Trust30 June 7

Five Years by Corbett Barr

There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

(Author: Corbett Barr)

5 years ago

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Your health will improve. Your depression will lightened. Your thinking will become more coherent. 

The drudgery of the work world you are experiencing will end, yet you will understand all the reasons for the heart aches you are experiencing. 

Trust is the great Biblical principle, it is too soon to quick. God has wonderful things for you. 

5 years in the future

Thanks for persisting. Thanks for not letting go of your dreams and hopes, for believing in yourself and believing in what the mission God had for you. I can’t wait to see what you will create in this time. Keep working towards the goal.    

Abraham, Martin and John.

Today, in 1968, Bobby Kennedy was killed. I can’t think of the day, without remembering the song, Abraham, Martin and John.

Bobby Kennedy stood up for what he believed and worked for change he thought would improve his world. His stand resulted in his death.

Where are you and I standing in the world today? What are we working toward improving? What worldview are we working on changing?

    “But you—up on your feet and get dressed for work!
        Stand up and say your piece. Say exactly what I tell you to say.
    Don’t pull your punches
        or I’ll pull you out of the lineup.
     “Stand at attention while I prepare you for your work.
        I’m making you as impregnable as a castle,
    Immovable as a steel post,
        solid as a concrete block wall.
    You’re a one-man defense system
        against this culture,
    Against Judah’s kings and princes,
        against the priests and local leaders.
    They’ll fight you, but they won’t
        even scratch you.
    I’ll back you up every inch of the way.”
        GOD’S Decree.

Jeremiah 1:17-19 The Message
 

Trust30 Day 5

Travel by Chris Guillebeau

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die. Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there?

I would like to visit the Holy Land. I am going to be more intent on finding a trip I could take and setting aside funds to make it a reality.

Trust30 Day 4

That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him. Where is the master who could have taught Shakespeare? Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? . . . Shakespeare will never be made by the study of Shakespeare. Do that which is assigned you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Identify one of your biggest challenges at the moment (ie I don’t feel passionate about my work) and turn it into a question (ie How can I do work I’m passionate about?) Write it on a post-it and put it up on your bathroom mirror or the back of your front door. After 48-hours, journal what answers came up for you and be sure to evaluate them.

I’m doing everything but writing!

There is no joy in Mudville

Today marks the 123th anniversary of Ernest Lawrence Thayer’s poem, Casey At The Bat. I remember my Dad quoting lines from this poem when we are growing up. This poem connects sports fans across a century and more.

We can all understand the emotions of the last stanza when our favorite sports team loses.

It is worth a read today, (especially if you are a Miami Heat fan.)

Casey at the Bat
  

One Strong Belief by Buster Benson Trust30 Day 3

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance
The world is powered by passionate people, powerful ideas, and fearless action. What’s one strong belief you possess that isn’t shared by your closest friends or family? What inspires this belief, and what have you done to actively live it?
My strong belief is expressed in a line from a postcard I have: Every one has the right to hear about Jesus. I am being more intentional in my internet presence to present Jesus to the world.

Selling Nuts to Squirrels and The Great Commission

Reading Seth Godin’s blog on marketing today made me think of the Great Commission. He recommends the best avenue is to sell nuts to squirrels, rather than attempting to change the audience’s world view, unless you want to be a world changer.

According to Godin, Worldview changes three things: attention, bias and vernacular. Those are the exact characteristics Jesus told us to influence in Matthew 28:18-20.

Matt. 28:19 Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matt. 28:20 Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (The Message)

While our results create a change in the worldview, the best method is still sharing face to face. It still fits within Godin’s theory.

Seth Godin's Selling Nuts to Squirrels