Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2015-10-06) from his book, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters (p. 70). Center Street. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) As John says, “It is always my desire to do my best. I have adopted Coach Wooden’s motto ‘Make every day your masterpiece,’ so it’s a given that I will give my best everyday.” That is so important.   But then he says, “But God helps to make my best, as flawed as it is, even better. I have always believed that God will be there for me and help me. In fact, my belief in myself grows out of my faith. I totally embrace the words in Jeremiah 29: 11: ‘ For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’   That has given me confidence to act, and if you also embrace faith, it will give you confidence, too.” John quotes Catherine Bramwell-Booth who says “Anybody can do th...

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2015-10-06) from his book, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters (p. 63). Center Street. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) There are certain thoughts that I read that have great meaning to me personally.   This is one.   So I’m glad you stopped to see what it means.   John says, “Solomon, who was reputed to be the wisest man who ever lived, said, ‘Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit— you choose.’ (Proverbs 18: 21, MSG.)” He then says, “If you want to make a difference and live a life that matters, you need to embrace some words and reject others. We all have a running dialogue in our heads. What we say to ourselves either encourages us or discourages us. The words we need to embrace are positive, words such as we, can, will, and yes . What do we need to eliminate? Me, can’t, won’t, and no .” Have you leaned that yet?   I hope so. ...

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2015-10-06) from his book, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters (p. 61). Center Street. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) What is the one thing you do better than anything else?   That is a good place to start in your trek in living a life that matters. John says, “I believe everybody has one thing they do better than anything else. The right place to start is with your one thing. I learned this from my dad. In fact it was a Maxwell house rule when I was growing up. When we were kids, my dad’s message to my brother, sister, and me was to find your strength— your one thing— and stay with it. He never encouraged us to try to do lots of different things. He wanted each of us to do one thing exceptionally well. A long running joke in our family was that we felt sorry for multi-gifted people.   How would they know which of their gifts to focus on? He goes on, “In my eyes,...