“Á Whole New World…”

"A Whole New World" is a song from Disney's 1992 animated feature film Aladdin. The song is a ballad between the primary characters Aladdin and Jasmine about the new world they are going to discover together while riding on Aladdin's magic carpet.  A version of the song was performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Whole_New_World

Some of the lyrics include:

A whole new world

A new fantastic point of view

No one to tell us "No"

Or where to go

Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world

A dazzling place I never knew

But now from way up here

It's crystal clear

that now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights

Indescribable feeling

Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling

Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/lmnt/awholenewworld.html

It is interesting that if we’d simply “be still,” look around and breathe, we can see the world through a different perspective.

Many of us rush through our lives oblivious to the wonder and beauty in front of us. We are too busy to listen to the sounds of nature, soothing music or even the laughter of small children.

We often long to experience a life of exciting adventure, when we have it directly in our view. It is often in the form of: the sun breaking through the clouds…the gentle sound of rain…the laughter and optimism of children…the wisdom of the elderly…the many blessings of an ordinary day.

The Bible says:

John 10:10 (NKJV):  “… I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NKJV):  That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.

Powerful Quotes:

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T.S. Eliott

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

"What we SEE depends mainly on what we look for" - John Lubbock

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” - Anais Nin

“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.” – max DePree

“I awoke only to see that the rest of the world is still asleep.” – Leonardo da Vinci

“Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination that we forget the journey.”

Although we may long for a “whole new world,” we will find that if we only pay attention and look at what has been and is directly in front of us, we may see it anew…

“Leading from Behind?”

I am closely observing and learning from several leaders I admire who are being diligent and visionary in implementing a “succession plan” in preparation of their retirement.

I admire their “servant leadership” and determination to leave things in a very functional, growth-trending state before passing on the leadership “baton.”

What concerns me is that a few appear to “cloud their vision” and focus on leading from the same perspective they have used 30, 40, even 50 years ago.

Yes, this worked then…but it is now 2014, approaching 2015. The world is vastly different. Being a late Baby Boomer (born in 1964), it is quite clear that the current generation, the “Millennials,” approach life, work, spirituality and the future very differently than we do.

“We can’t solve problems with the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein

It is understandable that leaders want to solidify the values, best practices and wisdom from the past. However, in any form of leadership, you must manage change by leading from ahead…so that others can follow you.

Those refusing to take into account and utilize current technology, social media and communication trends are completely missing the connection with this current generation, society and industry demand.  

Cases in Point:

Blockbluster, LLc dominated the industry in the 1980’s even up until 2004. They were the leader in movie video rentals. However, they became complacent with their status by not making necessary adjustments to consumer trends. Thus competition such as Netflix, Red Box and Cable On-Demand overwhelmed them and rendered them no-longer-relevant, out-dated, out-of-touch with consumer demand and eventually, out-of-business. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockbuster_LLC

Blackberry was the innovator of cell phone technology up until 2012. “BlackBerry is widely referred to as ‘CrackBerry’ in the United States, which alluded to its excessive use by its owners and is a reference to the addictiveness of crack cocaine.” However, they have apparently allowed Apple and Samsung to minimize their existence with Touch screens, Face-Time, Camera and Free APP technology. They currently find themselves in “reactive” mode instead of “proactive.” Will they be able to move from “leading from behind” to moving up front? Only time will tell.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry

Spiritually, my minister once said: “We have to stay true to the faith, yet relevant to the times.” The Bible instructs us in:

Romans 12:2 (NKJV): And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Although we are not to “conform” to this world, we still have to live in it. We are given the mandate to influence it…to “be transformed by the renewing” of our minds. We have to understand where people “are” before we can lead them where they need to be.

Memorable Quotes:

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin 

“Be the kind of leader you would follow.”

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

"Leaders don't force people to follow; they invite them on a journey" -Charles S. Lauer

”A leader takes people where they want to go. A GREAT leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” – Rosalyn Carter

"We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are." – Max Depree

“Where there is no vision, the people perish:” - Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

If we continue the trend of leading people from “where we think they should be” instead of from “where they are,” we will eventually look around to realize that no one is following…

(If you enjoy my reflections, you can also read more from Lessons from a Bird at Amazon.com)

“Would You Be Found Guilty?”

If you were convicted of “Being a Christian,” would there be enough evidence to find you GUILTY?

If someone hired a Private Investigator to follow your every move and to listen in on your thoughts, words and actions, what would they find?

Imagine: You are in court, defending yourself.  Would there be enough:

• Circumstantial Evidence?
• Testimony of Witnesses?
• Motive?
• DNA Evidence?

Circumstantial Evidence is necessary such as church attendance, prayer, and reading the Word. The Testimony of Witnesses is important as they share what they have seen and heard. And of course our Motives are vitally important. But it is the DNA - the blood (of Jesus Christ) - that will convict you ... and, ironically, will set you free! http://www.lavozeterna.org/estudios/guiltyornot.htm

We fail to remember that GOD has us all under 24-hour-a-day,"continuous surveillance." He knows our thoughts, hears our words, sees our actions, hears our sarcasm and knows our ulterior motives. He KNOWS it all!

We might be clever at fooling man…but there is no fooling God.

Social Media reveals more about people than was ever evident in the past. Racism, Hatred and Unkindness have come to the surface with the ease of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People bravely say the meanest, ugliest things about others, especially celebrities, the President of the United States and athletes online that they would NEVER have the guts to say to their faces. Not only is this pure rudeness, meanness, evil and hatred, it reflects low self-esteem, insecurities and basic cowardice. People who love themselves and love GOD are kind and loving to others. Unfortunately people are revealing their true character.

I am reminded of a joke that goes something like this:

A police officer pulls a car over for speeding. The bumper of the car has stickers that said, “I Love Jesus,” “God is Love,” and one of a cross. As he asks the woman driver for her license and registration, she is uncooperative, rude and curses him aggressively. She yells at him, “How dare you pull me over! I have a committee meeting to get to at church!” He immediately demands that she step out of the car. He hand-cuffs her, puts her in the back of his squad car and takes her to the station. After being detained for about 2 hours, she is released. The police officer tells her, “I am sorry. With all of the “I Love Jesus” and “God is Love” stickers on the bumper, I was certain that this car was stolen.”

The Bible says:

Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV): You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV): 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Luke 16:15 (NIV): 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

Hebrews 4:13 (NIV): 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Psalm 33:13-15 (NIV): 13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV): 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,     before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV): 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 6 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book     before one of them came to be.

Galatians 6:7 (NIV): 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Powerful Quotes:

“Man sees your actions, but God sees your motives.”

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion, but a daily process whereby you grow to be more like Christ.” – Billy Graham

“No nation, institution or person can abandon God’s laws without abandoning his goodness.”

“We shouldn’t try to fit God’s presence into our schedule, but we should build our schedule around being in God’s presence.”

“You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.”

“Remember, you may be the only BIBLE that others read.”

“Stop ACTING like a Christian and JUST BE ONE.” Christine Caine 

We should all strive to be the person, if accused of “Being a Christian,” our answer can be “Guilty As Charged.”

(If you enjoy my reflections, you can also read more from Lessons from a Bird at Amazon.com)

“Junk Mail" Folder

We are all used to receiving emails in the INBOX.

It also has a “Junk Mail” folder.  This contains messages from those who you do not have in your Address Book or unsolicited emails.

Unfortunately, God tries daily to connect with us. Oftentimes, His messages land in our junk mail folders, because we have not communicated with Him enough to recognize Him nor have we added Him to our Address Books.

Also, when we do check our junk mail folder, we do not open His messages nor tag them as “safe” and move them to our Inbox. We delete them.

And then we pray or ask God to hear us and reply to us….especially when things are not going as we want them to, during illnesses or accidents.

The Bible gives many ways that we can make sure we are not ignoring God:    

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV): 6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV): 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

1 Chronicles 16:11(NKJV): 11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

Powerful Quotes:

“If you don’t have time to pray and read scriptures, you are busier than God ever intended for you to be.”

"If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy." ~ Adrian Rogers

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” - C. S. Lewis

“People don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions destroyed.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

“God will always make a way where there is no way.”

“People see God every day; they just don’t recognize Him.”

“Many people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.”
We have to learn to make God a priority instead of an option.

(If you enjoy my reflections, you can also read more from Lessons from a Bird at www. Amazon.com)

A Deeper Look at  “Swapping Ignorance”

As I mediated on my previous post “Swapping Ignorance,” I began to reflect on other aspects of my life that I have done this:

• Why would someone take advice from me about marriage and parenting? (I am single – never married, with no children)
• Why have I listened to others about money when I am more financially stable than they are?
• Why would I entertain Career Advancement advice from someone who is in the same role that I am?
• Why take advice about how to start a business or how to write a book from someone who has never done it?
• Why take Health Advice from someone who is unhealthier than me?
• Why take relationship advice from someone who has been very unsuccessful in maintaining a good relationship?
• Even sports-wise…Why would athletes take advice or entertain criticism from people sitting in the stands…who do not have what it takes to even compete?
• Even politically…Why would I entertain advice about what the President of the United States should or should not be doing from people who are not qualified or credible enough to even be President?
• Even spiritually…Why would I believe someone is a “Christian” who spews hate, curses, drinks obsessively, is sexually inappropriate and a rude person? Just because they attend worship on Sunday?  Obedience to God is a 24/7 practice…not just on Sundays or when you think no one is watching.

Boy…have I been guilty!  My problem is that I seem to give excellent advice…and when people take it, they seem to do incredibly well. I just need to learn to take my own advice…(Ouch! – truth hurts)

The Bible tells us:

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV):  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Matthew 7:1-4 (NKJV): Do Not Judge 7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

Proverbs 12:15  (NKJV): The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

Proverbs 19:20 (NKJV):  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Proverbs 1:2-5 (ASV): 2 To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding; 3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion: 5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:

Memorable Quotes:

“True Humility is staying teachable, no matter how much you already know.”

“Surround Yourself With People You Want To Be Like.”  — T.D. Jakes

“Research Your View:” Please don't make me try to have a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. I research everything I possibly can because facts win arguments. - George Street III

“It’s what we think we know that keeps us from learning.” – Claude Bernard

We could all benefit by “staying in our own lanes,” not advising or “swapping ignorance” about things we don’t know or clearly understand, and seeking wise counsel from God…

“Swapping Ignorance”

My minister shared this insight in his Sunday morning message:

“I have been married 52 years. Why would I get marriage advice from someone married 52 days? I’ve done 52 days 365 times. Getting advice from someone doing the same thing as you is just two people swapping ignorance.”

This was profound wisdom for me.

I somewhat did this as I was publishing my book.  I continuously reviewed the format, style and publishing channels of people who I knew that had just published their first books. I bought their books, reviewed their writing styles and considered their book lengths. My mentor gently advised: “Why don’t you review what other New York Times Best-Selling Authors have done? Aren’t the others you are trying to use as models just beginning the process you attempting?”

I recall doing this often, especially as a college student.  I reflect back now and wonder why I would entertain advice from other students who were in the same boat that I’m in? What wisdom or foresight could they possibly give me? What could I possibly give to them? We would ask each other about purchasing textbooks, dealing with instructors, or managing dorm life. It didn’t dawn on us to ask Upperclassmen, Advisors or Tutors. We were, in fact, just “swapping ignorance” or our lack of knowledge and “best guesses” with each other.

The Bible tells us about wisdom:

Proverbs 1:2 (NKJV): To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding,

Proverbs 2:2 (NKJV):  So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;

Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV):  Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Proverbs 10:13 (NKJV): Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, 

Isaiah 33:6 (NKJV): Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times,…

Ephesians 5:15 (ASV): Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

James 3:17 (NKJV):  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV):  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Memorable Quotes:

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King Jr.

“Most people are drowning in their delusional ignorance without knowing that their suffering was created by themselves.”

“Everything in life is easier when you don't concern yourself with what everybody else is doing.”

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” –  Stephen Hawking

 “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” – Buddha

"If you only read the books that everybody else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking." - Haruki Murakami

“You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of.” – Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Decide today to avoid “swapping ignorance” and seek wisdom from God…

“Living Our Lives in Contradiction”

“Most of us are NOT who we really are…

We are not even who others think we are…

We are who we THINK others think we are…”

Contradiction is defined as: the act of saying something that is opposite or very different in meaning to something else; a difference or disagreement between two things which means that both cannot be true http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradiction

I am amazed how people “say they are a Christian” one minute, yet their words and actions don’t demonstrate this.

This is especially becoming evident during Political Election time.

You can’t say you love GOD, yet hate the President.  Especially since the Lord says:

Romans 13:1-2 (NIV): Submission to Governing Authorities - “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

God didn’t ask us to agree with them or to even like them…He said to submit to them and respect their authority. Even if you disagree with the issues, this should be done respectfully…not attacking the person.

We can’t say we LOVE God, yet be disobedient to His commandments at the same time. These do not reconcile.

I have seen people talk rudely to other people and about them, yet in another breath, say they love God. These two positions don’t match.

There are people who SAY they are have no racial bias, yet they only have values, beliefs and perspectives that favor only people that look like them.

You can’t call yourself a “Christian,” yet only have “wordly” friends. When you are with them, no one can tell the difference.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV): And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The Bible gives us instructions that can be difficult to adhere to, especially since the world and Satan tell us otherwise. That is why we have to Trust God and Be Obedient.

Memorable Quotes:

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain

“Two things prevent us from happiness; living in the past and observing others.

“Two things define you. Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything.” –unknown

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

“Two of the hardest tests in life: 1) the patience to wait for the right moment, and 2) the courage to accept whatever you encounter.” - Paulo Coelho

“Sweetie, if you're going to be two-faced, at least make one of them pretty.” – Marilyn Monroe

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” - Edith Wharton

“You can’t be who you are going to be and who you used to be at the same time.” – Steve Harvey

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

We all strive to achieve what Gandhi describes: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

The daily challenge is to align our lives by God’s will, and not our own.