Tag Archives: life

Raising a Dreamer

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Raising a dreamer

As a parent, I know the parental desire to see your kids have a successful life. But, are we hurting more than helping by trying to force them into the box we think that success is?

My family and I just saw a really good movie called “The Identical” and part of the storyline in the movie brought me back to something I have been thinking about lately. In the movie, the dad was trying to force his son to follow the same walk in ministry that he was on. I have had the opportunity to speak with youth, as well as parents, and have heard this very thing happening; BUT, we have to realize that our calling is not our kid’s calling and just because we choose a certain path, does not mean it is also their path. This is the same for those in business and other fields.

We, as parents, have to realize that we are not here to choose our kid’s paths for them; but instead, to be an example to help them choose what their path in life might be. For instance, we cannot force our children into the path of college, career and retirement. I have seen parents that have a solid career, think that it’s in the family’s genes for their children to follow their same career path. Then begins the process of forming the children to be like the parent and not who God designed them to be. The fact is, our children are not made in our image or designed to be like us. I know this goes against everything society thinks or is willing to accept; BUT, it does not change the fact that God says in Genesis 1:28 that we are made in His image and likeness, end of story.

We are not parenting to design our children into what we think they should be; BUT instead, we should be living such a Kingdom life before them that they find who it is God has created them to be. I was ministering at a school in Panama and met a young man after the session. We talked for a while and then he pulled out this small sketchpad and handed it to me. I thumbed through the pages and saw that it was packed with drawing after drawing and they were all amazing! He said his parents always told him “he was wasting his time and this would not supply for his future”. He was discouraged to say the least. My heart cried out for this kid and all I could do was encourage him, but before we parted ways, I handed him my Bible and asked him to draw a picture on the inside of the cover. The expression on his face as I asked this was priceless!

Recently, I spent time talking to another young man and his dream is to make music as a career. He is in the same type of situation with his parents; I know there are so many more stories just like these. My question is, if art in whatever form is a waste of time and it is not able to provide financially for one’s future, why are there museums around the world and music stores in almost every city? (Just something to think about!) Instead of trying to design our children, we must help them find themselves, because if we don’t, one day they will face the truth that they have not been true to their dreams or themselves and that is a cold dark place!

I feel a part of really living is taking chances and risking failure. I know that many might be shaking their heads, but that’s OK, because I’m a dreamer. Part of my dream is the blog you are reading now. It’s living proof that dreams do come true! =)

We are ALL created unique and designed with purpose; that’s why it’s so important that we live life on purpose with purpose! There are no do overs and no resets; time is the only thing that really belongs to a person and it’s the one thing we can’t get back once it is gone. So live life to the fullest on purpose with purpose.

That’s it for this week, BUT there is going to be more to come on this topic! I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feedback.
I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking Podcast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya ; it would be a blessing if you could let others know about us.
I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. 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

Give Up OR Dig In?

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dig in

Have you ever been at a point where you have only two choices you could make? One would be “giving up” and number two would be “digging in”! Giving up seems the simplest choice at times and it can hang on us the longest, even for a lifetime! However, what if we decided to dig in and take the fight to the obstacle, instead?

I have friends that have studied a form of fighting that brings the fight to the adversary rather than simply standing there and trying to defend. You first must see life worthy of the fight and then dig in and get ready!

1 John 4:4 tells us that greater is He that is in us than he that is in this world. That means that when I dig in, I’m not alone! I’m actually never alone in life if I know Jesus. That’s powerful!

Your family, dreams and life are things that are always going to be under attack. Have you noticed that your enemies are never interested in what’s not important to you? IF these areas are worth someone coming against you, then shouldn’t it go to show how important these areas really are?

When will we realize that nothing is more important than our family or our dreams, other than God? It’s time to dig in and never back down!

QUESTION: Give up or dig in, what has been your stand with your family and dreams?

Well that’s it for this week, BUT I would love to hear your thoughts below on this topic. I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking PodCast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya .

So until next week, eyes up and gear up, for the “best yet” is right at hand! Make the decision to start NOW; live life on purpose with purpose.

Parents, are you LISTENING?

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CA 2014 camp pic

As I’m writing this blog post, I’m on a flight from LAX to Dallas. I spent 5 days there with my youngest son, Parker, and was the speaker at a youth camp in the California mountains outside of the LA area. I then spoke in the youth group’s home church on Sunday. What an amazing trip it has been; the only thing missing, was my best friend and partner in this adventure we call life (my wife).

Nothing helps keep us more youthful than hanging out with young adults. I learn so much by just spending time sitting and talking with them and LISTENING! Did you get that last word? Listening! One of my biggest regrets as a dad was not listening more and talking less with my amazing kiddos! One thing that made this trip extra special was that this is my son’s (Parker’s) last year of high school and the Air Force is strong in his heart. So it was a fun time together even though it was crazy busy.

I can remember a statement that the late Dr James Zirkle made, “If you want to learn about a person’s home life then talk to their children”. Oh this is so true!!!! As I sat and just listened to the youth this weekend, I got the feeling that so many parents are failing in the area of encouraging their children to dream and take action. We view life in the manner of “go to school and get your education and then work a job so that you can retire one day”. That’s a cookie cutter answer! (Sorry moms and dads, but this does not sound fun and for sure not what God had planned for His kids.) Life is a journey that was meant to be enjoyed. We view school and a so called career as the ultimate answer; but WHAT IF your child has a dream that does not match that? What if they see life in a different way? What you might see as them being wrong or immature, is actually the uniqueness that God birthed in us.

The uniqueness in us shouts individuality and this recognized, reveals who and how God created us. We can’t raise our children in a manner that says “my way is the only way that is right.” (I wish I had realized this sooner!)

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ AMP)

We have got to realize the greatness in each of us including that of our children.

I believe pain of the past and fear of the unknown cause’s parents to try and push their children in the directions that they do.

God has put so many friends in my life that are successful dreamers and I believe that one difference with them and their success is they tried! You will never know what could be unless you first decide and then move towards it.

QUESTION: Is it better to run with our dreams and possibly fail or live life in a place of conformity and safety never knowing what might be able to be?

Well that’s it for this week; BUT, I would love to hear your thoughts on this, below.  I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking PodCast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya .

So until next week, eyes up and gear up for the best yet is right at hand! Make the decision to start NOW living life on purpose with purpose.‬‬‬

Identity Crisis….

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identity-crisis

Can you live your dreams? Some say yes, some say no, and some just say nothing! (I believe silence is also an answer!) But the correct answer is YES, YES, YES and if you did not hear me yet, YES; but it takes decision and determination amongst other things.

In the massive world of blogging, podcasting, life coaches and so on, realize that if someone is trying to get you to be like them so that you can be successful, then I have a special instruction for you. RUN!!!!!!! You don’t need to be like anyone else no matter how successful they are; BUT instead, you need to find the real you that God created which is already a success (God never created a failure) and move forward from there. Please allow me to explain!

It has been an idea amongst much of society for as long I can remember that if you do what another did the same way they did it, then you, too, can have the same outcome and or success. It could be in education, health, fitness, and also just in living life and the pursuit of your dreams. That mindset is a horrible path to be on and has created millions of dollars for so many speaking this message while leaving a trail of discouragement and loss for those taking the bait. No one person is the same; we have all been created unique by design and as an individual in every way. As soon as I read what others are writing or listen to what they are saying, it does not take long before I get their mindset OR I guess you could say, what they are selling. Are they selling themselves as the “guru of life” or are they trying to HELP me find the real me? NOW I will say this, you can learn something from just about anyone; but “nuggets of truth” and “life changing information” are two very different things. My purpose and desire has always been that Kingdom Thinking and the kingdomthinking.org blog and podcast is to help you find you, the real you. Some might already know that person but others might be having an identity crisis for one reason or another.

Let’s look at how the world defines what identity crisis is: personal psychosocial conflict, confusion about one’s social role and often a sense of loss of continuity to one’s personality, a state of confusion in an institution or organization regarding its nature or direction. Did you get that – conflict, confusion, a sense of loss? That describes so many today and the second part of that to me describes many individuals, institutions, even the church today when it says, “a state of confusion in an institution or organization regarding its nature or direction”. Why do I say this? Glad you asked! So many are saying “be like ME” and that is not correct. We are truly only to be like Jesus and in His image is the only true eternal success. Think about all those that point to themselves as the example of success and see where they are 5 – 10 years down the road. However, look at the ones like Zig Ziglar and others that point to Jesus and you will see that even after death, their message is still being told.

We have got to overcome the identity crisis that is crossing our country and I dare to even say globally. And it all starts with the real you first standing up and taking that first step forward. I want to encourage you with these statements:

1. You are not an accident and you have a purpose.
2. You are not defined by what others may say or geographical location.
3. You are strong and worth the fight.
4. Someone in this world needs you to be living your dream, so live bold and live it loud!

Right now could be a new chapter in your life or a replay of the last chapter. You decide!

So that’s it for this week; BUT I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feed back.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking PodCast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya .

You can find out more about the ministry of Living Water Teaching @ http://www.livingwaterteaching.org .

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. 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

What defines you?

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what defines you fb2

In a world of mega rich and also mega poor, one thing seems to reign true – it all starts in the thinking. Most of society thinks that money status defines them; but honestly, your attitude about money defines you.

Question, are we really born either rich or poor? Does the status of our family in society really define us? I say NO! I have read countless stories of the rich having children who hit rock bottom and the poor having children hit the so-called top. Now there are some that continue smoothly in the tradition they were born into – good or bad, but then again, there are those who “break the chains and walk their own path”.

So what is it that creates this breaking the chain experience in one’s life? I believe it all starts in one’s mind. We are fed daily by images, words and sounds that create experiences that make thoughts. Then those very thoughts create actions that soon create momentum in a certain direction in life. But then there are others who say it’s location that defines the life we live; but I just can’t buy that idea, either. Some of the so-called poorest places produce the most amazing riches and so that in itself destroys that very idea. I have come to realize that life is defined by what we think on and the actions we take and the words we speak. A poor person is not poor until they are first convinced in their mind they are poor. I have heard it said “the mind is the devil’s playing field” and I think that only is true when the mind becomes idle. An idle mind goes nowhere and does nothing.

The fact is that most are afraid of failure so much that they won’t even try. They can’t see past the place they are right now and they allow that to become a mountain that is never to be climbed. We must BREAK FREE! Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. We have got to make that very thought ours when it comes to life, taking chances and just simply living our dreams. We must wake up daily looking for ways to redefine the problems around us. An artist brings peace and joy while a medical person brings health and strength. The law is supposed to bring balance and protection, and a financial person brings guidance and advice, while ministers bring spiritual growth, guidance and wisdom. But there is another person in this list that is overlooked a lot of the time, and they are the thinkers, the dreamers, and the entrepreneurs who bring something unique to the table. They find the gaps, the missing things in life and they plug into those areas to bring change. THAT’S YOU!

So you might be asking, “Where do I start?” I say by starting to think, dream, and enjoy the beauty that sounds you. Take life for what it is, the most valuable asset to be given to mankind. It’s time to break those chains once and for all!

So that’s it for this week; BUT I would love to hear back from you below with your comments, suggestions and feed back.

I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking PodCast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya .

You can find out more about the ministry of Living Water Teaching which I talked about in the post @ http://www.livingwaterteaching.org .

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. 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

Guest Post by Carly Hartman

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Greetings and welcome to another Kingdom Thinking blog post. This week’s post is a guest post from a young entrepreneur out of California. We have been close to her and her family for many years now and I have had the opportunity to watch this young lady grow up to where she is today walking her dreams out one day at a time. I hope you enjoy it; I know I sure did!

Carly Hartman guest post pic

Hi! My name is Carly Hartman and I am an 18-year-old entrepreneur. I attend a community college in Moorpark, California and am studying business! I really do enjoy school and have always had a strong work ethic my whole life.

I attended Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California and graduated in May of 2013. I graduated on a Thursday, and on Friday I started my first business. Cora Wear was born in May of 2013. Cora Wear is a clothing and jewelry line. I really enjoy managing and owning this business because I get to use all of my creative skills through designing clothes and making jewelry. I am still building a large foundation for this business but it has gotten and continues to get a lot of exposure from people around the world! I got a job in January of this year to raise money for my very first “official” design! My latest piece of clothing that I have designed for Cora Wear is a pair of workout pants with a decorative bow on the back. I designed these to create a stylish workout outfit for the athletic women in our society. You can check out my designs at http://www.corawear.com!

Business number two was started in December of 2013. This business is called Rich Youth Magazine or, RYMAG for short. I started RYMAG because I was looking around for advertisement for Cora Wear and I couldn’t find any cheap advertisement! All advertisement available for my company was never able to be under $20,000. I figured that other small businesses might be having the same problem, as well. In that case, RYMAG was created! RYMAG is an online and printed magazine that advertises and supports young entrepreneurs, actors, singers, songwriters, etc. Basically, anyone who has started something, ANYTHING, we interview them and publish their interviews in our seasonal issues. RYMAG has expanded with brilliant new ideas this summer particularly because of the help I have received from my team! You can see more regarding my magazine by visiting http://www.richyouthmag.com.

Last but not least, in February of 2014, I started my third and final business! Well, at the moment at least. After some personal experience in the pageant world, I realized that I wanted to start my own movement to empower teens and young women to be powerful leaders and world changers, in a pageant setting. I have been taught awesome morals and values from my amazing parents my whole life that I feel are worth sharing with my generation. This business is called Pageant 360. Our very first pageant to hit the books EVER is August 9, 2014 in Calabasas, California. We have a good amount of girls already that have applied to be in our pageant but are always open for more! Application, volunteer, and sponsorship information can all be found at http://www.pageant360.com! I have an amazing team that has helped me along the way to mold and shape this little vision and idea into a powerful movement and program. The winners receive a $500 cash prize in order to help them move closer and closer to their goal. We train our participants to have confidence, patience, high self-esteem, eloquence, poise, good posture, etc. They will hopefully be able to take all of these things that they have learned and apply them to their lives and fields of study.

Also, as a “side job,” I build and create websites for people! http://www.indie-gowebdesign.com is the place where I can help people launch their businesses, ideas, clothing lines, etc. God has given me an eye for graphic design and web design. I have built all of my websites on my own.

All in all, without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I would never have been able or even continue to do the things that I have started! God deserves all the credit, glory, and honor because without Him, these businesses would not be possible in ANY way. My favorite part about these businesses is that I know that I cannot do them on my own. I need to trust in Him and rely on Him completely in order for them to be successful. He always guides me in the directions that I am supposed to go; He never leaves me nor forsakes me; He wants the best for me, etc. And the best part is, is that He wants the same for YOU. If you ever feel discouraged or feel down because you don’t feel like you haven’t accomplished much or because you feel like God would never want to use you due to all of the “bad things” you have done, you are WRONG! God is NOT a respecter of persons and He has a huge plan and purpose for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). God is for you and NOT against you; He is the Creator of all things good. If you think it is not God’s will for you to be successful in life that is also not true! It is God’s will for you to have Heaven on earth; delight yourself in Him and He will give you all the desires of your heart. The moral of this whole story, ha ha, is that God loves you with a burning passion that we can’t even understand. He thinks you are successful no matter what you do and you have a purpose! God bless you in all that you do, He is on your side.

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Kingdom Thinking Recap – Week 20

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Another week has come and gone, but the posted Kingdom Thinking
thoughts from it are nuggets of Kingdom wisdom you can always use.

Please forward them to others you know, because we can always use a
touch of the Kingdom!!

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: You can see success looking in the rear view mirror.

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: success comes from the balance of devotion, family and duty. Luke 10:38-42

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: Where joy does not exist neither does peace!

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: Until dead, it’s never too late to start or start again!

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: Forward is the only direction to fufillment of one’s dreams.

Well that’s it for today, but another week is just around the corner…. So eyes up and gear up to take this new week gladiator style. Rule and dominate every second to it’s fullest and end each day with not a single regret!

Here is a link to last weeks blog post:
Living Life In Front