In a marathon--or any race--runners greatly appreciate the large crowds of screaming fans. However, we have equal and perhaps greater appreciation of the scattered individuals away from the crowds, in the far reaches of the course, offering encouraging words.
Remember to cheer for and encourage your family and friends when they're away from the crowds, in the far reaches of life's course, offering encouraging words.
I trust each of you overflow with Joy, Gratitude and Prayer this day in Christ!
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
Philosophy of Change (7 Dec 2013)
Change may represent the best of
times; change may represent the worst of times. Motive, purpose and
communication influenced and defined within spiritual context determine the
positive or negative nature of change. God superintends in and through chronological,
cultural, economic, geographical, historical, and political context. One may
view and consider each of the latter contextual attributes on a global,
national, regional, state, community, organizational and individual basis.
Earthly change occurs by and
through the thoughts, words and actions of individuals in response to, or
rejection of, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit governs change and guidance
through the prayer, internal promptings, and internalizing His Word by those
strategically positioned in the previously listed attributes as well as those
with whom we associate on a personal and professional level.[1]
Profitable change originates only
from the Holy Spirit (Mt 7:21[i], 12:25[ii];
Mk 3:25[iii]).
He indwells the heart of every believer (2 Co 1:22[iv]),
and prompts and guides all people, including non-believers, to achieve His will
(Exodus 2-13). As one who serves God in serving His people our responsibilities
mandate pointing others to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He guides our
heart, mind and soul with His thoughts. God’s thoughts written on our hearts
and minds result in our image and character more closely resembling His image.
Everyone should rejoice in this change!
Christians, walking in the Spirit
(Ro 8:5[v]), earnestly
yearn for God’s guidance in their every thought, word and action. Considering
that each new thought, word or action changes our mind, body or soul to some
extent, life consists of constant change. Mature Christians continually submit
all to God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Effective
change mandates establishing, and continually affirming, God’s love and glory
as the foundation of change (Mt 7:24-25[vi]).
As demonstrated, this paper
establishes and acknowledges God’s sovereignty, provision and guidance as the
bedrock of all change. However, we will focus primarily on strategies and
implementation of change. The eternal triune God represents the only constant
in creation’s entirety; He remains unaffected by the effects of time (Heb 13:8[vii])
that He created.
Considering Change
Frequently, speakers, leaders and
those in authority presumptuously state, “People resist change.” Those
walking in the Spirit resist only change that contradicts the Holy Spirit, because
this creates internal turmoil instead of internal peace. The mature
spirit-filled Christian receives internal peace that represents congruency with
the Holy Spirit. However, wisdom mandates knowing that one’s degree of
spiritual maturity affects the ability to recognize and accept this congruency.
Consequently, we must remain lovingly patient in working with those striving,
yet failing to grasp our level of comprehension. Others may comprehend the Spirit’s
agreement or disagreement more rapidly than we do. Spiritual maturity[2]
welcomes others perhaps ahead[viii]
of us.
Charles Gibbs adamantly states, “I
have no ego. My only reputation exists in the Lord.” This enables illuminating
insight and empowerment when strategizing and implementing change. Those
walking in flesh, only welcome change that pleases the flesh, such as the
physical, financial and emotional realm. People typically resist change that
they fail to understand or from a source whom they fail to trust.
Summarily, the acceptance and rate
of change highly correlates with congruency with the Holy Spirit, communication,
trust and each of the components embedded in these necessities.
Vision
Vision is the nitroglycerin of
motivation. Vision—or dream—instigates, inspires and empowers change. While
some may argue that vision and dreams differ, this discussion defines and uses
them interchangeably. Change may represent a different direction, a different
rate of action, a different type of action or all of these factors.
Dexter and Birdie Yager built the
world’s largest Amway distributorship by focusing on the “DREAM!!!” for
themselves and inspiring others to find and pursue their own God-given dreams. Dexter
persistently described, invited and challenged the dream both in conversation
and on stage speaking to tens of thousands of people.
During his two to four keynote addresses in the early hours of the morning, Dexter would hold the microphone close to his mouth with his hands cupped around it, “You gotta have a Big DREAM!!!! The Dream, the Dream, the Dream, it starts with the DREAM!!!” Dexter Yager counseled leader servants such as Ronald Reagan, Dave Thomas, Jerry Boggus[ix] and numerous others in his organization…..
During his two to four keynote addresses in the early hours of the morning, Dexter would hold the microphone close to his mouth with his hands cupped around it, “You gotta have a Big DREAM!!!! The Dream, the Dream, the Dream, it starts with the DREAM!!!” Dexter Yager counseled leader servants such as Ronald Reagan, Dave Thomas, Jerry Boggus[ix] and numerous others in his organization…..
Desire and urgency of change
directly—perhaps exponentially—correlate with one’s dream or vision. Vision
drives us to prepare and perform when battling complete exhaustion. Dreams and
visions, when fully developed, involve all five senses and evoke all
appropriate emotions. An effective dream or vision causes loss of breath,
laughter, tears of joy and rolling waves of every other emotion that one
experiences when attaining the dream or vision.
If one fails to experience some of
these change causing emotions, either the vision/dreams needs further
development or the person and the vision are incongruent. Only a properly
founded vision or dream congruent with a person’s God given desires will ignite
the internal fire of desire of pursuing the Holy Spirit inspired change. Discussions
and evaluations should occur of any changes in the vision or the positioning of
the person.
When the leader servant helps
anyone find and develop their vision to include all five emotions—seeing,
tasting, feeling, smelling and hearing as if living the event or the achieved
the organizational structure—the person will strongly desire to make the
necessary changes. For example, Coach Claussen scheduled a twenty-mile run for
me on New Year’s Day 1995. A portion of my ministry vision included placing among
the top ten Americans at the Boston Marathon.
The eighteen inches of snow packed streets and roads and sub-zero temperatures with wind-chill at minus twenty-five degrees initially caused me to consider changing my run from 20 to 15 miles due to the inclement weather. I then focused on my vision’s integration with my ministry. Instead of running the original twenty-miles, I ran twenty-five miles in absolute miserable conditions. While the complacent pontificate about “going the extra mile,” a Holy Spirit inspired vision causes one to go the extra FIVE miles[3]. Vision instigates significant change.
The eighteen inches of snow packed streets and roads and sub-zero temperatures with wind-chill at minus twenty-five degrees initially caused me to consider changing my run from 20 to 15 miles due to the inclement weather. I then focused on my vision’s integration with my ministry. Instead of running the original twenty-miles, I ran twenty-five miles in absolute miserable conditions. While the complacent pontificate about “going the extra mile,” a Holy Spirit inspired vision causes one to go the extra FIVE miles[3]. Vision instigates significant change.
Trust
Trust accompanies the Spirit,
especially with those also walking in the Spirit. We cannot cause someone to
trust us. However God does at times give us favor with others, and we can speak
with truth and transparency. Additionally, we should engage in all other
characteristics of those who earn authentic trust.
Trust quickens the acceptance of change, which impact effectiveness in every organization. Trust originates from honesty and knowing that “I am looking out for your best interests” to the best of my ability within the context of my responsibility. In other words, our trust originates from loving our fellow man as much as we love ourselves.
Trust quickens the acceptance of change, which impact effectiveness in every organization. Trust originates from honesty and knowing that “I am looking out for your best interests” to the best of my ability within the context of my responsibility. In other words, our trust originates from loving our fellow man as much as we love ourselves.
Encouragement
“Encouragement is a divine
instrument of change.” Charles Gibbs uttered this succinct and accurate message
during one of our weekly mentoring phone this past year. I completely agree.
In my “Life and Soul Agronomist”
presentation, I equate encouragement with water for crops. It is impossible for
crops to experience positive change without water. So man needs encouragement
for positive change. Water brings mobile nutrients to the roots, and softens
the soil to allow roots to grow to immobile nutrients.
Encouragement provides
nutrients of the mind, and soul such ideas and appreciation, among many others.
Moreover, just like specific plants demand specific amounts and types of
nutrients, each individual requires specific types and amounts of
encouragement. Water carries nutrients through the plant to each specific
location within the plant. We intentionally and specifically place our
encouragement.
Water provides turgor pressure enabling the plant to stand up,
and the leaves to have the proper angle for maximum light absorption. Through
turgor pressure and nutrient and molecular movement, water is instrumental in
photosynthesis. Encouragement enables others, amidst the change and growth in
life, to stand tall, absorb the light of Christ in serving others and glorifying
our Lord.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com
Featured Christian Speaker in Dallas on Gig Salad
[1] Rick E.
Meyer, The Holy Spirit’s Guidance in Max International, Dallas
Theological Seminary, Applied Research Project. 2013. 3,4.
[3] http://rickemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/12/vision-go-extra-five-miles.html
[i] Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father
who is in heaven will enter.
[ii] And knowing their thoughts Jesus said
to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or
house divided against itself will not stand.
[iii] If a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
[v] For those who are according to the
flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according
to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
[vi] “Therefore everyone
who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man
who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and
the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it
had been founded on the rock.”
[vii] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
[viii] This
may represent greater spiritual maturity. It may represent greater experience
and perspectives in the specific context. “Ahead” in this context does not
insinuate a secularly “higher” position.
[ix] Jerry
Boggus is one of those I interviewed (staying two nights in his home near
Augusta, GA) for my Applied Research Project: The Holy Spirit’s Guidance in
Max International.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Grandma's Marathon 2014
Driving thru St. Paul, MN last Friday (6/20/2014) on the way to Duluth, I reflected on once entering the Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) with a sore leg just as I had on this drive to Duluth. Despite the leg hurting during warm-up and the first mile @ TCM, I managed a 2:27 followed by a solo 2:24 twenty-seven days later.
I reflected on this for optimism, while diligently praying for speed, strength and wisdom. Unfortunately, this time the leg also hurt during warm-up and failed to hold-up, I quit running after passing the 1st mile in a blazing 11+ minutes--far exceeding my previous mile PW.
However, the Lord did and does saturate my heart with Peace, Joy and Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), just as during the more favorable results. Additionally, I am exceptionally Grateful and Joyful to see friends achieve amazing performances in Duluth. Congrats again to each of you!
Grateful precedes Greatfull! Always Trust God! (Prov. 3:5-6)
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com
I reflected on this for optimism, while diligently praying for speed, strength and wisdom. Unfortunately, this time the leg also hurt during warm-up and failed to hold-up, I quit running after passing the 1st mile in a blazing 11+ minutes--far exceeding my previous mile PW.
However, the Lord did and does saturate my heart with Peace, Joy and Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), just as during the more favorable results. Additionally, I am exceptionally Grateful and Joyful to see friends achieve amazing performances in Duluth. Congrats again to each of you!
Grateful precedes Greatfull! Always Trust God! (Prov. 3:5-6)
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Prosperity Theology
Biblical Study
Prosperity Theology
February 28, 2013
1. Experiences
Unfortunately, the cultural
definition of Prosperity Theology
easily results in Poverty Theology.
Poverty Theology results from the causative effects of dwelling on God’s
physical gifts while missing the infinite value of the spiritual gift of the
Christian’s eternal relationship with the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit.
Authentic Prosperity
Theology/Gospel consists of:
The
infinite value of the Christian’s eternal relationship with the triune God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness
of sins of all who believe in Him, enable this relationship (John 3).
Moreover, the Bible defines
Wisdom, and Understanding as greater than silver and gold (Prov 3:14, 8:11,
16:16). By defining the Prosperity Theology or “Health, Wealth Gospel” as
attaining secular wealth, good health and a physically blessed life, we
completely devalue true prosperity of Christian Theology, the Gospel.
The fruit of the Gospel’s eternal
relationship prosperity provides peace beyond human comprehension in the midst
of financial, emotional, physical and health ruin—including the loss of loved
ones. Including those having little money to live on for ten days before any
income is scheduled, or when they have no idea how they are going to pay rent
or buy food for the next month. This peace from the eternal relationship
remains amongst life’s biggest celebrations. Any amount of money does not and
cannot attain this peace, only the prosperity of the Gospel. NO! I don’t believe God promises or
guarantees health, wealth, or secular success.
I do believe that every Christian
has the right to ask of anything in Jesus’s name. The eternal relationship
enables the requester to seek and desire God’s desires for them above their own
desires. Thus, the believer in communicative, prayerful relationship with Jesus
Christ and the Holy Spirit desires only that which God desires for them or
whomever they pray for, despite secular logic.
Tuesday 28 November 2006, I stood
by my dad’s hospital bed praying, begging God to heal him. Dad awakened for the
first time all day, “No!” Three days later, he gained eternal healing as he
physically died on Friday 1 December 2006. God’s wisdom surpasses Rick’s wisdom.
His wisdom offers the true Prosperity of
the Gospel.
My exposure to those seeking the
culturally defined Prosperity Gospel, remains limited to a few acquaintances.
In addition to errantly believing in rights or guarantees of success, they
attempt to judge the spirituality of others based on their health, wealth, and
secular success.
My spiritually mature friends
view their eternal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as the
greatest success, wealth and spiritual health possible. They, like me, view
these as gifts rather than guarantees. The spiritually mature strive to live
congruently with God’s will for our lives, encompassing being always joyful,
praying and giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:16-18), money cannot
buy these attributes or truthfulness.
These result in our enjoying a
bounce to our step, sparkle in our eyes, glowing faces, uplifting conversations
and desiring for the success of others as much as we desire success for
ourselves, and our family—regardless of life’s storms. This results in our
attractiveness to those with whom we interact.
These spirit-filled
characteristics increase anyone’s likelihood of success, health and
wealth—absent any rights or guarantees. I have had the gift of excellent health
because of my faith induced positive attitude and constant praying for healing
and good health. This lacks being a guarantee, rather a gift to use in
glorifying God.
2. Liberation Theology vs. Prosperity Theology
Both Liberation Theology and
Prosperity Theology contain validity within the context that God desires for us
to seek Him above all else (Mt 6:33) and love Him with all of our heart mind
and soul, while loving others as much as we love ourselves (Mt 22:37-40).
Romans
9 explains that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. We should seek
to serve and love Christ with all of our heart, soul, and mind, love others as
much as we love ourselves, use our spiritual gift to the best of our ability
and accept whatever He provides—both rewards and challenges.
Submitting to
Christ and the Holy Spirit, striving to love God with all of one’s heart, mind,
soul, and loving others as much as we love ourselves (Mt 22:37-39), frees
concern of one’s economic or physical status. God has, does and will provide
His people with different types of contrasting situations regarding money,
property, health. However, when from God—all are blessings.
3. What is the Theology of Prosperity
The danger
resides in believing in always, rights and guarantees, instead of submission.
- Spiritual Authority—Christians can claim anything they want “in the Name of Jesus” and receive it, if they have enough faith and belief. Effectively, this group believes God to be their puppet.
- Cure and Prosperity—We are always cured and always receive prosperity based on our faith and proper method of asking.
- Positive Confession—Name it and claim it. The danger resides in failing to recognize that God’s wisdom exceeds man.
- Regarding Prosperity Theology (2Co 8:9):
From the
prospective of the Prosperity Gospel extremes, they believe that since Jesus
apparently became economically poor for us then we have an inherent right to
economic wealth. However, Jesus does have the resources to feed 9,000 men plus
women and children (9,000 x 2.5 (estimated factor to include women and
children) = 22,500 people x $5.00 per meal = $112,500 for a couple of meals in
2013 dollars), in addition to medical services for healing blindness, bleeding,
and bringing the dead back to life.
Jesus made no
monetary purchase, yet wealth resides in access to resources as opposed to
money alone. Rather he humbled himself in becoming man so that we may be rich
with an eternal relationship with Him, God the Father and the Holy Spirit who
will supply all our needs.
4. Normative Teaching in the Epistles
1
Timothy 6:7-10, 17-19
Viewing and / or teaching
godliness as a Cash Cow derives from
evil, while yielding the stirring up of evil—arrogant, foolishness, falsities,
“envy, strife, malicious talk, and evil suspicions.”
Real prosperity resides in
contentment (v. 6). The key to economic wealth rests in maintaining one’s hope
in God (v. 17-19), as opposed to one’s love and resulting hope in the wealth
instead of God. False hope, the love of money over the love of God, leads to
evil and carries the danger of departing from the Faith.
A retail agronomy
business in northeast Nebraska once fired Rick for being “too honest,” following
previous warnings to stop seeking Biblical truth in business instead of seeking
profit at any cost for the employer. Any monetary profit should always
originate from our serving God (Mt 6:33; 7:21) Succinctly stated: Wealth—any
amount—should be used / viewed as tools for serving God, instead of becoming a
god.
5. Faith Healing and NT Teaching
- (James 5:14-16) Have the elders of the church pray over the sick; anoint the sick with oil in the name of Jesus (“the Lord”). Confession and forgiveness of sins precedes healing. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
- (Job 2:4-10; Hab 3:17-19; 2Co 12:7-9) God sometimes allows us to suffer physically and financially, to test us and to keep us humble before Him; we are to accept this as joyfully as we do the good. His grace is sufficient for us.
6. How Then Should We Pray?
Three Principles that Guide us in
Prayer:
- Exaltation—Praising God for whom He is, the Holy Creator of All, Savior and Lord of the Universe.
- Provision—Asking and Trusting that He will provide everything we need when we need it, in the amount we need to achieve His will for our lives.
- Forgiveness—Acknowledging our need for forgiveness (Rom 3:23), and that salvation is found in Christ alone (Jn 3:16). We repent, turning to Him.
7. What Can We Learn?
What happens when God does not gives us prosperity?
We are to stay faithful, prayerful, thankful and joyful (1 Thess 5:16-18). Lack of Faith? Is He not pleased with us? Is the Bible false? Wisdom mandates making evaluations to assure our proper heart, effort, approach, etc. This is done in prayer, Word, proper associations, and consulting with one’s spiritual mentor and/or pastor.
In a Paragraph, summarize what
we can learn and what we should avoid from the Theology of Prosperity.
God’s owes us nothing. Yet, He
loves us and strongly desires intimate, communicable relationship. He does not
make arbitrary promises of everyone having a blank check to dictate to Him.
However, we should believe that God will provide His desires for our hearts—not
vice versa—we have to open our hearts to receive these.
Jesus told the blind
men in Mt 9:27-37 that they would be healed “according to your faith”. We are
to ask in reverence and submission, recognizing all as undeserved gifts. The
Bible commands us to humble ourselves
before the Lord, and He will lift us up (James 4:10). Humility lacks
dictating to God or demanding unfounded guarantees, rather trusting in God’s
wisdom and provision.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve God’s will with
Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
An excerpt of a paper presented to Dr. J. Scott Horrell,
Dallas Theological Seminary, in partial fulfillment for ST104A Soteriology.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Always Joyful
See update below:
Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota on June 21, 2014 quickly approaches. My excitement escalates in anticipation and preparation of running my first competitive marathon in fourteen years.
Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota on June 21, 2014 quickly approaches. My excitement escalates in anticipation and preparation of running my first competitive marathon in fourteen years.
This course appears
serene, beginning in Two Harbors and traversing southwest along Lake Superior
to Duluth. My heart rejoices as God blesses my body, mind and spirit with the
necessary ability and desire for consistent seventy-five to one-hundred weekly
miles of training.
Tempo runs, intervals,
easy runs and long runs each provide encouraging progression. Increasing
calorie usage and rate of metabolism enhance the body weight’s mandatory
descent to competitive levels. These increasing fitness levels radiate the
symbiotic relationship of speed, strength and appropriate body weight. Running
fast and far is fun!
Joyfully, I continually
thank and praise God for these blessings.
My daily consumption of
Cellgevity increases intracellular glutathione, which reduces inflammation and
serves as the body’s master anti-oxidant. However, I inadvertently allow my Cellgevity
supply to deplete before the next shipment arrives.
Running and the
activities surrounding graduation from Dallas Theological Seminary distract me
from assuring a continued supply of Cellgevity. A week after emptying the
Cellgevity bottle, inflammation along the tibia in the lower right leg from a
sprain prevents running.
Darts of apprehension and
doubt immediately strike my mind, especially because of my high expectations
for the quickly approaching marathon.
“How serious is this injury?”
“Will I recover in time to run this marathon competitively?”
Gentle, yet convicting,
promptings of God’s word and sovereignty quickly extinguished the enemy’s fiery
darts (Eph 6:12, 16).
Scripture radiates God’s
complete eternal control (Job 40, 41, 42:1, 2). He causes what He wants to
cause and allows what He wants to allow. Who is man to question God?
Additionally, these
promptings initiate reflection of my scripturally derived purpose of running
and all of life; glorify God in everything. Additionally, I define success as achieving
God’s will for my life (Mt 7:21). I have expounded upon this in numerous other
writings, so will avoid doing so here.
In congruence to these
principles, relationships—with God and people—comprise the foundation of each
of my activities. As disclaimer, God’s grace, mercy and love fill in the vast perpetual
shortcomings in every area of my life.
Acknowledging God’s
sovereignty illuminates physical setback to my training for the marathon as
part of God’s intended training program for me. Consequently, I am rejoicing in
this sore leg as much as I rejoice when running a great twenty-miler training
run or a personal record (PR) in a race.
Life consists of relationships. This sore leg
provides opportunities to meet and converse with new people. These
conversations each lead to discussing our day-to-day relationships with Christ
and His people.
We when seek to
obediently serve Christ, He provides opportunities to glorify Him through serving
others. Loving others and rejoicing in God’s abundance during the exceptionally
good as well as the less than favorable moments provides great impact on those
with whom we encounter.
A joyful heart, praising
God while loving and serving others deepens our relationship with people and God!
Yes, I am excited about
this sore leg. It will heal. I will, by God’s grace, run fast and far very
soon. Most likely, I will run well in Grandma’s Marathon on June 21, 2014.
Yes, Joyfully, I continually thank and praise God for these blessings.
Yes, Joyfully, I continually thank and praise God for these blessings.
However, regardless of my
health leading up to a marathon or any event, life never promises the tangible
results that we often seek, such as a great marathon. Yet, running serves as a catalyst
through which the Holy Spirit intertwines my life with others.
Yes, God is preparing me
for Grandma’s Marathon and relationships with His people using methods that I
failed to consider a few weeks ago. He is the ultimate coach. I greatly trust my
running coach, Lyle Claussen and I certainly trust to eternal, perfect God of
creation in everything.
Whatever challenges you encounter, probably putting my sore leg to shame in comparison, seek to obediently serve Christ. Then, rejoice in everything, pray always and be thankful. Because, this includes God’s training program for your life at this moment.
Whatever challenges you encounter, probably putting my sore leg to shame in comparison, seek to obediently serve Christ. Then, rejoice in everything, pray always and be thankful. Because, this includes God’s training program for your life at this moment.
In so doing, you will
glorify God in your race (1 Cor. 9:24). Trust God!
Grandma's Marathon 2014
Grandma's Marathon 2014
Driving thru St. Paul, MN last Friday (6/20/2014) on the way to Duluth, I reflected on once entering the Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) with a sore leg just as I had on this drive to Duluth. Despite the leg hurting during warm-up and the first mile @ TCM, I managed a 2:27 followed by a solo 2:24 twenty-seven days later.
I reflected on this for optimism, while diligently praying for speed, strength and wisdom. U...nfortunately, this time the leg also hurt during warm-up and failed to hold-up, I quit running after passing the 1st mile in a blazing 11+ minutes--far exceeding my previous mile PW.
However, the Lord did and does saturate my heart with Peace, Joy and Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), just as during the more favorable results. Additionally, I am exceptionally Grateful and Joyful to see friends achieve amazing performances in Duluth. Congrats again to each of you!
Grateful precedes Greatfull! Always Trust God! (Prov. 3:5-6)
I reflected on this for optimism, while diligently praying for speed, strength and wisdom. U...nfortunately, this time the leg also hurt during warm-up and failed to hold-up, I quit running after passing the 1st mile in a blazing 11+ minutes--far exceeding my previous mile PW.
However, the Lord did and does saturate my heart with Peace, Joy and Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), just as during the more favorable results. Additionally, I am exceptionally Grateful and Joyful to see friends achieve amazing performances in Duluth. Congrats again to each of you!
Grateful precedes Greatfull! Always Trust God! (Prov. 3:5-6)
See
Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E.
Meyer
See,
Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.comMonday, May 19, 2014
My Sheep hear My Voice
My Sheep hear My Voice (Jn 10:25-30)
As I ponder the above passage the last few days, my farm background
recognizes that Christ does not distinguish the age or other attributes of His
sheep that hear His voice.
On the farm, we brought the cattle home from the pasture after corn
harvest in the fall, they roamed and fed on the corn stalks throughout the
winter. Cattle referred to the entire bovine herd, cows, calves and
bulls. About this same time, we weaned the calves from their momma cows. Calves
specified those young cattle born the previous spring.
All good ranchers, shepherds, cowboys and farmers similarly quickly
clarify any differences that he (or she) communicates about their herd when
applicable. Christ the ultimate shepherd (Jn 10:11), refers to the entire herd
of sheep in this passage. He avoids any distinction of age or maturity of His
sheep—such as lambs, ewes or rams—that hear His voice.
Conversely, God establishes precedent for specifying livestock age
(ex. “young bull”) when necessary for the meaning of His message (Ex 24:5;
29:1).
In an effort to avoid false assumptions, thus striving to Teach
Truth, I phoned my sister, Dee, and brother in-law this morning. Her husband, Brian, of 18
years has raised sheep for the last approximate 35 years, with the on-farm herd
number varying from a few hundred to at or in excess of one-thousand sheep.
They have experience with sheep!
Because of Brian and Dee’s longevity with sheep, working with
thousands upon thousands—including different breeds. Additionally, they have
raised sheep born on their farm, other farms in Nebraska, North and South
Dakota as well as from Wyoming and I believe Montana.
Consequently, I give great value to their vast experience and
observations characteristics of diverse sheep ranging from newborn lambs to
older ewes and rams over several decades.
After exchanging pleasantries and proudly learning of my nephew and
his best friend winning spelling awards at school, I inquired of the characteristics
of baby lambs. Brian had long left the house to care for the sheep and the crops.
Rick: “Do baby lambs
recognize your voice?”
Dee: “Most of the time,
sometimes it takes a while.”
“They
(virtually all) really respond to Brian (their shepherd), they know
him and his voice.”
The baby lambs quickly recognize and respond to their shepherd Brian’s
voice, he feeds, waters, and cares for them every day. Just as Christ is our
shepherd who feeds, waters and cares for us every day.
In other words, their observations are based upon great numbers and
great diversity of sheep as opposed to one time, or one year, with one small
symmetric herd.
Considering Jesus’ complete knowledge of the attributes of sheep
and men, it logically seems that His statement (Jn 10:27) includes infant
humans that are His sheep. Just as some baby lambs take a while to recognize
their shepherd, so do some people take time to recognize and respond to Christ.
Those not in Brian’s herds fail to respond, just as some people fail to respond
to Christ.
On the farm and ranch, the owner claims, feeds, and tends to all
livestock that he owns. Just as an infant human baby knows the voice of their
mom and dad, so Christ’s baby lambs know His voice.
Respond to the voice of Christ the Shepherd, belief in Him is the only
way to salvation and eternal life (Jn 14:6-7).
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Vision
Excerpt: The Leader Servant
~ 3 December 2012
Dallas Theological Seminary – SL305 Dynamics of
Leadership
Vision
Vision is nitroglycerin to
motivation. Motivation engages one’s motive
into action. Vision enlivens the
determined results and events in one’s mind before literally occurring. Hall of
Fame Coach, Bill “Congo” Congleton frequently taught, “The mind cannot tell the
difference between a real and an imagined event.”
Vision is not self-actualization! Rather, optimal visions activates each of
the five senses—touch, taste, hear, see, smell—in response to the desired
achievement. Consequently, powerful visions generate emotions such as laughter,
tears, fear, and joy. The desired achievement mandates evaluation. If the
vision fails to produce strong emotions, then either details lack or the vision
fails to inspire the person. If the vision fails to inspire, one should
prudently discern whether to improve, keep or change the vision.
As a Leader Servant, I strive, and encourage others, to positionally see
God in my mind’s eye through His Word, Prayer and fellowship. I seek to
evaluate each thought and action first with His Word. Does scripture directly
oppose my thoughts or actions? If scripture lacks specific opposition, I then
pray and visit with my mentor, or spiritually mature members of the board or
friends about the issue.
I also engage in the exercise of
visualizing God in all his majesty to the best of my ability. I am in instant
awe! All challenges, temptations and concerns reduce to clay particles, which
God molds according to His will (Rom. 9:21).
Power of Vision and Faith
Vision creates positive, internal
challenges. Challenging one’s mind-body-spirit simultaneously creates
exponential benefits. Nehemiah’s vision of rebuilding the Jerusalem wall caused
him to prepare diligently by calculating the necessary supplies, required
documentation, work force, time, favor, dependence on God, and danger.[1]
Greatness occurs with faith in
Christ and His word, recognizing that God created us in His image, fully
reliant upon Christ’s strength, power, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Faith
often defies logic, and greatness occurs when we dwell on a specific vision of
serving people for God.
When the components of greatness
combine in any order or combination, the achievements increase exponentially.
God desires each of us to live on faith, “Without faith it is impossible to
please him” (Hebr. 11:6), and “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-26).
Faith results in maximizing our service to God with the attributes He gifted
us.
The Leader Servant’s Godly character seeks methods for maximization within the context of how God created us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The Leader Servant praises God for how he created us, instead of praising the creation (Rom. 1:18-25). He also understands the exponential effects of the components of greatness.
Components of
Greatness: Achievement:
Effort 10X
Effort + Faith 100X
Effort + Faith +
Desire 1,000X
Effort + Faith +
Desire + Belief 10,000X
Effort + Faith +
Desire + Belief + Vision 100,000X
Effort + Faith +
Desire + Belief + Vision + Mentor 1,000,000X
- Effort – Magnitude of self-exertion.
- Faith – Trusts God fully and completely, pursuing the prize which remains invisible to the secular eye.
- Desire – Value determines Price. The higher the Value, the greater enormity and duration of physical and emotional pain you are willing to suffer for achievement. This emphasizes the need and benefit of perpetual spiritual maturity.
- Belief – Knowing your physical, mental, financial and spiritual resources exceed the price of the achievement; trusting God to provide these resources.
- Vision – Submit your boundary fence of possibilities to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Servant Leader knows success from Thinking Inside the Bible.
- Mentor – A person coaches, discusses and guides you, and who internalizes the Bible and engages in a continual communicative relationship with Jesus Christ.
E=mC >E=mc2:
Energy = mass*Christ (Light of the
World) > Energy = mass*speed of light2
The Servant Leader inquires of
those in their organization, “What is your Christ filled vision? Are you fully
activating your faith?” Much is spoken and written about getting one’s “second
wind.” In reality, the second wind scratches only the surface of success for
the Leader Servant.
We achieve Christ’s desired greatness in our lives well beyond our second wind, rather in our fifth, sixth or tenth wind. Each wind is the point you desire relief because of reaching the edge of physical and/or emotional collapse, when your mind and body say, “enough.”
Sadly, most people make a big deal of attaining just their second wind. Faith, Vision and Desire are essential components of enduring through the tenth or whatever the necessary “wind” in pursuit of greatness in serving Christ and His people.
For example, the mental challenge
of running six miles or twenty-nine miles resembles a thick, poured cement
wall. It appears virtually unbreakable, until an exhaustive examination, aided
by the mentor and Holy Spirit, reveals a hairline fracture.
Faith, desire, belief, and vision are thoroughly mixed with focus and concentration; creating a liquid solution seeping into and through the fracture.
Faith, desire, belief, and vision are thoroughly mixed with focus and concentration; creating a liquid solution seeping into and through the fracture.
Their gradual expansion disseminates the wall. The pristine view of “Champion” faintly appears in the distant horizon. The credit and glory of this dissemination belongs solely to Christ as the Leader Servant gains another assist in helping people achieve Christ’s will for their lives.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve, Inc.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Communication
Except: The Leader Servant ~ 3 December 2012
Dallas Theological Seminary – SL305 Dynamics of Leadership
The Leader Servant’s high
proficiency demands effective communication. Effective communication comprises
an array of subtopics: verbiage, tonality, rate, volume, eye contact, body
posture and positioning, facial expression, attitude—desire, love, patience,
method of written, oral and the various technological categories of each, and
the variability of all these. The best communicators practice, practice, and
practice!
Body posture, facial expression,
attitude—desire, love, patience affect all communication regardless whether the
audience sees or hears the communicator. We subconsciously convey these attributes
through our dialogue, whether in person, on the phone, writing a letter, blog,
text message, e-mail or post on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Additionally, prudence advises
stating one’s tonality in written communication, especially when the
environment is tense. For example, Paul concludes 1 Corinthians by telling them
how much he cares about them after a letter with many heated messages, encouraging the Corinthian church to get their act
together.
When necessary, I commence e-mails saying, “Please read this in
cordial, conversation tonality.” This results from experience when some have
interpreted my attitude in the communication as angry or upset, especially when
I seek to concision in a hurried moment.
Eye contact is vital, this
captures and maintains the listeners attention along with letting them know
that you value them as a person. Additionally, the lack of eye contact usually
indicates dishonesty, shame, shyness or insecurity.
This indicator enhances our
ability to adjust the communication on
the fly, whether speaking with one or present to several thousand people.
Varying verbiage, tonality and volume also enhance the listeners ability to stay
attentive.
Paul instructs the Corinthian
church of the necessity to have interpreters if speaking in tongues. He points
out that communication’s effectiveness includes comprehension. The Leader Servant understands listener
comprehension includes adequate articulation and volume of the message for them
to hear.
Several years ago, 1974 Horatio Alger award recipient William Bailey
served as my mentor for my public speaking. He previously mentored renowned
speakers such as Jim Rohn, and Less Brown.
Mr. Bailey said, “Rick, you have
a terrific, powerful message. However, we need to improve your articulation and
voice’s tonality.” I visited a speech pathologist weekly in first and second
grade.
William Bailey suggested I read aloud Shakespeare or King James version
Psalm, “as if to 500 people”, for fifteen to twenty minutes every day.
My
articulation and tonality improved greatly, consequently others willingness to
listen and respond to my message also increased. As a Leader Servant, I continue developing my voice and encourage others
to do the same.
The Leader Servant strives to include as many as possible in the
organizations communications, especially e-mails. Obviously, confidentiality
and topic aide in determining scope. Supporters and donors desire inclusion of
communication. If they desire, they may request omission from the list or
delete the e-mail.
How does one improve verbiage?
Strive to omit most “be” verbs such as “is, was, be, being, are,” etc. They do
have appropriate uses, we must choose carefully. One may often find a powerful
verb to use. Negations should also be avoided to the best of one’s ability.
For example, instead of the
Leader instructing his group to “Don’t be late,” or “Don’t forget…”, the
effective Leader Servant instructs
them to “Be on time” and “Remember.” The subconscious fails to register
negative connotations such as “not,” and “no.”
Consequently, the words “Do not
be late” register in the subconscious as “Do be late.” The conscious does have
the ability to recognize and acknowledge the negation, however this requires 40
percent[1]
more brain power than the absence of negations.
See Christ,
Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe,
Achieve Inc.
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