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What’s The Solution?

I heard a really cool statement a few months ago.  I can’t remember the exact quote, but it went something like this:  excuses, even valid ones, are never impressive.  Wouldn’t you agree?

The phrase, “It’s not really my fault,” is so common place today.  Very few take responsibility for their own lives.  Instead, most blame everyone and everything for their personal current circumstances.

Of course there are things that happen to all of us that are outside of our control, right?  But, when then those things do fall into our lap, what is our response?  It’s easy in those situations to say, “It’s not my fault,” but that’s really not the issue.

Here’s The Important Question

Whether it is something outside of your control, or, something that is a result of your choices, there is a much more important question than, “Who’s to blame here?”  The real question is, “What is the solution?”

Far too many people are spending their lives blaming. They blame other people, the current circumstances, the government; anything and everything. Many people simply do not believe that they are really responsible for their own life, and as a result they are not solution oriented.

I heard another phrase recently:  “meandering in the meadow of mediocrity and navigating by the needle of negativity.” That phrase paints a pretty pathetic and bleak picture doesn’t it?  Blaming is mediocrity and negative, and, it never brings a solution.

Stop And Think For A Minute!

If you are breathing, then you are alive!  God has given you life!  And you know whose life it is?  It is your life!

Every thought we think is a choice. God gave human beings the ability to think whatever thoughts we choose to think.  Those who blame others and are living in self pity have chosen to continue to think those kinds of thoughts.  And whatever thoughts you choose to think consistently will eventually have an impact on your life.

So, since the thoughts we think are of our own choosing, and they will impact our lives and our circumstances, then why not choose to think thoughts that are solution oriented?  That’s why I said that the real question is, “What is the solution?”

Take Charge Of You Life!

Who is in charge of your life?  You are!  Well at least you should be.

So what if you made a mistake, or two or ten?  So what if your life is a mess?  So what if situations outside of your control have taken their toll on you?  What is the solution?

By changing your thinking and asking God for His help, there is no situation or circumstance in your life that cannot be turned around.  If your situation or circumstance is too big for God, then you need a new God.  Not me!

I am convinced by the words I read in the Bible that there is no situation that is too big for our God.  He is unlimited in power and resources. He is able and willing and He has already proved Himself over and over again.

How Long Will You Wait?

A big problem is that too often people are waiting for God to do something.  They sit in self pity blaming everyone and everything.  But have you ever considered that God is waiting on you to change your thinking, and, to ask and expect His help?

Many ask for His help but continue to think defeating thoughts instead of being solution oriented.  How can someone honestly be looking for and expecting an answer to prayer when they are complaining and blaming?  Are you asking and looking, or, are you complaining and blaming?  It is still your choice.

As my children were growing up, I told them numerous times, “life is not fair.”  And, as we all know, life is indeed, not fair. But, knowing that life is not fair, knowing that we can choose our own thoughts, and, knowing that God is able and willing to help us, doesn’t it seem logical that we ought to be solution minded?  Doesn’t that just make logical sense?

You Have A Choice Every Day

There are those who will choose self pity.  That attitude breeds a victim mentality.  Those who live with a victim mentality scarcely ever see any worthwhile change in their lives.  Nothing ever changes, except maybe the level of their complaining.

On the other hand, you can decide each day to take charge of your own life.  Refuse to dwell on the problems and their effects.  Instead, think about and look for the solutions.  Ask God to help you and show you, and then, move forward, take action, and keep your eyes and ears open, looking and expecting.

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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Independence Day 2011

Today, here in the United States of America, we celebrate our 235th year.

For this occasion in 2009, I posted a very moving video called, “God Bless The USA” And under the video, some great quotes from Jefferson and Adams.

Last year, I posted a video that captured something no one was expecting.  I also put up some really great history about Adams and Jefferson, who both died on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of United of America.

This year I have a video from a girl from the same city I live in, Glendale, Arizona.  She was the winner in season 6 of American Idol.  She did a fabulous job of singing the national anthem at Super Bowl XLII.

Happy Independence Day and may our God continue to shed His grace on this country.

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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Why?

At a business conference last weekend in San Jose, we had the pleasure of having Darren Hardy speak to us.  Darren is the publisher and editorial director of Success magazine.  There were many “gems” in his presentation, and I thought I would briefly share one with you.

He told how beneficial it would be for us personally if we found three habits that are hindering us, and then uprooted them.  Now this doesn’t just apply to being a business owner.  It is applicable to all of life.

Bad habits are easy to develop and hard to lose.  Good habits are hard to develop and easy to lose.  I think it all comes down to the choices we make and the effort we are willing to put forth.

Darin pointed out that will power is not the way to uproot a bad habit. Focusing on “not doing something” is simply re-focusing on the activity and that does not bring about any change. The real motivation comes in your desire to change; it is all about your “why?”

Why?

If your “why?” is big and important enough to you, then you will be motivated.  For example, someone might want to lose some weight, but why?  If their burning desire is so that that they can be healthier, live longer, have more energy, feel better about themselves, and, that is their reason, then they will have the motivation to do what they need to do to accomplish it.

In uprooting bad habits that hinder loosing weight, remembering the “why?” will be the motivation at those times when it’s not so easy, and a few cookies sound mighty good!

Now, Mr. Hardy did not discuss weight loss, but I thought it is a simple example we could all relate to.  It really doesn’t matter what dreams and goals you have. But, having a very, very strong “why?” is very important.

Take a few minutes to revisit your dreams and goals, and ask yourself why it is important to you.  Whether it is a deeper relationship with God, loosing weight, a stronger marriage, greater income, or any number of goals, make sure your “why?” is powerful.  Make sure your “why?” is a clear picture, filled with emotion – your “why?” should make you cry.

I think it is very noteworthy that the scriptures say to acknowledge God in all your ways and He will give you the desires of your heart.  The desire of your heart is really the combination of the goals and dreams that you have, and a very strong “why?”  And our loving God is very concerned with the desires of your heart.

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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Trumps

A couple of years ago I posted an article on, “Enriching Your Life Now,” called, Trump It.  Using a card game as an anlogy, a very important point is made.  See if you agree.

Trump It

I have heard people say, “Well, these are the cards that I’ve been dealt.”  They are not talking about a card game.  They are usually talking about things they perceive as success-limiting.

Regardless of your current status, I do not think that any circumstance or situation ought to be viewed as “the cards you have been dealt.”  To look at it that way indicates that there is nothing that you can do about your situation.  That is just not true.

Let me show you a better way to look at life using a card game as an analogy.

Have you ever played the card game, “Hearts?” Over the years my wife and I have played it with different couples.  It really is a lot of fun.

The way we play it is normally in teams of two. In every round, each player plays one card, and the player with the highest card wins that round for his team.  The exception is when a card in the “heart” suit is played.

In the game of “Hearts,” any heart card outranks all the other suits.  Even a deuce of hearts will defeat and win over an ace of spades. When that happens in the course of play, it is called “trumping.”  In this case, the deuce of hearts “trumps” the ace of spades.

This past weekend I was sharing just that with someone.  I was using this silly game of “hearts” as an analogy.  I told her that no matter what you hear, the promises of God can “trump” any and everything that we are faced with.

I am not talking about ignoring or refusing to acknowledge what we are faced with.  Just like in the card game, the Ace of spades is very real, and in fact it is the highest card in the deck. No other card can beat it, except a “trump card.”

But, on the other hand, if you in turn play a deuce of hearts and don’t know or forget that the suit of hearts is the trump suit, then that ace of spades will beat you.

If you play the deuce of hearts and the one playing the Ace of spades thinks that he or she won that round, you may have to speak up and say, “No!  My trump card beats your Ace!”

That’s why I don’t like the phrase, “These are the cards that I’ve been dealt.” People say that to indicate that they are lacking or limited.  I simply see it another way.

The cards that we as Christians have been dealt are all “trumps!”  The things that we have to face in life are all the other cards that are played. And even if the ace of spades is played, we still have all the “trump cards” in our hand; we have all the promises of God!

But, it is up to us to understand that “our cards” are indeed, “trump cards.”  We can’t think, “Gee, this little deuce could never defeat that big ace.”  And, likewise, when we play our “trump card,” we must refuse to allow anyone else to claim victory over us; we must remain convinced that God has given us the victory!

Just ask yourself this question:  “Who can defeat a super conqueror?”  No one; they are more than a conqueror.  That’s why the Bible says, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  We have all the trump cards; we are more than conquerors!

We need to understand that the promises in the Bible are real and they are true, regardless of any and every situation in life that we are faced with.  We “trump” the circumstances we are faced with by claiming the victory based on those promises. We must refuse to allow anyone or anything else to claim victory over us.

So, the next time you are faced with a circumstance, big or small, “trump it” with the promises of God.

Michael Verdicchio
2009

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Father’s Day

Today is the day set aside for us dads.  Last year, and also in 2009, I posted some interesting information about, “Father’s Day.”

My dad is not alive, so, I can’t give him any personal praise or recognition, or even say, “Thanks.”  But, I am sure many dads today will hear from their children; as a dad, I know how exhilarating that is!

There are of course lots of father’s.  And there are also founding fathers and forefathers.  But it was Jesus who introduced the concept to the world of God, the Creator of the heavens and earth, being our Father. I recently did a podcast about that, called, How Do You Address Him?

On this Father’s Day, 2011, I have some quotes I thought you would enjoy.

To all the Dads, Happy Father’s Day!

We never know the love of our parents for us till we have become parents.
– Henry Ward Beecher

My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
– Clarence Budington Kelland

By profession, I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder – infinitely prouder – to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle field but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, ‘Our Father who art in Heaven.’
– Douglas Macarthur

None of you can ever be proud enough of being the child of such a Father who has not his equal in this world – so great, so good, so faultless. Try, all of you, to follow in his footsteps and don’t be discouraged, for to be really in everything like him none of you, I am sure, will ever be. Try, therefore, to be like him in some points, and you will have acquired a great deal.
– Queen Victoria of England

The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!
– Author Unknown

A wise son brings joy to his father
– Proverbs 10:1a (NIV)


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How Do You Address Him?

It’s Another Podcast!

Very simply stated, prayer is talking to God.  Do you think when we talk to God, that it ought to be from our own heart, rather than from what someone else wrote?  I do.

In this short podcast (7:16), I’ll tell you why you can address the Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, as, “Father.”  And I’ll explain what the word, “abba” means.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Remembering…

This is Memorial Day Weekend.

There will be barbecues, visiting friends, road trips, great sales, and of course, the Indy 500.  Some people will even have a long weekend, as they get Monday, Memorial Day, off from work.

Hopefully, we here in the United States can take a few moments some time this weekend to remember them.

Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States. First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

Let us never forget those who paid the ultimate price.

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Are We All Still Here?

Hello?

Any one out there?

You mean to say that the world did not end yesterday as predicted?

Starting today there will be plenty of people yukking it up because the prediction of the end of the world did not happen.  On the other hand there were people who bought into it and were convinced that yesterday was going to be the end.

Two Takes

I have two takes on this.  And I’d love to hear what you have to say.

First, whenever these predictions come out it makes Christianity look stupid.  Someone claiming to “know from the Bible” that the world will end on a certain day.  Somebody told me that the man who predicted yesterday’s doom had predicted it before in 1994.

He’s not the only one.  It seems every 10 years or so someone is predicting “the end.”  They claim that they “know” from prophecy and calculations from the Bible.  Well, it looks like the calculations were wrong again.  And not only do they look stupid, but it makes all of Christianity look pretty silly.

Secondly, why don’t people actually read all the sections in the Bible that pertain to the topic?  Actually, they wouldn’t have to read very much.  They could simply read what an excellent authority had to say about it.

Jesus himself said that of that day and that hour no man knows.  He went on to say that the angels do not know, and neither does the Son know.  Only the Father knows.

End Of Discussion

I don’t know about you, but that settles it for me.  End of discussion. The angels don’t know, and, Jesus doesn’t know, but you do?  Then, if the Bible is true, and you know, then you must be the Father!

Yes there is plenty of scripture describing what is coming in the future. (In a recent post, I put what I’m excited about.)  But the reality is that no one knows when.  So then why don’t we live each day to the fullest, to the best of our ability?

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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Another Birthday

Everyone has one once a year.

Today is my birthday.

I thank God every morning that I am alive and that I have been given another day to live.  I believe life is a precious gift.

But, as you and I know, time marches on and we all get older every year.  Perhaps the older we get the more we appreciate eternal life.  Eternal life is a gift from God, and how thankful I am that I don’t have to earn it.  And so, each morning I also thank God for eternal life.

There is a day coming when God’s Son, Jesus Christ, will return.  It doesn’t really matter whether people believe that or not; it is going to happen.  When he does, those who are born again, both those who have died, and those who are alive, will meet him in the air and so shall we ever be with him!

Isn’t it great that the Bible tells us that when that happens we will all be changed – we will get new bodies!  I think the older you get the more you can appreciate that!  I know I do; how about you?

Yes, I do look forward to the Return of Christ, when there will be no more no more death, sorrow, crying or pain.   And, of course I realize there is no comparison to the life we have today with the  life that is coming.  But until that day comes, I want to live the life I have been given today to the fullest.

We as God’s children do have a great hope – the Return of Christ!  We are not hopeless people.  But until that day comes, we are not helpless people either. 

God is still a God of love and power.  We can live each day, having confidence in Him and in His ability to supply all that we need today so that until His Son returns, we can enjoy the life we have, right now.

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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I Was Unplugged

Have you ever been unplugged?

I just returned last night from spending a wonderful week with Kathy, celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary.  I was unplugged the entire week. (some photos below)

As we began our cruise from Long Beach, California down to Mexico, I turned off my cell phone for the entire week.  It is available, for a modest price, to send and receive text messages aboard cruise ships, but I wanted to be unplugged.

Email?

I also opted to not check my email, which is also available on board, although, it’s a little pricey.  Of course, last night, I had close to 200 emails I need to sort through, but going an entire week without reading or sending a single email was bliss.

Computer?

I didn’t even bring a lap top; instead, I wrote out the draft of this week’s Pep Letter long hand, with pen and paper – I was unplugged.

The Latest News?

I did hear about the “big news story” last week, but, this was my week to be unplugged.  I left it all behind for a week of rest and relaxation and spending time with Kathy.

I did get plenty of rest, sleeping in one morning ’till 7:30, which for me is really late!

I read some books – actually four short books – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Reading all four of those, one right after another, was very inspiring.

They Were Already Unplugged!

We met some wonderful people including David and Linda from Alabama.  We shared dinner with them every night.  They had been literally unplugged for days before they arrived, due to the power outages from the tornadoes in Alabama.

Kathy and I danced to some of our favorite songs.  We had some great Mexican food in Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.  It was a fun week for the both of us being unplugged.

And yesterday morning as we left the ship and headed back to Arizona, it wasn’t long before we were “plugged in:”  voice mails and text messages wishing us a Happy Anniversary, and, Kathy, a Happy Mother’s Day.  All of those were indeed a blessing to receive.  But I couldn’t help to think of what a blessing it is to get unplugged once in awhile.

Maybe you can’t unplug for a week.  But you ought to try it for just a day.  Shut it all off and do something else.  Trust me, it will all be there when you get back.

Have you ever been unplugged?

Mike Verdicchio
2011

Sunset in Cabo

Hanging out with the band

Waiter Jose demanding an anniversary kiss!

Docked at Cabo

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