Learn – Think – Grow

There is a lot to do each day. 
Schedules, planned tasks, unplanned tasks, job, family, and hobbies.  What else is added to your list?

With all that is going on, are you still taking some time to work on yourself?  Are you getting better everyday?

Today, let me offer a simple three step plan to help you do that.  Just three steps to being a little bit better than yesterday.

1.  Learn something new today.
     a.  Listen, read, write.  To learn something you’re going to have to do something.

2.  Reflect on what you learn.
     a.  Spend some time alone thinking.  What do I need to be better at?  Will I commit to making it happen? 

3.  Apply your learning as soon as possible. 
     a.  How can I apply what I have learned into my life?  What will this action step look like? 

Learn – Reflect – Apply
to
Learn – Think – Grow.

Three simple steps that often become derailed due to decisions not to, or by the things of life mentioned earlier.

Whatever the case for you, learn, reflect on, and apply at least one new thing today.  Then stack those days on top of each other and be on your way to becoming a better you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. In the midst of your busy schedule, what is one small thing you can commit to learning today that will contribute to your personal growth?

2. How can you ensure that the new knowledge you acquire today becomes a catalyst for positive change in your life?

Proverbs‬ ‭2:1‭-‬5‬ ‭ESV‬‬


[1]  My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
[2] making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
[3] yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
[4] if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
[5] then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
[6] For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Learn – Reflect – Apply
to
Learn – Think – Grow
is like an old If-Then statement.

Way back I learned some very simple computer coding techniques that were based on If-Then statements. 

If you want the computer program to do something, or take you somewhere else Then you told it to do something very specific only if the first statement is true. 

Working backwards was often necessary.  You would figure out what you wanted to accomplish and then work on how to get there.

Let’s work backwards in this passage from Proverbs and see what it means to help with spiritual growth.

If you want to experience God’s wisdom you need knowledge and understanding.  How do you get that?  Look at the answer in the first five verses. 

If you receive his words, pay attention, have your heart open to his commands, call out to him, and seek it like a hidden treasure, Then you will understand and find wisdom and knowledge that will come only from God.

Wisdom and knowledge more useful, insightful, and powerful than any man made computer coding can give you. 

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How do you see the correlation between your own process of learning, reflecting, and applying in spiritual growth resembling the logical structure of an If-Then statement in computer coding?

2.  If your pursuit of wisdom involves actions like receiving, paying attention, opening your heart, calling out, and seeking, which of these can you personally apply to guide you deeper in your journey of spiritual growth?

Your Canvas Awaits!

Happy Monday! 🌟

It’s the dawn of a new week, filled with opportunities waiting to be seized.  Embrace the wins that lie ahead, learn from the losses, and treasure the good times.

Remember, challenges are stepping stones to growth, so face them with gratitude and resilience.  Each obstacle is a chance to become stronger, wiser, and more determined.

This week is your canvas; paint it with determination, positivity, and unwavering focus on your goals.

By week’s end, you’ll stand tall, knowing you’ve grown because of it all.  Embrace the journey, be in your moments, for the pursuit of greatness starts today.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can challenges be viewed as stepping stones in your personal growth, and what mindset is necessary to face them with gratitude and resilience?

2.  In what ways can you actively paint your week with determination, positivity, and unwavering focus on your goals, turning each obstacle into an opportunity for growth?

“Spiritual Growth in the Canvas of a Week: Embracing Psalm 51:10”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[10]  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

As you step into this new week, let the timeless wisdom of Psalm 51:10 be your prayer.  This week is more than a stretch of days; it’s a canvas for your Christian growth.

In celebrating victories, let gratitude flow, recognizing them as reflections of God’s grace.  

In the face of challenges, view them not just as hurdles but as stepping stones for your spiritual growth.  Each trial is an opportunity to deepen your faith and fortify your resilience.

Seek a pure heart not only in moments of prayer but in every interaction, decision, and response.  Allow God to renew your spirit cultivating a steadfastness grounded in His teachings. 

The canvas of this week is an unfolding masterpiece, painted with the colors of spiritual maturity, humility, and a strengthened connection with God.

By week’s end, stand not only taller in what God has blessed you with in your daily life, but more importantly, in the growth of your Christian character. 

May your journey this week be a testimony to the transformative power of God’s love and your commitment to the ongoing journey of spiritual growth. 

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. How will you consciously infuse the pursuit of a pure heart and a steadfast spirit into your daily interactions and decisions throughout this week?

2. In your journey this week, how can you transform challenges into stepping stones for your Christian growth, fostering a deeper connection with God?

The Pursuit of Growth

I hope you found value and growth through the posts about pursuing change.   Speaking of growth, next, we’ll delve into the pursuit of personal and spiritual growth—a journey essential for a fulfilling and complete life.

Personal growth is the process of developing new skills, attitudes, actions, or reactions that can have a positive impact on you and increase your overall well-being.

Growth will not happen without intentionality.  You want the benefits of well-being, but not the work or focus it takes to attain them.

The process takes time, and time is something you often want to speed up and rush through, but the old adage “good things take time” should never be forgotten. 

Spiritual growth also involves learning and is the act of being intentional about the process of becoming more Christ-like each and every day. 

As you continue to grow spiritually, you begin to live more for God and less for yourself.  God has the power to change your life in an instant, but after that change, you cannot help but be filled with excitement as you pursue even more growth day by day.

You are never through becoming more personally or spiritually.  The process is always there, always waiting, and always willing to help you pursue the growth that you need to live more fully.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. What benefits of well-being do you desire, and are you willing to invest the necessary work and focus to attain them?

2. In the pursuit of spiritual growth, how intentional are you about becoming more Christ-like each day, and what steps can you take to enhance this transformative process?

Words That Change You

It was a hot July day in 1981 as I stood in the doorway watching the Tiger basketball camp in the Griswold, IA gym. I had gone to talk to my girlfriend, now my wife of 40 years, as she worked at the school for her summer job.

I had graduated from Griswold High School in 1980, went onto Simpson College to study music performance and education but had dropped out six weeks into the Fall semester.  (Another story for another day).

From October to this hot day in July I had worked at two different jobs and really had no plan or direction for my future.  My hair sat on my shoulders and who knows how long it had been since I had shaved, although you probably couldn’t call what I had a real beard.

As I stood in the doorway my high school basketball coach, Kent Gade, walked up to me, poked his finger from his 6-5 inch frame and said “Why don’t you do something with your life?”.  He turned and walked away.

Those words, that one sided interaction,  changed the trajectory of my life. Within a couple of weeks I had shaved, gotten my haircut and enrolled in Iowa Western Community College. 

The man I still call “Coach” spoke life back into me with an eight word phrase but those eight words were powerful. 

Coach Gade cared enough to confront me and it woke me up. He took a risk but he cared enough to take that risk because he knew I needed to hear it.  Caring overrides risk. 

As a leader do you care enough to take the risk to confront someone to make a change they need to make?

Words are powerful. Words used correctly and at the right time can change a life. I know because eight words changed mine.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  Who spoke those words to you that had an impact on your life? 
      a.  What could you do to contact them and let them know?
2.  Is there someone who you feel may need you to speak some life into them?

Matthew 7:24-27

The Wise and Foolish Builders

24  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

25  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 

26  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 

27  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Every word that Jesus spoke is full of life, encouragement and worth following.  This passage is the wrap up for his Sermon on the Mount, and it’s like when the pastor says “in conclusion” on Sunday.  

For whatever reason, you sit up and pay attention a little more, because the closing is bringing it all home and typically contains some really wise words, and of course, Jesus doesn’t disappoint.  

Every good sermon has three points.  This isn’t a sermon, so I’ll just give two.   

1.  “These words of mine” in verse 24.  There have always been, and will be, people that speak things that are not true, not biblical, or worthy of being followed.  Listenting to, and following the words of Jesus are the only words worth listening to.  

2.  There is a difference between “hearing” his words, and “living” his words.  To truly live out the words and teachings of Jesus, we need to live out all of his words.  We can’t build our life (house) on the rock if we don’t build it on all of his words. 

His words are “tried and true”, a “shield”, “living”, “powerful”, “sharper than any two-edged sword”.  Those are words worth pursuing, and words that will truly change you. 

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can  you discern between words that are true, biblical, and worthy of following, and those that are not?  In what ways can one ensure they are primarily listening to and following the words of Jesus?

2.  Reflecting on the distinction between “hearing” and “living” the words of Jesus, what practical steps can one take to integrate all of his teachings into your daily life?  How does the concept of building one’s life on the rock of Jesus’ words require a comprehensive embrace of all his teachings?

What You Leave Behind

We all love a good quote.  A quote can make us think more deeply, stir our souls and even bring about change in our lives.

While they can have some lasting impact we should not be about trying to come up with the next catchy quote or phrase to impact people.

The impact that we ultimately have on people is found, and grounded, in how our lives intersect and impact those we lead and live with, our daily contacts, and even those we may just have a brief encounter with.

If you truly want to leave your legacy be mindful of each daily interaction. 

Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Be full of grace.
Be loving.
Be positive.

If you are going to leave anything behind weave these into people’s lives.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can you ensure that your daily interactions are purposeful and contribute positively to the lives of those around you, leaving a lasting impact beyond catchy quotes?

2.  In what ways can practicing kindness, compassion, grace, love, and positivity in your everyday interactions become the foundation for a meaningful and lasting legacy?

Living a Legacy:
A Daily Call to Christian Virtues

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[12] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

In our pursuit of a meaningful and impactful life, draw inspiration from 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Speech:
Choose words that uplift, encourage, and inspire.  Let your speech be a reflection of the kindness that resides in your heart, reminding others of the power of positive communication.

Conduct:
Live by example. Demonstrate integrity, humility, and honesty in all your actions. Your conduct speaks volumes, leaving a lasting impression on those around you.

Love:
Embrace love as the guiding force in your interactions. Show genuine care and compassion to others, fostering an environment where love becomes a transformative force in people’s lives.

Faith:
Trust in your faith, and let it guide you through challenges. Allow your unwavering faith to be a beacon of hope for others, inspiring them to navigate life’s journey with resilience and trust in God’s plan.

Purity:
Cultivate a pure heart and mind. Seek purity in your thoughts, intentions, and actions. Strive for a life free from negativity, focusing on goodness and righteousness.

In every encounter, remember that age is not a barrier to leaving a positive impact, young or old (seasoned). 

I remember thinking a lot about this verse when I was in my 30’s.  Now, in my 60’s, I look back, and also see the application from both sides. 

There are younger people to learn from about God, and living a Godly life, but there is also great value and lessons from those who have lived life and have more experiences to share as they have pursued living, and walking with God. 

Be intentional in living out your faith through your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, regardless of your age.  Each moment is an opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on the hearts of those around you.

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can you, regardless of your age, actively apply the principles of 1 Timothy 4:12 to leave a positive impact by choosing words that uplift, living with integrity, embracing love, trusting in faith, and cultivating purity in your daily interactions?

2.  Reflecting on the journey through life, how can the interchange of wisdom and experiences between younger and older individuals contribute to a richer understanding of living a Godly life, emphasizing the timeless importance of setting an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity?