Darryn's Blog

Build your shield of gratitude

2009-06-30T08:14:53-04:00

She's known as "hot cop" by her brothers in blue. Fishers Police Officer Leslie Hulse has a smile that will light up any room. She's currently in the fight of her life in her third round with cancer. She is one of the most grateful, joyful people I know. Recently she told me, "One thing I've learned to do in the last year is to recognize the small blessings."

I know it sounds cliché, but learn from Leslie. Make it a regular habit to "count your blessings." This is the process of turning our "have to's" into "get to's."

For example, there are people who are saying today, "If only I could walk again." "If only I could go to work today." "If only I could talk with my mom or dad."

Think about what you do have, instead of what you don't have.
Think about what's right with your life, instead of what is wrong.
Think about what is beautiful, instead of what is ugly.
Think about what is true, instead of dwelling on gossip.
Think about what you get to do today, instead of what you have to do.
Think about how big God is, instead of how big your problem is.

Protect those first few minutes of your day. They will determine what your day will be like. Go offline. Resist the urge to go to your inbox or the day's headlines. Keep the TV off. Seek out some quiet. Maybe take a walk to get your heartrate up and the blood flowing.

Then out loud, begin to declare what you are thankful for. What do you "get" to do today? Let the words that come out of your mouth today be grateful, faith-filled words.

If you're continually thinking about the goodness of God, you will train yourself overtime not to worry and complain. You will train yourself to overcome being down and discouraged. You're going to become consistent, not up one day and down the next...and people are going to notice.

Leslie writes encouraging notes to herself and sticks them in places where she is sure to see them often.

"Spend more time considering God's promises and less time looking at my circumstances."

Do whatever you have to do to build your shield of gratitude. It's worth it!

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6-7 (Message)

Remove the roadbocks to change

2009-06-29T06:10:28-04:00

What do you do when you know what to do but you can't seem to do it? What happens when you "get stopped?"

A few weeks ago, nationally syndicated radio host and author Steve Arterburn wrote me his thoughts about our message series on Scarcity vs. Abundance. Steve writes,...

I think this is a very needed series of messages on changing your thinking. I would add, "Change your behavior, change the world." Or at least change your world.

I think it is important for people to understand why their thinking is messed up. In addition to media, parental influence and their own arrogant decision making process. Then if they see the problem, and desire it to be different and are willing for things to be different, you have to ask why they did not change.

What we do at New Life is take away the road blocks...the self-sabotaging thoughts, feelings and behavior. For some it is counseling. For others, it is reading the Bible and for others their thinking will always be anxious ruminations until they finally get medication or start exercising or start eating differently.

Then if you change your thinking and the feelings don't come along, search for why, and then do whatever it takes to fix that or better said allow God to fix it.

The same goes with behavior. If it happens over and over again, is it dependency, addition, personality disorder, character flaw, rebellion, fear? Just what is it that keeps you the same?

The bottom line on all of this is just doing the next right thing.

You don't have to have everything figured out. You just have to do the next right thing, keep doing it and it will lead you to the path you need to be on.

And if you know the next right thing but cannot do it, unblock the path to wholeness by seeing, accepting and surrendering whatever it is that is causing you the problem that won't go away.

I hope this helps in some way.
Steve

Take Steve's advice. Find some space to get quiet and get clear about where you are habitually "getting stopped." What is the persistent roadblock? Resistance is found in the destructive habits (or defensive routines). If you want to be truly free, I invite you to dig deeply into any places of resistance that might be present. The path to wholeness comes by seeing, accepting and surrendering whatever it is that is causing you the problem that won't go away.

Post your thoughts and questions below. What does this stir up in you?

Reclaim Your Identity

2009-06-28T22:56:50-04:00

Thanks for Jim Herrington for posting this comment on his facebook page today.

“For as long as you can remember, you have been a pleaser, depending on others to give you an identity. You need not look at that only in a negative way. You wanted to give your heart to others, and you did so quickly and easily. But now you are being asked to let go of all these self-made props and trust that God is enough for you. You must stop being a pleaser and reclaim your identity as a free self.”

Henri Nouwen

Let generosity pave the way to success

2009-06-27T16:51:53-04:00

When we think from the filter of abundance, generosity can produce incredible creativity and productivity. Tim Sanders, co-founder of Yahoo.com told this story at The Leadership Forum at Southeastern University this past March.

Elmer Letterman, who is known as the greatest life insurance networker in the history of the United States, started his business in 1924 in Manhattan. He founded his business on a simple philosophy of helping people and making a difference. His commitment to generosity did not change, even at the height of the Great Depression.

Every Friday he would host a networking lunch, inviting three people whom he felt would benefit from meeting one another. He would not bring any business cards or speak of his insurance company. Mr. Letterman did not confuse networking with prospecting for clients but simply engaged in networking as an act of love.

In 1933, he set a record for most individual policies versus assets in a single year in a single major market, which stood until 1949.

How was he able to accomplish the feat of selling so many policies during the worst economy in American History? By connecting three people, 50 weeks a year, for 10 years, Mr. Letterman had invested in thousands of people who felt grateful towards him.

Recognizing you are a part of a greater community will give greater self confidence. Generosity will pave the way for success. Continue to make deposits of love into the relationships in your life. If you do this your life will be satisfying and deeply fulfilling. If you have invested in people, you never face a crisis alone.

"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation." Proverbs 3:2-4 (NLT)

The compounding influence of a great team

2009-06-26T16:20:03-04:00

Today I was greatly surprised and honored to receive the Rotarian of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Fishers, Indiana.

For those of you who don't know, Rotary International is a world-wide organization of over 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders in over 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Rotary’s main objective is Service Above Self — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotary is greatly respected for it's highly successful initiative to eradicate Polio. Recently, the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation gave a $255 million dollar grant for ending polio. This is the largest single donation EVER given to any non-profit, humanitarian organization.

I'm very proud to a part of this organization and I am greatly honored to receive this award from my peers in this community. I am humbled, grateful and thankful for their belief in who I am and what I stand for.

I was so surprised to hear my name announced I was rendered nearly speechless (can you believe it). After the presentation moment ended and I went back to my seat, I immediately wished my mind and mouth had been quick enough to express the real convictions of my heart. That one is too small a number for greatness. That no one can do it alone. That what has been accomplished this year is a result of the synergy and compounding influence of a great team.

Let me tell you of some of the incredible people I get to serve with and the gratitude I have for them.

1) I would not have received this award had it not been for then-President Tom Branum, Jr. who caught the vision and has been the spokesperson for the Water is Life Project. He took something that was in my heart and became the real champion for this vision. He is a terrific leader, a great listener, and as I tell him often, "one of the finest 'cat-herders' I’ve ever seen." He has led us cats well this last Rotary year. Tom, words do not express how proud I am of you.

2) Without the talent and abilities of George Wiley, the vision of the Water is Life Project would have never grabbed the hearts of so many people. He was rightly honored by the Club with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his video and website work. I’m his boss at Heartland Church, but all his work comes from the heart and with 100% effort. That’s a gift he gives freely and I’m very proud to serve with him.

3) I’m grateful for the invitation by Corby Thompson to join our club. He introduced me to the Fishers Rotary Club in 2001 so I owe him a lot..more than he probably realizes.

4) We have an amazing club full of deserving people who "get it" and contribute in their own special way. The Water is Life project is a team effort. I think of all those vision meetings, planning meetings, impromptu conversations and extra presentations. I want to thank Valory Myers who served as Club President the year before Tom. The culture she cultivated methodically each week to serve and make the world better really inspired me to be a better Rotarian and commit to a higher level. I’m also very grateful to Bill Jerrow, Diane Eaton, Brian Lott, David Cranor, and incoming Club President Michelle Sybesma and the many others who sacrificed their time and energy over and above their regular Rotary obligations to lay the ground work of support. Again without their efforts, Water is Life would have never lifted off the ground.

5) I also want to thank Dr. JoAnne Lyone, founder of World Hope International who invited me to travel with her to Sierra Leone and see the need of this special country. I'm grateful to the first groups of people who traveled with me, sacrificially taking the time to expose their hearts and lives to the great need in one of the poorest places on the planet. Their stories and experiences have fueled the vision and caused this powerful ripple of love and generosity to happen: David Cranor, Amie LoPresti, Diane Lott, Jenn Makulusky, Vincent Manganello, Lacey Moore, Lindsay Moore, Jordyn Scheske, Nick Scheske, George Wiley.

As I think about this amazing year of service with such wonderful people, I think, "Who am I that I should receive honor?" I’m just part of telling a story of what could be and what ought to be. The real heroes are every single person who has given sacrificially. The real heroes are those who dig the wells and go into the villages and do the work of making dreams real. It’s action that counts in the end and every well we create will change the lives of hundreds and hundreds of people.

In the end we are about something much bigger than ourselves. Any gifts I have been given came from my Father in heaven, so any success in my life must be offered back to him. I’m just trying to listen to him, obey his promptings, and get in on what he is blessing. I want to give myself completely to his mission in the world to love people well, one life at a time.

I think of the time I spent in Africa and the life-changing news of generosity and love that thousands of people will receive that says, “Yes, we care!” Proverbs 25:25 says, “Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.”

To my Fishers Rotary Club Family ... I love you all. Thank you for this great honor. In only increases my passion to serve with you here and around the world.

The future of Rotary is in our hands.

_____________________

If you would like to learn more about Water is Life, or make a contibution, please visit, www.waterislife.tv.*

*"Water Is Life" is a project of the Rotary Club of Fishers, Indiana. Donations will go through the District 6560 World Community Service Foundation, or through Fishers Rotary Club for the benefit of "Water Is Life". Tax status, intentions of the donations, and information regarding the donor will determine where checks are written. All donations and fundraising will meet Rotary International Guidelines and are subject to outside audit -- for transparency and integrity of the project's stewardship of funds donated.

Respond with purpose

2009-06-25T08:10:04-04:00

I received this great reading from Jennifer Iverson yesterday. I don't usually keep forwards but this is one I'll hang onto.

What upsets you is not what happens.
What upsets you is your response to what happens.

Just as easily as you respond in a negative way, you can easily and naturally respond in a positive, empowering, uplifting way.

The biggest problems are often caused by what you choose to do about the smallest problems.

Most of those big, painful problems are so unnecessary.

Keep reminding yourself that you are in control of you. You are in control and you can decide exactly how you wish to feel at any point.

Imagine the power of remaining calm and focused and resourceful when some totally unexpected, disappointing development interrupts your day. Truly, you can make the disappointments not disappointing at all.

Respond on purpose, with purpose. Feel the power and the joy as every moment gives you a way to move forward.

—Ralph Marston

So what happens when you have the desire and not the power? See the list of power promises in my last post, including this one ...

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Change Your Information Diet

2009-06-24T09:54:27-04:00

What is your information diet? What are you filling your mind with? Have you connected the inputs of your daily life to your general sense of well-being and security?

Consider: Are you glued to the negativity of the news all day? Are you surrounding yourself with scarcity-thinking, “chicken-littles” who continually tear people down and talk about all the things that are going wrong? Do you catch yourself mumbling negative thoughts about who you are and your abilities? Is there a negative soundtrack playing in the background of your thoughts throughout your day?

If that’s all you constantly think about, then don't be too surprised if your mind gets troubled and filled with fear and anxiety.

The Apostle Paul writes…

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

That eliminates a whole lot of what's on TV. It could eliminate a number of the friends you hang around with.

You can change your information diet. For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:

You say: “It’s impossible.”
God says: “All things are possible to those who believe.” (Luke 18:27)

You say: “Nobody really loves me.”
God says: “I love you.” (Psalm 66:20, Psalm 86:13, John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: “I can’t go on.”
God says: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: “I can’t figure things out.”
God says: “I will direct your steps.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: “I can’t do it.”
God says: “You can do all things through Christ.” (Philippians 4:13)

You say: “It’s not worth it.”
God says: “It will be worth it.” (Romans 8:28)

You say: "It's unfair! They're getting away with it."
God says: "I'll settle the score." (Romans 12:19 & 1 Peter 3:9)

You say: “I can’t forgive myself.
God says: “I forgive you.” (1 John 1:7-9 & Romans 8:1-2)

You say: “I don’t have enough.”
God says: “I will supply all your needs.” (Matthew 6:33 & Philippians 4:11-13, Philippians 4:19)

You say: “I’m afraid.”
God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear.” (Psalm 56:3; John 14:27 & 2 Timothy 1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated.”
God says: “Cast all your cares on me.” (Philippians 4:6-7 & 1 Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm a failure...my vices are too powerful for me."
God says: "I will always provide a way out." (1 Corinthians 10:13 & James 4:7)

You say: “I don’t have enough faith.”
God says: “I’ve given everyone a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:1-3)

You say: “I’m not smart enough.”
God says: “I give you wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:30 & James 4:7 )

You say: “I feel all alone. I am not enough.”
God says: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Learn to live a positive, grateful life by seeing yourself and your circumstances from God’s point of view. God has given you the promises of His Word to discipline your mind with.

As you meditate on what God says about you, you’ll start to see yourself in a whole new light. You will start to see yourself as God sees you. You will develop the incredible confidence that comes from a godly self-image.

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you…” Philippians 4:9 (NLT)

Post a comment. Tell me how you make this practical. How do you keep thinking the right thoughts?