The Monday Memo from John Stanko

535: The Five Regrets of the Dying

I found a link to an article over the holidays and wanted to share it first chance I had, so this looks like a good week.  It's written by an Australian woman, Bronnie Ware, and can be found in its entirety here.  I will summarize the five points of her article "The Five Regrets of The Dying," and focus on one point in particular.

THE FIVE REGRETS

Here are the five regrets that Bronnie discovered in working with those patients close to death over the years:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn't work so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Here is what Ware had to say about the first point, the courage to be true to self and not others:

This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

DON'T LET IT BE YOUR REGRET

It takes courage to be true to yourself and who God created you to be. Before David went out to fight Goliath, King Saul tried to have David wear his (Saul's) battle armor.  Saul was a tall man, however, and the armor didn't fit.  David did not try and please the king. Instead he rejected the armor and took along his sling shot, something that was more true to who he was.  His success is legendary (see 1 Samuel 17:38-40).

Are you wearing someone else's armor?  If you are, then you are headed for the number one regret expressed by the dying.  Don't do it!  I cannot say what you should do, but I can only urge you to follow your heart and stop living your life for someone else, unless however it is for the Lord.  I was challenged by this list and I hope you are, too.  Now get about the work of living before it's too late. Have a great week!

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KENYA LIBRARY UPDATE:  We were able to ship 179 boxes weighing a total of 7,500 pounds to Texas to be containered for shipment to Kenya. You can read about it here.  My thanks to so many who made this next step possible, but stay tuned:  We will need more help before this is all complete.

PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT:  Don't forget to take the free Purpose Assessment on my website to determine where you may be on your individual purpose journey.  Then let me know how I can help you be even more purposeful.

529: Exile

I am back in Zimbabwe for the first time in four years and it is great to be back. I have seen a lot of friends and have a ton of memories that I am processing from all my visits here from 2001-2008. I often refer to those years as my years in exile, for most of the work and ministry doors closed to me in the States and it was the people of Zimbabwe and several other countries that saw me through my hard times. There were nights when I was traveling that no one knew where I was but the Lord.  It was an eerie feeling, but He always went with me.

I NEEDED THAT

Frankly, I needed my time in exile.  Those years taught me a lot about myself and helped me find and develop my voice, the message that I carry today to the world via my speaking and writing.  I needed silence and the lonely nights in some hotel or guest house gave me just that - a lot of time to think and process. I needed the time to grow, learn and unlearn.

In 2009, when my so-called exile ended, I was almost sad to see it go.  It was such a special time and I was grateful for what it had done in me and for me.  Now the results fo that exile are flowing through me and I like what is coming out.

DANIEL IN EXILE

In Daniel 5, we have the famous story of the handwriting on the wall during a drinking party hosted by the Babylonian king, son of Nebuchadnezzar.  No one was found who could read and interpret the writing, until the queen recommended that they summon Daniel.  Now my question is:  Why wasn't Daniel present in the court?  He had served the kingdom faithfully, but a new king came along who did not include Daniel in his inner court.  Daniel was summoned and did interpret the writing, which forecast the king's demise, which occured that very night.

My point is that after Daniel had been used mightily by God and served with distinction, he went into a season of retirement, perhaps involuntary.  He was the main man in one man's rule, and forgotten in the next.  Daniel came back, however, stronger and wiser than ever.  I wonder if his exile served him like mine?

Perhaps you are in exile, not close to the influence or power you once enjoyed.  Or maybe God has taken you away, sort of on an extended spiritual retreat, so that you can think and learn. If that's the case, I urge you to do what I did: Make the most of your time.  Have faith that you will be used again and use the time to prepare for what's ahead. Confront your fears, doubts and inadequacies and make the most of every day. When I look back (and ahead), I thank God for my exile and I thank God He has brought me back to my own special place to show me how far I have come since 2001.  Have a great week!

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ZIMBABWE, HERE I AM:  It's great to be back here in Zimbabwe and I hope I connect with many more friends this week.  If you would like to be part of my visit, you can read about my schedule here.  I have seminars this coming Wednesday and Friday.

NEED FOOD MONEY:  I departed last Friday for Zimbabwe and Kenya.  I can certainly use more cash to distribute to the orphans and widows there.  If you can give a special Thanksgiving offering, please do so through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  Thank you and God bless you!

 

 

KENYA TIME:  After Zimbabwe, I will be in Kenya for a week. I will be conducting a three-day seminar from December 5-7 for The Pacific Institute and then a one-day seminar on Saturday, December 10 for Royal and Rich.  I am attaching the Royal and Rich flier to this post (click on it to enlarge).  If you are interested in The Pacific Institute, I can send you plenty of material that describes exactly what that is - which is quite simply the best training for goal setting and change with which I have ever been involved!  Write me for more information and then invest in yourself at one or both of these outstanding seminars.

528: Give Thanks

In the ten-year history of the Monday Memo, I have never done one with a Thanksgiving theme.  Since this coming Thursday is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the States, I thought it was about time that I did so. Without further ado, let's celebrate Thanksgiving together, no matter where in the world you live.

THE OLD FOLKS

When I was younger, I would ask some older folks in church, "How are you doing?"  They would answer, "I got up this morning, so I am fine."  I remember thinking, "That's kind of simplistic."  Now I am 61 years old and I have buried some of my friends and peers.  When I arise in the morning, I now find myself thanking God that He gave me another day. Suddenly what those older folks had to say doesn't sound so strange.

In fact, when I get up these days, I have a litany of things for which I give thanks.  I won't go into them here, but with age comes the realization of and appreciation for what the Lord had done for me, in me and with me.  I meditate on what the psalmist wrote: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).  I don't know how many days I have left, but let's say I live to be my mother's age of 92.  That means I have about 11,000 days left.  If I live to be my father's age, I have about 7,000 left.  While that would be nice, I may only have one left, so I want to make the most of each one of them, whether one or 11,000. 

In order to do that, however, I must flow from a foundation of gratefulness, to God first for His unmeasured grace and to others, who have also extended me much grace in light of my imperfections and sinful tendencies.

THE QUOTE

This past week, I posted a quote on FaceBook that caught a lot of people's attention.  Picasso, the great painter, once said, "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."  While I am very thankful for today, I want to make the most of it by doing what I can with what I have.  I want to run as fast, as far and as long as I can, and if that is a month longer or 30 years, I am already thankful for whatever opportunities the Lord gives me.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day this week in the U.S., I urge you to make it a day of thanks that won't exist in isolation but will become a regular part of your daily devotions and discipline. Then once you have thanked God for His goodness, I want you to attack the days you have left, to number them as the psalmist wrote, so you will have a heart of wisdom.

If you live in the U. S., Happy Thanksgiving.  If you live outside the U.S., I invite you to join me in a day and a lifestyle of gratitude.  Have a blessed week!

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ZIMBABWE, HERE I COME:  I will be back in Zimbabwe for the first time since December, 2007 starting November 27.  If you would like to be part of my visit, you can read about my schedule here.  I look forward to seeing all my friends there when I return. 

NEED FOOD MONEY:  I depart this Friday for Zimbabwe and Kenya.  I can certainly use more cash to distribute to the orphans and widows there.  If you can give a special Thanksgiving offering, please do so through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  Thank you and God bless you! 

527: Commitment

This week I wrap up the fifth c in succcccess, the first four being curiosity, creativity, competence and collaboration.  You can catch up on any you didn't read here, but let's move on to this fifth and final c and wrap this series up!

THE WINNER IS

When I think of one who had to perservere and endure but who was totally committed to God's plan, I think the winner is Joseph in Genesis. Joseph had his visions from God indicating that he would lead his family when he was just 17 years of age.  After that, all hell and parts of heaven broke loose for him and before he knew it, his brothers had sold him into slavery, then covered their deed with their family by concocting a story that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal.

Joseph prospered in Potiphar's house and then languished in prison until he was 30 years old.  It was then that Pharaoh had his two dreams and Joseph was summoned to the palace to interpret the dreams.  Joseph not only interpreted that there would be seven bountiful years and then seven of famine, but he also came up with a plan that pleased Pharaoh of how to prepare for those lean years.  Joseph went from the dungeon to the palace in a matter of minutes, but he had been in Egypt for 13 years up to that point.

It the story ended there, it would be a good one - but it doesn't! Joseph serves Egypt during the seven good years, storing up grain and establishing Pharaoh's throne. Then the lean years begin and Joseph's family, not knowing he is alive or in Egypt, came down to buy food.  They appear before Joseph and he recognizes them, but they don't recognize him.  Joseph told his brothers, "I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute" (Genesis 45:11).

What's my point? Joseph was 39 when his brothers came to get food and he revealed himself to them.  That means he lived in his dreams before they became reality for 22 years.  Can you wait for your dream that long, preparing for the day when it will come to pass?

YOU MAY BE NEXT 

If you have done all you can do, are you prepared to wait?  Are you committed to see succcccess in the long run, whether that is in business, ministry, publishing or some other purpose expression?  You can be the next Joseph, if you are willing to pay the price for succcccess as I have spelled out over the last five weeks. Like Joseph, you can wait long, but then have your life change for the better in five minutes.

I am 61 years old, and I have yet to see some of the things I believe God put in my heart. That is why I keep writing, praying, learning and growing.  I am committed to do what it takes to see my dreams, and that may mean I see them from another vantage point after I am gone to be with Him.  Whatever it takes, I won't give up.

I invite you to join me in the pursuit of succcccess.  Let's not stop until we run as far and fast and as long as we can, as He empowers us.  I hope these last five weeks have helped you and that you have learned something.  Have a great week!

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KENYA UPDATE: I posted an entry explaining that we raised our money for the matching grant, which you can read here.  We need more, however, and I tell you how you can give in the same entry. 

ZIMBABWE, HERE I COME:  I will be back in Zimbawe for the first time since December, 2007 starting November 27.  If you would like to be part of my visit, you can read about my schedule here.  I look forward to seeing all my friends there when I return. 

526: Collaboration

We are almost finished with our discussion of the five c's in succcccess.  To date, we have covered Curiosity, Creativity, and Competence. This week we will take a look at collaboration.  Without further ado, let's get into it.

YAY TEAM!

God did not create you to do everything, just certain things.  If you could do it all, you would not have need of anyone else.  The same is true for organizations. Even large corporations need to collaborate with others or else build an organization big enough so that everything they need is under one corporate umbrella.  In a sense, they are then collaborating within their organization, but still must at times build partnerships with other entities.

Here are a few examples of teams working together in the Bible:

1. Joseph and Pharaoh made a great team in Egypt, with Joseph providing the administration and Pharaoh the leadership.
2. Moses and Aaron led the Israelites out of Egypt.
3. Saul and David enjoyed success early in their partnership as they defeated the Philistines again and again.
4. Nehemiah partnered with the king her served to secure permission and resources to rebuild Jerusalem.
5. Daniel had his three friends serving with him in Babylon.
6. Jesus had twelve disciples with whom he collaborated and worked closely.
7. Barnabas and Saul, Paul and Silas, Paul and Luke, and a number of other combinations worked together to spread the gospel to the Gentiles in the early church.

I hope you get the idea that is you are going to be succcccessful, you are going to need to collaborate or partner with others, whether you are looking for individual or corporate succcccess.

SOME SUGGESTIONS    

Here are some quick suggestions to enable you to collaborate effectively:

1. Find those who share your values and ethics.  Don't collaborate with those whom you can't trust.
2. Partner with your opposite.  This assumes you know your strengths and are willing to collaborate with those who are strong where you aren't.
3. Know your purpose. If you know where you are headed, you can join up with people who are on the same road.
4. Network. Get out and meet people.  Build relationships before you even think of collaborating.  Don't just build a card file of acquaintances, but listen and learn what motivates other people.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive teaching on partnerships and collaborations.  Rather it is an attempt to help you get out your own little world and learn to "play well" with others. If you want to do great things and enjoy succcccess, then there is usually no such thing as a one man or woman act.  Succcccess usually comes through strategic collaboration.

Stop going it alone and playing it safe, and learn to partner with others so that you can enjoy the synergies of joint ventures that will allow you to reach your goals. Have a great week!

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GOOD NEWS!: I wrote last week that I had a $1,500 matching grant that expired on Monday, October 31 at midnight for the Kenya library project.  As of Sunday, October 30, I had $65 toward that match. By midnight, October 31, just one day later, $1,290 more had come in, for a grand total of $1,355!  This week, I will wire Pastor Peter $2,710.

But that's not all. The donor has extended the deadline a few more days, so that if the other $145 comes in by this Wednesday, November 9, the donor will match it and we will have our $3,000 needed to renovate the library space, pictured to the right.

Can you help with the $145 yet to be received from the matching grant?  If so, you can give through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA  15221-0882 (please let me know if you are sending a check, so I will know if we made our new deadline or not).  Thanks, and thank You, Lord, for coming through on this first phase of the money we need.

 

 

 

525: Competence

This week we continue our discussion of the five c's in succcccess with the third c - competence. (If you missed the previous two, you can access them here.)  I want to say at the start that God does not promote or use people with potential.  He does not promote holy people just because they are holy.  God promotes and uses people who have developed their potential and have coupled their holiness with competence and fruitfulness.  Don't believe me?  Then read on and see if I can convince you.

PROOF PLEASE

How can I make statements about the importance of competence? Consider these examples:

1. Daniel - Daniel served with distinction in Babylon.  He was promoted because of his gifts that God gave him, but he developed them, as it was said of Daniel: "At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent" (Daniel 6:4).  Daniel was a good, perhaps even a great, skilled administrator.
2. David - David was a prolific songwriter and poet who honed his skills by regular use.  He was also a magnificent warrior and leader, of whom the people sang: "When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (1 Samuel 18:6-7).
3. Esther - Esther was a beautiful woman, by God's design: "This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful" (Esther 2:7b). What did God do with her beauty?  He dispatched her to the king's servants, who bestowed beauty treatments on Esther for one year.  The result: She was even more beautiful than before! 
4. Paul - Paul knew four languages and was from one of the most cross-cultural city in the Roman Empire. He was a Jew of Jews, who was a stellar keeper of God's law by his own admission: ". . . as for righteousness based on the law, faultless" (Philippians 3:6). What did God do with this man who had excelled in Judaism?  He chose Paul to be His representative to the Gentiles.  God took Paul's skill, redirected and perfected it, and used it for His glory.

THE LESSON FOR YOU

The lesson for you should be clear.  God uses you to the extent that you have developed your skills and gifts.  If you are competent, He will use you.  If you are competent and have integrity, He will promote you to the highest levels that your gifts and foundation will allow you to attain. Your succcccess in any field or endeavor is a partnership between God, who provides the grace and opportunities, and you, who develop your competence. 

What is your plan for competence?  Do you even have one?  In what field or effort do you want to be competent, even world-class in skill and effect?  Mind you, I am not suggesting that competence is more important than holiness or integrity?  I am saying, however, that without competence your holiness alone will limit God's ability to use you to the fullest extent of your potential.  Give some thought this week to the importance of competence in succcccess and then go about a one-, five- or lifetime plan to achieve the greatest skill possible for you as you express your purpose and pursue your goals.  Have a great week!

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MATCHING GRANT:  Today is the last day for the $1,500 matching grant we had received for the library work in Kenya.  That means unless $1,500 comes in today, we lose the grant.  That's alright, for God has a plan, so I am not worried. There is still time today, so I have not given up until I check the mailbox this week to see if someone sent a check.  If this is the first you have heard about this grant, you can read about it here and then give through my website or by sending a check today to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  His will be done, so give as He leads and directs and if He doesn't do either, then I and we will trust Him for other sources.

I NEED FEEDBACK:  I am in the middle of revising my book, So Many Leaders, So Little Leadership and posted some definitions of leadership, team and purpose on my blog.  If you have a chance, take a look at them here and tell me what you think of how accurate they are and/or how they can be improved. 

524: Creativity

In case you are just tuning in this week to read the Monday Memo, we are in the midst of studying the five c's in succcccess. If you think succcccess isn't a consideration for you, read these words from Psalm 1:1-3 in the Good News Translation: 

"Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night.They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do" (emphasis added).

With that in mind, let's look at the second c in succcccess, that being creativity.

YOU ARE, TOO!

In 2006, I had a startling revelation and changed my purpose statement from "I bring order out of chaos" to "I create order out of chaos."  It was then that I accepted the fact that I am a creative person, something I had denied up to that point.  I began to write and teach about creativity after that, and I have many Monday Memos devoted to the subject of creativity.  You may want to take some time and review them here. 

Over the years, I have also collected creative life expressions from Monday Memo readers and posted that collection on my website. You can find that list here titled, "Samples of Creative Expressions."  Once you read that list and some of my past Memos, I hope you will come to the same realization that I did:  You are a creative person, too!

CREATIVITY FOLLOWS CURIOSITY

Last week we looked at the first c in succcccess and that is curiosity.  Once you are curious and decide to follow your heart and what interests you, it is time to express your creativity.  You can then begin to structure your world and invest your time in such a way that your creativity can take shape as a practical expression of who you are.  I am interested in writing, and have been since I was young. So in 1995 at the age of 45, I started to pursue my interest and today I write every day to an audience all over the world. 

I have written 12 books, 524 Monday Memos, finished a verse-by-verse devotional on the entire New Testament, and write a daily devotional online featuring one verse from Proverbs every day (I want to turn that into a desktop calendar soon). This semester I am teaching five classes and have no end of other creative projects and ideas in the works.

I love to do media but got tired of waiting for people to invite me to be part of their media world.  What did I do?  I started my own online broadcast, Your PurposeQuest, that is live via the Internet every Tuesday at 4 PM my time (you can access some of my shows on the site where they are stored here; feel free to download and listen). 

You don't have to do any of those things that I am doing to be creative.  You just have to be yourself.  You cannot be fighting yourself, however, and be creative.  My experience is that most people (perhaps even you) are trying to talk themselves out of their creativity instead of into it.  With that in mind, I encourage you to read my past Memos, think about this in the coming days and embrace your creativity.  You cannot be succcccessful without employing it, but you cannot employ it if you deny that it even exists.  Have a great week!

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A MATCHING GRANT: Great news! I have received a matching grant for the library work in Kenya.  That means that every dollar you give through October 31 will double up to $1,500. You can read more about this here or just give now through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. What a great way to maximize your gift by making sure it doubles through this special, limited time grant. Remember, the grant offer expires on Monday, October 31.

523: Curiosity

Last week I began a six-week series on the five c's in Succcccess.  I promised to touch on each one of the five in more depth in the coming weeks, so here is the follow up to that promise.  I have actually thought of several more c's since last week, but I am not ready to expand the series, otherwise I will have to spell success "Succcccccccccccess."  Maybe that would not be such a bad thing, but for now, let's dive into the concept of curiosity and how it ties in to succcccess.

A BURNING BUSH    

We know that Moses tended sheep in the wilderness for forty years!  I have been to the Middle East numerous times and it is a hot, hot place.  Moses had to work in this heat year in and year out, and I am sure that every now and then a dry bush would burst into flames due to the super-hot conditions.  Then one day Moses saw something unusual that captured his attention:

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up" (Exodus 3:1-3).

What was unusual about this bush is that it burned, probably a common sight, but the bush was not consumed.  It just kept on burning.  Moses could have easily dismissed this sight and went about his business, but he decided to investigate further.  Upon closer examination, he had a surprising thing happen: "When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am" (Exodus 3:4).

SO WHAT?

It is interesting that God did not call Moses and that is what drew Moses to the bush.  It was his curiosity that caused him to pause and look, and then and only then did God call out to Moses and initiate a series of events that changed the course of history.  In this order of events, first came Moses' curiosity, his reaction, God's call and then Moses' response to God.  What does this have to do with your success?

There are many people waiting for God's call.  Perhaps you are one of them.  Did you ever consider that the call may be in what interests you?  You are busy and don't see how what interests you can add to your career, so you don't pursue what is in your heart.  Because you don't trust what is in you, you go about your business and wonder why God is not answering your prayers to be used or promoted.

Do you realize that it was Saul's interest, his obsession with persecuting Christians that led him to be a Christian and become the apostle Paul?  If God can use Saul's misdirected interest to direct his steps, then God can use your curiosities to do the same?  Succcccess starts with investigating what piques your interest and I urge you to do something to satisfy your curiosity this week.  As you do, be lsitening for the voice of God and then follow His directions, just like Moses and Saul did.  Have a great week.

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KENYA UPDATE:  I posted the latest pictures and update from Kenya, indicating that Pastor Peter signed the lease and is ready to prep the space for the library. You can read about it here and then please give generously here to make this project and others like them (described here) a reality when I return next year.  I can't do this without you, so don't delay in sending your financial help.  The children pictured here (click on them to enlarge) need you to help them prepare for a succcccessful future through reading and studying. Thank you! 

522: Succcccess

Don't write to tell me I misspelled succcccess. I did it on purpose because this week I want to start a series on the five c's in succcccess.  Since success only has two, I thought I would add three more for effect.  So without further ado, let me spell out for you those five c's.

THE FIRST THREE

I am currently co-teaching a class on "A Love and Theology for the City" and I was discussing with the students what it takes to launch and sustain succcccessful initiatives in poor areas.  The longer I thought about it, I realized that what it takes to succccceed in urban work and ministry is the same as what it takes to be succcccessful in any other area as well.  Armed with that conclusion, let's dive into the first three c's.

1. Curiosity.  If you want to know where to start in your quest for purposeful succcccess, start with your curiosity. Answer the question, "What interests you?" and then follow the answers. Too often you may try to "figure out" how you can make money from that interest and, if you can't see how, you abandon your interests. You must be careful not to do that. Follow your interests and see where they lead you.  God can take some of the simplest things and help you turn them into a business, organization, or project that will bless or edify others.

2. Creativity. I have written extensively on creativity and you can read some of what I have written here. Suffice it to say here that you were created by the Creator in His image, which is to be creative.  There is no end of your ability to be creative as you express your life experience as seen through your eyes. Adam named all the animals in the Garden and he used his God-given creativity to do so.  What assignment has God given you that require you to do the same?

3. Competence. God does not promote people with potential. He promotes those who have developed their potential. You need to become the best you that you can be, and that will require work, training, education, apprenticeship, spiritual disciplines and godliness. There are no shortcuts to obtaining any of those aspects of life, so don't even look for them. There is only one way to develop yourself and that is to invest time, money and effort into becoming more effective tomorrow than you are today. 

THE LAST TWO

Now let's look at the last two c's in succcccess. 

4. Collaboration.  You will need to team and partner with other people if you are going to make a major impact in your life's work.  You can't do it all. Rather you must do what you do best and team with others who do what they do best that will contribute to the overall effort.  What's more, you must know your own strengths and weaknesses and understand how your personality and characteristics will best mesh (or cause some friction) with others.

5. Commitment. You will be tested in your resolve to finish the task at hand.  God will use your failures and setbacks to conform you to Christ's image.  If you faint in the heat of the day, you will not be able to achieve your dreams or fulfill your purpose.  Winston Churchill once addressed an audience of youth and he said, "Never, never, never, never, never give up."  Then he sat down.  That's all he said, but it was great advice. As long as you have breath, stay the course.

There you have the five keys to succcccess.  We will take a closer look at each one over the next five weeks and learn how to apply and develop them all in your life. I have not included any Bible verses this week but don't worry, there will be plenty in the weeks to come.  In the meantime, meditate on these five concepts and, while you are doing so, have a great week!

    You can respond to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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KENYA UPDATE: We have secured space for one of the libraries in Kenya!  There's no turning back now.  Read Pastor Peter's thank you here and then give generously to The Big Blessing project that is desgned to raise money for food, books, and jobs in Kenya.  You can send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882 or give through Paypal on my website.  $280 came in last week, so we are off to a great start. 

520: How High Can You Jump?

I have a trivia question for you:  In what two summer Olympic sports is the winner not awarded the gold medal until he or she has failed three times?  Then I have another question, but this one isn't trivia. It's about you. The question is: Do you know how high you can jump?  Let's see if we can answer both questions below.

THE OLYMPICS OF FAILURE

Do you know the answer to the trivia question? The two sports in which you get a gold medal after you fail three times are the pole vault and the high jump.  The last man or woman left in either competition gets to set the bar at any height, usually just over the world record, and then he or she tries to clear that height in three attempts.  Once that person fails to clear three times, the competition is over and the winner is declared. This is why the world record has been broken so often in both sports because people are not afraid to fail in seeing how high they can vault or jump.

I wish more believers had that same attitude and played by the same rules.

You never know what you can do until you attempt to do it, but failing to attempt can be simply playing it safe because you don't want to knock down the bar, so to speak. I accepted some opportunities to teach this past week that kept me quite busy.  My first thought was, "I am too busy to do all that."  Yet I accepted and actually taught thirteen hours from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.  When I was done, I went home to bed, but I did it.  No, what's more correct is that God empowered me to do it.

What is God empowering you to do these days?  In other words, how high can you jump?  It's really not about jumping, but rather about service, work, or some other practical expression of your faith. Do you really know how much you can do out of the potential you have? 

MOST PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY CAN DON'T

I often hear people quote the popular passage, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philppians 4:13 NKJV).  When you stop to think of it, however, that statement is only a declaration of potential.  Just because you can do something doesn't mean you will or even should.  If I say, "I can be a nice person," that doesn't mean I am exercising my potential. It just means I have the potential. 

When someone quotes this verse to me, I am tempted to ask, "So what are you doing?"  That usually makes people angry, for that verse is sacred to many and to challenge it in any way is tantamount to heresy.  Let me ask you, however, since you cannot get mad at me face-to-face:  If you can do all things through Christ, what are you doing?  Where and when has that supernatural strength and power enabled you to jump higher than you thought? 

I am writing this Memo after a long weekend that began that first class on Friday and didn't end until our church's annual business meeting tonight. I am tired, but I still have energy to write and do laundry (since my wife is out of town).  I cleared the bar of teaching that was set for me this week and I am the better for it. What's more, the students I as able to teach are also the better for it (I hope).

Why not set the bar a little higher this week and see if you can clear it.  Why not bless others, pray, write, study or read beyond what you thought possible and see whether or not it is possible.  Why not choose to live in the truth of Philippians 4:13 and not just talk about it.  Have a blessed week!

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THE BIG BLESSING:  In the coming weeks, I want to let you know how you can help me distribute The Big Blessing (TBB) in Kenya on my next trip.  TBB is my most ambitious goal yet to raise $22,500 for several crucial projects in that drought-stricken land.  Read my first installment here, be watching for more in the coming weeks and then give generously to this noble effort. Thank you in advance for your help and support for the orphans pictured here who are sitting on new mattresses you helped me purchase. Also remember that the children need food now, so give to The Sophia Fund while you are also supporting The Big Blessing.  Thanks again!