Author Archives: Dr. Keith & Debbie (Zirkle) Spanberger

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About Dr. Keith & Debbie (Zirkle) Spanberger

Husband, Father, Friend, Purpose Coach, CEO, Writer, Blogger, Entrepreneur​, above all, I'm a man God can use. That's me! Living my dreams & helping others do the same...

Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking (Part-5)

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This week we are continuing the series on “Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking”. Here is the link to the previous post just in case you missed it: http://wp.me/p1zGjk-e2

In the process of renewing the mind, we will find a limitless list of topics. That’s because the renewing process has to be done in all areas of life and it must be a daily action. What do I mean by a daily action? Glad you asked =). Each day we awake to new encounters; some good and some bad. And with that, we can’t live using yesterday’s answers. This is why spending all your time jumping from book to book, blog to blog, and conference to conference will NOT give you the full answer to your questions. They will help add knowledge to your arsenal but only YOU can find the real answers to YOUR victories. It can’t be done for you; BUT this is what most people want to happen. We live in a society that mimics what others do expecting to get what they got without spending the time seeking it. One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 6:33 where it tells us to “seek first the kingdom”. What is the Kingdom? It’s God Himself. We must learn that we are investing in ourselves when we answer the calling of that scripture.

You can read in the Bible about the new wine being poured into an old wine skin. The result of the new wine introduced into an old wine skin causes it to burst. We ourselves are like that old wine skin in the fact that we are trying to put new actions and dreams into our same old thinking. Business and ministries alike cannot be held to yesterday’s types and shadows. The way we did it yesterday was for yesterday; but today has to see a new level of leadership and attention.

I want to encourage you to renew your mind to the fact that yesterday might be filled with great victories and also horrible setbacks, BUT today is a new day. Take hold of it like no other day in your life and live it to the fullest.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking (Part-4)

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This week we are continuing the series on “Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking”. Here is the link to the previous post just in case you missed it: http://wp.me/p1zGjk-dU

Also, here is last week’s podcast link: http://goo.gl/adHxxK

So as we continue moving forward on this topic of “Renewing the Mind” and I thought how being today is a Monday, then we should talk about “How We See Today”. Now this is not just a Monday thing; BUT instead, a daily thing. We have been blessed with 7 days in each week and they are ALL a gift from God. We have the trend of TGIF and the dreaded Mondays, but really, every day is a gift and we have the power to make it what we want it to be.

I believe how we enter into the day speaks volumes as to how we will conquer or be defeated in the day. God did not make days so that some would be good and then some would be bad; but instead, He made all days to be what we would make of them. We have the power of decision and the words of authority. We frame our world with our words. Did you get that? Go back and read it again and again and again. We frame the day and if we don’t like that frame, then we change it.

I have found what works for me and I have learned this by experience. Let me share:
1. I get up early and get a good stretch and workout in. Now I don’t leave my house for the GYM, but instead, I have found that I am my GYM (Check out http://www.marklauren.com and the book “You Are Your Own GYM”) and so therefore, I can work out no matter where I am.
2. I get a fresh dose of the Word in me and then I have my daily reading time; this comes via email. I also have a list of blogs and web-sites that I truly enjoy gleaning and learning from.
3. Another thing I have found BUT don’t always do (my wife will confirm this) is to have already laid out, what I am wearing for the day and have my things all together the night before.
4. Once I am in my office, I go through my “to do list” and “calendars of events” that are happening for that day. I try to always acknowledge special events in other’s lives, during this time, as well.

I have many other things that happen during my a.m., but these are the things that jump start my day to be the most successful it can be. I also believe that how we end the day is as important as how we start it. I put things where they go and prepare for the following day. I also like to read a little and for sure pray before my eyes close and I drift off.

Now I’m not saying my way is “the way”. You must find what works for you! But if your days are some good and some bad, then you can look at those days and define what the positive and negatives are and build the best days possible around those.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

Episode 9 – Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking (Part 3)

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This podcast is a part of the “Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking” series.

Check out this episode!

Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking (Part-3)

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This week we are continuing the series on “Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking”.  Here is the link to the previous post just in case you missed it:  http://goo.gl/pObBJ0

Also, here is last week’s podcast link: http://goo.gl/adHxxK

Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking is not a conforming act; but instead, a restoration process.  We were never designed to be “bottom of the barrel” thinkers or dreamers.  Life is not about getting by; but instead, it’s about going above and beyond.

Most have dreams, but they are afraid to chase after them.  Many have formed a mindset of “live just to get by” or “take whatever comes my way”.  We settle for a paycheck instead of birthing a dream.  We compromise our beliefs for the sake of a job.  The world does not care about the dream you have and fears the thought of us actually moving forward in it.

So what is it you love to do?  What excites you when you talk about it?  If you had the ability to do whatever you wanted, what would you do?  Those answers are your starting ground in moving forward.  I believe once we answer those questions, we can then go to God with them and ask for His wisdom and direction (revelation) to what’s next.

So write those answers down in your journal with a date and time stamp next to them.  I believe when we write it down, it takes them from dreams to now visions and allows God to show us His Kingdom design for them.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out.  So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose.  Live with no regrets and love without boundaries.  Hold nothing back and charge life head on.  I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold!  Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

Episode 8 – Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking (Part 2)

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This Podcast is part 2 of the “Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking” series.

Check out this episode!

Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking (Part-2)

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So last week we kicked off a new series called “Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking”. Here is the link to that post: http://wp.me/p1zGjk-dI . So grab your Bible, journal, pen, and highlighter and let’s go!

There is a reason that the Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 to “renew our minds”. Most Christians will tell you it is because we are not to be like the world, but instead, like Christ. True BUT there is so much more to it than just that! It’s said we are to mold ourselves into His image and likeness; but really, we were created that way, so we must realize and take hold of that design. And that only comes through following the direction of Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness”. We won’t find the answers in a self-help book or even in a blog, it’s only in His Word. (However, we can gain knowledge, which can produce wisdom and insight, through other types of written words.) What I have found, is that as I read books, magazines, blogs and such that the Lord gives me Kingdom principles within those things that I can relate back to His Word.

Going back to my opening scripture, I see a clearer and deeper picture in this translation of Romans 12:2 (The Mirror Bible) “Do not allow current religious tradition to mold you into its pattern of reasoning. Like an inspired artist, give attention to the detail of God’s desire to find expression in you. Become acquainted with perfection. To accommodate yourself to the delight and good pleasure of Him will transform your thoughts afresh from within”. Most of the time, Christians are quick to reference to not be like the world BUT I see a reference to “religious tradition” and see just as many people lost in that as in the world.

So we have to first realize that the renewing of the mind is the fact of finding ourselves in the Word of God. We must then realize that the resting place of His Word was not meant to be on the pages of a book BUT instead in the lives of His Kingdom kids being lived out with purpose each and every day! Start renewing your mind right now by seeing you as God see’s you, through the eyes of Christ.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

 

Episode 7 – Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking – 1

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This Podcast is episode 1 in the “Renew The Mind To Kingdom Thinking” series.

http://www.kingdomthinking.org

http://www.livingwaterteaching.org

Check out this episode!

Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking (Part-1)

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In the coming weeks, we are going to be focusing on the topic of “Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking”.  So first, grab a pen and journal/notebook because there is much to learn and writing it down and re-reading what you wrote, is key to growth.  So let’s hit the road on the adventure of a lifetime!

It does not matter if you are a Christian or not; my blog can change your life if you apply the principles.  I promise!  How can I make this promise?  Because they are not my principles AND they have been tried and proven true by many before you or I ever set foot on this earth.  I’m sharing the principles and concepts of the Creator of all things beyond even what we know.  You got it – GOD!  Now before you hit delete and move on, I challenge you to hear me out.  Stay with me in the coming weeks…  What do you have to lose?

Whether you believe as I do or not, your mind is always being renewed, good or bad.  The definition of the word “renewed” is:  To make new or as if new again, resume, repeat, regain, restore, revive, replenish, reestablish, to start over.  Daily things are trying to grab our thoughts and change our thinking.  That is how trends work.  You see it and maybe the fact of how it looks, sounds and who is promoting it, changes your thinking on it.  Here is an example: the 60’s and 70’s were a time for bell-bottom jeans and hip huggers, but when I was in elementary school, if you wore them then, you were laughed at.  Then someone with a voice that is being heard said they were cool again and BOOM they are back.  Minds are renewed and bell-bottoms became cool once again… got to love society!  We were created to take information in and then make decisions based on what we learn.  The problem is that what the world offers, is all about increasing themselves.  It’s about marketing and growth on an idea, dream, an individual, and not about you.

I want to share the real direction of the kick-off post.  You have been designed for something bigger than you could ever imagine.  God, the creator of the universe and all that is in it, created you.  Many might be saying, “But if He did that, then why am I in the place I’m in today?  Why has my life been so horrible and why am I here”?  That answer and every other answer to every other question you could think of is in one book.  You guessed it, the Bible!  Your life, the success of your marriage and even the growth and success of your business, is all in one book and that book is the Bible.

As for me, I did not grow up as a Christian and I could probably write “the book of wrong” better than most; BUT God set me up! YES, I was set up by God. I encountered a beautiful young lady and she introduced me to a life I never knew I needed. I have lived both sides of the fence, I guess you could say.  (So I do speak from experience when I say life is better on this side!)

This will be the kick-off scripture, Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Bible) “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”

The importance of this scripture is that we will never know us until we first know Him and we will never have completeness not knowing ourselves!

HOMEWORK: Write down today’s date and the time and note the areas of your life that you want to see changed.  What are you believing God for?  Write that down.  The importance of this page and these notes will become evident to you as you learn and have your mind renewed to true Kingdom Thinking.

So that’s it for now, but tomorrow I will be releasing a Podcast which you can find on iTunes and by searching Kingdom Thinking or my name.  Then on Friday, I will be releasing a V-Cast on YouTube and it will be wrapped around this same theme and I do believe it will be helpful to you in this adventure.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out.  So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose.  Live with no regrets and love without boundaries.  Hold nothing back and charge life head on.  I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

Kingdom Thinking E6 – How Do You See You?

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In this Podcast we touch on the topic of low self esteem.  We also give a mission trip update from our resent mission trips to Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Check us out on the web @ http://www.livingwaterteaching.org or http://www.kingdomthinking.org

Check out this episode!

FRAGILE

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I’m reposting this Blog post in remembrance of my dad’s home going one year ago today. I miss him greatly BUT will one day see him again! I love you dad!

Dr. Keith & Debbie (Zirkle) Spanberger's avatarThe Vertical Journey

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This blog post is dedicated to my dad, James Peterson Cate II.  He went to heaven on Monday, April 15, 2013.

This week, I have had many people share with me about how my dad did so many things for so many different people.  He was always willing to help anyone and seemed like he could fix anything!  I am pretty sure he owned one of every tool and some things he called tools, I am not even sure what they do! In fact, the Sunday before his death, he stopped and helped a family from church change a flat tire.  He spent many years touching the lives of boys, young men, and adults through the Scouting program.  I myself want to honor his life by carrying on his desire to help others as much as I can.  I love you dad!

Life is truly fragile and is to be…

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