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Managing Your Soundtrack Feb 14, 2022

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Let's talk about that soundtrack playing in your head. You know what I'm talking about, that set of thoughts that are always there. These constant reminders about who you are. They can encourage you and tell you that great things are coming... or... they can sabotage growth by playing failures over and over again. When left unattended, unmanaged, they will usually do that second thing. We've gotta put a stop to that!
Today we look at the first half of a tremendous book, "Soundtracks" by Jon Acuff. I highly recommend it. He does a marvelous job getting us to see if our soundtracks are broken, and gives us some simple tools to get it working for us, not against us.
- What are "soundtracks" and how do they affect each one of us?
- What makes up this reoccurring tune in your head? Can you control that?
- How is the brain sometimes unreliable? You may even call it a "jerk." ;-)
- What are three questions we should be asking ourselves concerting our thoughts?
- What could you create, change and do if your mind was cheering you on?

Posture in Prayer Feb 07, 2022

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Two things have value in and of themselves: posture in communication, and prayer in your daily life. Posture makes us a good communicator. It makes lengthy, needful conversations possible. Aligning mind and body can change a marriage, and can mend a broken friendship. Prayer is the process of talking with God. It should be a time of great focus and emotion. But many of us struggle to stay focused. I am so, so easily distracted. Sometimes it is dumb things, like notifications on my phone. Other times I am trying really hard and just lose it.
But what if we aligned the two things: posture and prayer? How can praying with our bodies affect our minds and bring us into oneness with God? Let's look at how godly men and women gave their all in prayer. Maybe the next great blessing from God is just waiting on you to give you full, body and mind, attention to Him.
Why is it so hard to stay focused when having a conversation?
What does our bodily orientation do to affect the value of a conversation?
Can a relationship be improved with better body language and "all-in" focus?
God is amazing. Why is it often hard to stay focused on Him in prayer?
What if we used posture as a tool for focus, to show God we give Him our all and all?

Doubling the Five Feb 03, 2022

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BONUS THURSDAY EPISODE - The second one ever. Yeah, I dropped the ball on this. But thanks to the constant pestering of a certain friend named Jim Kirby, I'm committed to rolling a few of these out in the coming months.
Let's take 10 minutes and learn how to make every day more rich. In particular, find things you really love, short little moments of joy in your day. Can you identify a few of those? Now what if you doubled the amount of time they were getting? What if you weren't rushed to wrap that up and get to the next thing? Well, you don't have to be. And you will feel incredibly accomplished if you give them more time to breath and live. And it starts with just one thing.
- Why do we sometimes rush and rush until life's no fun?
- What are the most awesome little moments you have in life every day?
- What can you do to double them?
- Would you like to feel like you have more control over your daily life?
- How does stretching the good help us lay aside some bad habits in our day?

Living With Purpose Jan 31, 2022

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The devil is always at work. Most of us are aware of the tools he uses, though we will brush up on those today. And Jesus can help us see how to refute them. But the most important think Jesus shows us is the power of mission orientations. Jesus was living with purpose. He knew why He was here and what He was growing into and becoming. To let the devil in, would not just be sin, it would be sabotage, and Jesus wasn't interested in that at all.
For you and me, the greatest strength we have to keep from going the direction of the devil is an ongoing effort to go in a different direction. We need to be leaning in on progress, becoming someone, building something. In other words, standing still makes us easy targets for the devil. Let's figure out what that looks like today and get moving!
- What are the three tools of the devil he has used since the garden?
- What did Jesus understand that repelled the devil's attacks?
- More importantly today, what was Jesus doing with his life that couldn't be interrupted?
- What is the purpose of your life? Why are you alive? What are you working towards?
- How can intentionality in our churches and homes make things hard on the devil?

The Russian Judge Jan 24, 2022

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Okay, I really put this one off. It feels off brand to talk about downers in our lives. However, they are a reality in our lives. There are people who just seem to be negative, who don't believe in us, and who render judgments against us that simply are not fair. The truth is, in such cases, there is something not well in them. I hope that it triggers missions of mercy on our part, instead of anger. But also, you can't take their word and let it change you.
- Who is "The Russian Judge"?
- Why are negative people the way that they are?
- How do you determine whose critique is valid and whose is to be dismissed?
- What are some things you can do to handle Russian Judges in your life?
- How can God use your spirit as a mission of mercy for those who are broken?

The Miracle Morning Jan 17, 2022

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Hal Elrod has become an important influence in my life. I came across a presentation he gave several years ago. This led to reading his book, The Miracle Morning, and making important changes in my life by making important changes every morning.
It is my pleasure to detail his system, S.A.V.E.R.S. to you today. As I have always said, great men in the world can show us great things, but they get even greater when we add God to the mix. So we will look at how to put God in the center of each and every miracle morning. Which, by the way, every morning is, if the great God of heaven choose to gift it to us.
- Have you every heard Hal Elrod's near death experience story?
- How can Hal's drive to live and make the most of every day be helpful to you?
- What is SAVERS and how much of that is important to the Christian?
- Are you taking Time Alone with God each and every day?
- What can daily intentionality do to alter the trajectory of your entire life?

God's Great Reach Jan 10, 2022

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God's hand is mighty and amazing. He reaches farther than we can imagine, and can also handle the smallest, most intricate of problems. He is present always and always active. These are the kinds of things we believe by faith. We lean into these truths when life is hard. We understand there is no success in life without God's hand at work.

Valley of Disappointment Jan 03, 2022

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Well, here we are - 2022! Also, this starts seasons 4 of the ESM podcast! Thank you so much for your support. It has been fun. And I have high expectations for this year. Do you? I pray you have goals, aspirations, direction, and optimism. Today we will talk about the power of New Year's Resolutions if they are set up well and pursued with perspective and endurance.
Let's talk about the valley of disappointment. Are you familiar with that? You are, I'm 100% sure of that. But have you identified it? Let's talk about what this point is, and why it causes so many people to quit. But what is really happening in those moments is actually quite amazing!
- What are your goals for this year?
- Do you have a plan? A trusted process for change?
- How do you handle the valley of disappointment?
- Why do so many miss what is really happening in that valley?
- Have you chosen things for this year that really matter? Do they match your value system?

Missions of Mercy Dec 27, 2021

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I need to appeal to your heart. Both your love for Christ and the nature of Christ's love within you. Jesus loves people so much. He loves those who are His and those who are not. Those who have left Him hurt Him and He wants nothing more than to find them and bring them home. But what does that have to do with you and me?
We are His instruments of redemption. It is Christ's will that you go on Missions of Mercy to show kindness and Christ to people who are weak, people who have drifted, people Jesus yearns to have back. Do you have a heart for that? I pray you do.
- What does it mean to have a heart like Jesus?
- If Jesus is the Shepherd, and God is the Father, who is the Woman in Luke 15?
- Has anyone drifted from Christ through the pandemic time?
- What does Jesus need you to feel for them and do in His name?
- Will you go on a Mission of Mercy this week?

The Juggling Act Dec 20, 2021

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Okay, how is that core value, that circle of importance, coming along? Have you identified and been vocal about who, or what, matters most in your life? Ranking your focus and values can give you clarity on what to do next and how. But... balance is tough! There are multiple things competing for your attention in any given week, day or even moment.
This week we will look at Pat Gelsinger's book, "The Juggling Act." It is tremendous! This is less of a review, and more of a synopsis, but I hope you find yourself reading this book. And I am thankful to the mentor in my life who recommended it.
In lieu of questions in the show notes today, I'll list the 6 Steps to Balance from the episode:
1) Set a Course
2) Prioritize God
3) Prioritize Family
4) Work Hard
5) Find Mentors
6) Be a Witness
This episode will introduce these ideas. I pray your receive them with optimism and energy as we finish up another year strong, and prepare for an amazingly strong 2022.

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