How many times have you felt on the brink of collapse from physical or mental exhaustion? Are you relieved upon receiving your second wind, your second burst of energy? I, like you, have experienced this numerous times over the years, whether during physical work, office work, or running.
The body becomes queasy, the legs and arms feel as if they will collapse at any moment; strength is absent. Fatigue blurs our thinking, disguising obvious choices and solutions.
Suddenly, as described by lyrics of an old Billy Joel song, your “second wind” comes along. Physical invigoration and clarity of thoughts resumes.
Four or five times during a long run Sunday, I desired quitting. Fatigue quickly generates justifications for ending the workout, such as the wind, boredom, fatigue, age, minor aches and pains. Fortunately, experience quickly disintegrates these temptations of complacency, a new “wind” provides physical and mental restoration for continued running.
Many encourage us to persevere until we attain our “second wind”. Unfortunately, we frequently stop at the end our “second wind”.
Greatness occurs beyond the “second wind”, rather the sixth, eighth, or tenth “wind”. Stamina enables a multitude of “winds”, numerous mental and physical rejuvenations. Champions develop physical and mental 'staying power' to endure through as many “winds”, rejuvenations, as necessary to achieve the desired goals and dreams.
My staying power on Sunday derived from experience, including faith. Trials and patience yield wisdom, wisdom yields staying power. The roots of my physical and mental stamina perpetually deepen in the fertile soils of scripture. The Bible assures we attain strength in Christ; all things are possible through Him. He restores our energy, and clarity.
Does exhaustion from life’s battles cause you to question your staying power? Does your mind blur from fatigue? Hang in there, Christ provides your “second wind”; as well as an eighth “wind” or as many “winds” as necessary for achieving His will for your life.
You may feel on the brink of collapse, Christ will restore your energy. Receive His restoration through reading the Bible, prayer, fellowship, associations and enduring life’s trials.
Faith continues beyond your second wind! Faith generated wisdom increases emotional, physical and spiritual staying power.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Think Outside the Box
Friday, May 28, 2010 – This written message is from notes recorded in 2004-2005.
“Think Outside the Box”
This secular slogan is popular among virtually all societal sects. Does popularity determine Godliness?
Who is the first to “Think outside the Box?”
Satan was thrown out of Heaven for questioning God’s line of command, for “Thinking Outside the Box.” Lucifer desired equality, if not superiority, to God. Discontent with God’s perfect design of power. Satan, through the serpent in the Garden, invited Adam and Eve to effectively think outside the box, instructing them to ignore God’s command of avoiding the Tree of Life.
Perhaps you argue that God “Thinks outside the Box.” God is the “Box,” He is the standard, He is Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding. Scripture is clear, “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens us.” Anything unattainable through Christ is evil. Rather than thinking “Outside the Box” we ought to “Think inside Scripture,” or “Think inside the Cross.”
Does any Godly, Holy Spirit led, Thinking originate outside of or in disagreement with Scripture? Beware of those inviting and encouraging, “Think Outside the Box.” Politely respond, “No thank you.” And if so led, “I am thinking inside scripture, allowing Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts.”
Is our hope in the world or Christ?
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
The Life and Soul Agronomist
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/
“Think Outside the Box”
This secular slogan is popular among virtually all societal sects. Does popularity determine Godliness?
Who is the first to “Think outside the Box?”
Satan was thrown out of Heaven for questioning God’s line of command, for “Thinking Outside the Box.” Lucifer desired equality, if not superiority, to God. Discontent with God’s perfect design of power. Satan, through the serpent in the Garden, invited Adam and Eve to effectively think outside the box, instructing them to ignore God’s command of avoiding the Tree of Life.
Perhaps you argue that God “Thinks outside the Box.” God is the “Box,” He is the standard, He is Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding. Scripture is clear, “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens us.” Anything unattainable through Christ is evil. Rather than thinking “Outside the Box” we ought to “Think inside Scripture,” or “Think inside the Cross.”
Does any Godly, Holy Spirit led, Thinking originate outside of or in disagreement with Scripture? Beware of those inviting and encouraging, “Think Outside the Box.” Politely respond, “No thank you.” And if so led, “I am thinking inside scripture, allowing Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts.”
Is our hope in the world or Christ?
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
The Life and Soul Agronomist
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/
Seek First...
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
What does secular society instruct that we seek first? The world instructs us to seek first selfish pleasure and Political Correctness.
Striving to say and do things congruent, in agreement, with scripture is a challenge in today's world. Has doing so ever been easy? Many of the disciples were tortured to death; yet many of us fear verbal or financial reprimand from our employers or friends. Which is more preferrable, losing your income or being sawed in two? The answer is obvious!
Considering some of Christ's followers were willing to be sawed in two; does this help give greater perspective to their faith? I don't know about you, but I hope I never have to face the option of being tortured to death.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com
What does secular society instruct that we seek first? The world instructs us to seek first selfish pleasure and Political Correctness.
Striving to say and do things congruent, in agreement, with scripture is a challenge in today's world. Has doing so ever been easy? Many of the disciples were tortured to death; yet many of us fear verbal or financial reprimand from our employers or friends. Which is more preferrable, losing your income or being sawed in two? The answer is obvious!
Considering some of Christ's followers were willing to be sawed in two; does this help give greater perspective to their faith? I don't know about you, but I hope I never have to face the option of being tortured to death.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com
Thursday, September 2, 2010
How Do You Spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S?
Do you remember the old Rolaids commercial: "How do you spell R-E-L-I-E-F?"
How do you spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S. Are your "spellings" contingent upon your environment?
I frequently reflect upon the 5th and final prayer about 3 minutes before the start of the 1984 State cross country meet at Manhattan's Warner Park. We had an opportunity to accomplish a rare feat at that time in Kansas cross country. Dan Schneider, whom I have previously written about; said, "Lord, help us run a race to glorify YOU; whether first place or last place." I nearly decked him when he uttered 'last place,' J but I quickly realized his prayer hit the Bull's-eye!
Probably not the type of prayer most "successful" people utter. How often do you hear a leading salesman say, "Lord, help me present this product / service to glorify you; whether resulting in a multi-million dollar sale or NOTHING"? If our objective is absent pleasing/serving God, are we on target?
Last Friday a seminar attendee gave me a note separate from the evaluations: "It's awesome to see how God is using you ? even through teaching Excel." Several in a South Dakota seminar said something similarly at the end. Perhaps I am weird, this flat made my day-week-month-year.
Last winter an employer from the early 1990s sent an e-mail asking to be reminded of a couple of my quips while running and working:
"It is not me, but Christ who is in me" and "I can't, Christ can, We (Christ and I) are."
My long time definition of Success will probably not be endorsed by Harvard, General Electric or other secular organizations.
“Success is achieving Christ's will for our lives by perpetually seeking and attaining God’s Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.”
~ Rick E. Meyer
Reading about a book a day enables me to study topics of Faith, Leadership, Communication, Power of the Mind as a gift from our Creator, People Skills, etc in my effort to seek and attain the God’s Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding to achieve Christ's Will for my life. How is your reading?
Many define success on being happy, feeling good; for them, SUCCESS revolves around themselves instead of Christ.
How do you spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S?
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve Christ’s Will!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com
How do you spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S. Are your "spellings" contingent upon your environment?
I frequently reflect upon the 5th and final prayer about 3 minutes before the start of the 1984 State cross country meet at Manhattan's Warner Park. We had an opportunity to accomplish a rare feat at that time in Kansas cross country. Dan Schneider, whom I have previously written about; said, "Lord, help us run a race to glorify YOU; whether first place or last place." I nearly decked him when he uttered 'last place,' J but I quickly realized his prayer hit the Bull's-eye!
Probably not the type of prayer most "successful" people utter. How often do you hear a leading salesman say, "Lord, help me present this product / service to glorify you; whether resulting in a multi-million dollar sale or NOTHING"? If our objective is absent pleasing/serving God, are we on target?
Last Friday a seminar attendee gave me a note separate from the evaluations: "It's awesome to see how God is using you ? even through teaching Excel." Several in a South Dakota seminar said something similarly at the end. Perhaps I am weird, this flat made my day-week-month-year.
Last winter an employer from the early 1990s sent an e-mail asking to be reminded of a couple of my quips while running and working:
"It is not me, but Christ who is in me" and "I can't, Christ can, We (Christ and I) are."
My long time definition of Success will probably not be endorsed by Harvard, General Electric or other secular organizations.
“Success is achieving Christ's will for our lives by perpetually seeking and attaining God’s Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.”
~ Rick E. Meyer
Reading about a book a day enables me to study topics of Faith, Leadership, Communication, Power of the Mind as a gift from our Creator, People Skills, etc in my effort to seek and attain the God’s Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding to achieve Christ's Will for my life. How is your reading?
Many define success on being happy, feeling good; for them, SUCCESS revolves around themselves instead of Christ.
How do you spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S?
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve Christ’s Will!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Flexible & Lean
In October 2009, I was injured with plantar fasciitis. In simple terms, your foot and heel hurt as ligaments are pulling away from one another. This injury last burdened me over twenty years ago; then I continued to train while setting a personal record in the mile run. The injury healed within two weeks; disappearing from my mind until last October. Twenty years later the attained injury nagged on for six months; restricting my training to two or three days a week. Unfortunately, my eating habits remained unchanged; resulting in significant weight gain during those six months. Moreover, I inadvertently stretched very little; my muscles tightened.
In June, I entered a 5K, 3.1 mile, race running a pathetically slow time. My conditioning is a long ways from being competitive against some of the best. Running fast is painfully difficult when overweight and inflexible. My weight is now dropping, and flexibility improves; enabling running farther and faster. The running efficiency will continue improving as my excessive fat dissipates and flexibility continues improvement.
A prudent runner finds their prime weight, too much loss results in loss of strength. While flexibility is enormously significant, stretching beyond the designs of the body is damaging. Tearing muscle or dislocating joints is painful and destructive; we optimize performance by stretching within the limits of our body; while maximizing the available range.
Would you agree that all areas of our lives resemble a runner: excessive weight and lack of flexibility hinder our performance? Can a business or any organization be competitive against the best when ‘overweight’ and inflexible? Just as a runner is wise in finding their optimal weight, prudent organizations find their ideal size. Moreover, while a runner’s body is damaged by stretching beyond the physical boundaries of the skeleton-muscle structure; businesses and organizations are damaged if stretching beyond the boundary of truth.
Are you stretching your mind? Are you tapping into your imagination, increasing awareness of possibilities? Are you studying great achievers? Are you learning new topics? Are you visualizing your desired success? Are you brainstorming with other top achievers?
What is your organization’s optimal size, the size where profit is maximized? What are you doing to attain or retain the proper volume to overhead ratio?
Yes, with weight loss and increased flexibility I am on target to be very competitive in a few months. With increased flexibility and attaining ideal size, you will be amazed at your achievements.
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
In June, I entered a 5K, 3.1 mile, race running a pathetically slow time. My conditioning is a long ways from being competitive against some of the best. Running fast is painfully difficult when overweight and inflexible. My weight is now dropping, and flexibility improves; enabling running farther and faster. The running efficiency will continue improving as my excessive fat dissipates and flexibility continues improvement.
A prudent runner finds their prime weight, too much loss results in loss of strength. While flexibility is enormously significant, stretching beyond the designs of the body is damaging. Tearing muscle or dislocating joints is painful and destructive; we optimize performance by stretching within the limits of our body; while maximizing the available range.
Would you agree that all areas of our lives resemble a runner: excessive weight and lack of flexibility hinder our performance? Can a business or any organization be competitive against the best when ‘overweight’ and inflexible? Just as a runner is wise in finding their optimal weight, prudent organizations find their ideal size. Moreover, while a runner’s body is damaged by stretching beyond the physical boundaries of the skeleton-muscle structure; businesses and organizations are damaged if stretching beyond the boundary of truth.
Are you stretching your mind? Are you tapping into your imagination, increasing awareness of possibilities? Are you studying great achievers? Are you learning new topics? Are you visualizing your desired success? Are you brainstorming with other top achievers?
What is your organization’s optimal size, the size where profit is maximized? What are you doing to attain or retain the proper volume to overhead ratio?
Yes, with weight loss and increased flexibility I am on target to be very competitive in a few months. With increased flexibility and attaining ideal size, you will be amazed at your achievements.
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Best things in Life
If you think the Best things in Life are Free; try Doing and Believing Nothing. ~ Rick E. Meyer
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
God Willing
July 21, 2010
Did Jonah lack appropriate determination? Did he lack a clear vision? According to many so called motivational “experts” they lacked all of these attributes and more.
Jonah wanted to go to Tarshish, so he went to Joppa, bought a ticket and boarded the ship headed for Tarshish. Do you suppose Jonah said, “I will go to Tarshish!,” or “Tarshish is my destination, I will do whatever it takes; period!”? Jonah even had a clear vision of Tarshish.
Yet, would that have made any difference for Jonah?
Severe storms with heavy winds arose at sea, nearly tearing apart the ship that Jonah was a passenger. Regardless of Jonah’s confessions or vision; he omitted a short significant phrase, “God Willing.” God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah preferred Tarshish. Guess who won? Hint: It was not Jonah.
If you are familiar with the story, you know Jonah was thrown overboard into the ocean. A whale, as commanded by God, swallowed him where he lived in the whale’s stomach for three days. God then commanded the whale to puke Jonah up on dry ground.
As you prepare your heart and mind for success, remember to include: “God Willing!” All other success attributes are meaningless absent this acknowledgement.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
Did Jonah lack appropriate determination? Did he lack a clear vision? According to many so called motivational “experts” they lacked all of these attributes and more.
Jonah wanted to go to Tarshish, so he went to Joppa, bought a ticket and boarded the ship headed for Tarshish. Do you suppose Jonah said, “I will go to Tarshish!,” or “Tarshish is my destination, I will do whatever it takes; period!”? Jonah even had a clear vision of Tarshish.
Yet, would that have made any difference for Jonah?
Severe storms with heavy winds arose at sea, nearly tearing apart the ship that Jonah was a passenger. Regardless of Jonah’s confessions or vision; he omitted a short significant phrase, “God Willing.” God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah preferred Tarshish. Guess who won? Hint: It was not Jonah.
If you are familiar with the story, you know Jonah was thrown overboard into the ocean. A whale, as commanded by God, swallowed him where he lived in the whale’s stomach for three days. God then commanded the whale to puke Jonah up on dry ground.
As you prepare your heart and mind for success, remember to include: “God Willing!” All other success attributes are meaningless absent this acknowledgement.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Chores & Comfort
As a child, I had to leave the warm confines of the house with the burning wood stove for the bitter cold outdoors to do chores, consisting of feeding and watering the livestock, cutting wood or other responsibilities Dad placed upon me. The chores often seemed long and tedious.
While outside my finger, toes, and ears became painstakingly cold; some of the worst pain I have endured, at times nearly causing tears. Relief was occasionally found inside the barn, the pick-up with the heater turned on, or on the tractor with a comfort cover blocking the wind while capturing a fraction of the engine’s generated heat.
While completing the outdoor chores in the torturing cold temperatures; my body pleaded for relief. Especially when the hands or feet became wet; amplifying the frigid temperatures. Yet, I remained confident my family membership; and my parents’ continual love. Despite the torture, I knew every evening a delicious hot supper would be on the table and along with a bedroom with a comfortable bed and pillow for sleeping.
Similarly, the Lord sends us out into the world for chores, feeding and caring for his creation. This time frame may be viewed as both as fractions of our earthly life and as our entire earthly life. For this discussion we will view from the perspective of portions of our earthly life. We are tortured, we cry out in pain; only minor temporary relief is found. Yet, we remain confident of our membership in Christ’s family, of our Heavenly Father’s continual love. We know Jesus provides rich, scrumptious, spiritual meals, and physical meals. We know that in the evenings of our earthly days and our life; our precious Savior provides a comfortable place of rest in His loving arms.
When are sent to complete chores in the world for our Lord; finding the environment torturing, know you remain in the Heavenly family, a Child of God, chosen and ordained (John 15) for the tasks at hand. Know Christ’s love for remains eternally strong and pure. When you struggle to find temporarily relief from the torturing environment during your chores that at the end of the task, know our Lord welcomes you back into comfort of His arms, providing nourishment and rest.
The chores may seem long and tedious. Remember Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.” This reminds me of the last meaningful conversation I had with my dad as he commanded, “Always trust God, remember that son, Trust God always.”
See Christ’s chores, Believe Christ’s power and comfort, Achieve with Christ.
In Christ,
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
While outside my finger, toes, and ears became painstakingly cold; some of the worst pain I have endured, at times nearly causing tears. Relief was occasionally found inside the barn, the pick-up with the heater turned on, or on the tractor with a comfort cover blocking the wind while capturing a fraction of the engine’s generated heat.
While completing the outdoor chores in the torturing cold temperatures; my body pleaded for relief. Especially when the hands or feet became wet; amplifying the frigid temperatures. Yet, I remained confident my family membership; and my parents’ continual love. Despite the torture, I knew every evening a delicious hot supper would be on the table and along with a bedroom with a comfortable bed and pillow for sleeping.
Similarly, the Lord sends us out into the world for chores, feeding and caring for his creation. This time frame may be viewed as both as fractions of our earthly life and as our entire earthly life. For this discussion we will view from the perspective of portions of our earthly life. We are tortured, we cry out in pain; only minor temporary relief is found. Yet, we remain confident of our membership in Christ’s family, of our Heavenly Father’s continual love. We know Jesus provides rich, scrumptious, spiritual meals, and physical meals. We know that in the evenings of our earthly days and our life; our precious Savior provides a comfortable place of rest in His loving arms.
When are sent to complete chores in the world for our Lord; finding the environment torturing, know you remain in the Heavenly family, a Child of God, chosen and ordained (John 15) for the tasks at hand. Know Christ’s love for remains eternally strong and pure. When you struggle to find temporarily relief from the torturing environment during your chores that at the end of the task, know our Lord welcomes you back into comfort of His arms, providing nourishment and rest.
The chores may seem long and tedious. Remember Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.” This reminds me of the last meaningful conversation I had with my dad as he commanded, “Always trust God, remember that son, Trust God always.”
See Christ’s chores, Believe Christ’s power and comfort, Achieve with Christ.
In Christ,
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Altitude & Wisdom
I boarded the plane for a United Airlines flight to Albany, finding my seat next to the window. The view out window on while sitting at the gate offers a limited perspective of the surroundings. Based solely on this view, Chicago’s O’Hare airport possesses about a dozen boarding gates, with limited airplane traffic.
As we taxied to the runway, I was able to a better view seeing dozens of additional gates and airplanes; although the airport’s size still appeared modest at best. I would have been a less than adequate ambassador for O’Hare airport; due to my limited perspective. If someone sought my advice for O’Hare’s capacity; I would have been very confident, and very wrong. A limited perspective provided the foundation of my assessment.
Approximately twenty minutes after boarding, the pilot announced over the intercom, “Flight attendants please prepare for take-off.” The jet engines roared as we zoomed down the long runway; with nature’s law of lift collaborating with the law of gravity our ascension commenced. My perspective increased exponentially with altitude. Quickly, O’Hare’s vastness became apparent.
As our ascension continued the logistics of the entire Chicago landscape became significantly more apparent from the air. After reaching 36,000 feet altitude other cities appeared as a speck on the map, including Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Lake Huron seem not so great; Niagara Falls appeared simply as a ‘nice stream.’ I now had a greater understanding of how everything fit together geographically. With a view from great altitude, I could have answered any geographical question with much greater accuracy than when on the ground.
When asking questions about O’Hare airport, the city of Chicago, or Niagara Falls; would my answers reveal my altitude? A higher altitude, among many things, allows one’s awareness of possibilities to drastically increase.
Would our decision making ability increase in quickness and accuracy if we had ‘altitude’ in life? What is life’s equivalent of altitude? Wisdom provides ‘altitude,’ greater perspective, in life.
Does a person’s answers reveal their ‘altitude,’ their wisdom? Does greater wisdom allow an exponential increase in awareness of possibilities?
Scripture states that if we desire wisdom, we simply must ask and believe. Attain wisdom for greater understanding.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve Wisdom with Christ!
In Christ,
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com
As we taxied to the runway, I was able to a better view seeing dozens of additional gates and airplanes; although the airport’s size still appeared modest at best. I would have been a less than adequate ambassador for O’Hare airport; due to my limited perspective. If someone sought my advice for O’Hare’s capacity; I would have been very confident, and very wrong. A limited perspective provided the foundation of my assessment.
Approximately twenty minutes after boarding, the pilot announced over the intercom, “Flight attendants please prepare for take-off.” The jet engines roared as we zoomed down the long runway; with nature’s law of lift collaborating with the law of gravity our ascension commenced. My perspective increased exponentially with altitude. Quickly, O’Hare’s vastness became apparent.
As our ascension continued the logistics of the entire Chicago landscape became significantly more apparent from the air. After reaching 36,000 feet altitude other cities appeared as a speck on the map, including Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Lake Huron seem not so great; Niagara Falls appeared simply as a ‘nice stream.’ I now had a greater understanding of how everything fit together geographically. With a view from great altitude, I could have answered any geographical question with much greater accuracy than when on the ground.
When asking questions about O’Hare airport, the city of Chicago, or Niagara Falls; would my answers reveal my altitude? A higher altitude, among many things, allows one’s awareness of possibilities to drastically increase.
Would our decision making ability increase in quickness and accuracy if we had ‘altitude’ in life? What is life’s equivalent of altitude? Wisdom provides ‘altitude,’ greater perspective, in life.
Does a person’s answers reveal their ‘altitude,’ their wisdom? Does greater wisdom allow an exponential increase in awareness of possibilities?
Scripture states that if we desire wisdom, we simply must ask and believe. Attain wisdom for greater understanding.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve Wisdom with Christ!
In Christ,
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Oxygen & Lessons
Blood is to Oxygen, as a Story is to a Lesson / Point.
Blood carries oxygen to the muscles, providing fuel for achievement. Stories carry lessons to the mind, providing fuel for achievement.
Is it any wonder, “heartless” people despise stories? The heart pumps oxygen enriched blood to the muscles, the “heart” pumps lesson enriched stories to the mind for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
The human body is designed for breaths of air to fill the lungs, the lungs filter off the oxygen, releasing it into the blood stream. This is a very simplified explanation. The blood saturates the muscles, carrying and depositing oxygen and nutrients in the appropriate spots. The oxygen is internalized for use. Oxygen allows muscles to grow, improve and achieve. Muscles do operate anaerobically for a short period of time, depending upon conditioning. Most people, the sane ones, would put up a strong fight if someone attempted to inject oxygen directly into their muscles. Direct injection lacks attributes of long term feasibility.
Just as oxygen is most effective when carried to the muscle by the body’s blood; a lesson is most effective when carried to the mind by a story. Stories saturate our mind, depositing the lessons in the appropriate spots. The lesson is internalized for use. These internalized lessons allow us to grow, improve and achieve. Most people, the sane ones, put up strong mental fights if we attempt inject a point directly into mind.
Jesus spoke in parable, stories carrying eternal lessons. Often times, the disciples and others around him failed to initially grasp the parable’s meaning.
Share your lessons with family, peers, and colleagues with stories.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
Blood carries oxygen to the muscles, providing fuel for achievement. Stories carry lessons to the mind, providing fuel for achievement.
Is it any wonder, “heartless” people despise stories? The heart pumps oxygen enriched blood to the muscles, the “heart” pumps lesson enriched stories to the mind for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
The human body is designed for breaths of air to fill the lungs, the lungs filter off the oxygen, releasing it into the blood stream. This is a very simplified explanation. The blood saturates the muscles, carrying and depositing oxygen and nutrients in the appropriate spots. The oxygen is internalized for use. Oxygen allows muscles to grow, improve and achieve. Muscles do operate anaerobically for a short period of time, depending upon conditioning. Most people, the sane ones, would put up a strong fight if someone attempted to inject oxygen directly into their muscles. Direct injection lacks attributes of long term feasibility.
Just as oxygen is most effective when carried to the muscle by the body’s blood; a lesson is most effective when carried to the mind by a story. Stories saturate our mind, depositing the lessons in the appropriate spots. The lesson is internalized for use. These internalized lessons allow us to grow, improve and achieve. Most people, the sane ones, put up strong mental fights if we attempt inject a point directly into mind.
Jesus spoke in parable, stories carrying eternal lessons. Often times, the disciples and others around him failed to initially grasp the parable’s meaning.
Share your lessons with family, peers, and colleagues with stories.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com
Friday, May 28, 2010
Evaluation Ratings
Does a Christ-like person receive high ratings from the world?
We all receive valuations and ratings; directly or indirectly. How are you evaluated? Evaluations are in various formats, a direct superior, Board of Directors, seminar attendees; or our friends and peers. Would you agree most of us desire ’10s’ or the highest rating possible? I certainly do! At least I thought I did; until deeply pondering evaluations.
Does Christ receive high ratings from everyone? Is crucifixion on a Cross considered a ‘10’? No! Judas, one of twelve on his Board of Directors, betrayed him. Jesus receives his share of “Excellent” markings; however those who give him “Excellent” one day, are critics the next. “Where are you? Why did you allow this to happen…?” Granted most followers eventually recognize our lack of wisdom in questioning Christ. His harsh critics continually look for wrong in all he says and does.
You may cite Apostle Paul’s statement of being all things to all people as meaning we should get along, and receive high ratings from everyone. Yet Paul spent much time in prison; placed there by his critics. A critic beheaded John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. Hardly scoring a ‘10’! Scripture tells of other followers being tortured, including sawed in two! Ouch!!!
Considering Christ and his Biblical followers received very poor ratings, can we expect anything different walking in Christ’s footsteps? Should we take heart to critics when we fail to walk with Christ? Absolutely! Since the beginning of time, some will criticize Christians simply because they are Christians. In fact, if we are continually receiving “Excellent” from everyone; we are most likely failing to live a Christ-like life.
A life filled with honesty, sincerity, forgiveness, desiring success for others, seeking wisdom, knowledge and understanding; acknowledging scripture as the pure Word of God; will bring critics out of the woodwork. Why? In John 15, Christ tells us that the world hated him before they hated us. The critics are rebuking Christ who lives and reigns in our hearts.
In the seminar room, some say it is better to make up an answer than admitting ignorance. If our goal is only receiving high ratings from attendees; this is a good idea. However, when our goal is hearing, “Well done thy good and faithful servant;” lying in any form is foolish.
Walking with Christ, living Christ-like to the best of our human ability, will result in less favorable, short term ratings from man. Those who also strive to live Christ-like will rate you highly and God will bless your life in all aspects long term! Why must we suffer? Jesus Christ desires our love, including our obedience him and the Father. The Bible states the Lord tests our hearts. Challenges provide the exams!
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick
Rick E. Meyer
P.O. Box 244
Albion, NE 68620-0244
(402) 984-1586 - Cell
See, Believe, Achieve, Inc.
We all receive valuations and ratings; directly or indirectly. How are you evaluated? Evaluations are in various formats, a direct superior, Board of Directors, seminar attendees; or our friends and peers. Would you agree most of us desire ’10s’ or the highest rating possible? I certainly do! At least I thought I did; until deeply pondering evaluations.
Does Christ receive high ratings from everyone? Is crucifixion on a Cross considered a ‘10’? No! Judas, one of twelve on his Board of Directors, betrayed him. Jesus receives his share of “Excellent” markings; however those who give him “Excellent” one day, are critics the next. “Where are you? Why did you allow this to happen…?” Granted most followers eventually recognize our lack of wisdom in questioning Christ. His harsh critics continually look for wrong in all he says and does.
You may cite Apostle Paul’s statement of being all things to all people as meaning we should get along, and receive high ratings from everyone. Yet Paul spent much time in prison; placed there by his critics. A critic beheaded John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. Hardly scoring a ‘10’! Scripture tells of other followers being tortured, including sawed in two! Ouch!!!
Considering Christ and his Biblical followers received very poor ratings, can we expect anything different walking in Christ’s footsteps? Should we take heart to critics when we fail to walk with Christ? Absolutely! Since the beginning of time, some will criticize Christians simply because they are Christians. In fact, if we are continually receiving “Excellent” from everyone; we are most likely failing to live a Christ-like life.
A life filled with honesty, sincerity, forgiveness, desiring success for others, seeking wisdom, knowledge and understanding; acknowledging scripture as the pure Word of God; will bring critics out of the woodwork. Why? In John 15, Christ tells us that the world hated him before they hated us. The critics are rebuking Christ who lives and reigns in our hearts.
In the seminar room, some say it is better to make up an answer than admitting ignorance. If our goal is only receiving high ratings from attendees; this is a good idea. However, when our goal is hearing, “Well done thy good and faithful servant;” lying in any form is foolish.
Walking with Christ, living Christ-like to the best of our human ability, will result in less favorable, short term ratings from man. Those who also strive to live Christ-like will rate you highly and God will bless your life in all aspects long term! Why must we suffer? Jesus Christ desires our love, including our obedience him and the Father. The Bible states the Lord tests our hearts. Challenges provide the exams!
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick
Rick E. Meyer
P.O. Box 244
Albion, NE 68620-0244
(402) 984-1586 - Cell
See, Believe, Achieve, Inc.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
A few weeks ago I was conducting seminars on Michigan Avenues’ Magnificent Mile in Chicago. Fortunately, my Garmin GPS directed me to the hotel. Without the GPS I would have had difficulty in finding this hotel.
Have you asked for directions, only to have someone reply; “….don’t worry, you can’t miss it.” Whenever hearing this response, I instantly think, “…this will be challenging to find.”
How many times do we drive right by the place? Finding precise locations is difficult while traveling in heavy traffic or other distractions; including the ability to easily turn around. I am thankful for my GPS, wondering how I successfully traveled without one.
Two years ago, I attended a friend’s twenty year class reunion in Omaha. The venue was in a safe area; however the adjacent areas were less than ideal in the safety ratings. We just wanted to find the place, park and get inside; our comfort level decreased traveling through the areas of high crime. Fortunately, we arrived safely.
Other searches for physical landmarks have been challenging at times; because you may be at the location but its appearance from your angle is incongruent with your expectations. Have you, like me, had those instances where you finally gave in and asked for directions only to find out you drove by the destination three times?
Finding physical locales with maps and directions can be challenging at times. Having a guide or GPS, who knows the area, the ‘lay of the land,’ is imperative to efficiently finding a destination. If we have challenges in finding physical locations on earth on our own; how do we expect to find Heaven on our own?
Logistically speaking: How can anyone enter a place they cannot find? Our inability to enter Heaven on our own includes our inability to literally find Heaven.
As a three or four year old boy on the farm, I was lost in our wooded shelterbelt. Finally, my dog Sam “showed me the door.” The door happened to be an old two seat Out House that was used when my dad was growing up. Upon finding the Out House, led to by my dog Sam, I followed the trail to our house. The entire time I was lost, the house was within a hundred yards; yet due to the trees I was unable to find my way home. Thank you Sam for showing me the door!
Who is our “Sam” in finding the door to Heaven? Jesus Christ is The Way, The Life, and The Truth. No one comes to the Father but by Him. Why, because we are unable to literally find Heaven on our own. We must confess we need Jesus to carry us to and in Heaven. We achieve this by confessing and repenting of our sin, selfishness. Pride is the foundation of most, possibly all, sin. We must humble ourselves admitting we need Jesus for forgiveness of our sins, holding our hand, leading us to Heaven.
Perhaps you remain unconvinced of your need for Christ, and his role in your Salvation.
Consider this: At your death; all roads lead to Hell except one. Demons strongly desire to carry your soul to Hell. Only one can prevent these demons from touching and leading your soul; he is Jesus Christ. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Does your soul acknowledge and cry out to Christ’s redemptive hand? Perhaps you are unconvinced of demons. Do you really believe you can find, much less enter, Heaven on your own?
Imagine that your soul is now left your perished body. Where will your soul go? In the immense Galaxy, are you going to have better luck finding Heaven than you do a physical locale on earth? Will you be able to turn around if you go too far? Will you be immediately outside the gates, yet unaware of your close proximity? Perhaps your soul does find Heaven, are you just going to sneak in? Why should you be allowed to enter on your own merits? Are your human merits really worthy of entering God’s Kingdom?
Open the door of your heart and soul; grasp the hand of our Savior, Jesus Christ for Salvation. Upon confessing and repenting, your sins are eternally forgiven; Jesus will grasp your hand at physical death, leading your soul directly to and through the gates of Heaven into the Father’s eternal presence.
Do you really believe you will find Heaven on your own following physical death? Yeah, I know – “Don’t worry, you can’t miss it.” Who will show you the door?
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
Rick is an Award Winning Speaker.
www.rickemeyer.com
Have you asked for directions, only to have someone reply; “….don’t worry, you can’t miss it.” Whenever hearing this response, I instantly think, “…this will be challenging to find.”
How many times do we drive right by the place? Finding precise locations is difficult while traveling in heavy traffic or other distractions; including the ability to easily turn around. I am thankful for my GPS, wondering how I successfully traveled without one.
Two years ago, I attended a friend’s twenty year class reunion in Omaha. The venue was in a safe area; however the adjacent areas were less than ideal in the safety ratings. We just wanted to find the place, park and get inside; our comfort level decreased traveling through the areas of high crime. Fortunately, we arrived safely.
Other searches for physical landmarks have been challenging at times; because you may be at the location but its appearance from your angle is incongruent with your expectations. Have you, like me, had those instances where you finally gave in and asked for directions only to find out you drove by the destination three times?
Finding physical locales with maps and directions can be challenging at times. Having a guide or GPS, who knows the area, the ‘lay of the land,’ is imperative to efficiently finding a destination. If we have challenges in finding physical locations on earth on our own; how do we expect to find Heaven on our own?
Logistically speaking: How can anyone enter a place they cannot find? Our inability to enter Heaven on our own includes our inability to literally find Heaven.
As a three or four year old boy on the farm, I was lost in our wooded shelterbelt. Finally, my dog Sam “showed me the door.” The door happened to be an old two seat Out House that was used when my dad was growing up. Upon finding the Out House, led to by my dog Sam, I followed the trail to our house. The entire time I was lost, the house was within a hundred yards; yet due to the trees I was unable to find my way home. Thank you Sam for showing me the door!
Who is our “Sam” in finding the door to Heaven? Jesus Christ is The Way, The Life, and The Truth. No one comes to the Father but by Him. Why, because we are unable to literally find Heaven on our own. We must confess we need Jesus to carry us to and in Heaven. We achieve this by confessing and repenting of our sin, selfishness. Pride is the foundation of most, possibly all, sin. We must humble ourselves admitting we need Jesus for forgiveness of our sins, holding our hand, leading us to Heaven.
Perhaps you remain unconvinced of your need for Christ, and his role in your Salvation.
Consider this: At your death; all roads lead to Hell except one. Demons strongly desire to carry your soul to Hell. Only one can prevent these demons from touching and leading your soul; he is Jesus Christ. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Does your soul acknowledge and cry out to Christ’s redemptive hand? Perhaps you are unconvinced of demons. Do you really believe you can find, much less enter, Heaven on your own?
Imagine that your soul is now left your perished body. Where will your soul go? In the immense Galaxy, are you going to have better luck finding Heaven than you do a physical locale on earth? Will you be able to turn around if you go too far? Will you be immediately outside the gates, yet unaware of your close proximity? Perhaps your soul does find Heaven, are you just going to sneak in? Why should you be allowed to enter on your own merits? Are your human merits really worthy of entering God’s Kingdom?
Open the door of your heart and soul; grasp the hand of our Savior, Jesus Christ for Salvation. Upon confessing and repenting, your sins are eternally forgiven; Jesus will grasp your hand at physical death, leading your soul directly to and through the gates of Heaven into the Father’s eternal presence.
Do you really believe you will find Heaven on your own following physical death? Yeah, I know – “Don’t worry, you can’t miss it.” Who will show you the door?
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
Rick is an Award Winning Speaker.
www.rickemeyer.com
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