"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
His dad takes him into the forest, blindfolds, and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not take off the blindfold until the rays of the sun shine through it. He is all by himself. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.
The boy was terrified and could hear all kinds of noises. Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth, and it shook is stump. Be he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It was the only way he could become a man.
Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his Blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him, at watch the entire night.
We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us. He is sitting on a the stump beside us.
All we have to do is reach out to Him.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Criticism Can Be Greater Than Love
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Proverbs 27:6
Parents know one of the toughest things we must do is to discipline our children. Its not something we want to do anymore than the child wants it, but we do out of love. We want to ensure our children do not make the kind of mistakes that will hurt them.
The same is true of our friends. For those we love, we often offer criticism about something they are doing or plan to do. Those that do not have the same concern will offer encouragement and and support for the same idea. In many cases, those that would say all is good and to move forward with the plan may very well hope you fail.
True friends will tell it the way it is, even when it is not what the friend wants to hear. Friends do not want to hurt or cause pain to friends by being critical, but they do it out of love.
Dear God, surround me with friends today that will offer loving criticism when needed. AMEN.
Parents know one of the toughest things we must do is to discipline our children. Its not something we want to do anymore than the child wants it, but we do out of love. We want to ensure our children do not make the kind of mistakes that will hurt them.
The same is true of our friends. For those we love, we often offer criticism about something they are doing or plan to do. Those that do not have the same concern will offer encouragement and and support for the same idea. In many cases, those that would say all is good and to move forward with the plan may very well hope you fail.
True friends will tell it the way it is, even when it is not what the friend wants to hear. Friends do not want to hurt or cause pain to friends by being critical, but they do it out of love.
Dear God, surround me with friends today that will offer loving criticism when needed. AMEN.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Give Up The Last Word
"For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down." Proverbs 26:20
I think people are so funny. I receive emails and/or phone calls from real estate agents every day asking for my opinion on a certain matter. Like most, I certainly have my fair share of opinions. Often times when I reveal my opinion to their question, agents disagree and try to change my opinion.
Some agents will become very contentious if they cannot change my opinion. I have learned this Proverb is so true. Now I determine very quickly if the person contacting me really wants my honest opinion or are they looking for someone to agree with them. The more we say the more aggravated we both get.
Solomon is saying to state your opinion and hush. There is no need to continue throwing wood on this fire. Most people are looking for those to agree with them at all cost and nothing you can say will change that. Fewer words will keep others as friends much longer.
My Grandfather would tell me on many occasions, "it is better to keep you mouth shut and let other think you are dumb, then to open it and remove all doubt."
I think people are so funny. I receive emails and/or phone calls from real estate agents every day asking for my opinion on a certain matter. Like most, I certainly have my fair share of opinions. Often times when I reveal my opinion to their question, agents disagree and try to change my opinion.
Some agents will become very contentious if they cannot change my opinion. I have learned this Proverb is so true. Now I determine very quickly if the person contacting me really wants my honest opinion or are they looking for someone to agree with them. The more we say the more aggravated we both get.
Solomon is saying to state your opinion and hush. There is no need to continue throwing wood on this fire. Most people are looking for those to agree with them at all cost and nothing you can say will change that. Fewer words will keep others as friends much longer.
My Grandfather would tell me on many occasions, "it is better to keep you mouth shut and let other think you are dumb, then to open it and remove all doubt."
Revenge Will Lead to Distruction
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." Proverbs 25:21
Is it just me, or does it seem like business people wake up in the morning thinking of ways to hurt their competition? It even has the feel of a chess game. One business makes a move and their competition will counter the move. Eventually, after enough moves, one or both business/competitors grow angry at the other. We will do well to plow our own field and stay out of what others are doing. I hear on a daily basis from others about things they have done or planning to do to hurt or get back at the competitors.
Solomon says we should do just the opposite. Help your enemies when they are in need. Do not be concerned about the competition. If we continue to be diligent in all that we do, success shall be ours (Prov 10:4). A very dear friend and mentor of mine, Jerry Fowler, would speak to our students at the Real Estate School for Success from time to time. He openly shared his "secrets of success" with the soon to be new real estate agents. One of the students asked Jerry why he was so free sharing his secrets since others could now use those secrets to do more business than Jerry. Jerry replied by saying "I will do anything for anyone if it would help them become successful in real estate; but let's be clear, you will never be competition to me".
Jerry did not make the statement in a mean or condescending way. He simply was saying that once you learn how to be successful, it does not matter what your competition is doing. Continue to be diligent and do what is right and what you know best and life will be very good.
Is it just me, or does it seem like business people wake up in the morning thinking of ways to hurt their competition? It even has the feel of a chess game. One business makes a move and their competition will counter the move. Eventually, after enough moves, one or both business/competitors grow angry at the other. We will do well to plow our own field and stay out of what others are doing. I hear on a daily basis from others about things they have done or planning to do to hurt or get back at the competitors.
Solomon says we should do just the opposite. Help your enemies when they are in need. Do not be concerned about the competition. If we continue to be diligent in all that we do, success shall be ours (Prov 10:4). A very dear friend and mentor of mine, Jerry Fowler, would speak to our students at the Real Estate School for Success from time to time. He openly shared his "secrets of success" with the soon to be new real estate agents. One of the students asked Jerry why he was so free sharing his secrets since others could now use those secrets to do more business than Jerry. Jerry replied by saying "I will do anything for anyone if it would help them become successful in real estate; but let's be clear, you will never be competition to me".
Jerry did not make the statement in a mean or condescending way. He simply was saying that once you learn how to be successful, it does not matter what your competition is doing. Continue to be diligent and do what is right and what you know best and life will be very good.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Dealing with Hard Times
"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts." Proverbs 17:3
If you have ever seen unpurified gold or silver, you know it does not look very impressive and not worth much. But once it has been purified, it becomes very valuable! The transformation that must take place will require intense heat. The fire will burn away all impurities leaving the gold in the most purest state. It takes time and a lot of heat, but gold will be converted from granite with little value, to a nugget worth much.
My grandfather once asked me this question. If you squeeze something as hard as you can, what will come out? The answer is, whatever is in it. I know that sounds silly but very true. The same is true for people. When we are going through hard times and we feel we are being squeezed, whatever is in us will come out. When those we know are dealing with tough situations, that is a good time to learn what kind of friend we really have. It is easy to put on a good act of kindness and humility when times are good. But if the kindness and humility are not in the heart, it will not show in hard times. Once one feels squeezed, whatever is in the heart will come out.
Understand that Gods desire is for us to achieve the utmost success in our careers, our life and our families. For us to be of great value, often times it requires great heat to melt away the impurities from our heart so the value can take root and grow into great things.
Father, grant me patience today to deal with the heat that comes my way so that you will be pleased by all that is in my heart. AMEN.
If you have ever seen unpurified gold or silver, you know it does not look very impressive and not worth much. But once it has been purified, it becomes very valuable! The transformation that must take place will require intense heat. The fire will burn away all impurities leaving the gold in the most purest state. It takes time and a lot of heat, but gold will be converted from granite with little value, to a nugget worth much.
My grandfather once asked me this question. If you squeeze something as hard as you can, what will come out? The answer is, whatever is in it. I know that sounds silly but very true. The same is true for people. When we are going through hard times and we feel we are being squeezed, whatever is in us will come out. When those we know are dealing with tough situations, that is a good time to learn what kind of friend we really have. It is easy to put on a good act of kindness and humility when times are good. But if the kindness and humility are not in the heart, it will not show in hard times. Once one feels squeezed, whatever is in the heart will come out.
Understand that Gods desire is for us to achieve the utmost success in our careers, our life and our families. For us to be of great value, often times it requires great heat to melt away the impurities from our heart so the value can take root and grow into great things.
Father, grant me patience today to deal with the heat that comes my way so that you will be pleased by all that is in my heart. AMEN.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Guaranteed Success
"Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3
As a real estate instuctor, I have a unique opportunity to watch people as they decide to start new careers. There is always hope and belief that they can be successful in real estate. However, it takes more than just hope and belief in anything one would like to attempt.
To obtain true success, all we do must be for the right reasons. Many have asked me if I think they can be successful in real estate. My answer is always the same, it does not matter what I think. I ask them why do they seek real estate as a career? The answer is usually the same; such as, the market is coming back, real estate is always a good investment, I am good with other people, etc.
Solomon answeres all such questions better than I could ever answer it. "Commit your works to the Lord...", The question would best be asked, would real estate be Gods will for me at this time? God will always provide for his children. We must ensure that all we do is to the glory of God. Reqardless of how good we are at what we do, when God does not receive the glory, it will soon fail. When we commit all to His glory, Solomon says our "... plans will be established".
Father, I pray that all I do and say today will be pleasing to you. All I do will be to glorify You. AMEN.
As a real estate instuctor, I have a unique opportunity to watch people as they decide to start new careers. There is always hope and belief that they can be successful in real estate. However, it takes more than just hope and belief in anything one would like to attempt.
To obtain true success, all we do must be for the right reasons. Many have asked me if I think they can be successful in real estate. My answer is always the same, it does not matter what I think. I ask them why do they seek real estate as a career? The answer is usually the same; such as, the market is coming back, real estate is always a good investment, I am good with other people, etc.
Solomon answeres all such questions better than I could ever answer it. "Commit your works to the Lord...", The question would best be asked, would real estate be Gods will for me at this time? God will always provide for his children. We must ensure that all we do is to the glory of God. Reqardless of how good we are at what we do, when God does not receive the glory, it will soon fail. When we commit all to His glory, Solomon says our "... plans will be established".
Father, I pray that all I do and say today will be pleasing to you. All I do will be to glorify You. AMEN.
Friday, March 12, 2010
A Fulfilled Tree of Life
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
It is easy to think about ways to become successful. I hear others making the statement like "someone could make a fortune if they did this or that". Why is it that it is always someone else that can make the forturne? That is an easy answer, because they do not want to put in the necessary work and labor to make it happen for them.
One of my real estate students stated in class that it is wrong for some to make as much money as they do. People should be limited on how much they can recieve and the excess should be distributed to the less fortunate like himself. I can only think he is suffering from a sick heart as Solomon refers too. To acheive the level of success we would enjoy, it required great diligence and perserverence. Successful people will tell you that they failed miserably many more times than they had success.
All of Gods children have a God given right to be successful. We do not have a right to wait on it to be given to us. Determine what you would like to accomplish in your life and pray for Gods vision for you. Gods word says he will provide for all of our needs and in great abundance. All we have to do is ask and have faith. This only works when God is first in our lives. Determine what you are going to do, set goals and objectives, work diligently to make it happen and experice a very fulfilled tree of life!
Provide me with the wisdom and strength to accomplish all those things to be successful in your eyes today. In Jesus name, AMEN.
It is easy to think about ways to become successful. I hear others making the statement like "someone could make a fortune if they did this or that". Why is it that it is always someone else that can make the forturne? That is an easy answer, because they do not want to put in the necessary work and labor to make it happen for them.
One of my real estate students stated in class that it is wrong for some to make as much money as they do. People should be limited on how much they can recieve and the excess should be distributed to the less fortunate like himself. I can only think he is suffering from a sick heart as Solomon refers too. To acheive the level of success we would enjoy, it required great diligence and perserverence. Successful people will tell you that they failed miserably many more times than they had success.
All of Gods children have a God given right to be successful. We do not have a right to wait on it to be given to us. Determine what you would like to accomplish in your life and pray for Gods vision for you. Gods word says he will provide for all of our needs and in great abundance. All we have to do is ask and have faith. This only works when God is first in our lives. Determine what you are going to do, set goals and objectives, work diligently to make it happen and experice a very fulfilled tree of life!
Provide me with the wisdom and strength to accomplish all those things to be successful in your eyes today. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)