not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (Romans 12:11)

What if you only had one month to live?
How would you make each day really matter?
What would you start, or stop doing?

Today I’m beginning a brand new 30 day series titled “One Month To Live” based on Kerry and Chris Shook’s recently released book by that title. “One Month To Live empowers you to focus on being who God created you to be – passionate, fully alive, living without regrets.”

Kerry and Chris founded “Fellowship of the Woodlands” near Houston, Texas with eight people in 1993. Since then, the church has grown to more than 15,000 people. Kerry’s sermons are televised nationally and internationally each week, reaching millions of people with innovative and inspiring messages.

On Easter, Matt Gregory, my pastor at Soul Purpose Church (SPC), began teaching a 4 week sermon series using the materials from this book. Since I was at McLean Bible Church with the Kim family on Easter, I didn’t have a chance to pick up a copy of One Month To Live until yesterday at SPC. I read the first six chapters yesterday and immediately acted on the first “Make It Last for Life” assignment below:

1) As quickly as possible, 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.

2) Describe how you would like your life to be different at the end of reading this book. What drew you to open these pages in the first place? What’s going on in your life now that has prepared you to think about who you are and why you’re here.

3) Tell at last one other person — friend, family member, or co-worker — that you’re reading this book. Ask that person to circle on the calendar the date for one month from today and to ask you then how your life has changed.

On Day 1 titled “Introduction — Living The Dash,” the Shooks write, “If we all lived as if we had one month left on this earth, we would each spend our days differently, in ways unique to us, and yet I believe we would all experience more fulfilling lives that could leave a legacy for eternity.”

Incidentally, each Tuesday, I meet with Matt for lunch and peer coaching. Matt has been and continues to be one of the top 5 mentors in my life. God has gifted Matt greatly in the area of finances and financial stewardship. he has been my top financial mentor since 2002. Choosing your closest friends carefully and nurturing those relationships is critical because “you become like your five closest friends.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Matt Gregory and for using him to lead me to this incredible book. Thank You for being My Shepherd and guiding me to begin this brand new 30 day series. May you bless my readers to take their own “30 Day Challenge.” I love You Jesus. You are my Rock and best Friend. Amen and Hallelujah!

Blessings of the Day

1) Discover Your Life Purpose – free Christian LIFE Coaching Cafe teleseminar at 3 pm EST on Tuesday April 21. Lynne Lee from the U.K. will be interviewing Dr. Jerry Graham. During the teleseminar, Jerry will be offering an online 6-week Destiny small group course for only $47/person for the first 15 people who sign up for the course. His charge for coaching like this is normally $900-$1,200/person. In my opinion, this may be the bargain of the decade. Even if you aren’t available to attend, I recommend you register so you will receive the follow up email from Lynne.

2) Experiencing God Through Journaling Week 5 webinar at 8 pm EST on Tuesday April 21. he topic this week is “God Speaks – Part 1.” Dewey McDonnell, our special guest panelist this week, played a key role in the birthing of these Experiencing God Through Journaling webinars. He has been part of the core team for Pray Culpeper since 2005. Dewey will be sharing several miraculous stories during this webinar.

3) The One Month Challenge – Kerry and Chris Snook’s online resource

Blessings to life your next 30 days as if you had only one month to live!

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!

So he (Zacchaeus) ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him (Jesus), for he was to pass that way. (Luke 19:4)

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your willingness to look foolish for God?
How desperate are you to see Jesus?
What lion is God calling you to chase?

Today’s message is the final one in this Chase the Lion series. The series is based on the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Here is part of what Mark Batterson shared in his sermon “Looking Foolish” on December 20, 2006:

A few months ago I was reading the writings of John Muir—the founder of the Sierra Club. Muir is tough to describe, but the love of nature was the central passion of his life. He spent his life studying it, protecting it, and appreciating it.

One of my favorite Muir moments happened in December of 1874. John Muir was staying with a friend at his cabin in the Sierra Mountains and a winter storm set in. The wind was so strong that it bent the trees over backwards. But instead of retreating to the safety of the cabin, Muir chased the storm! He found a mountain ridge; climbed to the top of a giant Douglas Fir tree; and held on for dear life for several hours feasting his senses on the sights and sounds and scents.

In his journal, Muir writes:

When the storm began to sound I lost no time in pushing out into the woods to enjoy it. For on such occasions, Nature always has something rare to show us, and the danger to life and limb is hardly greater than one would experience crouching deprecatingly beneath a roof.

John Muir was no stranger to danger. He climbed mountains and crossed rivers and explored glaciers. But there is something about this mental picture of John Muir climbing a one-hundred foot Douglas fir tree during a storm that is iconic.

In the words of Eugene Peterson, the story of John Muir climbing to the top of that storm-whipped Douglas Fir is an icon of Christian spirituality. He said it’s a standing rebuke against becoming a mere spectator to life, preferring creature comfort to Creator confrontation.

We are called to climb trees! And it’s based on more than an eccentric naturalist named John Muir. Climbing trees is actually a biblical metaphor in Luke 19.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

Zacchaeus had a reputation to protect. He had an image to uphold. But this distinguished tax collector in a three-piece suit climbs a tree like a little kid. He didn’t care about decorum. He didn’t care about protocol. He didn’t care how foolish he looked. He just wanted to get a glimpse of Jesus!

And I want you to notice what is often overlooked in this story. Zacchaeus was willing to looking foolish to get a glimpse of Jesus. And Jesus returned the favor. The people criticized Jesus for hanging out with Zacchaeus.

The end result is an amazing conversion. Zacchaeus gives half his possessions to the poor on the spot. And Jesus says, “Salvation has come to your house.”

Let me tell you what God is looking for. And I think this is huge. If you don’t know what God is looking for it is awfully hard to please him. In fact, we waste a lot of effort trying to please God in ways that aren’t pleasing to him. The Pharisees are exhibit A. God isn’t looking for religious protocol. I think God is looking for tree climbers. God is looking for people who will do anything to get to God.

Faith is the willingness to look foolish.

It seems like the people that God uses the most are the people who are willing to climb trees or get out of boats or follow stars or chase lions! The greatest turning points in Scripture can be traced back to someone who was willing to look foolish.

Don’t tell me Noah didn’t feel a little foolish building an ark when rain wasn’t in the forecast for another 120 years! Don’t tell me David didn’t feel a little foolish going to war with a slingshot. Don’t tell me Benaiah didn’t feel a little foolish chasing the king of the beasts. Don’t tell me the Wise Men didn’t feel a little foolish when Jewish border agents asked them the reason for their visit. Don’t tell me a professional fisherman named Peter didn’t feel a little foolish stepping out of the boat in the middle of the lake. And don’t tell me Jesus didn’t feel a little foolish hanging half-naked on the cross in front of him family and friends. But faith is the willingness to look foolish. And the results speak for themselves. Noah was saved from the flood. David defeated Goliath. The Wise Men found the Messiah. Peter walked on water. And Jesus was raised from the dead.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, we praise You as the God who often asks us to do strange things. Thank You for Your reassurance that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Cor 3:19). Bless each of us with the courage and fortitude to obey You and look foolish to the world when You beckon us to follow You. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Chase the Lion: Looking Foolish – video by Mark Batterson

Blessings to be willing to look foolish for God!

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your enthusiasm at the start of each day?
What daily habits do you have that inspire you?
What role does knowing your purpose and destiny play in your enthusiasm?
What roles do positive and negative friends and family members play?

Almost every morning I wake up filled with anticipation for what the day holds. While lying in bed, I often feel like a little child on Christmas morning eagerly waiting for his parents to get up so that Christmas presents may be opened.

Knowing my destiny makes a big difference and gives me a reason to get out of bed every day with passion. Who I chose as my closest friends also makes a big difference.

For the past month I’ve been saying a simple prayer each morning, “LORD, open my eyes of understanding to the good gifts You want me to receive from You today.” It’s been amazing how God has been answering that prayer – every day.

On May 10 I began a new habit of writing down one question in my journal each morning that the Holy Spirit inspires. I’ve found that God answers His own questions quickly and fruit comes rapidly as a result.

As I journal and review my journals, I see God’s signature on circumstances all around me. That causes my faith to grow. Sharing God’s stories inspires other people. I consider myself a farmer because I delight in sowing good seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, encouragement, etc into the lives of people I am privileged to meet or somehow connect to.

We’ve heart it said, “Attitude is everything!” But, how do I maintain a positive attitude? By dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. How I start my morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. So typically I start my day with several hours of quiet time – singing to God, praising Him for who He is, listening or reading His Word, praying, and journaling. Good habits really are the secret of success. The secret of my future IS hidden in my daily routine. So is yours.

While many days I fail to accomplish all that I hoped, I I frequently remind myself, “Each day I consider my efforts as but one blow against the mighty oak. While today’s efforts may seem trifling, eventually that mighty oak will tumble.”

God wants us to SIMPLIFY our lives. Most things Jesus said were profoundly simple. For example, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

During an inspirational conversation today, Erick Kalenga told me he wants to get a book called “Simple Church.” He went on to say that we need to simplify things so we can do the exact thing that God wants us to do that day. I know I have lots to work on in this regard. How about you?

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, we praise You as the God of big things and the God of details. Thank You that You often do extraordinary through ordinary things that we do well. We praise You as an on-time God, never early, never late. Help each of us to SIMPLIFY our lives so that we can do the exact things you want us to do each day. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Link of the Day
Photos of visit to Liberia Embassy on May 16, 2008

Blessings to establish daily habits that fill you with anticipation!

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (Proverbs 30:5)

Want to live a life of adventure?
Want to live your life on purpose?
Want to live your life for a King?
Then CHOOSE to stay connected and come along for the ride!

My past 5 days have been packed with God’s blessings and favor. I’m sharing these experiences to encourage you that a close walk with Jesus makes for a life full of adventure and passion. My rock is Jesus – not anything or anyone else.

On Friday Jan 25, I hired my first graphics artist and had my first formal nutritional coaching session by Sharon Graham. In the evening, my wife and I hosted our weekly marriage LIFE group at our home. We are going through the outstanding “Love and Respect” DVD series.

On Saturday, my wife and I went with 3 friends and Julia’s twin sister to the annual Richmond Triathlon Club banquet in Richmond. The keynote speaker was Julie Moss, who put triathlons on the world map in 1982 when she lost a several minute lead in the last 200 yards of an 11 hour race. She shared a short video and her incredible story of collapsing several times and finally crawling to the finish line.

On Sunday Jan 27, my wife and I were blessed by a great morning worship service at Soul Purpose Church, followed immediately afterwards by 3 baptisms and a pastor appreciation lunch. Attendance was high. The love and fellowship were wonderful. The baptisms reminded me of why I’m so proud to be an active member of such a vibrant church.

When I awoke on Monday morning, I lay in bed resting and reflecting while receiving new revelations. During this time, the Holy Spirit revealed key elements for a logo for Your Daily Blessing. This included 3 circles, each with the number 5, surrounded by a triangle with a cross at the top. In Biblical numerology, the number 5 represents grace. The number 555 represents amazing grace. There is only one place in the Bible that talks about “great grace” and that’s Acts 4:31-35 when God’s people were in one accord – one in spirit and purpose. This was a tremendous convergence experience.

After getting up and praying on my knees, I went to my desk and immediately designed and published the new logo. Later that day, Jon Monroe helped me complete and make live the new website at www.yourdailyblessing.com. You can see that at today’s Link of the Day.

Yesterday morning, by God’s grace, I got a new blog and photo gallery going for Soul Purpose Church. I took the afternoon off to go with my wife to Massanutten to celebrate my father’s birthday. For me, having opportunities to honor my father and mother brings great joy. Unlike many other people, my parents have been wonderful to me my entire life.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing grace. Thank You for an incredible past 5 days. Thank You for all the quality time I had with my wife. Thank You for my family and friends. Thank You for Your revelation and inspiration to create Your logo for Your Daily Blessing. Jesus, You are my Rock – not anything or anyone else. To You be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forever. Amen and hallelujah.

Link of the Day
Photos from the Richmond Triathlon Banquet and Soul Purpose Church baptisms [at the new YDB website]

Blessings to live a life of adventure, on purpose, for a King!