Ever wake up feeling tired and unmotivated? Believe it or not, I do! One of the passages I NEED to read every morning to get my mind right is Philippians 2:3-5.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus"
Last Monday was one of those days. I woke up feeling tired and unmotivated. I was having a pity party because I expected it to be a long challenging day. (Insert sad violin music here.) How did I FLIP THE SWITCH? Read more here.
Turkey hunting isn't as easy as people might think since you see them all over the place. You have to wear a lot of camouflage and be really still since wild turkeys have great eye sight. With turkey hunting, you have to make a plan to try and put yourself in the best position for success. Many times it doesn't always work out.
If you have been reading my emails lately, you'll notice they all incorporate a Bible passage meaningful to me. I was recently ordained as a minister and I believe in the power of scripture in every aspect of life. This is why I start my emails with a message for you.
Today's message is "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6
It never ceases to amaze me how we will meticulously take care of our automobiles but completely neglect our bodies.
Only to act surprised and shocked when our health takes a nosedive after years of filling our body with junk food while starving it of exercise and proper nutrition.
The body we have is the body we've earned.
Would you be surprised if your car quit running if you never changed the oil or took it in for a tune up?
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelations 3:15-16
A lot of people deceive themselves thinking they are hot in pursuit of their fitness goals, when really they are lukewarm.
They have convinced themselves they are 100% committed, but their deeds prove otherwise.
I remember when Tracy our manager, was first training with me. She kept getting frustrated about not losing weight. But every time I looked in her food log, it was filled with soda crackers and she was washing them down with TAB.
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17
I work with a lot of people. So many of them know the right things to do, but they rarely do it. I hear it all the time - just like the scripture says.
"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10
Life can steal your joy.
Age, injuries, stress, and mental health issues are all thieves of joy.
Your big "WHY" is important in EVERYTHING you do.
If it's not there, your motivation will only carry you so far. Eventually you will quit or backslide which leads to a mediocre life at best not the rich and satisfying life you deserve.
Here's a story of how knowing your "WHY" is essential if you want to see success.
"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" Mark 8:36.
A few years ago an old school friend of mine retired from a successful military career.
He told me he wanted to something with "real meaning and purpose." He had been disciplined with his finances plus had his military pension so he told me he did not some "big fancy corporate job."
I remember how excited he was to start the second chapter of his life pursuing significance instead of success.
Galatians 6:5 says "For each will have to bear his own load."
Simply put, this translates to personal responsibility. We are ALL responsible for ourselves, our actions, our emotions. Unfortunately, many of us continue to struggle with this.
I have never driven a snow plow. But it seems obvious you can't do a good job plowing forward if you are looking out your rearview mirror. The lines would be all messed up and you would miss a lot of snow.
The same could be said if you are always living in the past and never focused on the present or future.
The other day I had an intense conversation with a close family member. Constant complaints and feeling sorry for self are on the forefront of their mind. It's always someone else's fault, excuse after excuse followed by blame after blame. They were acting as if they were "powerless" and playing the victim card. It was time for some tough love.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8
What have you been thinking on lately?
Conspiracy theories?
Doomsday scenarios?
The sky falling?
Are these things making you excellent or stealing your joy?