Find the geysers

Someone once said that a geyser is just a puddle with enthusiasm. I really enjoy being around people who are energetic and positive about the future. God has blessed me with leaders who inspire that in my life. They tend to breathe life in my dreams and aspirations which excites me about enlisting in the movements that have meaning and purpose. I believe that if you look around, you will find that God has placed cheerleaders around you too. If I am upbeat today it will offer hope to those around me. I was reading in my leadership challenge book this morning and found this quote:

“To get extraordinary things done in extraordinary times, leaders must inspire optimal performance-and that can only be fueled by positive emotions.”

If the leaders displays no passion for a cause, why should anyone else? SO- I need to find some way to apply this today. If I don’t pursue it on purpose, I will go through the day just living for myself. If I go after passion and enthusiasm today I will find myself with something to offer.

Willing to shout it

It was a great evening last night as I had the opportunity to gather with several hundred young people at a Seven Project event. It excites me to see straight forward messages being given to the generation that we will soon hand the baton to. There is a move among them that is not afraid to take a stand for God with their hands held high and their hearts abandoned. Each generation has had those who are willing to shout it from the housetops, but this generation has lugged their PA systems, sub woofers and microphones to the housetop. They have hooked it all up to their laptop computers. They have connected to each other through facebook and myspace and they have become friends of God. With Ipod and Iphone they stay digitally connected.

It all reminds me of a great chorus we sang many years ago:

God’s Got an Army
Marching through this land
Salvation is their song
There’s healing in their hand

Everlasting joy and gladness in their heart
And in this army I’ve got a part.

The meeting greeting

I was reading this morning out of the book of Romans. I was encouraged by words of the Apostle Paul in his exhortation to be busy for the Kingdom.

Romans 12:9-11 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

So much of what we do has an ulterior motive. I really do not want people to wonder if I really love them. I need to find ways to take delight in honoring them. After all, it is no accident that we have crossed paths today. Not to over spiritualize it, but I am a believer in the “divine appointment” concept at some level for everyone I meet. Something positive can be left behind or picked up at every meeting. Even a nod of the head or a friendly wave can impact a person’s life. Where ever possible, use the other person’s name when you meet them. Using their name in you greeting to them takes the meeting to a whole new level. If you say “Hi” to me and just walk by, it is just a passing moment. If you say “Hi Al” to me, you have my attention and the greeting was much more significant. Remember:

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
Winston Churchill