Tag Archives: trust

Rejoice this Season & Every Season, You are a Conqueror

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SONY DSC

Merry Christmas & Happy New Years from our family to yours =)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap-happiest season of all”
Andy Williams – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

It truly is a beautiful time of the year with all of the decorations, lights and festivities all around, but to say it’s the happiest season of all, is not so true for many. The holiday seasons are an emotional roller coaster for so many. Some are stressed by countless hours of decorating, cooking and cleaning, while others are stressed with getting the perfect gifts and making sure everyone on their list is happy with what they are getting. Some are lonely, while some are already focusing on the next year so much, that they lose the remaining days in the present year. We see many walking around defeated while others walk around joyful and yet both are hearing and singing the same Christmas songs like the one I opened this post with.

So many have lost what the meaning of the season is about. You know where I am going with this, BUT that’s not where I’m stopping. You see, I’m a Christian and YES, I celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior. However, I don’t just reserve that for this time of year; but instead, I make it my lifestyle. I don’t think God expected us to stop at seeing Jesus as a baby in the manger, but instead, to see the fullness of His life all around us. When I think about the birth of Jesus, I think about the greatest gift ever given and a showing of love for one another (me and you) that is beyond our comprehension.

The greatest way to make this season the “hap-happiest season of all” is by taking our eyes off of us and putting them on Him first and then on others. We need to look for ways to spread joy that goes beyond the traditional gifts and such. Please don’t think I’m being harsh by what I’m writing. I have loved ones that have gone on to be with the Lord that I miss dearly and also dreams that have not YET come true. I have had struggles and setbacks, BUT none of them change who I am or who I belong to! According to Romans 8:37, “We are more than conquerors” and so that is who I am, a conqueror. You’re bigger than your situations! You are mightier than whatever obstacle is before you! If you know Jesus, then YOU have something in you greater than what is coming against you, according to 1 John4:4. As a Christian life can only be lived from the inside out, then, and only then, will life be truly fulfilling and the emotional roller coaster will come to an end and it will truly be the hap-happiest season of all!

Debbie and I and all of our family want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

The End To The Beginning

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The end to the beginning

It’s hard to believe that 2014 is almost over. Take notice of one word in my last sentence, “ALMOST”! That word identifies things to come or not yet attained. So many are already looking at next year and not even thinking about the remainder of this year. Joseph’s life changed in a second when he stood before Pharaoh and I believe God wants to do the same for each one of us. God gives us each day to live and love to the fullest, but we lose it by thinking about what’s next and not about what’s happening now. I love this time of year; I love the fall colors and winter weather and as Christmas draws near, I love the lights and festive atmosphere that’s all around. I love the time with my family and friends, but most of all, I love what it represents – the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I firmly believe that a thankful heart lives in the NOW, because that is what we are thankful for. A hopeful heart lives in the future and for what is to come next. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as the greater focus is now and living the life God has given us to the fullest with purpose and on purpose.

Sometimes, the fewest words speak the loudest message, so I am ending this post with a link to one of my favorite writers. His name is Michael Hyatt and after hearing his first podcast I was hooked! I have learned most of what I know about blogging and Podcasting among many other topics from him. He has a site – http://bestyearever.me/ which I would recommend to all that is geared towards making 2015 your best year yet. BUT again, I believe taking what he is saying and applying it to TODAY will help you greatly. Remember that 2014 is not over until the last second of the very last day, SO it’s not time to quit!

QUESTION: What could you do NOW to make the greatest impact on these last days of this year? I believe how you finish sets the stage to how we start, so it’s time to press in and give it ALL you’ve got.

I would love to hear what your goals are for the remainder of 2014 and then for 2015, so please share them below.

Passionately Pursuing Your Dreams

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Debbie Spanberger by statue of Anne Frank, by Mari Andriessen, outside the Westerkerk in Amsterdam

Debbie Spanberger by statue of Anne Frank, by Mari Andriessen, outside the Westerkerk in Amsterdam

I want to open with two life-changing quotes that touched my heart when my wife Debbie, daughter, Ashley, son-in-law, Josh and myself all took a tour of the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. http://www.annefrank.org/

“I want to go on living after my death” & “When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived.” Anne Frank

These are actually parts of an entry in her diary and were painted on the walls of the museum in two separate quotes.

I was reading back through my journal tonight as I often do and was reflecting on good times and Kingdom inspirations. I got to my entries from that tour and closed my eyes and I could see myself there once again. I was walking room-to-room and taking in the history and the writings of a little girl that touched the hearts of thousands if not millions and those numbers are growing daily. She is honestly the pentacle of a dreamer in so many ways. She did not let her surroundings or situations define her. She actually defined them through her smile, her laugh, her love for life and no matter what was going on in her life and around her, she continued pursuing her dream. I remember looking at the pages of her journals in the glass cases and hearing them being read; in the midst of a horrible time in history, she pursued her dream daily with such a passion and purpose.

When she said, “I want to go on living after my death” it’s as if time took notice to her desire and even after her death in March of 1945 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, she just kept on living.

What is the desire for your life? Mine has been, even before the day I toured Anne Frank’s house, to make a mark in this world that would be alive and make a difference long after I have taken my last breath.

We ALL have to take a stand for the dreams we have and run with them no matter what life is throwing our way. Anne’s life has touched and changed lives around the world, but what if she would have not picked up that pen and journal and started writing? What if she would have let circumstances dictate what she was going to do and have?

You see, no matter how long life is, it’s never long enough and you will never get back the time that has already passed by. What if your life journey is the next Anne Frank story? What if your dream could touch the lives of millions and change them forever? It can and could, BUT only if you live it! Anne Frank lived her dream and even though she died, she has lived after her death and touches lives every day. So start NOW purposely pursuing your God given dreams.

QUESTION: So what has been holding you from pursuing your dream? Realize what it is and stop giving it that power!

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback. Or you can e-mail me at kspanberger@gmail.com.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.
So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

Taking Inventory

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Inspector

 

“A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children,” (Proverbs 13:22a AMP)

I’m sure all who are reading this have been in a store during inventory time and have seen products being counted on the shelves. Without taking time to inventory, how would you ever know how your business is really doing? Life is much of the same, if we never take inventory, we can lose track of how good things really are OR fail to see what needs to be changed and modified to be more productive or make a greater impact.

Going back to my opening scripture, the word “inheritance” is defined as: “money, property, etc. that is received from someone when that person dies, something from the past that is still important or valuable, the act of inheriting something.” Webster dictionary

Honestly, I think this definition is lacking greatly! Tangible items are good to leave behind; but, if we have not left anything other than stuff and have no idea how to live a kingdom life, then the stuff is pointless! The greatest inheritance is imparting how to simply live life with purpose on purpose. I believe when we master this we can enjoy what we have; however, we can’t impart what we don’t understand and are not walking in ourselves.

I was just sharing with the men’s group that I host every month, one of the things I do when I start my day. I grab my journal and my first entry for the day is “What am I thankful for?” and then I jot down what’s on my heart right at that moment. My inventorying starts first thing and goes throughout the day.

So what are you looking for when inventorying your life? Glad you asked and here are a few areas I would suggest:
1. What are you focusing on? Focus speaks volumes about our view of life.
2. What are your daily habits?
3. What is your attitude about your current situation?
4. What are others seeing and hearing from you?

Again, as we inventory ourselves, I believe that it affects the future and the inheritance that we are leaving; this will make a difference while we are still here and after we are gone.

QUESTION: So what is the inheritance that you want to leave for the generations to come?

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback. Or you can e-mail me at kspanberger@gmail.com.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.
So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Running With Your Dreams

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Run With Your Dreams

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (AMP)

I have heard it said that when a runner is at their breaking point and they keep pushing through, they have a breakthrough just like a jet breaking the sound barrier. Resistance is not the end, BUT instead, it CAN BE the starting line for a new beginning if we are willing to DIG IN.

Now I used the above scripture, but we all know that the race of life does not have just one winner; however, there are those that get left behind for one reason or another. I have known people that have had a dream, but missed out because they did not step out. There is no room for hesitation in any race. I heard Entrepreneur Peter Daniels once say, “What do you do when a dream fails, you get another one!” Your life is not limited to just one dream, but if that one dream that you have does fail, life is not over. There will be times when we have to pull ourselves up and dust ourselves off and keep on keeping on. We need to instead see failure as a learning experience in what NOT to do the next time around.

I love Walt Disney’s quote and his reference to “if we have the courage to pursue”. Dreams will only be walked out by those that have an unquenchable desire to fulfill them. Right now would be a great time to say, “THAT’S ME”!!!!! Go ahead, say it again. =)

COURAGE: “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary

This is something that I have not always allowed myself to walk in. Note – I said the word “allowed”. You first make a decision if your dream is worth it and then you walk it out. Many never see their dreams come to pass because they can’t see the worth in the race to get to them. This is not just in your dreams but also in your marriage, work, health & fitness, finances, etc. Everything in life worth having will require the courage to pursue and then keep pursuing. Marriage is a great example. So many couples pursue each other in the beginning, BUT don’t keep the pursuit going and marriage becomes a relationship that is way too comfortable. Keeping up with your health and fitness can be hard to maintain, as well. Back to Walt Disney, even after his death, his dream is still growing because the pursuit has never ended!

So what should we be pursuing daily?
* Your God and NOT because His Word says to, but because you want to.
* Your spouse, because this is the only way to keep the flame burning.
* Your kiddos, so they see your desire to invest in their lives.
* Your DREAMS, because this is how they grow and you grow, also.

And what are the ways in which we could pursue them?
* Study, read, learn and grow. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the Kingdom of God”.
* Take care of ourselves, which helps us take care of our spouse.
* Invest time together and get to know each other better. The person who thinks they know everything about their spouse is a fool!
* Go on dates, walks, and overnighters and do things the other enjoys whether you enjoy them or not.
* Journal, which I have found to be a great resource in the pursuit of everything I hold dear to me in this life.

This list could keep going and vary from person to person.

Life is a race but not one that is based on speed, but instead, commitment. So dig in and hold on tight and start to courageously pursue those things that matter most!

QUESTION: So what are you daily pursuing? And in what ways?

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback. Or you can e-mail me at kspanberger@gmail.com.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.
So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.
LivXtrem4Him‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Kingdom Success (Part-2)

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Kingdom success post

“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. “
Joshua 1:8 (AMP)

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”
Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

What is success? Webster defines it as “the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame, the correct or desired result of an attempt, someone or something that is successful, a person or thing that succeeds”.

We really need to understand that there is a GREATER depth to success than most think about. Many will say, “I’m successful” because they have reached a place financially, but they also have a failed marriage or relationship. That’s just one example, BUT true success is a life truly lived with nothing missing, nothing broken. This statement, “nothing missing, nothing broken” does not mean that life is without attacks. Instead, it’s first what you believe, then how you see it and last how you live it. You might have a financial attack, relationship struggles, or a health attack, BUT with a Kingdom mindset you can still be successful because you don’t see defeat. Instead, you see opportunity.

How do we get this type of success? Glad you asked! The answer to that question is: First, what are you pursuing? I myself see that the start and end to everything is in the Word of God above everywhere else. If you are not seeing the same thing, then I venture to say you will NOT find any type of eternal success, but success for only as long as you yourself can maintain it. It says in both of my opening scriptures that as we seek and follow God, (which can only be done by knowing Him, and can only happen by seeking Him), then true success will come. It also specifically says “then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.” Note that it says, “After seeking Him you will make your way prosperous”. The world is doing it on their own and the Christian is waiting on God to do. Both are WRONG, as the Words says after we seek, THEN we will be able to do it because as we seek Him we gain wisdom and knowledge to enable us to be successful. I WILL NOT debate religion, nor will I try to force another to believe as I do. I want to live my life so large for Him that others are drawn to ask HOW and then I can show them how in His Word. A life well lived is truly the greater voice!

You see, true success can be seen at the end of your life when you can look back and say “I lived it to the fullest and held nothing back. I have loved 100% and been loved the same. I have lived beyond my fears and held nothing back and have NO regrets!” That’s Kingdom success and it will leave a heritage for future generations to see and follow.

Something I have really stepped up in is my daily journaling and I start my daily entries with: “What am I thankful for?” As a reminder, (I call this inventorying life), I also go back and read past entries. I find that I have daily successes and growth on those pages and as I journal, I can go back and read and grow from those things where I have both failed and succeeded.

QUESTION: How do you define success?

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback. Or you can e-mail me at kspanberger@gmail.com.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Beyond The Box

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beyond the box

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Walt Disney

If you think about a box, you see an item that by design is meant to contain something.  We use boxes almost daily to store, carry, or ship items – but for many, life becomes a box that captures them and for one reason or another, they never seem to break free.

Let’s walk through a few areas that capture and keep us from living the life we were created to live.

Finances – Money is a big anchor that not only holds us back, but has also destroyed many relationships.  God did not create us to toil for a dollar.  Many find themselves in a place of having to work multiple jobs to keep up with the life they have made for themselves.  I said in my last post, that what we do on our own, we will have to keep making happen on our own.  We become our supplier and that is not God’s plan for our lives, as He said He will supply all of our needs.  Make wise decisions and do nothing without bringing it to God first.

Health – The health and fitness industry is a multi-billion dollar industry.  God said in 1 Cor. 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you”.  I feel that we should take care of our bodies for us and for our family, but most of all, for WHO dwells in us!  Food for some becomes “the box”, but the other extreme is working out and not eating.  You have to balance everything you allow into your life!

Fear – “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP).  So many have allowed fear to box them in.  Fear of failure stops people from moving forward with their dreams.  Fear has kept people from leaving the boundaries of their homes, cities and much more.  I minister in Compton, CA every year and I am often asked by others, “Aren’t you afraid of going there”?  My answer is always “no”, because fear is not the decision maker in my life.  I hear the same thing about going on the mission trips I take, but again, fear is not an option!  I have heard that the best way to defeat fear is to meet it head on; do the very thing that brings fear.  Fear is a real thing, but it has no authority until you give into it.

These are just three areas, but I could keep listing more all day.  I’m sure you have heard the saying “yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present”.  It’s so true; every day of life is a gift from God. But until it’s unboxed, its potential cannot be known.  We are designed to live an exceptional life, so break free from the box and start living!

QUESTION: What do you see as the hardest boxes to break free from in your life?

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

Kingdom Success

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Kingdom success post

 

 

“God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28 (AMP)

How many of you have truly thought on the greatness of these scriptures? Don’t get me wrong, ALL of God’s Word is powerful and great, BUT something about how God is starting things off with these words set the stage for greatness, YOUR greatness.

I was reading an article and the writer defined success like this: “Real success is the spiritual process of developing a mature and constructive personality through which we can accomplish our highest objectives, with the help of God”. When we finally realize we can do nothing eternal on our own, then the sooner we can get on the path to true Kingdom Success. I heard it said once, that what we start on our own we would have to maintain on our own. I don’t know about you, but if I have to choose between doing things on my own or doing things through God, based on His strength and wisdom, I will ALWAYS choose God!

I was doing some online research on the topic of “Kingdom Success” and one thing that I noticed over and over, was how much the word “formula” was used. So many have their own formula for success. When I see this, it reminds me of how the world offers a million different formulas to how they say you can be successful. Kingdom Success in any area CANNOT be formula based, but instead it must be life style based. We read His Word and apply His principles in our daily life and step out in faith into our dreams and callings. I have found that when I do this and as I read what others write or listen to what others say, I gleam nuggets of wisdom and He shows me what to do with those nuggets. I can read through the Bible and find success story after success story; however, none of them had a formula for achieving what they did.

“But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man.”
Genesis 39:2 (AMP)

Most of the time, we think we can’t have success where we are or in what we are doing, but this scripture above is based around the life of a man that defies all of those thoughts. As slave and prisoner, he prospered and even caused those around him to increase. All of this was done before the cross, so what can we do on this side of the cross?

QUESTION: How do you view your path to success?

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.
So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

An Idle Mind

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Idle mind

“A dog will not chase a parked car nor will success chase an idle dreamer.”

Idle defined: Not employed or busy, inactive. Avoiding work or employment, lazy, shiftless, not in use or operation, idle hands, lacking worth.

Has that ever described you? I can be honest and say YES, it has described me at different times in my life. I have also found when I slip into idle mode, my mind strays and is not productive. I believe the idle mind is wide open for attack! When I lose focus and go into an idle mode, my mind wanders; I might pick up a care that I laid to the side and start worrying about it again. On the contrary, when I stay focused on
what matters and keep my perspective in check, I am able to stay on track and be productive.

I was doing some research and found an individual who writes on his web-site about how being idle and a loafer make for a happy life; he even offered coaching for this. I thought to myself, “If someone has to pay to be coached in loafing then they are in bad shape!” This is the junk that is being brought to the table and offered in today’s society.

Proverbs 16:27 (The Living Bible) “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.”

We must realize that being idle and resting are two very different things. Look above at the definition of idle and you will see this. We must rest and meditate and allow ourselves the time to refresh and renew; this time is needed and is not being idle. This is obedience to Matthew 6:33 which tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God.

“Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing.” Thomas Jefferson

This quote is so true and we must remember that idle time is lost time and lost time can never be made up! We schedule what is important, so learn to schedule your days and stay focused on what matters. God
first, spouse second, then children and so on from there.

QUESTION: How do you keep from going into idle mode?

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

The Journey

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the-journey

If you have not realized it yet, life is a journey. In that journey, like all others, we make decisions that route us to a destination. Today’s blog post will focus on your place in that journey.

Every journey starts with you, how you’re viewing this journey and the position you’re taking in it. You must have clarity in your objective or the trip is already starting off badly. Can you imagine boarding an aircraft with no clear objective? Of course not! We must view life in the same way.

I just read a mini book by Isabel Hundt titled “Identity Crisis in the World of Entrepreneurs”. (You can find out more about Isabel and get the e-book at http://www.isabelhundt.com). In her book, she mentions “students and followers”. When I read this, it resonated inside of me. I want to take this thought a little deeper. First, let me define those two words: the word “follower” is defined as “one who imitates” while the word “student” means “one who studies something or someone”.

How do you see yourself in the scheme of life, are you a follower or a student? Or, would you say, “I’m not really sure!”? The Bible tells us many different times, that we are to be followers of Christ. Note, Christ NOT man! Even the word disciple means “a personal follower of Jesus”. Now let’s think about the word “student” for a moment. I defined this as “one who studies something or someone” and though we are studiers and followers of Christ, we are also students of life, BUT we are not to be followers of it. We have a society of followers who are constantly shifting to what life dictates to them; we see this in every age group and gender. They follow the latest fashion, music and the list goes on and on and shifts constantly; so many are swayed by these things.

A man can say, “Be like me and you will be successful” and people will try to do just that. Just because it works for one, does not mean it will work for another. BUT it also does not mean we can’t take his concepts and adapt them to our life and calling. If we are students of life, we are always hearing, seeing, smelling and tasting of life and taking what we get and making educated decisions with it. What makes a student of life different than a follower of life is that we are taking in information, processing and using it to better ourselves, BUT not to conform to it. If you add the Christ follower with the student of life, BOOM you have a powerful combination. This combination is NOT afraid to dream and risk failure to live the life God designed for us. A life lived on purpose with purpose!

QUESTION: How do you see yourself, as a student or a follower?

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. Start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him