Living Motivated Available – March 4, 2010

“You don’t know who you are”, exclaimed Rafiki!!  “Who am I?” asked Simba.

 Do you remember this exchange from the Lion King (1994)?  This by far is one of my favorite Disney cartoons.  For those who have kids, we have probably watched this video so much until we can probably spout lines without thinking about it.  But this particular scene finds Simba being confronted by Rafiki about who he is.  If you remember, Simba ran away because his player hater uncle (Scar), killed Mufasa (Simba’s dad) and blamed young Simba for his death.  Years passed, Simba befriends Timon and Pumbaa (a meercat and a warthog – which would be a nice meal for a lion…LOL).  But they teach Simba the concept of leaving your worries behind and living a carefree life; Hakuna Matata.  Simba meets up with his childhood sweetheart, Nala, and she informs him that he needs to reclaim his place as the King of Pride Rock.  He runs into Rafiki and Rafiki affirms what Simba’s sweetheart says.  He finally realizes he’s a king.

 Why the blurb about Lion King?  How many of us today are living beneath our potential because we do not know who we are?  You are a king…you are a queen.  Your kingdom is waiting for you to claim it.  Kingdom?  Yes, your kingdom is your destiny.  Have you determined what that is?  Are you doing that thing that brings you joy?  For whatever reason, we have opted to simply live in the forest and be comfortable but not totally happy. 

 After Rafiki’s hands on approach (i.e. hitting Simba on the head with his stick), Simba began to race toward Pride Rock to claim his kingdom.  What will it take to get you to realize who you are?  Haven’t you lived long enough beneath your potential?  Answer these two questions for me:

1. Am I doing what brings me joy?
2. Do I wake up every morning looking forward to do what I am doing?

If the answer to both of these questions is no, I would say, you have not found your destiny!!  My friend, I am here to say, your kingdom, your destiny is waiting on you!!!  Do not let it pass you by!!

 you have been Motivated

JUST DO IT!
Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Drexler, Moses Malone, Karl Malone, Darrly Dawkins, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Dwight ‘Superman’ Howard, and my main man Michael Jordan…what do all these guys have in common..BASKETBALL. Hands down, in my opinion, Michael Jordan is the best NBA player to ever lace up a pair of basketball shoes. So much so, Nike’s entire basketball shoe line centers around his Airness. I get chills everytime I think about him dunking on someone and waving his finger!!

This blog is not about basketball, rather it’s about obedience and faith. Mary and Jesus (John 2:1-11), with His disciples, were at a wedding feast. It was the 3rd day of a 7 day celebration and guess what, they ran out of wine. Now, I don’t know how many of you that read this blog are married but to run out of anything at a wedding is a tad bit embarrassing to say the least. As I prepared for this message, I read that the wedding party could have even been sued for running out of wine.

Mary, bless her heart, knowing that her Son was no ordinary attendant at the wedding, presented him an opportunity, “Jesus, they have run out wine.” **Cough cough Mary, He already knew it!! May I chase a rabbit for a minute…whatever you are going through right now, the Lord already knows about it. This trouble you are in, has not caught Jesus by surprise, you, perhaps; but He knows. John’s gospel was written to show Jesus was divine and human at the same time!!

Jesus simply replied, “Woman, it is not time for me to shine yet .” (I am speaking in our lingo..hehehe) Mary turned to the servants and said whatever He tells you to do, Just do it. Since Jesus takes care of all needs (large or small), he told the servants to fill the six waterpots (used for washing hands and feet) with water. The servants simply did not half fill the waterpots, three quarters fill the pots, rather, they filled them to the brim. He then told them to draw out and take it to the governor of the wedding who in turn gave a taste to the bridegroom. They both were shocked that the best wine was saved till the end of the feast. It was usually the other way around. The wedding ceremony went on without a hitch. No one really knew what just happened but the servants, Mary, and the disciples. So, Jesus was able to stay within the framework of His perfect “timing” and bless a wedding party…just like the Lord to work out the details!!

When did the water turn into wine? Where is the miracle? I truly believe the water turned the moment the servants OBEYED Jesus. He did not jump up and down…say some magic words…sprinkle fairy dust…He just gave a command. THIS IS HUGE - Your faith is as big as your willingness to obey the Lord. IT IS NOT MAGIC. I have a mathematical equation (since I am an engineer), FAITH IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO OBEDIENCE. So many skeptics think that faith is some abstract, pie in the sky concept. It is very tangible, if you can obey, you can have faith. If you have faith, you can obey!!

Are you struggling in your life? Have you run out of “wine”? Is your tank low? Are you just at the end of your rope and just do not know what to do? I have the remedy. TRY JESUS. Do what He has prescribed for restoration and re-filling. He tells us, Cast your care upon me for I careth for you. Psalm 55:22. There are so many commands and promises in the Bible (see my blog PINKY PROMISE). Psalm 37:4 states, Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart!! I dare you to delight in the Lord….take your mind off YOU AND YOUR SITUATION….GLORY!!

When you do what the Lord says, you will see that your waterpot will get filled to the brim!!!

you have been Motivated!!

“You Pinky Promise”, said Jonathan.
“Pinky promise”, replied Jordan.

My kids at an early age, learned what this meant. Whenever they or their friends would make a promise to each other, they would pinky promise. I looked up how this tradition started and has had so much staying power.

Traditionally, the pinky swear is considered binding and tantamount to a handshake in terms of sealing a deal. The pinky swear originally indicated that the person who breaks the promise must cut off their pinky finger. I don’t think the kids know this part of the tradition-lol. In modern times, pinky swearing is a more informal way of sealing a promise. It is most common among school-age children and close friends.

I can even remember there were times when they were little that if I made them a promise they would say, Pinky promise daddy. I would chuckle. But to them, a pinky promise meant that come hell or high water, this promise would not be broken.

Again, I ask what I ask every blog, why this discourse about the origination of the pinky promise. Well, in my 18 plus years in the ministry and life coaching, people of all walks of life struggle from time to time. In recent months, it seems now more than ever, people are stressing over so many things. Housing – a lady came to my church a few weeks ago needing help with rent. We have a twitter friend who is homeless in Chicago. Countless of people do not have jobs. People are going to bed hungry. People are having health issues. …the list could go on and on. What is your point Dr. Sims?

I would like to just jump up and shout it as loud as I can …GOD HAS YOUR BACK!!!!!! He does not have to pinky promise to guarantee us He will not break a promise. If you claim to be a believer, a Christian, a #jesustweeter (hehehehe), what is that best selling book that has 66 books, several hundred chapters, and 1000s of verses called – The Bible. And in that Bible, there are hundreds of promises. Awww…you want me to name a few:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want – Psalm 23:1

I will lift up mine unto the hills from whence cometh my help, all my help cometh from the Lord – Psalm 121:1-2

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee – Hebrews 13:5

…by His stripes we are healed! Isa 53:5

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory – Phillippians 4:19

Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved!! Romans 10:13

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD – Isaiah 54:17

GLORYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

Ooppps this is a blog not a podium..hehehehehehe…I think you get my point!!

Let not your heart be troubled my friends. It is going to be ok. We have two bodyguards: goodness and mercy (Psalms 23:6). They follow us everyday. Whatever your struggle is right now, it is going to be alright!!!

Pinky Promise; God will not fail us!!

YOU have been Motivated!!

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman!!

Holy ghosts and goblins, Batman.

Robin, to the Batcave.

You would not like me when I’m angry, chides the Hulk.

All of these phrases come from our memories of watching our favorite Superhero on television. My favorite superhero is Spiderman. My sons are enthralled with Wolverine of the X-men.

These individuals were either born “super” or were infused with radiation. For whatever reason, we are infatuated with “super” beings, beings that can conquer any situation with extraordinary powers and the will to not be defeated so that good can prevail.

I am reading a book right now called Extraordinary Living – Dr. John Bevere. In this book, he makes this point that we are in love with the super heroes. While his point is not to explore that reason but to get us to see (as believers), we have the opportunity and possibility to live extraordinary lives for the Lord to fulfil our calling.

I am so amazed at how many of us are settling for “average” living. We are surrounded by people who are so content on just being average. Well, I refuse to any longer live below my potential. Do you not realize who and Whose we are? We are children of the Most High God. We have been wonderfully and fearfully made. God breathed into our nostrils and we became a living soul. See, so many of us are settling for Humans that are being instead of Humans that are living.

Well, Minister of Motivation how do I began to live extraordinarily. While I have not finished the book, but I have been sopping up so much stuff lately that I can probably muster 3 or 4 starting points:

1. Realize you were created for a purpose. Please do not adopt a METHESULAH mentality (I will explore this more later probably in a sermon or another blog). The Bible says he lived and he died. That is all it says about this man. Are you just existing? Do you just get up…go through your day…and go to bed. Then start it all over the next day. This is so boring…(she knows who I am talking about who said that..hehehe). You have a purpose find it (if you need help, that’s what my services are for..heheheheh).
2. Do purposeful things. Now, that you know and realize you have a purpose, do things that build on that purpose. If you know that you are a teacher, teach; if you are a speaker, speak; if you are a singer, sing; if you are a motivator, motivate. Do things that feed your purpose. This is how you stay sharp and stay on course.
3. Surround yourself with like minded people. Do you know the proverbial saying, Birds of a feather flock together. It should be true for you and me. Surround yourself with people that are going in the same direction as you are. Iron sharpens iron. Like minded people talk the same talk and have a tendency to keep each other focused and pointed in the right direction.
4. Have a spirit of gratitude. If you are around me any length of time, you know I am big on this one. I truly believe if you are grateful for what you have in your life, it will propel you to live the most extraordinary life imaginable. You know why? I believe truly grateful people live extraordinary lives because they don’t take things for granted and live each moment as if it were their last. Are you thankful for what you have?

Have you started living an EXTRAORDINARY life yet? There is no time like right now…your extraordinary life is waiting on you!!

you have been Motivated.

This past weekend my in-laws came to visit for the sole purpose of taking my sons back to Birmingham, AL to spend the week with them (my sons are out of school this week for Fall break). This past Saturday, my father-in-law and I had some errands to run…so we hopped into my car. I pulled out of the driveway and he hears (what I have been listening to for several months) a strange sound on the left side of my car. When we get to the corner, I made a right turn and he hears it again. He immediately tells me, Son, you have something wrong with the CV joint. I said, Oh that’s what that noise is.

We get back home and he tells my mother-in-law and my wife about the new revelation. “I told Walter something was wrong with that car. If it doesn’t sound like it sounded when you pulled out of the parking lot of the car dealership, you need to get it taken care of”, chimes my wife. So, I made a promise that I would call a local tire/we work on your car as long as you got the money to pay place and explained that I needed my CV joint replaced/repaired. They said it would take about an hour to fix.

When I called my wife at her desk (we work at the same nuclear plant), she says, I don’t want to say I told you so, but check your email. Here is what she sent from YAHOO search engine, Constant Velocity Joints (CVJ) are joints between the drive shafts and the wheels which transmit power and make the car move. These ensure that power is delivered to the tires irrespective of the position of the tires (up/down/turning/straight) relative to the drive shafts. These normally get damaged if the dust boot gets cracked or broken and the dust enters the joints. Best would be drive carefully with no harsh acceleration or braking and get them changed immediately. These can cause structural damage and make the car go out of control once they break. She proceeds to tell me of the incident when we had a Dodge Caravan and a similar noise was happening and came to find out we were literally riding on a wing and a prayer. In her most loving voice (you husbands and wives know the voice) said, “See, you need to listen to me more…you and the boys won’t listen to mama.” In my most endearing pastoral voice I said, “Honey, I will listen to you more often.” (while I rolled my eyes…don’t tell).

So, we get home after work, I hop in my Toyota Avalon and hurry to Jim Whaley’s. It takes about an hour and my baby is ready. When I got the bill, they told me that indeed the CV joint boot thingy was cracked. I am automotively challenged so I was just thrilled that the “knocking” noise was gone, he swiped my card for $160, and now my wife can go to the next item on my TO DO list…PRICELESS. Everything else…there’s Mastercard (LOL).

As I often ask, what’s the point of this short narrative? Well, the Bible states in Proverbs 1:5, A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”. I am the one that tries to counsel people and give people advice and help people SEE THE LIGHT. And sometimes, I do not even take my own advice and simply hear. My wife is a very wise woman (well she married me…ok, you can stop clapping now..hehehehehe).

One of the foundational things I tell my parishioners and my clients, If you want my help, you have to listen and hear what I am saying. Because if you had the answer, you would not have sought me out. If we learn to listen, we would save ourselves a whole lot of heartache. I tell my young people all the time, listen to your moms and dads, they have lived what you are trying to live.

My only piece of advice to you today is simply, Listen and Hear. This is not the platform to go into the differences of the two, but do them. I promise as your Motivational Lifecoach, if you listen (especially to those that have a vested interest in your well being), you will save yourself a lot of heartache and I TOLD YOU SOs.

you have been MOTIVATED!!

I was checking Twitter out tonight via Tweetdeck (what would I do without this desktop app) and @TheDiamondCoach asked a question, “Have you had your flu shot?” I tweeted back that my wife insists that all of us get a shot. Well, this year, not only do we get the regular flu shot (the boys get the Flu mist in the nose), but we have to go back as soon as the Swine Flu (H1N1) shot is available. Some reports say that the vaccination may be ready by mid October.

On top of this, health officials say that the best prevention against contracting the “flu” or any type of “germ” is good ole fashioned hand washing with soap and water. So, for all of the millions of people that will be frantically standing in lines to get their flu shots, a simple task of keeping your hands washed properly could pay huge dividends.

Again, Dr. Sims, Minister of Motivation, why the lesson in flu prevention techniques? Well, what has infected mankind on a spiritual level: the virus called SIN. What is SIN Dr. Sims? Well, the sin that has infected mankind is transgression against God, missing the mark! God told Adam not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. However, he and Eve partook of that forbidden fruit. From that moment, man began to die. Mankind was infested from an incurable disease called sin.

Is there a remedy for sin? Is there a cure? Can man be cured Dr. Sims? Is there no balm in Gilead? (Jeremiah 8:21-22). The answer is a resounding yes. His name is Jesus!! The prescription was filled through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Matthew 26:28 says, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Jesus is the vaccine for the venomous affects of sin.

Several people tweeted back to @TheDiamondCoach that they would not get a flu shot. Several of my coworkers say the same thing that it is not necessary. While it is a crap shoot that by getting flu shots will guarantee you are flu free, the probability of you contracting the flu is still about 40%. However, with sin, you do not get a say in the matter…you are already contaminated and infested with sin.

The choice is totally up to you. Do you want your JESUS shot? Romans 10:9-10 states, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

I got my shot and the penalty of my sin is in remission!!!!!!

You have been MOTIVATED!!

I hosted my 4th Blogtalk radio show last night and it was so good. My guests, @StaciJShelton and @MyraGolden, were so incredible. We focused on Connecting Using Social Media and one of the things we delved into was how to motivate people. Both of my guests are consultants but do find themselves from time to time “coaching”. Remember, neither one of my guests rehearsed or compared notes prior to the show and I did not even know that I would ask this question.

The question I posed was, How do YOU stay motivated? Both of their comments had a common response, Be grateful. Staci called it a gratitude break. Myra said something that stuck with me. She said, “I purposely stop and literally count on my ten fingers, all the things that I am thankful for. After I do this, I cancel any reservations I have made to a pity party.” We almost started shouting on the radio.

Staci told me that the things she is thankful for might seem simple, but, things like health, strength, sound mind, peace, family, etc. Many of the things we take for granted, she rattled off without hesitation.

Myra and I (before the show ended) did an exercise. We both listed 10 things we were thankful for. Let me see if I can remember,

1. Health
2. Family
3. Job
4. Dinner time
5. Fun time with the family
6. Jesus
7. God’s protection
8. God’s favor
9. Twitter
10. Facebook

I have a challenge for you. When you find yourself in a funk, pause and do what I am calling, THE MYRA (she gave me permission..LOL). What is THE MYRA? Take a purposeful pause, hold up both hands, and rattle off TEN THINGS that you are thankful for. I promise and I can guarantee that after this exercise, you will feel 100% better. Isn’t it amazing that when we realize that we do have a lot to be thankful for, a smile just appears on our face. #thingsthatmakeyousayhmmmm!!!

You have been MOTIVATED!!

In the immortal words of Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On? The second line says, Brother, Brother, there are far too many of you dying…This song, I know has to be 30 years old, if not older. Does that song not ring true with what happened on September 24, 09 on a Chicago street? A 16 year old high school student was literally beaten to death by at least three young black men of the ages, 19, 18, and 16.

What in the world is going on?
To really make matters worst, this whole thing was video taped and people are shown just standing around watching. Derrion was trying to help out someone else that was being attacked according to his mother. I know her heart is just broken right now. I watched the video of her being interviewed and my heart aches for the family. I have two sons that are 13 and 11 and as a parent, you can imagine her anguish.

How have we gotten here? Do we not respect life anymore? If these assailants step back and rehearse this in their minds, was it worth it? I will probably come across as rambling right now because my heart is beating 100 mph!!! Are we the same race of people that flooded the stairs of the Washington Monument 40 years ago to hear the heart wrenching message of a fellow preacher, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, I have a Dream. I do not believe Dr. King dreamt of this day; a black on black crime that finds Derrion Albert dead. As a pastor, moments like this make me ask myself, am I preaching hard enough? Am I emphasizing enough that God loves each of us and that WE ARE OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER.

How in the world can we straight-faced accuse White America of being racist and irresponsible for their ill treatment of us when we stand idly by and watch a 16 year old boy get brutally murdered. WHAT’S GOING ON? Every one of us ought to go to trial with those 3 possibly 4 young men that will be tried for the death of Derrion Albert.

Since I am a proponent of looking for and finding the silver lining; the proverbial bright side, where is it in this tragedy? Well, the Lord is speaking to me now and telling me that there is still hope. As long as He lives; His death, burial, and resurrection, has taken the sting from death. If Derrion knew Jesus (Who else prompts someone to lay their life on the line for someone else), there is a home awaiting for Bro. Derrion. His tour of duty lasted 16 years and it was time for him to be honorably discharged from this life.

May we all do our level best to love one another just a little bit more and strive a little bit less!

You have been MOTIVATED!!!

I went to Atlanta 2 weeks ago on a business trip. Everytime I go somewhere, my sons always ask me to bring them something back. I got a couple of small duffle bags for them to carry their gym stuff in since both of their are wanna be Michael Jordans. I did not get my wife anything because I did not think she would want anything. We were going to get ice cream last Saturday night and passed by her favorite store (Michael’s). She proceeds to tell me that I could have brought her back a skeen of yarn, a crochet needle, a pattern, anything….”You don’t love me…”.

As she said that, I chuckle to myself and even though we have been married 18 years, dated for 3 years, it still does not take the place of daily reminders that she is still the love of my life. As I hosted my blogtalk radio show last night, Tamara Schilling and Joseph Ranseth reminded all of us that LOVE IS A VERB. This simply means that love has to be active. While my wife was being playfully serious, I was reminded last night during my show, that love should be active at all times. They also told us how to LOVE ALL IN. The ingredients to this recipe include: (1) Open and honest communications, quality time together, being fearless with feelings, and being totally committed to each other. Joseph made an excellent point when he stated that the stereotype of relationships are 50/50 is very misleading. To the contrary, both partners must be 100% on board with the relationship.

I am working on my sermon for Sunday morning and I am working on the verse, Psalm 37:4, Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee, the desires of your heart. While a great many of us get all starry eyed thinking that this is a secret code to riches, it points more to the LOVE we should have for the Lord. He should be our delight. And if you look real close, the more we delight in Him, the more Him we really want. Things only bring temporary “joy”. But the Lord brings a joy that passes all understanding. There is a Kirk Franklin song that simply says, I’d rather have Jesus than silver and gold!!!

My advice to you is to seek the Lord with all your heart. Let your love for Him be an active love.

You’ve been MOTIVATED!!!