Is your porch light ON?

God Keeps His Promises

God keeps His promises. Shouldn’t God’s promise-keeping inspire yours?

People can exhaust you. And there are times when all we can do is not enough. When a spouse chooses to leave, we can’t force him or her to stay. You’re tired. You’re angry. You’re disappointed. This isn’t the marriage you expected or the life you wanted. But looming in your past is a promise you made.

Whatever that is, may I urge you to do all you can to keep it? To give it one more try? Why should you? So you can understand the depth of God’s love. When you love the unloving, you get a glimpse of what God does everyday for you and me.

When you keep the porch light on for the prodigal child, you do what God does every single moment. Pay attention, take notes on your struggles. God invites you to understand His love by loving others the way he does.

from Facing Your Giants

What do you hear?

Turn a Deaf Ear

Two kinds of voices vie for our attention. One says, “God will help you.” The other says, “God has left you!”

And here’s the great news: you select the voices you hear. Why give ear to pea-brains and scoffers when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God? I had a friend who battled alcohol. He tried a fresh tactic. He gave me and a few others permission to slug him in the nose if we ever saw him drinking. If the wall is too tall, try the tunnel! Try something different… God will help you!

Ephesians 1:19-20 says, “God’s power is very great for those who believe. That power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from the dead and put Him at His right side in the heavenly world.”

Turn to God and he will give you what you need. Turn a deaf ear to the old voices. Open a wide eye to the new choices!

from Facing Your Giants

What is it for YOU?

A Stronghold

What is that one weakness you have, that bad habit, or rotten attitude? Where does Satan have a stronghold within you?

It’s a fitting word—stronghold: a fortress, thick walls, tall gates. It’s as if the devil staked a claim on one weakness and constructed a rampart around it—placing himself squarely between God’s help and your. . .explosive temper; fragile self-image; freezer-size appetite; or distrust for authority.

Stronghold. Seasons come and go, and this Loch Ness monster still lurks in the water-bottom of your soul. He won’t go away! He lives up to both sides of his compound name: strong enough to grip like a vise and stubborn enough to hold on.

Remember Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “We use mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the devil’s strongholds.” You and I fight with toothpicks but God comes with battering rams and cannons! So give your strongholds to God and He will break them down!

from Facing Your Giants

What's on your Heart?

All You Need

There was a point in our life when we were just a signature away from moving from one house to another. The price was fair, it seemed a wise move. But I didn’t feel peaceful about it. To this day I can’t pinpoint the source of the discomfort. Sometimes a choice just doesn’t “feel” right; and sometimes choices do “feel” right.

When Luke justified the writing of his gospel to Theophilus, he said, “Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you.” (Luke 1:3).

Did you notice, “it seemed good also to me?” Luke pondered his options and selected the path that “seemed good.”

Do you have a heart for God? Heed it. Do you have a family of faith? Consult it. Do you have a Bible? Read it. You have what you need to face the giant-size questions of life. Once you’ve given your heart to God, consulted people of faith, and read the Bible, then trust your heart and do what seems right. Who knows? You may end up writing your own gospel story.

from Facing Your Giants

Before any decision...

Do you have a Bible? Read it!

Has any other book ever been described like it? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The words of the Bible have life. Life-giving words! Nouns with pulse rates. The Bible is to God what a surgical glove is to the surgeon. He reaches through them to touch deep within you. Haven’t you felt His touch? In a late, lonely hour you read, “I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.” The sentences comfort like a hand on your shoulder.

Don’t make a decision without sitting before God with open Bible, open heart, open ears. Let the words of Christ live in your heart and make you wise.

You have a Bible? Read it.

From Facing Your Giants

Confused ever?!

God is Our Guide

I can get lost anywhere. Seriously. Anywhere. I once got lost in my hotel. I told the receptionist my key wasn’t working. I’d been on the wrong floor trying to open the wrong door. If geese had my sense of direction, they’d spend winters in Alaska. Can you relate? Of course you can. We’ve all scratched our heads a time or two. Do I take the job, or leave it? One of life’s giant-size questions is “How can I know what God wants me to do?”

In 2 Samuel 2:1 David inquires of the Lord: “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?”

“Go up.”

David said, “Where shall I go up?”

He made a habit of running his options past God. We do the same and the God who guided David guides you. Are you like me? Do you get confused? Psalm 32:8 is the promise you need: God says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.” We all need that promise, don’t we?

from Facing Your Giant

Mental Traffic Jam by Dani Johnson

How To Break Through Your Mental Traffic Jam

Hey there Friend, 

I want you to imagine something with me right now. You are standing on a busy street corner in a big city. Traffic is thick — cars, trucks, taxis and buses are honking their horns. You hear babies crying and children begging their parents for the new toys they see in a shop window. You hear car alarms and emergency sirens. A teenager yells to his friend across the street. There are people rushing around everywhere, bumping into each other. The hustle and bustle of the city creates an overwhelming buzz of noise surrounding you on every side. It's all noise.

Can you feel the stress, anxiety and pressure that comes with all the noise?

Now I want you to think about the kind of noise that goes on in your life every day. What is the noise you hear in your mind, in your home, in your job? What are the worries and cares that compete for your attention every moment of the day and night?

Do what you want...NOW!

Let's face it — there are a thousand things pulling you in different directions every day, between work, school, friends, family and fun. But what if there was a simple way to get more done in less time, so you have more time for the things you really want to do? Now there is!

Have you ever noticed in the midst of that noise, it can be hard to keep moving forward? When you have so many different things begging for your time and energy, there is no peace, no stillness. It's all about now, hurry, fast, react, get it done! You've become so used to the traffic in your mind that you're now literally functioning on autopilot.

Your kids talk to you, but you can't hear them. Your boss gives you directions, but you can't comprehend. Your friends confide in you, but their words go in one ear and out the other.

The noise creates confusion and chaos. Your mind is constantly saying, "Go, go, now, now!" But where? You are no longer in control of your thoughts and actions — the traffic is in control. You no longer have the ability to make conscious decisions; you can only react with your subconscious.

Friend, isn't it time to reclaim control? After all, this is YOUR life. This is your one shot, your all-or-nothing. Is it everything you want it to be? Are you designing the life you want to live? Or when you take a good look at parts of your life, do you wonder how on earth you ended up where you are?

My friend, I don't want you to wake up one morning 5, 10, 20 years from now and say, "How did I get here? When did things go wrong? Why did my life turn out this way?" But that's exactly what will happen if you do not stop the traffic, remove the noise and begin to design your life.

When was the last time your mind was still? When is the last time you felt peace? When is the last time you stole a moment away from the busy-ness of life to just be still?

I know there are things begging for your attention right this very moment. And yes, many of them are probably important things. But it's so important to quiet your mind and really focus on the most important thing in the moment. Make decisions based on that, and not on the traffic in your mind.

When you have a clear and calm mind, you will find that it's easier to make decisions that will set you up for the kind of success you desire in your life. You will eliminate stress, and experience peace instead. You will not be easily led astray, because you will know exactly where you're going. A clear and calm mind means a clear and calm focus, and that is what will lead you to success.

It's such a simple thing, but it can make all the difference. Just give it a shot today. Throughout the day, just stop and take a deep breath. Eliminate the noise, quiet your mind, and focus on what is most important in that very moment.

Friend, I can't wait to see you reach your full potential. I truly believe you can and you will...IF you learn to eliminate the noise and make decisions that will lead you to success.

Please pass this along to your friends and family members today. This is a reminder we all need sometimes, especially with the busy-ness we experience on a day-to-day basis. So take a few minutes right now to post this link on your Facebook and Twitter, or just forward this email.

I can't wait to talk to you this Sunday night on our nationally-syndicated TV and radio show! I'll be coming to you live from Dallas, Texas. Check out the sidebar for all the details!

In great faith,

 

Face It

The Giant of Grief

After the wife of C.S. Lewis died he wrote: “Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.”

Just when you think the beast of grief is gone, you pass a restaurant where the two of you used to eat, or you hear a song she loved. And the giant of grief keeps stirring up. You see couples and long for your mate. You see parents with kids and yearn for your child. The giant stirs up insomnia, loss of appetite, even thoughts of suicide.

Grief is not a mental illness, but it sure feels like one sometimes. Jesus understands. Next to the tomb of his dear friend, “Jesus wept.” And in His tears we find permission to shed our own. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:3, “Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.”

Go ahead. Face your grief. Permit yourself tears. God understands, and He will get your through this.

from Facing Your Giants

Strength in The Lord

Just One More

Your spouse calls to apologize, “Sorry, I’ll be out late one more night this week!”

The boss says, “I have one more thing for you to do before you leave!”

Your friend insists, “I need just one more favor!”

The problem? You’ve handled, tolerated, done, forgiven, and taken until you don’t have one more “one more” in you.

Be encouraged. I Samuel 30:6 describes six-hundred men stoking their anger against David. It says, “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” How essential that we learn to do the same. Support systems don’t always support. Friends aren’t always friendly. Pastors can wander off base and churches get out of touch. When no one can help, we have to do what David does. We have to strengthen ourselves in the Lord.

Are you weary? Catch your breath. It’s okay to rest. Jesus fights when you cannot! You turn to Him and find strength in your Lord.

from Facing Your Giants

Don't Give Up

Stay in the Race

Don’t give up! In 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim the ocean waters between Catalina Island and the California shore—through foggy weather and choppy seas. After 15 hours her muscles began to cramp and her resolve weakened. She begged to be taken out of the water, but her mother riding in a boat alongside, urged her not to give up. She kept trying but grew exhausted. Aids lifted her out of the water. As they paddled a few more minutes, the mist broke. She discovered shore was less than a half mile away. She said, “All I could see was the fog. I think if I could’ve seen the shore, I would’ve made it!”

Friend, don’ t give up! The finish may be only strokes away. God may at this moment be lifting His hand to signal Gabriel to grab the trumpet. The shore may be closer than you think. Stay at it. Stay in the race. And don’t give up!

from Facing Your Giants

Don't Give Up

The next time you lack the will to go on, seek healthy counsel! You won’t want to. Slumping people love slumping people. We love those who commiserate and avoid those who correct. Yet correction and direction are what we need when we’re tired.

I discovered the importance of healthy counsel in a half-Ironman triathlon. After the 1.2 mile swim and the 56-mile bike ride, I didn’t have much energy left for the 13.1 mile run. Neither did the fellow jogging next to me. He said, “This stinks. This is the dumbest decision I’ve ever made.”

I said, “Good-bye!” I knew if I listened too long, I’d start agreeing with him. I caught up with a sixty-six-year-old grandmother who said, “You’ll finish this—stay in there!”

Which of the two describes the counsel you seek? Proverbs 15:22 says: “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed!”

Don’t give up. And get some good advice!

From Facing Your Giants

How do you Reenergize?

Managing Tough Times

How we handle our tough times stays with us for a long time! When you’re tired of trying, tired of forgiving, tired of hard-headed people, how do you manage your dark days? With a bottle of pills? An hour at the bar, a day at the spa? Many opt for such treatments. So many, in fact, we assume they reenergize the sad life. But do they? They numb the pain, postpone the pain, but do they remove it?

Is there a solution? There is. Be quick to pray. Stop talking to yourself. Talk to Christ, who says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. (Matthew 11:28).”

God, who is never downcast, never tires of your down days.“Come to Me,” Jesus says. “I’ll give you real rest!”

from Facing Your Giants

Hope

A Hope We Cannot Resist

In a concentration camp, a guard announced a shovel was missing. Screaming at the men, he kept insisting someone had stolen it. He shouldered his rifle, ready to kill one prisoner at a time until a confession was made. As the story continues, a Scottish soldier broke ranks, stood stiffly at attention, and said, “I did it.” The guard killed the man. As they returned to camp, the shovels were counted. The guard had made a mistake. No shovel was missing after all.

Who does that? What kind of person would take the blame for something he didn’t do? When you find the adjective, attach it to Jesus. Isaiah 53:6 says, “God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on Him.”

Christ lived the life we could not live and took the punishment we could not take, to offer the hope we cannot resist!

from Facing Your Giants

How To "Upgrade" Your Life Today! by Dani Johnson

 

Hey Friend, 

When I was in Germany recently, I had time to reflect on some of the experiences we've had during our trip. I really feel compelled to share one of those things with you because it affected me tremendously, and I know it is going to impact you, as well.

I talked about a concept called "Expose, Involve & Upgrade" in Grooming the Next Generation for Success, as well as in our business conferences. It's a very powerful concept, and I actually just experienced its power.

You may not know this, but I am not a big fan of working out. In fact, I really haven't worked out since I was pregnant with my first child 27 years ago. I was a competitive athlete when I was young — I played a lot of basketball, volleyball and softball. But working out in the gym and lifting weights has never been my thing. I've maintained my weight pretty well throughout all 5 of my pregnancies with good nutrition habits.

But here's what's interesting: 22 years ago, I was introduced to the concept of supplementing. Prior to that, I really struggled with my weight. I had gained and lost 50 pounds 4 times between the ages of 18 and 22 (and that was between pregnancies). It wasn't until I was introduced to the concept of nutrition and supplementation that I actually have been able to maintain my healthy weight all these years.

For the last couple of weeks, I was on a ship with 3 of my 5 kids, and we have been touring some different European countries. When we were on the ship, I had a conversation with a nutrition professional about some things that happen in our bodies as we get older.

Through this conversation, I was reintroduced to some knowledge I have not visited in a long time. I thought to myself, "I know why my passion for nutrition has not been as strong as it was 10 years ago." I began to think about why I was so passionate about it, and I discovered it was because of the concept of "Expose, Involve & Upgrade."

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I was actively involved in the nutrition industry. Every 3 months, I was an active participant in a meeting with some type of doctor who presented information about the body and how different kinds of food affect the body. These regular meetings would keep me engaged in the knowledge. I was talking about it and learning more about it every day. My commitment was strong because I was actively involved in nutrition.

I have to tell you, Friend, my commitment to health and nutrition has increased again with just a few conversations I've had here in Northern Europe. This happened through the concept of "Expose, Involve & Upgrade."

This concept applies to your business, your career, your personal and family life. Here's how it works: You are first exposed to a concept. If you are exposed to it enough, you then take a step into the next stage, which is getting involved.

This does not mean you've made a commitment to buy a product or service or to get actively involved in it. It could mean that you've simply begun to do a little more research, and you've broken the barrier from not interested to becoming somewhat interested. That involvement process happens naturally as you begin to research and ask questions.

Through that involvement, your commitment upgrades, and that's when you actually take action. It is through the involvement process. People generally do not go from Expose to Upgrade. There is a natural process of thinking through it and learning more before you make the commitment, which is the Upgrade stage.

That's what happened to me in the nutrition industry. It happens with everything in life, even your spiritual life. I've noticed that if I don't spend time every day exposing myself to God and His principles, I begin to go dry and my commitment is not as strong. But when I stay involved, my commitment gets stronger.

So if you want to succeed in something, whether it's your family, your career or business, it all depends on the time you spend engaging in that specific thing, researching and getting involved with it.

Today I want to encourage you to make sure you are getting involved in things that are moving you toward your goal. Get involved with things that will move you and your family forward in life.

I am really blessed that I was re-exposed to so many great conversations about health and nutrition over the past couple of weeks, and it has intensified my passion. I was able to see exactly how I went from being so committed to nutrition to not being nearly as passionate as I once was, and it is because I slowly stopped engaging in conversations like this. It's all about expose, involve & upgrade.

Like I said, you can use this concept in everything. Large corporations and small businesses use it. If you are trying to get someone to take advantage of a product, service or opportunity, you have to understand the process. There really is an art to this, and if you don't know that art, you are likely to miss the mark.

In your personal life, whether it's with your kids or spouse, or you seem to lack commitment in your health, education, or any other area, keep exposing yourself to it and stay involved, and your passion and commitment to that thing will be strengthened. Wherever there is commitment, there is ownership, and anywhere there is commitment and ownership, there is success.

I'm so excited to watch you use this concept to succeed in your business, career, relationships and family! I'd love to hear your stories and comments, as well. (Just leave them in the comments section here!)

Also, please share this message with your friends, family and co-workers. This concept is even more powerful when it's shared with others! Post it on Facebook and Twitter or just forward this email.

I'll be coming to you LIVE this Sunday night on The Dani Johnson Show, so gather around your TV or radio! Check out the sidebar for all the details.

In great faith,

 

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Perfection?! "Ain't nobody got time fo' dat!"

At some point in life, everyone wrestles with the desire to be perfect, but in the end we must all face the reality that true perfection is impossible. It's a good thing success doesn't depend on perfection! In fact, success has NOTHING to do with perfection. 'Cause let's face it — "Ain't nobody got time fo' dat!" Stop wasting time trying to reach "perfection" and start taking consistent steps in the right direction.

Forgiveness

God’s Projects

See your enemies, not as failures, but as God’s projects! God occupies the only seat on the supreme court of heaven. He wears the robe and refuses to share the gavel.

Paul wrote in Romans 12:19: “Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. ‘I’ll do the judging,’ says God. ‘I’ll take care of it.’”

Vigilantes displace and replace God. They say, “I’m not sure you can handle this one, Lord. You may punish too little or too slowly. I’ll take this matter into my hands, thank you.” No one had a clearer sense of right and wrong that the perfect Son of God.

Only God assesses accurate judgments. Vengeance is His job. Give grace, but if need be, keep your distance. You can forgive the abusive husband without living with him. Forgiveness is not foolishness. Forgiveness is simply choosing to see your offender with different eyes.

from Facing Your Giants

Nourishment

God’s Sanctuary

The purpose of the church is to provide bread and swords! To the spiritually hungry, the church offers bread–spiritual nourishment. To the fugitive, the church offers swords–weapons of truth:

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Food and equipment. The church exists to provide both. Does it always succeed? No, not always. People-helping is never a tidy trade, because people who need help don’t lead tidy lives. Jesus calls the church to lean in the direction of compassion.

At the end of the day, the question is not how many laws were broken but rather, how many desperate were nourished and equipped? God’s sanctuary—where He gives food to the hungry and tools to the soldiers. May your church provide both for you. And may you be a part of a church that does the same for others.

from Facing Your Giants

Look at What YOU have

Linger too long in the stench of your hurt, and you’ll smell like the toxin you despise. I spent too much of a summer sludging through sludge. Oil field work is dirty at best. But the dirtiest job of all? Shoveling silt out of empty oil tanks. The foreman saved such jobs for the summer help. Thanks boss! My mom burned my work clothes. The stink stuck!

Your hurts can do the same. The better option? Look at what you have. Your hurts and pain took much, but Christ gave you more! Catalog His kindnesses. Everything from sunsets to salvation—look at what you have.

Let Jesus be the friend you need. Talk to Him. Spare no detail. Disclose your fear and describe your dread. Will your hurt disappear? Who knows? And in a sense, does it matter? You have a friend for life. What could be better than that?

from Facing Your Giants

HOW is your heart?

God Looks at the Heart

First Samuel 16:7 says: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Those words were written for misfits and outcasts. God uses them all. Moses ran from justice, but God used him. Jonah ran from God, but God used him. Rahab ran a brothel. Lot ran with the wrong crowd, but God used them all.

And David? God saw a teenage boy serving him in the backwoods of Bethlehem. Human eyes saw a gangly teenager, smelling like sheep. Yet, “the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one.” God saw what no one else saw: a God-seeking heart.

Others measure your waist size or wallet. Not God. He examines hearts. When He finds one set on Him, he calls it and claims it.Your Father knows your heart, and because He does, He has a place reserved—just for you!

from Facing Your Giants

Where is YOUR focus?

Giant-Slayer

God called David a “man after His own heart!” One might read his story and wonder what God saw in him. He fell as often as he stood. He stared down Goliath, yet ogled at Bathsheba. He could lead armies but couldn’t manage a family. Raging David. Weeping David. Bloodthirsty. God-hungry. Eight wives. One God. A man after God’s own heart?

That God saw him as such gives hope to us all. David’s life has little to offer the unstained saint. Straight-A souls find David’s story disappointing. But we need David’s story…most of us do. Giants lurk in our neighborhoods. Giants of rejection, failure, and revenge. We must face them. Yet we need not face them alone.

Focus on God. The times David did, giants fell. The days he did not, David fell. Lift your eyes, giant-slayer! The God who made a miracle out of David stands ready to make one out of you!

From Facing Your Giants

"They have built things to last." By Dani Johnson

The Daily Fix

What "Ripples" Are You Leaving On Your Pond?

Hey Friend, 

I'm writing to you from Scotland today. I am here with 3 of my 5 children, and we are traveling around Europe, learning about and experiencing the history.

I want to share with you some of the insights we got from our time in Scotland. This trip is not just about taking a vacation; it is about exploring the culture and the history while discovering how we can use this newfound knowledge in our own lives.

I asked my son, Roman, what stands out to him the most about Scotland, and he said, "They have built things to last." This really is a very deep subject, and we all jumped on that statement and began to dissect it. We discussed what it means for something to be built to last.

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There are buildings here in Edinburgh, Scotland that are hundreds and hundreds (some even thousands) of years old. They have clearly been built to last.

I am first-generation American on my father's side and second-generation American on my mother's side. Our nation is so young, we have not yet had a chance to see what has been built to last. Compared to so many other places in the world, America is a baby country. We really don't know what will last, especially when our Constitution is being challenged every day.

But you have to ask yourself what things do you have in your life that have been built to last? When you build things cheaply or you establish things in your family that are fleeting and have no meaning, they are not built to last. Today is a good day for you to evaluate this in your own life.

Marriages used to be built to last. Relationships are supposed to be built to last. Wealth should be built to last.

What do you have in your life that has been built to last? What thing in your life has a solid structure that will last through plagues, wars, fires, storms? What in your life will stand through the hard times, the pain, the disappointments and the suffering?

We only have a certain number of years in this life. What are you establishing that will stand long after you're gone?

I'm looking around Scotland, and the castle is still here. So many of the age-old cathedrals are here. The streets and some of the homes are here. All of this was established long before any of us were on this earth. The history is all around us here. These things were built to last.

This is a really important thing for you to think about today. What are you building that is here to stay? What solid foundations are you creating, what structures are you building in your life that will stand through trials and earthquakes? What is in your life that will still be standing long after you leave this earth?

I would love to know your thoughts about today's message. Please leave me a comment and tell me about the things in your life that have been built to last. I can't wait to read your comments!

Also, please pass this message along. It will only take a minute, but the impact will be huge! You could help your friends, family and co-workers to create a long-lasting legacy by just forwarding this email or posting the link on Facebook and Twitter.

I am so excited to talk with you Sunday night on The Dani Johnson Show! Turn on your TV or radio, and join me live at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT! Check the sidebar for more details.

I hope you're enjoying these messages from our educational adventure here in Europe. Watch your Inbox tomorrow morning for another letter from somewhere else in the world!

In great faith,