Excel Still More

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Big Promise Today - A little bit of questioning can go a really long way. Just a few simple questions, asked at the right moment, can lead you to better decisions and fewer regrets.  First, let's overcome some simple decision making mistakes we all make. Then we will look at the power of "want." After all, most people do exactly what they want to do! But there is more analysis needed. We need to ask three simple questions to put ourselves, and others, in a better place - day after day!

Much of today's content was drawn from a great new book by Andy Stanley: "Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets." You can click the link to purchase from Amazon. I highly recommend the read. 

- What is the difference between "big" decisions and "little" ones?

- How important is what you want when it comes to your choices?

- How does stretching what you want out over time affect your decisions?

- Should things go differently if what you want is JUST about you?

- Who stands to be affected by what you do and why does that matter?

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Two Big Things Today:

First, I'll be at the Twin Creeks church of Christ on May 1-4, 2022. This church is in Allen, TX, just North East of Dallas. Everyone is welcome as we study Missions of Mercy and making sure we have emptied our vessels so He can fill us with the Spirit.  Here is a link to the church website.

Second, the Mercy Me song "Say I Won't" gets our attention today. I will provide the lyrics below as well as a link to the incredible music video.  Check it out!

"Say I Won't"

Today it all begins
I'm seeing my life for the very first time
Through a different lens
Yesterday
I didn't understand
Driving 35 with the rocket inside
Didn't know what I had

While I've been waiting to live
My life's been waiting on me

I'm gonna run
No I'm gonna fly
I'm gonna know what it means to live
And not just be alive
The world's gonna hear
Cause I'm gonna shout
And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out
Say I won't

Not enough
Is what I've been told
But it must be a lie
Cause the Spirit inside says I'm so much more
So let them say what they want
Oh I dare them to try

I'm gonna run
No I'm gonna fly
I'm gonna know what it means to live
And not just be alive
The world's gonna hear
Cause I'm gonna shout
And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out
Say I won't
Say I won't
Say I won't
Say I won't

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
So keep on saying I won't
And I'll keep proving you wrong

I'm gonna run
No I'm gonna fly
I'm gonna know what it means to live
And not just be alive
This world's gonna hear
Cause I'm gonna shout
And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out
Say I won't
Say I won't
Say that I won't
Oh say I won't
Say I won't

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Most Christians are familiar with sentences like this: "This is a salvation issue." Of course, only Jesus decides such things. And while it may be alright to say such at times, it is often more about my personal convictions and, by the way, my side of the issue is always the saved side! lol.

There is room to show people in Scripture that some issues make the difference between heaven and hell. Though we must be very careful to make sure it is what the Scripture actually and clearly teaches. But here is something that is absolute:  if Jesus says it is a matter of heaven and hell, then that's exactly what it is. Can we agree on that?

Today I want to show you a chapter where Jesus lays out 3 Salvation Issues. No amount of label making, partying up, or loud sermons can supplant these issues or substitute for them. If we want to be saved when the Savior comes, we must have full lamps, growing talents, and active hands.

- Who determines if an issue is a matter of personal conviction or a salvation issue?

- Why is it so important to us to draw deep lines in the sand with our personal convictions?

- What did Jesus say will matter in the judgment when it comes to being prepared for Him?

- What did Jesu say will matter when it comes to "ing" living and using what we have?

- How important is service to others when it comes to the final judgment and eternal destiny?

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Everyone wants to do their best, no matter what they are trying to accomplish. In order to do that, we have to prepare. There is physical and intellectual work. But all of that can go to waste if we aren't in the right mental state at the moment of the performance. It can be sports, presentations, or conversations - there often comes that nervous moment when it is time to put all of our preparation into practice.

If we can perfectly connect ourselves with the task at hand, this is called "The Flow State." There is absolutely nothing in your mind except the thing you are doing. This give you the highest probability of executing at a high level. Unfortunately, many people allow several destructive things to also be in their mind at the moment of truth. 

Raymon Prior is a performance councilor and author, and I had the privilege of meeting him recently. I want to share the four things that often get in the way of the flow state, and help you find confidence in a simple, focused approach to every important thing that you do.

- What is "The Flow State" and why is it important to us?

- Where are at least five areas where we need to be able to execute at a high level?

- What affect does both the past and the present have on us if it interrupts a present action?

- How does ego take us out of the flow state and distract from what we want to do well?

- Is every important thing "life and death?" Why does assigning too much weight cause problems?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Do you know what if feels like to be totally powerless to stop sin in your life? I understand that we have free will. But have you ever been so trapped, so held, by sin that you could not find your free will, or had absolutely no ability to access it?  I know that feeling. Maybe worse, is when you see it happening to someone you love. What do you do when you can't fix it, they can't fix it, and not even time with Christians can free them from bondage?

There is an answer. There is power so incredibly that it has not limits. You and I must learn to expend energy in reaching for that power, instead of just trying to summon it within ourselves. To demonstrate how this works, we will look at a real demon possession story in Mark 9. Jesus was the answer. Jesus is the answer.

The Perfect Prayer Plan

- Why do we sometimes find ourselves caught in addiction with no way out?

- Is it possible that you are not strong enough to make things right on your own?

- How does the power of Jesus change our lives and where do we find that power?

- Why does everyone know about prayer, but so few actually benefit from it?

- Where is fasting needed in your life and what will it free you to do?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Today is a big day! This is the very first Excel Still More Interview! I couldn't think of anyone better than Hal Elrod. A you will hear today, his story is incredible! Three times he went through traumatic events. His attitude through those things, and growth after them... well, it is simply transformational. Today Hal shows you how to grow through struggles by taking control of every day of your life. Every single day can be your very best day. And it all starts at the beginning... that is, with The Miracle Morning.

Let me provide some links that can help you benefit from Hal's great work:

The Miracle Morning Website

The Miracle Morning Book

The Miracle Equation Book

The Miracle Morning MOVIE

Achieve Your Goals Podcast

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It was a nasty, cold, rainy, windy day. He was in a really tough spot and very upset about it. It wasn't the first time. On both occasions I was there with him. And on both occasions he calmed down enough to answer a very important question.

This question is needed in the lives of us all. We are all prone to emotional reactions that cause more problems. We can often shut down totally when we don't know what to do. These decisions are often poor, but not just because they can make things worse. More importantly, they didn't have to compete with any other choice to be validated. They just... happened.

If we can learn to calm our spirits, assess our options, and think through choices, many good things can happen, even in difficult, seemingly impossible circumstances.

- What often happens when we are instantly overcome with negative emotions?

- Why do we sometimes shut down when things are hard and fail to move forward?

- How does an assessment of our options invest us in making more courageous decisions?

- Do we sometimes just need to sit and feel, before we can make a decision?

- How do you transition from an emotional weight to a  wise decisions? 

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

S.A.L.S.A. - San Antonio Leadership Service Action
April 1-3 - O'Connor Road church of Christ, San Antonio, TX
Fri 7pm / Sat 10am / Sun 9:30 and 2:30.

"I'm fine." How often have you said this, but it wasn't true. Why is it so hard to admit when we need help? Do we think people don't care? Or maybe we just think we are behind repair. Closing ourselves off, and lying, leads to deeper darkness. But honestly with others starts with God. When we are truthful with God AND we understand the life giving truth about God... things change. Hope floods in. We become more open and honest. And once we do this, it can become the culture of our churches and families. I place where honesty is invited, no matter how difficult it might be. Imagine a church culture where people could be truly open, knowing that we are 100% in this to help, with no judgment. I want that. Let's do it!

- Why is it so hard to be honest about what we are struggling with?

- How must that begin by pouring out our buckets in prayer?

- What does God do with complete honestly before His throne?

- If we tell the truth to God, what is the truth from God we must believe?

- Can we build a family and church culture where confession is truly encouraged?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

"You are a vessel, built and restored by God, to be filled with the Spirit, so that you can pour the Spirit into the lives of everyone you meet." Sounds great, right? Like a mission of mercy, laid out before you every day and everywhere you go! Well, how many of us understand that this includes our home? In fact, it must start in our home. God has given us family and connection so that we can be patient, loving, merciful encouragers of one another. 

The qualities Jesus prescribes for being a light to the world must first be shining in our homes. We use our home as a training ground, a proving ground, for godly behavior. Or at least we should. Why is it people treat their families worse than total strangers? How do we all learn that no amount of kindness matters if we aren't kind to our spouse, our kids, our parents and our siblings? Let's dig in on why that is important and what it should look like in the home.

- Why do some of us show less patience in our homes than with total strangers?

- How is kindness in the home actually needful to be a light in this world?

- What are the four qualities in place for everyone on Missions of Mercy?

- How must I implement them first and foremost in my marriage and family?

- If I practice all of this at home, what affect will that have on all my relationships?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

I hope enjoy this excellent stuff from Dr. Jim Kirby! He is truly a great and godly man. His positivity and wonderful personality are exactly what most of us need. But... it is also exactly who most of us can be. Positive thinking unlocks your best attitude and greatest potential. 

Walk with me through the speech given by Jim at the Tarleson State University in 2015. Jim retired that year due to brain tumors that affected him. Even in trial, he shines through as a "can do" person who continues, even now, to do things that defy expectations and inspire others.

In lieu of the standard five questions, I will put his five points and the speech link below:

The Positive Thinker...
- Sees opportunity where others see impossibility
- Says "not yet" when others say "never"
- Tries another way rather than giving up
- Optimizes every opportunity 
- Realizes there is a big picture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vcoYcc9xTc