Your Daily Blessing » Accountability

Fireproof Your Marriage (November 7, 2008)

Dr. Joseph Peck — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:55:28 +0000

“Never leave your partner behind!!!” – Fireproof, the Movie

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)

How do you “fireproof” your marriage?
When will you fireproof your marriage?

God truly works in mysterious ways. Today’s story is an amazing tangle of circumstances with God reaching out to bless marriages right here in Culpeper, but also in Virginia, America, and beyond.

On Tuesday evening November 4 (Election Day), Julia (my wife) and I went to hear Rick Heeren speak at City On A Hill Church in Culpeper, Virginia. Pastor GW Dameron was the gracious host. This was the first time I had ever been to the new location for City On A Hill Church, now located in the same building as AT&T (formerly Cingular), on Route 522 adjacent to Yowell Meadow Park.

What Rick shared was fantastic to fan the flames for community transformation. As Julia and I were getting ready to leave the building, the Holy Spirit prompted Julia to pick up a gorgeous handout on the table at the back of the sanctuary titled “Fireproof Your Marriage: Never Leave Your Partner Behind.” The back of that handout said:

“Learn the secrets to a lasting marriage. Financial pressures, the stress of parenting, differences between men and women, boredom, temptations – they can all scorch a relationship. The fires will come – will your marriage last? Come to City On A Hill Church this week as we start a series called Fireproof Your Marriage. The God who designed marriage intended for it to be a loving, lifelong partnership. Join us as we discuss His plans for indestructible relationships. You’ll find practical insights for building an enduring red-hot marriage.”

The Fireproof Your Marriage handout opened a discussion with GW and us about the 6 week marriage series he is hosting at City On A Hill Church on Saturdays at 6:00 pm EST, starting November 8. Julia and I learned that “FIREPROOF” (the movie) was playing at our local theaters and we talked about watching that movie on Sat Nov 8.

Early yesterday afternoon, my wife asked if I wanted to go with her a few hours later to watch the matinee showing of “The Secret Life of Bees.” Normally I’m not a big movie buff, especially during the work day. But I agreed. When we got to the theater, I asked how much longer “FIREPROOF” would be playing at the theater and found out that was the last day.

So Julia and I watched 2 movies back-to-back – “The Secret Life of Bees” and “FIREPROOF.” For someone who only goes to a movie once every 2-3 months, and never to back-to-back movies, this was peculiar. Both movies were fantastic – extremely wholesome stories. Fireproof starred Kirk Cameron and was made by the creators of “Facing The Giants,” one of my favorite movies of all time.

As a result of the Nov 4 discussion with GW and the FIREPROOF movie yesterday, Julia and I now plan to participate in the “Fireproof Your Marriage” series that starts Saturday November 8 at City On A Hill Church in Culpeper. If you live nearby and are available, we invite you to join us.

Who is FIREPROOF for? According to a blog post titled “Singles loving FIREPROOF,” “it’s for everybody. Kids, parents, older couples, singles. Everybody. Each viewer learns about forgiveness. The movie speaks to all relationships and has application for us all as we accept and serve each other unconditionally.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for these two fantastic movies. Thank You for leading Julia and me to watch them together yesterday. Thank You for the “Fireproof Your Marriage” series that starts in Culpeper on Saturday November 8. May everyone who participates be richly blessed. Bless all those who were involved in the making of these two movies. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
www.fireproofmymarriage.com

Blessings to fireproof your marriage!

Joseph

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
Dr. Breakthrough, THE KINGDOM CONNECTOR, and The Journal Guy
Founder and Executive Director of Webinars777
Breakthrough Life Coach helping your DREAMS come true
Creative Marketing and Communication Specialist

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

Connect – BE Blessed To Be A Blessing
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P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Why Coaching?

Dr. Joseph Peck — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:05:50 +0000

"Accountability is the password to your future!" – Ben Stewart

Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14)

Every great athlete has a coach … as should every great life!

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Why Coaching?

It’s Transformational … examine your life from a different perspective
It’s a Transparent Relationship … creating an authentic, encouraging relationship that fosters trust and safety
It’s a Supportive System of Change … providing structure and accountability that results in maximum progress
It’s Continuous Personal Development … strategizing, setting challenging goals, and truning those goals into action

We all need relationship, perspective, encouragement, and accountability to reach our maximum potential. A coach can help you sort out what are the most important issues in your life, help you get “unstuck,” and provide a sounding board when you need an outside perspective.

Life is intended to be a “team sport,” and coaching is built on the power of relationship. Coaching is a partnership between two equals, one of whom has some specialized training and life experiences that can challenge the other to move toward their destiny.

We all have blind spots, and all too often our “friends” are reluctant to point them out to us. These blind spots could be the very things that are keeping us stuck where we are.

Finally, we all need support, encouragement, and accountability when we are making a significant change in our life or in the way we do things. A big part of what coaching provides is accountability—that extra nudge to follow through on what you know you need to do.

These are just a few of the things a good coach brings to the relationship.

What is your next step?

Making a career change
Taking your goals and turning them into action
Finding balance in your work, family and personal life
Finding your life’s purpose
Finding out how your past and present are keys to your future
Discovering the constraints that have been hindering your destiny
Learning how to use feedback and reflection to upgrade your character
Developing disciplines that will continue to bring you insight and wisdom

——————————————————————————-

From: Lifeforming Leadership Coaching
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 6:36 PM
To: Randy Peck
Subject: Lifeforming Leadership Coaching Newsletter – May 2008

Lifeforming Leadership Coaching May 2008 Newsletter
ASSEMBLING THE WHOLE STORY

THE GREAT OMISSION

Matthew 28: 18-20

The following thoughts would better be served in a blog because they require the need for a “paradigm funeral” of old school thinking and a renewed mind of defining success the Jesus way. Here is a list of those thoughts to get some conversations going in your part of the world:

1. Jesus defines “success” as the bottom line of whether or not we are making disciples.

2. Discipleship is almost entirely relational in a combination of small group and one on one culture, outside of church meetings, and especially through the influence of healthy conversations from healthy families around the table.

3. Discipleship assumes we are “going into all of our world” (most of what we do outside of church meetings) to make #1 and #2 above happen. That makes “sending capacity” a better benchmark of success than “seating capacity”.

4. The end game of discipleship is for nations to be discipled (Rev. 21:24-27) so the “burning bush vision” for the church is to equip members to make disciples in the places that shape a nations; at work in the major spheres of vocations that shape the culture.

5. We have made discipleship more of a “teaching commission” at the expense of a “training omission” (v.20). Action steps that integrate and align our daily behaviors with kingdom values and Jesus commands is more hitting the mark than “fill-in-the-blank” lectures or sermon series. (Note: It only takes 45 minutes to read the teaching content of Jesus words given us in scripture.)

Recently Bill Hybels of Willow Creek authentically announced that his “seeker-friendly”congregation did not produce transformational change in the lives of its members; meaning they were not discipled. George Barna’s extensive research in the discipleship deficit in the American church brought him to the unfortunate position of an anti “organized church” position. I believe that Lifeforming can offer a way forward in this debate.

I am giving my life to the core value that Transformational Coaching is a key to making more and better disciples in our nations. Here is why:

1. It consistently targets the core factor of making a disciple; hearing God’s voice. Every religion makes disciples but a disciple of Jesus is led by Him personally (not just His principles) and has the “unfair advantage” of knowing that voice (John 10:3) in the unique design that we are created to respond to that voice (Psalm 139: 13-16).

2. It consistently maximizes the core delivery to make a disciple; a non-judgmental relationship with someone who seeks to 100% believe in you as the Father does, 100% work with you in what the Spirit is prioritizing, and 100% enable you to take ownership for your own development and progress.

3. It consistently models the authentic spiritual authority of stewarding transformation to another by first having been transformed ourselves in the same manner (2 Timothy 2:2). UNTIL SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND MOTHERS ARE DISCIPLED THEMSELVES TRANSFORMATIONALY THEY ARE DEPENDENT ON PROGRAMS AND METHODS THAT ARE INFORMATION TRANSACTIONS MORE THAN LIFE TRANSFER.

4. It consistently produces the kind of community that is compelling and engaging of the spiritual hunger in our cultures that are seeking life-giving spiritual relationships when they turn to Christ. Lifeforming’s Transformational coaches know how to catalyze authentic relationships in organizations that shift those cultures to environments that accelerate personal development in the context of the organization’s mission.

Lifeforming Leadership Coaching has a key role to play in restoring the Great Commission in Matthew 28. We are about the Father’s business of making disciples the Jesus way. This is not an option; it is a mandate.

Dr. Joseph Umidi
President, Lifeforming Leadership Coaching

————————————

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Easy Opportunity To Earn Affiliate Fees

Dr. Joseph Peck — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:55:26 +0000

“It (Destiny course) will absolutely change your life.” – Rev. Matt Gregory

And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, (Philippians 1:25)

Could the “UNCOMMON Coaching For Destiny” course be just the thing you’ve been waiting for to experience breakthroughs in your finances, your wellness, your habits, your purpose, or your rest?

When I surveyed my 600+ contacts on July 15 asking them to select their “Three Biggest LIFE Challenges” out of a list of 20, the five most popular answers were finances, wellness, wellness (health), habits, purpose, and rest.

Therefore today I want to offer an easy opportunity to earn affiliate fees. You will receive $100 (20% affiliate fee) for each person you invite to the our upcoming “UNCOMMON Coaching For Destiny” course who subsequently registers for the course within 7 days. All you need to do is send a short personal email to your friends referring them to http://coaches777.com/destiny.htm.

Dr. Jerry Graham and I had a discussion after yesterday’s webinar. We both agreed it was our best ever. 40 people pre-registered online, including some who knew they were not available to attend, but who wanted a link to watch the recorded webinar. Another 9 people registered for the webinar after the fact just to have access to the recorded webinar.

Of the 21 people who were actually available to participate in the webinar, 9 completed online surveys afterwards. All 9 people said they would recommend the webinar to others. 8 of the 9 people said they were interested in the “UNCOMMON Coaching For Destiny” course. Even the one who wasn’t said the webinar exceeded her expectations.

I was very humbled by the personal testimonies about the impact of our prior “UNCOMMON Coaching For Destiny” course by two of the members who participated in that course. Here is part of what Rev. Matt Gregory said:

“Randy is taking it (journaling) to a level I had never even dreamed of or thought about… One of the things I liked about it (Destiny course) was the covenant relationships, where we were going to be accountable to journal every day… Almost immediately I began to identify some of the barriers that were holding me back and were keeping me discouraged in my life, keeping me unmotivated. As we went through the course, I really re-discovered my unique purpose in life and subsequently began to really discover what my church’s unique purpose was. And once I discovered that and had it written out and began to make everything in my life align with that, and take time each day to journal, and just record how God was working and what my assignment was for that day, and how I was to focus each day on that, my energy level went up, my work ethic went way back up. And it has helped me in the past 3 months to really stay focused…

One very tangible change that happened … our family’s income has gone up nearly 70% in the last 3 months. I’ve got a lot of stories I could share about that. … God has brought a lot of BIG time answers to prayer just in the last few months. I think I would have missed those answers to prayer if …

Everyone around me has noticed some changes – my family, my part-time administrative assistant, … It (Destiny course) will absolutely change your life.” Watch the webinar and judge for yourself.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for your blessing to yesterday’s webinar. I pray that many of my readers will choose to seize this opportunity to watch the recorded webinar and refer their friends as well. May several of them choose to register for the “UNCOMMON Coaching For Destiny”course. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
Recorded webinar with link to registration page – “UNCOMMON Coaching For Destiny”

Blessings to seize this UNCOMMON opportunity!

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Developing an “Ear To Hear” God’s Voice

Dr. Joseph Peck — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:55:02 +0000

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UNCOMMON Opportunity
To learn more about Today’s life changing webinar “Introduction to UNCOMMON Journaling for Destiny,” CLICK HERE. Testimony: What a blessing! Journaling and using The Journal is revolutionizing my life. – Dan Paulsen

Secular coaches call it ‘intuition”. LLC coaches have learned that we are really helping clients Hear God for themselves in a coaching conversations and discovering the empowering joy of their own voice in the process. We train coaches to “listen to what really matters” by serving clients to hear, engage, embrace, and activate God’s Destiny Directions for them. – Joseph Umidi

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8)

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your ability to consistently hear God’s voice?
What can you do to improve that?

In yesterday’s devotional titled “Changing Lives – Breaking Through,” we continued with our theme of Christ-enabled living, impossible living, heroic living. Yesterday’s key message: “When you change your thinking and your HABITS, you will change your life.” You were presented with an opportunity to participate in today’s life-changing webinar to change your thinking and habits.

Today at Noon EST, Jerry Graham and I are hosting an introductory webinar about our outstanding 5 week Journal 201 course titled “UNCOMMON Journaling for Destiny.” Rev. Matt Gregory and Dan Paulsen will be sharing their first hand testimonies of the impact of our prior course. Even if you are not available, you can receive a link to the recorded webinar simply by registering. CLICK HERE to learn more.

While preparing the PowerPoint presentation for today’s webinar, I was prompted to write down some of the new fruit I personally experienced from the Journal 201 course. Here is a partial list:
1) Began using The Journal myself
2) Got connected to Debra Thompson Roedl and the Wealth Alliance Group
3) Transformation Virginia was officially launched
4) Launched my own web store with products, courses, and memberships
5) Soul Purpose Church (my church) formally adopted “Coaching you to discover and fulfill your soul purpose” as its mission
6) Door opened for an alliance between Team Destiny and Lifeforming Leadership Coaching
7) I bought a brand new bicycle. My old one was more than 25 years old (literally an antique).

In my August 22 devotional, I mentioned that Joseph Umidi was my top new contact in 2006 and Debra Thompson Roedl has been my top new contact in 2008.

On August 19, Joseph sent the monthly Lifeforming Leadership Coaching e-newsletter promoting our webinar to his 1,500 or so contacts. In his message titled “Coaching with an ‘Ear To Hear’,” Joseph wrote:

“I am pleased to offer all of our coaches the unique combination of 2 keys to Hearing God for yourself that will translate into more effective “hearing” with your clients. This is the unique combination of journaling and coaching to clarify what God is saying to you and giving you the ability to help your clients discover the same for them. Dr. Jerry Graham and Dr. Randy Peck have collaborated to design this life changing 5-week process for you that I highly recommend.”

Debra Roedl is regarded by some as the top internet marketing strategist in the world. When I met in person with her at the Marriott Crystal City (VA) on August 16 (the same day as The Call DC), she committed to promote our combo journaling and coaching courses. to her Wealth Alliance contacts around the world.

A few weeks ago I talked to Buddy Smith, Executive Assistant to the Chairman for the American Family Association. He told me he is willing to have Jerry and I interviewed about our combo coaching and journaling courses on Today’s Issues (American Family Radio). AFR has more than 1 million listeners nationwide.

Obviously God has His mantle of favor on the “UNCOMMON Journaling for Destiny” course. On behalf of all our Team Destiny teammates, we invite you to be blessed by registering for today’s webinar. Even if you aren’t available today, you will receive a link to our recorded webinar just for registering. Our target audience is people who are passionate to know God and make Him known. We are training champions for Christ. To register for today’s webinar, CLICK HERE.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, we praise You as an intimate God – as a God who speaks to us regularly. Thank You for training me to hear Your voice, which makes life flow so much easier. Bless each reader who chooses to register for today’s webinar to learn to hear Your voice. Thank You Jesus. You’re my all in all. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Unthinkable: The Scott Rigsby Story

Blessings to develop an ear to hear God’s voice!

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

An UNCOMMON Provider

Dr. Joseph Peck — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:55:47 +0000

The Lord will provide peace, purpose, joy, healing, and much more.

And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. (Genesis 22:8)

In what ways are you trusting God to meet your needs?

This morning after spending a few hours of private devotional time, I had an awesome 70 minute devotional time with my son and two other web co-workers to start off our work day seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first. We discussed “finding a peer mentor,” which was the subject of the devotional I wrote last night. All three young men agreed it was important to partake in a mutually beneficial, authentic, peer partner relationship and we began the coaching process to pursue that further.

I shared with my web team members how important my relationships were with my 3 coaching group members for 5 years until Jan 2007 and how God then connected me with Dr. Jerry Graham in June 2007 to continue my intentional and accelerated growth process.

I told them that Jerry and Sharon Graham’s two primary websites (http://www.thecoachingpair.com/ and http://www.nutrition777.com/) are actually Addon domains under JIREHMarketing.com, their parent company. When I asked the young men what “JIREH” meant, they did not know. So I told them that “JIREH” means “provider.”

I then was prompted to do a Google search using “Jehovah Jireh.” The number one entry was a 2-minute YouTube video that ministered deeply to my spirit. In that video, the words “The Lord will provide” appear, which reminded me immediately about Stephen Burke and his ministry by that same name. See today’s Link of the Day to be inspired by this short YouTube video.

When Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering,” little did he know that 2,000 years later Jesus, the Lamb of God, would be crucified in the same place as an atonement for our sins.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as my Jehovah Jireh, my provider God. Thank You for meeting my needs every day of my life. Thank You for Your everlasting faithfulness. Thank You for the wonderful life You have blessed me with and all the wonderful things You have in store for me. May I be ever faithful to You Jesus, my atoning sacrifice. Amen.

Link of the Day
Jehovah Jireh – inspirational 2-minute YouTube video

Blessings to trust in our ever-faithful God for your provision!

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Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Finding a Peer Mentor

Dr. Joseph Peck — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:55:13 +0000

Having an accountability partner (peer mentor) makes a person much more likely to finish the race (their life) strong.

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14)

Who do know who might be suitable for a mutually beneficial, authentic, peer partner relationship?

Last Friday (Feb 29) I met with Dr. Jerry Graham as my coach trainer for the Implementation course I am currently taking through Lifeforming Leadership Coaching (LLC). One of the homework assignments to complete beforehand was to write down a formal Growth Plan for myself and at least one of my coaching clients based on growth goals.

While writing the growth plan for my first client, I realized that person would benefit from having a peer mentor. While preparing the growth plan for a second client, I wrote down this growth goal, “Launch a lasting, growth-centered peer mentoring relationship in the next 8 weeks.”

After preparing these 3 growth plans, I moved on to my next homework exercise. To my surprise, one of the handouts discussed how coaching relationships often evolve into helping a client find a peer partner to grow intentionally. Here is an excerpt from LLC’s F18 form titled “Finding a Peer Mentor:”

Developing a constellation of peer mentors, peer coaches (the two are different) and upward coaches is crucial to finishing well. Following is a step-by-step process for finding and approaching prospective peer partners.

Step 1: Identify needs
Talk with your coach about what you need from a peer partner. Here are some questions to help you get started.
1) What do I want to work on, and where could I use some help? (e.g. child rearing, prayer life, work, daily accountability, a leadership challenge, etc.)
2) Do I need an upward coach or simply a peer to walk with me in that area?
3) Who do I know that I respect and could draw from in that particular area?

Step 2: Pray specifically
Finding a peer partner can mean building a new relationship or simply moving an existing relationship to a new level.

Step 3: Relationship building
Step 4: Discuss peer mentoring
Step 5: Get started
Step 6: Find a mentor

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the God of authentic relationships. Thank You for the the accountability partners you have blessed me with during the past 6 years. Thank You for the simple steps above to help others find peer partners for themselves. In Jesus name, Amen.

Link of the Day
Tips for Designing Growth Plans (see below)

Blessings to have a peer mentor in your life!

12 Key Tips for Designing Growth Plans (from Lifeforming Leadership Coaching)1) Identify the key issue
2) Start with a growth goal
3) Do a growth plan brain dump
4) Be realistic about time
5) Ensure buy-in
6) Plan in phases
7) Use appointments as progress reviews
8) Always apply new information
9) Use SEA (support, encouragement, accountability) to change habits
10) Use peers for accountability
11) Use doing and reflecting
12) Stay flexible

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Why Everyone Needs Negative Friends

Dr. Joseph Peck — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:55:36 +0000

Bad behavior among Christians defiles the “brand” of Christ. – Rev. Matt Gregory

Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” (1 Corinthians 5:13b)

Do you have any good “negative” friends? Who are they?
Are you a good “negative” friend?

While lying in bed early on Sunday morning (Feb 10), I listened to Deuteronomy Chapters 14-18 using my iPod. When I got up, I prayed in My Secret Place and then came to my desk to journal. Of the many scriptures I cut and pasted into my journal, the message that jumped out the most at me was “put away the evil.” I then did a Bible search using that phrase and pasted the 12 corresponding scriptures into my journal on a separate page. The last verse in this collection was 1 Cor 5:13.

Lo and behold, when I went to the worship service at Soul Purpose Church later that morning, Pastor Matt Gregory preached a sermon titled “Why Everyone Needs Negative Friends.” His message was about “putting away the evil” from the Body of Christ and the first scriptures mentioned came from 1 Cor 5. Coincidence? No way. The following comes from Matt’s sermon handout:

What is good negative friend?
1) A Christian – someone who will tell you “No”
2) Someone who will confront you when necessary.
3) Someone who won’t ignore an important issue.
4) Someone who values your soul more than our friendship.

Why do you need “negative” friends?
1) Behavior is contagious. Who you hang around is who you become like.
2) They provide spiritual protection.
3) They are the deeper friendships. If you’re not really known, you’re not really loved.
4) When we know someone cares enough to confront we grow more.
5) Bad behavior among Christians defiles the “brand” of Christ.

How do you get a “negative” friend?
1) Hang around those you want to be like. (Prov 13:20)
2) Embrace criticism. Before you react to criticism, stop and think what you can learn. (Prov 15:32, Prov 12:1)
3) Find them at church (Heb 10:24-25)
4) Join a LIFE group to find your “one anothers” (Prov 18:1, 1 Peter 5:8, James 5:16)

How do you become a good negative friend?
1) Listen first and last. (Prov 19:13)
2) Hurt for the person before you confront. (2 Cor 12:21)
3) Care more about what is best for the other person’s long-term welfare than your own feelings. (Prov 28:23, Prov 27:5)
4) Speak the truth in love. Balance the two. (Eph 4:15)
5) Be willing to forgive. (2 Cor 2:6-8)
6) Help in the restoration process. That’s the goal, not destruction. (Gal 6:1)
7) Keep things confidential. Most things need to stay very confidential. (Prov 17:9, Matt 18:15-17)
8) Practice confessing your own sin and working on your own condition. (Prov 28:13)

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the God who disciplines those You love. Thank You for my wife and the close friends You have placed in my life to hold me accountable. May I always have a teachable spirit willing to listen and measure my behavior against Your holy Word. May my life and family give honor to the name of Jesus Christ. Thank You my LORD and Savior. Amen and Hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Christian Accountability – A Need for Support

Blessings to be a good “negative” friend and to have friends in your life who hold you accountable!

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Tension is Mounting

Dr. Joseph Peck — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:55:07 +0000

“Idolatry always leads to immorality.” – Rev. Mark Jarvis

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

What idols do I have in my life?

The purpose of these devotionals is to bless you and your family – to change your life – hopefully so you will bless other people and their families. These messages are intended to help build solid, Christ-centered homes.

Living in America, it’s nearly impossible not to sense the rising tension of people around us. Yet, God tells us not to fear.

Two days ago I had lunch with Rev. Mark Jarvis, the person who led me to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ seven years ago. Of all the people I have ever known, Mark has had the greatest impact on me spiritually. He always takes a stand on righteousness. As a young Marine, Mark earned the Purple Heart. But more importantly, Mark learned to persist regardless of circumstances. That’s what God wants us to do. That’s what God wants me to do.

While we were eating, Mark told me about a recent law that was passed. When I told him, “We can’t legislate morality,” Mark told me every law is a reflection of someone’s morality. Mark has told me several times in the past few months, “Idolatry always leads to immorality.” What is idolatry? Putting anything or anyone ahead of God.

Later that evening, I went for a bike ride and a short run. Immediately afterwards, I walked our dog. As I was coming back home, I came across a neighbor and her mother. I joined them for another 2 miles of walking. At the end of that walk, my neighbor’s mother told me she’s pressing into God for joy and peace. Isn’t that what God wants each of us to do – to press into Him.

Personal accountability is where reformation starts. It begins with me, not you. I’m choosing to humble myself, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from my own wicked ways. I’ve got a lot to work on. What about you? What needs to change with your daily habits to seek God’s face? Who is holding you accountable?

Our greatest threat in America is not the terrorists from without, but the terrorists from within – people who openly and publically put God down and flagrantly violate his Laws. Judgment is coming to America. As Yale professor Stephen Carter said, “A society that ignores the moral side of life is going to go down the tubes.” I will be prepared. Will you?

Recently, I sent Mark an email asking for one word that is the answer to all of life’s problems. His reply, “Jesus.” I invite you to visit the home page of my personal website (www.randypeck.com) to watch a one minute video sharing why I do what I do.

Prayer Power
Jesus, Your name is the sweetest sound in the world – in any language. Your name is above all other names. Your news is good news. Your ways are the ways of life. May I boldly proclaim Your name. Cast out any and all idols in my life that hinder my relationship with You. Thank You for being my rock in these turbulent times. I love You and bless You. Amen.

Link of the Day
Dr. Randy Peck’s introductory video [www.randypeck.com]

Blessings to permit God to cast out all idols in your life!

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Making Accountability Personal

Dr. Joseph Peck — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:55:58 +0000

Personal accountability begins with me, not you.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

What can I do today to develop more personal accountability?

On August 6, God blessed me when Jon Monroe came to work for me full-time to help with production and technical support in my web business. He’s already making a difference in our success. Jon has grown so much spiritually since the last time I saw him. He’s now a positive influence to my son.

Jon is 20 years old, the same age as my son. He grew up with my son and has been a long time friend of our family. He may well have been the most creative of all the friends my son ever brought over. Jon has a hunger to learn and grow and to make a difference in this world for Jesus. That’s encouraging.

During my company’s morning devotional time on August 17, we listened to the first few minutes of the QBQ! audio-book. Jon asked to listen to that CD again in our afternoon devotional time. Each day since, he listened to other chapters of that audio-book until he finally finished it yesterday. When Jon told me that book immediately changed his behavior, I felt prompted to do this series about it.

The following is an excerpt from chapter 20 of QBQ!

Personal accountability does NOT begin with you. It begins with me. That’s why it’s called personal accountability. It is not about you or me holding one another accountable, as a manger does. Nor is it a group thing.

Personal accountability is about each of us holding ourselves accountable for our own thinking and behaviors and the results they produce. Questions that contain “I” turn our focus away from other people and circumstances and put it back on ourselves, where it can do the most good.

We can’t change other people. We often can’t control circumstances and events. The only things we have any real control over are our own thoughts and actions. Asking questions that focus our efforts and energy on what we can do makes us significantly more effective, not to mention happier and less frustrated.

Accountability groups are great tools. Managers and executives do need to define and communicate standards, but the power of personal accountability comes from questions that begin with “What” or “How” and contain an “I.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the God of justice and righteousness. True personal accountability begins with being accountable to You and Your Word. Teach me to be a godly man of action by asking You questions that begin with “What” or “How” and contain an “I.” In a culture that is continually watering down the truth of Your Word, may I be uncompromising in my obedience to You. May I stand out like a lighthouse in the dark of night. Remove any planks from my own eye so I may help others remove the splinters from theirs. Thank You Jesus. I love You so much. You are the Rock upon which I stand. Amen.

Link of the Day
Photos from SPC picnic and baptisms at Shenandoah Springs Camp on June 10, 2007
[http://www.yourdailyblessing.com/content.cfm?id=2423]

Blessing to be committed to ask questions that foster personal accountability!

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

QBQ! The Question Behind the Question

Dr. Joseph Peck — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:55:24 +0000

“Turning our thinking around and asking more personally accountable questions is one of the most powerful and effective things we can do to improve our organizations and our lives.” – John G. Miller

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

“What types of questions will make you more personally accountable?”

Yesterday I shared about Jerry and Sharon Graham, collectively known as The Coaching Pair. After they became new web clients of mine in late June, we been conversing with each other weekly. As a result, they have become dear friends. I have learned so much from these professional life coaches. They are a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

About a month ago, Scott Wozniac, my coach trainer for the Accelerated Coach Training (ACT) course, asked each person in our class to find someone to practice coaching. When I asked Jerry Graham, he gladly agreed. What an awesome privilege to be able to practice my new acquired coaching skills with one of the most experienced Christian life coaches in the world.

After the conclusion of our coaching conversations, Jerry and I frequently chat for a while. During a recent chat session, Jerry strongly encouraged me to read “The Question Behind the Question” by John G. Miller. After visiting the QBQ website, I not only ordered the QBQ book, but the audio CD as well, plus John’s latest book “Flipping the Switch.” On August 18 I began reading the QBQ book and listening to that CD. Wow! Here is how Chapter 1 begins:

“From a billboard towering over the Houston freeway loomed the question: ‘Whatever happened to personal responsibility?’ I don’t know who put it up there, but is jumped out at me. For one thing, it seemed so clearly true. What has happened to personal responsibility? Why does it seem the only thing people know how to do anymore is point the finger elsewhere, blaming something or someone else for their problems, their actions, their feelings?”

Stay tuned for life-changing messages from “The Question Behind the Question” this week.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for John G. Miller and his QBQ ministry. Turn my thinking around to ask more personally accountable questions. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
QBQ! Inc – “helping organizations make personal accountability a core value” [www.qbq.com]

Blessings to turn your thinking around to ask more personally accountable questions.

Joseph

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a New Generation of Godly THOUGHT LEADERS
POWER NETWORKING God’s Army Around the World
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!