SNAP SHOT OF SUCCESS

I enjoyed reading about Les Brown a former accountant with an investment firm out of West Palm Beach Fla.. who just may be on the threshold of a nice NFL career. Whats more interesting, is that it almost didnt happen!!

Les Brown was a college dropout who decided to take a longshot by attempting the near impossible! (becoming a NFL player)  Being an accountant is a respected profession, businesses have a dire need for them.  Here was this  young man in his early 20s who had the  dream.. if you looked at him,  you would have said,  "hmm not your typical accountant."   

John had a dream, to play in the NFL. Now granted many young  men do, but John had the raw athletic ability. However John did not even play college ball, however his brother was an offensive tackle for the Cougars of BYU, but  John never played organized ball.  The clock was ticking on his dream, so he asked his brother to arrange a tryout at the PRO day workouts onthe BYU campus. Who did this guy think he was? After all only a small fraction of DIV 1 schools produce NFL roster players.

First shockwave, his workouts...He vertical jumped 39 inches and his 40 times was at 4.4. great for anybody, but phenomenal for a guy in  a 6 foot 4, 255 pound frame!!.. Enter  Brian Gaines, director of  player personnel for the Miami Dolphins.  Brian had offered Les  a tryout with the Dolphins in South  Florida.. 

To prepare for the opportunity, he  quit his job (normal security) to prepare for the workout at a 3 week pro facility in Hawai, with Ikei. After wowing the Dolphins, he signed a  minimum contract with a small signing bonus. Wow, did  you just read what I wrote??

An accountant chases a dream..despite not playing college football and drops a secure career with Huntsman Capital, in a prestigous business!  That my friends, is a perfect example of the American dream in a nutshell. That is the power to change your destiny by sailing your boat in another direction.

Lets see if we can review this:

He overcame doubt and fear and took action.

He saw an opportunity and thought he had a chance.

He acted on that opportunity, but preparing himself. he put himself in the best position to win!

he worked the angles, His brother had pull with BYU that allowed him the workout to get his name out there!

Now the fact that his brother played college football helped of course, The fact that maybe his father who runs Huntsman Capital had strings to pull with Steve Young, who is a managing partner helped, sure it did! We all need some help and some luck.

Lessons we can learn from Les.

One for some dreams it is not too late, You can go after them now!

Two you have to prepare yourself for that dream and train hard!

You have tute your own horn, no meek and mild here. If he didnt where would Les be today?.. back in that office,as a bean counter.

You cant listen to your friends, well meaning as they may be.  They told Les, as you can imagine.!  Les you screwing up a good career in your fathers business! Use some good sense.

Ironically today many of todays great businesses are the result of that very thing. The very naysayers of today benefit from the Googles, Starbucks, and the Amazons of the world!

For a interesting sidelight take a look at Forbes business site and you will find a mulitplicity of business success from every quarter. Take a look at your paper, our local paper features one almost every week. Heres to you Les Brown!!http://www.wpbf.com/news/sports/Accountant-Les-Brown-signs-contract-with-Miami-Dolphins/-/8789130/11238434/-/c0d07sz/-/index.html
                                                                                                                                                   

The Happy Until Trap..

Did  you have every that empty feeling that something is still missing?  You wonder hey, I have more than most or i have accomplished more this year than ever. .. but still have that empty feeling?  It seems that the whole of the human race is plagued with never ending search for happiness!  Youve heard it before pinging of the walls of your mind, Oh ill be happy when this happens or until that happens. Then it dawns on you, that day will never happen, until you realize that your happiness is witin you!

The secret, if you want to call it that, is that happiness lies within ourselves, and not anything outside of ourselves.. Wow most people dont get that I mean really get that until they are advanced in years!

The Bible has something to say about this, As a man thinketh in his heart so is he..  We are the source of most of our unhappiness.



Its as if we havent explored every planet of our imagination, traversed the universe, and conquered kingdoms. The story is told of young Alexander the Great, when he conquered all the known world, he sat down and wept.. for there were no more kingdoms to conquer.

We dont have that problem, it seems that we expect so much from life and ourselves, that we cant be content with the simple things of life.   Have you ever read about or talked to somebody who had done it all and achieved at a very high level and still said SOMETHING WAS MISSING? HUH?

Gretchen Rubin was a lawyer  clerking for Sandra Day O'Connor,  former justice  at the Supreme Court, who had a epiphany one day while riding a cross town bus in NY?  She had graduated from Yale, an Ivy Leaguer, but realized " Hey what about my happiness  anyway? "  She then realized that she was on the track, and decided that she wanted to write for a living.  Savvy in social media, she has gained quite a following with her NY times best seller, The Happiness Project.

http://gretchenrubin.com/about/about.html

She goes on a  journey to discover  all about that search for happiness. I cant even begin to go into all of it, but I will leave you with a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson, and the link to her great project that I have found wonderfully helpful.  This is another gem that you can use, share, and more importantly integrate into your daily life!

http://www.happiness-project.com/

Also another tool, that I hope you wont skim over, but will use. The Happiness Tool Box.

http://www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com/

The Happy Until Trap, is a cruel hoax perpetuated by the world and our consumer society. Its really quite simple..

Let me leave you with the words of Stevenson. "to forget  one's self is to be happy!"

VIP ACESS-- FIVE MEANINGS OF EASTER.

Hello friends, recently we have been talking about the FIVE MEANINGS OF EASTER  and how
especially how they're  important to the life of the Christian.  All of the Christendom swings on one event the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  Today we have that assurance, as Peter says that "hope that fades not away."  Paul also says, "we have that sure foundation."

There are not many things that are an absolute certainty in this world.   This is one of them!  The first meaning we covered was that we have eternal life!  Christ conquered death and the forces of evil at the Cross and made life after death a reality. 

The second meaning I want to share, is the fact that we have VIP ACESS to God!  What an awesome thought and  privilege for the believer. In  Matt 27:51  the veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom, This was done and could only be done by God as a fulfillment of prophecy capping the end of the Age of Law and the start of the Age of Grace.

Wow no more do we have to go before a priest as a mediator between God and us.  Heb 4:25 says that we " may boldy come before the throne of Grace and ask for help."

If you wanted to talk to  Gov Nikki Haley the governor of SC, could you just drop in at any old time?  If you wanted to talk to Jack Welch could you do that?  How about President Obama? Obviously you know the answer! It would take weeks maybe months of planning to even get considered for an appt with anyone of this individuals, and that is if you have a shared interest that would benefit both parties!

How much of a chance do you  have with Mayor Knox White? My point is that you have unfettered access to the God of this Universe!  Life gets tough but you know that Jesus is always with you if you are a Christian, and he is nigh even if you arent!
 
The veil of the temple was appx  60 feet high and 30 feet wide and interwoven a rich tapestry. No one was permitted into that sanctuary except for the high priest.. and then only one time a year.

God wants us to approach Him as a  little child, with a spirit of expecation and boldness. Let us boldy come before Him,,  We no longer have the barriers to Him that once existed,  We have  FREE UNFETTERED ACCESS TO GOD.  HALLELUAH!

 Ephesians 2:14 says that he has broken down the wall.. and brought peace!  You dont need a  VIP pass or a VIP status to get an audience with Him.

Tomorrow we will talk about the third meaning of Easter, We can be overcomers, because of  the Resurrection!

FIVE MEANINGS OF EASTER (Mission Possible-Eternal Life)

FIVE MEANINGS OF EASTER, IN THE NEXT WEEK I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE FIVE MEANINGS OF EASTER.

To most people Easter is, a time to get dressed to go to church. its a time for some to go on  Easter egg hunts, for others it something  that the Christians celebrate, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Its not like most people havent heard multiple sermons on this topic. 

Why is it that most people yawn and become bored with the most earth shattering in human history? The story of Godman who became human to accomplish a mission set forth by his Heavenly Father. How can this be?  The Lord of the Universe came down on a mission to forever set us free, and WE YAWN AND REACH FOR THE REMOTE!!



FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANS TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE THEY HAD A REASON TO BELIEVE. IN THE GOSPELS THERE WAS A RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, OT SAINTS WALKED INTO JERUSALEM AND SPREAD THE NEWS!!

TALK ABOUT A TOWN IN A UPROAR!

Man would I  like to have read the Jerusalem Post that day!

THE FIRST MEANING THAT I WANT TO BROACH IS   JESUS CONQUERED DEATH AND SIN, HE MADE ETERNAL LIFE A REALITY! THIS IS NOT ALL THERE IS.. THERE IS SOMETHING MORE. IF THIS WERE ALL THERE IS, THAN BEHAVING IN A TOTALLY SELFISH WAY WOULD BE UNDERSTANDABLE.  After all, there wouldnt be a judgement day!  Because He arose from the dead on the third day as He had prophesied, dozens of implications rain forth for all believers.

Today we have been become disconnected from our faith, it is a mental rote exercise, rather than a living breathing dynamic reality!

He gave us the power to live the Christian life!

He gave us a reason to live beyond the mundanery of everyday life.

There is a reason for all our struggles as we will soon find out!

Paul said it best. "And if Christ be not risen, then we are of all men most miserable!"

Our suffering has a nobility to it because Christ bore our sins and suffered setting a pattern for us.

We can overcome, We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb!

Hebrews 4:15 tell us that we have VIP access to God.. we can come boldly before God for grace to help in time of need!

Harry Houdini once though he could conquer death and the masses gathered... no cigar. It didnt happen, Harry is still in the grave.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Houdini

Harry was beset with mediums and charlattans that were constantly trying to vie for  the spotlight. It was said he wanted  to believe in the spirit world, but the chicanery of these spiritualist made him want to  expose them, which he often did.

Harry decided to tell his wife to contact him after death. He wanted to prove or disprove that LIFE AFTER DEATH  was possible.  Unfortunately he wasnt able to prove anything because he is still dead. No contacts were ever made.  He couldnt conquer death, but Christ did!  There is a grave for every leader, religious leader, and potentate, but not one for the Son of God.

The grand meaning for us, is that we have a divine purpose to fulfill, a BROADER PURPOSE AND A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.  

  Revel in the fact of our Risen Saviour!  Stay tuned for the next release:

He is not here for He is risen as He said.!!!

Read  I Co 15 for further insight.   Our second meaning of Easter is the fact that we can be Overcomers..  Stay tuned!

Take FIve

The wisdom of Solomon is legendary.. He was  as we say,   WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME! One day two women came to him  to settle a dispute over who owned a newborn infant..  Conventional wisdom would have destroyed child,because one might never have guessed whose child it was, (they had no DNA testing..back then. Solomon knew the power of human emotion and the maternal instinct. When he called for the execution of the child..the real mother came forward, and sought for life of the child, even if it were given to another!

I  have started a project that has always fascinated me, GUIDING PRINCIPLES. A  QUICK DEVOTIONAL THAT NO ONLY GIVES A PROVERB A  DAY, BUT ALSO SHARES A QUICK ON THE GO TIP OR PRINCIPLE TO USE FOR THE DAY ( OR IN ALL OF LIFE)

Today we are awash in information, and the internet keeps multiplying it every day!  The Bible gives us time tested and generational truth that will outlast all generations.. these insights are by no means new, but perhaps I can give  them a slightly different angle, if not humorous angle!  I hope they are a blessing to you. I will write a few, but the bulk of my writings will result in my work and podcast which  I hope to turn out later this year. Stay tune!

Proverbs 19:11  "A persons wisdom yields patience,but it is one's glory to overlook an offense"

Wow theres that word again Patience! Who wants it? after all everybody seems in a hurry!  Get to the bottom line before I lose patience and get there first! Right here couched in this verse is one of wisdom's greatest secrets.

* the more wise a person is the more patient he becomes.

* while many stew and hold grudges, being bitter over the hurts of  the past or present.. it is very good to overlook an offense!

            * that crazy driver that leered at you and cut you off

            * that lunatic at work that drove you up a wall

             * rude and inconsiderate people are everywhere, It doesnt mean you
               have to lose it!

The Bible also says that "Anger rests in the bosom of fools"   A fool uttereth all his mind but a wise man keepeth his tongue.."  so forth and so on.. I think you get the point here.. Take five is a very good piece of advice.  Because if you didnt notice, it isnt hard to lets someonelse ruin your day!

So and so tells you off or a jerk stirs your emotions and before you know it, you are already to blow a gasket. A day that was once promising is now starting to turn a totally different hue!

Guiding Principle:  Take  five and learn patience..Pick your battles wisely and dont fester over real or perceived hurts..Its a much better use of your time and limited energy!

http://www.nfl.com/combine



EVERY SPRING THERE IS A ANNUATE RITE, THE RITE OF THE FOOTBALL gods.. The most extensive evaluation of talent on the planet is underway in Indianapolis.  Players are weighed measured and tested in every way imaginable.  Even psychological tests are given to determine a players response to stress and pressure. Why?

BIG MONEY. EACH PLAYER THAT IS DRAFTED IS GOING TO MAKE A NICE SIX FIGURE INCOME, MOST IN THE MID TO HIGH SIX FIGURE INCOME, AND THE TOP FEW FRANCHISE PLAYERS WILL COMMAND ONES WELL INTO THE SEVEN  FIGURES OR MORE.

Competition is brutal and the stakes  are high, but did you know that there is an even higher game, with much higher stakes.. but you wouldnt know it by the way most Christians act!!??

God is looking for leaders, people with vision and the willingness to obey the leading of the Lord.  The hearts and minds of the masses are at stake, and their eternal destiny is the prize. Leaders that are willing to stand up unashamed for the cause of Christ are few and far between. Most people would rather be comfortable in their lives than be stretched  IN A CAUSE MUCH GREATER THAN THEIR OWN!

Ezekiel 22:30 says that  "God is looking for a man to stand in the gap" so God wouldnt have to destroy their land.  God is looking for leaders and brave fearless souls to proclaim the good message of the gospel!

No you wont earn a seven figure paycheck, but you will earn a much greater reward,  here and in heaven. The assurance that you are enrolled in a cause FAR GREATER THAN YOURSELF. A cause that will outlast you.. and one that you will see one day in heaven. We are in the people business, the business of bringing people to the Saviour!

Daniel says " They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firnament, and those that turn many to righteoussnes as the stars forever and ever.'  Daniel 12:3

The Ants Mighty Message

I once watched a documentary on ants and their amazing ability to build and rebuild underground. Ants are tireless workers: all you have to do is to knock  a ant hill over and you will see the worker ants rush out and get to work! 


* they can push or carry two or three times their weight

* they work from dawn to dusk without complaint

*they have a unselfish committment to the welfare of their community.. you dont see Mr Ant going on STRIKE because the conditions are too bad.

*can construct ant hills and towers several thousand feet high (in their perspective)

* there are different ants for different roles, there is the queen ant which produces new life, the soldier ant which chases away intruders,  the worker which carries on the dirty work of rthe colony.

*they can survive in almost any weather, for they tunnel underground

* they store away food as Solomon said in preparation for the hard times.  A saving principle can be found here as Joseph did during the seven years of famine, Life has its bust and boom cycles, the wise person will set aside accordingly.    You certainly dont see the ant spend all his substance and then go wander around during lean times, wondering where his next meal is coming from!

Hmm from a very humble creature we find multiple lessons, we can learn.  In a society hell bent on entertaining itself 24/7, we learn a better way. Work, is honorable and noble no matter what it is.

The Bible says in Col 3:23  "Whatsoever you do do all to the glory of God"  God sanctified work back in Gen 3 and set it up as a way to a fulfilling and meaningful life. Its interesting when we people feel tired and miserable (unless theyre sleep deprived) working helps to lift you spirits. Work no matter what it is God smiles upon it...  Yet today it seems that people will to go to great lengths to avoid it.

What I wanted to stress was the concept of teamwork. Ants are the ultimate teamplayers. One ant  cant do much, but the whole colony, thats a different story. God has set up the church and community to help people to synergize their efforts.

Somebody once sagely observed that "There is no limit to what can be done, if no one cares who gets the credit"   My Dad ince told me that the best therapy  in the world is work. Sitting around talking about your problems can be depressing, tackling your problems by working is the best therapy going!

Look to the ant.. consider her ways and be wise.