For I Know the Plans I Have For You.......

She could not have realized what she set off inside
of me at the mention of that scripture.
Jeremiah 29:11
Plans to give you a hope......and a future.
Renee Connelly had just given her Dad that scripture
before that fateful night in Mississippi. Her dad was
struggling in low self-esteem, waiting for a job
opportunity to come along. Renee hated what
the wait had done to her father. Hence the scriptural encouragement.

Late that night in Mississippi, her car would hit loose gravel
and the resulting wreck would kill her and her boyfriend.

The girl in my office so reminded me of Renee.
The way she looked.
The way she talked.
Her overall Christian demeanor.

That day in Mississippi was in 1991.
I remember like it was yesterday. I still love
Renee. I was about to hire her as my youth
ministry intern. Just having her around always
lifted your spirit. I haven't forgotten.
And I never will.

Start Small, but START !

Strengthens the Heart
Builds Energy Levels
Lowers Blood Pressure
Improves Muscle Tone
Helps Reduce Body Fat
Makes You Feel Better about Yourself

Wow......It's time to start an exercise program !
Here are a few tips:

1. Start slow and build up.
Rome wasn't built in a day.....neither is your body.
Don't sign up for the Marathon yet.....gradually build
up in the first, second, and third weeks.
2. Pick an exercise you enjoy.
If you hate swimming, don't swim. Bike.
Hit the treadmill. Or better yet, take a walk in a
beautiful park or trail. It's good for the mind as well.
3. Get a Friend.
Nothing like a buddy to push you, motivate you,
and generally spend time with you.
4. Make it a set part of your schedule.
If you don't PRIORITIZE it on your schedule,
it probably won't happen.

Now.....Take the first step !
It will change your outlook on life !

A Little on the "D" Side.....

"I've been a little on the depressed side lately" he said.
I realized what his problem might be. He's been missing his Ex-buddy.
You know. Ex.
EXERCISE !!
It's a fact: Exercise is important for you both for your
physical and mental health. One study showed that exercise-
three sessions of aerobic exercise a week-worked about as well
as medication when it came to reducing symptoms of depression.
(2005- American Journal of Preventive Medicine)

Exercise has been proven to:
Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
Boost your sagging self-esteem
Bring a sense of well-being
Produce a brighter outlook on life
Improve sleep

So....if your constantly tired, exausted, or mentally dull,
put on your sneakers and go to the gym !

Tomorrow: How to start a program.

One GIANT Leap

Forty years ago today the USA launched Apollo II,
the first manned mission ever headed to the Moon.
Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins landed
the EAGLE on the surface of the Moon on July 20. It
was the first time a human had stepped foot on another
planetary body. It truly was.....
.......One Giant Leap for Mankind !

So.......have you taken a step lately?
A step of Faith??
A Risky step??

A LEAP?
You'll never make it to the moon without a step.
Go ahead.
Take that first step.
Then.....Leap !!

Bugs.......Porky.....and Many Others.

Most Children and adults would not recognize the face
of Mel Blanc. But most everyone in America knows his voice....
.....or voices. In 1937 Blanc became the voice of Porky Pig.
Bugs Bunny followed soon after. 90 percent of the voices
of Warner Brothers and Hanna Barbera cartoon characters
were done by him.

So......where is your voice being heard these days?
Does your voice bring forth joy....happiness....and
encouragement?

Mel Blanc died in 1989.
His voice lives on.

Does your voice make a difference today ?
Will it live on after you die ??

In Case You Skip Church..........

Watch this.....

and Worship !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdq9Q8wJdjc

LIFE Entrepreneurship

Jim Collins, author of GOOD to GREAT was asked recently how he
defines entrepreneurship. He responded:

"I take a broad view of it. The traditional definition---founding
an entity designed to make money---is too narrow for me.
I see entrepreneurship as more of a life concept.
We all make choices how we live our lives. You can take the
paint-by-numbers approach, or you can start with a blank canvas.
When you paint by numbers, the end result is guaranteed.
You know what it's going to be, and it might be good, but it
will never be a masterpiece. Starting with a blank canvas is the
only way to get a masterpiece, but you also could blow up.
So...are you going to pick the paint-by-numbers kit,
or the blank canvas ?
Thats a LIFE question, not a business question !"

Well said !
What about you ??

Afraid ? Then....Do Something !!

Fear limits us all from achieving the dreams and goals we have set out to accomplish.

Roman historian Tacitus wrote: "The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise."
Its funny, studies show that those who take risks in life and those who don't take risks seem to have the same amount of fear in their lives.
The difference: those who don't take risks worry about the small and trivial things.

Do yourself a favor today...

Do Something you're afraid of !!

I skipped worship tonight.......sort of.

Headed to worship at 6:30.
Rained really hard.
Decided to skip.
Came back home.

Looked out back.........
A baby bunny
A robin
A beautiful red cardinal

I worshipped.........

Turned this on also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji_1iArEFdQ

You're welcome to join me !!

All That Negative Chatter

Great article by Mel Robbins in this months SUCCESS magazine.
Excerpts:


"All obstacles have one thing in common.......YOU.
The only thing standing between you and what you want
is all that chatter in your head...."

"The obstacles in your day to day life are
just stories you've made up. They're just chatter ."

"You'll never quiet the chatter, so you might as well just
move forward anyway. What have you got to lose ?"



"The rest of your life is sitting on the other side
of all that chatter."



Read the rest of the article:
http://www.successmagazine.com/the-other-side-of-chatter/PARAMS/article/760