Excel Still More

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Casting Out Demons Apr 11, 2022

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Do you know what if feels like to be totally powerless to stop sin in your life? I understand that we have free will. But have you ever been so trapped, so held, by sin that you could not find your free will, or had absolutely no ability to access it? I know that feeling. Maybe worse, is when you see it happening to someone you love. What do you do when you can't fix it, they can't fix it, and not even time with Christians can free them from bondage?
There is an answer. There is power so incredibly that it has not limits. You and I must learn to expend energy in reaching for that power, instead of just trying to summon it within ourselves. To demonstrate how this works, we will look at a real demon possession story in Mark 9. Jesus was the answer. Jesus is the answer.
The Perfect Prayer Plan
- Why do we sometimes find ourselves caught in addiction with no way out?
- Is it possible that you are not strong enough to make things right on your own?
- How does the power of Jesus change our lives and where do we find that power?
- Why does everyone know about prayer, but so few actually benefit from it?
- Where is fasting needed in your life and what will it free you to do?

Hal Elrod Interview! Apr 04, 2022

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Today is a big day! This is the very first Excel Still More Interview! I couldn't think of anyone better than Hal Elrod. A you will hear today, his story is incredible! Three times he went through traumatic events. His attitude through those things, and growth after them... well, it is simply transformational. Today Hal shows you how to grow through struggles by taking control of every day of your life. Every single day can be your very best day. And it all starts at the beginning... that is, with The Miracle Morning.
Let me provide some links that can help you benefit from Hal's great work:
The Miracle Morning Website
The Miracle Morning Book
The Miracle Equation Book
The Miracle Morning MOVIE
Achieve Your Goals Podcast

Let's Talk Options Mar 28, 2022

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It was a nasty, cold, rainy, windy day. He was in a really tough spot and very upset about it. It wasn't the first time. On both occasions I was there with him. And on both occasions he calmed down enough to answer a very important question.
This question is needed in the lives of us all. We are all prone to emotional reactions that cause more problems. We can often shut down totally when we don't know what to do. These decisions are often poor, but not just because they can make things worse. More importantly, they didn't have to compete with any other choice to be validated. They just... happened.
If we can learn to calm our spirits, assess our options, and think through choices, many good things can happen, even in difficult, seemingly impossible circumstances.
- What often happens when we are instantly overcome with negative emotions?
- Why do we sometimes shut down when things are hard and fail to move forward?
- How does an assessment of our options invest us in making more courageous decisions?
- Do we sometimes just need to sit and feel, before we can make a decision?
- How do you transition from an emotional weight to a wise decisions?

Truth Be Told Mar 24, 2022

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S.A.L.S.A. - San Antonio Leadership Service Action
April 1-3 - O'Connor Road church of Christ, San Antonio, TX
Fri 7pm / Sat 10am / Sun 9:30 and 2:30.
"I'm fine." How often have you said this, but it wasn't true. Why is it so hard to admit when we need help? Do we think people don't care? Or maybe we just think we are behind repair. Closing ourselves off, and lying, leads to deeper darkness. But honestly with others starts with God. When we are truthful with God AND we understand the life giving truth about God... things change. Hope floods in. We become more open and honest. And once we do this, it can become the culture of our churches and families. I place where honesty is invited, no matter how difficult it might be. Imagine a church culture where people could be truly open, knowing that we are 100% in this to help, with no judgment. I want that. Let's do it!
- Why is it so hard to be honest about what we are struggling with?
- How must that begin by pouring out our buckets in prayer?
- What does God do with complete honestly before His throne?
- If we tell the truth to God, what is the truth from God we must believe?
- Can we build a family and church culture where confession is truly encouraged?

Practicing at Home Mar 21, 2022

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"You are a vessel, built and restored by God, to be filled with the Spirit, so that you can pour the Spirit into the lives of everyone you meet." Sounds great, right? Like a mission of mercy, laid out before you every day and everywhere you go! Well, how many of us understand that this includes our home? In fact, it must start in our home. God has given us family and connection so that we can be patient, loving, merciful encouragers of one another.
The qualities Jesus prescribes for being a light to the world must first be shining in our homes. We use our home as a training ground, a proving ground, for godly behavior. Or at least we should. Why is it people treat their families worse than total strangers? How do we all learn that no amount of kindness matters if we aren't kind to our spouse, our kids, our parents and our siblings? Let's dig in on why that is important and what it should look like in the home.
- Why do some of us show less patience in our homes than with total strangers?
- How is kindness in the home actually needful to be a light in this world?
- What are the four qualities in place for everyone on Missions of Mercy?
- How must I implement them first and foremost in my marriage and family?
- If I practice all of this at home, what affect will that have on all my relationships?

The Positive Thinker Mar 14, 2022

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I hope enjoy this excellent stuff from Dr. Jim Kirby! He is truly a great and godly man. His positivity and wonderful personality are exactly what most of us need. But... it is also exactly who most of us can be. Positive thinking unlocks your best attitude and greatest potential.
Walk with me through the speech given by Jim at the Tarleson State University in 2015. Jim retired that year due to brain tumors that affected him. Even in trial, he shines through as a "can do" person who continues, even now, to do things that defy expectations and inspire others.
In lieu of the standard five questions, I will put his five points and the speech link below:
The Positive Thinker...
- Sees opportunity where others see impossibility
- Says "not yet" when others say "never"
- Tries another way rather than giving up
- Optimizes every opportunity
- Realizes there is a big picture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vcoYcc9xTc

Strength is Christ Mar 07, 2022

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The world is a mess. Everyone knows it. People are getting hurt. Power struggles prevail. But where is the strength? Where is the strong man who can do what is needed? We often associate strength with power, wealth, influence, and ability. But the truth is, there are far too many weak people, in leadership roles, who just so happen to possess all of those things. They are extremely dangerous.
But I want to talk about you and me. What does it mean for us to grow in strength? How can we move away from weakness? I don't need to change what I have, or even what I know. I need to grow in who I am and why I am here. I need to become more like Jesus. Today's episode explores definitions for weak and strong, false assumptions as to how strength is proven, and ultimately turns us to Jesus and the Spirit to be made mighty, in their image.
- How does the world typically define strength?
- How does that differ from Jesus and the might that He had and has?
- Do things like money, influence and knowledge make me stronger than others?
- What is the power of character, inner strength, in changing the world around you?
- How can the Spirit lead you to become a strong person, and a great influence to others?

"If" to "When" Feb 28, 2022

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I apologize. I have used some epic cover art from Tombstone: Say When. I found this after the episode and wished I had mixed in Doc Holliday at some point! But as it is, I want to focus on the value of saying WHEN in conflict resolution and especially in authority relationships.
Many parents use the IF / THEN construct with their kids. If you don't do this, then... And it builds in an extra layer of conflict to the situation, by focusing on negative behavior and punishment. There is room for those things, but it should not be the theme of how your family handles conflict.
Instead, let's explore the value of saying WHEN. What if you enter into the conversation with a settled expectation, and inform them of the rewards that follow when they are ready to obey. And this positive, inevitable approach will trigger less fighting and more internal contemplating. In other words, they are battling themselves, not you! This can help with marriage and in many other interactions as well!
- How does a typical conflict go between you and your kids?
- How often do you go straight to IF/THEN consequences?
- Are we trying to build humans who are motivated by more than just punishment?
- What if we used "when" instead? And we connected a blessing to the obedience?
- Can I use this same strategy to handle every single conflict I face in life?

Ignoring the Rabshakeh Feb 24, 2022

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Welcome to bonus episode number 2 for this year. As indicated, I want to let you know of places I hope to be preaching this year. If you are in the Tampa/Orlando area, I hope you will come and worship with us at the Brandon church of Christ on March 4-6. Friday and Saturday night at 7pm, as well as Sunday AM and PM. https://brandonmembers.com/
As to our story today, place yourself on the wall of Jerusalem. You have been told that your godly king can save you, that God is with him. But you are hearing something else from outside the gates of the city. The Rabshakeh is telling you that all hope is lost and the only hope for your family is to surrender. He is yelling it at you. He is terrifying. What will you do?
- How does the story of Sennacherib connect to Satan in our time?
- How is Hezekiah a shadow of Jesus, asking you to have faith in Him?
- Are there people in your life who tell you you've sinned too much and God is against you?
- Is the Rabshakeh in your life... you?
- What simple thing does God ask you to do in this fight?

Being An Asset Feb 21, 2022

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In the financial world, all goods are divided into two categories: assets and liabilities. Both can be good and bad, have highs and lows, and bring value and sorrow. But time tends to cause a serious divergence. Over time, liabilities start taking value away, and costing more than they are worth. But assets actually grow in value, giving much more than they take! So it is wise to fill you life with as many assets as possible!
Today, I want to ask you some questions. Not about assets your have, but about what kind of an asset you are... in the lives of your family, Christ's church, and the world. If God gifts you more time with the people you care about, what will their prolonged exposure to you mean for them. Will you give more than you take? Will they be better for knowing you?
Today we look at three things every person must understand in order to be an asset for Christ in the lives of those you love. Please consider these important ideas. You might just feel a light growing within you today that will make a big difference for others!
- What is an asset and how does it differ from a liability?
- How is time the deciding factor on seeing the difference?
- What are you doing to replenish your faith and relationship with God?
- How important you are, really, to the people around you?
- What is your role in showing people that God's will is good and acceptable and perfect?

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