When Your Huts On Fire...

"When Your Hut's On Fire"

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited
island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he
scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
...
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little
hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had
happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief,
grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him!

'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers.
'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground... it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

P.S. You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.

2012-How is it going?

With just a couple weeks left as a staff Pastor at Church on the Rock,  I have been making my transition to full time performing, speaking, travel and programs. It's been difficult as I can't focus full time on it yet as my time is still split between church and my new endeavors. But this past weekend as I was taking attendance in Kids Church, it hit me. We are 2 weeks into 2012! How is it going? Are you being INTENTIONAL? Remember my word to live by for 2012 is INTENTIONAL.   So, are you getting your work done? Sticking to your resolutions? Diet...workouts... lifestyle? Are our old habits returning? By being INTENTIONAL we should have a good idea of the direction to obtain our goals... Part of what we do is to dream of things that you want to do someday, but currently can't.  However, to realize our dreams, we must stop planning and start taking action. Planning is an important part of bringing your dreams to life, BUT you can't dedicate more time to the mental preparation than to your actions. If you spend your entire life planning for the future, then when will you actually start doing?  Try these suggestions to help...  1. Actions speak louder than words: You've heard this before, but have you really considered the meaning? Taking action and achieving are more powerful than simply planning! Start taking steps in the right direction while planning, instead of waiting for every detail of your plan to be complete. * You are accomplishing your goals as long as you're moving in a forward direction. Taking action, regardless of how small, moves you forward.  2. Consider the language you use: What's more effective? "I am going to lose weight," or "I am losing weight"? How about, "I am planning on writing a book," and "I am currently writing a book"? The differences in these may have a huge impact on whether you're going somewhere, or just thinking about it. 3. Break goals into smaller bite sized pieces: Rather than breaking your plan that will take several years to fully realize, break your goals into smaller pieces that you can achieve one at a time. Setting goals too far into the future can slow your ability to take small steps in the right direction now. * For example, say you want to lose 50 pounds. Try setting smaller goals like 1 to 2 pounds per week until you reach your final goal. Achieving several smaller weight loss goals over a period of time will help keep you motivated rather than struggling endlessly for that far-off goal.  As we work towards being INTENTIONAL, you'll see greater success in all we do! Be blessed and focused!

Cave Drawings!

Trying to recapture my old blogs and integrate them with my new stuff. Isn't communication wonderful! People talk about it as change. I say it's the same thing only better. We communicated before with cave drawings on walls now we text and blog and Face Book. Wait-did I say better!

Magic For Volunteers!

Putting together a program for a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and also a Chapel Service. Process of planning is always interesting. Start with the end result in mind and then work backwards. Volunteer Banquest, you want to show appreciation, so find magic tricks and stories that "appreciate" and build the program from the end to the beginning. You'll see things beginning to fall into place. And after  while nearly writing itself!  I love the creative process...  It's so... creative!

Pause. Reflect. Listen. Words to live by...

My other insight for today...
5 Important Communication Points
     1. You're terrific!
     2. I Love You!
     3. Thank you!
     4. I Need You/May I Help You?
     5. I'm Sorry, I was wrong.

Back to Basics

As I've mentioned I have been listening to a daily app on my I-Phone. The Daily Audio Bible. It has gotten me "back to a basic" approach at reading thru the bible in a year... with some help (it's read to me) and some accountability (there is a reminder that pops up!)

Last night was the first meeting of the year of the Space Coast Magic Club of which I am again president. I had some thoughts on which direction I wanted the meeting to go but it went beyond even my expectations. All because my thought was, "back to basics."

I brought in a rope trick that "every magician does." I was worried the guys would be bored by what I was about to do because after all it's a "basic" trick.

I performed "my" version and began to hand it off to other members to perform. Some declined saying they didn't know or didn't remember, but others performed "their" version. Their version was the "same" trick as mine, but each person had a slightly different story or way to handle the ropes. It was a true lesson in back to basics. When each was done performing I then had each one "teach" how to do it and why they did it a certain way. Then the discussion exploded. Questions, comments, thoughts ideas, it was wonderful!

I have been performing this trick since I learned it as a young teen ager from the man who "created/first marketed" it. (Depending on which side of the argument you fall!) I have seen the improvements made to it over the years but myself can't come to unlearn the way I was taught only to relearn a new way.  My way works for me.

Point is, each of us that performed this trick have been doing it a VERY long time. We learned it a certain way and have added our personalities to the performance. But more importantly it is a "basic" trick in our arsenal that is easy to do, easy to remember and easy to get a great reaction.

I think as a lesson for us all, we need to focus more on the basics. I think many Christ followers miss it often on the "basics." Start by being who God created us to be... Stick with our disciplines... whether spiritual, physical, emotional... And I'm gonna say it... Get back to the basics by being INTENTIONAL!

One Word Can Change Your Life!

 Dan Britton and Jimmy Page believe one word can change our life. They are co-authors of Wisdom Walks, and they share a powerful concept in the chapter "Just One Word." Every year before New Year's Day, they come up with their word for the year that will give meaning and focus to their life. They don't randomly pick a word, but rather through reflection, prayer and listening to their heart the word comes to them.

Its a great idea. We live in a busy, stressed-filled world with tons of distractions that cause us to not finish our resolutions and forget about our goals. But everyone can remember and focus on one word that represents the essence of what we hope to accomplish and who we want to be.

I have been doing something similar for a number of years, since I began reading the Shepherds Rods that are published at the time of the Jewish New Year. It gave me inspiration to do chose a focus.

As you know my word is INTENTIONAL. I'll be posting about INTENTIONAL on my Face Book this year.

Choosing your word can a lot of fun and very meaningful. Once you come up with your word write it down where you will see it.

So what’s your word?
What word will give you focus and meaning to make 2012 your best year yet? Share your word. I’d love to know it!