There is a common myth that many people have about those who are successful. It gets passed around in conversations. It might be used as a dig or jab. In some ways, the myth is used to justify a person's own lack of success. What is the myth? Success comes easily for successful people. "They didn't have to face the same challenges I did." "They didn't grow up in my family." "They had everything handed to them." According to the myth, successful people never had to overcome hardships, face down any challenges, or start over due to failures. At this point, it might be helpful to return to a distinction I made at the beginning of this series. Here is what I wrote in the first article: "Not all of them were 'successful' by conventional standards, if you’re simply talking about net worth or square footage. But if you define…
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Generous people inspire others to be generous, too. Just like certain diseases can spread directly or indirectly from one person to another, values and attitudes are contagious, too. Not only does our generosity benefit others in practical ways, it also serves as an inspiration to fellow believers. When Paul shared with the Macedonian Christians what the Corinthian church had done, it stirred many of them to be generous as well. This is true on individual and congregational levels.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. 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. Professor at Warner University church planter with Stadia former former president, Church Planters of the Rockies helped start 2 for-profit tech companies Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in…
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We are most like Jesus when we have the desire to give. Several times in this passage Paul refers to the attitude of the Corinthians. They were not only the first to give, they were the first to desire to give. Paul goes further and talks about their eager willingness to help their struggling brothers and sisters. Where does this desire come from? According to Paul, our model for giving is the example of Jesus. He became poor so that we might become rich. Just as Jesus willingly gave his life, we should be willing to give to others.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. 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. Professor at Warner University church planter with Stadia…
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I believe two things are true about most people I meet. First, they want the world (their family, neighborhood, school, planet) to be a better place. Second, they would love to help make that happen. The space in-between intentions and actions is where the answer is found. I want to share with you one powerful shift that I believe has the potential to bring about transformational change. It's what I call "progressive generosity." But what is it? Conventional thinking: My income increases, I have more to spend. As a result, my expenses, debts, and obligations increase as well. Transformational thinking: My income increases, I have more to save, invest, and give. As a result, I have more saving and giving power. Which of these two ways of thinking do you believe is most common? It's unfortunately obvious -- conventional thinking. All too often, our spending increases to the level of…
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Each month I do one-on-one coaching with all of our ministry leaders. Each person discusses the same questions (which change from month-to-month), allowing me to listen across the spectrum for common issues, patterns, and opportunities. It also ensures all of our leaders are reflecting on the same themes at the same time. Yesterday, I sent all my monthly coaching appointments their questions for December. While not likely to generate as much intense debate as Christmas advertising before Halloween, it did feel a bit strange doing so before Thanksgiving. What I like to do at the close of each year is ask them to reflect on the past twelve months. By sending out the questions early, it allows them time to go a little deeper than just responding off the top of their head. Here are the questions I'm asking them to reflect on: During 2019, where did you most feel…
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