Category Archives: Encouragement

Doing What I Want

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The other day, Alli Worthington posted this tweet:

 

It got me thinking. Why wouldn’t I try to be the person I want to be? How did we ever get to the point of trying to meet the expectations of others?

 

So often in our lives we try to conform to expectations others have for us. Parents, teachers, pastors, friends, spouses, etc. Even if the expectations aren’t verbalized, somehow our fallen minds end up internalizing expectations we believe others have of us.

As a parent of two teenagers, I have to ask myself if I’m telling them what they “should” be. My oldest son is a senior in high school. He’s looking at college next year and majoring in physics. Did I tell him he should be go into physics? I’m pretty the answer is “NO”.

But, have I encouraged him to investigate other interests?

When he was younger, he was a prolific artist. And, quite good. He doesn’t draw anymore. Why? I’m pretty sure his mom and I haven’t discouraged him from it. Did someone else? Did society tell him he shouldn’t look to art as a career?

Don’t get me wrong. I love that he has a passion for math and science. He’s excited about physics! This is good. What if he changes his mind after the first year? I’m sure the dollar signs in my head would tell me to be upset, but hopefully the loving parent in me would encourage him to pursue his passion, whatever it may turn to.

The world tells us we should be many things.

I’ve been a salesman for over 17 years. Am I stuck with this identity? I hope not.

As I attempt to change this identity, I do find at times I’m being told to stay where I am. Why change?

This past weekend I was away from home at a retreat. I was introduced to a few people. One person asked me what I do? Of course the obvious came out of my mouth, “I’m a car salesman.” But!!! I hesitated. I ALMOST said something else.

“I’m a writer.”

Those are the words I wish I had the courage to say. Those are the words I SHOULD say.

Society tells me I “should” be a salesman. I’m ready to change my identity. Are you?

What are you told you “should” be? 
I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Reading, Writing, Baseball, and Slavery

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I read quite a number of books every year. Usually the total ends up between 30 and 60.

A vast majority of the books I read fall in the non-fiction side of things, with a slant toward the self-help/business/inspiration categories. I love a good novel too, but only fall to the fiction side of things a couple of times a year.

One specific book I was waiting for with high anticipation hit most of my sweet spots in life. It teased me with pre-publishing hints about Baseball, Dreams, Passion, and Freedom for those shackled in modern-day slavery. It did not disappoint.

My friend Ethan Bryan is a master storyteller with a passion for baseball and a dream to rid the world of slavery. He’s also a great writer.

“Catch and Release: Faith, Freedom, and Knuckleballs” is Ethan’s most recent release.
Catch and Release Cover 1

In it he tracks through the 2013 Major League Baseball season of his beloved Kansas City Royals, how it coincides with his goal of becoming “The World’s Best Catch Player”, and his desire to raise funds to eliminate modern-day slavery in conjunction with the organization “Not For Sale.”

Why would Baseball and the fight against slavery be in the same book? Good question. This quote from Nelson Mandela, included at the beginning of the book, sums it up pretty well.

“Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” – Nelson Mandela

Ethan is using his skills as storyteller and writer to further breakdown the barriers to modern-day slavery.

Ethan is trying to engage leaders, organizations, regular people, and Major League Baseball players in a conversation we should all be involved in. Many people around the world, but specifically in typical Western Civilization, have no idea of the rampant disease that is modern-day slavery.

Some of us, me included, hear little blurbs about slavery in the news and at specific times of the year, like during the Super Bowl. But, it is not something forefront in our minds on a daily basis.

Ethan’s writing is part of his plan of action to change this for us. He is doing a stellar job.

For me, this quote from chapter 8 sums up what Ethan is trying to do:

“Changing the world happens as we live out the passions and dreams God has whispered into our hearts. When we have the courage and audacity to simply and unapologetically be the amazing people that God whispered into being, the world will change.” – Ethan Bryan

To learn more about the ongoing fight against modern-day slavery, check out
Not For Sale Campaign

To purchase Ethan’s book, go here:
Hearts and Minds Books – Catch and Release: Faith, Freedom, and Knuckleballs

Connect with Ethan.
Twitter: Ethan Bryan
Facebook: Ethan Bryan

I Am Second

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I’ve been wearing this wrist band for a few weeks.

image

 

Recently I’ve had a few people ask me to explain the meaning. It would seem to be obvious, but apparently not so. “I Am Second” means I’m second to Jesus Christ. He is first in my life. He is first in my marriage. He is first in my business dealings.

At least he should be first. And that is why I wear the wrist band.

Shouldn’t placing Jesus first come as second nature to a Christian? Yes. Yes it should.

Then why the need for the wrist band reminder? I need the reminder because I am fallen. Is it a crutch? Yep. And it is one I’ll gladly take with me every day if I need to.

The “I Am Second” movement has pushed me to improve my relationship with Jesus Christ. It has pushed me to improve my relationship with my spouse. It has pushed me to improve my relationship with my children.

The one sentence description of the “I Am Second” movement is this: “Inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others.”

Inspire. The word is on the header of this page. Through writing and speaking I am looking to Refresh, Encourage and INSPIRE others. To inspire YOU!

This movement inspired me to send this text to my wife: “I am convinced I need to do so much more in our marriage and lean on God and trust him for everything. I love you.”

Her response? “Wow! Love you too! What are you worried about?”

I’m not worried about anything. But, I have a desire for a better, more intimate, more Godly, marriage.

My wife and I have been married for over 20 years. Very few times during our marriage have we felt our marriage is strong and beneficial to each other, let alone others. I want this to change. I want to work on strengthening our marriage. The “I Am Second” movement will help us along the way.

The “I Am Second” movement isn’t limited to helping people in their marriage. In fact, I believe it to be a by-product of the movement.

As I mentioned earlier, the movement is all about inspiring people to live for God. I strongly recommend you check out the site (link below). Inspiration and encouragement can be found in every video. Trust me. You’ll find one that will connect with you on some level. Maybe you’ll connect with one you aren’t even expecting you need. I did.

Here’s one specific video I watch frequently.

[youtube id=”k9ZcN_6wzp8″]

Join the conversation in the comments below.
Are you second? Have you been living your life as “Second”?

Here’s a link to the full site.

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