Tag-Archive for ◊ river ◊

30 Jul 2010 How Fresh Is Your Vision?
Author:  |  Topic: Life Purpose  | Tags: , , , , , ,  | Leave a Comment

Today I took a stroll along the Riverwalk in San Antonio after work. Just a few buildings down from the place of my work there is a fountain.

As I stopped to watch and listen to the gushing water a thought struck me.
What was this thought?

New Zealand riverWater is purified by movement right? I remember watching fast flowing rivers and waterfalls in New Zealand. I also remember my mother often telling me that flowing water purifies itself when we would go out on picnics by the rivers.

BUT: when a river turns into a tributary and the water is trapped, what happens?

It stagnates and finally stinks no?

Stagnated water smells. Flowing, moving water stays pure and fresh.

Let’s compare this to your vision. (I am trusting you DO have a vision right? – If not take a look at these articles about Life Purpose which will help you discover your vision in life).

Is your vision fresh?
If it is not, perhaps it is because something in you has stopped, and your vision is stagnating.

What can you do to reactive your vision?

  • Do you have your vision written down? Remember there is an interesting vision in the Bible in Habakkuk 2:2-3 where we are told to write the vision down and make it plain.
  • Are you reading the right books, watching the right videos and listening to the right mp3s or CDs? A daily habit of personal development and focus is essential to your dreams and your vision.
  • Do you have a plan of action? Perhaps you have long term plans? Do you also have short term plans?
  • Have you become discouraged because you see no immediate fruit? Remember a seed takes time to grow into a plant. If the seed is that of a tree it will take even longer, but with the right nurturing, it WILL grow. Meanwhile make sure to “stop and smell the roses” along the way.
  • When you begin to cross items off of your plan of action because they are completed, reward yourself! This will encourage you to continue on with your pursuit.

JillAre you keeping your vision fresh? Is the river of your life flowing, or has it stagnated?


What action can you take on this article that will make a difference in your life? Please share your thoughts here
13 May 2010 An Elderly Pastor Demonstrates A Powerful Success Key
Author:  |  Topic: Success Secrets  | Tags: , , , , ,  | 3 Comments

Sunrise on riverMore years ago than I care to remember, I heard a pastor in a village in Mexico tell a story that I have never forgotten.

This story vividly illustrates the most powerful of all keys to success.

I think that after you have read this story you will discover that this key to success, as simple as it may be, will challenge you to the depths of your being.

Here is the story:
A young man in his late teens admired an older pastor who’s life had touched multitudes in a very positive way. The lad recognized that this man had something different and extra special in his life. Whatever it was he really wanted it. So he approached the older gentleman saying:

Teach me how to find what you have.

At first his request seemed to be ignored. But he continued to ask until one day the elderly preacher gave in and said: “OK, meet me here at 4.30am tomorrow morning and I will show you exactly how I got what you want”.

What? 4.30am!
This did not seem to make sense.

However the teenager knew what he wanted, so he showed up at that hour the next morning. They set off for a long drive. They drove in silence. The lad was bewildered and dared not ask questions.

Next thing they found themselves in a remote area way out in the country, by a river.

Finally they stopped and the pastor got out of the car. He beckoned for the boy to follow him and they took a walk through some bushes along a track. They came in a river. The elderly gentleman told the boy to get into the river. It was freezing cold!

What does all this have to do with learning the secret to this great man’s life?

The boy politely obeyed and the elderly preacher put his firm hands on the boy’s head and pushed him under the water and held him there.

Of course the boy struggled, yet the more he struggled the more the preacher insisted on having him stay under water until he it felt like he was fighting for his life.

All the boy could think of was that he absolutely had to breathe. He was desperate for air.

What Did You Do That For?

Finally as the boy was struggling in great desperation the preacher let him go. Bewildered the boy screamed at the preacher “what did you do that for”?

Quietly the preacher asked him: “When you were under the water, what was the one thing you wanted more than anything else?”

The answer to that question was easy. “I wanted air” he replied.
“I was desperate for air”.

“When you want what you say you want as desperately as you wanted to breathe just now we’ll talk”

JillWhat a challenge! How desperately do you want to fulfill your dreams? Take some time to really think about this today!

Photo Credit: Sunrise on River by Darekfarmer


What action can you take on this article that will make a difference in your life? Please share your thoughts here