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The Two Extremes

Mike Verdicchio — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:50:08 +0000

It’s Another Podcast!

Sitting in my office yesterday morning, after preparing for our Glendale Fellowship, I had some thoughts. And as I pondered for awhile, I thought maybe I ought to do a podcast about it.

But, then I wondered if it would just end up being a rant! Well you can decide on that. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this, so leave a comment after you listen to it.

Even though I have been teaching the Bible for 34 years, I still consider myself a student; I keep learning and growing in my understanding. It seems to me that when it comes to spiritual beliefs, there are two extremes. What do you think?

Enjoy the podcast -10:55

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The Two Extremes

How Old Are You?

Mike Verdicchio — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:10:15 +0000

I published the article below in December of 2007. You will read about some people who accomplished some amazing things when they well into their “senior years.” I hope the article inspires you to live every moment of your life to the fullest, regardless of how old you are.

Are You Too Old Now?
First published in December 2007

Birthday celebrations are interesting aren’t they? When you’re a child, you look forward to them and they are so much fun. But the older we get, the less we look forward to celebrating another birthday. Why is that?

Have you been to a 30th birthday party recently? “Oh no, I’m not young anymore! I’m getting old! I’ve hit 30!” Those are some of the things you might expect to hear.

When was the last time you were at a birthday party for someone turning 40? You know they have special balloons for that occasion. They are black balloons. When you hit 40, life is just about over, so they say.

And then there’s the big 50th birthday party. Yes, you hit the big “Five-0.” Welcome to old age. So they say.

But on the other hand, there are people who don’t subscribe to that way of thinking. I don’t. Why would I want to focus on and dwell on how “old” I am getting?

A lot of what most people associate being old with is pretty negative. Why think that way? Why not be excited to be alive? Life has so many possibilities! You can live life to the fullest each day by enjoying every moment!

Look What They Did

Who is the oldest man to climb Mt Everest? As of this article, it was Yuichiro Miura. On May 22, 2003 Miura, a professional skier and a high school headmaster from Sapporo in Japan, became the oldest man to reach the summit of Mount Everest at the age of 70. He was among 31 people who reached the summit as part of the Miura Everest 2003 Expedition.

On October 29, 1998, John Glenn, at age 77, became the oldest person in space when he and six other astronauts orbited the Earth for nine days aboard shuttle Discovery. His mission was to test the effects of space on the elderly.

James Van Allen was the physicist who discovered the Van Allen belts. He was asked and accepted to take part in the Galileo Mission to Jupiter, when he was 83 years old.

In July of 1999, Fred Whipple, the noted Harvard astronomer who fathered the phrase “dirty snowball” to describe comets, was named to serve on a NASA space mission team. He became the oldest researcher ever to accept an active role in a NASA space science mission, at the age of 92.

Happy 100th!

In March of 2006, Arthur “Deke” Winston, at the age of 100, retired after 75 years of cleaning and then supervising the maintenance of both the Los Angeles trolleys, and then their buses. In 1997, President Bill Clinton gave him a congressional citation naming him the “Employee of the Century.”

The 100-year-old surprised nobody at his retirement party by announcing that during his retirement, he was planning on helping out old people.

Then there’s George Dawson who had his book published when he was 101. The book is titled, “Life is So Good.” Why did he wait so long to write a book? George had never learned to read until he decided to take an adult literacy class when he was 98 years old! He went on to get his GED at the age of 103.

So the next time you feel like you’re getting too old, don’t believe it. Yes, of course we are a day older today than we were yesterday. But, life is so good. Life is full of so much to see, do and learn!

I do not like to think of myself as getting older. I like to think of myself as getting wiser. And with those few examples that I just gave you, compared to them, I am still a youngster!

Life is truly a gift from God, and He desires that we enjoy the life He has given us to live. So enjoy your life, regardless of how old you are.

Michael A. Verdicchio
2007

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How Old Are You?

Houdini Encounters An Illusion

Mike Verdicchio — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:41:45 +0000

It’s Another Podcast!

As a kid I loved to read about Houdini. In this short podcast (7:09), I relate an incident about Harry Houdini, the master illusionist being confronted himself with an illusion.

This is not only a really good story about Houdini, but it makes a really good point about life – about doors opening. And I also relate about a door in the radio industry that opened for me recently.

Enjoy the podcast!

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Houdini Encounters An Illusion

Paid In Full

Mike Verdicchio — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:55:41 +0000

It’s Another Podcast!

I taught a little bit about the concept of “paid in full” yesterday at the Glendale Fellowship. I also have a new article coming out on Thursday (Pep Letter) with some of that information as well. Since it is really hot on my mind, I thought I would do a podcast this morning.

Some religious people might be offended by some of what I say here or in the upcoming article. I’m not trying to be critical, but, as I wrote in the article, I hope that people take a little time to consider what they believe and why they believe it.

Enjoy the podcast. (9:56)

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Paid In Full

John 3:16 Compilation

Mike Verdicchio — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:40:52 +0000

It’s Another Video!

Okay, I decided to do a compilation of all 5 parts of this short series on John 3:16, the most famous verse in the Bible.

In this video (7:50), I put together all 5 previous videos but left out the introductions. Isn’t this just a great verse? Someone once referred to it as, “The Gospel in a nutshell.”

Enjoy the video.

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John 3:16 Compilation

The #1 Cause Of Failure

Mike Verdicchio — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:55:29 +0000

last night I was back again at The Phoenician for their awards banquet. Many trophies were given ouot for various categories. I introduced the presenters.

During some “down time” while everyone was eating, I reflected on the past two days of this 5 day convention for upper management of this large company. I thought about an aricle I published back in April of 2008, titled, “The #1 Cause of Failure.”

I decided to re-publish it here this morning. It’s still true.

The #1 Cause Of Failure

What is the biggest roadblock to success? What sabotages jobs or relationships? What is the number one cause of failure?

In asking blunt questions like these, many answers may arise as to the real cause of failure. Some would answer by saying that a lack of education is the number one cause for failure. Others would emphatically state that the number one cause is a lack of financial resources. Still others would be convinced that it must be missing out on opportunities.

Actually, hundreds of possible answers to this question exist. And I would have to agree that the answers above definitely contribute to failure. But they are not the real culprit.

In fact, in the least common denominator, there is only one basic reason for not succeeding. It is sad that few recognize it, and fewer still believe it. But it is still true.

What Is It?

The number one cause for failure in anyone’s life is what is going on inside their head. That is the cause! It’s not a lack of knowledge, but rather it’s the false knowledge that a person has put into their mind that they continue to accept as true. It is that false knowledge that sabotages all our efforts.

Negative thoughts are defeating thoughts. Now I know that there are people who scoff at the whole “positive thinking” idea. That is their choice. But their choice does not change what is true. The Bible has a lot to say about the thoughts we think

Consistent negative thinking in the mind will absolutely bring negatives into a person’s life. And it doesn’t matter if you call it, “The Law of Attraction,” or The Law of Vibration,” or any number of names. It is simply the way God designed our brains to work. That’s why we bring into our lives that which we consistently focus our minds on.

So if we choose to focus on negative thoughts, negative situations, negative possibilities, etc., we will absolutely bring those negatives into our lives. How few believe this powerful, critical truth! Our own thoughts are the number one cause of failure in our lives.

Want Proof?

We see proof of it every single day. Do you know someone who consistently has problems? What kind of things do they talk about? What are some of the things that you hear that individual say on a very consistent basis? I can guarantee you their talk, their outward expression of what’s on the inside, is negative.

What kind of thoughts do you think they harbor and incubate? Do you think that they consistently think thoughts of prosperity and abundance; thoughts of health; thoughts of having great relationships? Not hardly.

Do you know people who it seems like things are always going in their favor? (You know the kind I mean, the ones who seem to get all the good breaks!) Do you know people who seem to have God’s blessings just flowing to them? Sure you do, we all do.

What do those people talk about, negatives? No, they talk about positive things, and they talk about possibilities. Their talk seems to indicate that they are expecting great things to happen to them.

Wow! Isn’t that just such a great coincidence? Not!

It is no coincidence! It’s how God designed our brains to work. We all have freewill to choose our own thoughts.

Guess What?

And here’s some really good insight. Just thinking one positive thought or one negative thought will not bring it into your life. There is a part of the mind, which is called by a number of different names. But again, the name is not important. What is important is understanding how your mind works.

This is the part of the mind where you carry out who you are. This is where your core beliefs are stored. This innermost part of your mind is also referred to as your belief system, or, as the Bible refers to it, the heart.

Your life today is the result of what is inside your heart right now. And if you don’t like what’s outside, and you are tired of the same results, then make the effort to change what’s inside; change your heart, your belief system, your core beliefs.

Make Some Important Mental Changes!

Identify the negative defeating thoughts that are in there, and then make a decision to remove those thoughts, and put in their place thoughts about the positive things that you do desire in your life.

Your own thoughts, the things you have stored up in your heart can be your worst enemy. Replace negative defeating thoughts with positive thoughts of success and victory. If you do, you will see the results that you desire in your life.

The Bible says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Michael A. Verdicchio
First published, April, 2008

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The #1 Cause Of Failure

A Day At The Phoenician

Mike Verdicchio — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:58:59 +0000

I spent the whole day yesterday doing announcements for an annual national conference for a large company. It was a freelance voice job for me. I’ve emceed plenty of business meetings in the past.

Throughout the day I heard many 20 minutes speeches. Of course at business meetings like this there was no mention of God; in fact, not even a polite, “Thank God for our success.” But, on the other hand, they were promoting a number of sound biblical principles, like serving the customer, honest work and ethical decisions.

They Were Enthusiastic And Positive

It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm and optimism they have despite the economic conditions of today. Their focus was growing their company by being proactive, not reactive. They were encouraging their mangers to look for ways to improve the product and service in order to see growth.

And even though no one mentioned looking to God for His help and direction, I couldn’t help but think that in this group of over 800 general managers and upper management, that there were some in the group who believe and trust God to help them in their area of responsibility.

Okay, I’m Optimistic

Call me optimistic, but I believe that there are men and women all over the country who are asking God for His help concerning their company and their job. I believe that by operating sound biblical principles, asking God for His help and direction, and then having confidence in Him, things will turn around in our country, sooner or later.

I was reminded again that it is a good idea for all of us to pray for the companies we work for, as well as for all those who are making decisions. That, as well as doing our very best at our job can really have an impact on the company you work for.

At any rate, it was fun to spend the day at one the best resorts in Arizona, The Phoenician. I’m gong back tonight for their awards banquet.

Michael A. Verdicchio

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A Day At The Phoenician

John 3:16 Part 5

Mike Verdicchio — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:42:26 +0000

It’s Another Video!

And now, the exciting conclusion! Part 5 of this short 5 part series on John 3:16, the most famous verse in the Bible.

In this 5th video (3:26), I clear up a little misunderstanding and point out the greatest possession ever.

(I have been thinking of putting together a little montage of all five parts on one video… we’ll see.)

Enjoy the video.

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John 3:16 Part 5

John 3:16 Part 4

Mike Verdicchio — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:45:23 +0000

It’s Another Video!

Here is Part 4 of this short 5 part series on John 3:16, the most famous verse in the Bible. In this fourth short video (2:29), I talk about the greatest person ever.

Now for those who think that it really doesn’t matter who or what you believe, well, they are not going to like some of things that I have to say. Watch and see what you think, and then if you’d like, leave a comment below.

Enjoy the video.

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John 3:16 Part 4

How To Get Rid Of The Stress

Mike Verdicchio — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:40:24 +0000

It’s Another Podcast!

In the middle of very trying and stressful circumstances, you really can have peace.

In this short podcast (10:56), discover a great key in having peace on the inside regardless of the circumstances on the outside.

Enjoy the podcast.

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How To Get Rid Of The Stress