KEVIN ELWORTH LIVE

“Success is a word that is greatly misunderstood and we need to grasp what it means biblically to be a success- to love God with all our heart, our mind , our soul, and our strength; to allow Him to unlock the imprisoned potential to settle for second best when we realize that God gave everything He could give so that we could have the very best of life; and to realize that one of the greatest sins we commit against God is not reaching the potential He has place in us.” (Be all you can be- John Maxwell Pg 36)

Crazy thought but God wants us to be successful and even joyful. I think we often times look for those things in the wrong places. Joy doesn’t come by your location or circumstances or money and luxury (although they help =). That’s why you can find some people who have been locked in prison for years who are the most joyful fulfilled people you will ever meet.

I started reading this book by John Maxwell on Friday and he adds that we need to seek three things to be successful and joyful.

1. We need to remain in Him. John 15:4
2. We need to receive from Him. As we abide in Him, He begins to give us direction, fruitful living
3. We need to reproduce. “If we remain in Him, we’re going to receive what He has for us, then and only then will we begin to reproduce in our lives.” (Pg20)

Sunday we decided to show another movie in our yard for our neighbors. The last one worked tremendously so we thought we’d try it again. We didn’t have as many people as we did the first time, but a lot of the people we did have didn’t come the first time either. Our goal was just to create an environment where our neighbors could come and see that we are normal people and just want to get to know them. They all know we are here to reach people for Christ and start a church. Naturally they think that’s very strange, so we’re trying to show them we’re pretty normal people, and so they don’t call the cops on us!

Thank God for a big wall and a good projector, next time we’ll need a better sound system though. Been using our surround sound system for inside and it just doesn’t have the guts to be able to do it right.

I haven’t read this book yet, but I’ve heard about it and I love the idea. Check their website out here for a bit more information about it. They do this cool thing where they give you a new challenge every Monday about a way you can show the love of Christ to those around you.

We’ve had a rough few weeks now, but beat up a bit, but not without reason, God is changing us to be more like Him and since we’ve started going through this He’s given us a new mindset. Our goal right now is to be the best representation of JESUS we can be to our neighbors. Last night I was motivated so I decided that I was going to wait for our trash guys to come around and give them a cold Pepsi (should have been a Coke because we all know it’s a far superior product) and something Mexican to eat. You wouldn’t believe the look on their face when they say me hand it to them. I guarantee you I just opened a door with those guys that they will remember every time they see me.

What can you do to show Christ to those around you?

Last weekend I decided we needed to getaway as a family for a little while, so we headed down to Aguascalientes for the day and night. We always like to act upper class when we travel to we stayed at the new Marriott hotel there and it was divine. Three pools to choose from, comfy beds and no stress for one full day. It was a blast and we really needed it. Austin had the best time ever. I think he spent two full hours in the pool on Saturday, then we took him to the mall across the street and he road the train through the mall. Cris and I bought some Cinnabons and Starbucks. Grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my family like this.

My wonderful wife, knowing I was having a rough day, sent me this quote

Pursuing your dreams is a grand insult to those who haven’t pursued
their own. You can tell, because people who have not accomplished
something always criticize harsher than those who have. – John Acuff

If people are criticizing you, don’t lash back at them, that will just cause you to lose friendships. My thought is try to help them understand your dream, lower your shoulder and push harder to make it a reality. Never give up what you believe in because of criticism.