Tag Archives: Prospering

I’m Back!!!! =)

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Im back

 

It seems like forever since I sat down to write a blog post. Pretty much my entire social media world went on hold, with the exception of pictures and random thoughts.

I wanted to give you a quick recap of my life since March 24th – so let’s hit the rewind button and hit play =)

On April 24th, I left DFW airport and also the most beautiful lady in the world, for the second longest trip away from our marriage. (To be honest, I love spending time with her and so one day away is too long for me!) Anyways, I left for the beautiful country of Guatemala, where I was going to be part of one of our ministry outreaches in the town of Chuva, Guatemala. We were going there for a 4 day medical/evangelistic outreach. The drive to this location was all fine and dandy until the pavement ended and suddenly the song, “Welcome to the Jungle” went off in my head =). We drove for the next 45 minutes on trails and over what felt like mammoth boulders. With the song still going off in my head, we exited the vehicles and the real journey began. The people of Chuva were so sweet and open to hear the Word of God. By the time we left that Saturday morning, we had treated 2,213 people and 410 of them had made Jesus the Lord of their lives. It was a powerful time in a setting that many would not know even exists. The world we live in is so vast BUT yet so small. These are mine and your neighbors; granted – not living in the same neighborhood or even country, BUT instead neighbors of a much bigger picture. CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE CHUVA OUTREACH

I will hit the fast forward button now to Monday, March 31st. A ministry worker, along with a young man that teaches in our on campus ACE school and a group member from the US, all left the campus with me early in the a.m., for the city of Huehuetenango, where we had been invited to do a training outreach to the fire fighters. I have done this same outreach in the countries of Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay and the fruit of these outreaches have always been great and the training brought so very needed. We arrived at 8:00 a.m., had breakfast with the directors in that city and then headed to the fire department where we took a tour and then started the training. I taught 4 hours of training to 20 fire fighters and then our local director shared with them for a short time; 5 gave their lives to Christ. It was truly a great time and they have invited me back to do more training and also spend some time going on calls with them. CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM HUEHUETENANGO FIRE FIGHTER OUTREACH

Fast forward once again – now to April 2nd. I flew from Guatemala to the country of Nicaragua where I met up with our ministry directors there for 4 days of meetings. We had service each day and also while there, we held 3 seminars. My main topic for the trip was, “Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking”. The people were so hungry in each service and seminar. When I left for the U.S. on April 7th, I had been gone 15 days and traveled to 2 countries and ministered A LOT – I loved every second of it!! CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM NICARAGUA TRIP

On April 7th, I re-entered the country through Miami International Airport and figured out why the airport code is MIA. It’s because after spending over 30 minutes trying to work my way through the maze they call customs, you feel as though you are MISSING IN ACTION (MIA)! But I knew DFW Airport was that much closer to home and that meant seeing someone that I had missed very much. I finally arrived in TX and into the arms of the most beautiful and amazing creation of God, my wife. It was so good to be home once again!

This mission trip was truly awesome and as I meditate back on it, I am so honored to be a man that God can and is using to build His Kingdom. If you would like to learn more about our ministry, our mission trips and our other outreaches, you can visit our web-site at: http://www.livingwaterteaching.org

Now upon my arrival home, my wife and I did what we love to do which is have fun and explore! We truly enjoy life and we do it best together. We spent almost two days enjoying a historic hotel in Downtown Dallas and also exploring what downtown had to offer. (Just a side note, we explored every area we could find and even found the door to the roof top and got a great view.) CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM OUR 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

Are You Really Secure?

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secure

Are you really secure? What a profound question to ask!

Let’s first define the definition of secure: Free from danger, attack, loss, free from fear, anxiety, or doubt, stable or firmly fastened, reliable and dependable.

I remember Debbie’s dad, the late Dr. James Zirkle, making this statement: “If you want to succeed, then help someone else succeed”.

I believe discipleship means you are always leading others to a place called there or their yes. You are to be helping others find their way. Here is a link to my first Podcast title: “Are you a beacon of light for the lost?” – Which focuses on this very topic. I have made some awesome new friends lately and everyone is always so eager to help one another succeed at their dreams and the group just keeps growing with other like-minded individuals.

But you don’t always see this attitude around you; either Christian or not. You can look at the businesses, churches, and ministries and find insecurity that speaks out in the inability to work with others in fear they might lose something or someone. Insecurity creates a wall that keeps you from advancing and at some point you will be the one thing that kills your own dreams if you were to continue in that insecurity.

I myself want others to succeed and I want to rejoice with them as they are rejoicing. I have a friend named Kimanzi Constable and he just moved to the next level of his dream by moving to Hawaii. Another new friend I consider to be close has two successful businesses; he also blogs weekly and his name is Zech Newman. Another good friend is Kent Sanders, who to me is the king of Evernote, which I love and use it ALL the time. (CLICK HERE to visit his Evernote training site.) I will be spotlighting more and more of these friends as we go, because that’s what we are to do – help others, not with an agenda but because we are called to help and lift one another up. (Side note – You all who are my dreamer friends and you know who you are, I want say thank you so much for all you have done to bless my life!)

Now how do we do this? How do we put ourselves to the side and openly help each other achieve their dreams? By letting down the walls and letting others in so we can help them be all they dream and desire to be, by being secure in who we are and also whose we are. I’m a Christian, no apology and no hiding it. That’s who I am and what I am. I’m secure in who I am and also whose I am because of Christ in me, the hope of glory, Colossians 1:27.

I started the http://www.kingdomthinking.org blog for one reason and that is to share my Jesus as I grow in His Kingdom. Hopefully by doing this, others will be able to learn because we spend so much time recreating a wheel that is already built and perfected.

So I ask you again, are you secure? Can you wake up each new day and take it head on with no regret or condemnation? If not, allow me to give you a good starting place. Grab any Bible and turn to Matthew 6:33 and start there and move forward.

You are highly favored and deeply loved beyond anything you could ever imagine.

So eyes up and gear up for the best is right at hand. Take this day gladiator style, ruling and reigning, dominating it and not letting it dominate you!

Gear Up (Part 11) UNPLUGGED

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unplug

 

Last week, I posted on the topic of “CHANGE”.  I’m following up this week, by touching on one of my own personal changes.

So let’s talk about the topic, “UNPLUGGING”.  I have read many articles on this topic and about how those that have unplugged for many days, and I thought to myself, “How could one do this?”  But as I have found with all change, first comes the want to make the change and then the step forward to put action to it.  Last week I moved forward with my own “UNPLUG DAY” and it has been a breath of fresh air.  As I write this post, I’m actually completing my second “UNPLUG DAY”.  No withdrawals, no jitters and for sure no regrets.

Addiction is defined as “a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance”.  Welcome to the tech world we live in; it’s truly become a substance that many can’t live without.  So much so, that we made a young man the youngest millionaire in history because of this addiction.  It’s addiction is evident to all and bullies have realized it and made it a weapon of choice.  The need to know what others are doing, is a “have to know” around the clock.

I shared in my last post, about how I could be sitting in a restaurant and watch families with their face glued to their God; without even realizing that they are losing time with their family and friends.  I actually saw this with a mom and daughter just a short time ago and the mom never really gave the little girl anything other than a warm body at the same table with her and a hot meal, because everything was being given to her smart phone which she never really put away. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the social sites and such BUT, when I stopped and looked at how much time I was giving to them and the many times a day I spent doing it, I knew I needed a change.  So this is where the “UNPLUG DAY” all started for me.

This has became so strong on my heart, that I actually created a Facebook page =)  I want to start a movement for as many as I can, to set aside at least one “UNPLUG DAY” each week.  Here is the link to the page: https://www.facebook.com/day2unplug .  Time is the one thing that once we spend it, we can’t get it back.  We either grow in it and make precious memories or waste it and one day wish we had it back.

I will close this post here for now, BUT there is more to come!

I really hope this post helps you get a new view of how to live a Kingdom life.  God has prepared a life just for you and it is AMAZING if you can simply get past the junk of this world.

We would love to hear from you with your questions, prayer requests, and/or praise reports.

So until next time, eyes up & gear up for the best is right at hand!

LivXtreme4Him

Gear Up (Part 10) – “CHANGE”

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change

The word “change” is defined by Webster as: “The act or instance of making or becoming different”.

The greatest change we will ever make or deny, is making Christ The Lord of our life. Now I know me making that statement will automatically make my blog not for everyone; but on the flip side, it is a blog that ALL need to read because of our overwhelming need for Christ and the understanding of what a Kingdom life really is. You can spend 1 minute on any social media site and see that most people, even many Christians, have no clue on Kingdom living! This is what this blog is all about.

Have you ever found yourself at a point in your life where you needed things to be different? It could be because of your health or career situation; but whatever the reason was, you just needed change. I have found myself at this cross-roads many times, but I have not always been willing to make the needed changes. A few years ago, I made some eating and exercise changes that after time, reaped some benefits. However, because of not allowing those change to become habits, I wavered and never really stuck to things. Over this year (2013), I have done better; but, there is always room for more growth and improvement. Other changes I needed to make have become evident lately, as well, and I wanted to share some of them in this blog post.

I will start with yesterday: Sunday, November 17th. I have read many articles this year on unplugging and the benefits of it. When I say unplugging, I’m talking about not checking e-mails, not even looking at social platforms, texting with non-family members, or anything that has to do with work and unplugging from it. In the day and time we live in with smart phones, tablets, and laptops in every person’s hands almost globally, it’s created an addiction – like movement that we feel like we HAVE to check these things . I have set in restaurants and watched couples on dates and also families, engrossed on their phones, instead of living in the moment with those they are with. How many lost seconds, minutes and hours have been given to this addiction? So I took a stand to unplug and it was refreshing! My new commitment is that every Sunday is my unplug day. I would encourage you to set at least one day a week to do this and make it a day for God, family, friends, or maybe even just a book day!

Next is keeping a journal. I believe we should have a work journal to help us track our work, but more importantly, we should have a journal for life. I have heard it said, “No one will be interested in reading about my life after I’m gone”. If that is the case, then we are at fault for not making our life an extraordinary one. I might not have lived a life that others would want to read about up until now, BUT as long as I’m still breathing, that book is still being written. I also want my future generations to know who I am – not just by what others say or don’t say about me, but by my life lived out in my journals. Plus, it also gives me a way to go back and relive those special moments. I have notes, thoughts, scriptures, pictures, movie tickets, etc. pasted on the pages. My new commitment is to journal more often than ever before, because my life is extraordinary. I have the most AMAZING wife, children, family, friends. I spend my life reaching out to others and God is daily showing me something new in His Kingdom. My late father-in-law, Dr. James Zirkle, once said this, “The shortest pencil is better than the sharpest mind”. My journals in a nutshell, are my life lived on paper. Your life is worth that, also. You must see the value of you and a journal can help with that.

Last thing for the post is exercise. I’m daily getting up and doing something to better my body. Stretching, lifting weights and/or just simple core work, helps me kick start each day – just like my Word time. Something is better than nothing and once you start, the benefits seem to push you to do more.

I really hope this post helps you get a new view of how to live a Kingdom life. God has prepared a life just for you and it is AMAZING if you can simply get past the junk of this world.

We would love to hear from you with your questions, prayer requests, and/or praise reports.

So until next time, eyes up & gear up for the best is right at hand!

LivXtreme4Him

Kingdom Thinking Recap – Week 43

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Well it’s time to say good-bye to another week, 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: There is a HUGE difference between having a dream & living it!

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: A dreamer’s life is to always be in forward motion.

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: Choose your dream over your comfort.

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: How clear is your passion to others?

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: NO POST

Here are the links to my two most recent blog post:
Faith And The Magic Kingdom – Guest Post
https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/faith-and-the-magic-kingdom-guest-post/
The Name https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/the-name/

Operation Shoebox YouTube link: http://youtu.be/WyHciDQjx8c
Dr. Billye Brim Shoebox Partner Link: http://www.billyebrim.org/content/operation_shoebox_0

Well that’s it for now, but a new and fresh week has begun…. 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!

The God of Restoration

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restoration

When it comes to the topic of restoration, it’s either the Kingdom way or the flesh way. I myself like the Kingdom way, because it has an eternal benefit like no other. The flesh way has nothing but maybe if anything, temporary satisfaction followed with possible grief and other non-healthy feelings and emotions.

I have not seen full restoration for all that has been taken….YET; but, life is not over and so I have expectation for my full multiplied restoration in all areas of
my life.

If you have no expectation for multiplied restoration, then you have not lined yourself up with His Word. Now I know He has given you the ability to settle for less, (if you so desire) but WHY would you want to do that????

Proverbs 6:31 (AMP) But if he is found out, he must restore seven times [what he stole]; he must give the whole substance of his house [if necessary–to meet his fine].

So if God’s Word says seven times, then why would you not expect seven times? Don’t get hung up on the “how of the restoration”. Just rest assured that the multiplied restoration is yours.

I can take you through Leviticus, Exodus and other books of the Bible, where it plainly lays out multiplied restoration as God’s plan for restoration.

Job received multiplied restoration in 42:10.

So you choose – God’s plan or yours, as your focus for restoration. But do not allow yourself to get dismayed over delayment of time; rest knowing that God’s timing is perfect.

July Mission Trip Update:

group pic 15

Below is a link to pictures from the Living Water Teaching July youth group to Guatemala. They ministered the drama 13 times to 2,221 people and the results were: 1,157 Salvations and 45 Reconciliations. PRAISE THE LORD! Email us at lwt@lwtusa.org to find out how you can go and be a part of one of the life changing mission trips LWT holds throughout the year. click this link to see the pictures: http://goo.gl/SJMbzy

We would love to hear from you. So feel free to post your comments below. Until next time, eyes up and be ready, for the best is right at hand.

What would you do?

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It seems like forever since I last posted, but actually, I posted “Redeemed” on July the 9th. I wanted to share something in this post that I feel God revealed to me on a recent vacation. A few months ago, we had a cruise booked with some close friends and as it got closer and we were preparing to leave on our trip, we heard some very disturbing news. Our cruise ship had become crippled at sea and the rest was history; most all know how this story went… So fast forward to current time; we decided to go on a family cruise this time and we found a really good deal on a ship. YES, the ship was that very same ship we had booked before, but it had been restored to what was supposed to be better than ever. A “multi-million dollar face lift” is what we heard. So let’s stop here for right now with this story.

So what would you do? Would you say, “Well I am not setting foot on that ship!” OR would you say, “It’s all new, I’m in!”? Would you allow the fear of the past dictate the decision of the present? As for us, we were in and ready to go and so away we went. We are now back home again from our amazing trip with tons of new memories that we will not soon forget. (Just a side note, the ship was everything and then some!)

So here’s my thought in this. How many times has fear held you back? How many times has fear or rumors made you reconsider? We are told in 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

Fear should never be allowed to give direction in our lives. We should be a people that live and dwell in peace and then when we hear that voice inside of us speaking, then we stop, listen and obey. In every area of our lives, that voice will speak IF we recognize it. We recognize it from a relationship; that is the fruit of Matthew 6:33.

In a nutshell, we must not let anyone or anything stop us from moving forward in what GOD has called us into. Once you know it’s from Him, then the approval of others is not needed nor should that direction be questioned. So MOVE forward and never waiver or look back.

July Mission Trip Update:

group pic 15

Below is a link  to pictures from the Living Water Teaching July youth group to Guatemala. They ministered the drama 13 times to 2,221 people and the results were: 1,157 Salvations and 45 Reconciliations. PRAISE THE LORD! Email us at lwt@lwtusa.org to find out how you can go and be a part of one of the life changing mission trips LWT holds throughout the year.  click this link to see the pictures: http://goo.gl/SJMbzy

HE STOPPED THE SUN….

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He stopped the sun

Joshua 10:13 (AMP) “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed”

I would love to have seen that miracle play out.  I can just picture all those that day watching & wondering what was going on!

Have you ever wondered what He would do for you to see you succeed in the task at hand?  His reach is limitless, so there is no boundary that can stop Him from moving heaven and earth or even stopping the sun to see you succeed.

Most think too small, but I can picture Joshua that day just looking up and saying, “Hey God, will you do me a favor and stop the sun for me?”  Can you imagine God doing that very same thing for you?  Oh, I can and so much more!  We don’t need to waste time with flowing tears, screaming voices and lengthy theological words; but instead, all we need to do is just talk to Him.

Honestly, is stopping the sun such a great miracle compared to the miracle that manifests when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives?  I never negate the power and awesomeness of any miracle, but can there be one greater than the forgiveness of every sin and the transference into eternal life?  If you are pausing and thinking, let me answer for you.  That’s a big NNNNOOOO!!!!!!  There is no greater miracle – past, present or future.  So whatever you need, even the stopping of the sun, you have it.  You should go through the Word and find all the scriptures that have to do with the power of your words.  One of my favorites is found in Mark 11:23 & 24 (AMP) (23) “Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.  (24) For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

We would love to hear from you with your praise reports, prayer request or anything else you would like to share below.

I want to end this blog saying Happy Fathers Day to all the guys out there who are blessed enough to be called dad.

Kingdom Thinking Recap – Week 24

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Well its time to say good-bye to another week, 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: Make this a supernatural “I AM” day with all that is spoken from you mouth!

Tuesday:  Kingdom Thinking:  How big is your picture of God?  Then that’s how free He is to move in your life!

Wednesday:  Kingdom Thinking: In hard times, do you start thinking HOW or do you look to HIM?  Matt 6:33

Thursday:  Kingdom Thinking:  Godly boldness shows your trust in His covenant promise. Read Mark 5 & see this in action.

Friday: Kingdom Thinking:  Kingdom success is measured by the life you give and not what you get in life.

Well that’s it for now, 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!