"Today We Are Rich"

Wow...one word that describes what just happened yesterday. It was an extremely long day as I didn't walk through the front door until just before midnight but it was totally worth it. We got to experience a little intern initiation in the morning which is always fun but the amazing part happened at night. We had a marriage and love seminar from Dr. Emerson Eggerich that was incredible. We as a staff got to experience a message first, then we served the volunteers of the church as they listened to his seminar. During that time I was wrestling 30 month olds for 2 hours. Good luck Jill and Alena for when Cole and Caleb get that age. Why don't I have energy like that anymore? Ha...Anyways, His book "Love and Respect" is a great read. You will be able to hear his message if you podcast Elevation Church after the May 28th, 29th services. His summary is basically 'you win a woman with love and a man with respect'. By nature, woman love and men respect, therefore women need to learn how to respect men and men need to learn how to love women. The constant cycle is that without respect a man responds unloving and without love a woman responds disrespectfully. We as humans need to trust that others are good willed with good intentions and that just because in an argument one is right, doesn't make the other wrong. Important principles that were extremely beneficial.

Right there you could have closed the book on last night but after the seminar, the staff and interns got to experience another incredible conversation between Pastor Steven Furtick and Tim Sanders, author of "Today We Are Rich". It didn't start until after 9:30 at night but it was hands down one of the best things I have ever been able to experience. I am extremely thankful for the leadership that I serve under. I get to be apart of some amazing stuff and have some great leaders pouring wisdom into my soul daily. The story behind the name of Tim Sander's book gave me goosebumps. I'll leave you hanging...you'll have to read the book. He went on to talk about confidence and generosity. He started off by saying, "The grow up moment in your life is when you realize the importance of serving others." He is a very successful business man but he is sold out for the furthering of the Gospel. His first chapter starts off with a summary of Hebrews 11 and he gives this book away to many large corporations in America.

Success is something we all want in our different fields of work. Sometimes we as Christians think it may be wrong to have success in the business world but success is something God wants to give each of us. Just look at Joshua 1. Success however, needs to be stewarded properly. Is God getting the glory for the things He has brought into your life? Are you giving back to the church and ministries that spread the Word? Are you being a generous person with what you have in an effort to show the love of Christ to others? Success is not a destination, it is a direction...and with success, there needs to be a balance of confidence and humility. Confidence is an outlook and knowing you're going to thrive. We have confidence in Christ because He has already won the war. Everyday we have the opportunity to be blessed and bless others through generosity. This is something that I am just starting to learn. For those that know me, you know I don't like to spend money...at all. Last night was huge for me in the area of generosity.

Tim pointed out three areas that I would like to challenge you with. 1) Gratitude - a muscle that needs to be exercised. This allows you to focus on what you have and removes thoughts of hate. It is hard to gripe, complain, and hate when we are focusing on being thankful. He challenged us to spend the first 10 minutes of everyday with gratitude. To thank God for 2 people that encouraged you the day before. To praise God for the things He has blessed each of us with. If our day(s) start off with gratitude...it is hard to focus on the negative. Gratitude will soon be apart of your life everyday and you will notice and be appreciative of the little things way more. People that start the day off on the internet are going to be filled with junk right away...meaning how we start our days off usually effects the rest of the day. He went on to say something that was exactly what I needed to hear. It goes hand in hand with gratitude and having a better attitude in everything. He simply stated the concept of "Have To/Get To". Of changing the focus...This is how you transform the renewing of your mind found in Romans 12. Instead of thinking things like...I have to go to work...change it to...I get to go to work. It's an attitude change. I get to be apart of this amazing movement of God. I get to put in long hours because I get to see the change in people's lives. I get to experience amazing personal teachings because I am fortunate enough to be where I am. I get to serve the King. I get to help others grow in their walk with God. I get to!!!!...You will be amazed at how simple and more grateful life will be if you simply change 'have to' with 'get to'. God's blessings are extreme and we will get to experience so much more if we open our eyes to what He places in front of us on a daily bases. 2) Abundance - that what you keep is what controls you. The essence of life is love and generosity! The real question, is how will you respond if everything was taken away? 3) Content - Are we content with where we are and with the blessings God has given us? (Philippians 4:10-13)...What a great night!