Todd Hoffman just went for it.
Something had to give. His aviation business was about to go bust, so chasing a dream he brought together a few unemployed buddies, outfitted for a gold mining operation, and headed for the Klondike. The American Dream combined with Todd's frontier spirit gave inspiration to sift out gold from them there hills in the Yukon.
Yes, I am one of those 5.5 million viewers that can't wait to get my Gold Rush fix every Sunday night. Todd and the gang can get it done! In spite of the odds, discouragement, breakdowns and frustrations, the Quartz Creek Crew hunkers down and forges toward the goal of the gold. They probably can skin Griz, too. Tough and determined, Todd is going after the dream that his father, Jack went for back in the 80's when he was mining in the Alaskian wilderness.
What is "gold" to you? What is so important to you that no obstacle will prevent you from pursuing your "gold"?
It may be because I have crested 50, but I can think of nothing more valuable than character. It's not the money that matters, but how a man makes it that does. It's not just the words a man speaks, but the content of those words that defines a man's heart. I want my young adult sons and daughter to have the capacity to be financially free and responsible, but I desire for them to be people of character, no matter their net worth. I want that for myself too, by the way! To me, spiritual character is the gold standard.
When Paul prays for his friends, he asks God for this in their behalf; "I pray that you be rooted and established in love. I pray that you may be able to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge." (Ephesians 3:17-19). The kind of love that the Bible speaks of and that Jesus fully revealed and demonstrated is totally selfless. It is the kind of love that willingly lays down self interest, ego and personal want, prefering that the needs of others be first addressed. Bible kind of love is devotedly sacrificial. It's just not human. It's supernatural.
Not only can you experience a God version of "love", you can live it. That is why Paul prayed for this kind of love to for his friends rather than an Escalade. When we realize how deeply we are loved by God, we understand that His affection for us is radically profound. He provides for us grace, at His own expense and as a gift of His kindness. Then His kind of love flows from us to others...even to those that we might not like so much!
God-like character grows over time as we cultivate our relationship with the God Who loves us. Visit www.camdenbc.com and take advantage of a 40 Day Personal Growth Plan that is designed to strengthen your spiritual life and character. Be as resolved as Todd! Do whatever it takes to develop the lasting character qualities that are character gold.
You may find out that you ARE the Gold Mine to others in search of the precious and the priceless.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
World Peace
Ron Artest of the LA Lakers has, legally changed his name according to a recent Sports Illustrated editorial.
He is now "World Peace".
Good luck to the Play by Play guy who has to colorfully describe WP when he drives the lane for a dunk! "A Monster Dunk by World Peace!". Could be interesting, actually.
Artest wanted to change his brawler type image which has been his notorious basketball and life MO. What better way than to recast your reputation than to change your name, right? You really have to think about your next move when you are balling up your fist with the name "World Peace" on the back of your jersey.
What changes a person permanently for the good? I get Artest's motive. I sure have wanted to make some very necessary attitudinal and behavioral adjustments through the years. Keeping the same name and experiencing positive life change may be an even more powerful attention grabber. "Aren't you the guy who beat up a fan with his shoe in Detroit?". "Yeah, that WAS me. That's the person I USED to be.". That would have worked for me...but that's just my preference.
Sustaining a good guy image is too much for anyone. We all blow it sooner or later even when our will drives us to wanting to do the right thing. That's a job that is way too big for me. I need intervention. I need God. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being a Christian is not being perfect. It is being perfected. That takes time, patience and inner life intervention. When God does that work, I experience real contentment and my actions are not forced, but supernaturally natural. I also give thanks to God for accomplishing what my will never could.
That is called 'Worship'.
I encourage you to let the God of the Bible transform you from the inside out. Believe me, your world will be full of peace then.
Follow this link and get in on God and grow in your personal worship: http://www.camdenbc.com
He is now "World Peace".
Good luck to the Play by Play guy who has to colorfully describe WP when he drives the lane for a dunk! "A Monster Dunk by World Peace!". Could be interesting, actually.
Artest wanted to change his brawler type image which has been his notorious basketball and life MO. What better way than to recast your reputation than to change your name, right? You really have to think about your next move when you are balling up your fist with the name "World Peace" on the back of your jersey.
What changes a person permanently for the good? I get Artest's motive. I sure have wanted to make some very necessary attitudinal and behavioral adjustments through the years. Keeping the same name and experiencing positive life change may be an even more powerful attention grabber. "Aren't you the guy who beat up a fan with his shoe in Detroit?". "Yeah, that WAS me. That's the person I USED to be.". That would have worked for me...but that's just my preference.
Sustaining a good guy image is too much for anyone. We all blow it sooner or later even when our will drives us to wanting to do the right thing. That's a job that is way too big for me. I need intervention. I need God. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being a Christian is not being perfect. It is being perfected. That takes time, patience and inner life intervention. When God does that work, I experience real contentment and my actions are not forced, but supernaturally natural. I also give thanks to God for accomplishing what my will never could.
That is called 'Worship'.
I encourage you to let the God of the Bible transform you from the inside out. Believe me, your world will be full of peace then.
Follow this link and get in on God and grow in your personal worship: http://www.camdenbc.com
Friday, January 20, 2012
Content
Contentment is a rare thing.
It's challenging not to always be on the reach for something more.
Nicholas Cage knows that first hand. Having made millions upon millions, Nick gobbled up European castles, a fleet of cars (including 9 Rolls Royces), four yachts, fifteen houses around the world, an island in the Bahamas and a Gulfstream jet. It has been reported that Cage owes the government in excess of 7 million as his homes are being sold at foreclosure auctions. His business manager warned him that he would need an annual income of $30 million just to maintain his holdings. After outbidding fellow actor, DiCaprio at a 2007 auction for a dinosaur skull at a quarter million dollar pop, Cage admitted, "I find ways of spending money that mystify everybody around me."
I like Cage as an actor. I think he's cool,(for the most part). I do wonder if my being entertained by him is more like enabling him to remain imprisoned in the Land of Discontent. I will have to remember that as I consider checking out his next flick, 'Ghost Rider'.
The Psalmist said, "I will praise the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 146:2) "At ALL times"? Really? Sometimes acquisitions seem so comforting, especially when I am wrestling with an internal emptiness or needing a release from the pressures of responsibility. I am discovering that WORSHIP is the key to contentment.
Contentment is in a Person. The Scripture calls Him 'Creator', "Redeemer', 'Sin Bearer', 'Grace Giver', 'Heavenly Father', 'Jesus Christ'. When I recognize Who God is, I have my fill. I am truly content. When I focus my attention of recalling His goodness, His grace, answered prayer, revealed truth, blessed relationships, financial provision, I realize that the God of the Bible is compassionate, kind, generous, just and loving. At that moment, I respond. I worship Him. At that moment, I am content beyond words, experiences or assets.
I want to invite you to dedicate these next 10 Days of Personal Growth to planning to worship the God Who loves you and provides for you. Read the Scripture references and enjoy a moment of His praise consuming you each day. Follow this link and plan to worship, grow and experience there joy of lasting contentment: http://www.camdenbc.com
It's challenging not to always be on the reach for something more.
Nicholas Cage knows that first hand. Having made millions upon millions, Nick gobbled up European castles, a fleet of cars (including 9 Rolls Royces), four yachts, fifteen houses around the world, an island in the Bahamas and a Gulfstream jet. It has been reported that Cage owes the government in excess of 7 million as his homes are being sold at foreclosure auctions. His business manager warned him that he would need an annual income of $30 million just to maintain his holdings. After outbidding fellow actor, DiCaprio at a 2007 auction for a dinosaur skull at a quarter million dollar pop, Cage admitted, "I find ways of spending money that mystify everybody around me."
I like Cage as an actor. I think he's cool,(for the most part). I do wonder if my being entertained by him is more like enabling him to remain imprisoned in the Land of Discontent. I will have to remember that as I consider checking out his next flick, 'Ghost Rider'.
The Psalmist said, "I will praise the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 146:2) "At ALL times"? Really? Sometimes acquisitions seem so comforting, especially when I am wrestling with an internal emptiness or needing a release from the pressures of responsibility. I am discovering that WORSHIP is the key to contentment.
Contentment is in a Person. The Scripture calls Him 'Creator', "Redeemer', 'Sin Bearer', 'Grace Giver', 'Heavenly Father', 'Jesus Christ'. When I recognize Who God is, I have my fill. I am truly content. When I focus my attention of recalling His goodness, His grace, answered prayer, revealed truth, blessed relationships, financial provision, I realize that the God of the Bible is compassionate, kind, generous, just and loving. At that moment, I respond. I worship Him. At that moment, I am content beyond words, experiences or assets.
I want to invite you to dedicate these next 10 Days of Personal Growth to planning to worship the God Who loves you and provides for you. Read the Scripture references and enjoy a moment of His praise consuming you each day. Follow this link and plan to worship, grow and experience there joy of lasting contentment: http://www.camdenbc.com
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