The Make It Happen Moment ® Special Election

July 5, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , , , Leave a comment

Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark

Quote: “Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or church assemblies. God alone makes them!” – J. Oswald Sanders

One morning my brother-in-law was mowing the lawn and saw his little 5-year-old boy, Jacob, standing on the neighbor’s patio in front of their patio glass door peering inside their house.  As my brother-in-law quietly walked over to see what Jacob was doing, he could hear the neighbor’s large dog inside the house barking loudly at Jacob.  Surprisingly, Jacob was not afraid of the barking dog. Instead, with his fire engine red hair, he was bent over staring squarely at the disgruntled dog – behind the glass door no matter – and saying, “You want a piece of me. You want a piece of me…”  Something tells me that my nephew is not only a very funny little boy, but also a future leader in the making!

When we look at the great spiritual leaders of the Bible like Noah, Elijah, and Paul, to name a few, there is one thing I observe that they all had in common.  Each of them were willing to stand strong in the face of adversity to complete the leadership assignment that God had specifically called each one of them to accomplish for Him. I believe the reason they were able to do this is not because of any natural courage they possessed as leaders, but rather because of their faith in God to supernaturally protect them, empower them, and provide for them everything they needed to fulfill God’s special call on their lives.  Each one of them possessed a supernatural courage that only comes from personally knowing God, obeying Him, and knowing that He was for them regardless of the adverse situations they had to face. If this was not so, Noah would have never been able to continue building the ark in the face of community ridicule, Elijah would have run scared from the prophets of Baal, and Paul would have wallowed in self pity as a shackled prisoner in chains. 

I’ve heard it said that just because a person stands in a garage, it doesn’t make them a car. Well, the same is true of spiritual leaders. Just because someone has a leadership position given by men, it doesn’t make them a spiritual leader anointed by God.  Spiritual leaders are specially elected and qualified by God alone through the purifying tests and trials of each person’s specific faith walk and supernatural calling in God.  Psalms 75:6-7 states, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” Additionally, the Lord makes it clear in His Word that He establishes all positions of authority including spiritual authority. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 of The Living Bible states, “Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your Kingdom. We adore You as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone, and You are the Ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength.” Therefore, with a spirit of faith and humility, be the spiritual leader that God specifically makes you to be as He qualifies you completely to fulfill His special call and leadership assignment on your life!

The Make It Happen Servant Leadership Value: “Make It Happen” People Are Led By Servant Leaders!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Special Election Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Special Election, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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The Make It Happen Moment ® Leaders Are Readers

April 20, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , Leave a comment

This Make It Happen Moment ®  was written as a guest post for the 10 Day Book Club writers blog.

Open book icon

Quote: “The person who does not read good books has no advantage over the person who cannot read them!” – Mark Twain

As a young leader growing in the field of financial management, I thought I was doing well with an MBA, a Finance degree, and a CPA…that is…until I was given a real leadership responsibility for a team of people and quickly realized that I needed to learn some things about leading people.  In all of my formal college education and training, I learned a lot about financial management, but unfortunately, as a new leader of people, I learned that my education was significantly lacking in the practical areas of leadership. So I went on a personal quest to learn how to become a great leader and discovered that a wonderful leadership education was available to me by simply reading books written by great leaders.  Furthermore, because I learned from Stephen Covey that a person learns 95 percent of what they teach, I also began a leadership development book club called The Make It Happen Leadership Development College to begin to help teach other leaders how to become great leaders as well. With my little after-hours leadership development book club and the simple concept that “leaders are readers”, my team leaders and I began to grow each month as servant leaders of an extraordinary team of “Make It Happen” people. And the best part is: I believe that you and your team leaders can do the same thing if you carefully choose great leadership books and read them together!

Now that I am a pastor and a faith-based writer of leadership development books, I also believe that the words we read as leaders have a powerful influence on the direction and outcome of our personal and professional lives. In fact, the Bible says in Psalms 119:105 that “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” which clearly indicates that God’s word can and will direct our lives if we choose to read His word.  Furthermore, if the words of God can direct our lives when we read it, other words we read can also influence our lives as we allow those words to have access into our mind and our thought patterns. 

To fully understand how powerful the words we read can be in our lives, it is essential for people to understand the Life Cycle Of Words. Further explained:

  • Words create Thoughts
  • Thoughts produce Feelings.
  • Feelings inspire Choices.
  • Choices generate Actions
  • Actions determine Habits
  • Habits develop Character
  • Character fulfills Destiny
  • Destiny breeds Legacy

And legacy is the life you leave behind when you are no longer alive on earth.  Simply put, the Life Cycle Of Words demonstrates that the power of life, destiny, and legacy is actually in the power of the words we read, think, write, and speak on a daily basis. Wow! With a spirit of wisdom and commitment, may you and I become outstanding leaders whom leave a powerful lasting legacy by carefully choosing the words we read, think, write, and speak each day.

The Make It Happen Training And Development Value: “Make It Happen” People Invest And Participate In Training And Development!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

The Make It Happen Moment ® Leaders Are Readers Copyright 2012, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Leaders Are Readers, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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Planted In Love

April 2, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , , Leave a comment

Wooden cross on the top of Zámčisko

Wooden Cross

“Good morning, son!  I am so glad you will be home.  I have some orders to finish up and was wondering if you could help me today.”

“Yes Papa.  I can give you a hand.  What would you like me to do?”

“See those large logs over there in the corner of the shop?  We need to square them off into wooden beams.”

The small woodworking shop is a family owned business with many customers in the city of Jerusalem.  Tables, chairs, doors, cabinets, desks, and furniture are normal everyday customer orders.  But this week’s special order includes the making of large wooden beams for the Roman government.

With hammer and chisel in hand, the carpenter’s son begins to chip away at the logs as requested by his father. 

Clang.  Clang.  Clang.  As he goes to work on the logs in his hands, he contemplates this tree of life planted in love by his father thirty-three years ago.

 

Growing up in a place known for religion,

A harvest of wheat is worth more than a smidgeon.  

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,

Can something be done to make such a penalty moot? 

Strong and sturdy, full of life and shade,

This tree was cut down so that debts can be paid.

 

Providing shelter for many from the storms of life,

So much can be done for those living in strife. 

Doing everything in their own power and might,

Why do so many work and work blinded in their sight?

Gentle and humble living day after day,

This tree has grown up just to give its life away.

 

“How’s it coming son?  Are you ready for a break?  Your mother has cooked some lunch.”

“Ok, Papa.  I’ll be right there.”

After having lunch with his Papa, the carpenter’s son gets back to work.

Clang. Clang. Clang.   He reflects again on the life of this tree being sculpted by his hands. 

 

Laughing and giggling, climbing up in its branches,

Innocent children find a tree of adventure and plenty romances. 

Adults searching for answers and a life full of meaning,

Find a tree that can be trusted is a tree that isn’t leaning.

Old or young, bald or grey,

This tree embraces all and never turns away.

 

A subtle breeze blowing through its leaves forecast a change in season.

Although the wind cannot be seen, this tree and its branches sway for a reason.

Perched high up in a nest, rising early in the morning,

Can you hear the gentle dove announce the sun as it is dawning? 

Swinging on a swing and life twirling all around,

This tree is always safe because its roots grow deep into the ground.

 

“Son, how’s it coming in there?  Are you finished yet?  We don’t want to keep the government waiting!” 

“Yes Papa.  I AM finished. The cross beams are prepared.”

The special order is delivered to Pontius Pilate in time for Passover.

Clang. Clang. Clang.   “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 NKJV

Planted In Love Poetic Devotional Copyright 2009, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the Planted In Love Poetic Devotional, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved. http://www.makeithappenbooks.com

Treasures Of Darkness

March 25, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , 1 Comment

Scripture

Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.”

Observation

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah declares that the Lord will give to His anointed leader called by name and whose right hand He holds, the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places so that the anointed leader will know the Lord as the One and Only True Living God of Israel.  Even in dark secret places, the Lord still reigns because He has created the darkness and He knows every secret place. Furthermore, the Lord has special treasures in darkness and hidden riches in secret places, which He will give to His anointed leaders when they go through the dark secret places of life where no one can find them but the Lord.

Application

There are times in my life when I may feel like I am all alone in a dark place that no one knows but me; however, it is in those times of seemingly dark isolation when I discover that the Lord is right there with me as a glorious light in the midst of the darkness. As a child of God called by His name, no matter how isolated or dark a place may seem in my life, the simple truth is that I am never alone and there is never a place too dark for God because Psalms 139:7-12 states, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’ Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” When the Lord holds my hand and leads me through the darkest places of my life, He gives me treasure and riches that I could not have received any other way because the Lord is good, He is faithful, and His Word is true, even in the darkest places of my life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are El Elyon, God Most High, Creator Of Heaven And Earth!  Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness to fulfill the entirety of Your Word throughout my entire life by remaining faithful to complete the good work that You began in me 20 years ago. Knowing that You will never leave me or forsake me, even in the darkest places of my life, is a treasure of darkness that I will forever behold in worshipful gratitude to You, my Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Forever Faithful Friend! I love You Jesus! Amen!

Treasures Of Darkness Copyright 2011, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the personal devotion, Treasures Of Darkness, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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The Make It Happen Moment ® Grateful

March 22, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , 2 Comments

English: Pink Azalea flowers

Spring Time Azaleas

Quote: “Giving thanks and remembering what we have to be thankful for gives us hope for today and for our future!” – Jeff and Michelle Niederstadt

As spring approached, it was time for me to mow the lawn for the first time since the dead of winter.  Pollen was all around as the trees began to awaken from their slumber and the spring flowers began to bud with colorful exuberance.  However, my azalea flower bed was overrun with rogue vines growing over the top of the bushes choking the brand new budding azalea flowers.  As I was pulling the weeds away to free the new azalea blooms, I couldn’t help to think about how the devil tries to do the same thing to us just when God is about to birth something brand new in our lives.  That’s because the Bible says in John 10:10 that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but the Lord has come to give us life and life more abundantly.  Unfortunately, if we allow the devil to have his unauthorized way in our thoughts and minds, he will definitely choke the abundant life that the Lord has come to give us, just like those rogue vines in the garden at spring time.

So then how can we effectively stop the devil in his tracks on his mission to steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life that Christ paid so much to freely give us? Well, I believe one of the best ways we can do this is to pray to the Lord with a grateful heart for all that God has done for us regardless of the fiery darts of the devil intended to discourage and disappoint us in life.  Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”   You see, when we cast our cares upon the Lord, with thanksgiving in our hearts, and having faith that He hears our prayers, He begins to weed out the life-choking rogue vines encroaching upon our lives by the devil so that God’s peace may fully blossom in our hearts and minds regardless of our situation.

Therefore, the best weed-eater we have in our tool shed to weed whack the devil over the head is the weed-eater of an effective prayer life fueled by an abundantly grateful heart dependent upon the unsurpassing peace of Almighty God.  James 5:16 states, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” So according to the Bible, it is God’s will for us that we should pray with fervency and always give thanks to Him.  As we do, we can rest assured that God’s good plan and blessing for our lives will burst forth like the abundantly beautiful azalea blooms in spring time as a testimony to the Lord’s glory, goodness, and faithfulness.  Through fervent prayer and a thankful heart, the peace of Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace, will rule and reign in our hearts and minds as all of our hopes and dreams in Him eventually germinate, blossom, and come fully alive at His perfect right time!

The Make It Happen People Value: “Make It Happen” People Possess A Positive Attitude!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Grateful Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Grateful, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

Love And Roses – A Time Honored Letter To My Grandfather

March 18, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , 5 Comments

1930 Hamilton 992 Railroad Pocket Watch in #2 Case

My 88 year-old living grandfather, Gasper P. LaCiura, wrote and self-published a book at age 78 titled, Love & Roses. I’ve titled this post with the same basic title as a showing of my love and respect for him as his grateful first-born grandson. With his permission, I share my personal letter to honor him below.

______________________________________________________________________________

On this Christmas eve in 2007, I am writing this letter, Pa Pa, to honor you and tell you how much I love you for being the best grandfather a young boy, and now a grown man, could ever have.

I want to thank you for letting me experience the thrill of driving your boat as a young lad and teaching me that life is a daring adventure to be enjoyed with those you love.

Thank you for the many opening days of shrimp season when you, my dad, and I would diligently prepare for and excitedly anticipate the blessing of a bountiful first drag of the net. Whether we caught the “mother lode” or we forgot to “tie the pocket”, I learned through these shared outdoor experiences how to appreciate the good things of real life and real family.  

Thank you for the many summer weeks and long week-ends at the camp where I learned how to enjoy and discover the simple things of a “Tom Sawyer” life on the bayou. Shooting snakes, catching garfish, and frying fresh catfish for dinner are the boyhood memories that influenced me to stay near to home as a man and offer my children the opportunity for similar storybook adventures in the sportsman paradise of Southeast Louisiana. 

Thank you for giving me my very first car – a classic 1966 mustang – for the price of $1,200, teaching me that nothing in life is free and anything worth having is worth the hard work to achieve it. 

And most importantly, thank you for always being there for me to listen to my dreams, encourage my pursuit of them, and inspire my belief that nothing would be impossible for me with a little bit of faith, hope, and love.

Now that I am a grown man, blessed by God with a family of my own, doing my best to fulfill my commitments and fully live life with convictions of truth and principle in my heart, the time for me to tell you how much you mean to me must not continue to slip away any longer.  Therefore, without any further delay and believing in the principle that “the pen is mightier than the sword” which you taught me, I write this heartfelt letter to honor you. 

While I may not be able to see you or talk with you as often as I’d like, I want you to know that in all my successes and even my failures, nothing means more to me than the gift of your life, love, and laughter that you shared with me throughout your life, helping me become the man of purpose and conviction that I am today.  In the same way that Pa Pa Tony taught you that “your word is your bond”, many of the life principles that you have taught me are as timeless and priceless as the railroad watch you have saved for me to pass on to my first-born son as a timeless family legacy.

In closing, my sincere prayer for you, Pa Pa, as you reflect upon your prosperous and blessed life, is that your personal relationship with our heavenly Father, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will grow ever more closely and intimately as each day passes just as I love and know you as the best grandfather a boy and a man could ever have in a lifetime! I love you Pa Pa!

Your grateful grandson,

Gary B.

Merry Christmas and many more Happy New Years!

Love And Roses – A Time Honored Letter To My Grandfather Copyright 2007, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint this personal family letter, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

Learned Obedience

March 17, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , , Leave a comment

Scripture

Hebrews 5:8-9 “Though He [Jesus] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

Observation

In this verse, the writer of Hebrews makes the profound statement that our Lord Jesus “learned obedience by the things He suffered.”  While it is a little difficult to comprehend that the Lord of lords and King of kings had to learn obedience by the things He suffered, I take great comfort in knowing that even the Lord had to learn obedience by submitting his human flesh to the ultimate will of God for His life.   As a result, I should not be surprised that I must also learn obedience by the things I suffer as a human being through the submission of my flesh to the ultimate will of God for my life. 

Application

Because the Lord was victorious in learning obedience through the things He suffered, being both fully God and fully human, I too can be victorious in learning obedience by the things I suffer as a believer because Christ lives in me and gives me the strength and grace to learn obedience through my sufferings as a human being filled with His Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord my Righteousness!  Thank You for giving me the strength and grace to learn obedience by the things I suffer in the flesh as I submit my flesh to Your ultimate will for my life. Through Your glorious victory over sin and death through the things You suffered at the Cross, in Christ, I am more than a conqueror also by learning obedience through the things I suffer too. I love You Jesus! Amen!

Learned Obedience Copyright 2011, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the personal devotion, Learned Obedience, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

The Make It Happen Moment ® Divine Direction

March 7, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , , 4 Comments

English: Ystiklettur cliffs, northeasternmost ...

Quote: “Every path has a destination. Direction – not intention – determines destination!” – Andy Stanley

While on a mission trip to the Native American Indian islands of Alaska, I had the opportunity to go salmon fishing with Mr. Casey, one of the elders of the local church in Metlakatla.  It was after our work was completed one afternoon that Mr. Casey offered to take me and a friend fishing with him before nightfall.  So the three of us climbed into a 16-foot skiff and headed to another island to fish along its shores in the Pacific Ocean.  Unfortunately though, while we were trolling for salmon along the island shore, a murky ocean fog began to roll in toward us. Worried about the fog impairing our ability to get back home safely, I respectfully assured Mr. Casey that it was ok for us to abandon our fishing expedition and head back home; however, Mr. Casey didn’t think much of the fog as it totally besieged us. Needless to say, I was not at all comfortable with the fog surrounding us, especially when I found out that we had no compass on board.  Furthermore, with a smile on his face, Mr. Casey said that we had no need to worry because he often spent a night on the island when this happened and it wasn’t too bad as long as the night temperature stayed above freezing and the bears stayed away.  With a courteous nod, I chuckled at Mr. Casey’s Alaskan humor and then began to seriously pray for our lives…

Once we caught enough fish, Mr. Casey decided that it was time for us to head back home across the open waters in the dense fog. And as you might imagine – without a compass – I was certain that we were destined for a Gilligan’s Island experience becoming totally lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a 16-foot skiff on the longest boat ride of my life. But somehow, Mr. Casey, a lifetime experienced Native American Indian fisherman, navigated our little skiff back into the safe harbor of Metlakatla despite the endangering fog that seriously impaired our ability to see.  Maybe it was the direction of the wind or the direction of the currents or the fact that Mr. Casey had traveled that path so many times he could do it with his eyes closed – I don’t really know – but what I do know is that Mr. Casey followed the right path and it brought us home safely.  Once we arrived at his home on the island, Mr. Casey told his wife the story about the fog and my worry about sleeping on the island. Laughing together with everyone on our team, Mr. Casey’s wife affectionately labeled me an official “Greenhorn”. 

I share this true story because sometimes we may find ourselves lost in the fog of life, not knowing which direction we should take to get to where we want to be; however, if we allow the Word of God to be a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet as the Bible declares in Psalm 119:105, we will have no need to worry about our path.  In fact, Proverbs 3:6 states, “In all your ways acknowledge Him [Jehovah Rohi, the Lord my Shepherd] and He will direct your paths.” By the truth of God’s Word and the power of His Holy Spirit, we have a built-in compass leading and directing our steps even when the fog of life may seem so thick that all we can do is walk by faith and not by sight. Therefore, with a spirit of faith and humility, fear not when life is a challenge to navigate because the Bible promises in Psalm 37:23 that “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”

The Make It Happen Professionalism Value: “Make It Happen” People Are Professionals!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Divine Direction Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Divine Direction, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

All Things Richly

March 4, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , , , 2 Comments

Scripture

1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,  storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Observation

In these passages of Scripture, the apostle Paul is teaching Timothy how to effectively disciple and coach people of influence and affluence in his community. His encouragement and admonition to the wealthy is to place their trust in the Giver of the wealth and not the wealth itself. Additionally, he emphasizes that God gives us all things richly so that we can enjoy life as a real life blessing by doing good to others, being rich in good works of the kingdom, and generously sharing the blessings of abundant life with others.

Application

As the Lord opens doors of abundant blessing for me and my family that no man can close, I must recognize that the Lord gives me all things richly to enjoy, but never to worship, and that He blesses me abundantly so that I may be an abundant blessing to others. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my Provider!  Thank You for supplying all of my need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus and for giving me life and life more abundantly to richly enjoy with others.  As a child of the Most High God, thank You for the blessing of Abraham upon my life and my family so that in Your blessing, we are blessed to be a blessing in Your kingdom! I love You Jesus! Amen!

All Things Richly Copyright 2011, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the personal devotion, All Things Richly, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

The Make It Happen Moment ® Primal Tide

February 26, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Quote: “Faithfulness is the courage to incarnate the gospel in creative ways!” – Mark Batterson

Have you ever wondered about the strength and magnitude of a powerful rising tide that indiscriminately raises all ships?  Think about it for a moment.  No matter what, when a tide rises, it raises all floating ships.  There is no escaping a rising tide; therefore, the only thing a ship can do is rise with the tide as it rolls in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe that a rising tide that raises all ships is like people who possess an abundance mentality and seek to win in life by helping other people win in life.  Through the indiscriminate use of their extraordinary God-given talent and potential, abundant thinking people understand the principle of sowing and reaping and realize that as they work to help other people win, they too will win.  In other words, if they help raise the success tide for other people, professionally and personally, the principle of sowing and reaping will raise the success tide for them as well.  The supernatural kingdom effect of abundance thinking inspired by the infinite goodness and mercy of God is as real and powerful as a natural rising tide. 

So then why don’t people naturally embrace an abundance mentality that helps other people win in life?  I believe it is because people have lost a primal wonder of how abundantly great and good God’s nature is in our own lives and have replaced it with a misdirected primal self-reliance on our human nature which is mostly scarce and competitive in an unredeemed state.  In fact, our society emphasizes and reinforces competitive behaviors from very early in life where we are taught that to win, someone else must lose.  As a result, we are effectively programmed to think that helping others will cause us to lose what is actually not even ours in the first place.  When we do this, we believe there isn’t enough of God’s goodness to go around for everyone; but, this is simply not true because Psalms 23:6 states, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”  Therefore, if you don’t possess such a primal abundance mentality inspired by God, you may think that the only way you can become successful in life is if other people fail in life.  Then, selfish human nature will likely cause you to work against the tide by trying to sink other people’s ships rather than helping to sail their ships.  Unfortunately, this will wear you out and actually work against you in the end.

Thomas Edison believed that there is actually more opportunity than there are people to see it; therefore, instead of draining your energy working against people, start thinking like Thomas Edison and begin sharing your thoughts, time, power, influence, knowledge, praise, finances, love, respect, beliefs, authority, talents, strengths, and potential with other people to help them win in life.  When you give from an abundant heart grounded in the love of God, God will see that your generosity is returned back to you and so much more.  Your life success will actually grow as you help other people become successful in life, just like the rising tide that raises all ships.  With a spirit of faith and generosity, don’t be afraid of becoming a primal tide of God’s abundant goodness and mercy towards others, but rather abundantly celebrate God-given opportunities to help others rise in life and enjoy the primal tide of God’s abundant goodness and mercy in your life as well!

The Make It Happen Abundant Celebration Value: “Make It Happen” People Celebrate Accomplishments Abundantly!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Primal Tide Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Primal Tide, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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