I LOVE AFRICA Event next Thursday in Tampa at Grace Family - Don't miss it

Please join Deb and Mike Gilbert this Thursday at Grace Family Church in Lutz for I LOVE AFRICA. This event is sponsored by One City Ministries.

Social Media twist – Is Jesus Christ following you?

OK, those of us who are seasoned Twitter users know that Jesus is not in fact using Twitter and did not decide today at 538pm to follow me any more than the real Madonna chose this afternoon at 107pm to follow me. Full day on Twitter!

But it does give you pause to sign into your email and see this waiting for you.
Even more impactful is the normal Twitter banter in the confirmation email and how you choose to respond (or worse, ignore).


Hmmmm, so a choice to follow Jesus is as simple as clicking on a hyperlink in the email?

My own choice to follow Jesus was in 1972 before the web was a twinkle in anyone’s eye and not nearly as high tech, but it has been enduring. And fortunately, more than 4 people follow Him.

I wonder too about the implied ease in the Twitter email of rejecting Him and whether anyone would really consider BLOCKING Him, also through clicking on a simple hyperlink?

I don’t know who is behind the Twitter Account dubbed as AskJesusChrist. The location is Jerusalem (but of course). Time will tell if the virtual Jesus answers questions by using God’s Word and parables as Jesus did 2000+ years ago or whether as today’s banter reflected, he will use his own crude dialogue “Hell yes, I exist”.

The real question that this begs is “What would you write differently in your 240 characters if the real Jesus was in fact following you?”

Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15

The Noticer - The Wayward

Enjoy this peek into the first character of the Noticer, by Andy Andrews.

The Noticer, by Andy Andrews

Every once in awhile, you come across a book so special that you can't help but buy them in quantity to give away to friends and colleagues. The Noticer is one of those books.

Andy Andrews has crafted a story about an enigmatic man named Jones [just Jones] who appears in a beach town and touches a number of lives, in a very unusual way.

Jones uses history and literature and even the Bible to show various people why it is important to notice what is around you and especially to notice those things that others often overlook.

I found myself making a "reading" list as I was reading the book, wanting to take in Jones' wisdom by first hand experience with the characters that he would talk about. I have always loved biographies, but I tend to forget how powerful a force they can be.

Andy's writing style in this allegorical treat is easy and engaging. He pulls you into the lives of his characters and as it says on the fly of the book, gives you through the Noticer "your chance to regroup, take a breath, and begin your life again".

I loved the use of analogy in the story telling throughout the book and the obvious parallel to the Holy Spirit's influence on our lives, planting seed after seed and ensuring that it gets watered along the way, even in unexpected ways.

Bravo Andy Andrews for this masterful and highly impactful work. This isn't just fun reading. It will change lives.

The spiritual side of the Word of Mouth Media Relationship Ladder - Rung #2 Spiritual NOISE

You've seen it. The guy standing on the corner with a sandwich board stating that the end of the world is coming and to repent.

Spiritual NOISE is a little bit like that. Not to say that the Holy Spirit can't work on someone's heart and for the sandwich board to be the clincher to get someone to change their destructive behavior.

Rung #2, NOISE is just a slight step above Spiritual SPAM. It has a lot of the same characteristics.

• Talking instead of listening
• Quoting scriptures using archaic language (can you say Thee and Thou) versus a more relevant translation
  
• Overly spiritual terms that turn people off (similar to the second point), such as "repent" versus more common terminology such as "change their destructive behavior"

Talking about someone you love, who has positively impacted your life should be natural conversation, not noise. If I want to talk about my best friend Chris, if you don't appear the least bit interested in hearing about what I love about her, and 10 minutes later I'm still talking about her, I've been really disrespectful of you and have devolved to "noise".

Think before you share. By all means share boldly and in response to nudging or an out and out push by Papa God, but remember to breathe once in a while and to listen for a response.

Getting a response is the next rung on the ladder. Stay tuned.

The spiritual side of the Word of Mouth Media Relationship Ladder - Rung #1 Spiritual SPAM

This week I started a series of posts about the Word of Mouth Media relationship ladder on my various blogs (www.wordofmouthmedia.blogspot.com being one).

It occurred to me that while I'm talking about social media and how it is used and misused, that there is also a spiritual side of this discussion.

You see it all the time. The people who use the moniker "Christian" or even "Born Again". Now, make no mistake, I am a believer that uses those terms as well, but at the same time, I realize the alienating nature of some of the language that believers use to communicate.

We want everyone to know about God's love and His power and the transformational power of accepting the supreme sacrifice that He made when He sent His Son to earth to stand in the gap for us, when we couldn't stand up for our own behavior.

But all too often, we SPAM those that we are trying to reach by not taking to them in their terms and by taking the time to establish relationship.

The most stark example of SPAM in the physical world would be going up to a homeless person, handing them a tract or a book about God's love and leaving them hungry, thirsty, cold [or hot as the case may be here in Florida]. Online, spiritual SPAM can be as simple as talking in ultra-spiritual terms or quoting scripture from a version of the Bible that speaks in terms that are not in common use, without having any dialogue with them to find out where they are and what they are thinking.

None of us want to be spiritual spammers.

What we really want is to introduce everyone that we know to the One that made gave us a clean heart, the one that we want to "press into". That terminology is used to describe not only relationship, but intimacy. In the spiritual version of the Word of Mouth Media relationship ladder, the top rung isn't reputation, it is intimacy. Enjoy this unchoreographed dance to Isa Couvertier's Pressing into You that demonstrates the spontaneous expression of that intimacy.

Stay tuned.

I know the end of the story!

Did you ever pick up a book only to find that you have read it before. When you know the end of the story, it changes your perception of what you are reading (aka seeing).

Revelations 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.

Have you been feeling beaten down? Do the circumstances around you seem like everyone is against you?

At the end of our story, the accuser loses the privilege of access. This is a prelude to his total and utter destruction by the Lion of Judah.

I need to stand up to his lies and accusations and use Revelations 12:9 as my sword in the day to day battles.

Papa God, thank you for not listening to his accusations and for standing up for your children.

Thank you that we will all have the opportunity to bow down to the Lion of Judah.

The Lion of Judah

Revelations 5:5 Stop weeping. Behold the lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the root of David has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.

NOTE: To read more about the background of (and to order) the beautiful picture that I've included here, click on the link on the photo.

Photo Copyright 2000-2008 by Pam Smart-all rights reserved

John knew that the book must be opened and that the seven seals must be broken. It seemed hopeless that no one could be found that was worthy for the task. Even God himself did not step up to open it.

Worthiness came from the ultimate sacrifice of the lamb. Only He was worthy.

He is the overcomer. We have no real choice but to serve Him and give Him glory by living the example He showed us in His life and His sacrifice. He lived LOVE and that is what we are called to emulate in all that we do.

Lion of Judah, give me strength to serve you faithfully and fearlessly to share your love with others. Let them see you when they look at me.

Enjoy this video from Jason Upton about the Lion of Judah.

The Revelation of the Son of Man

Rev 1:14-16 His head and hair were white like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze when it has been caused to glow in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars and out of his mouth came a sharp two edged sword and his face was like the sun shining in its strength.

This picture of the Son of Man (God made flesh, but then glorified) is of his purity, power, strength, clarity, authority and glory.

He is indeed the first and the last and we must listen and hear what he says to the churches.

Lord return me to my first love, help me to persevere and endure and to live in your ways. Let me stay "hot".

Enjoy this video from a Korean dance troupe.



Holy, holy, holy. You are worthy to receive glory honor and power.

It's not a point system

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselfs. It is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

Imagine a world where God created a point system by which we each had to earn "goodness". One point for saying nice things, lose two points for being mean. We would constantly be striving and those who got more points than others would likely flaunt it, or as the author of Ephesians says, "boast".

When we receive a gift, we don't try to take credit for that gift. If someone complements us, we say, "Thanks! So and so gave this to me.".

Thank God that He set things up so that we couldn't earn his favor or his grace or even that we could muster up faith without it being a gift from him (1 Cor 12:9).

Thank you Lord for setting things up in such a way that we can only attribute our redemption to you and that we can truly find rest because we can't earn that amazing gift of grace.

God's Power - Let it rain!

Psalm 97:1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad, let the distant shores rejoice

This series of verses are proclaimed on Michael W. Smith's Worship CD in the son "Let it Rain". They are a perfect picture of God's power.

Even if we don't worship the Lord, the earth will.

Psalm 97:3-5 Fire goes before him and consumes our foes on every side. His lightening lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord.

Lord, let me remember your power and that your righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Thank you for your power and for your protection Lord. Let the people proclaim your righteousness and may ALL the people see your glory.

Sports fans have nothing on believers when it comes to recognizing the power of the One that we worship. Listen to the whole song by Michael W. Smith. Feel the power.

The Word is light

Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

We know that God is the Word. The Word is love. It sheds light on all situations and gives us understanding - even to the simple.

In my 35+ year walk with the Lord, the Word is still unfolding. I see new things and even the old things that first impressed me, I now see with fresh eyes.

Lord, let my hunger for you continue that I would be fed and that your Word would be planted in my heart.

His will IS His pleasure

1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have before Him that if we ask anything according to HIS will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know we have the requests which we have asked of Him.

All of 1st John focuses on living in love and not living in sin & idolatry. Love and loving our brother IS His will, so our requests of Him need to line up with that. If we are just asking for things that serve ourselves or our love of things and money (for their own sake), then we need to rethink our motives.

Since it is His good pleasure for us to live according to His will, it is also His pleasure to fulfill our requests.

Lord, teach me to love. Empower me by your Holy Spirit to love the unlovable.

Change your pattern

John 21:6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch." They cast it and they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

When we don't see results from our efforts (e.g. fishing all night without a catch) and he directs us to change our pattern, we should listen!

Not just because God himself is talking and speaking with knowledge but because He knows that we get stuck in unproductive patterns.

I speak from personal knowledge, as I have felt stuck for over a year in an unproductive pattern. I am ready to "find a catch".

Bring it on Lord! Speak so that I can change my pattern.

Ask that your joy may be full

John 16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. ASK and you will receive that your joy may be full.

Joy is defined by Webster as the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation. God defines it differently. He sees our needs and He desires to fill them. He just wants us to check our "alignment" with His will first.

Did your kids, or a friend or a co-worker ever approach you saying "I don't know if you'll agree, but.....". Actually, they generally already have an inkling, something that they know about you that lets them know that the answer will likely be no.

Asking "in His name" requires knowing Him and understanding His nature. As we get to know Him through His Word and through spending time with Him, every day we have a clearer picture of His plan for our lives. It is so much easier to ask for things when we know His propensity to say yes! If we seek His will for us, then asking takes on a whole new dimension!

As I seek to have a deeper relationship with Jesus and with Papa God, my requests will automatically be more in alignment with His will for our lives. And when He says yes, that is what produces true, lasting joy.

Lord, make my joy complete by revealing your will to me.

They will know you by your love

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you may also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.

So often we look at the outward things - even the religious things (going to church, study and prayer) as measures of our service. But those can all be done with an impure heart and self-centered motives (pride) and as such are not effective. He wanted us to mirror His behavior, His love.

I need to look at my heart and my motives for each act of service. I need to love without condition as He loves me. True service comes out of the heart, not out of the action itself.

Lord, may your love be visible in me. I pray that those that you have put in my path will be touched by your love, through me. Send your Helper to teach me how to love the unlovable. Show me how to serve the homeless.

Thank you for your unfailing love.

His unfailing love

Psalm 32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.

All we have to do is read the paper, online headlines or listen to the news to hear the woes of the world.

Perhaps you think the word "wicked" is too harsh, but at the core we all suffer from the wickedness of our natural self.

As verse 7 says, our deliverance from that wickedness comes not from our own strength, but from trusting in His unfailing love. He is our hiding place, He will protect us from trouble and surround us with the songs of deliverance and victory.

Let the song be heard in Tampa today Lord! Thank you for your unfailing and unconditional love.

Broken and Contrite

Ps 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart o God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant to me a willing spirit to sustain me.

David had sinned big time. Not only did he see Bathsheba bathing and even though she was married, sent for her, slept with her and got her pregnant, but he had her husband sent to the front lines to be killed. Talk about a gross misuse of power.

David knew what it was like to be in God's presence and to have His Holy Spirit's influence in his life.

In Psalm 51, David turned to God, knowing that to do otherwise would separate him from God forever, and likely speed up his own death. He had seen many others die for less. He knew sacrifices wouldn't cut it. That would be external only - action without intent of the heart.

The sacrifice God wanted was a broken spirit - which David had - and a contrite heart - a willingness to TURN back in God's direction rather than following his own lusts and desires.

Psalm 51:10-12 is that cry of David's heart.

Lord, every day, create in me a clean heart and give me the joy of knowing You and You knowing me by name.

Ask, that your joy may be full

John 16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive that our joy may be made full.

Asking in Jesus' name requires knowing Him. You wouldn't ask your spouse to do something that you knew they didn't approve of or that they hated to do. If we seek His will for us, asking takes on a new dimension.

As I seek to have a deeper relationship with my Creator, my requests will automatically be more in alignment with His will for my life.

Lord, make my joy complete by revealing Your will to me.

TARP and the unmerciful servant

Do you suppose there is a link between how the banks that received TARP money are behaving and Matthew:18:23-35? They received TARP money to bail out their debt and now in many cases are showing no mercy (and even bullying and threatening) to those that owe them money.

²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

By the way Wells Fargo/Wachovia.... I don't want debt forgiveness, just mercy and grace, which is what the US Government and the American people gave to you.

They will know by your love

John 13: 34-35 A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you may also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.

So often we look at the outward things - even the religious things, such as going to church, studying and praying - as measures of our love. But these can all be done with an impure heart and as such are not effective. He wanted us to mirror His behavior, His love in all that we do.

His love goes so far beyond our ability to love that it is in fact incomprehensible to most. He asks us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, but to Him, our neighbor in fact includes our enemies. It is tough enough some days to love the folks in our own circles, let alone our neighbors. But that is the model that He laid out for us.

His Word is His love letter to us. That is where we need to start. Understanding and accepting His unconditional, immeasurable love for us will give us the power that we need to love others.

Were you asleep today? http://ping.fm/y19z7 His grace is there. Sunday's coming.

In case you missed the significance of today's passion. It was indeed Good Friday. Don't forget that Sunday's Coming http://ping.fm/y19z7

Catch some of the passion this Good Friday - Sunday's Coming http://ping.fm/y19z7

EGG friends, don't forget today's call at 4pm and our vignette speaker Susan Steinbrecher, author of Heart Centered Leadership. www.solutionz-egg.blogspot.com

Great week of shows on Solutionz Live. I had a great time. Don't forget they are all available on demand, free.

Chris Bradshaw and I are doing our weekly wrapup, which is one of my favorite parts of the week. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

We are interviewing the Director of the country of Jordan for the Intl Medical Corp program about Gaza crisis. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

Join us on Solutionz Live to hear an amazing story about teens raising money for Gaza. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

If you miss Solutionz Live this am, it is always available On Demand as well. www.solutionzlive.blogspot.com

and at 1130am spice up your day with Intellectual Gumbo with my co-host Chris Bradshaw and I.

At 11am, hear the rest of the story from Jordan country director from IMC about how Fordson's contributions were used. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

Then at 1030am join us for special segment on Kids for Humanity with teens that raised $40k for Gaza relief. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

Struggling to get fit? Listen in to Real Life Renovations at 10am with NBC Biggest Loser finalists from last season, Phil and Amy Parham. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

Now, time for bed. G'nite Gracie.

10am Thursday - Real Life Renovations with my cohosts Phil and Amy Parham. http://ping.fm/jCFLz

Two part series on Kids for Humanity 1030a and 11a on Thursday http://ping.fm/f3quv http://ping.fm/AHfJb

Thursday at 1130 join us for Intellectual Gumbo - a wrap up of the week http://ping.fm/I8XlR

Tomorrow's Solutionz Live lineup posted http://ping.fm/CZ2Kl Join us!

Most don't know that #Delaware North (#DNC) runs the concessions for #Kennedy Space Center

#Cape Canaveral broke all records today. Over 11k visitors and people from all over the world. Bravo operations VP Marcelle Nance!!!

Off to Cape Canaveral for a meeting. I've never been there, so looking forward to seeing it up close and personal!

Any would be entrepreneurs out there?, join us live now for Corporate Escape Artists http://ping.fm/USe64

For those that need to grow, join us now for The Blitz Experience with Andrea Sittig-Rolf http://ping.fm/USe64

Join me LIVE on my Solutionz Live - http://ping.fm/USe64 or call (646) 727-2840 for the story of Victory Point

Whatever you are doing, clear the decks and join us for Ed Darack and JJ Konstant for their story "Victory Point" http://ping.fm/USe64

We're talking live to Camille Landau of ReferQuest.com on Innovation http://ping.fm/USe64

Join me LIVE on my Solutionz Live - Business Edition show on BlogTalkRadio at http://ping.fm/USe64 or call (646) 727-2840

For those who are Corporate Escape Artists at heart, join us at 1130a http://ping.fm/USe64

And at 11am back by popular demand to Solutionz Live Andrea Sittig Rolf the Blitz Master on Growth http://ping.fm/USe64

Don't miss Solutionz Live on BlogTalkRadio - http://ping.fm/USe64 at 1030am Ed Darack and JJ Konstant LEADERSHIP under Fire

oops now from PingFM Don't miss Solutionz Live on BlogTalkRadio - http://ping.fm/USe64 at 10am Camille Landau on bartering

If you can't listen live from 10-noon ET, shows are all available On Demand for download.

We're back tomorrow. Solutionz Live - Business Edition show on BlogTalkRadio - http://ping.fm/USe64

April Executive Girlfriends' Group speakers http://ping.fm/k8y1W

Lots of breakins in the surrounding neighbohoods. The new security - leave on the pool lights. Most breakins from back of houses.

Our EGG Vignette speaker for today is Debbie Mandel, Author of Addicted to Stress.

Change in today's EGG speaker http://ping.fm/GSj8b

Rob from Google is about to speak. They are serving cocktails, which is very Googlesque. #travelcom

Herb Kelleher is a real gentleman, a real card and quite entertaining! He is giving Henry of #Forrester a run for his money!

Herb said "If it is conventional, it is not wisdom and if it is wisdom, it is not conventional". This was a quote from an analyst.

Herb Kelleher won Steve Fosset innovator award at #TravelCom for #Southwest's accomplishments

Next up at #Travelcom CEOs of Orbitz and Trvelocity. Should be interesting. Both are new.

Executive Women's Forum at #TravelCom had a record 100 women yesterday.

"A girl's just gotta have friends" article by #Huffington Post writer Karen Leland is worth a read http://ping.fm/ur7bW

Brad's topic is "the New Normal". We are not going back.....

Brad Gerstner is talking about the economy at #Travelcom. Brad heads up #Altimeter Capital.

#GDS is Global Distribution System technology - the tech that powers booking and pricing systems

The fact that #Travelcom is talking about Twitter more than the GDS technology is a sign of the times.

Travel Industry losses are not an April fools joke (unfortunately). Cancelled meetings and conventions results in lost jobs.

Henry Harteveldt of Forrester described at #Travelcom by cochair Krista Pappa as a Tweetheart

Hotels have lost nearly $1b in the last two months from meeting/convention cancellations

We had an amazing turnout at the #Executive Girlfriends' Group (lovingly called EGG) dinner last night. What fun!

It is clearly a new era at #TravelCom

At #Travelcom in Atlanta. Dreary day but is interesting to hear Roger Dow talking about Twitter.

Headed to Atlanta this week for TravelCom09. Radio show on hiatus for the week, back 07APR.

Our speaker Liz Goodgold was great today on EGG call. Get her book at http://ping.fm/UGNsE

Getting ready for Exec Girlfriends' Group call - today is Liz Goodgold, author Redfire Branding

Tuesday am taking a hiatus from the show to travel to Atlanta for TravelCom.

Also looking for other kid/teen philanthropists for the Giving Show on Thursdays at 11am ET. 30 minutes live interview on blogtalkradio.

Decided today that we need to have someone on SolutionzLive to talk about practice of bartering. Any experts?

Just wrapped up Solutionz Live Personal Edition. It is available for download www.solutionzlive.blogspot.com

Monica was so poised on her interview. It was her first radio interview ever. She is 14. Listen to it http://ping.fm/phd9q download to your iPod

www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive at 11am Mark Healy author of Monica and the Zamboni

If you have a heart for giving, join us for young philanthropist Monica Healy.

Thanks for our sponsor the Barbados Tourism Authority. www.visitbarbados.org

Remember that if you miss listening to Solutionz Live today, you can download at http://ping.fm/phd9q

At 1130am ET join my co-host Chris Bradshaw and I for "Intellectual Gumbo", a recap of all 7 SolutionzLive shows this week.

http://ping.fm/phd9q Monica's dad joins us to talk about his book Monica and the Zamboni

At 11am ET on our Giving segment, 14 yr old Monica Healy joins us to talk about her big plans to raise $1m for 2 charities.

She is on right now. You can call in to 646-727-2840 to ask Pamela questions.

If you are struggling financially, tune in to http://ping.fm/phd9q to hear Pamela Yellen talk about her Bank on Yourself methodology

Join us on SolutionzLive! now. http://ping.fm/DvI6T At 1030am Pamela Yellen, author of Bank on Yourself

March 26th Solutionz Live Personal Edition

At 1130am ET, Chris Bradshaw and I co-host "Intellectual Gumbo", a recap of the week and discussion of our favorite authors.

At 11am our Giving segment will feature Monica Healy, 14 year old raising $1m for kids. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

At 1030am Thursday our guest is Pamela Yellen, author of Bank on Yourself for our Financial Health segment. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

Solutionz Live! show tomorrow starts at 10am ET with Phil and Amy Parham and Real Life Renovations. Our guest is Trainer DJ Jordan. www.blogtalkradio.com/solutionzlive

That they may believe

John 9:2-3 And his disciples asked "Rabbi, who sinned, the man or his parents that he was born blind?". Jesus answered, it was neither, it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in Him.

This verse is a very powerful statement about how every challenge that we face in life can be viewed as sin or punishment or as an opportunity to glorify God.

In my own life and particularly with my technology company, which is now sitting dormant after so much investment, it is easy to take on all the mistakes that I made along the way and view them and our current situation as punishment. But when I look from spirit eyes, versus from the natural, I remember that God's nature does not change. He makes beauty from ashes, the oil of joy from mourning and the garment of praise from the spirit of heaviness. I AM a tree of righteousness, a planting of the Lord. He will finish what He started.

Lord, take the mud that is before me, add your spittle and apply that mud to my eyes and show me what you would have me do, as I am blind and I want to use my blindness to glorify you, as you can heal even that that is beyond hope.

Present tense - Not limited by time

John 8:58 Jesus said to them "Truly I say to you, before Abraham was born I AM".

He could have said "I was", but throughout the Word, He persistently uses the present tense because He doesn't change and isn't limited by time as we are.

Jesus was very smart and not just intellectually smart, but street smart. And he was full of wisdom.

I wonder in verse 6 and 8 of Chapter 8 what he wrote on the ground when they were wanting to stone the adulteress. Could it have been as simple as the word "LOVE"? Or was it sin, or the word forgive? Or did He write their sins in the sand, so they would know that He was on to them?

Lord, you are the same yesterday, today and forever. Help me to be wise in all that I say and do. Help me to see your perfect timing and enjoy the time leading us to that time versus fretting. Give me rest, serenity and grace, sufficient for each day.

Provision

John 6:11 Jesus therefore took the loves and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated, likewise also of the fish, AS MUCH AS THEY WANTED.

When Jesus sees a need, He already has the picture of provision in his mind. It isn't the meager solutionz offered by his (CFO) Philip, who said that they only had 200 days of wages in the coffer, which wouldn't be enough for the food. Jesus saw abundance - everyone being fed as much as they wanted.

Lord, I see that I keep asking for the meager and have been limited by lack. I need to embrace the God of John 5:21 who raises the dead. This is not a past tense God that we serve.

We need both provision and abundance in our lives. We need clarity of direction, focus and peace. While we will work hard, we no longer believe that it is your desire for that work to return void.

Fill the baskets miraculously Lord, so that out of the 12 remaining baskets of crumbs we can feed others. We want to give Lord. It is your heart in us that makes it so. Fulfill your word today. We are ready!

Mary knew His power

John 2:4-5 Jesus waid to her "Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to do, do it.".

Mary saw a need and knew that Jesus could fill it. She knew His power and also know that He had to be true to this nature. Wherever He sees true need, he fills it. Notice I did not say "want", but need.

Lord, where are the empty pots so that I can fill them with water so you can turn them to wine. Show me Lord. We need fine wine.

We trust you Lord and will do what you say. We are your servants Lord. Thank you for the fine wine.

Time and Space Continuum and the AWE Factor

You need to see Francis Chan's video The Awe Factor of God, to appreciate this picture.



2 Peter 3: 8-9 Do not let this one FACT escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentence.

The Message Bible translates that this way:

Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

It is finished already. He sees the beginning, the middle and the end. He HAS granted us EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) so we need not see and focus on our lack. Time doesn't matter to him.

All it takes is that ONE moment for everything to change. He isn't constrained by anything.

He wants us to stay focused on the good things.

Diligence ---> faith ---> moral excellence ---> knowledge ---> self-control ---> perserverence ---> godliness ---> brotherly kindness ---> unconditional love (1 Pet 1: 5-11)

The hidden person

1 Peter 3: 3-4 Let not adornment be externaly only - but let it be the hidden person of the heart [the Holy Spirit within], with the imperishable quality of a GENTLE and QUIET spirit which is precious in the sight of God.

This chapter speaks of grace, love, holiness, gifts and of course, of suffering. Again, it focuses on building up the inward, which produces external strength.

This picture always reminds me that through suffering of any kind, and when we can't see to the right or the left and only have the "wet" way forward, that He is there, guarding us - our hearts AND our minds through the trials.

I pray that the gentle nature of the Holy Spirit will come through my bold human nature. I pray that though our current suffering (5:10), that he will PERFECT, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN and ESTABLISH us.

Thank you Lord for our trials and for the Holy Spirit within.

Chicke Fitzgerald

Endurance brings the prize

James 1:2 Consider it joy my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Endurance produces the prize - being perfect and complete - lacking in nothing. These are laws of nature. We see it in the butterfly and the chrysalis. Strength comes from struggle.

I'm so glad to be reassured that (V17) every good thing comes from the Lord. He IS light and cannot change.

Lord, keep me focused on the prize and not on the hardships. Let me count it joy to be getting so strong for you.

See my post on my business blog to see the story behind the butterfly.

Chicke Fitzgerald

Contentment is Peace

Hebrews 13:5 Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself said "I will never desert you nor forsake you".

He knew what was important. It isn't things or money. Those things pass away. True peace and contentment come from knowing what He knew and trusting His word and leading.

I need to keep my eye on the prize and not get distracted by wanting to get "back on track". It is giving that is the key here in my life, right now. Giving to others of my time and talents until the treasures are restored (and they will be!).

Lord, have your way. Let me be content in lack or in plenty.

Chicke Fitzgerald

Be faithful - Hang on

Hebrews 10:23 says

Hold fast the confession of our hope without waivering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.

Being faithful is not always easy, but it always has a reward. We need to be like the Father, who I like to call Papa God (inspired from the book the Shack by Wm. Paul Young), unwaivering, trusting Him to fulfill His promises.

I need to stand firm, with God at my side and agree with my husband Michael in faith as to our future. Prosperity, not poverty, excess, not lack. He is faithful and true to His Word. And the devil is a liar!

Lord, today I lay down my life at your throne. You are in control and totally capable to do what needs to be done in my life. I step aside, turning over the reins to you. I bind in heaven:

• anything that would block your blessings
• sickness and disease
• lack of discipline
• the spirit of fear
• the spirit of poverty

I loose in heaven:

• contracts for work
• online bookings on all of our websites
• resources
• funding
• retiring all of our debt and obligations
• a new book contract
• speaking engagements
• discipline
• ideas
• philanthropy

There is such freedom in knowing that my Papa cares about EVERY aspect of my life, down to the most minute detail. May this encourage you today and stimulate you to love and good deeds. Pay it forward today!

Chicke Fitzgerald

Most popular Google search on Thursday night: John 3:16

For those of you whoare either college football nuts or Gator fans (which by the way are the same thing I think), you by now know Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators. The Gators won the championship 24-14 thanks to Tim's leadership as quarterback of the Gators.

"John 3:16" has appeared in various forms at nationally televised sporting over the years, but after University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow inscribed it on his eye black for Thursday night's BCS National Championship game, the biblical reference became the most popular search item on Google.com.

Tim showed a lot of courage to share his faith in such a bold way. But that is because Tim knows a secret. He knows what God is going to care about when he sees Him face to face.

I got this email today that saw this from the perspective of what God won't ask on the "last" day. Actually, if we are before Him, it is the "first" day of our eternity in His presence. But the point is still well taken. And by the way, He already knows the answers to the questions and loves us anyway, that is grace, which is what John 3:16 is all about.

1. God won't ask what kind of a car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2. He won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4. God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. He won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability and as a servant leader versus a "boss".
6. God won't ask how many friends (real or virtual) you had or how many people followed you on Twitter or Facebook. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a real friend.
7. He won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, he'll ask how you treated your neighbor.
8. God won't ask about the color of your skin or that of the people you hung around with or followed. He'll ask about the content of your character on the inside.
9. God won't ask why it took you so long to realize you needed Him in your life. He'll just lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven and not show you the gates of Hell.
10. He won't ask the content of the things you forwarded to others, including this post. He knows your heart and loves you just the same.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. That is what John 3:16 says. It is all about believing, not about doing. Now, there is a whole lot of the Bible that tells you how God expects you to behave once you know His truth. But He says that the truth shall set you FREE, not put you into some awful bondage where you don't have any fun.

The Message Bible says it this way:

16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

I love that. Get to know the kind of God that loves the world that much. One that makes a very talented college student boldly tell the nation about his God.

And if you haven't read the Bible in awhile (or ever), go to Walmart or Target and buy a Message Bible. You don't need all the "whosoevers" and "believeths". Just listen to His word, His love letter just for you.

Chicke Fitzgerald

God is our unchangeable anchor

I love this quote by John Shedd, particularly embedded in this picture that I found on Tom LeDree's blog site. There Tom said:

So many of us don’t do things because of fear. But taking the easy, safe route in life gets us nowhere. It’s not what we were built for. We were built for adventure. I encourage you to start sailing out into unknown waters and start building the life you want today!

Fortunately our safety comes not from staying in the harbor, but having an anchor that never changes His nature.

Hebrews 6:17 - 18 says:

17In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath,

18so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

Anchors hold boats firm in the storm. Verse 19 of chapter 5 says, "this hope that we have is an anchor for our soul. The fact that He can't change and doesn't lie are our hope.

I will hold fast to that hope.