http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369 // Amazon.com Widgets AdvancedMinistry Many times we look at people's weakness and we decide in our hearts that they are not worthy of equal treatment. Even those who are born with disabilities deserve the opportunity to live out their lives. Abortion is one of the greatest enemies against compassion. It is sad to think that many parents will end the life of a baby if they find out about any mental illness or medical condition. As Christians should we not show Gods love and compassion to these people who may not have the blessing to have the same health that we were gifted with? Let's show compassion. David gives us a great example of showing compassion. Read it here 2 Samuel 9:1-13 NKJV   Share http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=30369 30369 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:38:00 +0000 “He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” ~ Benjamin Franklin Face it many of us are not where we should be, because we have excused ourselves out of it. We are too good to ourselves. We are so good that we are bad. We are still overweight, still in debt, still in a bad relationship, still broke because we hate making ourselves uncomfortable. I recall the commercial of that girl complaining about being broke, but she can’t get a job because she has no education and she can’t get an education because she doesn’t have money! Here is my take on how to overcome the excessive use of excuses. 1st Take charge! This is your life, is this really the way you want to live? If it isn’t do something about it! Find as many reasons as possible on why you must make the change. The more reasons you can find the more chances you have of sticking to your decision. 2nd Exercise discipline Discipline is doing the things that you hate in order to achieve the things that you love. It takes sacrifice. No pain no gain. This is a difficult concept to grasp because in America you can play now and pay later. Let’s commit to paying upfront for what we want. 3rd Never give up I have seen two boxers of equal stamina and ability box for 12 rounds. The winner of that battle will not be the most capable but it will be the one who refuses to give up. We give up to quickly. I believe problems aren’t meant to make you quit, they are meant to be solved! Do yourself a favor, don’t put off for tomorrow what you should do today. // http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=25334 25334 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:51:00 +0000 It's so important to be connected to the right people. Those who surround you have a direct impact on your destiny. The Bible declares that two people cannot walk together if they are not in agreement, another version says: if they are not going to the same place. (Amos 3:3) Take a moment to observe those near you and ask yourself if their lives are a reflection of your goals? Are they heading in your same direction? Remember, we can only change people when we influence them and we can only influence them when we connect with them. So those who you decide to spend time with are obviously the people that you connect with. That means that you accept their values, priorities and influence. This could mean trouble for you if they don't align with your goals. Staying connected to your goal is challenging enough, the last thing that you need are people working against you. You may have the knowhow, but knowledge is not enough for change to happen. We are visual learners. When we were babies we learned by imitating those around us. This method of learning continues to be the best method of learning. This is why it is so important to be around people who are doing what we would like to be doing. Because displayed behavior, becomes learned behavior we must connect on purpose. Don't be afraid to disconnect from the wrong people. Remember you are connecting so that you may move ahead. // http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=24458 24458 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:35:00 +0000 I love John C. Maxwell’s quote: “Attitude defines your altitude”   Pilots use an instrument to gage the plane's attitude. If the plane's attitude is positive then the plane’s nose is pointing up, but if the plane’s attitude is negative then it’s nose is pointing down. We don’t have to be pilots to understand that if your plane’s nose is pointing down for the majority of the flight you will eventually end your flight in a very unpleasant manner.   Just like a plane our attitude is reflected in our behavior. If we have a positive attitude we a have positive approach to life and opportunities seem to come out of nowhere. On the other hand if we fail to keep a positive attitude everything seems to be too hard and all the opportunities seem to be out of our reach. If we continue a negative attitude we will eventually crash and burn.   For that reason we must constantly keep a look out for our attitude. I don’t know about you but the last thing that I want to do is hit the ground face first. You and I have greatness in us. It was placed there by our creator. The problem is that many of us are not aware that our attitudes are hindering our progress.   The wonderful thing about attitude is that you can adjust it. There is only one thing that you must do to get this ball rolling. You must understand that you have the power and responsibility to decide what attitude you will have. So let’s give our attitudes a much needed make over.  Decide ahead of time to keep a positive attitude. Regardless of how bad the situation gets you are committed to being positive throughout the whole process. At first it will feel like you’re only going through the motions but soon enough the result of your commitment will send a jolt of energy to your emotions. Those around you will notice that you are not giving up, you seem to be fueled by adversity. Not only will this help you accomplish your goal, but it will motivate those around you to keep moving.   Have you checked your attitude lately? Make the necessary adjustments and follow your dreams. // http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=21521 21521 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:33:00 +0000 How many times have we missed out on a great opportunity because we took too long to decide. I feel that this is something that we must train ourselves to overcome. I almost missed out on the greatest experience of my life because I hesitated. I thank God for my wife who didn’t think twice before picking up my slack.   As I think about that moment I realize that I was afraid. There is nothing wrong with being afraid, there is something terribly wrong in allowing our fear to hold us back.   We fear failure or rejection. In order to cease the opportunities that come our way we must train ourselves to act even when we feel the strong urge not to.      Wayne Gretzky said: "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." How many opportunities are you missing out on right now because you’re not making the first move. We have to get over the fear of being laughed at. I encourage you to drive your fear out of your decision making board! Nike said it best – sometimes you have to “Just do it”.   Missing out on success due to our fear of making mistakes will haunt us for the rest of our days. Make a commitment, just as I have, not to allow fear to keep us from the best that God is offering us. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=20387 20387 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:59:00 +0000 "here we saw the giants... and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:33Perception is a powerful ally in the war against fear, but it can become an unbeatable foe if we have the wrong perception about ourselves. We all believe that God is a mighty God and that nothing is impossible for him. The problem that we all face is that God wants to use us to show how mighty and strong he is. We all believe in Gods ability but we seriously doubt our own ability. "How we perceive ourselves is major, because other people will pick up on how we perceive ourselves." ~ Jentezen FranklinGrasshoppers are very small, they can't fight and they have wings but they can't fly.They can jump and it is usually in a desperate attempt to get away from uncomfortable situations. Our perception needs to be in tune with Gods perception. God does not see us as grasshoppers, he sees us as eagles. The American Bald Eagle has a wing span of 7 ft and is usually found soaring the sky's as it preys on its next meal. Be encouraged to change your perception. Here are some interesting facts:Grasshopper vs. Eagle 1- Grasshoppers look up at their adversaries / The Eagle looks down at its adversaries 2- Grasshoppers panic and in an act of desperation flee / The Eagle circles patiently scoping its prey, prepares for attack and then attacks and devours its prey. 3- The Grasshoppers nature is to always flee uncomfortable situations / The Eagles nature is to always soar above uncomfortable situations http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=19211 19211 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:54:03 +0000 My wife, kids and I were invited to join our friends, Forefront Student Ministries, to a wonderful meal and celebration at Cattlemen's located in Faben, TX. Our journey to such a wonderful destination taught us 3 lessons about fear that I hope you can benefit from.Lesson 1We were ready and excited about our destination. We knew we were about an hour away so we gave ourselves plenty of time to arrive. We had traveled 75% of our way and it was now pitch black and the road all of the sudden turned narrow and isolated. At this point our excitement turned into doubt. Are we heading in the right direction? Should we turn back? We made a call and our friends reaffirmed that we were on the right path.Lesson 2The drive in the dark narrow two way road seemed to go on forever. Oncoming traffic was blinding and the curves would surprise us often. Now our "E" light on our fuel gauge came on and not knowing how much further our destination was we began to panic. We haven't seen a gas station for miles! This is all your fault! Whose idea was this anyway? Who in their right mind would drive out this far?!Lesson 3At this point our cell phones went offline and we were out of range. It is pitch black! We are lost! We are out of gas! And now we have no way of calling for HELP! Let me tell you that at this point we had lost all excitement and where expecting the worse to happen. We began arguing. Pull over! We are not going any further until we can contact somebody to come and pick us up! Finally there was a dim light ahead. We will stop there and have them pick us up. As we pulled up to park we noticed a huge sign WELCOME TO CATTLEMEN'S! My wife and I looked at each other but weren't able to laugh until an hour later after our blood pressure normalized.Here is what I learned: 1st It's easy to start with enthusiasm, keeping it until the end is another story. I have seen this in my own walk with Christ. I get very excited about our goals and dreams, but as time passes I begin to wonder if it was really God speaking to me or if I took it upon myself. I begin to feel lost, God am I heading the right way? Maybe this isn't your will.It's time to go back to the instructions you received and make sure you are following them. Call on God and ask him to confirm that you are on the right path.2nd We need to constantly refuel our passion in order to keep motivated about our goal. The worse thing we can do is run out of gas in the middle of nowhere.3rd Make sure you have a good signal. We need to stay in touch with he who knows the way so that we may persevere until the end. Our relationship with the creator is a must if we plan to get to our destination. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=18759 18759 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:16:34 +0000 People make you laugh, they make you cry, and they make you mad! But at the end they make your life. This is very true, they are the source of problems but they are also the greatest resource of life. The Journal PloS Medicine, BYU professors Julianne Holt-Lunstad and Timothy Smith report that being a people person or being social will improve your odds of survival by 50 percent. This means that the opposite would reduce your life expectancy by 50 percent. This is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, or being an alcoholic or twice as harmful as being obese.      We are naturally social. I believe God intended for us to be that way. 1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 3It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing— Life forevermore. (Psalms 133) We find God’s blessing and abundant life when we are socially connected.  Modern life however is on the fast track and cares very little about socializing. Being “so productive” has greatly reduced the quantity and quality of social connections and relationships.     I believe we must make it a point to become social people and search for constant opportunities to connect with those around us. Here is my 3 step take on how to become a people person and enjoy a 50 percent better life:   1st Accept People For Who They Are. Something as simple as a smile lets others know that you approve of them and that it is ok for them to approach you. Smile often, smiling is contagious. Plus it is great for your health. When you smile your body releases endorphins, chemicals that make you feel great. By smiling you will feel great and those who smile back will also feel great thanks to you.   2nd Show People Appreciation. Be thankful for what they do for you. Be verbal about it and tell others how much you appreciate that act of kindness. Let people know that what they do for you is noticed. Praise, praise, praise is the key to showing appreciation. Be loud, let the whole world know about it.   3rd Become A People Builder. “Treat a man as he appears to be and you make him worse. But treat a man as if he already were what he potentially could be, and you make him what he should be.” ~ Goethe Don’t allow people to become distracted with past failures, remind them of all the opportunities for a great future. Don’t even allow them to focus on their present condition but remind them of the greatness that is waiting to be unveiled within them. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=18324 18324 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 12:00:27 +0000 I want to share with you 5 important lessons that we can learn from a pencil. Trust me they are 5 life changing lessons.   Lesson 1 Everything that you do will always leave a mark. We like to think that we are independent and that our actions will only affect us, but that just isn’t true. God created all things to depend on each other. When we ignore this we throw a monkey ranch into the delicate balance that God created. Trust me sparks will fly. On the other hand every positive thing that we do, regardless of how small will have a huge effect down the road. The bible says that on the wonderful day God will say: you saw me hungry and you fed me, you saw me thirsty and you gave me water… and we will ask: when God did I see you? When you do unto one of my children you do unto me. Everything that we do will leave a mark.   Lesson 2 You can usually correct the mistakes you make. Mistakes are part of life, correcting your mistakes and learning not to make them anymore is called growing up. Many times we make this statement: well I am not perfect, I am human. That is a true statement, but it should not be an excuse to continue to make bad choices. Just like a pencil can erase and fix it’s mistake, so can we.   Lesson 3 What is important is what is inside of you. Image will fade with time. Make sure you build yourself from the inside out.   Lesson 4 In life, you will undergo painful sharpening, which will only make you better. It has been the tough times in my past that have made me stronger and more determined. The strict discipline my parents applied on me was not fun at the time, but has allowed me to be a focused person. The sharpening isn’t pleasant but it is very necessary.   Lesson 5 To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be guided by the hand that holds you. Learning to submit is crucial to becoming the best you that you can possibly become. It is important to understand that if we can’t submit to our leaders that are physically with us, we will not be able to submit to God who we don’t see.     “God knows that we all need to be constantly sharpened. You are a special person, with unique talents and abilities.  Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed.  Like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are is what's inside of you.” http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=17822 17822 Wed, 8 Dec 2010 11:58:26 +0000 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Philippians 1:12 This portion of God’s word spoke to my heart in such a powerful way. Every year for thanksgiving we go to youth convention. We miss out on the Thanksgiving celebration with our family. We do it because we see such a great ROI (return on investment).   It is sad to hear so many leaders and Pastors who aren’t willing to make a sacrifice to be a greater blessing for their people.  As I read Paul’s writing God continued to bless me. Paul was in jail and he was happy! I am getting free advertising. It is clear to everyone in the palace and outside that I am in chains for Christ. Even those who where shy to speak about the Gospel, because of my prisons are now speaking of the Gospel.   God is calling us to get a little uncomfortable so that we may be a blessing to others. I heard many people say this is less enjoyable to me because I am getting older! How sad that we would be so small minded to believe that it is all about our own comfort. Paul said, I am uncomfortable, this is the last place where I want to be, but the Gospel is getting preached and the shy are getting over their shyness! Let me continue to be uncomfortable!   I pray to God that as I age I may become more uncomfortable in the hopes of bringing more people to that awesome experience in Christ.  My friends our sacrifice will bear much fruit. Make yourself uncomfortable this week and reach out to someone for Christ. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=17463 17463 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:07:20 +0000 "People do what people see. They forget your words but follow your footsteps."       John C. Maxwell I don't know if this happens to you, but I get so frustrated when I have asked over and over for a response from my audience and I get nothing in return. Have you ever tried to motivate a leader of a small group, but all the good news you share with him is just not good enough! The truth is that we can never make enough positive comments or give positive feedback! Some people just like feeling hopeless. This can really drain your energy level. Be careful, you might end up sad and hopeless yourself. What I learned this past weekend is that the best thing you can do is to motivate yourself. We confuse the role of a leader with the role of a clown. Leaders aren’t supposed to make people happy that is a personal decision. We however must display the discipline of exercising happiness on a daily basis. When we confuse our roles we drain ourselves. Our focus stops being what we are passionate about and it becomes cheering our followers up. Let me tell you, this is the worse place to be at. Get back to what you are passionate about. And enjoy your journey once again. People will notice how happy you are about living out your calling and they will soon follow your lead.      http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=17031 17031 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:10:45 +0000 Lead with your heart (leadership.) Guide with your head (management.) - Jim Cathcart As I have been searching for ways of growing my leadership abilities I find myself having to change a lot of my thinking. It seems that there is a bigger growth process that the leader must go through compared to his followers. I have always been of the idea that I want to help my people, but in that process I am the one needing the most help. To lead with your heart and head simply means that you have made a connection with your people. They are aware that you truly care about them. In return they give you the right to coach them in the life changing decision that they must make. To lead with your heart is all about building a relationship. Sharing values, ideas and time. It is all about being approachable and caring. You must believe in those that you lead, otherwise you will not be able to lead them.   To lead with your head is all about vision and mission. Here you have the chance to evaluate performance and suggest change. You are coaching your team towards success. No real growth will ever happen until we first connect with our people. We must gain trust before we can gain the right to lead. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16905 16905 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:15:16 +0000 "Trust is what holds the world of personal relationships together. When I trust you, I take a little piece of myself... my stuff, my time, my money, my heart... and put it in your hands. And then, I am vulnerable. Then you respond, and I find out whether you are trustworthy and dependable."John OrtbergThis whole week I have been reading blogs, articles and quotes that focus on the follower. The main point behind all these bits of information is consistent- it's not about the leaders experience it is about the followers experience. The main focus isn't on the leader it should be on the follower. We must put ourselves in the followers shoes.This means that I need to learn the followers culture, history and hopes. John C. Maxwell asks three questions which I believe will get us on track.1st Do you care for me?2nd Can you help me?3rd Can I trust you?If your followers can answer "yes" to all three questions they will become loyal followers. People stop following their leaders when any of these needs aren't being met.Keep this in mind, if you help your people get to where they need to be they will help your organization get to where it needs to be. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16859 16859 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:03:24 +0000 "The entire population of the world - with one minor exception - is composed of others."       John C. Maxwell We have become a culture that is solely focused on “me”. As long as it isn’t affecting “me” it isn’t my problem. Several months ago there seemed to be a series of reports on assaults committed on elderly citizens. The troubling issue was that others witnessed the assault and did nothing about it! Are we so focused on our own needs and wants that we are ignoring the needs of those around us? Have we witnessed families in need and looked the other way? The bible is clear about this issue. We are to look out for the needs of our neighbors. Today I heard a powerful teaching about becoming a successful leader.  Barry Libert says that you must follow in order to lead. He explains that we must place ourselves in other people’s shoes and become compassionate. Only then can we truly lead them.    I encourage you today to reach out and touch somebody. Put yourself in their situation and help them work out a solution. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16765 16765 Mon, 8 Nov 2010 12:30:16 +0000 "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."       Helen Keller Have you realized this truth? As I look around me I see so much competition for the same market and I understand that for us to have a fighting chance we must join forces. Working with my idea alone will get me nowhere fast! I believe that what I was called to do in this earth must get done so that our generations will have a brighter future. The solution to this dilemma is to work together with others who have the same passion and mission. Targeting our market through one medium puts us at a huge disadvantage. Take the time to learn from others. Two heads are better than one! The more heads you get to collaborate with you the better the results will be. Currently I am educating myself to better understand our market. I cannot do this alone I am taking advantage of what others have studied and provided. Together we can accomplish great things. Here is a link that might only be available for a short amount of time. It is a great resource that will help us go to the next level in our leadership. Leadership and Influence Summit take advantage of this resource, it is free. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16646 16646 Thu, 4 Nov 2010 13:15:31 +0000 "Ability is a poor man's wealth." John Wooden Today I read this article that really motivated me, "From Making Cabinets to Making Millions: How Harrison Ford Crew into a Star." It speaks about how Harrison Ford was an aspiring actor who found the industry difficult to enter. All he could land where small and unaccredited roles and seldom received speaking parts. After six years, he grew tired of this type of performances and was in need of a steady income. Harrison Ford had the ability to work as a craftsman, so he took up carpentry. He also worked as a stagehand for a rock group, The Doors, and did odd jobs for many of the people he had met while acting. One day a man named George Lucas hired him to build cabinets and the rest is history. The relationship with George Lucas opened the door to stardom for Harrison Ford. I want to share the 3 lessons that we can all learn from Harrison Ford for Personal Growth. 1st Be open to acquiring new skills - If your current dream isn't producing for you put it aside take up on a new dream and be great at it. Who knows it might take you back to your original dream. 2nd Keep growing because you never know when your opportunity will appear Failure is only one step away from success. Even when disappointed we should always keep alive and do our best at whatever we are doing. We must be ready for our next opportunity 3rd Improving your people skills can improve your results Building relationships can many times build careers. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16620 16620 Wed, 3 Nov 2010 11:57:28 +0000 "If you could see yourself in terms of your true potential, you wouldn't recognize yourself."          John Maxwell We are always noticing how great, talented and creative other people around us are. We tend to recognize the talents and gifts of others, but we rarely take the time to see the greatness in us. Even though recognizing others is a good trait believing in our talent is very important. Many go through life wishing they could be someone else. When being you is the best that you can be. My take on this issue is simple. 1st Make a list of all the things that you do well. Ask friends, family, and co-workers to help you compile this list.  You will be surprised by what they have to say. 2nd Read this list out loud to yourself. We tell others how great they are; now it is your turn to tell yourself how great you are. The spoken word has the power to create confidence. 3rd Act on your strengths. Now that you know what you are good at volunteer in roles that allow you to lead in those areas.   Only you can be the best you. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16554 16554 Mon, 1 Nov 2010 11:28:15 +0000 "Taking action without thinking things through is a prime source of problems."       Alec Machenzie Have you ever felt moved to just act without fear of consequence? Many people say it is liberating. The only flaw to this brilliant concept is that there are always consequences. God designed the world to follow the cause and effect principal. All actions will have a positive or negative consequence. Many people chose to ignore the consequences and call the results destiny. This in reality makes lots of sense. If you make bad decision you are destined to bad results. The good news is that you can always change the results by changing the decision making pattern. By nature we like to act on impulse. Impulse most of the time lacks intelligence. I urge us to think our plan through before running with it. It will improve our results dramatically. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16440 16440 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:36:54 +0000 "It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it."       W. Somerset Maughn Settling for less will guarantee us exactly that! Less than what we settled for. Having what you want requires patience and perseverance. You have to work at it. Having less can be tempting, but why cheat yourself out of what you have dreamed for. John C. Maxwell says that we cannot accomplish the best for us until we stop making excuses for our results. Did you aim for 100% but only received 85% - that’s good enough, right?  Wrong don’t let the good get in the way of the better. If you accept 85% than you will always settle for 85% When you do not accept 85% as a good enough result, growth happens. You begin to look for the element that held you back from accomplishing your goal. You begin to evaluate your work allowing you to make the necessary changes to make your dream a reality. You work harder so that next time you may accomplish your goal. God’s word declares that we should go from glory to glory. That means that we should move from 100% to 125% to 150% we should always accomplish more than what we aimed for. I encourage you today make it your goal to reach your goals. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16409 16409 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:08:04 +0000 "Life is about adventure not maintenance."       John Maxwell I hope today’s reflection serves as a wakeup call. It is sad to think that we can go through life and not participate in it. We tend to fall into a routine and disconnect from our creativity. We do the same thing day after day and never try anything new. God creates a new day everyday and his mercies are new every morning. I am challenging you today! Yes, on a Monday! Get out of your routine do something different! Don’t go through life recycling days! Have a new day today! Remember God created you so that you would be creative.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16371 16371 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:47:40 +0000 "For the first time ever everyone in an organization - not just the boss - is expected to lead."       Seth Godin Leading a bunch of followers might give you a power trip but it will not get you anywhere anytime soon. The truth is that two heads are better than one. John C. Maxwell says: “My best thinking is done by others.”  No matter how smart you are you will never be smarter than 10 or even 2 people working together.  The best thing we can do is raise leaders so that we may cover more ground. Remember Moses had to raise leaders! Some handled 50 others 100 and so on. Our people need to understand that they have a huge responsibility in the success of our organization. We must remind our people that they are expected to be committed the vision and mission of what we stand for.  They did not join our team just to cheer us on; they are here to help us build something great! John C. Maxwell reminds us that one is too small of a number to accomplish anything great. Grow leaders and not followers. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16297 16297 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:40:19 +0000 I want to share this testimony from one of my co-workers - it is truly inspiring. My husband and I are in the process of becoming foster parents. Like most people money is not of abundance in my home. It actually stresses me out A LOT! My church is selling one of their properties and is having an estate sale. I went in hopes of getting a refrigerator, and a dresser for our nursery. The refrigerator was priced at $250.00. Although that is a good price I did not have that much money. One of our church members came in and said she wanted the refrigerator. As she was writing her check I asked her what she was going to do with her refrigerator. She told me that when they took the new one they were going to bring her old one to sell. I asked how much she was going to sell it for and she said she didn't know, that it depended on who wanted to buy it. She asked if I needed a new refrigerator. I said yes and she replied with, "How about $25.00?" A little while later my husband and I were talking to another couple in one of the bedrooms at the house and were telling them the requirements on us by the health inspector. We are required to have a designated changing area and was looking for a changing table. The couple told us that they had a changing table in storage, but that it was one that was a dresser with the changing table on top. EXACTLY what we needed. Two birds, one stone. They were also purchasing a day bed that came with a twin mattress. They said they had already had a mattress and asked if anyone needed a twin mattress. We had just purchased bunk beds and had totally forgotten that the top bed was a twin. Last night was an incredible reminder that although I do not see my God, He is always there. I stress over the small things even though He ALWAYS takes care of them. We expect things to work a certain way and when they don't we freak out. Don't worry. He's got this! Whatever it is. Just remember friends God is still in control and he is still performing miracles. Be blessed. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16265 16265 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:40:42 +0000 "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."       John Wooden The way we react to life truly affects our life. I believe we must adjust our expectations and be realistic. Many expect all things to go accordingly to our plan and Murphy’s Law reminds us that all that can go wrong will go wrong! I am not saying that you should become a pessimist but be ready to adjust. God calls us to excel when others tank! It is when the going gets rough that the rough get going. That is our opportunity to succeed. When others are giving up, if we learn to adjust and persevere, we will come out victorious. God has given us creativity, if plan A didn’t cut it develop plan B. We must be relentless when it comes to living life. Do not lower your standards. If you are not where you want to be keep on walking you will eventually get there. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16244 16244 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:50:26 +0000 "You become what you think about."       Earl NightingaleI have had the title "leader" for more than 17 years and one of the biggest things that I learned as a young leader is that you have to be aware of your thoughts. I have directed many teams and our biggest challenge has always been with their thoughts. You can think yourself out of a great thing. God understands how powerful our thoughts are. He said to Joshua in Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. We must guard our mind. Joyce Meyer says it best: "Think about what you are thinking about." Regardless of what is happening around you, keep your mind fixed on Christ. He is the answer to all of our situations. We want to be part of that solution. When you follow us on facebook and/or twitter you will be getting updates throughout your day that remind you of God's word and God's goodness. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16180 16180 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:09:21 +0000 "We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give."       Winston Churchill This makes me smile! I have always said that I work at a C.U. to make a living but I do ministry because that is what I live for. Too often we forget that Gods purpose for our life isn’t for us to become wealthy or to live comfortably. God’s purpose is declared when he says to Abraham you will be a blessing to all of the families of earth! When Jesus walked on earth his priority was to serve and to give to those around him. As a matter of fact his final act upon this earth gave all humanity forgiveness and eternal life. The Apostles walked through towns giving the good news and releasing miracles. If we are not living a giving life we are living an empty and purposeless life. I urge you friends gift the gift that gives eternal life share your faith, time and love.    http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16088 16088 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:01:01 +0000 "A leader must have the courage to act against an expert's advice."       James Callaghan I believe that we are wiser when we seek council. On the other hand I have seen great movements put to rest because of the council of the wise! I believe for us to make an impact on the world we have to be willing to do what hasn’t been done before.   An expert is an expert because he has studied something that exists in order to understand its behavior. The bible tells me that I am going to do things that no eye has seen; no ear has heard and has never been in anyone’s heart to do. You cannot be an expert of the unknown.   Our solution is to have faith! Faith is the conviction of what we believe the hope in what we do not see. I encourage you today my friends to be bold and to act against an expert’s advice. Faith is not based on logic it’s based on belief. I believe that I we exist as a solution to this worlds problems. Be who you are meant to be. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=16026 16026 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:26:00 +0000 "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."       Chinese Proverb Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Many times we overwhelm ourselves in the attempt of bettering ourselves. I consider myself a dreamer. I have big dreams and want to see change in our world. I see the greatness of the finished work and realize that for something of that magnitude to take place I will need more resources than what I poses. It is at this point that we begin to run around like chickens with our heads cut off! Trying to make things happen. Rome wasn't built in one day, and our dream will not reach maturity in one day neither. I believe in planning for the future but you must take it one day at a time. It is not resources that make dreams come true, it is perseverance. It is a marathon there fore pace yourself. You will be running for a good part of the process. The Apostle Paul advices us to keep our eyes on the mark. You head in the direction of what you are looking at. Make sure your eyes are fixed on your goal. Take it a step at a time as long as you are moving in the right direction you will eventually get there. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15964 15964 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:35:32 +0000 I want to share this article with you, it has challenged my life. God Bless you my friends. His name is Roger Crawford, and he makes his living as a consultant and public speaker.  He’s written a few books, and travels all across the country working with Fortune 500 companies, national and state associations, and school districts. Those aren’t bad credentials.  But if that doesn’t impress you, how about this: before becoming a consultant, he was a varsity tennis player for Loyola Marymount University and later became a professional tennis player certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association.  Still not impressed?  Would you change your opinion if I told you Roger has no hands and only one foot? Roger Crawford was born with a condition called ectrodactylism.  When he emerged from his mother’s womb, the doctors saw that he had a thumb-like projection extending out of his right forearm, and a thumb and finger growing out of his left forearm.  He had no palms.  His legs and arms were shortened.  And his left leg possessed a shrunken foot with only three toes.  (The foot was amputated when he was five.)  Roger’s parents were told by various medical professionals that he would never be able to walk, probably would not be able to take care of himself, and would never lead a normal life. After recovering from the shock, Roger’s parents determined to give him the best chance possible for living a normal life. They raised him to feel loved, to be strong, and to develop independence.  “You’re only as handicapped as you want to be,” his father used to tell him. When he was old enough, they sent him to regular public schools.  They involved him in sports.  They encouraged him to do everything his heart desired.  And they taught him to think positively. “Something my parents never did was to allow me to feel sorry for myself, or to take advantage of people because of my handicap,” observes Roger. Roger appreciated the encouragement and training he received from his parents, but I don’t think he really understood the significance of it or his achievements until he was in college and he interacted with someone who wanted to meet him.  He had received a phone called from a man who had read about his tennis victories, and Crawford agreed to meet him at a nearby restaurant.  When Roger stood up to shake hands with the man, he discovered that the other guy had hands that were almost identical to his.  That got Crawford excited, because he thought he had found someone similar to him but older who could act as his mentor.  But after talking with the stranger for a few minutes, he realized he was wrong.  Roger says, Instead, what I found was someone with a bitter, pessimistic attitude who blamed all of life’s disappointments and failures on his anatomy. I soon recognized that our lives and attitudes couldn’t have been more different. . . .  He had never held a job for long, and he was sure this was because of “discrimination”-certainly not because (as he admitted) he was constantly late, frequently absent, and failed to take any responsibility for his work.  His attitude was, “The world owes me,” and his problem was that the world disagreed.  He was even angry with me because I didn’t share his despair. We kept in touch for several years, until it dawned on me that even if some miracle were suddenly to give him a perfect body, his unhappiness and lack of success wouldn’t change.  He would still be at the same place in his life. That man had allowed failure to seize him from the inside, while Roger had mastered the art of failing forward. Chances are that the adversity in your life has been nowhere near as difficult as Roger Crawford’s has been.  And that’s why his story is such an inspiration.  Roger maintains, “Handicaps can only disable us if we let them.  This is true not only of physical challenges, but of emotional and intellectual ones as well. . . .  I believe that real and lasting limitations are created in our minds, not our bodies.”  In other words, no matter what happens, failure is an inside job.John C Maxwell's Blog http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15919 15919 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:11:22 +0000 "First we make our attitudes. Then our attitudes make us." Dennis Waitley We have all heard John C Maxwell say it: "Your attitude determines your altitude." There is no doubt in my mind that those situations that we all rather avoid can actually promote us to the next level. It is through adversity that our true character is displayed. Our skill is put to the test when life strikes. One thing that I love about the Bible's David and Goliath encounter is how David responded to this problem. The bible says that David charged against Goliath, he didn't think about it twice. He made great use of the resources he had at his disposal. When everyone else had lost their courage David gathered courage from within and forced the situation to change! Friends when life strikes you down get up and strike back! Your situation is a stepping stone towards your victory. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15701 15701 Wed, 6 Oct 2010 13:53:23 +0000 "I am a man of fixed and unbending principles the first of which is to be flexible at all times." Everett DirksenAs a 2 year old father I have learned that being flexible with my children is a lot more fun for my children and me. It doesn?t stop there; being flexible with those who follow you makes work more enjoyable as well. I guess we fear that changing pace or doing things a little different from what we had originally planned will send a signal of weakness or disorganization to our people. I feel that it is the total opposite; adjusting for the sake of your team demonstrates you care about your team.Of course you must be aware of those who make it a habitat to always under-perform. Those you can beat with a stick until they rid themselves of those habits. For the most part the people who are part of your team are truly there because they love what they do. Care for them and I believe they will make things happen for your team.  http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15650 15650 Tue, 5 Oct 2010 13:24:54 +0000 I read these predictions and believe them to be 100% accurate.1. The Bible will still have all the answers. 2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.3.The Holy Spirit will keep moving.4. God will still honor the praises of His people.5. There will still be God-anointed preaching. 6. There will still be singing of praise to God. 7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people. 8. There will still be room at the Cross. 9. Jesus will still love you. 10.Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.( 1 Peter 1:25 )But the word of the Lord remains forever." And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.  http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15618 15618 Mon, 4 Oct 2010 13:22:15 +0000 "You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one." John WoodenWhen you do things for the right reason, what others say about it has no affect on what you do. Many people have great ideas that never make it pass the drawing board because they pursue them with the wrong motives. We will never maximize our potential until we decide to do what we are called to do, not for the recognition but because we where born to do it. Take the time to ask yourself why you are doing what you do. Is it a have to, or do you love what you do?  http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15538 15538 Fri, 1 Oct 2010 15:57:48 +0000 "The measure of a truly great man is the courtesy with which he treats lesser men." AnonymousWe know it as the Golden rule. Treat others with the same respect that you would like to be treated. Power and success should be tools to build others and not demolition instruments. Jesus spoke often about serving others regardless of their social statues. The higher you go as an authority figure the greater the need to serve others becomes. As leaders serving those who follow us serves two purposes:1st It keeps us grounded. I love that show on TV about the undercover CEO. What a humbling experience to learn from those who work for you. That is exactly what happens when we serve those who follow us, we learn from them.2nd We gain peoples love, trust and respect. When our followers see us rolling up our sleeves to help them out, it finally clicks for them. He does care about me as a person; I am not just a number to him. Treat others with respect, who knows they might become your boss later in life.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15496 15496 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:45:15 +0000 "Beautiful light is born of darkness so the faith that springs from conflict is often the strongest and best." R. TurnbullI have gone through many things in life that where painful and I just didn't understand why. Today at 32 I see how those odd situations have made me into a creative person.I remember a time in my life when we had it all. That was a great time. I also remember the following years when we lost it all. It was a confusing time for me, but I realized something great! Even when we lost all of our material possessions and felt emotionally drained! Life wasn't over! It was temporary! My family and I started over.I don't know how many chapters you may need to end in your life. Always remember that an ended chapter only means that you get to begin a new chapter in your life. You can only discover the beauty of Gold after it has been through a long and harsh cleansing process. Beauty is born in adversity. Remember it isn't the end, it is only the beginning of something better.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15312 15312 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:24:43 +0000 "Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm."Ralph Waldo EmersonWe are constantly starting projects looking for new ways to get people interested in what we have to offer. I have noticed that if you are not excited about the project, neither will they. At this time we are selling pizza cards to raise funds for 2011. If I can?t get excited about this project I can guarantee we will not sell any cards. If we don?t have enthusiasm in what we do I know for a fact that we will always get poor results. Enthusiasm is like the oil that lubricates a well kept engine. Without that oil the motor will tear itself apart. PEOPLE! Get excited about what you do! Or you will not be doing it for too long! I want to encourage you today to make every project that you are involved in an exciting one. Don?t expect the emotion to come from the project itself. You must add that fine ingredient yourself. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15212 15212 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:14:37 +0000 "The will to win... the will to achieve... goes dry and arid without continuous renewal." Vince Lombardi JrA few days ago I was in a Marketing Class and the guest speaker?s topic was on the benefits of the flex plan. He advised to air your message for a week and then take it off the air the following week. It?s amazing how many people will believe to have seen your message the week you didn?t air it. The message lingers for about a week, but after a week you need to air it again to refresh your message in their minds. Keeping our goals fresh in our minds will guarantee us results. When we forget why something was important to us, it literally becomes unimportant to us. So take the time to ask yourself: ?Why did I want this again?? It might just pump a new surge of energy into your blood stream. Keep the reason fresh in your mind, it?s like drinking an ice cold red bull ? it will keep you alert and will give you wings.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15161 15161 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:44:06 +0000 "To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe." Anatole FranceGreat things don?t happen from one day to the next. It is a series of acts that stand the test of time. There must be a reason, a purpose behind our actions. Otherwise they will fade away and be forgotten. There must also be faith to help us believe in greatness. Greatness is accomplished by performing actions that go beyond what we considered our limitations. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15130 15130 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:38:33 +0000 "Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment and learn again to exercise his will." Albert SchweitzerWe are not victims of our circumstances. We have the power and ability to take whatever situation we find ourselves in and make it work in our behalf. We must stop blaming others when we fail to succeed. Only when we take ownership of our condition can we begin to make any real progress. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15076 15076 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:29:04 +0000 "One man working with you is worth a dozen men working for you." Herman M. KoellikerMany people say that the top is a lonely place to be. That is only true if you failed to include others. Life was meant to be shared. The worse feeling in the world is accomplishing something great and not having anyone to celebrate it with. When you are clearly communicating your dream and vision those who buy into it stop working for you and begin to work with you. Your goal suddenly becomes their goal as well. Make sharing a priority for your team. Soon others will partner with you to see that dream a reality. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=15026 15026 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:35:11 +0000 "If you would win a man to your cause first convince him that you are his sincere friend." LincolnRelationship building is crucial. People buy into the person first and then into the cause. People don?t like to feel used. We are more likely to help out a friend reach his goal than a total stranger. So, take the time to build on your relationships. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14894 14894 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:06:57 +0000 "Focus on the critical few... not the insignificant many." AnonymousLearning to focus on what brings the most return is critical in business and life! I am a person of many skills and abilities but this has proven to hurt my progress more than help it. I now understand that I need to focus on that which I am best at for that will bring me the best return. We love crowds but the bible shows how the crowds only pushed and tugged on Jesus. It was one woman with a great faith that made the miracle happen. Focus on those that are on board for the right reason they will make things happen. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14837 14837 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:47:10 +0000 "Numbers don't mean anything... because it's people that count."       Will RogersWhen we focus on the results before we focus on the behavior that brings those results we end up losing our course. Before we can love and serve the crowds we must first learn to love and serve our neighbor. The best way to run a marathon is one step at a time. So focus on those that are around you. Learn to love and serve them first. Luke 16:10 says: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.? http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14770 14770 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:42:08 +0000 "A true friend is someone who can make us do what we can."       Ralph Waldo EmersonThose who surround us have the ability to empower our lives or to imprison us. A true friend will always push you to your limits. They will always encourage you to face your fears and to have faith in yourself. They will not stand around quietly as you give up on your dreams. True friends care more about you achieving your potential than you liking them. So thank a friend today for not giving up on you.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14725 14725 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:14:06 +0000 "Growl all day and you'll feel dog tired at night." AnonymousThe bible states that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Doctors have found a direct link between your health and your mood. The more you laugh the healthier you will be. The opposite is true. Have you ever noticed how exhausted you feel after a bad day? When you are in a bad mood your whole body aches. With that being said I encourage you all to rejoice in the Lord always! http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14582 14582 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:05:10 +0000 "Quitting is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."AnonymousWe need to be reminded that all situations have an expiration date on them. Some may feel eternal but they too will pass. When we prevail through the storm we grow stronger and our determination solidifies. Quitting can become addictive and all addictions lead to the death of a dream. I encourage you to stay strong even when quitting seems like the better choice.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14525 14525 Thu, 9 Sep 2010 12:37:17 +0000 "Attitudes are nothing more than habits of thoughts and habits can be acquired. An action repeated becomes an attitude realized." Paul MyerBy personal experience I know it is so tempting to think that we are who we are and we can?t change that. The reality is that we are what we think we are. We go after our own thoughts. If we can change our thinking we can change our lives. John Maxwell reminds us that it is our attitude that defines our altitude. I challenge you today to take charge of your thinking and take control of your destiny. Don?t let another day go by without direction.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14490 14490 Wed, 8 Sep 2010 11:57:49 +0000 "Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent things to crowd out the important." Charles E. HummelThere are always things in life that seem to need our undivided attention. Those things will never cease to exist. We must learn to pull away from them so that we can get to those that have true value. Unplug yourself from the electronic devices and plug into life with your family and friends. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14181 14181 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:16:30 +0000 "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Walt EmersonWe measure our abilities by what we have been able to accomplish in the past. We believe that we may be able to do 10% better in the future. Our assumptions are incorrect; we have so much more to offer. In reality we are capable of raising the bar so much higher then what we believe. I challenge you today to do something that scares you. Believe in yourself, believe in God and believe in your cause. http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14161 14161 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:18:40 +0000 "Whether you think you can or think you can't you're right." Henry FordThe limitation lies in our mind. You may be physically capable of performing a certain action but if your mind gets in the way it has the power to paralyze you. Joyce Meyer says: ?you need to think about what you are thinking about!? If our thoughts are negative and full of fear, our daily living will reflect negativity and fear. Free your mind of all obstacles and soon you will discover that your life will also contain fewer limitations. Jesus said: ?All things are possible to those who believe!? http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14094 14094 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:51:24 +0000 "There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don't care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause." ~ George Matthew AdamsYesterday I turned 32 years old and as my family spoke words of love and appreciation I felt overwhelmed with happiness. I heard every single word and soaked it all in. As I listened the faith in myself grew, I believed that I was able to accomplish my goals. We all need words of affirmation and encouragement. We must receive them with humbleness, and we must give them as often as needed. Encouragement will always rekindle the passion in us.   http://www.allianceym.org/index.cfm?i=9756&mid=25&blogid=4369&comments=14071 14071 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:57:10 +0000