Excel Still More

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Guess how many holes it takes to sink a boat?  Yep.  Just one.  More importantly, one hole left unfixed will do the damage.  It would be nice in life if there were never any holes in our boat. If we could just float along excelling still more and have no issues.  Such is just not to be.  The question is - are you willing to go about plugging that hole.  And instead of being upset that it is there, learn to be thankful that its just a small hole and not something more. Let's talk about that today and make some application to your life in Christ. 

- How to prepare yourself for holes in your boat

- Why this happens and why it is NOT the end of the world

- Why we must take action immediately and not wait for it to fill the boat with water

- How to plug the hole in the boat

- How to get right back out there and catch some fish!

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In C.S. Lewis's famous book, The Screwtape Letters, demons discuss how to win a Christian back to sin.  A major point of emphasis is the need to get him dwelling on the unchangeable past and the uncontrollable future!  These will keep his attention from the two things that are real, certain, guaranteed:  Eternity and Today!  God knows you need to consider what happened.  God knows you need to plan for next week.  But too much time spent on that will rob you of the great things He wants for your life.  We discuss how to spend much, much more time considering where you are going (Eternity) and how to be the best you in order to get there (Today).

- How to see how the devil wants to distract you

- Why are the past and the carnal future unhealthy points of emphasis

- What value is time spent on Eternity and how is it different than the carnal future

- What value is time spent on Today and how can you use that time to do great things

- How can I use daily journalling to stay focused on the two times that matter most

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In 1992, Gary Chapman wrote the book, "The Five Love Languages." Do you remember what they are?  What would you say are your top two love languages?  What about your spouse?  This episode explores what is possible when we identify what pleases the other person, how they comprehend and acknowledge love, and then share with them in that way.  We'll also talk about communicating on this topic after showing love, and also how these principles and NOT just for marriage.  You can use it in many relationships.

- What are "The Five Love Languages"?

- Are yours different than those of your spouse?

- How to identify their needs and accept a challenge to love them that way?

- How to openly discuss preferred love languages and improve your marriage?

- How to take these ideas beyond marriage and into many other healthy, godly relationships?

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Let's talk about a story from the 1800's, where a tragic crisis arose.  A man tried to fix it:  he changed everything and everyone around him, to no avail.  Finally, one day, he asked the fateful question: "Is it me?"  It was.  And with just a small personal adjustment, many lives were saved!  How many of us go through the blame cycle of other people, situations and circumstances, without every realized that maybe I am the one who can change and make the most difference.  This episode does not suggest that every problem is 100% your fault.  But it asks you to evaluate your fault in every situation and change it starting there. Maybe that move will catch on and others will follow suit!

- How to see problems from a default self-evaluation perspective

- Why should you HOPE that you are the cause of a problem

- How can you have a positive attitude about being wrong 

- How to create a new culture of humility and growth in your family

- How to use "It is me?" as a starting point in all life improvement

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Seven billion dollars is a whole lot of money!  For most of us, it is next level inconceivable really.  Could you imagine what it would be like to have that much money ... in debt? What if you owed it to someone.  Would you just give up on life?  Would you beg for mercy?  Let's talk about how that connects to Jesus.  And, just as importantly, how Jesus' compassion upon us should be living in our lives.  The ESM journey is about taking in from the love of Christ and then letting that love live through you more and more each day!

- How would seven billion dollars change your life?

- What if you had seven billion dollars... in debt?

- How would you react to being that far in the hole?

- What would it mean to have every single penny forgiven?

- How must the mercy of Jesus toward you live in the way you forgive others?

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It is great to set your course and stay on it.  Deciding on goals and pursuing them, no matter what, can really bring great results!  There are lots of cool Olympian stories of athletes who were big winners, because they wouldn't give up.  Some were losers, but they never took their eye off the finish line.  However, sometimes it isn't about reaching the finish line.  Sometimes it is more courageous to sail off course. Let me tell you a story of a Canadian Sailor in the 1988 Olympics who did just that.  And it took more heart than any gold medal story you've every read.  Let's hold the course, unless getting off it is the right thing to do.  Check it out!

- How to know when it is right to sail off course

- What do we learn from the Olympians about fighting for goals.

- How do we know when it's time to hit the pause button on a goal.

- How can we sometimes be a bit too self-involved in our journey to get better

- How can we incorporate service of others into our daily march to grow in Christ

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We all love to be appreciated.  Most of us enjoy accolades and cheers for what we do.  But really life isn't fueled by that, or is it?  If we feed off of support as a means to carry on, what will we do when the crowds stop cheering?  Are you equipped to have a deeper purpose than recognition by others?  And if this is something you have struggled with, what can you do to build stronger resolve, and maybe even receive a few more cheers?  Let's look at the heart of integrity and how it can beat strongly with or without applause.

- How to appreciate the cheers of others

- How to have conviction deeper than the accolades of others

- How to acknowledge when you might not be acting for the right reasons

- How to find deeper meaning that just the reaction of others

- What can we do to grow in integrity, with the cheers, and even without them

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This year I have become convinced of two things, beyond a doubt.  Firstly, Christians are to be Givers.  We ought to be the most generous, helpful, service-filled people on this earth!  Secondly, habits take wisdom to put into place.  You can't just get good at something.  You have to lay out a course of action in order to see results.  SO... what if we let both ideas come together?  I think we can!  We can become better givers by applying simple, proven habit building tactics!  Let's look at how!

- How to recognize the Biblical directive to be givers

- How to assess your giving and determine in your heart to do more

- How to begin and sustain a new habit

- How to combine the need to give with the strategies for habit building

- What are practical ways to become a more cheerful and consistent giver to others

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We all have issues in our lives.  You know, things we don't like, troubles, problems, stress producers.  However, we do not have to let bad situations rob us of our peace as children of God.  Prayers are helpful. But they won't be enough.  Life will push itself back in between you and God.  If you want to see things be at peace, you must examine three words:  CHANGE OR ACCEPT.  We will run through a series of questions you should ask when something undesirable is in your path.  We will look at several examples, maybe ones that hit home for you.  Prayerfully and with self discipline, we can Change or Accept our way to a great day!

- How to use "Change Or Accept" to address any problem

- How do I find the strength to change things under my control

- How can I find something to try in every situation before defaulting to "accept"

- How to take an issue to God so that He may change it for me

- How to accept things that simply cannot be changed in this life

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In June of 1924, George Mallory ascended to the top of Mount Everest.  He and his friend Andrew Irving were the very first to do so! At least, that's what I believe.  It was a true mountain top experience.  Unfortunately the story does not end well, teaching us that the climb down is always the hardest, and that the mountain top experience only really matters if you stay focused and make it back home.  Let's talk about their journey and how it can inspire us today!

- How to see the mountaintop for what it really is

- How to stay focused after the mountain top experience

- Why goal achieving only really matters if you make it back home

- How to concentrate more on who you are becoming and less on what you have done

- How to apply the Everest story to great accomplishments and the aftermath in your life.