A Problem with Illegitimacy

I have a problem with illegitimacy.  More to the point, I have a problem when the tag or label of illegitimate is applied to children born out of wedlock.  I ask, "What is illegitimate about these babies, children, teens, and young adults?"  The marital circumstance of their parents perhaps was not ideal, and may have been nightmarish for the Mother, but please let us not impose a label on the child!

As so often I do, I ask you to join me in the Bible for a closer look at how illegitimate the word illegitimate is when describing children conceived and/or born to a couple not married at the time, or ever for that matter.

Let's begin with Psalm 127 . . .
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." (v.3)

Psalm 139 . . .
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (vv.13-14)

Jeremiah 1 . . .
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (vv.4-5)

Matthew 19 . . .
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (vv.13-14)

__________

Well, this is fairly easy to follow isn't it?  Children are a gift from God. The Psalmist says a heritage, and the fruit of the womb (babies) is a reward.  We learn that God knew us before we were born from just a plain reading in Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1.  And the value of children in the ministry of Jesus is evident in the verses from Matthew 19.

How can a child be considered illegitimate if God knows they're going to be born?  Maybe the circumstances of their conception fall under the heading of sin (sex outside of marriage / fornication). Okay that's scriptural, but it is not an indictment of the baby!  Perhaps the parents are not married when the child comes into this world; it happens.

The Bible tells us that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue...." Unfortunately it is used to bludgeon the spirits of little children by labeling them bastards and worse.  They are caused sometimes irreparable harm by the thoughtless comments, accusations, and harsh words directed at them, and in their presence, by adults.

Additionally they suffer verbal blows from other children who parrot their parents' own ignorant rants.  The worst of it may occur from the non-verbal daggers thrown their way as they are shunned, ignored, or minimized for no other reason than the facts surrounding their birth. This is sinful behavior directed at the defenseless, and the practitioners of it should be ashamed.

Please be careful, ladies and gentlemen.  Be careful of the little children, the tweens, the teens, and young adults whose parents were not married when they were born, and/or who were born into a single parent house.  Be careful in how you speak of them and to them, and to whom you speak regarding them.  These little ones are gifts from God, deemed worthy of this life by God's matchless love, grace, and eternal plan.

Scripture tells us they are fearfully and wonderfully made. It tells us they are God's workmanship and are wonderful, and according to Jesus, the kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.

Fearlessly,
JD

Jesus Was Not Forsaken

Years ago I sat in a church service listening to a sermon on the crucifixion of Jesus. When the preacher got to Jesus crying out, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me,” he said God the Father had, in fact, turned His back on Jesus because God’s eyes are too pure to look upon sin.  He was quoting from Habakkuk in the Old Testament, and from the New Testament we learn, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us….” (2 Corinthians 5:21)  So God, unable or unwilling to look upon sin turned away prompting Jesus to ask the heartbreaking question.  That's the explanation I heard from the pulpit that morning.

At that point, having never heard this preached, I thought what a deep message that is!  The exact 'body language' of God at the moment Jesus cried out His question isn’t even in the Bible, but it seemed to explain the concept of Jesus feeling forsaken; an infinitely holy God would not or could not look upon the amalgamation of all of the sin of the world, past present and future, as embodied at that moment in His Son, Jesus. Wow . . . .

The next time I heard the crucifixion preached, and the minister included the reference to God turning his back thus causing Jesus to cry, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me," I was less moved, frankly.  The time after that, even less moved, and something new was birthing in my spirit and it began to grow every time I heard the explanation for the forsakenness Jesus seemed to feel so deeply.  What was growing, and bubbling up in my spirit and soul was complete disagreement with what I heard coming from the pulpit both in God turning His back, and in Jesus actually have been forsaken by His Father, our God in Heaven.

We grow up believing that everything we hear from a preacher's mouth is the truth; I certainly had.  Because of the esteem in which we normally hold a Preacher, and the fact that their job is to disseminate the Word of God, we do typically take at face value what we hear preached.

In 1999, I briefly met Dr. Myles Munroe at a meeting of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, and had an opportunity to hear him speak.  The point of a message he delivered one evening during the course of the conference was a warning to adhere to Scripture, and to be wary of teachings which, A) Use Scripture out of context; B) Ignore Scripture; C) State as fact that which cannot be found in Scripture, or D) State as fact that which cannot be supported by Scripture.

His message spoke to me that night and gave me a passion for knowing what the Bible says - what it really says, or can be taught with confidence. So let's circle back to the body language of our Father in Heaven at Calvary, and examine what the Bible does, or does not, actually say . . .

1. Although Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do not mention our Father God being present, we learn from our study of Scripture that He is omnipresent, and aware of all happenings and events on this earth (ref. Psalm 139).   Furthermore, Jesus states factually that He and the Father are one, notably in His prayer as recorded in the 17th chapter of the Gospel According to John, and from this we understand Jesus and God the Father are one in spirit, responsibility, intent, love, and concern; two-thirds of the triune Godhead.

2. There is another place in Scripture where the question, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me," is asked and that is in the 22d Psalm.  It is the cry of David.  History tells us that David was on the run for his life and hiding from King Saul.  The deep anguish he must have felt during this very trying time can certainly be heard in his question to God.  But his question begs two others, and they are, "Had God forsaken David?" and "Has God forsaken anyone?"

3. Following up on the 2d note, I wondered about the whole topic of forsakenness.  After all, we hear in our mind the words of God when He is quoted throughout Scripture, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Yet we learn, when searching Scripture, that God has indeed forsaken, and we learn what the amazing circumstances must have been.

Please read the following passages:
Deuteronomy 31:17
II Chronicles 12:5
II Chronicles 15:2
II Chronicles 24:2

We find in each of the instances recorded in Scripture that God has forsaken a person or group of people only after He Himself has been forsaken by the person or group of people.  This is the testimony of Scripture.  The translation I have used to compile this list is the New American Standard Bible.  It is widely accepted as the most accurate of the 'formal correspondence' (or word-for-word) translations, and so as authoritative as I have in my possession.

4. Now we can answer the questions asked in Note 2.  David had not forsaken God and yes, God did forsake certain people and/or groups.  As to the most important question, and that is regarding David; he was on the run for his life from Saul yet never lifted a hand to kill his pursuer, but instead protected Saul whenever possible. Truly he was demonstrating love and respect for his enemy echoing words which would come from the lips of Jesus centuries later, "Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)."

Scripture does not teach that God forsakes those who follow His will, and so we can say confidently that David was not forsaken of God.  Buy why the indictment of God from David's own lips (Why hast Thou forsaken me?)?  As we read the 22d Psalm we see clearly that David felt God was not near and seemed absent. In his distress he felt alone and overwhelmed by his circumstances.  It was as if he had been abandoned (forsaken) by God, and he recorded his deeply felt hurt and disappointment.

5. There are two things worth noting in the two instances where the Bible records, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"  First we need to understand the identity of the man asking the question.  First was David, who was just a man, but a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), and Jesus, our Messiah, born in the flesh as a man, yet clearly accepting His deity and the knowledge that He is God (John 8:58, et al.).

6. In personal conversation, David does not refer to God as Father, and in personal conversation Jesus does not refer to His Father (our God and Father in Heaven) as God.

7. God does not sleep (Psalm 121:1-4), yet Scripture records that the incarnate Christ grew weary and rested (Mark 4:38).

8. God is Spirit (John 4:24), and would not hunger yet our Lord, Jesus certainly broke bread with any number of men and women during His human existence (Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15-16; Luke 22:10-15).

9. Jesus clearly understood the call upon His life (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45), and that was to die that we might live.  Yet the humanity of our Savior could not be overlooked even in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39

What I have come to realize or suspect is that many otherwise devout and well-meaning men and women of God have defaulted to a convenient line ("God turned His back on Jesus") because of one passage in the Old Testament taken out of context and then turned into doctrine.  Let’s take a look at the one and only passage which is quoted to explain preaching to a congregation that God turned His back on Jesus while He agonized as the sacrificial Lamb of God.

The Prophet Habakkuk states near the beginning of the book named for him, "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor."  The implication in the sermons stating as fact that God turned His back on Jesus while He was dying on the cross and became sin (II Corinthians 5:21) is that this verse from Habakkuk applies to God and therefore to Jesus on the cross.  It does not.

Habakkuk was writing at the time the Babylonians were becoming the dominant power in the region, and Israel, in her rebellion and wickedness, is about to be conquered and chastened by a people desperately more wicked than they, and a people absolutely without the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Habakkuk's observation, "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot look on wickedness with favor," is one of incredulity!  He is in utter disbelief that God would use the pagan Babylonians (Chaldeans) to course-correct the chosen people Israel. Interestingly, context is ignored when this verse is taught from the pulpit as the cause and fact behind the anguished cry of our Lord on the cross.

The entire 13th verse gives context, "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor. Why do You look with favor on those who deal treacherously?  Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?"

In an examination of the plain text where does one find our Lord Jesus?  Is He evil?  Did He deal treacherously?  Did Jesus swallow up those more righteous than He?

Let's look at another passage to demonstrate the practicality and importance of context in Scripture.  We all have heard, "You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free (John 8:32)."  But upon closer examination how many people do we all know who share our head knowledge about the truth of who Jesus is?  How many people do we know who profess to believe in God?  And how many of these people are anything but free?  Context, as in Habakkuk, tells us to look at the complete thought and not just a sound bite.

The entire thought John was conveying is quoted, "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”  Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)

The truth we come to know when we study the Word of God will make us free.  It is abiding in Jesus which will set us free, not just a knowledge of what the truth is. His audience knew of the truth of the law (Abraham’s descendants), but not the truth which could only come from abiding in the words of Jesus. Context is hugely important!

Finally let's look at a passage of Scripture which gets little to no airplay because it seems to be a blatant contradiction of Jesus' own words, and the clear dictate of Scripture.  It is Jesus speaking, as recorded in the 14th chapter of Luke, "Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:25-26)  Yikes!

What could Jesus possibly have been saying?  Is this gospel?  Are we to begin hating folks so we can be His disciples?  Absolutely not!  A comparison is being drawn (as was the case in Habakkuk).  Looking at intent and context we realize Jesus is using His words to define the depth of our devotion to Him.  We are to draw closer to Him than even to those we hold most dear on this earth, because He is our Lord and Savior.  There should be no comparison as He is worthy of our greatest love; that which is given with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 10:27).

An understanding of context tells us now that the fragment of Habakkuk 1:13 is not authoritative in understanding why Jesus felt forsaken.  It certainly does nothing to lend credence to any statement which claims God turned His back on Jesus!

The King James Version translates that first thought in Habakkuk 1:13 as 'look upon evil' rather than 'approve of evil'.  The question then is, "Can or cannot God look upon evil?"  We know in His holiness that He most certainly would never approve of evil and we have already asked ourselves to consider whether or not Jesus was evil (likened to the Babylonians).  Was the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), evil?  Were the lambs sacrificed in the Old Testament evil or were they substitutionary, taking on the sins of the children of Israel?  Obviously, neither the Lamb of God, nor the spotless lambs in Old Testament times were evil.

So looking upon evil is the last domino to fall in the reliance upon the first line of Habakkuk 1:13 as proof that God turned His back on Jesus.  Did God look upon evil in Job 1:6-12?  Consider the narrative . . .

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing?  Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face." Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:6-12)

Ten times in the New Testament, Satan is described as the 'evil one' for surely he is.  Four of the mentions are direct quotes from Jesus.  Are we to assume the dialog in Job between God and Satan occurred with God unable to look squarely into the face of His former archangel (the evil one), a being He had created?  If so, there is no mention of it.  And the consideration of such an event borders on the ludicrous!

During the time when Satan personally tempted our Lord Jesus are we likewise to assume that Jesus was unable to look right into the face of His tempter when he said, "Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”  Jesus is God, ladies and gentlemen. Scripture gives us no indication that Jesus, in any way, shrank from His dominance over sin and the evil one by having to turn His back. The prophetic word in Genesis regarding the descendant (seed) of Eve was that the head of the serpent (Satan) would be bruised by the heal of the seed (Jesus). Genesis 3:15.

So what is the conclusion of the matter?

I have no doubt Jesus deeply, sincerely, and painfully felt forsaken and abandoned at the moment He took on the sin of the world in our place.  He was our substitute and sacrifice for sin.  This is the clear, unambiguous testimony of Scripture.  The word excruciating which describes the unimaginable pain Jesus endured on the cross comes from the same root as crucifixion - the method of our Lord's death.

His humanity, which prompted the sorrow and tears He shared with Mary and Martha for Lazarus, was overwhelmed at the moment his body of flesh was weighted down with what lay before Him.  We see it when He asked of His Father to let the cup of suffering pass from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.  So it is not the anguished cry of our Savior which I question.  Not at all!  He said it, and I believe the humanity in Him which required rest and food felt the full brunt of the unimaginable physical, emotional, and spiritual agony when He took on the sin of the world at Calvary.

My belief, which I hold to be bolstered by a proper and thorough study of Scripture, is that the humanity of Jesus caused His anguished cry.  I do not discount the possibility that He uttered the cry in fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 22.  But, as with David a thousand years before, God had not forsaken Him.  There is absolutely no support in Scripture for any belief that God turned His back on Jesus, or even that God had forsaken Him.  Scripture teaches us that it is obedience which is better than sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22), and Jesus was obedient unto death (Philippians 2:8). He was within the perfect will of God, and therefore could not have been and was not forsaken by God.

Our Savior is worthy of all of our praise, all of our honor, and all of our obedience.  Our Father in Heaven is faithful and will never leave us nor forsake us.  He sees our sin, ladies and gentlemen, and when we are His we can rest assured that although we are blind to His presence He has not left us, and He has not forsaken us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

Fearlessly,
JD   

A New Direction

A new direction for my JDtheSpeaker blog debuts today!

Previously, I have written about the craft and art of public speaking in this space.  The new direction of this blog will now expand to include my Speaker's 'voice' on the issues of the day, and world events. As a Christian who views the world through the lens of my faith, it is important to me to #LiveLifeFearlessly, and that means to write about it as well as to physically speak about it.

To enter into this new direction I must veer away from my prior silence on the so-called issues of the day and world events.  My silence has been due mostly to an effort on my part to not mix my faith with the marketing of my talents as a writer and professional speaker.   It has become quite clear to me that although the two may remain separate, an outlet for my faith-voice must be established, and this space is most convenient for that purpose.

I am keenly aware that the Christian viewpoint has been marginalized to such an extent that even the physical public square no longer welcomes opinions at odds with what passes for morality in the world today. Therefore, I get that one cannot espouse a Christian worldview as a blogger in this post-modern era without an understanding that one day the thought police will show up to enforce a silence of their own.  Voices can be silenced, it is true.  However truth cannot.

Abortion on demand, for example, has resulted in the deaths of more than 50 million unborn children. This is true.  And the truth which cannot be silenced is how utterly wrong it is to take the life of an unborn child.  The 40+ years since Roe have not silenced the voice of truth, and will never do so.

So the truths I wish to convey may not hold water for some, and in fact may agitate others.  I will do my best to honor the sanctity of God's Word (the Holy Bible) in all of my writings, and in the consideration of topics dealt with.  So those who simply disagree, or worse, will have a mediator in the form of the Bible itself.  They and I can take a look at Scripture and determine quite readily if I have strayed from its truth.

If I am out of line with Scripture, then that will be easily discerned and brought to my attention for correction.  If Scripture itself is out of line with a given reader's beliefs then perhaps we can find common ground elsewhere on other issues, or simply agree to disagree.  This is fair, and we grow by retaining the civility which enables debate.  Each side deserves at least to be heard.

I will review comments, and print all those which are suitable for public consumption.  You may agree with me yet how you state your agreement may not get your comment published.  Alternatively, you may disagree and find I am quick to provide the space for your concerns to be noted.  One thing to note, language unsuitable in your Mother's presence will be unsuitable in the comments section. Just saying....

Your comments are welcome.  May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be or become your strength, provider, and Lord.

Fearlessly,
JD

Assumptions Without Foundations

Assuming can work in our favor.  When I assume a Cigar Bar will be a good experience based upon the testimonials of trusted friends, and the Manager of a favorite Cigar Store, I will very likely be making a correct assumption.  The same applies to a restaurant, a specialty store, a vacation destination, a line of shoes, and the list goes on and on.  When we base an assumption on collected information and the testimonies of those who have ‘been there before’ we are rarely disappointed.

But assuming something to be so when we have no corroborating testimonials and no personal experience can lead to incorrect assumptions, and a disappointing result.  Case in point:  I presented a program recently which required the use of PowerPoint.  I developed the presentation in my office on my desktop computer. I based upon the presentation on a PowerPoint strategy I have used successfully many times in years past.

With a black background in the slides, white text, and special words highlighted in red, the message, coupled with slow transitions, fading in and out from black, are impactful.  I knew the presentation cold so looking at the slides was unnecessary, and this adds to the impact. But when at the venue, what if when the lights are brought low, there remains indirect light from two sources which cannot be turned off, and the ambient glare from the sunlight filtered through the blinds further brightens a ‘dimmed’ room?

I’ll tell you ‘what if’ . . .

The black background appears a bit washed out and the white text is readable, but not with impactful clarity.  Further, the red, highlighted text is legible, but barely readable.  This means that even though I knew the presentation cold, the impact of the slides had been all but eliminated.  The red, highlighted text which held special meaning appeared to be dim holes in the white text, and I was forced to read many of the slides which should have been a powerful backdrop to my remarks.

In short, my presentation changed from well-rehearsed, seamless, and impactful to ‘rehearsed improv’, hardly seamless, and lacking impact.  Although the presentation was very well received overall, and should be considered a success, one comment was, “I don’t like it when presenters read slides to me.”  Yikes!  Lesson learned . . . again.

When presenting new material, presenting in a new space, presenting in a familiar space but at a different time of day, presenting with new technology, someone else’s equipment, etc., do a dress rehearsal in advance if possible.  Do not assume the perfection you crafted in your office will follow through to the venue.  When you do, you build an assumption without a foundation.

Fearlessly,

JD

Shared Experience

Recently, I received a landmark in my career as an author when the local chapter of a national book club named my latest book (Be Known for Your D.E.E.D.S.) as their selection of the month!  A HUGE honor!  To make the honor even more impactful I was invited to speak at their next meeting.  The great feeling just kept getting better!

Upon arriving at the venue (a restaurant) it rapidly became apparent the ambient noise level was going to be very high outside the reserved private room, and presenting a 30-minute program would be quite a challenge.  At this point in the story it would be easy to go on about the noise and the resulting difficulties, but let's change lanes and look at this from the perspective of the audience.

Too often, we, as speakers, tell of the drama we encounter when a venue, the material, or the audience are not set up perfectly for our style or message.  And those tales can be instructive, but rarely do we read (or hear) about the equally difficult challenge faced by the audience.  In this case, they were welcoming a speaker into a noisy space which necessitated they adjust their own ease and comfort to get the most out of the program.

My wife, Denise, had traveled with me and she commiserated with the club's members.  In so doing, she became a bridge to their view, and helped me to have a more balanced takeaway of what had just transpired.  Having this knowledge has me re-thinking experiential encounters.  Too often we only consider one perspective...our own.  Far fewer times do we even acknowledge that a speaking engagement, a graduation ceremony, a school play, a book signing, or other analogous gatherings have two sets of participants; those on stage and those in the audience.

In a very real sense both are dealing with the same experience.  For my moment in the sun as an author relishing the moment of recognition it was a noisy venue with wait-staff interruptions.  For the local members of the book club, guess what?  It was a noisy venue with wait-staff interruptions!  We both were immersed in an environment not in the least conducive to the planned program.

How often is it the case with so much else in life? The atmosphere of the restaurant is all wrong, there's no shade at the tennis match, the flight was delayed for mechanical reasons, etc.  We must try to get outside our own selves and attempt the viewpoint of others.  When we do we will draw closer to that place of understanding; that place of walking in the shoes of our brother or sister.  What could have been a disaster became a common bonding experience because each party realized we were united in the experience.  As a result, it was an unqualified success and both parties gained a fresh perspective about each other, and on the shared experience.

Fearlessly,
JD

Back In The Saddle

Last blog - May 2013.  Wow, what a long time in between meaningful correspondence!  It's good to be back in the saddle.

Life is surely made up of surprises, and in the life of someone with a passion for speaking there is always, ALWAYS, new material.  Take my life in between the last blog and this one, for example.  When last I penned this blog I was fresh from an amazing trip to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, separated from my second wife, working very long hours in an inside sales job, speaking infrequently at best, and my second book was just a few months old.

Today,  I am preparing for a return trip to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia this coming May, am remarried, and loving life with the very special lady with whom I hope to spend the rest of my life!  I am no longer with the company for which I worked the inside sales job, having only recently left to concentrate on writing and speaking (Hallelujah!).  Prior to my resignation, I had become a trusted voice for the company and hardly went a week without being in front of an audience (need another Hallelujah! on that...) which broadened my audience as well as potential employers of my talent.

My second book, 'Be Known For Your D.E.E.D.S.', has been picked up by The Literary Club as the May Selection for their Atlanta Chapter, and I will be speaking at their National Conference in August!  Feel free to sprinkle in the Hallelujahs as you read :)  Yes, much has changed!  Finally, I am still working through my first novel, Jonny Pleasant. 'Jonny' has been with me since 1992. He came to light as a short story 20+ years ago, and has been growing and developing since.

A lot happens in the in-between!  It's like the heartfelt story we have heard about 'the dash'.  Most often the dash is told during someone's memorial service.  The dash on a grave marker separates the date of birth and the date of the person's death.  As told, the dash is representative of the life lived by the deceased, and the relevance to the congregation is expressed as a challenge to make 'the dash' (life yet to be lived) count for something.

In between May of 2013 and today (April 2d, 2014), I have experienced the great highs of preaching in St. Lucia and getting married.  I have also lived through the great lows of seemingly endless 80-hour work weeks and divorce.  All around me have been friends, relatives, co-workers, acquaintances, and strangers living out their own in-between moments, and all of us are either in the saddle or looking forward to the day when we ride yet again!

Being in the saddle is that period of our lives when it all seems to have come together.  That period may be brief, and it may endure for many years.  All we can do is ride, make the best decisions we can given the information at the time, and hope to stay on the horse!  If by some chance we find ourselves walking instead of riding, then let us not despair of the journey on foot.  It is a different perspective to be sure, but one with lessons from which we can learn if we pay attention, and then mount up to ride again.

I leave you today with this blessing:  "May your time in the saddle point to the sunset knowing your in-between was fruitful and the dash was better than you planned."

Fearlessly,
JD

Where Fearless Is The Norm

I have had many unique speaking opportunities in my life.  There was the time I was thrust in front of the camera with no warning, script, or time for rehearsal to do a commercial spot.  On another occasion, and with plenty of rehearsal, I led a Fearless Speaker Clinic for children ages 5 to 16 for 2 hours, and losing the audience’s attention was not an option!

But I have to say the most unique opportunities have come because of my life as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 2002 I became a card-carrying licensed Minister under the apostolic covering of Foundations International Ministries (FIM) thanks in no small part to an initial referral from my brother in Christ, Steve Brown.  Just 18 months later I was part of FIM’s delegation to the All Nations Conference of Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Founders of FIM, Rob and Melinda Brondell, are an amazing couple who had apparently ‘preached’ me up to the South African Host Committee.  Two days before leaving a call from Rob let me know that after landing I would have time to shower before preaching that night.  Except that I had not so much as led a Bible Study in more than 25 years I was ready… not!  Turns out I was not only preaching, but closing a revival.  A revival.  In Africa. No pressure!

Fast forward 10 years.  In February of this year I got a call to deliver a word – except this time the call came through Sisters in Harmony, founded by Edmund Herman.  The call was not to preach but to participate in an Author’s Workshop and Roundtable with my second book, Be Known for Your D.E.E.D.S., one of the featured texts.  The location for the workshop and roundtable?  Rodney Bay in St. Lucia, West Indies!  Can I have an amen on that?!

It was just a few weeks later on 6 March that Ed asked if I would be willing to preach on a Sunday during our stay on the island.  My thought?  Are you kidding me? Absolutely, I want to preach in St. Lucia!

Talk about unique opportunities?  Instead let’s talk about unique funds.  I didn’t have the money to go!  All available cash was already committed to bills, a few repairs to my classic ’95 Bronco, and being smart about saving and spending.  So ‘want to go’ was very much tempered by ‘money to go’ and ‘money’ was winning, so to speak.

My prayers about the opportunity became reason sessions as I reasoned through whether or not this was in fact a call of God to preach in St. Lucia, or just an invite from well-intentioned peers. Then I went to my friend Steve Brown’s house for coffee.  Yep, the same Steve Brown who referred me to Rob and Melinda Brondell in 2002.

I could only cover my face as tears streamed down my face when Steve handed me a check for an amount that caused me to no longer question Who was inviting me, or why I was to go.  When you see the love of God manifest so clearly, emotions will get the better of you! I was being called to St. Lucia and without doubt it was God doing the calling.  Not unlike Cape Town in 2003, I would stand in front of a congregation with whom I had no prior connection.  The Pastor, whom I had never met before, gave me the mic to speak a word of great encouragement to his congregation.

Two days later I would preach to another congregation, and in between I would be invited to attend a Prayer Meeting, and once there – without advance notice – be asked to lead the meeting.  Three unique speaking opportunities all to audiences I did not know before stepping in front of them.  All ordained by God to speak His Word to those He loves so very, very much.

When blessed to represent the Christian faith, in the pulpit, at a prayer meeting, in a Bible study or some other venue, the responsibility to disseminate the truth of Scripture is not to be taken lightly or ill-advisedly.  And concerns about adequate time to prepare can be filed away!  I had started developing a lengthy discourse on paper which would have become the foundation for a few sermons – until the Lord had me abandon the project, and leave the work behind.

When the Lord calls you go where you are led to go, stay where you are led to stay, speak where you are led to speak, and say what you are given to say.  And for my brothers and sisters in Christ you’ll get a kick out of the following:

The airfare to St. Lucia was not booked in March, well in advance of the 8 May departure.  No, airfare was booked on 7 May, hardly in advance of the 8 May departure.  Knowing Who was calling had me prepared to go to the airport without a ticket because I knew God had it under control, and, after all ... I was headed to St. Lucia.  Crazy?  Not really.  Just unafraid to be a Disciple.

 

You see, in this realm of being a mouthpiece for the one, true Living God - fearless is the norm.

Fearlessly,

JD

Speaking with Eternity on the Line

Most of the speaking opportunities with which I’ve been blessed have been before secular audiences.  There is always an uplifting theme, this is the crux of my messages after all, but a declaration of my faith in God is typically not mentioned.

When I tell audiences, “You can be better than you’ve been, and do more than you’ve done,” it is sometimes received as an affront to their character, accomplishments, education, or life’s journey, but that is never my intent.  As I continue to deliver my remarks all audience members come to an understanding that their lives are meant to count for something larger than a job, career, keeping a roof overhead, or staying in shape through diet and exercise.

In a purely secular (ecumenical? humanistic?) setting everyone can appreciate the question I asked back in 2008, “Why am I here?”  Certainly most have pondered, if only for a moment, that age-old question of our existence on this earth.  What I convey to all audiences is the truth that this question has an answer, and we can know it…with certainty.

In my book, ‘Be Known for Your D.E.E.D.S.’ I relate my own progression through the truth of unique existence, inherent design, and specific passion.  There is a certain ignorance in society (and some societies) when it comes to God’s every day work in our lives.  Ignorance, by the way, is not a bad word; neither is it an insult.  It is a statement suggesting lack of knowledge in a given subject area.

I am bold enough to declare that I possess a rudimentary understanding of God’s love for us, and this knowledge has opened my eyes to, among other things, how blessed we are in the U.S., how amazing the earth’s distance from the sun really is, mankind’s dominion, and why the cycle of life on this planet ensures our continued existence.

When called upon to speak in churches, or to audiences comprised mostly of Christians, I am able to swing for the fences, to coin a phrase.  I can get to the heart of the matter, and express the Father’s will concerning the ‘why’ of our being, and further His agenda for the building of His kingdom (Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…).

‘Be better than you’ve been, and do more than you’ve done’, finds its home in the hearts of men and women who embrace the big picture of life, and the very uniqueness of their own lives.  Minds begin opening to the truth of unique, inherent design when I state the very simple fact, “There’s a reason there aren’t six billion doctors on the planet. We don’t all want to be doctors.”

Speaking with eternity on the line means I will convey God’s truth about our lives, and the importance of living for a purpose beyond our immediate needs.  The folks who adhere to the humanitarian aspects of other faiths, volunteer for philanthropic causes, or earnestly try to ‘pay it forward’ each day, are modeling that piece of God He has provided, though often are unaware of its source.

What I present to audiences is the truth God has blessed me to know, to live, and to share.  He opens doors for me to enter in with the message of higher calling, higher achievement, and higher living.  Destiny is on my lips for all to hear.  I do not hide my faith in Christ.  I do not shrink from being fully persuaded faith in Christ alone is the key to receive all this life, and the one to come, has to offer.

I speak knowing eternity is on the line.

Fearlessly,

JD

The Challenge Before Us

What an interesting and exciting time to be a Speaker!  We have the singular most marketable skill in a world ruled by communication - the ability to address an audience, to hold their attention, and to convey a message.  But what is the message YOU wish to convey?

For those of you who desire the stage as a professional Speaker please remember to whom much is given, much is required.  When you step in front of an audience of any size you do so as a de facto expert.  If you are speaking to a local civic group about real estate, your words carry weight and people may make a decision to buy, sell, debate, or stay out of the market based on nothing more than what you say during that twenty or so minutes.

The same applies to virtually any other topic.  Anthony Robbins' success today is built upon the foundation of information he taught years ago when he first came to be known as a thought leader in his own right.  Your success in the future will likewise be built upon the message or messages you deliver.  And remember, to your audiences the fact that you command the stage elevates you in their eyes to the position of expert.

The message which I am truly blessed to share with audiences has universal application.  Every person on the planet can and should find out the reason for which they were born.  We all have the opportunity to live lives of great meaning and significance when we do.  Ultimately, as a Christian and a Minister, I believe a life of great meaning and significance finds its only true and lasting fulfillment through faith in Jesus Christ.

That said, it is important within the diligence and steadfastness of my faith that I frame the message in terms to which everyone can relate no matter if they self-identify as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or profess no faith at all.  When I speak in a secular setting I am not preaching to win converts as much as I am disseminating a truth of Scripture which applies to all.

But, in a sense, I am preaching to win converts, and every professional Speaker is as well.  Our very success depends in no small measure upon winning public opinion within our sphere of influence as a thought leader.  Take for example the plethora of personal success systems.  There are countless books, CDs, and DVDs on the market aimed at pleasing the 'disciples' of Jim Rohn, Anthony Robbins, or Les Brown to name only three.  In every industry and market segment there are thought leaders who have followings.  And so it goes with you as well.

If your message does not have universal application as mine does, you should yet frame it for as large an audience as possible.  However, please endeavor to never lose sight of your audience's need to be treated honestly and with the utmost respect.  You hold great responsibility when you hold the microphone.  You are an expert, after all.  The challenge before us as Speakers is to honor the sacred trust between Speaker and Audience, and to seek their betterment at all times.

Fearlessly,
JD

The Unthinkable Does Happen!

We speakers can be a crazy bunch!  We prepare like there's no tomorrow, write and re-write presentations, then rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse some more.  To the audiences who sing our praises the work we do on stage seems effortless.  It is far from it but there is a possibility which can chill the blood of even the stoutest of pro presenters...total failure.

Not us, of course!  We know better than that - shoot we're built to stand up to the greatest of stresses.  No, no, no, I'm talking about the total failure of the technology on which we depend - that's the chiller, and why?  Because in many circumstances there is no way to prepare for it, no way to avoid it, no way to remedy it.  When it happens, stick a fork in it...it's done!  And you, my friend may be, too.

Case in point.  February 9, 2013, Shine Conference 2013 in Tampa, Florida.   I was hired to deliver a breakout session on Fearless Living.  In preparation for the opportunity I created an 80 slide presentation on my trusty laptop.  Ahead of me was one hour and fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time with one of my heart's desires - an audience of my very own. 

The ballroom was beautifully equipped with a top of the line LCD projector and a screen right out of my dreams - 20 feet wide and 20 feet tall.  The Electrical Engineer had prepped the mic at the podium and had a separate wireless at my request because of how I like to interact with my audiences.

My audience was comfortably seated at their tables. Behind the podium, the presentation was queued, mics were live, and I was being introduced.  The moment for which I had been preparing was upon me, and the anticipation of the audience was about to be satisfied.  As I stepped to the podium for my opening remarks I gestured to the screen and saw 400 square feet of ... blank.  (for those of you keeping score at home, a blank screen in the first minute of a 75-minute presentation is not an anticipated outcome)

What happened?  For the first time ever, as far as our hosts with the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa knew, the LCD projector's overheat sensor had shut off the machine; the machine housed in a metal frame 30 feet above the lecture hall floor! 

What happened in minutes two to five in my presentation?  I briefed the audience on what we would discuss and began distributing the handouts.  Beginning in minute six?  The show must go on, and it did.  I did my entire presentation - without slides - and kept the audience.   How?

As Speakers we never know when the Unthinkable is going to happen.  All we can do is be prepared.  The Five P's should always be close by - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.  Remember my blog on The Performance Method?  I conceive all of my presentations and speaking events in my mind then mentally visualize them happening.  Before committing anything to paper, rehearsals are typically underway for at least a week.

80 Slides, not memorized, but known.  75 minutes presented after the Unthinkable happened.  But something else happened as well.  Success...for my audience because I was prepared.  Audiences are the reason we do what we do, and no measure of preparation can be said to be too much when the Outcome defeats the unthinkable.

Fearlessly,
JD

Live Life Fearlessly

Living life without fear is like breathing without air. It is not possible. Fears will come. Fear shows up when the bill money is low but the bills are high. It's there when the doctor says she's sending your x-rays to a colleague to take a closer look. It rears its ugly head when the layoffs you have heard were coming...arrive.

Fear accomplishes many things in the lives of men, women, and children: anger, resentment, disobedience, violence, greed, theft, adultery, jealousy, hate, and a multitude of other destructive emotions. Our lives and relationships are damaged - sometimes beyond repair - when we allow fear to have free rein; to go unchecked. But it does not have to be this way. There is a way which leads to peace in the midst of even the most pressing and immediate fears.

That way is anchored in your faith in God, but there's more to it. I know plenty of God-'fearing' folks who are as tormented by the fears of this world as anyone. What separates my life and view from theirs?

The answer is found in the sure knowledge of WHY am I here on this planet. Fortified by my faith in God, I have taken the time to dig deeply into what makes me, me. Long sessions of self-examination successfully enabled by a foundation of prayer have revealed my design. Design? Yes...design. You see we are more skillfully crafted than anything we ourselves are able to design and manufacture.

Amazing software powering programs we call artificial intelligence are yet primitive when compared the brilliant complexity of the human being. The part of you which is not defined by your skin, eye, or hair color; your height or weight; your education or beliefs (or lack thereof), is unique to you. In teaching my D.E.E.D.S. curriculum I point my audiences to an undeniable fact - there is a reason there aren't six billion doctors on the planet. Not everyone wants to be a doctor!

We are all unique, masterpieces of design. Some of us are designed to be doctors, others to be pilots, still others to be movie critics. What is your design? What activity has always fascinated you? What were you known for as a child? What did you want to do no matter what other children wanted to do?

In my book, Be Known For Your DEEDS, I provide seven case studies of individuals who enjoy varying levels of financial success today (and nine traits they share), but who are all living a satisfying life based on following their intrinsic design. Back to the interplay with faith in God....

When you come to the realization there is a concrete reason why you are on this planet, and that you are uniquely designed to achieve the destiny for which you were created, there is little that will scare you away from so important a mission. Those who try to dissuade you based upon their own ignorance, and attempt to de-value your existence are to be ignored. YOU are created in the image of God, and are not the result of freakish, random chance!

YOU are here by plan and design. But why? Only you can discern that, and it is vital that you do. Destiny and a life to be lived fearlessly are waiting, but what about those nasty fears lurking in the mailbox, on the job, in the economy, not to mention the phobias which can paralyze us (fear of heights, confined spaces, the dark, death, snakes, spiders, etc.)?

Fear, no matter the name we assign to the symptom, stands in the way of your destiny and provokes you to turn back. Fear stands in the way of a life with great meaning, value and quality. It will be faith in the God who created you, and the will you demonstrate to define your passion in life (intrinsic design), that will eradicate fear as a threat. It may still rise up, but it will be ignored, dealt with, and/or handled because it no longer controls you. You now control your emotional responses and have become free to live the life to which you are called and were born!

Fearlessly,
JD

Be Known for Your DEEDS is available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com

The Toughest Speaking Gigs

If you are intimidated by public speaking of any kind then every possible speaking situation is tied for first as the toughest speaking gig.  If you are more like me and yearn, desire, long for, and plan to get as many public speaking gigs as possible because you love the time with your audiences - the toughest ones are easier to define.

I'm not only a professional speaker, I am also a Licensed Minister and submit the two toughest speaking gigs are weddings and funerals.  The crowds may be large or small - no worries.  The venue may be grand or grim - not a problem.  The material is pretty much known by everyone - that's cool.  But if you think you are the draw - think again.

Weddings and funerals draw audiences not based upon you, your expertise, your wit and witticisms, your clever strategies for wealth building, or your extensive line of books, CDs, and DVDs.  As a matter of fact, the organizers have engaged your services almost by default.  You might get picked based upon an existing relationship, but the event is still not about you.

A wedding is all about the bride and groom, and more about the bride.  Her wedding is THE most important DAY in HER life.  This truth cannot be overstated.  Your job is to not screw up - THE most important DAY in HER life.  Let the caterer botch the cake and the flower girl wander off to mommy and daddy, but you better be perfect.  You are hired because it is assumed you will be perfect. And perfect you must be (no pressure there).  After the ceremony, if you have done a spectacular job of being perfect, not a soul will be talking about you.  This is a good thing!

A funeral is all about one person, and it ain't you.   Your job is to bring words of comfort to people who are grieving the loss of someone they dearly loved.  You have not met most of the people you are to comfort.  You may not have met any of the people you are to comfort!  You may come from a Christian tradition, as I do, and the deceased, by all accounts, was as far from faith in Christ as Miami is from Honolulu.  Yikes!  Yet comfort you must.  After the service, if you have done a spectacular job of bringing comfort, not a soul will be talking about you.  Again - this is a good thing!

Compared to weddings and funerals, an impromptu 30 minute speech to suicide bombers on the benefits of real estate investing is a breeze!  But I'll take the weddings and funerals every time they're offered.  Weddings and funerals are the toughest gigs going. Not coincidentally, they are the most personally rewarding.  And this you can take to the bank . . . there is no greater privilege than to use your gift of oral eloquence in the service of those who, for one vitally important day, need you to be perfect.

Fearlessly,
JD

The Recording Studio

Recently, I set about a plan to record devotionals.  I don't have a recording studio I can access, nor do I have a so-called desk studio in my home.  The high-value, low cost shock mount mic is still at the local music store.  My subscription to Voice 1-2-3 remains fun to watch, and the only mixer I have access to is made by Sunbeam.

What's a speaker and budding recording artist to do??

Use your imagination.  With that very thought in mind, I picked up my smartphone, swept my app screens to the left and stopped on the Voice Recorder.  A gentle tap, the app opened, I tapped record and started talking.  Problem was...I was in the house.  Family, neighbors, animals and all manner of noisy life tend to ignore the sign on your head that says ON AIR.

I was forced to retreat to the only available haven for peace, the only retreat for solitude...my Bronco.  That's right. A classic, 1995 Ford Bronco (351 V-8, Cleveland Block, just sayin') was calling my name and beckoning me to slide behind the wheel and go for a ride.  Don't know if you've ever sought peace and quiet in a Bronco.  I'll say this:  Peace - a state of mind - is possible.  Quiet - a state of noise - is not.

This is where imagination came to the rescue.  My thought was why not make this devotional series real and raw?  Forget the sterility of a studio with its sound engineers and 256 track board!  Forget the desk studio and the eggcrate cone of silence!  I say give me hundreds of ponies under the hood, and ambient sound that would make Mad Max proud!

My first Bronco Devotional turned out to be quite a success.  The mic on the smartphone (samsung, android) is actually pretty good.  There was never a time that I had to wonder what it was I said because the entire 12-minutes was clear as a bell!  I converted it to MP3 and had a keeper.  The road noise actually added an interesting backdrop and lent an edge of authenticity to my remarks.  No script while driving.  You either know the material or you don't.

Recall when those TV shows began to use a camera that seemed to move all over the place?  I think it was NYPD Blue that broke the ground for that trend.  After feeling an initial irritation, I realized the genius behind the ploy;  I concentrated all the more on the center of the frame.  And so it is with the Bronco Devotionals - listeners pay close attention to the 'center' of the sound.

Want to record for an audience?  Want to podcast?  Want to burn to CD for giveaway or sale?  Get your imagination involved and create opportunities!  If you want to succeed, you will.  If you want to make excuses...you will.  Don't make excuses, make successes.  The recording studio is where you choose.  Turn on your mic, but first turn on your imagination.

Fearlessly,
JD

Arrive Early...Stay Late

Arrive early, stay late.  Not just a recipe for getting the most out of a baseball game, this is the recipe for delivering a speaking homerun!

I learned the truth of this adage years ago when I was scheduled to roll out a new record retrieval process to my company's client, a national insurance company. As is my habit when unfamiliar with a company's location, I arrive in the area as much as an hour early if time permits.  It is important to avoid unnecessary distractions prior to speaking, and feeling rushed is the easiest distraction to eliminate.  On this particular day, I was about thirty minutes early to the assembly.

Arrive Early

As the Southeast Regional Sales Manager it was my job to be the face of the program, and to answer any questions the affected insurance company staff might have.  The paralegals tasked with record retrieval in defense of personal injury claims were my audience that day, and about 50 were scheduled to be in attendance.  By arriving early I was able to meet with the lady who organized the gathering.  She provided invaluable insights as to the general mood in her office regarding the change in procedure her company was undertaking.

After chatting for about ten minutes, I was shown to the auditorium where I would speak.  She briefed me on their sound system, gave me the mic to use, showed me how to use their overhead projector, and the entrance the paralegals would use. All that was left was to walk the room and get comfortable with the stage, which I did.

Five minutes prior to the start of the meeting paralegals began to trickle in.  As they did, I was able to engage them individually, learn their names, and (this is important) not discuss the whole point of the meeting.  Why not mention it?  Well we were about to spend 45 minutes discussing the new procedures with a Q&A to follow.  But I wanted the audience to view me as a person with whom they could relate;  someone there to make their life easier rather than as a bureaucrat with an agenda.

I was able to meet, greet, and discover personal information about five of the paralegals, and as an added bonus these five professionals sat with other of their colleagues.  This gave me five 'friends' spread across the room.   During my remarks I was able to personalize the new procedures by noting how they would help Bob or Nancy, for example, do their job.  For a laugh I poked fun at the guy who graduated from a college known to be a rival of my own school.  Because of the pre-meeting interaction the atmosphere was lighter and the new procedures were more readily embraced.

Stay Late

Having been in the audience of many Q&A sessions, I can tell you that all the Q's don't get A'd.  Plan your allotted time for the speaking engagement so that you can hang around afterwards for at least ten minutes.  It is not necessary to reserve twenty or thirty minutes.  Being available for just ten minutes afterwards shows a commitment on your part to the people who are expected to implement the process, procedure, or program you have just introduced.

The good news keeps coming. If unable to give adequate attention to the remaining questions, you can schedule face-to-face follow up meetings with smaller groups on or offsite the company campus.  If interest warrants you may also address the entire assembly again, further cementing your position as the subject matter expert and reliable partner in the new program.

Now think about 'Arrive Early, Stay Late' in terms of a paid speaking gig....

Bearing in mind the strategies above, by arriving early and staying late at a paid gig, you reinforce your fees, increase back-of-the-room sales, and solidify your relationship with the client.  Word of mouth with Event Planners affiliated with the gig talk, and the talk will be about your willingness to go above and beyond for their clients.  It will be noted that you are a true professional, and your business will increase accordingly.  Arrive early, stay late.  Be the professional other professionals can count on.

Fearlessly,
JD

Inspiration is Everywhere

From where does inspiration come?  For those who make the effort to be aware of all that is going on around us each day, to learn from conversations with clients, customers, prospects, friends, family, and to stay attuned to the deeper meaning in the personal issues of life there is found a wealth of material for speeches.  Life is such an amazing school!  Inherent in our daily activities are opportunities to learn if only we will receive the education.

Bear in mind it takes sensitivity to redeem the input and convert it to a message capable of stirring motivation in an audience.  We must be sensitive to what can be gleaned from the input received if we are to turn the information into a universally profitable experience.

As an example - let's say you are in a bit of a rush for lunch and decide to drop in to a fast food restaurant.  The best option is an establishment with an indoor play area for children, and the only available table is near the playground.  While seated for lunch, you have set a goal of checking your smartphone for emails and text messages, and to returning those which can be addressed quickly.  Thirty minutes is allotted for lunch and smartphone tasks then it's back on the highway.

After ordering your meal, making yourself comfortable, and fine tuning the delicate interplay of phone, fries, napkin, sandwich, napkin, and drink, the unexpected occurs.  On this particular day, you have arrived at a restaurant which caters to a large, local daycare.  A portion of every dollar spent on meals today will be re-directed to the daycare facility to buy supplies.

Not only is the restaurant suddenly flooded with participating parents, but also the objects of the corporate affection, dozens of four and five-year olds.  You are seated at the epicenter of seismic activity!  Suddenly, it is impossible to remain engaged in your business as you are only desiring to choke down the food fast and get back on the road...texting can wait.

But wait!  All around you are crowd control measures you were once practiced in when you took your own children to the local burger or chicken joint for a quick bite.  The frenetic pace of children running to and fro, the parents thinking little Sally or Tommy will actually eat the food in front of them, the child crying for no apparent reason, and the other patrons who share your pending indigestion are a live show for which you have a front row seat!

Take mental notes, jot down ideas as they come, but whatever you do please do not miss the opportunity to absorb this small slice of life, and to take from it lessons for a future audience.  The only lesson might be a greater need to slow down and stop rushing, but that's a speech.  The laughter of children; their tremendous energy level; beleaguered parents; their diminishing energy level; and the efforts of the restaurant staff are all ripe for lessons you may add to your speaking repertoire.

Be alert friends!  Your portfolio of speech programming is increasing all around you.  A buffet of material unfolds each day to those who are open to the inspiration.  Be one of those who knows inspiration when it arrives...and learns from it.

Fearlessly,
JD

Design, Purpose, Passion, Destiny

We have a very specific design, although our individual designs are all different.  My physical design includes my appearance, the way I prefer to dress (www.pinterest.com/jdthespeaker), how my brain processes and absorbs information, and how my lungs, diaphragm, vocal chords, and tongue turn sound into speech.  My design is also intangible.  I have life and educational experiences unique to me, related to both nurture and nature, which inform my knowledge base, worldview, and opinions.

My purpose is linked to my design.  Because of my design, my purpose is more achievable.  With a different appearance, voice quality, or ability to translate thought into speech my specific purpose would either be impossible or different.  But that is not so.  My purpose is to encourage others.  I have coined the phrase, "Be better than you've been, and do more than you've done," to identify the goal of my message.

The message finds an audience based upon more than just design and purpose however.  There has to be passion for a thing to drive its pursuit.  Without the passion to see men and women become all they are meant to be in this life, my design and purpose would fail.  If you have no demonstrable passion for a particular pursuit - any moral and legal one will do - then your design is wasted, and your purpose will go unfulfilled.  However those of us who do have a passion are led directly and correctly into a life of destiny.

You see none of us are here by accident.  No cosmic coincidence has resulted in this planet's ridiculously amazing and diverse flora and fauna.  There is design inherent in all the natural world.  I laugh sometimes at the thought of wild animals having a 'fear' of man (we can't out-run them, out-swim them, out-climb them, without weapons defend ourselves, and should by no means, apart from being well-armed, attack them).

But because life on this planet follows that design (our dominion), we are free to discern our purpose, pursue our passion, and live a life of destiny.  The destiny of the person who embraces their design, identifies their purpose, and pursues their passion is a journey comprised of learning and living.  Consciously or not, with passion in our lives we will work each day to be better than we have been, and to do more than we have done.

I know people whose design and purpose has resulted in passions for hunting, music, making friends, sports, real estate, selling, starting businesses, acting, medicine, law, and on and on.  (hint: there's a reason not everyone wants to be a doctor...)  We have different designs, purposes to achieve, and passions to propel us.  Our destiny awaits!

For more on defining YOUR passion, and living YOUR destiny, read my book, Be Known for Your DEEDS. It's available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com.

Fearlessly,
JD

Passion Without Action, Say It Ain't So!

Shortly after I had the revelation of my design and purpose - to encourage men and women to be better than they've been and do more than they've done by defining their passion (design/purpose), then living it out, I had another revelation.  I discovered that passion defined did not equate to passion activated.

Case in point, Jack.  Jack's story is told in my new book, Be Known for Your DEEDS (available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com).  Unlike me, Jack did not have to ask of the Lord why he is here.  He knew as soon as I asked.  Without hesitation or equivocation, Jack said his passion is movies.  I asked if he wanted to act, direct, produce or what.  His answer was D, none of the above.

Jack just loved watching movies.  In theaters, on cable, VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, it mattered not; he just loved watching movies.  In response to my assertion that once passion is defined a person will either make a living from that passion, or have a job they enjoy which funds their passion, Jack said, "So how am I supposed to make a living from watching movies?"

I accepted the challenge, and said, "Become a professional movie critic."  He scoffed at that suggestion, and then scoffed at my assertion that he could still be 'passion-employed' by contacting a local free newspaper, and offering to be their unpaid movie critic.  I suspected that if a free paper had such a column it was most likely syndicated.  How beneficial to end the syndication fee, and have local talent on the ground for free!

Jack wasn't interested.  It took me a minute to process that.  I had been excited beyond measure when my passion was defined!  Here I am four years later blogging about it.  Jack didn't believe a newspaper would do what I suggested (no call to check??), and besides why do something and not get paid?  Call me old-fashioned, but isn't there room for enjoyment in life apart from monetary gain?

Sure there is!  It's why we volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, coach our children's soccer team, learn to ski, go rock-climbing, buy a bicycle, jump out of a plane, or...watch movies!  Hello!

So if your passion is defined - do something about it.  It makes absolutely no sense to me that anyone could know their passion (design/purpose), and do nothing.  Just cannot wrap my brain around that kind of indifference.  It's not a hobby being contemplated it's the actual key to one's destiny and reason for being!  Ah, well. You can lead a horse to water....

Fearlessly,
JD

Childhood Evidence

One of the central messages I deliver to audiences is the idea that as early as childhood the passion for a thing will have manifested.  As an example, one can easily peg me in two categories professionally, speaker and writer.  I am without doubt living out my passion and walking in my destiny!  It is hard to describe how blessed I feel each day to know that I know why I'm here on this planet, and am living that purpose.

The evidence in my childhood points to both speaking and writing.  Joke-teller, 'star' of Rumplestiltskin in the 3rd grade, a role in the Christmas play in the 5th grade, a student organizer of Hippy Day at my elementary school in the 6th grade (made it on camera for local news coverage!), and on and on.  I was also very proud of my handwriting.  In the 2nd grade I won a kiss and a pack of M&Ms from my teacher for the best penmanship in my class.

So I wonder if Jacques Cousteau had a fascination for the ocean when he was a boy?  Did this man who was instrumental in the development of SCUBA display his passion for the sea in the earliest years of his life?  If you are in your 40's or older did you ever miss, 'The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau' when it came on television?  Not if you could help it....

The evidence may be a love of baseball that becomes a life in the sport, or a love of music that becomes a life in the arts.  Perhaps you were a doodler, or like me and always talking (always!).  Maybe you liked putting together puzzles, or seemed destructive because you took everything apart to see how it was made.  I am convinced the evidence is there for each of us.

In that evidence are the clues to our individual and personal design; the very foundation of why we are here on this planet.  Recall how very different you felt from the other kids, and even from your brothers, sisters, or Mom and Dad?  The reason is not bad, but instead a clue which may unlock your destiny.

That clue has virtually nothing to do with your gender, your race, or your ethnicity.  It will not promote immorality, illegality, or division.  The clues and the evidence they support are instead of the greatest benefit to you and those you love.  This evidence, at least that which I discovered, leads to your passion, and passion leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose.  Start digging.  What does the evidence tell you?

Go to www.LifeThreadCommunications.com and check out my book on this subject, Be Known for Your DEEDS!

Fearlessly,
JD

Be a Finisher!

I have just finished publishing a book for a gentleman in Florida.  He worked diligently, thoughtfully, and finished his manuscript.  Then he sent me the completed manuscript which I edited and published.  Completion is a beautiful thing.

A dear friend of mine by the name of Dennis Mwanza was visiting with me in 2005.  In a Bible Study he led, the message was, Have a Finishing Anointing.  You see, many people are terrific at beginning projects.  Other folks are equally adept at picking up a project mid-stream, and working it.  It seems, however, that far fewer people have the ability to start a project, and see it through to a successful conclusion.

Most projects of any size and difficulty require a tremendous amount of discipline to see them through to completion.  Within Discipline (adherence to character) are the Four Keys to Project Completion. #1 is Demonstrate Resolve (determination in the face of opposing odds); #2 is Show Dedication (avoiding the distractions that will arise); #3 is Have Ambition (achievement leading to promotion); and #4 is Provide Leadership (ability to inspire others).

The gentleman in Florida set about to write a book.  He began with inspiration like so many do.  His inspiration was enough to begin writing.  How many get inspired and start strong?  When the natural inspiration began to wane, he had to generate his own.  He had to remember why he had started the book (project), and the resulting benefit to himself and others once it was completed.  Then he had to keep writing.  He had to write on the days he loved to write, and he had to write on the days when he'd rather do anything else.

He had to maintain discipline.  With discipline he brought his manuscript to completion.  A project, more than 100 pages in size, with a difficulty anchored in the unknown - he had never written a book.  Who could have blamed him if he threw in the towel 40, 50, or 60 pages in?  The excuse would be, "I'm a little burnt out.  I'll pick it back up next week," or perhaps, "I've got writer's block.  I need some fresh inspiration."

The end result in most cases of 'burn out' or 'writers' block' is months pass, excuses mount, and the project languishes on the scrap heap of other abandoned, inspirations.  If you recognize yourself here, then you know the book could be any number of projects we undertake but never quite finish.  As my friend from Zambia noted, "We tend to lack a finishing anointing."

The next time inspiration hits try this simple exercise...

1. Find real paper (the back of an envelope will not work!), and write down the inspired idea.
2. Write down the date of the idea
3. Imagine the project completed, and create a start-to-finish outline of your successful project
4. Don't quit this exercise until it is fully realized, and do it in one sitting.

You will have gone further and done more than 99% of the project starters on the planet. You owe yourself a pat on the back, but not a long one.  Now sit back down and plot a realistic timeline for completion.  Then crank up your discipline, get busy, and finish strong!

Fearlessly,
JD