Busyness

bus·y·ness [biz-ee-nis] –noun

1. lively but meaningless activity.

It's true, we're all "busy" it seems, but are we always doing what we should be? Why are we so busy? What consumes our time? Don't just read this and agree, but truly stop and think.

I took personal inventory in my own life recently and realized, yes, I am "Busy" -- Busy with "lively but meaningless activity." How many hours a day do I spend on my iPhone? Facebook? Email? All the non-important... It's insane. If not for those three distractions I'd say my life might feel a little less FULL.

That said, I decided to remove the word "Busy" from my vocabulary and now view it as an excuse. An excuse for lack. A lack of discipline, a lack of priorities, and lack of time management. A mentor once told me that if we all died tomorrow, the last thing we'd miss is our work. Whoa. How true and how often do we live the other way around? If I had a week left on this planet I would spend as much quality time with my Lord, family, and friends as possible. Saying "N-O" to things would actually be easy!

Let's all admit that "busyness" is very hard to avoid. Maybe we should all accept the fact we're always going to be busy, no matter who we are. But instead of a negative, let's view it as opportunity. An opportunity to take control, say N-O, and turn meaningless activity into meaningFUL activity. Start today. Call your Mother, walk your dog, pray, read that book you've been staring at for months, call an old friend, whatever it may be... battle the countless distractions of life, and put what matters most first!

Spiritual Fitness

"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation." 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (KJV)

Spiritual fitness is vastly more important than Physical fitness. It's pretty clear.

Paul is not saying be a couch potato, but by all means; do not ignore your Spiritual side! Being these are modern times, Spirituality is often ignored and the FACT forgotten that we're Spiritual, not just Physical. My pastor once said, "It makes no sense to walk in a magnificent body, but in Spirit be a 98lb weakling.”

This statement stopped me. Was I that 98lb weakling? Was my Christianity fake? How was my relationship with God? An honest look inside revealed I was off track. Work, Sleep, Selfish ambition, Internet, Television, etc-– temporary, essentially non-profitable items were my priority. And as a result, I felt empty, run-down, and lived each day without a true sense of purpose or direction. After some thought, I redefined what was a daily priority and starting investing in the "promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

1. Solitude (Quiet time with God)
2. Bible (Meditate on His Word)
3. Prayer (Gratitude & Requests)
4. Fellowship (Church & Small Groups)
   
5. Worship (Praising God)
6. Service (Walking the Walk)

I've found a Spiritual workout plan to be the most refreshing, yet most challenging stand I've taken in my life. And it's forever going to be a process, but a worthwhile one at that! However, I'm curious-- what about you? Where do you stand? Are you off track with God... a Spiritual couch potato?

Please understand that God loves you beyond what our minds can comprehend. As you grow in Him---to listen, obey, and understand His will for you---Purpose, Joy and Blessing naturally flow. He is a God Who Loves, not Who condemns. If you're still on the couch, GET UP and start a new journey -- A journey profitable unto all things.

The Gift

The body is a gift from God; a fact I didn't appreciate until the recovery from a major illness. Study the human anatomy and you'll agree, that our bodies truly are high performance machines; just like a Ferrari.

Don't believe me?

• 206 Bones make up our skeletal system; one that is designed, structured, and built to absolute perfection. Notice our symmetry; how we can move in virtually any direction. Look at the movement in our hands. . . How do they do that?
  
• The Heart is the engine; it beats over 100,000 times per day without thought; while pumping over 1600 gallons of blood through a vascular network that could reach around the Earth twice at the equator.
  
• Your Eyes instantly make over 10 Million unique color distinctions.
• Your nose can distinguish over 10,000 distinct smells.
  
• You have 600 muscles, and if all worked together and pulled in a single direction, would equate 25 TONS of pulling power. Incredibly, seventy-two of these muscles coordinate perfectly to create human speech.
  

These processes are run by a body that’s made of 98% water and controlled by a three-pound lump of matter called the Brain---A device that manages the whole process, continuously monitors everything, and works for over 80 years with minimal care. All while operating on as much electricity needed for a 10W light bulb.

Frankly, my friends, this is what we call-- A Gift. We are high-performance beings. And just as we fuel our cars with gasoline, we must fuel our bodies with food. Just like gasoline, not all fuels are created equal. Would you put OIL into the gas tank of your Ferrari? Enough said.

"Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs." Genesis 9:3 (NKJV)

God gave us what we need, therefore let's harness it. Water, Fruits, Vegetables, Quality Carbs, Quality Proteins. . . living things that come from the Earth. If we cannot imagine the food on our plates as naturally occurring on the Earth, it's like putting OIL into the gas tank of our Ferrari. We grow weary. We breakdown. We slowly stray from our potential.

The Slight Edge

Albert Einstein called compound interest "the greatest invention of all time." It has even been referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World."

For example, if you place $1000 into an interest bearing account of 6% a year-- your money, like magic, would double itself in 12 years without ever adding a single penny!

Jeff Olsen, shares a philosophy in his book "The Slight Edge" that is inline with this principle of compound interest. He says the decisions we make everyday matter! We don't know it at the time but just as money compounds ever so slightly, the results of our decisions compound and shape the outcome of our life.


Take health for example: Eating Pizza vs. Eating Salad

At the moment of decision, we would all agree that it really doesn't matter what we choose. We're not instantly healthy from eating a salad, and we don't become unhealthy from eating a pizza. But let's apply the compounding effect: What would happen if we choose the pizza (or something similar) everyday, and analyzed the results 3,5 or 10 years later? Would you be better off then the person who decided to eat the salad (or something similar) over the same period of time?

You be judge.

I love this philosophy and wholeheartedly believe in it. The bottom line is our everyday decisions DO matter. The simple, little disciplines:

• Brushing your teeth
  
• Praying
  
• Reading a good book
  
• Saying "I Love you"
• Exercising
  
• Saving money
  
• Eating right... etc.
  

You know what these elements are in your life. What's something you've been neglecting that has been compounding in the wrong direction? What's one decision you will make TODAY that will improve the quality of your life forever? I challenge you-- Plant the new seed, commit to cultivate, and reap the beautiful fruits of harvest in God's timing.

"Easy to do, but also easy not to do." Jim Rohn

Giving

... And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NKJV)

This is the ONLY direct quote from Jesus’ earthly ministry recorded outside the gospels. In other words... listen up!

How does this scripture speak to you?

Recently, I’ve learned through a mission’s trip to Los Angeles that life really is not about us. It’s not about what we can obtain while we’re here. Yes, it feels great to receive but this shouldn’t be our core motivation for serving. Jesus gave us the perfect example. He gave up His life so that we may live forever in Heaven. What was His motivation?

Pure. Unconditional. Love.

Is there any better example?

He set the bar as high as it could go—we can only hope we’d make it half as far. Life is about giving, about service to others, and I believe the key behind it all is our motivation. Am I driven out of self-interest (what I’ll eventually get) or a true, genuine desire to see those I’m helping benefit? The answers may be tough truths, but know that real honesty will only lead to continual blessing...

Cliff Jumping

When Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in Mexico, one of his first orders to his men was to burn the ships. Cortez was committed to his mission and did not want to allow himself or his men the option of going back to Spain. By removing this option, Cortez and his men were forced to focus on how they could make the mission successful.

Talk about commitment! I love to think of this idea as Cliff Jumping. When you jump off a cliff, your decision is absolute; you have no choice but to move forward. You've signed up, sold out, and eliminated all possibility of retreat!

This is a concept I’ve struggled with in my Faith. To be honest with you, I was afraid to become a Christian. I knew my friends would mock me. I knew it would ruffle feathers in my family. It involved personal sacrifice. And sadly, I allowed these fears to influence my decision for Christ. As such, when I finally did say “YES” to the Lord, I kept my identity and actions private. I did not fully commit; I trusted in myself, rather than God.

In my mind, I was a Christian, but my actions reflected little change. Remaining at the cliff’s edge enabled options for retreat, which were especially tempting when challenges or difficulties arose. Without true commitment, I had the luxury of waiting, seeking other paths, and reverting to old ways. As time passed, I was still standing in the same spot realizing I was just living a lie, making excuses. I was not growing, I was not contributing, and I certainly wasn’t setting the right example. It’s as if I said “YES” to a new job, but never showed up to work, therefore never reaping the returns or the pay check.

As frustration built, I turned around, mustered up the courage and jumped.

The fall was liberating and as I landed, I felt strengthened. I finally lived up to my commitment. It wasn't the decision that changed me, but the path I walked after the decision. It forced me into the right actions. The details of this example could take up a book, but I digress.

So let’s talk about you. Where are you challenged? What is your cliff?

Maybe it’s your Faith? Your career? Your health? Your relationships? Have you been trying to commit to something, but continually procrastinate? Take an honest look at yourself.

Commitments show up through action. Here are a few bullet items that may help you get started:

• What one area is of highest priority? (Start here)
  
• What do your results look like?
• How are you spending your time?
• Do you need to let something go?
• What are the risks?
• Do you require a plan?
• What small action can you start with today?
  

It’s true that all commitments are different. Some may involve large financial risk; others geographical change. It’s wise to measure these risks accordingly and ensure a plan is in place before taking the plunge. Note too that we’re never going to be perfect; but can always improve. And commitment is the best way to ensure you're moving in the right direction.

In the end my friends, it boils down to this: A simple decision. A decision similar to Hernando Cortez. A decision similar to what Indiana Jones demonstrates in the video below. What will you decide? Will you take the leap too?

A New Man

... that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NKJV)

I must admit that I am a new man. I love this scripture because it speaks so closely to my life. I grew up without really knowing who God was or why He was important. In fact, in my adolescence and college years I would label anyone who spoke of God or practiced "religion" as bizarre and outlandish. It just wasn't what the "cool" people did. I also remember how uncomfortable it felt when I saw someone praying or who used "Jesus" or "God" in conversation.

But, why?

Well, I soon realized it was out of ignorance; I just didn't understand.

Like most college graduates, I was on a passionate pursuit for success -- hungry to reach the pinnacle of my career as fast as I could. Thankfully, this drive to achieve brought me down a personal growth path I could have never imagined. I sought out books, audio programs, interviewed people— anything that would help me get to the next step. After about a year, a pattern started to emerge. These "role models" I sought for guidance attributed their success to a power greater than themselves.

This discovery had my wheels turning. And little did I know... it was God starting to call me.

Two years later I came to a place of surrender. Depression set in as the results of my excessive work ethic and focus let me down. I finally admitted to myself that I needed God's help... but what did that really mean? My curiosity brought me to a Bible study where I met a Pastor who took the time to answer all my questions. He taught me who Jesus was, why He came to earth, and most importantly, why I needed Him in my life. Slowly, things began to click as my ignorance was refreshed with knowledge.

The answer was simple: I needed a Savior.

Facing this truth was difficult and made no sense, but in the bottom of my heart I knew it was right. With faith, I submitted my life to Jesus and all has changed since. Things that were once important started to fade... the money, the cars, the homes I once eagerly desired—all dwindled. The urgency to become "successful" was replaced with a calm trust that my life is now divinely guided. Excessive drinking, drug use, and sex— 3 of the most dominant temptations of anyone in their 20s— were slowly cut away from the heart.

To this day, the changes are still occurring. And I share this not in an attempt to persuade you into Christianity, but to simply share how I changed. Faith is now the centerpiece of my life and will serve as a foundation for topics to come. I couldn't think of a better way to start off this blog then by introducing a small piece of who I am.

God bless you.