Revitalize Your Church

I discovered, long ago, that a wish or desire is not enough to get something done. Every accomplishment starts with an idea, of course -- but ideas, alone, won't make things happen. Even a very strong "want to" won't bring the follow through. Getting something done requires doing something ahead of time! 1. What Gets Scheduled Gets Done. A while back, I shared a great vacation idea with my wife, Cathy. "Hey, we should go on a cruise sometime!" "When are you thinking we should do this?" Cathy wondered. "I dunno. Just sometime . . ." Cathy replied, "Well, the only way that's going to happen is if it gets on the calendar." For years, I said I wanted to author a book, but never seemed to have the time to write it. Then, I actually did it. Here's what made the difference. I put" book writing" on my weekly calendar. When I scheduled a definite time to write -- presto -- the book magically appea...

Ideas are a dime a dozen. Millions of people have great ideas, but never get around to doing anything with them. What a tragedy to see so many unrealized hopes and dreams. Why do we put off the important tasks of life? Why do we allow ourselves to settle into the plateau of mediocrity? Here are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon: 1) We tend to value comfort more than accomplishment. When forced to make a choice between the two, most people follow the path of least resistance. 2) Fear of failure can keep us from starting. Of course, the greatest failure is not trying. I'd rather attempt something great, and fail -- than to attempt nothing and succeed. 3) Poor time management keeps us from fulfilling our dreams. If we don't schedule the important things into our lives, they won't get done. Poor planning leads to hectic living - with little to show for it. 4) Our actions reveal our true priorities. We live what we really believe - regardless of what we say. Rethin...

Shortly before his untimely death, pitchman, Billy Mays was interviewed in American Way Magazine. He remarked, "I'm not going to let other people who may have a problem with me-the way I pitch--deter me because I have a lot to give and a lot to do yet in my life. I think there's a bigger platform out there for me now." Dr. Jeff Myers , professor at Bryan College, happened upon this article and made the following observation: "I think there's a bigger platform out there for me now." Those words haunted me. How often have I pinned my hopes on the platform I could stand on in the future, or the greater good I could do tomorrow, or the ideas I have for someday. This simple interview with Billy Mays reminds me that there are no guarantees. My careful planning for tomorrow must not trump the influence I must seek to have today. When it comes to mentoring, coaching and discipling the next generation, this moment, now, is the most important platform there is. T...