Having an Excellent Spirit

Joel @ Lakewood Church

God blesses excellence so go the extra mile no matter who is watching. God wants us to set the highest example. When you are excellent your life is a testament of God. Some people will never read the Bible. (People are always watching)

Matthew 5:41 NIV
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

Genesis 24:14 NIV
May it be that when I say to a young woman, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."

Take steps to grow.

Make it the best that it can possibly be.

Favor and excellence go hand and hand.

If you don't take care of what you have then you won't be blessed with more.

It's scriptural to take care of yourself.

Daniel 6:3 NIV
Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

*********Victoria Osteen**********
Thanksgiving Makes You Whole

Our nation celebrates thankfulness. Everyone is reminded to be thankful. Thankfulness brings all the pieces together.

Thankfulness is a easy way to encourage ourselves and make us whole.

Luke 17: 11-18
Jesus took notice of the one who came back and said thank you.

Have grateful in spite of our circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

No-Stick Anointing

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

No matter how good you are people will always treat you bad and you can choose to carry it around with you and let it ruin your day or you can choose to not let it stick!

Psalm 45:7 NLT

You love justice and hate evil.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

You're never going to please everyone so you might as well be the person that God made you to be.

2 Kings 2:23-24 NLT

Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. "Go away, baldy!" they chanted. "Go away, baldy!" Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them.

That teaches you that God will fight your battles!

In 1Samuel 16, Jesse brought all of his sons except David, but he is the one who turned out to be anointed.

In 1 Samuel 17 David brought his brothers lunch and

Don't get caught up in battles that don't matter. Don't be critical of someone who is being critical of me.

People who criticize you are distractions. Go where you are celebrated, not where you are tolerated.

2 Samuel 16:5, 12 NLT

As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul's family...perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today."

John 7:5 NLT

For even [Jesus'] brothers didn't believe in him.

Romans 12:18 NLT

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

I'm not responsible for anyone's happiness except my own.

Matthew 10:14 NLT

If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.

Esther 3:5 NLT

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had the respect of everyone but because so consumed with one man that he got into a battle he should have never been involved in...Esther 8:7 NLT...Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, "I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews.

***********Victoria Osteen************

God is love and when you walk with him for a while you realize that love is everything. If we are going to grow, we have to grow in love.

-Philippians 1:9 NIV

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

There are so many facets of love which means that there are so many areas to grow in.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

-Most days love is a decision.

-You have to discern the situation to decide which facet of love is appropriate.

-Ephesians 4:15 NIV

...speak the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Sent from the Elders.

Level 56 VIPs: David and Goliath

Level 56

October 6 & 7, Week 1

David and Goliath Bible Story Lesson

1 Samuel 17:12-58

• This month we are learning about Bible stories EVERY 5^th & 6^th grader needs to know!

• Today’s, VIP has a very important lesson to be learned from it – it doesn’t matter your age, God can use anyone to do big things!

• Create the ultimate Oreo cookie!

WHAT YOU NEED

3 bags of Double Stuff Oreos

HOW TO PLAY

Choose three teams of two and bring them on stage. Give each team a bag of Oreos. The object of the game is to see who can create the tallest, free standing stack of Oreo cookies. To do this, contestants must start with one cookie, then remove one of the chocolate cookies from another cookie and stack it (filling side down) on the first. Contestants will continue this process, stacking their Oreos high, until only one team has a cookie still standing.

RAISING THE STAKES

For older kids, have one student hold the cookie in their palm while the other stacks the cookie. This adds an extra element of difficulty and the potential for some messiness.

[Check Back for Pictures]

NOTES FROM THE SERVICE

1. David was not from a royal family, he was not rich or had any special things he was known for. To his family and friends, he was the youngest brother and and a shepherd. That’s it. No one saw greatness in him & yet, he killed the leader of one Israelites greatest enemies.
1. v.55 When Saul saw David go out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Tell me about this young man’s family.” Abner said, “For the life of me, O King, I don’t know.”
2. It wasn’t about how old David was or what he could do. God just knew in David’s heart – he was willing to do what others wouldn’t. He wasn’t afraid because he knew God was on his side and greater than any Philistine – even a GIGANTIC Philistine!
1. v.45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

3 Things to Remember:

• Here are some important things we can remember from this story:

1. God can use anyone
1. No one knew who he was.
2. Your age doesn’t matter
1. David was the YOUNGEST son of Jesse. He had 7 big brothers.
3. Be willing
1. David was willing to do what his earthly father said (take his brothers lunch) and believe in his heavenly father. Saul said "go and the Lord be with you"

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

KNOW WHO YOU ARE WORKING FOR

While his three oldest brothers went to war with Saul, David went back and forth from attending to Saul (the king) to tending the sheep that belonged to his father (Jesse) in Bethlehem.

This is how our lives are. We have a “job” and we work for our Heavenly father.

NO ASSIGNMENT IS BENEATH YOU

v. 17-19 Jesse sent David to take his BIG brothers lunch!  (v. 17-19)

I’ve been asked to do things that I felt like were “beneath you” and I got a little upset.

Had David not honored his father’s request, then he wouldn’t have been in the position to defeat Goliath

• Things really happen for reason and Your attitude  will determine your aptitude.: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

v. 20 David arranged for someone to be a stand-in shepherd.

IF someone asks you to do something, you still have to take care of your current responsibilities.

KNOW WHO YOU ARE

v. 28 David’s OLDEST brother Eliab accused David of neglecting his responsibilities. A lot of time, the people closest to us will assume the worse about us because they grew up with us. In the past, Eliab probably had to pick up after David.

v. 39 They tried to give David armor, but he wasn’t used to it. When facing any situation go as yourself! You are in the situation because you are needed. You don’t have to pretend to be anything that you’re not.

YOUR SKILLS ARE TRANSFERABLE

V. 34-37 David said, “I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I’ll do the same to this Philistine

EVERYTHING is preparing us for the future. Oftentimes we are given tasks and responsibilities that are boring, like math and we wonder how it will help us in real life. Well, that seemingly useless task may put is in the position to defeat a giant. But we still have to choose to fight that giant.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO DECLARE VICTORY (BECAUSE IT’S THE TRUTH)

v. 46 David was not afraid to speak the truth. Sometimes we are scared to declare victory because, well what if we don’t get it, right? Well David was not!

Staying In The Game

Joel @ Lakewood Church

· It's easy to lose your passion when things don't work out, but you have to shake off the pity. You can't let the hurt cause you to sit on the sidelines.

· Don't let the bad break make you bitter. You have to have a made up mind that you are going to be faithful.

· Momma Dodie: diagnosed with terminal cancer but she still drove mIles to pray for others. She was injured but still in the game.

· God will take your scars and turn them into stars for His glory.

Isaiah 61:3 NIV

and provide for those...beauty instead of ashes...

Isaiah 60:1 AMP

ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

· God has an after this planned for me!

Job 42:16-17 NIV

After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

· NFL Player Torrey Smith Honors Brother Who Died In Motorbike Crash Hours Before Game Time

· People would understand if you sat on the sidelines "nursing your wounds" but when you get in the game in spite of the circumstances you give the enemy a nervous breakdown.

· God understands

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

· Ruth (example)

Ruth stayed in the game after losing her husband and was given a husband who was the richest in the land and ended up in royal lineage.

Ruth 4:21-22 NLT

Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David.

· The rest of my days will be the best of my days!

********Victoria Osteen*********

Turn Your Worrying into Worship

· God cares about what I care about.

Psalm 55:22 NIV

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

· Don't worry.

Matthew 6:25 NIV

...do not worry about your life....

Matthew 6:27, 33 NIV

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

·Look up and not down.

Luke 21:28-29 NIV

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

· You can tell worrying from planning because you are frustrated and not displaying the fruit if the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

· Sarah (example)

Hebrews 11:11 NIV

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Standing on the promises of Christ!

Spare the Rod Keep the Discipline

People are so focused on "protecting" children that they are failing to discipline those children. This is sad since discipline is the best form of protection that you can give your children. Children need to be trained to display order and obedience appropriate to EVERY setting. This means that your child needs to know that there are rules everywhere which may differ from the rules that he or she is accustomed to. Even though those rules are different, they still must be followed. Your child needs to know that if those rules are not followed there are consequences that may differ from the consequences that he or she is used to. I am not saying that you have to be okay with consequence that you deem inappropriate for your child.

If you have a problem with the way another adult disciplines your child, it is your responsibility to talk to that adult about that IN PRIVATE. In addition to (and before) you talk to that adult about your issue, address the infraction that led to the discipline! More than likely, the adult who YOU entrusted your child's care to did not arbitrarily discipline your child. Your child did something wrong! Even if YOU don't think it's wrong, it was wrong in the setting that you left your child in. Children need to know that there are different rules EVERYWHERE and just because it's okay in one place (i.e. at your house) doesn't mean it's okay everywhere else.

As a child, I would tell my mom when adults disciplined me. Her FIRST question was always, "Well, what did you do?" Whether or not she had a problem with what they did was not what she chose to discuss with me; I think that was an excellent decision. Children should know that adults are backing each other up and they aren't going to play us against each other. 

The bottom line is, police can KILL your child if he or she breaks the rules: DON"T LET IT GET THAT BAD. Teach them early that there are rules everywhere, those rules may differ from the rules that you are accustomed to, if those rules are broken then there will be consequences, and those consequences may differ from the consequences that you are used to.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

verb (used with object)

10.

to train by instruction and exercise; drill.

11.

to bring to a state of order and obedience by training andcontrol.

12.

to punish or penalize in order to train and control; correct;chastise.

It's Not Over

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

There are times when you pray thinking you need it immediately, but God's timing doesn't lineup with your expectations. What makes it worse is that peopledown the street who don't seem to be living for God are doing great. Lazarus was in such a situation. JOHN 11

John 11:3 KJV

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

♥ Your right now is no match for the eternity that is within God.

♥ There is a promise in the midst of the process.

♥ You have creative power in your mouth.

♥ Your situation is not proof that God is not mad at you.

John 11:4 KJV

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

John 11:11 KJV

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

♥ If God made you a promise that's what's going to happen.

♥ But we never imagine that death will meet you in the middle.

John 11:20 KJV

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

♥ Mary had an attitude!

John 11:25-27 KJV

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

John 11:35 KJV Jesus wept.

John 11:43 KJV

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

♥ he had to call Lazarus by name because if he said come forth everything dead woulda got up!

The seed of God's word is a deposit until the promise arrives.

Sent from the Elders.

YOUR AMERICAN IDOL: Hero's v. Idols

Some heros use their powers for good...others use their powers for bad.

Elijah was sent by God to deliver a message to Ahab.

Green Lantern was chosen and faced the impossible. He called us

Idols lead you to trouble and heros lead you to truth.

When you woship and put other things before God you end up in a lot of trouble.

1 Kings 18:17 NLT

When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, "So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?"

Elijah challenged the other prophets.

1 Kings 18:17, 21 NLT

When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, "So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?" Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, "How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!" But the people were completely silent.

You are going to have to choose.

Even when you don't make a choice, you choose.

Putting God first gets results.

Sent from the Elders.

There Is Another Ingredient Coming

Pastor Joel at Lakewood Church

Life is not always fair, but God is always fair. You can't isolate one bad break because it is only 1 ingredient.

Romans 8:28 NLT

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

The Osteens used to make cookies, one time they did not have any baking soda and figured that it was such a small portion that it wouldn't make any difference but the cookies came out flat.

Some people are bitter on life but all the ingredients haven't come.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Stop being discouraged. God always ends with it's good so if its not good, then it's not over.

Using the cookie analogy, vanilla extract doesn't taste good until you add all the ingredients.

Joel had an unfair tax problem which lead him to becoming friends with an atorney who helped him negotiate a contract for a television station which he sold to renovate the Compaq Center!

NAOMI let a season of mourning turn into a lifetime of mourning. Don't become known as what you went through. No matter what know that you are in it to win it.

Exodus 15: 22...bitter water becomes sweet.

Stop listening to the condemning voices and forgive yourself. God wouldn't allow something if it wasn't for your good.

***********Victoria Osteen***********

DEFINING MOMENTS

John 21:6 NLT

Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get some!" So they did, and they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

They were professional fisherman and they had to ignore history: they hadn't captured any fish all night. They had to be obedient. That was a God moment.

Maintain GOD moments to take hold of destiny moments. The God moments always require a obedIence AND sacrifice.

My actions and words make a difference. Look for the best and let other people win.

Sent from the Elders.

Profit over People?

It seems like everywhere I go "management" is browbeating employees into doing whatever it takes to increase sales. Valuable real estate on sales floors are being crammed with "budget" items to encourage purchasing while aesthetics and comfort are sacrificed. I myself have held positions where I was "encouraged" to offer sales suggestions; for EVERY customer I was to offer  "complementary" sales items. I've watched my coworkers be bullied into bullying customers to sign up for credit cards. Everyone is so focused on profit that people on both ends, consumers and employees, are abused.

The blatant selfishness amazes me. How did we come to this? How did it get so bad? I guess it's a vicious cycle. Before I started my own business and ventured into contract work, I always wished that my coworkers would rally against the bullies; I am a peace lover and deem it pertinent to respect authority, however when employers force you to work harder for little to no money and/or benefits I believe that it wouldn't continue if someone stood up and said "no".

Unfortunately many workers are scared that the least "discrepancy" will warrant termination. So the workforce silently suffers as the level of abuse dished out by upper management increases. What's even more appalling is that as hours, pay, and benefits are cut upper management and investors continue to make a profit. What's worse is that the workforce ties itself to the plow so that  the world seems to rest on the job and a little money is better than no money at all. Right?  NEWSFLASH: when you settle for less than you deserve, you end up with less than you settled for.

We are settling. People decided that profit was more important than people and we the people are agreeing. By suffering in silence we are saying that it's ok. By continuing to profit while business fails we are saying it's okay. When you decide to look out for yourself you decide to fail. Profit is not more important than people. When we value people over profit profit increases; when we value profit over people profit eventually decreases.

The only person I can control is myself so I plan to go out and value some people. Will you join me?

Trusting God's Timing

**********PASTOR JOEL*************

~There is a set time for my blessing and when you realize that, it takes the pressure off.

~It takes faith because God does tell us that there are set times.

Hebrews 4:3 NKJV

For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

~Quit worrying about who is getting ahead of you and run your own race.

~Israelites into the promised land.

~Think about how precise God's timing is. It is down to the split second. If it hasn't happened yet, then it is not time.

~The appointed time is the best time because God sees the big picture.

Hebrews 6:12 NLT

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.

~Promises are like babies if God lets us have them too early then it may not be healthy for anyone involved.

Psalm 31:15 NLT

My future is in your hands.

Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.

~Abraham and Sarah

~If you let go of Ishmael then Isaac will show up.

~Rest in God's Timing

Psalm 37:1, 4 NLT

Don't worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Psalm 46:10 NLT

"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."

Exodus 14:13-14 NLT

But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

~Moses and Pharoah

*********VICTORIA OSTEEN***********

♥ READ GOD'S WORD AND FIND OUT WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT YOU.

Romans 10:17 NLT

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 12:3 NKJV

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

♥GOD'S POWER COLLIDES WITH MY FAITH AND WHAT I SAY FRAMES MY WORLD.

Matthew 17:20 NKJV

So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

♥ ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS PUSH THROUGH.

Mark 5:25-34 NKJV

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Sent from the Elders.

23 Extraordinary Questions to ask Your[self] Mentor

Langston Hughes penned a poem that asked the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” M. Hughes then proceeds to give a few options: a) dry up, b) fester, c)stink, d) sag, or e) explode. My deferred dream sagged then festered. It started to weigh me down back in 2007 and as of 2012 it’s festering. So, I recently asked a friend to mentor me because honestly, I got to a point in life where I gave up; for years I worked hard in all areas of my life but my dreams remained deferred so I figured that there was not point. 

Like I said, I asked my friend to mentor me, this was Friday June 1. Now, I’m Christian and one thing I love about my relationship with God is that He always talks to me and when I make decisions he gives me confirmation. The very next Sunday, my pastor preached a sermon on “Not Settling for Good Enough”. I was more sure than ever that I was going in the right direction!

My new mentor is a relatively new friend who I work with. I told her that up to this point in my life I have done the “right thing” with no results and she is in a place that I would like to be. She works in my field, she’s a wife, and a mother. The most important reason that I chose her is because she is honest and meticulous. I know that she’d give me the feedback and support that I seek.

In preparation for our first “meeting” I googled questions to ask your mentor and I found a pretty awesome list. At the end, the author said this:

“Okay, are you ready? Here’s the fun part. It’s time to ask yourself these questions. And this is what this post is really about. I mean seriously, how can you justify asking anyone anything about who they are and how they think if you haven’t asked yourself the same questions? And arrived at some honest, introspective answers?”

I agree with that statement, so over the next few days (which turned into weeks) I will answer these questions in my blog and also share my the progress with my new mentor. I’m looking forward to moving into the destiny that I’m supposed to live out! Until next time, I’m on the go!

Here are the questions: http://bigfishtopdogs.com/2011/02/23-extraordinary-questions-to-ask-your-mentor/

• What qualities do you look for in the people you hang out with?

I look for people who care about others and like to have clean fun. If I notice that someone mistreats others or even says mean things about other people (behind their backs) I pretty much stay away because I believe that I will get the same treatment. I never believe that I will be an exception to their attitudes and practices. Additionally, while I like to have fun, I do not like crude humor. It makes me uncomfortable. In addition to the aforementioned explanations, those are both attributes that I don’t want to be associated with. If someone is known for crude humor and/or gossip  I don’t want to hang around them and risk someone seeing us together and assuming that we are alike.

• If you wanted to encourage innovative ideas, how would you go about it?

I build relationships and ask questions to encourage innovative ideas. When someone shares an idea with me I ask a lot of questions so we can get to something really great. But before I do that I make a safe environment for idea sharing by doing several things. I include people in “small” decisions. Sometimes I use people’s ideas even if I don’t like them because I never want someone to become uncomfortable or unwilling to share ideas with me at the risk of being ridiculed or ignored. That doesn’t mean I take every suggestion; there’s a difference between a “bad idea” and an  “idea that I don’t like”. I don’t like bad ideas, but not all ideas that I don’t like are bad. That person who I disregard may have an awesome idea some day, but because I haven’t built a relationship with that person he or she may feel uncomfortable sharing with me. Once I was shooting a video that involved balloons. The person running the teleprompter thought that it would be a good idea to put a balloon in front of the camera as if it floated in front of the lens. Even though I didn’t like that suggestion, this person is very creative and I don’t want him to stop giving me suggestions so I told him to put the balloon in front of the camera; though I didn’t like the idea, the shot  didn’t look bad so I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to use his suggestion so we did.

• How would you describe your personal style?

I consider my style fashion forward conservative. I like to accentuate my positives while leaving quite a bit to  the imagination. I haven’t bought many new clothes in years, but I continue to reinvent my wardrobe by mixing pieces and adding accessories.

• How do you give credit where credit is due?

I pay attention to who is doing what; it’s easy to overlook the “small” things. I am sure to say thank you in front of others and I reiterate that something was someone else’s idea.

• If you wanted to create an environment where motivation can thrive, what’s the first thing you would do?

Make sure I’m motivated; and if I’m not motivated figure out why I’m not. I think a positive attitude is contagious and it doesn’t necessarily come from saying positive things. Motivation doesn’t mean fussing or pointing out everything that someone isn’t doing.

• How do you show others that you believe in them?

I don’t micro manage. I try my best to let people figure things out on their own because I know that they can. Sometimes it may take them longer than it took me, but they aren’t supposed to be on my timetable, they are supposed to be on their own.

• Who has influenced you the most?

I guess my mom has influenced me the most. She always told me that the only thing I can really control is myself and that’s how I live my life. It helps be to focus on what I can do as opposed to what I can’t do.

• What do you do to challenge your underlying beliefs, paradigms and assumptions?

I try to remember that my beliefs, paradigms and assumptions were adopted for a purpose and as I grow up, I realize that some of those purposes no longer exist. So I think about why I believe what I believe and if it doesn’t line up with my CURRENT purpose then I start actively assign new B, P, and A.

• What would you do differently if given the opportunity?

I like my life and I feel like everything that I have done (even the mistakes) led me to this point so I wouldn’t want to do anything differently.

• When is breaking the rules okay?

It’s okay to break rules when you have permission and it won’t hurt anyone (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc...). Rules are put into place by people who have looked at the big picture and until the rules are changed we should follow those rules. If there is something you really need, then find someone in authority and ask them if it’s okay to do something that may be against the rules. If they say it’s okay then you can break the rule.

• What does working ‘on’ your business mean to you?

Working on your business means looking at it from the outside (as an observer) and identifying ways that it could be improved.

• What does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means believing in someone so much that you give them control over something  that is important to you in addition to any supplies he/she may need to complete that task.

• How and where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from God through prayer, quiet time, and reading the Bible. I believe that I already have everything inside of me to be creative and effective so I just really need believe in myself. Scriptures help me to believe in myself. When I look anywhere else, I sell myself short. When I remember that the creator of the universe says that I can do all things then that really motivates me to want to do all things!

• If you wanted to find the second best answer to a question or problem, what technique would you use?

I would pick the first best answer apart by taking all the components of it and asking myself, what would I do if I didn’t have “x”

• Why do you do what you do?

I’m good at it and it makes me happy. I can do anything media for hours (without noticing the time). I’m a rare mix of creative and organized.

• How do you approach the unknown?

I learn as much as I can, do what I can do, and I don’t worry about what I can’t do.

• How do you keep your feelings from clouding your decision-making?

I make a plan with a specific purpose then I focus on the purpose. Emotions are temporary so I’d never want to make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling. Any emotion can distract me but if I remember the purpose I can easily get back on track.

• What’s the best way to keep your eye on future results?

Write goals down and review them as often as necessary. Set reminders in your smart phone or on your computer so no matter what you will be reminded of the promise.

• How do you bring courage and conviction to risky situations?

I practice doing the right thing in the “easy” situations that way the right thing is pretty much a habit.

• What values are you committed to?

Fairness, justice, and kindness.

• What do you do to live a balanced life?

I set priorities and identify what’s important so I can know when to say no. There are opportunities around every corner and honestly I want to do it all. The most important things to me are my relationship with God and my husband. I never want to do anything that will negatively impact either of those.

• What are 5 key books you feel I should read, and why?

The Bible: Even if you aren’t Christian, the Bible covers EVERY possible situation you could ever face. It’s filled with the experiences and insights of a wide range of people in a wide range of situations. I just happen to be Christian and reading the Bible is a good way to get to know my God.

Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts: Even if you aren’t getting married this book helps you organize your beliefs and priorities. Knowing yourself will give you a fast track to knowing where you want to go. Once you get married, accept a job, or pretty much participate in any activity involving other people you will know how to communicate your desires.

Green Eggs and Ham: When it comes to a lot of things people get stuck in a rut; they are scared to try anything new. I think this book is a fun reminder that you really don’t know whether or not you like something until you try it. 

Bad Girls from the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them: People always say that “experience” is the best teacher and I believe that doesn’t mean that I have to make all the mistakes; I can learn from someone else’s mistakes. A lot of times when teaching life lessons we focus on the ones who “got it right” but many times the ones who got it wrong can teach us invaluable lessons! Further more, just because someone gets it wrong, doesn’t mean that everything about that person is wrong. This book puts experiences into perspective; not only do you learn about a few bad girls it will help you look at the bad girls in your life a little differently.

Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office: This book is based on a true story!  My name is Jenny and this book is about Jen! Jen had to learn some hard lessons and rearrange her priorities, the experience didn't change who she was inside. Though she learned not to blow wads of money on senseless things, and learned some respect for menial jobs, she didn't change the person she was. 

• What dreams and goals inspired you to succeed?

I always wanted to have options. I was never sure exactly what I wanted to do but I wanted to be prepared for as many opportunities as possible.

So I did it. I answered all these questions and I'm not sure whether I want to ask my mentor any of these questions but I probably will think about these questions a little more later! Until next time, I'm on the go!

5x7 Folded Card

Picture In Landscape 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly cards for Mother's Day, Valentines Day, Birthdays & more.

View the entire collection of cards.

Mrs. Dodie @ Lakewood Church

Momma Dodie @ Lakewood Church

In the hospital from getting tests from Nov. 20-Dec. 10 1981 when she was given a few weeks to live.

Decided she wouldn't go to bed except at regular bed times because she didn't want to act sick.

Instead of telling people how she felt she told them what God said.

Replace the devil's torments with God's Word.

Stir up the Word of God in your heart, even if you feel like you don't need it.

What ever you're believing God for, find where it is written and make a list.

If you have unforgiveness make it right. 

Put pictures up that remind you of when you were well.

Romans 4:17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Matthew 21:19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

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Dr. Paul Talk

"The Lord Will Lift You"

• THE LORD WILL LIFT YOU WHEN YOU ARE DOWN PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, and/or EMOTIONALLY

Psalm 3:3 But you, lord, are a shield around me,my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Matthew 8:14 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

• THE LORD WIL LIFT YOU WHEN YOUR FAITH WAVERS.

Matthew 14:28-32 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

• THE LORD WILL LIFT YOU WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR WORST.

Psalm 40:1-2 waited patiently for the lord;he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.

OFFERING TALK

• WHEN YOU'RE PLANTED EVERYTHING IS ROOTED SO EVERYTHING WILL FLOURISH.

Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the lord,they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age,they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The lord is upright;he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm

Pop Stars

#hopeandlife12 {Night 3}

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

"Power of Potential: Strategic Tactics for A Remnant Seed"

Psalm 24:6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

1. Jacob carried the stigma of his name everywhere he went: it means "trickster".

• He was raised in house that pushed him toward the definition or his name.

• He wanted to please God.

2. Your potential doesn't give you the victory.

• The youth today are in a microwave generation, thinking it doesn't take work.

• That refers to everything including your relationship with God.

3. Until you see yourself as a solution, you will be a part of the problem.

• Your obedience can be someone's ticket to heaven.

• There is no one else who can do what you do.

4. Israel was the action side.

•  When Jacob became Israel, he quit the life of half-hearted service to God. 

•  We usually don't recognize all our errors, but we also fail to realize when we have made a significant turn for the better but God does and gives us a new name. 

5. This is the Jacob generation: The tricky generation stuck in the middle.

BE A LEADER

***Never be afraid to embrace your replacement. Jesus never prepared the disciples for his prescence, He prepared His disciples for his absence!

CHOOSE TO USE TECHNOLOGY FOR HIS GLORY

***The enemy wants your attention, allegiance, and affection. We have all the tools and we have to choose how to use them.

MAKE JESUS POPULAR

***With 32 tweets you can trend, why not trend #Jesus.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm

Giving the Gift of Yourself

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• The greatest gift is your time, your love, your concern, your attention etc...

• With technology it's easy to cheat people out of the best of me.

• You can't do it for everyone but you can do it for someone and if you keep putting off, then you may miss your opportunity.

James 4:13-17 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.

• John Osteen and Sam Story: Sam explained Revelation 3:20 and took John to church where he accepted the Lord. They both became ministers but Sam was never stable and John put Sam on staff.

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

• Don't forget about the people who helped you get to where you are like David did.

2 Samuel 9:1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

• If you only had an hour to live who would you call, what would you say and what are you waiting for?

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Victoria Osteen Talk

"The peace of God"

Psalms 37:37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;a future awaits those who seek peace.

• Peace is a benefit of having a relationship with God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• It will guard your heart and a "guarded" heart is a strong protected heart. And when you don't guard your heart you leave it exposed.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

•Peace is something that you can grow and develop.

Peace is trust in the storm.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm