"Mistakes are not failures. They are proof that we are making an effort."

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-10-08) from his book, Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn:Life's Greatest Lessons Are Gained from Our Losses (p. 80). Center Street. Kindle Edition.

This is such an important thought to start the New Year. John quoted management expert Peter Drucker who said, “I would never promote a person into a high-level job who was not making mistakes…. Otherwise he is sure to be mediocre.”

We're not created to be mediocre. We were created to make a difference. And January 2 is a great place to start in making a difference and realizing our potential in 2014.

How was 2013 for you? I had a great year in 2013. It was a tremendous privilege to have lived it but it is over. I cannot let the successes or failures hold me back in a new year. I must press forward with this new opportunity but I must do it with the full knowledge that I will make mistakes. Mistakes are not failures. They are proof that I are making an effort.

John told about Jack V. Matson, who while teaching at the University of Houston created a course called Failure 101 and organized an international conference, "Celebration of Failure." Matson said, “His students learned to equate failure with innovation instead of defeat, and it freed them up to get out of their comfort zone and try new things.”

Wouldn’t you like to do that in 2014, to be freed from your comfort zone and to try new things? I know that many of you will say, “No” but many others will be encouraged to step out and risk. This could be your year and it starts today.

So are you ready? Let’s free ourselves so we can make a difference.

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"Jesus comes in the midst of the torrent."

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, You Are Never Alone (p. 60). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) We all have storms in our lives, don't we? Max says, "No one gets through life scot-free. At one point or another the sky will darken, the winds will rage, and we will find ourselves in a modern-day version of the Galilean gusher." John 6:16–18 (NIV) says, "When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough." Max goes on, "The hearts of the followers began to sink as their boat was certain to do. Their skin was soaked, throats hoarse, eyes wide. They searched the sky for a break in the clouds. They gripped the boat for fear of the waves. They screamed their prayers for help. But they heard nothing. "If only Jesu

“When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. To realize that from God’s perspective life is a test goes a long way in determining how you handle your life. It is important to see that in testing your character is both developed and revealed. Rick goes on to say that “even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.” So there is a God purpose behind each situation in your life. Even the bad ones are there to strengthen you and develop you. You see those bad situations are really good ones because they are there for your good. I start each day with a reminder that God is good. Not every situation that is going to come in my day is good but because God is good He will use e

“What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident. In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose. In other words you are not an accident. I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth. In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man. And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ” Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like? Like that characteristic is a curse or something. Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God. Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Jesus did answer the question about the blind

Just Continue That Thought...

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