Inspiration, Ramping it Up!

There is something special about youth and the energy they have to share with us all.  I just spent the weekend at a youth leadership development convention for children within churches of Christ called Lads to Leaders.  This was our family's 6th year to attend and though I typically leave physically exhausted I ALWAYS leave with a renewed mind and enthusiasm to work with our kids.

When you combine the zeal of youth with the power of God and implant upon their hearts habits of servant leadership amazing things begin to happen.  We can all take this model and work to deepen our faith and truly get our serve on as we move forward.  By organizing our priorities and looking for ways to grow and serve not only will we develop a better life for ourselves but will very positively impact the lives of others.

I am inspired, in a big way, to up my game just as nearly 10,000 people in Nashville this past weekend likely are too.  Where do you find your inspiration?  There are plenty of options out there and God has placed someone or something in your life to energize, motivate, and inspire you to be the best you that you can be.  Do you see it, hear it, feel it?

This week I challenge you all to look, listen, feel for that special blessing that will move you forward to a better and more Godly you for today and into the future.  Get inspired and Do Well.

Future Vision

How would life differ if we no longer had our sight, the vision to see what is before us as we move across a room, read a book, or drive our cars?  I dare say it would be considerably more difficult. Vision also has a much broader application, that of seeing ourselves or others in a future state.  It is my belief that many of us have a much more clouded vision when we take it in this direction.  Why do we have difficulty seeing through the clouds of the future?

I would assert that there are likely many reasons for this, but primarily it stems from a narrow perspective.  As we age our field of vision narrows and this accelerates at certain points or as a result of an acquired condition.  The same holds true for our broader vision.  Rather than looking forward broadly seeing the possibilities and the potential for a very rewarding future we get bogged down with the acquired conditions of our past history.  Yes, these form who we are, and much of this history can be a positive to build upon, but when we continue to look too intently behind us at the the problems of our past, our future vision becomes diminished.

To build a more positive vision of your future it is important to recognize those historical markers that are holding us back, and then cut loose the ropes that anchor us to that portion of our past.  When we enter a relationship with God this is, in a sense, what we are doing.  We give our sins (anchors) over to Him, and look forward to His guidance and the hope of a brighter future with Him.  This principle can also be applied to our faith, family, fitness, finance and more as we recognize the things that hold us back, and begin looking forward to the transformed person that we hope to be.

 From this vision we can then build a plan to achieve this new vision of ourselves; healthier, happier, more at peace.  To do so we must recognize that the future vision we establish is not an overnight change but a destination at the other end of a journey.  Mariners set out of port with a destination in mind and as they cross the oceans they often will not set a direct course knowing the challenges that may affect their journey.  Rather they will take the best course which may be a bit more conservative or appear to be somewhat more circuitous, and then as they make their passage there will be numerous course corrections to account for obstacles, currents and changing weather conditions.

We can learn from this too.  Chart your course, understand that it may not be direct, and it may not be the fastest.  Set sail toward an empowered and improved you today, and Do Well to take the journey and course correct frequently as the winds of resistance blow against you.  You can take charge, you can reach for your vision.  Push away from the dock today and pursue your future vision of yourself, always in Christ. 

P.E.A.K. Performance

Here is a quick guide to moving toward peak performance In your life.  Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

Resolve

What is Resolve?
   *Used as a verb- to decide firmly on a course of action.
**Used as a noun - firm determination to do something.

This powerful word can have application in many aspects of our life.  So where are those application points?

*Peer pressure, or the pressure to conform to cultural "norms".

*Dating and Marriage - we MUST follow  biblical principles not he ever changing cultural norms that have given us a 50% divorce rate and an "evolving" definition of marriage.

*Work - We should return to the work ethic of our forefathers and recognize that being a workaholic is dangerous and counterproductive on many levels.

*Pray - scripture tells us to "pray without ceasing."  How much do we practice this?

*Worship - Be there, and open our hearts to it.  There are reasons God instructs us to assemble together.  It holds us accountable, protects us, encourages us and allows us to learn at a deeper level.

*Serve - Service is very important, it builds and shows gratitude for the blessings we have been granted.  It exposes us to the struggles and victories of others, and there is little that will build our faith faster than serving others.

*Study - Always begin with the Bible and be "in the Word" daily.  But don't stop there  fill yourself with other quality information to grow your perspective and build useful interests that bring fullness to your life.

2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Can it be tempting to distort or twist the Word of God?  People do it all the time, it is the basis for many cults and misguided religious groups and beliefs.

Scripture gives example after example of people who showed great resolve in difficult situations.  Daniel, Joshua, and Ruth just to name a few.  These people were mere humans, just as we are, and yet they held firm to their various courses and changed history.  We may not change history in the same way these heroes did, but we can change the course of our family for generations to come.

Many of these principles can apply to how we work, how we take care of our physical health, manage our time and so on.  If we will start with resolve in our faith, and grow it into these other areas we can know a more abundant life.  A life centered on God and ready to experience the fullness of His blessing in tragedy and in triumph, today and for years to come.

Will you implement this resolve in an effort to Do Well at a higher level?

Wise Counsel

This little venture known as Workout Your Faith has been a great way to tune up my mind and share from my heart since it's inception last August.  I look forward to continuing it indefinitely into the future, likely with some changes to come.

For those who read it regularly, or have read it in the past today I am looking for your input:

1)  In what ways have these posts impacted you?

2)  What line of thought has given you the most to think about?

3)  Where are you most challenged when it comes to integrating your faith into your daily life?

4)  When you assess your fitness, do you include your faith in that equation?

5)  What line(s) of thought might you be interested in that I might be able to pursue?

 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22.  (fromBibleGateway.com)

Today I ask you to be my wise counselors to help me shape the future direction of this blog.  The Blogger platform offers a comments section, or your can respond to my email at:
        taocombsfamily@gmail.com.

May God richly bless each of you today and throughout your life so that you might Do Well, and be drawn nearer to Him.