The Richest Man in Town

Humble, thankful, joyful and always eager to help and encourage others. Those are just a few of the traits the richest man in town had. Invest three minutes and check out some of the others above. I think it will inspire you today!

Christmas Blessings

Merry Christmas to you!

Check out this short video which contains my prayer for you...many blessings this Christmas and in the coming new year!

Axioms for Life

I just finished watching the above movie. I have seen this before but, for some reason, I liked it more this time than ever before. Maybe it was because I didn't feel rushed while watching it and I could really think about what was being said.

Included in this short movie are some really good quotes and axioms for life. Do yourself a favor and invest three and a half minutes in this.

Even Eagles Need a Push

"You never know when one act, or one word of encouragement can change a life forever."
Zig Ziglar

Have you ever known you needed to do something, but froze in fear of doing it? Have you ever had someone come alongside you and encourage you to just do it? Maybe they even gave you a push of sorts.

Afterwards you may have even looked back and said, "Wow, I am so glad they encouraged me to do that! That was just what I needed to do! I don't know what I was fearing!"

We all need people to push us because our natural tendency is to remain in our comfort zones. Yet, the only way we can grow is to get out of that comfortable space.

So, who do you allow to push you? If you can't think of anyone, I would suggest asking someone you respect. Who do you push and encourage? Again, find someone! As the above quote and video shows, it could change a life forever.

But let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching
Hebrews 10:25b

Choices

I have heard it said that life is about choices and our choices will determine how fulfilled we are in our lives. I believe this 100%.

Joyce Meyer has said that love is not a feeling, it is a choice. When we are married, there will be times that we don't really like our spouses. However, we need to choose to love them anyway. Hollywood messes up our minds on this by trying to get us to buy in to the notion that love is a feeling. Not true.

A friend of mine asked me the other day, "Jim, if someone spit on you does that make you angry?"

I said, "Absolutely!"

He said, "No, it doesn't. It makes you wet. It is your choice to become angry."

After thinking about this for a second, I had to agree. Again, choices.

Jesus promised us trouble in John 16:33. When trouble or adversity strikes, it's not what happens that will determine our destiny; it's how we react to what happens. It's the choice we make that will matter.

Check out the above video to see some inspiring stories from others who have decided to make great choices.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

Service With A Smile

A friend of mine just shared a great quote with me. Neither of us know who said it but it is pretty good. "Life is like a game of tennis. The player who serves well seldom loses." How true.

When you receive great service somewhere doesn't it make you feel important. Maybe that is why Jesus told us we are to serve. Check out this story from Mac Anderson about someone who stuck out because he went above and beyond the call of duty:

The following story was told by my friend Phillip Van Hooser, in his book titled: Willie's Way. I really like it and hope you will too.

The conversation was pleasant. Earlier in the day I had presented a service professionalism training program for the Georgia Club Managers' Association, a group of managers representing some of the finest city, athletic, golf, and country clubs throughout the state of Georgia. Now I found myself dining with nine of the most highly respected leaders in the field of club management. Somewhere between the appetizer and the salad, Manuel de Juan, general manager of the host, Capital City Club, spoke.

“Phillip, I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation today. I especially enjoyed the stories you shared to illustrate your content points. As a matter of fact, at one point during your presentation, I almost interrupted you to share one of my stories I thought you might enjoy.”

He said, “The occasion was Easter Sunday and the day found more than 500 club members and their guests crowded into the overflowing Capital City Club restaurant. As they waited to dine, a club member and his four dinner guests approached the bar where they were greeted by the head bartender, Bob, who quickly began to take and fill each drink order. Everything progressed as might be expected until one of the guests placed an order for a specialty drink.
'I would like a sazerac, please.'

'A sazerac?' Bob asked curiously. 'Sir, I'm sorry but I'm unfamiliar with that particular drink. However, if you'll share its ingredients with me, I will be happy to make you one.'

'That's the problem,' the guest explained. 'I was in New Orleans on business recently and I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel. During my visit, I went into the hotel bar and the bartender suggested I try the house specialty, a sazerac. I remember the name of the drink because it was the same as that of the bar. Anyway, I tried the drink and I loved it.

Since then though, whenever I've tried to order it in other bars around the country I always get the same response, 'never heard of it.' I was hoping a place like the Capital City Club would be different. But never mind. Don't worry about it. Just give me a Bloody Mary instead.'

Bob filled the revised drink order, and as soon as the guest left the bar to rejoin his party, Bob took his break and headed straight to the nearest telephone. He called information and requested the number for the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Once connected to the Fairmont, Bob asked for the Sazerac Bar. Within seconds, Bob was talking directly with a previously anonymous professional colleague in a bar several hundred miles away.

'My name is Bob and I am the head bartender at the Capital City Club here in Atlanta. A few minutes ago I had a gentleman order a sazerac. He told me he was introduced to it while visiting your bar. I was wondering if you would be willing to share the recipe with me so I can fill his order?'

Bob's New Orleans counterpart was happy to oblige.

Within a few short minutes, Bob confidently approached the guest's table. Imagine the guest's level of surprise, satisfaction, and sheer delight when Bob said, 'Excuse me, sir, but I have your sazerac. I hope it's to your liking. I have taken the liberty of writing down the ingredients on this index card so you can have them with you in your travels. I hope you enjoy your time here at the Capital City Club. I'm glad I had the opportunity to serve you.'

One of my favorite definitions of listening is from Jim Cathcart. He said listening is wanting to hear. And you see, Bob wanted to hear...and he did. Great service is always about wanting to hear.

Service Lesson Learned:Surprise...and delight!

"Whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all."

Jesus in Mark 10:40b