by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 28, 2015 | Decisions, Money and Finance, Motivation, Self-Leadership
If money really could talk, what would yours say? For some, it’s saying Good-bye? Is it me or is everything more expensive? A few weeks ago my wife asks me to pick up a few items from the grocery store (bad idea).
Something told me to eat before heading there, I didn’t (another bad idea). After getting the requested items and throwing in a few “extra” snacks to curb my appetite, I couldn’t believe the final cost of 12 items. I’m shocked! Not only is food expensive, I’m discovering EVERYTHING is expensive.
Buying a house is expensive. Cars are expensive. Buying quality foods cost more than buying processed food. And guess what, it’s expensive. Schools are expensive, especially for those paying off massive student loans with under paying jobs.
Being single is expensive. I know being married is expensive. Kids are VERY EXPENSIVE. And there’s no doubt that getting divorced is expensive. What’s the point: EVERYTHING is expensive, but that’s not the real reason why you’re broke. So if you’re ready to stop complaining about how expensive things are, then here’s the remedy — the real reason why you’re broke. (more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 26, 2015 | Accountability, Christian, Christianity, Decisions, Empowerment, Leadership
Self-confidence is one of today’s most popular subjects. Conferences, seminars, workshops, and best selling authors tell us that the key to success is to be self-confident. Consequently, we’re encouraged to live boldly, think big, and craft BHAG’s (Big Hairy Audacious Goals).
Confident people inspire confidence in others: their audience, their peers, their bosses, their customers, and their friends. And gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways in which a self-confident person finds success. Having self-confidence is even finding its way into church life. How so? (more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 24, 2015 | Christian, Christianity, Encouragement, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Motivation, Prayer, Religion, Sunday Worship Experience, Worship
Some believe the local church is dead and that her best days are behind her. The church is not dead, its alive. Her best days are now and ahead. I believe, as Bill Hybels says, “the local church is the hope of the world.”
I grew up attending church. Many of my earliest memories are times spent at the Mars Hill Baptist Church of Chicago, with church people, or in church services. So when I meet people who aren’t regular attenders it’s a surprise to find that sometimes they don’t know why you might be a part of it.
Why go to church? What’s the benefit of attending regularly? When you understand the “why” it makes it easier to understand the “when” and “where.” (more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 22, 2015 | Goals, New Category, Self-Leadership, Success, Tools, Vision
Most churches have mission statements. Corporations and businesses have mission statements. Mission statements are meant to infuse an organization with long-term vision and set the tone for all company goals, accomplishments and efforts. So, what’s a mission statement?
What is a Mission Statement
A mission statement acts as an invisible hand that guides the people in the organization. It explains the organization’s reason for being, and answers the question, “What business are we in?” However, a personal mission statement is different. And there’s a scene from the movie Selma illustrates the power of having a personal mission statement.
Photo courtesy of Audra Coats-Hudson Blog
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The scene takes place in the social hall of Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama. Two Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee college students are being taken to task by Southern Christian Leadership Conference leader Reverend C.T. Vivian as Coretta Scott King looks on. And then a voice from the back of the room speaks. “That’s enough,” reprimands Martin Luther King Jr. “Enough of this, now. I don’t have time for this. None of us got the time for this. The way our organization works is simple:
We negotiate, we demonstrate, we resist.
We raise white consciousness. And in particular, the consciousness of whichever white man happens to be sitting in the Oval Office.”
Photo courtesy of Screen Rant
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 20, 2015 | Decisions, Empowerment, Encouragement, Goals, Motivation
Setbacks are disheartening. They can leave us feeling disempowered and discouraged. Mostly setbacks can leave us feeling as though we have no real control over our lives. Yet there are some people who are successful despite the challenges and setbacks they experience. What is their secret?
Setbacks Help You Gain Perspective
Successful people view setbacks different. The difference is that they have a different perspective on setbacks. While they realize that they can’t always control the world around them, they can control how they respond to circumstances. In other words, successful people use setbacks to gain perspective when they experience circumstances beyond their control. They see setbacks as an opportunity to REFOCUS and find an EVEN BETTER WAY to achieve their goals. Setbacks don’t stop them, they simply slow them down for a short period of time.
“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not you’ll find an excuse.” – Unknown
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