J.R. Lee

Focus is undoubtedly one of the most important qualities of leadership.  Knowing the right thing to do is vital, but actually doing it, is the result of focus and determination.

You don’t necessarily have to be smarter or better educated to succeed.  Your power lies in your ability to focus on doing what is important.  If you focus on the right things, and work at them often, you will achieve exceptional results.  -  Mark Sanborn

Don’t just focus on  getting things done.  Focus on the most important things you need to accomplish.  Usually, there is a world of difference.

I read an interesting blog post that I thought was encouraging on one hand and an indictment on the other.

America’s poor donate more, in percentage terms, than higher-income groups do, surveys of charitable giving show. What’s more, their generosity declines less in hard times than the generosity of richer givers does. “The lowest-income fifth (of the population) always give at more than their capacity,” said Virginia Hodgkinson, former vice president for research at Independent Sector, a Washington-based association of major nonprofit agencies. “The next two-fifths give at capacity, and those above that are capable of giving two or three times more than they give.”

Since giving is an issue of trust – I wonder how trustful and trustworthy you and I really are?

A mentor of mine sent me a book recently that I can’t seem to put down.  Tons of great insight from a Pastor named Wayne Cordeiro who leads New Hope Christian Fellowship – a great church in Honolulu.  Here is something he wrote that resonated with me…

Knowing the remedy doesn’t necessarily complete the healing; the difference comes when we apply it.  Reading the menu doesn’t fill you up; eating the food does.

How true is that!  Knowing the solution is NOT enough.  Proper execution comes with correct application.  Most of the issues in my life haven’t arisen because of a lack of knowledge – they have sprung up because of improper execution.

It’s great to know the right thing to do but doing it is even better!

What decision has been sitting on the shelf?  What will it take to move you to action?

I’ve been attending Freedom with my husband since March.  I did not have a Christian upbringing and was not sure what I believed…  I wanted to accept Jesus Christ into my own heart I felt like I would be doing it just because I though it was the right thing to do, until April 12, 2009.

It was Easter and all of our boys (there are four) were in attendance.  When you were delivering the message I was so focused that it was like tunnel vision.  I felt a warmth and I felt love and I felt like there was no place else in the world that I should be.  When you asked for those who wished to accept Christ into their hearts to pray with you, I did!

I was baptized at the 9:30 experience this morning with my family and some close friends in attendance.  I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you…

Thanks so much,

Robyn

Keep it up Freedom Church – God is using you to have a significant impact on the lives of people!

Wayne Cordeiro wrote that “truth is the foremost axiom of personal development.”

You can’t take shortcuts by going through the land of make-believe.  Your first commetment must be to discover and accept new truths no matter how difficult or how unpleasant they may seem at the time.  You cannot rectify problems if you deny that they exist.

This plays out in a variety of ways:  Maybe your marriage is struggling but it’s easier to ignore than acknowledge.  Maybe you have neglected your body but it’s easier to laugh it off than it is to put down your 7th piece of pizza.  The list goes on and on.

Admitting the truth doesn’t guarantee success, but refusing to do so is sure to guarantee failure. Proverbs 23:23 says, Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

Seek the truth even when it hurts – I am sure that you can handle it!