The Paralysis of Analysis

The Price of Pushing forward 

The Paralysis of Analysis

Someone once said…”I made 6 resolutions last year and I kept them all Year long. They are in an envelope at my house.

A decision not to decide is still a decision. Frequently, the uncertain consequence of decisions is more intimidating and paralyzing than the decision itself. My Pastor likes to refer to the extended pause in pressing forward as the “paralysis of analysis”.

This pretty much sums up my decision making process. Some decisions are so difficult for me that it is almost comical. I get bothered when a restaurant has too many choices. Don’t let them have pictures to coincide with the food. It makes me want to order half of the menu! Thank God for patient wait staff.

The Bible says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14

Based on these two verses it can be ascertained that God is already prepared to graciously pour out wisdom when we ask for direction. The catch is that we must ask according to His desire for our lives and not our selfish intent. We can’t be halfway into something that we know isn’t right and simultaneously asking God to guide us on the same path. That is just seeking justification for bad judgment.

Godly wisdom is the understanding of what pleases God; because God is the source of wisdom, He unselfishly doles it out when we ask with a pure heart.

Recently, a very popular basketball player was faced with a difficult decision. Pride, pay, popularity, and promise were sizeable factors in his impending decision. His current team and teammates had their influence. His past team and performance had their influence also. However, when asked how Dwight Howard chose to play his next season with the Houston Rockets, he removed every influence but one. Ironically, Dwight’s decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers took place on a day designated to celebrate freedom and independence from the past.

“It was on the Fourth of July,” said Howard. “That’s when I felt it was Houston. I was in Colorado. It seemed like every person that I met was from Houston. It was just so ironic. I’d walk around. Someone would ask for a picture. They’d give me a business card and it would say Houston on it. I was like, ‘Is everybody in Colorado from Houston right now?’ It was unbelievable.

“I was like, ‘You know what, this has to be from God.’ You pray for things to happen. You pray for signs, for God to show you things. It just seemed like, this was it.”

Howard is supposedly taking a 3 million dollar pay cut to play with the Rockets.

Howard continued, “I chose to go to Houston. I wasn’t traded. I was just like I had an opportunity to do something for myself and it wasn’t anybody’s else’s choice. It wasn’t a friend or fans or based off anybody but myself. In Orlando, I wanted to do everything for everybody else and I wasn’t happy inside with what I did. I just wanted to see everybody else happy. This time, I wanted to make myself happy and get back to being who I am, being Dwight, having fun and being happy.”

When you accept Jesus into your life, The Holy Spirit moves in and plants stakes. You have all that you need, living inside of you, to make the right choice. Every choice you make is worthy of God’s opinion. God will grant you wisdom and He will also give you confirmation. Three million is three million despite your level of wealth nevertheless PEACE IS PRICELESS!

Keep shouting!!

When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. (Joshua 6:20 NLT)

Don't underestimate the power of your SHOUT! There is a popular cleaning agent that has the ability to destroy dirt, set stains free, and  clean the most caked on issues! The product's slogan says it eloquently! "Let life happen. You've got shout".

Catch this! When the people opened their mouths and released their triumphant shout - the walls crumbled. The boarders, barriers, blockades, or hinderances in your life will lose their hold when you loose your shout!

SHOUT IT OUT!! God is in control and will crumble your concerns. Stop stifling your praise - the music is calling you to say something - allow God to bring down those walls.

And even if your issues lie within you and have built a boarder around your heart -the bible says that if you would just open your mouth to communicate with Christ, He will cleanse. (1john 1:9) Are you ready to shout yet??

There is power in you! Shout! 

I love TONY CHACHERE SEASONING!!!!!!

How to not grow weary and add spice to life!

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

I walked through the front doors of the school, down the sidewalk, and to the parking lot where my car was parked. Everything seemed normal almost predictable. It was another opportunity to speak at a school that went well and now I was prepared to leave.

I remember asking God during my midnight New Year’s Eve prayer to open more doors for me. Yet somewhere in the midst of all the school events and opportunities to be a mouthpiece for Him – it became normal.

Today, something changed! A lady met me in the parking lot. She said, “I know you don’t know me but I have seven children and a couple of them attend this school. Today is the second time I heard you speak.” She went on to say, “I enjoyed what you had to say and these kids really need to hear you more often.”

It was just what I needed. Her humble yet pure words were confirmation. There is a harvest of youth that need encouragement and I must excitedly stand my post. God sends little angels to remind us that we are doing a good job. Don’t stop doing what you are doing for Christ – someone’s life is being affected – even if you don’t know who he or she is!

I heard a preacher profess that it is easy to maintain momentum when doing something wrong. But how often do you hear people confess that they are tired of getting up early for work, frustrated with eating properly, or challenged about making proper choices financially? As fun as it is it appears to live carelessly there are consequences.

Remember the end results of your efforts. The greatest returns come from long term and consistent investing. The party is always more fun than planning it. Quick results are fleeting.

If what you do is right yet feels mundane – revive it! Look for creative ways to do the same thing differently. Change your wake up routine. Instead of that cell phone chime – set your alarm clock to your favorite worship CD or workout mix. Drive a different way to work, go to a unique aerobic class, research different healthy meals with flavor, discover how to stretch your dollars through do it yourself projects. Redecorate your work environment. Take advantage of the creative people who post their ideas on the internet – their ideas can inject energy into what has become lazy living.

You have to find the right seasoning to spice up your life! Don't get tired, add the right ingredients - or TONY CHACHERE - and keep it moving.

Your harvest is coming! Keep working the ground. Your wave is coming. Keep paddling. Your breakthrough is coming! Keep charging! 

Weapons in The Closet?!?!

Weapons in the closet?

Matthew 6:6

 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Last week, a man in southwest Houston had his home invaded while he was still there. I can imagine the trepidation that came over him as they forced their way in and attacked him. The story said that once the burglars grabbed the man, they dragged him upstairs, and shoved him into a closet.

Many people feel that they have been helplessly attacked. Their life has been abruptly interrupted and they have been thrown into a closet.

Yet, the very place people have shoved you to get rid of you, hide you, or belittle you can be your place of power.

After the homeowner was thrown into the closet, it didn’t take him long to realize which closet he was in. This wasn’t an ordinary coat closet – this was where he kept his weapons! He escaped from the closet with a renewed strength.

The bible teaches us to go to a secret place to pray. A place that is located behind a closed door. Don’t despise a closed door. It is behind that door, in the dark, that you will find your firepower. Whether you were involuntarily placed in that dark place or you walked there yourself - find God in that place and experience the life altering strength of your Father!

Here is the news story - http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9102486

Because I Said So!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that what you really want to do?!

Luke 6:46-49

46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.[h] 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.[i] And the ruin of that house was great.”

When did, “Because I said so” stop being good enough?

Discipline has always been an interesting topic in my family. My mom had a quick hand and did not tolerate my brother or I getting out of line. My father was stern and tough but never laid a hand on my brother or I. Not that one form of correction was better than the other. A child has to be corrected and you must use what works best for you and your child. My father has a deep baritone voice and a scowl that could strike fear into the boogey man. That was enough for me!

It’s funny that in my home we are repeating that same scenario. I am not the disciplinarian but mommy knows how to get it done. Recently my son woke up in the middle of the night screaming for attention. His mother went into his room, told him to go back to bed, and laid him back down. A short while later he yelled for his mom, she retorted, “Go to bed William!” He paused then repeatedly yelled, “Daddy!” She looked at me and said, “ You better not move! He has to learn.”

God gives us direction daily. But, when we aren’t comfortable with His direction, we tend to look for other solutions. He doesn’t want us to fail however gives us free will and He will chastise us for disobedience. The solution is easy. Listen to God’s direction and establish a firm foundation. Start listening and simply do what HE TELLS YOU TO DO! Your rear end and your life will thank you later.

I'm not Cocky... I'm CONFIDENT!

Get your swagger back!

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

I read a story by Luis Marquez that said:

A child is watching his team play baseball. A man walks up and asks, "How is the game?" The child replies, "We're losing 18 to 0." The man tells the child, "Oh, don't be discouraged." But he didn't expect the child's answer: "Why should I be discouraged? My team hasn't been up to bat yet!"

You were born with confidence and the ability to win in all circumstances. Somewhere along the way doubt and disbelief entered your psyche and planted stakes – today you must serve an eviction notice and remove the stakes.

I have never seen a game forfeited in the first quarter or ended in the first inning especially when the other team has the ability to play.

It doesn’t matter how far the others seem to be ahead of you or how far behind you think you are. When it is your turn, you must gather all of the GOD given confidence you have and DO WORK!

Remove complete self-reliance and trust the TRUE GAME CHANGER! You are next at bat, point to the fences, swing and connect!

“When I was a child my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk, you'll be the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.”

― Pablo Picasso

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

Do It Scared!

Scared but Steppin'

Matthew 14:29

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on thewater to go to Jesus.

At some point in everyone's life there is a moment of great uncertainty and a call for great faith. It is in that moment that faith is forced into action and miracles can occur. Whether you choose to take the walk or rest on the boat is up to you.

Peter could be commended for his great walk of faith. But I honestly believe that with every step there was a moment of trepidation.

The bible says that the disciples saw Jesus walking on water during a heavy wind - not a storm. You can be in a windy situation where you feel as if your life is being tossed around. You can see how far you have gone and you can make out how far you have to go. And even in all of that chaos, Jesus is visibly walking toward you to calm your circumstance.

Jesus tells the disciples not to fear and reminds them of who He (Jesus) is. You are seeing reminders that you were never left alone and now Jesus has confirmed his presence in your life. 

Are you ready for your faith walk?? I am not sure what decision you have been afraid to step out and take, but it is my prayer that you "Do it Scared!"

I can only imagine what was going through Peter's mind after he questioned the authenticity of Jesus then asked Jesus to grant him permission to do the unimaginable. 

As his trembling leg lifted over the side of the ship and his foot applied light pressure to the water - sweat was probably falling from his brow. You may be sweating but keeping moving. Jesus is in front of you. You Asked For This! Let's Move!

The wind was still blowing but Jesus was still there. Jesus is in the midst of your faith walk in a crazy situation. 

Peter lost sight of Christ and began to sink but IMMEDIATELY IMMEDIATELY IMMEDIATELY Jesus stretched out and caught him the instant Peter said, "Lord save me."

Peter didn't need to explain his reasoning for falling - he only had to ask for help! You can do the same - no need to explain, He has been with you the entire time.

My challenge to you this week is to DO IT SCARED! You asked for this moment, He gave you permission - NOW YOU HAVE TO WALK IT OUT!!! Don't worry - He will be with you along the way!

Consider the hammer: It keeps its head. It doesn't fly off the handle. It keeps pounding away. It finds the point, then drives it home. It looks at the other side, too, and thus clinches the matter. It makes mistakes, but when it does, it starts all over. - Vern McLellan