The Two Most Powerful Words – Part 3

In our last post, I wrote down a couple of symptoms of someone who doesn’t use the word “no” enough. I hope you took the time to take an honest assessment of your current situation, because the power of “no” is largely misused. Use it right and you can bring focus and control to your life. How do you use it right? Here are three ways:

Prioritize: Focus and progress begin with priority. You’ve got to know what matters most to you when given a choice between two or more ways to spend your resources. I asked you to create a list when we were talking about the word “yes”. Go through that list and prioritize your goals and your gifts. Which ones matter the most to you? Now carve out some time for those “number ones” on your calendar and don’t let anything get in the way of your plan.
Eliminate “Maybe”: A lot of us live our lives in the Bermuda Triangle of “Maybe”. Dreams get lost in “Maybe”. Relationships atrophy in “Maybe”. You don’t go to “Maybe” on vacation. You go to “Maybe” to disappear in confusion, insignificance, and apathy. If someone asks you if you can take on another project, don’t say “alright”, “I’ll see what I can do”, or “I guess so”. If you don’t think you’ll be able to do it well, just tell them “no”. Phrase it nicer, of course, but don’t hurt them by committing to something and then not following through. If your child is in the school play, don’t say “I’m gonna try”. Tell them “no”, if you are not going to be there. If you are dating and you know your relationship is not healthy, don’t keep telling yourself “maybe he’ll change” or “I’ll sleep with her, but I won’t have sex with her.” Say “no”. Once you begin to eliminate “maybe” and use the words “yes” and “no”, you’ll notice the sense of power and focus that you regain in your life.

Become a Person of One Mind: A lot of our stress in life comes from being in one place physically, but being in another place mentally. You are a finite being, you can only truly exist in one place at one time. This tip is about multitasking. I know, I know, you’re different. You can type an email, watch American Idol, and have a conversation with your friend about what’s going on in their life right now. Of course you can. The issue isn’t whether you can pull it off, the issue is whether you can be proud of the effort that you put into any of those things. Did that person you were talking to really get the best of your attention? Turn off the TV. Put down the cellphone. Shut the laptop. That’s not quality time. Try it. Do one thing at a time. You’ll find that focused time and attention will actually increase your results and your efficiency. Just choose one thing and attack it. Then move on to the next. As you do, fully immerse yourself in what you are doing and enjoy it.

The words “yes” and “no” have the power to create a life that matters; a life that is rich with memories, deep relationships, and fulfilling work. We just have to learn to use them rightly. “Yes” can open up possibilities when you are stuck in a rut. “No” can help you focus your resources and make progress in a consistent direction. The two most powerful words in existence are in your vocabulary and completely at your disposal. What are you going to do with them?

The Two Most Powerful Words – Part 2

Well, I hope my last post had you turning the question over in your head, “what are the two most powerful words?”

The truth is, you are already in possession of the two most powerful words in existence (under the name of Jesus, of course). They are words that shape history, if used right. The funny thing is they are probably within the first 10 words that you ever learned. The first word I’m talking about is…. “yes“.

If you’ve watched the movies, “the Yes Man” or “Bucket List”, then you can understand the power in the word “yes”. “Yes” opens up possibilities. It seizes opportunity. Use “yes” when you want to throw yourself into an experience and come away with a story. Use the power of “yes” when you want to engage a new friend or meet a hurting person’s need.

I’m familiar with the word “yes”, because I’ve grown up in a “yes” family. My dad’s motto for us was always, “They’ve got to live before they die.” The word “yes” is the perfect solution for fear. Afraid of heights? Find a high dive and jump. Say “yes” to doing it and follow through. Afraid of living poor? Turn off cable for a month and give that money to a poor person. Want to learn how to dance? Enroll in a dance class today. Want to add a little more excitement to your marriage or family life? Don’t let it just remain a desire. Take the opportunity you have and say yes to doing something about it.

• Make a home movie
• Go hiking
• Go out for karaoke night

Want to be a part of God’s great commission? Invite someone who’s lost over for dinner just to spend time with them and hear their story.

The point is “yes” turns possibility and desire into reality.

So, before I tell you about the second word, why don’t we both start putting this into practice.

Let’s make a list of:

1. Fears
2. Gifts
3. Personal Goals
4. Family Goals
5. Occupational Goals
6. Ministry Goals

I’ll be posting my list up in the next few days. I’d love to share in your list as well.

Wanna take it a step further? Take this list and work out simple practical actions that you can do starting this week.

The Two Most Powerful Words

I’m about to share a secret with you. Well, it’s not so much a secret as it is a simple truth that’s been taken for granted. Nevertheless, this truth is powerful and has the potential to alter the way you live your life, the person you become, and the places you will go on your journey. By employing this truth, you can:

• Create golden memories
• Develop meaningful relationships
• Manage your finances better
• Cultivate the gifts you have
• And achieve the goals that you set for your life.

Are you ready? Good. I’ll give you a day to think about what these words could be. Let me know what you think. Talk to you tomorrow, my friend.

The Divine Flow

by Chuck Quinley

In my short life I have had many adventures.  I’ve traveled through Siberia in the dead of winter, studied film making in South Africa and sat for hours with worshippers in a Tibetan holy place.  I’ve had a hand in planting two megachurches, establishing a graduate school and lately, launching an FM radio network. None of this was in my advanced planning for my life.  I just followed the flow–the divine flow, and reaped the amazing benefits.

It’s simple.  Everything in life works through relationships.  All the pain and all the joy flows from people.  You need to know the right people, those who will help you on your destined journey and those you need to help on theirs.  The “jerks,” you need to stay away from as much as possible.  How to know the difference?  The divine flow.  God has a plan for your life and that plan flows through the people He has ordained to be your covenant partners.  He will cause your path to intersect these incredible, honorable people.  And when you meet one you will feel the flow.

Spiritual fathers in the early church said that the most important quality to strive for as a spirit-filled disciple of Jesus the Christ was discernment.  By quieting your spirit each day through time alone with God you can learn to feel the gentle leadings of the Holy Spirit about a number of things related to your daily mission, but most importantly of all, you can learn to feel the “click” of connecting with a person who has a matching heart and vision of life.

I have been able to succeed in most of the things I have felt led to attempt because of the partnership of these special people in my life.  They have opened doors of understanding and opportunity for me and have been my partners in everything I have undertaken.  I chart out the direction of my life according to the people God leads me to partner with in each chapter.  After a while, you just learn to spot them as the gift from God that they are and you cherish that friendship and never let it go.  Sometimes years later you see why it was important for the two of you to connect.  So my advice to you as emerging leaders is to consciously make an effort go with the flow.

Discussion Questions: Have you ever had a conversation with a new person and felt an immediate kinship with them despite your cultural differences?  How can you learn to distinguish the difference between being impressed with someone’s initial charisma and really seeing the unity of someone’s heart with your heart?

Act it Out: Make a list of the people for whom you feel a divine flow.  Write and thank them for what their friendship brings into your life.  Then, for the rest of this week try to discern a feeling about everyone with whom you interact.  Mostly, you will just feel neutral because this is a normal human interaction.  Sometimes you will feel repelled and warned.  Politely back off.  At a few special moments you may feel that connect we are talking about.  It’s rare, but important.  Give that person the opportunity to speak out what is inside of them so you can know what’s in their heart.  Then walk by faith and do the things God shows you through this relationship.

Lessons from a Flight Attendant

The attitude displayed by this flight attendant from Japan Airlines forms the basis of this lesson on how we must approach serving others.

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