by | Life Application
photo credit: twitter support
Several months ago I narrowed down the number of people I followed on Twitter significantly. I unfollowed people who hadn’t had activity in the previous few weeks, the last several months, or people who I didn’t feel were providing good enough content for me to follow. I did a slighter version of what Michael Hyatt calls “Twitter Bankruptcy.”
That even included some friends that thought they would enjoy Twitter when they first started, but hadn’t logged in again since. Since we’re still on speaking terms I’ll assume they weren’t offended. (Or perhaps I just let the cat out of the bag)
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by | Life Application
photo credit: d petzold photography (creative commons)
I like to read. Okay, that may be a bit of an understatement.
I love to read!
I’m a fast reader so it doesn’t take me long to finish a book. But one book I’ve been working through slowly is The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris. He has given me many things to think about and he actually puts practices and exercises in the book for you to take part in.
He recently challenged me to take part in what he calls The Eye Gaze. Ferris challenges his readers to practice gazing into the eyes of others for two days, whether it’s people on the street or conversational partners.
The kicker?
You have to do it until they break the gaze.
Since my word for 2012 is Radical, I thought to myself, why not give it a try?
The result?
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by | Life Application
Today I finish up discussing the unexpected Christmas gift I received. Before you start reading today, I recommend reading yesterday’s post to get caught up.
Did He need my gift of obedience? No. But I know that He was smiling because of it, and I knew it was the best gift I could give on Christmas.
The band was playing Christmas songs of course, and they began singing O Holy Night. I had never payed that much attention to the words, but that Christmas morning brought that song to life for me. As we got to the third verse, the words penetrated my heart and the tears came.
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
He had broken my chains of abuse. He had broken my chain of bitterness toward the man whom had hurt me. Oppression was gone, replaced by the sweet hymn of joy. I was praising His name and so grateful that I had chosen the walk of obedience. I knew everything was going to be ok. I would make it through this church service, never having to see him, rejoicing in the fact that I had passed the test.
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by | Life Application
Something huge happened in my life on Christmas Day. I shared with some of my closest family and friends, but wasn’t sure whether I wanted to blog about it or not. Yesterday, I decided it was the thing to do. This post was written on December 27, 2011.
Every Christmas I receive gifts from family and friends. I love to give gifts as well. This year I made the trip back to my hometown to spend time with my family. I expected it to be just like every other year – dinner, the gift exchange, then games and poker with a mixture of laughter. That all happened of course, but so did something else. Something that I am processing as I write this out. It was an amazing gift given to me, but even better than that, there was a gift I was able to give.
For those of you who don’t know, I was sexually molested as a child. Over the last few years I have processed through the struggles of my childhood and pushed through the pain of dealing with the memories. Most importantly, though, I have forgiven those who have hurt me. I don’t know if it happens with everyone, but I’m guessing there comes a time when God puts us to the test to see whether we really do what we say we will. My forgiveness was put to the test this holiday visit.
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by | Life Application
I’ve had goals and plans on my mind for the last few weeks. Now I’m at the point of trying to figure out the difference between the two, or if they’re both the same thing disguised at something different. Jeff Goins has me thinking more about this.
photo credit: wingedwolf (creative commons)
Last week I blogged about excuses we make for not following our dreams or pursuing our goals. We make excuses because we’re really too afraid to pursue what we want. There are too many risks. We’re not good enough. Blah. Blah. Blah.
Name one thing you are considering doing. Are you planning to go back to school? Do you want to start that new business you’ve always dreamed of? What about moving to that new city away from your friends and family?
I’ve been reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris and in the book are some great questions to get you going on pursuing that something you’ve always wanted to do. Filling out these questions will help you to eliminate all the excuses you’ve got up your sleeve.
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