Ken

As a kid, I loved comic books. In the back, along with ads for X-Ray specs, Kryptonite Rocks, and Fake Facial Hair, was the ad that promised to transform a 97-lbs weakling into modern-day He-Man. If you were tired of having sand kicked in your face by the bigger, more muscular bully, the Charles Atlas dynamic tension workout program promised dramatic results … in only seven days! Although I'm pretty sure Charles Atlas was not a physiologist, he had captured a principle that is critical to success in any area of life: growth – personal or physical – doesn’t happen within our comfort zones. Growth requires pushing through boundaries, not staying within them. The 97-pound weakling is transformed by applying a load of stress to his muscles that is greater than what his muscles had previously adapted to. During the period of rest that follows exercise, muscle mass is added as…

The only way to increase muscle strength is to increase the tension. The only way to grow spiritually is to stretch beyond where you are comfortable. Why is that? Because it is outside of our comfort zones where most spiritual opportunities reside.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here.

When God is active in your life, you will have a great story to tell others. Eugene Peterson is best known for his translation of Bible called The Message. It was published in 2002 and has sold over 20 million copies. What is lesser known is the fact that he had authored 30 books and had been a Presbyterian pastor of the same church for 25 years. Later in life, he served as a college professor. Years ago, Bono (yes, that Bono) invited Peterson to meet him. Bono had been heavily influenced by Peterson's translation of the psalms. Bono called and Peterson turned him down. At the time, he was hard at work translating the rest of the Old Testament. A reporter heard that Peterson had said no to the lead singer of U2: “It’s Bono, for crying out loud.” Peterson responded, “Dean, it was Isaiah.” Eugene Peterson passed away on…

Growth in the natural world is all about looking forward. A tiny sapling becomes a large oak tree by growing slowly over time. An infant grows into a child, who eventually becomes an adult. Hope is the same way – it looks forward. When a person has hope, they can imagine a better future. Hope is what allows you to look past your present circumstances and see through faith a better future. Without out hope, you can feel stuck in a relationship or stuck in your job. To live a life that matters requires having faith-filled anticipation. “True faith is never found alone; it is always accompanied by expectation. The person who believes the promises of God expects to see them fulfilled. Where there is no expectation there is no faith.” – A.W. Tozer Our text is a short chapter from the longest book in the Bible. Most of the poems in the book…

Hope is the same way – it looks forward. When a person has hope, they can imagine a better future. Hope is what allows you to look past your present circumstances and see through faith a better future. As Christ-followers, we should live with a sense of anticipation.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here.