Joseph Peck » FOCUS

OMTL: Leave Boldly

Dr. Joseph Peck — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:20:26 +0000

“We are leaving a legacy, whether we realize it or not!” – Kerry and Chris Shook

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:6-7)

If you were to die today, what is your exit status?

Wow! Wow! Wow! If I took the time to share a fraction of all that God is doing, I’d be writing for a week.

The “One Month To Live” series that Matt Gregory just led the congregation at Soul Purpose Church through has had a profound impact on me.

As I mentioned in my April 20 devotional, one of the three assignments on Day 1 was this, “Without thinking too hard or too long, make a list of five things you’d change about your life if you knew you only had a month to live. Choose at least one to begin changing today, right now.”

Well I wrote down my list of 5 things to do if I had only one month to live. And that brought laser focus and very purposeful action. I’ve been able to say “no” to lots of things I shouldn’t be doing. I’m well on my way to accomplishing all 5 of those things. Amazing. God has really honored this commitment with major breakthroughs.

Yesterday, Matt concluded this 5 week sermon series with a message titled “Leave Boldly!” He addressed 3 questions:

1) What will be the center of my life?
2) What will be the character of my life?
3) What will be the contribution of your life?

What is your exit status?

1) I’m ready to leave boldly. I know Jesus and have made a valuable contribution with the life He has given me.

2) I’m ready to leave, but not boldly. I know Jesus, but I have unfinished business.

3) I’m not certain of my status. I’m not sure I know Jesus or have completed what He wanted me to do with my life.

4) I am not ready. I do not know Jesus nor have I completed His purpose for my life.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Pastor Matt Gregory and leading him to lead our congregation through the One Month To Live series. Thank You for the profound impact this is having on me. Speak life, lots of life, into my readers to live their lives as if they have only one month to live. Thank You Jesus. Amen and Hallelujah!

Blessings to prepare yourself to leave boldly!

Blessings of the Day
1) Experiencing God Through Journaling – Week 8, free webinar at 8 pm EDT today with guest panelist Rev. Chad Whaley sharing his God stories. Chad has been the catalyst behind a community-wide homeless ministry that is now serving as a model to other communities in Virginia.

2) “Can You Really Make $5000 A Month Or More Without Having A Website Or A List?” – Announcing: A Webinar That Will Teach You Exactly How To Do This, Using Proven Techniques For Affiliate Marketing That Connie Regan Green Has Been Using Since 2006.

Why Coaching?

Dr. Joseph Peck — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:05:50 +0000

"Accountability is the password to your future!" – Ben Stewart

Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14)

Every great athlete has a coach … as should every great life!

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Why Coaching?

It’s Transformational … examine your life from a different perspective
It’s a Transparent Relationship … creating an authentic, encouraging relationship that fosters trust and safety
It’s a Supportive System of Change … providing structure and accountability that results in maximum progress
It’s Continuous Personal Development … strategizing, setting challenging goals, and truning those goals into action

We all need relationship, perspective, encouragement, and accountability to reach our maximum potential. A coach can help you sort out what are the most important issues in your life, help you get “unstuck,” and provide a sounding board when you need an outside perspective.

Life is intended to be a “team sport,” and coaching is built on the power of relationship. Coaching is a partnership between two equals, one of whom has some specialized training and life experiences that can challenge the other to move toward their destiny.

We all have blind spots, and all too often our “friends” are reluctant to point them out to us. These blind spots could be the very things that are keeping us stuck where we are.

Finally, we all need support, encouragement, and accountability when we are making a significant change in our life or in the way we do things. A big part of what coaching provides is accountability—that extra nudge to follow through on what you know you need to do.

These are just a few of the things a good coach brings to the relationship.

What is your next step?

Making a career change
Taking your goals and turning them into action
Finding balance in your work, family and personal life
Finding your life’s purpose
Finding out how your past and present are keys to your future
Discovering the constraints that have been hindering your destiny
Learning how to use feedback and reflection to upgrade your character
Developing disciplines that will continue to bring you insight and wisdom

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From: Lifeforming Leadership Coaching
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 6:36 PM
To: Randy Peck
Subject: Lifeforming Leadership Coaching Newsletter – May 2008

Lifeforming Leadership Coaching May 2008 Newsletter
ASSEMBLING THE WHOLE STORY

THE GREAT OMISSION

Matthew 28: 18-20

The following thoughts would better be served in a blog because they require the need for a “paradigm funeral” of old school thinking and a renewed mind of defining success the Jesus way. Here is a list of those thoughts to get some conversations going in your part of the world:

1. Jesus defines “success” as the bottom line of whether or not we are making disciples.

2. Discipleship is almost entirely relational in a combination of small group and one on one culture, outside of church meetings, and especially through the influence of healthy conversations from healthy families around the table.

3. Discipleship assumes we are “going into all of our world” (most of what we do outside of church meetings) to make #1 and #2 above happen. That makes “sending capacity” a better benchmark of success than “seating capacity”.

4. The end game of discipleship is for nations to be discipled (Rev. 21:24-27) so the “burning bush vision” for the church is to equip members to make disciples in the places that shape a nations; at work in the major spheres of vocations that shape the culture.

5. We have made discipleship more of a “teaching commission” at the expense of a “training omission” (v.20). Action steps that integrate and align our daily behaviors with kingdom values and Jesus commands is more hitting the mark than “fill-in-the-blank” lectures or sermon series. (Note: It only takes 45 minutes to read the teaching content of Jesus words given us in scripture.)

Recently Bill Hybels of Willow Creek authentically announced that his “seeker-friendly”congregation did not produce transformational change in the lives of its members; meaning they were not discipled. George Barna’s extensive research in the discipleship deficit in the American church brought him to the unfortunate position of an anti “organized church” position. I believe that Lifeforming can offer a way forward in this debate.

I am giving my life to the core value that Transformational Coaching is a key to making more and better disciples in our nations. Here is why:

1. It consistently targets the core factor of making a disciple; hearing God’s voice. Every religion makes disciples but a disciple of Jesus is led by Him personally (not just His principles) and has the “unfair advantage” of knowing that voice (John 10:3) in the unique design that we are created to respond to that voice (Psalm 139: 13-16).

2. It consistently maximizes the core delivery to make a disciple; a non-judgmental relationship with someone who seeks to 100% believe in you as the Father does, 100% work with you in what the Spirit is prioritizing, and 100% enable you to take ownership for your own development and progress.

3. It consistently models the authentic spiritual authority of stewarding transformation to another by first having been transformed ourselves in the same manner (2 Timothy 2:2). UNTIL SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND MOTHERS ARE DISCIPLED THEMSELVES TRANSFORMATIONALY THEY ARE DEPENDENT ON PROGRAMS AND METHODS THAT ARE INFORMATION TRANSACTIONS MORE THAN LIFE TRANSFER.

4. It consistently produces the kind of community that is compelling and engaging of the spiritual hunger in our cultures that are seeking life-giving spiritual relationships when they turn to Christ. Lifeforming’s Transformational coaches know how to catalyze authentic relationships in organizations that shift those cultures to environments that accelerate personal development in the context of the organization’s mission.

Lifeforming Leadership Coaching has a key role to play in restoring the Great Commission in Matthew 28. We are about the Father’s business of making disciples the Jesus way. This is not an option; it is a mandate.

Dr. Joseph Umidi
President, Lifeforming Leadership Coaching

One Thing

Dr. Joseph Peck — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:55:06 +0000

“Combining coaching and journaling WILL radically transform you and your life!” – Dr. Randy Peck

“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible… everything got started in Him and finds its purposes in Him.” (Colossians 1:15, Msg)

Who are YOU?
What do you do?
Who did God create you to be?

For some reason, I was prompted to give a lot of thought to the first two questions last week. “I am a child of God, an ambassador for Jesus, the Messiah!” That would be my answer to the first question. That’s where I get my identity.

Regarding the second question, “DESTINY Coach!” That’s what I do and that’s what created me to be – a coach to guide people into their destiny. When talking to others one-on-one, some people see visions (visual images), but I see people’s destinies.

The Holy Spirit has guided my steps to bring me to this point where He is using me as a catalyst to assemble Team Destiny, a fast growing team of DESTINY Coaches to guide people into their destinies and to live abundantly.

For me, living life on purpose is the only way to live. It’s a life of passion, of commitment, of abundance. It’s living life smarter (not harder) – living life for LORD God Almighty, not myself. It’s living in Christ, with Christ, through Christ -that’s where the real POWER comes from. Like John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

According to Pastor Rick Warren in Chapter 1 of his book “The Purpose Driven Life:”

“Self-help books, even Christian ones, usually offer the same predictable steps to finding your life’s purpose. Consider your dreams. Clarify your values. Set some goals. Figure out what you are good at. Aim high. Go for it! Be disciplined. Believe you can achieve your goals. Involve others. Never give up.”

“Of course these recommendations often lead to great success. You can usually succeed in reaching a goal if you put your mind to it. But being successful and fulfilling your life’s purpose are not at all the same issue! You could reach all your personal goals, becoming a raving success by the world’s standard, and still miss the purposes for which God created you.”

In 2006, the Holy Spirit instructed me to step away from my highest paying, easiest, most enjoyable anesthesia job to make 2007 a year of Sabbath rest. My key verse for 2007 was “Be still” from Psalm 46:10. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, I would give myself a “4″ for how I complied with that key verse.

I started 2007 with a 21 day fast. My goal for the first few months of 2007 was to review my journals (highlights, low points, etc) for the previous five years to see where God had led me so I would better know where He was leading me. Because I succumbed to lots of distractions and failed to “be still” long enough, I reviewed less that 20% of my journal summaries.

Despite my failure, God’s purposes prevailed. The top best things that happened to me in my 2007 sabbatical year were meeting Dr. Jerry Graham and beginning my coach training by Lifeforming Leadership Coaching. Both happened on June 1, 2007. Now that’s super-convergence.

Jerry and Sharon Graham officially became web clients of mine when I received their signed written agreement and deposited their down-payment check on 07-07-07. It’s interesting that Rick and Rachel Heeren also officially became web clients of mine on that same day (777). More about this and CLARITY tomorrow.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to make Your Word (the Bible) be a light unto my path as I meditate on that. Thank You for Jerry and Sharon Graham, Joseph and Marie Umidi, and Lifeforming Leadership Coaching. Thank You for Rick and Rachel Heeren and their networks. Thank You for all the people You have already brought on board with Team Destiny. May we die daily to ourselves to rise to new life in You. Thank You Jesus. Amen and Hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Meet Team Destiny

Blessings to slow down, rest, and reflect to FOCUS your life on the one thing God created you to be and do!

UNCOMMON Social Marketing – Web 2.0

Dr. Joseph Peck — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:55:23 +0000

The most influential Christian leaders in the next 3-5 years will be people who know and use social marketing!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

What is Web 2.0?
How can that help you SHARE your God story with the world?
How can that help you prosper in the marketplace no matter what your vocation?

Yesterday I shared that the topic for this week is “Working Smarter, Not Harder” and that the web is the greatest business invention of the 20th century.

The purpose of this e-prayer devotional is to bless millions of families to be a blessing to millions more by connecting people, ideas, and resources. One of the best ways to do that is to teach people attraction marketing.

Today at 7:30 pm, Dr. Jerry Graham and I are launching a revolutionary 5 week webinar series titled “UNCOMMON Social Marketing (Web 2.0).” The LORD has blessed the two of us with a system to share what we know at a very affordable price with those within our sphere of influence. We invite YOU to join and participate.

This course will be followed up in early October by a 5 week online course for junior college and college students titled “UNCOMMON Social Marketing (Web 2.0): Teaching Attraction Marketing.” The LORD has already opened the door for this to be marketed by a few community colleges in my region. I’ll be contacting colleges across Virginia later this week.

Do YOU Want To EARN MORE And Work Less Hard???
Then LEARN To Unleash The POWER Of The Web!!!
Finally! There Is A Solution…
Empower 2000 Members!

Depending on how soon YOU want to achieve your DREAMS and GOALS, we have four levels to launch your success. Visit today’s Link of the Day to learn more.

Dr. Mike Murdock, founder of The Wisdom Center, says “Prosperity is having enough of God’s provision to accomplish His assignment for your life.” I couldn’t agree more. Do you have enough provision to accomplish God’s assignment for your life?

Last week I told Jerry that I believe the greatest Christian leaders in the next 3-5 years will be people who know and use social marketing. Jerry told me the greatest Christian leaders will be people with prominent roles in the marketplace.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for opening this incredible door of opportunity, not just for Jerry and me, but for people in our network. May many of Your children choose to jump on Your bandwagon to learn how to share their God stories and to use attraction marketing to advance Your Kingdom. Thank You Jesus. You reign. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
JIREH Marketing Bronze Membership

Blessings to learn how to use attraction marketing to advance God’s Kingdom!

Announcement
Today at Noon EST, the weekly Pray Culpeper meetings resume at Reformation Lutheran Church, located at 415 S Main Suite # 101, Culpeper, VA 22701 (Across from the 7-11). Pastor Brad Hales (Reformation Lutheran Church) and Pastor GW Dameron (City on a Hill Church) have committed to come weekly to pray for our community. I’ll be there today. This New Beginning is especially timely given the recent tragic death of Pastor Randy Orndorff’s daughter.

Developing an “Ear To Hear” God’s Voice

Dr. Joseph Peck — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:55:02 +0000

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UNCOMMON Opportunity
To learn more about Today’s life changing webinar “Introduction to UNCOMMON Journaling for Destiny,” CLICK HERE. Testimony: What a blessing! Journaling and using The Journal is revolutionizing my life. – Dan Paulsen

Secular coaches call it ‘intuition”. LLC coaches have learned that we are really helping clients Hear God for themselves in a coaching conversations and discovering the empowering joy of their own voice in the process. We train coaches to “listen to what really matters” by serving clients to hear, engage, embrace, and activate God’s Destiny Directions for them. – Joseph Umidi

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8)

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your ability to consistently hear God’s voice?
What can you do to improve that?

In yesterday’s devotional titled “Changing Lives – Breaking Through,” we continued with our theme of Christ-enabled living, impossible living, heroic living. Yesterday’s key message: “When you change your thinking and your HABITS, you will change your life.” You were presented with an opportunity to participate in today’s life-changing webinar to change your thinking and habits.

Today at Noon EST, Jerry Graham and I are hosting an introductory webinar about our outstanding 5 week Journal 201 course titled “UNCOMMON Journaling for Destiny.” Rev. Matt Gregory and Dan Paulsen will be sharing their first hand testimonies of the impact of our prior course. Even if you are not available, you can receive a link to the recorded webinar simply by registering. CLICK HERE to learn more.

While preparing the PowerPoint presentation for today’s webinar, I was prompted to write down some of the new fruit I personally experienced from the Journal 201 course. Here is a partial list:
1) Began using The Journal myself
2) Got connected to Debra Thompson Roedl and the Wealth Alliance Group
3) Transformation Virginia was officially launched
4) Launched my own web store with products, courses, and memberships
5) Soul Purpose Church (my church) formally adopted “Coaching you to discover and fulfill your soul purpose” as its mission
6) Door opened for an alliance between Team Destiny and Lifeforming Leadership Coaching
7) I bought a brand new bicycle. My old one was more than 25 years old (literally an antique).

In my August 22 devotional, I mentioned that Joseph Umidi was my top new contact in 2006 and Debra Thompson Roedl has been my top new contact in 2008.

On August 19, Joseph sent the monthly Lifeforming Leadership Coaching e-newsletter promoting our webinar to his 1,500 or so contacts. In his message titled “Coaching with an ‘Ear To Hear’,” Joseph wrote:

“I am pleased to offer all of our coaches the unique combination of 2 keys to Hearing God for yourself that will translate into more effective “hearing” with your clients. This is the unique combination of journaling and coaching to clarify what God is saying to you and giving you the ability to help your clients discover the same for them. Dr. Jerry Graham and Dr. Randy Peck have collaborated to design this life changing 5-week process for you that I highly recommend.”

Debra Roedl is regarded by some as the top internet marketing strategist in the world. When I met in person with her at the Marriott Crystal City (VA) on August 16 (the same day as The Call DC), she committed to promote our combo journaling and coaching courses. to her Wealth Alliance contacts around the world.

A few weeks ago I talked to Buddy Smith, Executive Assistant to the Chairman for the American Family Association. He told me he is willing to have Jerry and I interviewed about our combo coaching and journaling courses on Today’s Issues (American Family Radio). AFR has more than 1 million listeners nationwide.

Obviously God has His mantle of favor on the “UNCOMMON Journaling for Destiny” course. On behalf of all our Team Destiny teammates, we invite you to be blessed by registering for today’s webinar. Even if you aren’t available today, you will receive a link to our recorded webinar just for registering. Our target audience is people who are passionate to know God and make Him known. We are training champions for Christ. To register for today’s webinar, CLICK HERE.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, we praise You as an intimate God – as a God who speaks to us regularly. Thank You for training me to hear Your voice, which makes life flow so much easier. Bless each reader who chooses to register for today’s webinar to learn to hear Your voice. Thank You Jesus. You’re my all in all. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Unthinkable: The Scott Rigsby Story

Blessings to develop an ear to hear God’s voice!

The Lead Domino Principle

Dr. Joseph Peck — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:55:55 +0000

Do you know the number one reason that stops people from getting what they want? It’s lack of Focus. People who focus on what they want, prosper. Those who don’t, struggle.

Seek ye first … (Matthew 6:33)

What is the lead domino principle?
How can you apply that to each day?
How does that apply to your family, church, business, ministry, or organization?

For five consecutive years, I met weekly in person with a small coaching group – godly men who held one another accountable, men who wanted to reach the world for Jesus. My coaching partners were Rev. Mark Jarvis, Rev. Matt Gregory, and Michael Stay. Each of us grew tremendously in this relationship. I am indebted forever to each of them and desire to bless all of them to the best of my ability.

Through this relationship, Michael Stay became the top business mentor in my life. I’ve said over and over that Michael is one of the best strategic planners in the world. His distinguished career and client references demonstrate that. Everyone I have introduced to Michael has said he is in a league of his own.

Michael has taught me many important principles and habits. While I could probably write a whole year of valuable daily reflections from those, I am thrilled that Michael will be starting his own in the next few weeks.

One of the favorite principles that Michael taught me is the “lead domino” principle, which deals with the power of focus and states that by identifying a few lead dominos and focusing your efforts on “knocking over” one of those, almost everything else you are hoping for will happen automatically. This is the power of focusing on the right things.

Imagine a contest (TV game) in which tens of thousands of dominos are set up (on end) on the floor of a basketball gym. Then twelve contestants are given separate opportunities to push over any five dominos within 30 seconds using the same domino set up each time. Who would be most likely to win? It would be the person who spent the majority of his time looking for a lead domino, one that when knocked over will start a huge chain reaction.

Spiritual journaling is the lead domino for my life. I first started keeping a spiritual journal in January 2002. For two years, I wrote in a “My Utmost for His Highest” journal before starting to journal on-line. Daily journaling ensures I pray, read my Bible, meditate on God’s Word, and share with others. It helps me be still to hear God’s whisper and then apply what God is teaching me. Detailed journaling reminds me what God has asked me to do and allows me to track what God is doing. As I journal and set down “stones” to remember what God has already done in my life, my faith grows progressively. I develop clarity of thought and clarity of purpose. “The whole discipline of life is to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Jan 17 – “My Utmost for His Highest”)

Apart from the overall lead domino for my life, I can apply the lead domino principle in other ways. For example, at the start of each day (each week, each month, each year), I can ask, “What are 1-2 simple things I can do today that will eventually yield much fruit?”

Here’s another example: “What are 1-2 things I can do to bless my family?” Perhaps it’s having a 15-30 minute devotional time with my wife each morning, reading one chapter from the Bible and praying together for our upcoming day. Perhaps it’s hosting a weekly marriage LIFE group in our home. Perhaps, it’s including a scripture with every product that goes out of our home.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, loving God, thank You for Your abundant mercy and grace that sustain me each and every day. Thank You for guiding and directing my steps. Bless those who read this message to understand and apply the lead domino principle to their own lives. Bless those who read this message to participate in some type of regular accountability relationship. Thank You Jesus. You are my all in all. Amen.

Link of the Day
Power of Focus

Blessings to develop the power of focus to yield an abundant eternal harvest!

Simple Truths Behind Simple Truths

Dr. Joseph Peck — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:55:16 +0000

“Less is almost always more!”- Mac Anderson

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. (Psalm 116:6)

What can you let go of to simplify your life?

In the process of preparing yesterday’s devotional, I perused all the web pages at Simpletruths.com. The website is simple, but very effective. Their new blog is the favorite one I have ever seen. Here is what the Mac Anderson says on his About Us page:

There is one thing in life that took me a long time to learn, and that’s… less is almost always more. This “simple truth” is the foundation on which our company was built. I wanted to create beautiful gift books that anyone can read in less than thirty minutes.

To make each book special, we focused on three things:
Great content
Great graphics
Great packaging to create a “wow effect”

We also chose not to offer our books in any bookstores or any retail outlets, to make it even more special as a gift.

Satisfied customers are our #1 priority, so I encourage you to give us feedback on how we’re doing. If we ever disappoint you, I hope you’ll let us know, and we will do everything we can to make it right.

We are honored to serve you!

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You that Your ways are simple ways and Your truths are simple truths. You teach that if we just seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness first each day, then you will take care of our needs for that day. Help me to let go of things in my life that complicate it or that get in the way of my relationship with You. Thank You Jesus. I bless You and Your holy name. Amen and Hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Simple Truths blog

Blessings to let go of things and activities that clutter your life!

Tension is Mounting

Dr. Joseph Peck — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:55:07 +0000

“Idolatry always leads to immorality.” – Rev. Mark Jarvis

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

What idols do I have in my life?

The purpose of these devotionals is to bless you and your family – to change your life – hopefully so you will bless other people and their families. These messages are intended to help build solid, Christ-centered homes.

Living in America, it’s nearly impossible not to sense the rising tension of people around us. Yet, God tells us not to fear.

Two days ago I had lunch with Rev. Mark Jarvis, the person who led me to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ seven years ago. Of all the people I have ever known, Mark has had the greatest impact on me spiritually. He always takes a stand on righteousness. As a young Marine, Mark earned the Purple Heart. But more importantly, Mark learned to persist regardless of circumstances. That’s what God wants us to do. That’s what God wants me to do.

While we were eating, Mark told me about a recent law that was passed. When I told him, “We can’t legislate morality,” Mark told me every law is a reflection of someone’s morality. Mark has told me several times in the past few months, “Idolatry always leads to immorality.” What is idolatry? Putting anything or anyone ahead of God.

Later that evening, I went for a bike ride and a short run. Immediately afterwards, I walked our dog. As I was coming back home, I came across a neighbor and her mother. I joined them for another 2 miles of walking. At the end of that walk, my neighbor’s mother told me she’s pressing into God for joy and peace. Isn’t that what God wants each of us to do – to press into Him.

Personal accountability is where reformation starts. It begins with me, not you. I’m choosing to humble myself, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from my own wicked ways. I’ve got a lot to work on. What about you? What needs to change with your daily habits to seek God’s face? Who is holding you accountable?

Our greatest threat in America is not the terrorists from without, but the terrorists from within – people who openly and publically put God down and flagrantly violate his Laws. Judgment is coming to America. As Yale professor Stephen Carter said, “A society that ignores the moral side of life is going to go down the tubes.” I will be prepared. Will you?

Recently, I sent Mark an email asking for one word that is the answer to all of life’s problems. His reply, “Jesus.” I invite you to visit the home page of my personal website (www.randypeck.com) to watch a one minute video sharing why I do what I do.

Prayer Power
Jesus, Your name is the sweetest sound in the world – in any language. Your name is above all other names. Your news is good news. Your ways are the ways of life. May I boldly proclaim Your name. Cast out any and all idols in my life that hinder my relationship with You. Thank You for being my rock in these turbulent times. I love You and bless You. Amen.

Link of the Day
Dr. Randy Peck’s introductory video [www.randypeck.com]

Blessings to permit God to cast out all idols in your life!

Executive Focus

Dr. Joseph Peck — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 10:55:28 +0000

To walk on water, keep focused on Jesus.

Do not overwork to be rich (Proverbs 23:4a)

How is your focus?

While searching for yesterday’s Link of the Day, I came across a good article titled “Executive Focus: How leaders lose it, and how to regain it.” The following two paragraphs is how that begins:

“A change has occurred in the landscape of business leadership. The challenges that executives face today are more numerous, varied, and complex than ever before. These forces have changed rapidly in recent years, and are having a dramatic impact on the lives of senior leaders and their ability to succeed in their roles.”

“At the heart of the issue is the absence of sufficient opportunity to focus. Focus, as defined here, is the in-depth, accurate, and truthful consideration of issues and priorities. These issues may be related to tasks, objectives, people, business, or self. As roles grow in complexity and leaders become inundated with information, the opportunity to reflect thoughtfully can be lost almost completely. When this lack of opportunity to focus persists over time, a deleterious effect occurs which can cause significant lapses in judgment and performance; objectives critical to personal and business success are compromised.”

I’m learning that the best way to obtain sustainable change in my life is with a one-on-one coach. That’s why I recently began the Accelerated Coach Training (ACT) course offered by Lifeforming Leadership Coaching [www.lifeformingcoach.com]. In retrospect, I can see that the Holy Spirit told me 2007 was to be a year of Sabbath rest to refine my focus.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, it’s my heart desire to have laser sharp focus on Your assignment for my life by keeping my eyes focused on Jesus each and every day. Make my priorities Your priorities. Teach me to delegate appropriately. Thy will be done in my life. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day.
Executive Focus: How Leaders Lose It, and How to Regain It [www.ddiworld.com/pdf/ddi_executivefocuscoaching_wp.pdf]

Blessings to have laser-sharp focus on God’s assignment for your life!

Finishing Strong – Introduction

Dr. Joseph Peck — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 10:55:03 +0000

“In the Christian life, it’s not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish.”

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

One of my favorite books I have ever read is “Finishing Strong” by Steve Farrrar. This book talks about going the distance with your family. The content below contains excerpts from that book.

Dr. John Beck once told his future son-in-law “Stay true to Jesus! Make sure that you keep your heart close to Jesus every day. It’s a long way from here to where you’re going to go, and Satan’s in no hurry to get you. It’s been my observation that just one out of ten who start out in full-time ministry for the Lord at 21 are still on track by age 65. They’re shot down morally, they’re shot down with discouragement, they’re shot down with liberal theology, they get obsessed with making money.”

You may be thinking, this does not apply to me because I’m not in full-time ministry. But if you are a Christian and are serious about following Jesus Christ, you are in full-time ministry. The enemy doesn’t want you to realize it. Whatever your profession, if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then ultimately you work for Him.

When it comes to finishing strong, the odds are against you. It is the rare man who finishes strong. It is the exceptional man who finishes strong. It is the teachable man who finishes strong. So here’s the question. What exceptional measures are you taking in your life to ensure that you will be the one out of ten?

It’s endurance that separates the men from the boys. It’s endurance that determines whether or not a man will finish strong. And endurance is the fruit of godly character. The Christian life isn’t a hundred yard dash. It’s a marathon. It’s a long race, and long races don’t require speed. They require grit, determination, and finishing power. We finish strong by fixing our eyes on Jesus.

If we finish strong, it will only be because we have tapped into Ultimate Strength. Limitless Wisdom, the Fount of Courage, the Source of Perseverance. He will get us across the finish line. The very gates of hell cannot make us stumble unless we choose to remove ourselves from His protection and power.

Are you keeping your gaze focused on Jesus every day?

Prayer Power
Most gracious, heavenly Father, more than anything else I desire to finish the race strong with my family. Help me to keep my eyes focused on Jesus every day. Bless the readers of this message to do likewise. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Link of the Day
Steve Farrar – Helping Men Find Their Way
www.stevefarrar.com

Your Daily Blessing News
In the next few days, I’ll be sharing several more very powerful messages about how to finish strong.