by Clarence E. Stowers | Jun 11, 2008 | Empowerment, Money and Finance, Vision
Today, I had the privilege to participate in my final conference call with a few multi-millionaires and guess what, they think very differently about money, life, and relationships.
Have you noticed that some people
struggle with money for years and even
decades and others seem to experience
continual success? Even when successful
people experience tough times it is
usually just a short time until they are
right back on top. The reasons for this is not rocket
science, it is a simple matter of
their beliefs and the actions they take.
I discovered millionaires become millionaires because
they believe truths about money and take
actions to build wealth.
Additionally, I also discovered the #1 reason people are in
financial bondage is because they
believe lies about money. Your beliefs control your behaviors
and your behaviors determine your
results. In order to achieve better
results in your finances you must work
on your beliefs.
I learned 10 valuable lessons while participating in these calls that I'd like to share with you. If you would take the necessary time and apply them to your life, I guarantee your outlook would change for the better.
Lesson #1: Millionaires think long-term in every area of their lives (especially finance & relationships).
A multi-millionaire explained how society is broken own into 5 groups and each thinks differently about money and life:
- The Very Poor think day to day – their goal is to survive
- The Poor think week to week – their goal is to survive as well
- The Middle-class think month to month – their goal is comfort
- The Rich think year to year – their goal is freedom
- Millionaires think decade to decade – their goal is total freedom
So, what do you think?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 28, 2008 | Leadership, Vision
When you talk about “hearing from God,” often people look at you with disdain or suspicion. Why? Because it’s so subjective & nebulous. I’ve discovered there are a few “tell-all” signs that signify you make have or have not heard from God.
Are you ready? Let’s go!
If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
If religious people are not angry with you, gossiping about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked your church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God. (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.
Those are just a few things that came to mind. 🙂
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 27, 2008 | Vision
One of the questions that is often asked of me by pastors, church leaders, and corporate leaders is, “Where do you get your vision?”
My answer usually seems to frustrate them because…well…it’s simple. Leadership (and vision) is as easy as listening to God.
- Vision does not come through a committee. Good ideas may come that way. Much needed discussion may come out of a meeting like that…but not vision.
- Vision does not come through a conference. You may get INSPIRATION…but not REVELATION. I think of of the sad things in conference world today is pastors will attend a conference, go home & then try to be EVERYTHING except for what God called them to be.
- Vision does not come out of books. Once again–excellent ideas do. Wisdom comes from reading. You can seriously be challenged and stretched by reading…but vision isn’t in the pages of the next best seller.
- Vision does not come from trying to repeat what has been successful in the past…that’s not vision, that’s the leader being a victim of previous success.
- I still say that passionate, white hot, hell charging, world changing & people inspiring vision comes from intentional and uninterrupted time with Jesus…in HIS Word, seeking HIS face through prayers–staying connected with HIS Holy Spirit throughout the day.
So when people ask me, “Where do you get your vision?” My answer is always the time…I meet with God & I don’t move until He tells me to move…but WHEN He tells me to move I go until He tells me to stop.
Leadership is as easy as listening to God. I always advise pastors and church leaders to get on their face and stay there until God says otherwise. I have NEVER made a bad or wrong decision when I clearly heard from God and followed–EVER!
So how do you know when your vision is from God? Next post…
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 16, 2008 | Books, Communication, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
Currently, I’m reading a new book entitled The Missional Leader by Alan Roxburgh, and boy is it GREAT! I’m willing to suggest this may be one of the best books I’ve read (so far) regarding leadership and change.
Thinking about initiating a wide-scale change/transition initiative
in your church or organization? Here are a couple of questions worth
asking before you dive in…
- Are we STRUCTURED for change?
Is your church or organization structured in a way that will allow the
RIGHT PEOPLE to lead and make decisions? If not – do not proceed past GO….do NOT collect $200!
First things first!!
If you’re not structured for change, it doesn’t matter how passionate or
committed you might be to it – there will always be a chance that the
wrong people could step in to infiltrate, hijack, or sabotage the transition.
- Am I COMMITTED to change?
Perhaps the question should be…. "Am I committed to change – NO MATTER WHAT THE COST?"
Am I willing to lose people? Lose money? Lose popularity? Lose friendships? Maybe even lose buildings?
Listen to me……..TRUE CHANGE is COSTLY! There will be a cost! And it will be painful. It will be felt.
There will be scars and bruises.
Are you up for it?
Consider that question! Because if you’re NOT fully, 100%
committed, you better think twice before diving in – for YOUR sake AND
for the sake of those who will believe in your vision and stand by
you.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 4, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Communication, Current Affairs, Empowerment, Family, Race, Religion, Vision, Worship
Next week I’m starting a new blog series entitled: "Ten Challenges Facing African Americans & What You Can Do." Trust me, I will hold no punches and exercise my 1st Amendment right.
Will I offend some, YES…
Will I spark debate…YES
Will you disagree…MAYBE
Will you engage…I HOPE SO
Will I cuss…STAY TUNED 😀
Will you comment…I PRAY THAT YOU DO
Stay tuned…Spread the word…Can’t wait till Monday…
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 31, 2008 | Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
Questions I Ponder Daily…
#1 – How can I serve God with all my heart, mind, and soul…
#2 – How can I be a better husband…
#3 – How can I be a better father…
#4 – Is there anything in my life that I need to stop doing…
#5 – Is there anything in my life that I should start doing…
(By the way…the answer to #5 is YES…but in order for it to happen I REALLY need to wrestle with question #4!)
#6 – Will the majority of our members ever move from membership to discipleship…
#7 – How can I be more efficient in the way I use my time…
#8 – Why, out of all the people on this planet, is God allowing me to be a part of what He is doing…
#9 – Will I ever rejoin our denomination’s convention…
#10 – Will Mars Hill ever become a church with multiple locations…
So, what about you – what’s on your mind?
