The Bottom Line of SUCCESS

Principle # 18

2009-11-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

I've got to say "no"

to the good so

I can say "yes"

to the best.

I love to eat in cafeterias, and I especially like ones that are arranged so that I can view what's being offered before I get to the serving line. Several years ago the Redhead (my wife) and I went into a new cafeteria, and I had the opportunity to carefully evaluate what was being offered. This enabled me to quickly move down the line, telling the people behind the counter to give me some of this and this and this. That's very important, because regardless of how hungry you are, you cannot eat some of everything on the line.

I wanted to choose foods that I felt would not only taste good but would also be good for me. In short, I had to pass up a lot of good food to get the best.

That's the parallel between the cafeteria line of life and the cafeteria line for good. In life, we simply cannot be, do, and have everything in this big, beautiful world of ours. We need to choose, and the choices we make will ultimately determine how successful we are in the eight crucial areas of life: Happiness, health, peace, prosperity, security, friendship, family, and hope. It's up to you to choose the best and pass up the good.

For physical training is of

some value, but godliness

has value for all things,

holding promise for both

the present life and the life

to come.

1 Timothy 4:8

Principle # 17

2009-11-11T08:29:00.000-08:00

For a child,

love is spelled

T-I-M-E.

A young man was to be sentenced to penitentiary. The judge had known him from childhood and was well acquainted with his father, a famous legal scholar. "Do you remember your father?" asked the magistrate. "I remember him well, your honor."

Then, trying to probe he offender's conscience, the judge said, "As you are about to be sentenced and as you think of your wonderful dad, what do you remember most clearly about him?"

"I remember when I went to him for advice, he looked at me from the book he was writing and said, 'Run along boy; I'm busy!' When I went to him for companionship, he turned me away, saying, 'Run along, son; this book must be finished!' Your honor, you remember him as a great lawyer. I remember him as a lost friend." The magistrate muttered to himself, "Alas! Finished the book, but lost the boy!"

The workaholic approach to life seems to be growing in popularity. Strange as it may sound, the workaholic is lazy. It requires considerably more effort and risk to learn how to communicate effectively with you spouse. And it requires considerably more energy for the workaholic to learn to play with, deal with, and communicate with a child in his emotional level.

Think constantly about

these commandments ...

teach them to your

children and talk about

them when you are at

home or out for a walk; at

bedtime and the first thing

in the morning.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 TLB

Principle # 16

2009-11-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

The parent who

truly has a good

self-image understands

that real love demands

they do what is best

for the child.

This morning I heard a fascinating conversation between a father and a talk-show host. The father said his two little boys had been put on probation, because they had been late to school nine times in last sixty days.

A family council was called and they all (including Dad) accepted full responsibility for their parts in the scenario. The parents explained that each morning at exactly 7:30 they would leave the house for school. If the kids were not ready they would gather everything they were going to wear and head for the car. When they arrived at the school they would exit the car and walk into the school, whether they had their shoes on or not.

The parents accept their responsibility for getting the kids up early enough to give them time to get dressed and have breakfast.

Getting to school on time teaches the entire family to accept responsibility, but especially those two little guys. If they had been allowed to "get by" with being late and showing irresponsible behavior, a negative pattern might have been established. The teacher who reported them, the parent who accepted the responsibility, and the two boys are all going to be winners. That's a winning approach to life.

being punished isn't

enjoyable while it is

happening--it hurts!

But afterwards we can see

the result, a quiet growth

in grace and character.

Hebrews 12:11 TLB

Principle # 15

2009-11-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

You will make a

lousy anybody else,

but you are the best

"you" in existence.

You are the only one

who can use your

ability. It is an

awesome responsibility.

Around the turn of the century near the town of Beaumont, Texas, a landowner was forced to sell portions of his land to feed his family. Then an oil company told him there could be oil on his property and offered to pay him royalties if he would permit them to drill. The landowner agreed, because he had nothing to lose.

When the well came in, it destroyed the wooden derrick, creating enormous excitement. Before they could cap the well, several hundred thousand barrels of oil had pumped out. That was the discovery of "Spindletop,"the most productive single oil well in history.

The landowner became an instant multimillionaire--or did he? The answer is really "no." You see, he'd been multimillionaire ever since he had owned the property. Unfortunately, he had no knowledge of that fact and consequently did not capitalized on it.

It is my personal conviction that inside all of us, there is incredible ability and talent, much of which is never recognized and used. My suggestion is simple: Get acquainted with yourself. Recognized, developed, and use what you've got. Who knows--maybe there is a "Spindletop" underneath. You've certainly got nothing to lose by doing a little drilling and exploring. Who knows what might come to the surface.

I praise you because I am

fearfully and wonderfully

made; your works are

wonderful, I know that

full well.

Psalm 1 39:14

Principle # 14

2009-11-04T06:29:00.000-08:00

It is not what

happens to you that

determines how

far you go in life;

it is what you

do with what

happens to you.

One of the most remarkable men I've ever known is Charlie Wedemeyer. Charlie coached the Los Gatos high-school football team to the only state championship they've ever won. I remember the day I attended a practice session with Charlie and his team. He and I were carrying on an extended conversation from the sidelines when periodically an assistant coach would run up and ask questions. Without hesitation, Charlie, who had been watching intently during our entire conversation, would spell out the specifics he should follow.

The amazing thing is that the only parts of his body he can move are his eyes and mouth. Charlie Wedemeyer suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease. His wife, Lucy, is his interpreter. She reads his lips and effectively delivers the message.

Charlie has the most remarkable attitude and the greatest sense of humor I believe I have ever seen. Though travel arrangements are difficult, he regularly speaks to people in schools, business, prisons, and churches. He has something to say, and Lucy verbalized it to the audience. He might be the only speaker in America who can't speak. Needless to say, his life and wife communicate a powerful message of hope, love, and a "never-give-up" spirit. They both have a passion to make a difference.

but despite all this,

overwhelming victory is

ours through Christ who

loved us enough to die

for us.

Romans 8:37 TLB

Principle # 13

2009-11-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

The ladder of

success works like

any other ladder.

Very few have climbed

it with their hands

in their pockets.

The finals of the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship of 1997 was one of the most exciting and dramatic golf events of the year. Playing in the finals were Steve Scott and Tiger Woods. On the eighteenth green, the final hole, Steve was one up, putting first. Tiger's ball was in Steve's putting line, so Tiger spotted his ball a club-head length away and marked it. Steve Scott putted and missed.

Tiger carefully circled the green, viewed every possible angle and was lined up to putt when Steve reminded him that he had not spotted his ball back in the original spot. Making the correction, Tiger sank the putt, and the match was thrown into "sudden death," which was won by Tiger Wodds.

Here's the reason Steve Scott is such a marvelous role model. Had he not reminded Tiger that he had not respotted his ball correctly, and Tiger had stroked the putt, he would have been penalized two stroked the putt, he would have been penalized two strokes and lost the championship.

That's what makes long-term winners. That was sportsmanship and integrity personified. Even though Steve lost the championship, he won something infinitely more important--self-respect and the admiration of literally millions of golfers all over the world. That's a role model in action.

Hard work means

prosperity; only a fool

idles away his time.

proverbs 12:11 TLB

Principle # 12

2009-11-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

If a child lives

with praise

he learns

to appreciate.

-Dorothy Nolte

Children Live What They Learn

If a child lives in criticism,He learns to condemn.

If a child lives in hostility, He learns violence.

If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives in encouragement, He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives in fairness, He learns justice.

If a child lives with security , He learns faith.

If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to love the world.

-Dorothy Law Nolte

Lo, children are an
heritage of the Lord: and
the fruit of the womb is
his reward.

Psalm I27:3 KJV

Principle # 11

2009-11-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Inject people

with hope.

On Saturday, May 3, 1997, I had the privilege of attending a Special Olympics event with my family. Our granddaughter, Anne, participated on two races and won a silver and a gold medal. She was exited.

The opening ceremonies, complete with color guard, speeches master of ceremonies, salute to the flag, "Star Spangled Banner," and performance by a drill team were all spectacular to watch. However, the most moving sight was watching the opening parade. Many emotions were displayed, but the main one was the sheer delight of so many of the athletes-their smiles, the jumping up and down, the way they hugged each other, and the enthusiasm they displayed.

The master of ceremonies reminded us that just thirty years ago the "experts" believed that no mentally retarded person would ever be able to swim the length of an Olympic-size swimming pool or run a mile. But then he rightly observed that they did not measure the heart or the soul of these athletes.

Question: "What would happen if all of us used the same percentage of our ability that these special athletes use of theirs?" Seeing the athletes' commitment gave hope to those present that day. Remember, those who give hope to others are generally filled hope themselves.

I pray that God will help
you overflow with hope in
him through the Holy
Spirit power within you.

Romans 15:13

Principle # 10

2009-10-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

"Paul Hrvey"

Remember-the

"free" cheese is

in a mousetrap.

Years ago Paul Harvey described how Eskimos in the frozen North kill wolves.They take a razor-sharp knife, dip it in blood and freeze it. Next, They bury the handle of the frozen tundra with the blade sticking up. Wolves, attracted to the scent of blood, come to lick the blade. The cold numbs the wolf's tongue and by the time he reaches the blade he's unaware he is licking a sharp edge. As he begins to bleed, he licks even faster until ultimately he bleeds to death.

In many ways Paul Harvey was describing the way young people are lured into drug and alcohol traps. Early on, some drugs and alcohol make a person feel good and they enjoy the feeling. After a few "trips" on those drugs and alcohol, however, they begin to lose their sense of perspective and the drugs have less and less effect. This leads them to indulge in stronger, more potent drugs-and he or she is "hooked."

Interestingly enough, the wolf and the drug addict have another thing in common. Each wanted the same thing-namely, to give little or nothing and get a lot. A more successful formula is to give a lot, and you'll get a lot in return.

For even when we were
with you, we gave you this
rule: "If a man will not
work, he shall not eat."

2 Thessalonians 3:10

Principle # 9

2009-10-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

The profile of

a wealthy person

is this: hard work

perseverance,

and most of all,

self-discipline.

The Louis Harris poll of people who earned more than 142,000 a year and had a net worth of over a half a million dollars, not including their homes, described these successful people as being unexciting, middle-aged, and cautious. They emphasized family values and the work ethic. Eight-percent of them were married. Ninety-six percent of them acquired their net worth through hard work, which means they denied themselves immediate gratification so they could have what they really wanted later. Eighty percent were politically conservative or middle-ofthe-road, and they were relatively non-materialistic.

In other words, their goals went beyond money. Eighty five percent said that their major objective was to provide for their family (that's an attitude of responsibility ). Only 11 percent rated owning an expensive car as being very high on their want list. The badges of success didn't matter to them nearly so much as family,education, and their business or job-not much excitement but, infinitely more important, they had an excellent quality of life. Persistence, consistency, discipline, and hard work (all of which are learned skills) made the difference. Their lives seemed to in balance.

Do you know a hard-
working man? He shall be
successful and stand
before Kings!

Proverbs 22:29 TLB

Principle # 8

2009-10-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

Love is not the basis

for marriage;marriage

is the basis for love.

Being loved is the

second-best thing in

the world;loving

someone is the best

The True Love Daily Checklist

Did I speak words of love to my mate today?
Did I act with love toward my mate today?
Was i patient with my mate today?
Was I kind to my mate today?
Was I jealous or envious of my mate today?
Was I proud or boast to may mate today?
Was I selfish with or rude to my mate today?
Did I demand my own way with my mate today?
Was I irritable or "touchy" with my mate today?
Did I hold on to grudges against my mate today?
Was I glad when truth triumphed with my mate today?
Was I loyal to my mate today?
Did I believe in and expect the best from my mate today?
Did I use my strengths for my mate today?
Did I keep the faith with my mate today?
Did I find hope with my mate today?
Did I Love my mate today?
Do I understand that the greatest strength is love?

Love... does not hold
grudges and will hardly
even notice when others
do it wrong.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 TLB

Principle #7

2009-10-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

These ten little

two-letter words-

if it is to be, it is up

to me-are absolutely

valid.The solution is

to do it now.

One reason people do not develop and use their talent is denial. Many people find it comfortable to deny talent . After all, if they deny their talents, then perhaps they can persuade others that they really don't have anything to offer.

A second reason people don't use their talents is procrastination. They're going to use them in the nonexistent future on someday Isle ("someday I'll"), which is nonexistent island. Tomorrow is the greatest labor-saving device ever brought to light.

I believe fear (which is faith in reverse) is the third reason for not using our talents. Many people don't understand that failure is an event and not a person, so they decide to "play it safe" and not do anything at all.

The fourth reason people do not use their talents is irresponsibility. They find it more comfortable to blame other things and other people for their failures.

Some of the saddest words you'll ever hear are "what might have been." Speaker Vicki Hitzges puts it in a unique and different way when she asks, "Will you look back on life and say, 'I wish I had' or 'I'm glad I did'?" You do have a choice

For the gifts and calling
of God are without
repentance.

Romans 11:29 KJV

Principle #6

2009-10-26T01:29:00.001-07:00

Neil Rudenstein

Where you start is

not as important as

where you finish.

Just in case you have even of a trace of PLOM ("poor little old me") disease and are saying,"But,G, you don't understand about my past," I've got a better idea for you. Instead of explaining why it won't work for you, let me tell you how it worked for others.

A study of three hundred world-class leaders, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Sir Winston Churchill, Clara Barton, Helen Keller, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Dr. Albert Schweitzger, and Martin Luther king, Jr., revealed that 25 percent of them had serious physical disabilities and an additional 50 percent had been abused as children or were raised in poverty.

The world-class leaders responded (positive) instead of reacted (negative) to what happened to them. Remember, it's not what happens to you; it's how you handle what happens to you that's going to make a difference in your life.

Neil Rudenstein's father was a prison guard and his mother a part-time waitress. Today , Dr. Neil Rudenstein is president of Harvard University. He says he learned very early in life that there is a direct correlation between performance and reward.Rudenstein and the three hundred world-class leaders personally learned that it's not where you start- its where you finish- that counts.

In all things God works for
the good of those who love
him, who have been called
according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Principle #5

2009-10-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Make failure

your teacher, not

your undertaker

Sometimes little irritations, mistakes, and failures come our way that are not earth-shattering or life-changing, but they cause a momentary stop in our progress. Sometimes we permit the little incidents to linger entirely too long and give us problems far beyond their significance. Let's say that you are caught in one of these situations, and at the moment you're not depressed, but you're not exactly on cloud nine either. As a result, you know that you are not as friendly or as productive as you would like to be, so you want to snap out of it.

What do you do?

Step no.1: acknowledge that you're in a funky mood; you got the "blahs".

Step no.2: recognize that your momentary switch from positive thinking to "stinkin' thinkin" is neither permanent nor even life threatening, so it won't be fatal. It's eventually going to end, so instead of waiting for a change in circumstances to bring an end to "blahs," make a conscious decision to end them yourself! Which means you have once again accepted responsibility, you circumstances will change and you will have turned a small tragedy into a big triumph.

Don't you know that this
good man, though you
trip him up seven times,
will each time rise again?

proverbs 24:16 TLB

Principle #4

2009-10-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Men of genius are

admired.Men of

wealth are envied.

Men of power are

feared, but only

men of character

are trusted

-Arthur Friedman

Several years ago I was speaking at a trade school, with several hundred students in attendance. Early on, approximately 1/3 of the students were attentively listening. The other two-thirds were either reading or pretending to be asleep.

The local television station had gotten word that I was to be speaking at the school and sent a camera crew to get some shots. They walked in down the left -hand aisle, came up on stage, got behind me, and started filming the entire student body as they listened to the presentation

In many ways the spotlight is always on all of us, as far as our morals, ethics, and responsibilities are concerned.Let's not get caught unaware.By conducting our lives as if the camera is on and the mike is open, we will be living with integrity.The picture we have of ourselves will be character based and non-hypocritical. We won't have to apologize for or explain tomorrow what we did today.

More thou shalt provide
out of all the people able
men, such as fear God, men
of truth, hating covetousness
...to be rulers.

Exodus18:21 KJV

Principle #3

2009-10-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

When you

turn to God

you discover

He has been facing

you all the time.

A recent survey revealed that 96% of Americans believe in God, 90% say they pray, and 41% say they attend religious services at least once a week or almost every week.These figures are nearly identical to a survey conducted in 1947, with the only exception being that the percentage of those who believe in God has gone up one percent.

Translation: 105 million Americans are in worship services every week.That's more than attend all of the major league baseball games, plus all NFL football games, all NBA basketball games -all year long.Need I remind you that virtually every paper devotes an entire section to what's going on in the world of athletics? By contrast, last year there were only 287 stories of significance in the national media about what was going on in the lives of people of faith.

Please don't misunderstand. I am an avid sports fan, but how many spectators have had their lives changed because they were at a game-versus how many people's lives were changed at a religious service?

I wonder what would happen if every person who goes to religious services each week were to write the editor of their newspaper a letter, suggesting they give more coverage to our faith .

For the eyes of the Lord
are on the righteous,
and His ears are open
to their prayers.

1 peter 3:12NKIV

Principle #2

2009-10-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

Maintaining

the right attitude

is easier than

regaining the

right attitude.

Let's look at five life attitudes.first is self-esteem. thats the way you feel about yourself.That feeling of your own worth influences every facet of your life.

The second attitude is love, which is your attitude towards others.Love-real love-always thinks in terms of what is best for the other person.

The third attitude is faith.Faith is your attitude towards God.It will influence your attitudes towards you fellow man and members of your family.

The fourth attitude is hope, which is your attitude towards your future.Alfred Adler, the psychiatrist, said "Hope is the foundational quality of all change, and its the great activator.It gets people moving towards an objective.Hope is the realistic expectation that something good is going to happen."

The fifth attitude is forgiveness, which deals with you past. Your ability to forgive others from any wrong-doing will have tremendous bearing on your future. The person who damaged your past is negatively impacting your present, and will negatively influence your future unless you forgive him or her.Forgiveness is the wisest choice.

Maintain these five attitudes in your life, and you will be well on your way to the top!

Never be lacking zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor,
serving the Lord
Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer

Romans 12:11-12

Principle #1

2009-10-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

When we do

more than we are

paid to do,eventually

we will be paid more

for what we do.

As a youngster working in a grocery store, I knew the young boy who worked in the store across the street . In those depression years, most stores, of financial necessity, carried a very limited inventory. Of course this frequently led to shortages, and in these cases the merchants simply borrowed from one another.

Norman Keith was the "runner" for the store across the street. I recall countless instances when Norman would hit our front door at a dead run and sing out to the owner of our store "Mr. Anderson, I need to borrow six cans of tomatoes!" Mr. Anderson always replied, "Well go get 'em, Norman.You know where they are". Norman would dash back to the shelf,grab the items he was borrowing, quickly deposit them on the counter, scribble his name on the slip showing what he had gotten, and race off.

One day, I asked Mr. Anderson why Norman Keith always ran everywhere he went. He replied that Norman Keith was working for a raise, and he was going to get one. I then asked him how he knew Norman was going to get a raise, and Mr. Anderson replied that if a man he was working for didn't give him one, he would!

"Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters."

Colossians 3:23 TLB