If Anything is Excellent or Praiseworthy... Lead From There

In Philippians, Paul starts this encouragement by saying:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--- (then continues) if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things.

As Leaders, the best way to move anything and anyone forward is to find whatever is good, working, or positive and go from there. And, this pure Bible wisdom applies: IF ANYTHING. There's always something, we just have to keep digging.

When I was a Disney Trainer, we had to simultaneously teach new Cast Members (our employees) how to be smiling and friendly to our Guests while at the same time, looking out for their safety and operating some complex rides (Space Mountain).

Some people mastered the people parts first, others the technical parts. Yet, they needed both to be successful. So we were trained to focus on what they were doing well, encourage them in it, and help them add to that the other dimension.

Out of that experience, a conversation grew that we still use and teach to other Leaders today. Here it is:

"_______(name), I can always can count on you to_______(smile at our Guests) and I appreciate that so much. then, PAUSE and let it sink in, then ask "Can I get you to do just one more little thing for me?" wait for the head-shake and share what's needed. "Remember to keep the line moving if it backs up."

This is also a great life skill for the people in our lives. Let's keep encouraging others by linking their whatevers to what they can be. Remember, we are changed little by little into His glory.

And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord,[who is] the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Amplified Bible

America: One Great Adventure... "Golden Dream"

On October 1, 1982, Disney's EPCOT opened and with it, the American Adventure: born of Walt's love for our country and dreamer's soul, strategically placed in alignment with a view of Spaceship Earth, and surrounded by the pavilions of the countries connected by water, as they all are on the this earth.

This is the music only, so close your eyes and take the journey of promise...

Talk to God about the parts of this song that stirred your heart.

Thank Him for the men and women who dared to dream and sacrifice for the promise of "One Nation Under God".

Give thanks for the dreams that have unfolded in your own life.

Pray for the promises yet to be kept for our America to keep her "flying high" into "new frontiers".

Pray that one those frontiers will be revival.

Close the time singing your favorite patriotic song.

God's Fringe Benefits

fringe ben·e·fit

an extra benefit supplementing an employee's salary, for example: a company car, subsidized meals, health insurance...usually negotiated.

Emphasis on extra and negotiated...

in the 103rd Psalm, where we are reminded "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (v 12), David starts his meditation with praise (see below) and in the second verse, tells us to "forget not all His benefits" (italics added).

Here's the list that follows (adapted for the list people, personalized for impact)

God forgives all my sins

God heals all my diseases

God redeems my life from the pit

God crowns me with love and compassion

God satisfies my desires with good things

We know the list goes on and on, throughout Scripture, and yet it is the word benefit that captures my attention when reading this. It's kind of not a Bible-y word. It's a word we use in lots of other ways.

Maybe here, the point was not to say "blessings", (which these clearly are) because blessed and blessing are too familiar to me in my spiritual vocabulary. But, the benefit word made me stop and list them and reflect on them.

Wherever reading God's Word takes us, when He gives us a pause word or concept, it is worth taking a moment to stop and reflect. Journaling, writing, drawing, memorizing, circling in our Bibles, highlighting on our devices, and praying God's word are all ways He pours more of Himself into us.

If God only forgave my sins, that would be enough...but God goes above and beyond: heals, redeems, crowns and satisfies. And God is in business to benefit others through us and so He's piling on the benefits...for His glory.

Psalm 103 of David.

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.