Yesterday I asked where you find your source of strength to face the giants in your life – those challenges, problems or opportunities that seem so huge and insurmountable, from a human perspective.

For me, I look to God as a source of strength in my life, and I’ve realized that many times he has already given me the strengths and skills I need to overcome the giants in my life, with his help.

As America celebrates the life of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, I recognize that he was an example of someone who looked to the Lord for strength and guidance, and he used the skills and abilities God had given him to shine the light on immoral laws and policies that fostered segregation and racism in America.

Today I’m re-reading Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, and it has been a great reminder to me that Dr. King was a man who understood his calling, faced many serious challenges and obstacles, and overcame them with strength, confidence, and the abilities God had given him.

I hope and pray that I will always do the same.

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Somewhere in Southern Utah

Two weeks ago I was in San Diego, California, to attend the Christian Leadership Alliance conference.

I’ll tell you more about it in future posts, because I heard some great speakers who shared some great insights for anyone looking to make change in their life and live to their full potential.

Anyway, my pastor heard that I was there, and he called me to tell me he’d been searching online for a certain car he wanted to buy…and it just happened to be in San Diego.

His next words were, “So if I buy it, you wouldn’t want to drive it back home to Grand Rapids, would you?”

I called my wife to see if she’d mind if I came home a few days later than I had expected…actually it was 3 days…and 2,400 miles later.  She agreed that it would be great to help them out, and I’d be able to enjoy a little adventure driving across the country, so we said yes. [Read more…]

One of my mentors gave me this many years ago.  I don’t know who authored it, but it speaks to how powerful our habits are to shape us for better or worse.

Who Am I?

You may know me, I’m your constant companion. I’m your greatest helper, I’m your heaviest burden.  I’ll push you onward or drag you down to failure.  I’m at your command.

Half the tasks you do, you might as well turn over to me.  I’ll be able to do them real quickly.  I’ll do them the same every time, if that’s what you want.  I’m easily managed, all you must do is be firm with me.  Show me exactly how you want it done.  After a few lessons, I’ll do it for you automatically. [Read more…]

Today I want to brag on my friend “FMF” who blogs at Free Money Finance, an excellent personal finance blog.  FMF gives away all the profits from his blog.  So far, he’s given away over $200,000 to charity!

If you’ve ever doubted that you could make a real difference in the world, FMF proves you can.  He says:

It’s pretty cool that by simply writing (me) and reading (you) a personal finance blog that we all can help so many people from around the world.

Pretty cool, indeed!  Way to go FMF, for showing us that anyone can use what they know, have, and do to make a difference. Here’s the list of FMF supported charities in 2009.