Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Water is Life

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all else will be added unto you.”

Have you noticed that throughout history, the great cities are built along flowing rivers and/or oceans; they are built by water? Why do cities and industry flourish along rivers, lakes and oceans? Water is life! Life, whether human, plant, animal or industry is dependent upon water. The best agricultural soils are often found in river valleys. One of my favorite hymns is “Shall we gather at the River.” As a child I heard my dad sing and whistle this song innumerable times while we were along the river; whether working, fishing, hunting, or socializing with friends on a summer Sunday afternoon.

Water transports some nutrients in the soil and in the plant; water also enables plants to stand vertical. These are a few simplified benefits of water in soil and plants. Water cleanses, water refreshes. Our blood is mostly water. Water forms valleys, as well as the consequential hills. Did you know that the deepest soils are nearly always found in the valleys? More about that tomorrow. Water enables root growth, root growth provides stability and greater area from which the plant to draw the necessary water and nutrients to prosper. Water is life!

We too should build our ‘city’ of life by the flowing water of Christ. Water is frequently used in scripture literally and metaphorically. Jesus was baptized in Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended as a dove saying, “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” The water in a flowing river is a representation of the ground water underneath the surrounding land. When we build in the river bottom, we have the flowing water near-by; additionally we have ample water right below our feet; available for promoting and strengthening life. Water cleanses our hands, the waters of our baptism symbolically cleanse our sin; permanently washing them away because of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Water is necessary for seed germination, leading to wheat, leading to bread. Christ blood, containing mostly water germinate the seeds of the eternal bread of life in our life. We simple must accept the watering of our souls from Christ’s blood, we must seek and accept the Kingdom of God and all else will be added unto us.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ,

In Christ,

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com

Stay Tuned - Faith & Soil - An Agronomist's Perspective

Monday, November 29, 2010

Rapport - The Fragrance of Life

Have you met people that you instantly like? You and they have established instant rapport.

What is rapport? Is all rapport good? A quick search on Amazon.com returns 14,961 Results. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the French origin Rapport as, “a close relationship in which people understand each other and communicate well.”

How do we build rapport? The recordings and references I have listened to over the years, define the establishment of rapport as the foundation of successful salesman, “instant” credibility, likeability and relationships. One person defines rapport as, “The Key to Influencing People, Including Yourself.” The techniques include mirroring someone’s body language, voice tonality and pace. Mirroring includes empathizing with others emotionally; agreeing with their position.

Masterful manipulators use these techniques to influence others in taking the manipulator’s desired action. The real question is whether the desired action is Christ’s will for the person being manipulated.

Whenever I attempt to use the above techniques for establishing rapport, I fail miserably in placing hope on myself. For that, I am grateful! Conversely, when focusing on Christ; helping others achieve Christ’s will for their life; I establish instant rapport with all whom have a heart for Christ. II Corinthians 2:15-16 says that we are the aroma of Christ, “To one the smell of death, to the other, the fragrance of life.” Is there a greater way of establishing rapport than being the fragrance of life in Christ?

What kind of rapport do we establish by assuming the smell of death? Have you smelled death, a decaying animal? The smell of death is atrocious! We go out of our way to avoid the smell of death.

The fragrance of life is greater than the greatest fragrance on earth. The fragrance of life is better than any flower, cologne or perfume; past, present or future. The fragrance of life in Christ has greater attraction than the world’s most powerful magnet. Yet, just an object lacking the proper chemical properties is not drawn to the most powerful magnet, those lacking the spiritual qualities of Christ will not be drawn to the fragrance of life. Can iron be injected into plastic for magnetic draw? Absolutely! Can Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit be injected in into those currently opposed to the fragrance of Christ? Absolutely!

As you search for techniques of building rapport, thoroughly investigate your motives. If your motives are secular, the techniques above will work just fine; especially for those who continue smelling Christ as death. However, if your motive is loving the Lord your God, with all of your heart, mind and soul; loving your fellow man as much as you love yourself; establish rapport with the saturation of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in your every thought, word, and deed. Allow Christ to saturate you with the fragrance of life.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

In Christ,

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Do you Finish God's sentences?

Do you finish other people’s sentences?

Several years ago, following a Toastmasters meeting I visited with a local businessman and philanthropist, Joe, whom visited our club to promote a fund raiser. Joe told of attending Kansas State University’s world-renowned College of Veterinary Medicine.

When Joe began telling of his experiences in Manhattan, I began finishing his sentences whenever he paused as I knew exactly what he was going to say. Wrong!!! I did not know how Joe was finishing his sentences.


I normally do not engage in finishing someone’s sentences, however the excitement of discussing Manhattan and Kansas State got the better of me in that conversation. Moreover, his favorite professor of Vet Med was the father of two of my friends and high school cross country teammates.

The first few times of my interruption, Jim patiently stated, “No, I was going say…” Following my sixth repetition of rudely and inaccurately finishing sentences, Joe politely dismissed himself.


Are you irritated when others finish your sentences, especially when completed inaccurately? Have you ever finished someone’s sentences? Others tend to inaccurately finish my sentences when I pause, just as I did when Joe paused.

Instead of listening we jump to conclusions. Frequently, emotional irritation is the only damage. However, when continued, we lose credibility as a listener. Eventually we risk causing great damage to our relationships or suffering physical consequences.


Once in the summer of 1986, Jim and I were instructed to drive a farm truck to Fettger’s (the name of a farm) to meet my cousins where we would load straw bales. As soon as Jim and I heard “Fettger’s” we stopped listening because we knew exactly where the Fettger place was since we irrigated there every morning.

We jumped in the truck and drove the 12 miles on gravel roads to the Fettger place. During our drive we discussed that the wheat and resulting straw bales must be in the dry land portion of the property. Since we were only familiar with the irrigated portion of the property, we tried to hypothesize the specific location of wheat field on this farm. We were puzzled upon arrival because we saw no wheat nor a single person around this field.

Twenty minutes later we remained the only two at this location. We reassured ourselves that we were told to meet at the Fettger place. After thirty minutes passed and no two-way radio to communicate with the others--this was long before cell phones became popular--we drove back to the ‘yard’, which is the farmstead where my mom and her siblings were raised.

Once in the yard, we sheepishly began calling for direction on the two-way. My uncles were less than thrilled! We were told to go to a different, nearby Fettger place. Additionally, we were to have waited and followed my cousins to the specific field instead of taking off on our own. 

We wasted significant time, fuel, and energy along with generating enormous frustration at us. We finished the sentence of our directions; we failed to listen to the full instructions.


Do you finish God’s sentences? I have!

At times, I strongly believe God is giving me a specific message through reading the Bible and prayer, only to fail upon acting. I later realize I finished God’s sentence instead of listening to the entire message (non-audible). I inaccurately finish God’s messages when He pauses, or when I errantly believe that I know exactly what He is going to say. Unfortunately, I am wrong! His wisdom far exceeds my wisdom and your wisdom.

Perhaps you say, "But Lord, you told (non-audible) me to accept this promotion, this new job. Why am I miserable?" The Lord responds in your heart, "No, I told you to interview for the position." We say, "Lord, why am I unable to pay for my new car that you told me to buy?" He replies, "I instructed you to visit the dealership and test drive the new car."

God desires relationships with His people. Consequently, He often mercifully uses us to interact and develop relationships with others for His glory. These interactions may include interviewing for a position, testing a car, or any of the seemingly endless possibilities of interactions.

The primary purpose of an interview, test drive, meeting someone for coffee or lunch may range from the obvious of the occasion to us unknowingly providing the write words to those we meet, their positive impact on our lives, or all of the above along with other benefits.

The next time our Lord speaks to your heart: Listen! Listen through the pauses; listen to the entire sentence, paragraph, chapter and book. Listening to the entire message enables you and I to be fully in tune with our Savior and the Holy Spirit.

Ask in prayer and through studying scripture, "Lord, why did you arrange for me and someone else (others) to meet and interact at this juncture in time and location?"

Keep an open mind as you progress forward with the Lord's lead. Remember, God's wisdom far exceeds my wisdom, your wisdom, and the cumulative wisdom of all creation combined.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Word of God

When I was about fifteen months old, my dad said I quickly went from standing right beside him to climbing nearly to the top of a twenty feet windmill tower in our farmyard. I began walking at seven months old, and loved climbing. Dad yelled at me to "Get Down!!" I can only imagine the concern racing through his mind. Upon hearing his voice, I nearly jumped.

Why did I nearly jump? Because, I knew and respected my father's voice. I knew Dad was speaking to me. If an unfamiliar voice were to have proclaimed the same words, I would have been nonrespondent. If Dad would have delivered the precisely same message to a stranger, would they have reacted as I did? No, because my dad's voice possessed no meaning to them.

Do you know your parent's voice? Does or did it get your attention? Just as we know our parent's voice, we know God's voice. For those who have never met their parents, would they recognize their father's voice? Of course not, how could they recognize something they had not heard.

Unfortunately, not all recognize God's voice. Unfortunately, not all know Christ.

"The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep." John 10:25-26

Is transforming God's Word, written or spoken, through people a miracle? Is maintaining accuracy of the Word while translating between languages a miracle? I believe both are miracles. Jesus is the Word made Flesh as described in the first chapter of John.

Occasionally I hear people say the Bible is NOT God's pure Word, rather simply stories of faithful people during that time. I realized they lack belief of God's ability to speak to the prophets and the interpreters of language over time, because they are unfamiliar with God's voice in their life.

Only in knowing Jesus, being one of his sheep, are we able to comprehend and believe the miracle of God's pure Word in scripture as written by other sheep belonging to Christ.

Christ's sheep know His voice, enabling them to believe His miracles. Knowing and hearing Christ's voice allows us to comprehend and believe the human transcribers of scripture also knew, listened and obeyed the pure Word of God.

If you have difficulty believing scripture is the pure Word of God, pray for God to open your heart and ears allowing you to know and hear Christ's voice as one of His sheep.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

In Christ,
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/

Monday, November 8, 2010

Read - Ready - Readiness

Ephesians 6:14-15 "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of Righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."

Have you noticed and considered that Ready and Readiness begin with "Read?"

Your reading determines your READINESS! Readiness from the Gospel comes from Reading the Gospel, including communicating with the Holy Spirit.

If I read unhealthy topics, I am then ready for unhealthy thoughts and activities.

What are you Reading? Are you READY for Christ?

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

In Christ,

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Freedom resides in the Spirit of the Lord

II Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Freedom resides in the Spirit of the Lord.

This is true of every level of Freedom! Is this freedom, the freedom to do anything? Absolutely not! The Spirit of the Lord is the spirit of love, forgiveness, desiring a Christ led way for all.

The absence of Christ results in the absence of Freedom in all of life's facets.

A Free Nation, A Free America, must be filled with and led by the Spirit of the Lord.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com

Monday, October 11, 2010

Family Lineage

Family Lineage

Saturday, October 09, 2010

On a recent flight to Rapid City, South Dakota; I sat across from a gentleman, John (not his real name), traveling with his six year old daughter and four year old son. For the sake of this article, we’ll call his children Amy and Joe. Amy and Joe behaved exceptionally well and humorously during the flight, their inquisitiveness was refreshing and a reminder for our own perpetual sense of wonder.

Our conversation revealed John was a high school classmate and friend of one of my fraternity brothers, a 1986 graduate of Rapid City Stevens High School and on their state championship basketball team. These details assured we spoke of the same Todd.

While awaiting at baggage claim, John inquired of my name, upon my reply he asked Joe and Amy what they thought of my last name. They each smiled, they too were Meyer’s. Our luggage arrived quickly; they exited to their ride waiting along the curb near the terminal.We lacked an opportunity to discuss whether and how we were related.

Have you had those discussions with people you meet with common family names? We begin searching for common ancestry. I once visited with someone whose distant grandfather shared the same name as one of my distant grandfathers. However, deeper discovery revealed their siblings, wives’ or children’s names were different, perhaps the number of children each had differed as well.

Perhaps one had two siblings and the other none.These differences quickly reveal our distant grandfathers, sharing the same name, are different people. Would you agree this deductive reasoning is common sense? Have you heard some non-Christian religions claim to worship the same God as Christians; the “God of Abraham?”

Yet, our God exists in Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Their god is singular, lacking Trinity. Genesis 1:26 amplifies this plurality, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’”The God of creation, the God of Abraham, is the God of Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is revealed throughout the Old Testament. Jesus, in human form, came from the lineage of Abraham.

Jesus, states numerous times that he and the Father are one; and the only way to the Father, the God of Abraham, is through Christ. He boldly declares knowing Jesus and knowing the Father are the same. Jesus sends the comforter, the Holy Spirit.If people of the same names are the same person, ALL about them must match: siblings, sons, daughters, and spouse. Common sense expounds differences in these reveals different people.

The God of Abraham is the God of Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the God who died for your sins and the sins of all past, present, and future. One must simply believe and confess in their heart for this forgiveness.Differing lineage, differing activities, reveal different gods. Do you know Christ, Your Savior? His existence, presence, in Your life is revealed in the details.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
http://www.rickemeyer.com/

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Conversing and Sorting

Conversing or reasoning with one lacking morality, is like sorting cattle without a fence.

Have you ever tried to sort cattle or any other livestock without a fence? The cattle are able to roam anywhere desirable; no standard containment exists.

This sorting is Virtually impossible! So is conversing or reasoning with someone lacking moral fiber; lacking a distinction between right and wrong.

This is also the same as attempting to discipline someone who will turn around and sue you with the law allowed to blow in the wind and the judge ruling in their favor due to ignoring all laws.

Those lacking the Holy Spirit, lack any knowledge of right and wrong. To them everything is permissible. Consequently any discussion of morality: honesty and integrity with them is like pouring water into bucket full of holes.

It is like sorting cattle without a fence.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Is Your Development Noticeable?

I see my nearly four year old nephew every two to three months. I am continually amazed how much he develops between each visit. Wyatt's speech continues rapid improvement in articulation, vocabulary, and wit. His mobility and thinking perpetually increase.

Do you notice this significant cerebral growth in the kids amongst your family and friends?

When I last saw Wyatt two months ago, I commented to my mom if people notice as much personal, professional, and spiritual change and development in us, in adults, every two to three months.
If not, why not?

At what age do we deem appropriate to discontinue massive spiritual, personal and professional growth?
  • Should we ever stop growing?
  • Should we ever, while on this earth, declare "I have arrived!"?
  • Do you agree that prudent adults pursue personal and spiritual growth their entire life?

Will your family, colleagues, and friends notice your spiritual and emotional growth between visits? How are you Growing, today?

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve and Grow with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
Running On Faith Ministry, Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com




Running thru the Bible Subscription


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Your Second Wind is Just the Beginning

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/

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/