Live with the end in focus. This is the key to personal motivation. Small steps build upon each other to get to the finish line. Matthew 5:48, Ephesians 4:13, Romans 8:29 Personalize your growth rate. Evaluate your growth. This is the key to overcoming inertia. Luke 9:23-25, 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Value the process. This is the key to progress. Progress measurement detours discouragement. Hebrews 5:11-14 Cultivate stimulating relationships. This is the key to inspiration.

Several years ago I had traveled to a place just outside Rochester NY on a business trip. It was an early spring. Morning and on this trip is was my responsibility to speed verify a 36’ Spectra race boat. I had performed the vessel inspection the day before. Race boats when designed properly, come with a verified manufacturing origination statement. These “guarantees” state that, based on the boats engineering and motor set up, “x” boat will travel “x” miles per hour in “

Psalm 42:6 “…My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, the heights of Hermon-from Mount Mizar.” What grabbed my attention about this verse was two key points. David is downcast, so he does two important things. First, he puts his hope in the Lord, and second, he remembers. We will have trials in this life, and in those, there will be times when it feels hopeless. It would seem that all is lost, and encouragement can not be easily fo

Are you waiting on the rain? Are you listening for the change in the wind? Are you aware of the weather in your walk today? I just sit here and as we talk about a flood coming it comes to my mind and heart it starts with a drop of rain it starts with a change in the weather. I close my eyes the leaves are swirling the smell of the earth is rising to meet the rain as it falls from the heavens. In those moments you can look at the cloud you can look at the mud or you can stand

“I have several pages to read, but please stop me at any time. I welcome interruptions,” Blanche told the critique group. She knew the group members helped her as she wrote and rewrote the mystery book. They had helpful input, unique ideas, caught mistakes, expressed any misunderstanding, and encouraged her when she allowed them to read or hear her read the book as it progressed. It is easier for a writer to correct any mistakes or misunderstandings before continuing for sev