, and Ill prove you wrong."  (He might have failed at the baseball try, but he didnt because he attempted and achieved a level that most only dream about!)

There will be times when life will knock you down, leave you gasping for breath, and bewildered... youll wonder why me? Its not fair.. dont whine! Get up and learn from it, Glenn did.. and the world was a better place because of it. He set the course of his future by how he handled disheartening setbacks..

Thirdly, I want you to see  his humility. It was said that he spoke highly of his competitors, never cutting them down or talking trash. He never strutted his stuff  to call attention to himself, and was gracious in victory. Apparently many athletes think that taunting and trash talking is just part of the game!  Glenn's  modest attidude seems out of place today.. but he was a natural at   Christian sportsmanship..

More importantly he had a reason to be that, and it wasnt just to be humble. It was because he  saw himself as tool in the hands of God. He saw the bigger picture.. the kids looking to him as a role  model. He saw the opportunity to share his faith by his walk, not just by his talk!

He saw himself as a runner in a bigger race.. the race that Paul talked about.. the race of life. I Corinthians 9. Here stands a wonderful exhibit of Gods grace and a true sportsman. An overcomer!


http://www.kuhistory.com/proto/story.asp?id=72

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Cunningham_(athlete)