They Don't JUST Make You ITCH...

As You are looking at this picture, you are probably starting to itch. Your mind is remembering a time in your life when you've been bit by an ant before and all of a sudden you feel like something is crawling on you...so you're probably swatting and scratching and feeling things crawl on your feet right about now! LOL...

Isn't it crazy that you can feel all of these things knowing that in reality there probably isn't an ANT in sight or even around you? I find it interesting because when we see ants or a swarm of bugs of some sort, we immediately interpret bad, but what if we looked at our fiery little friends and saw THE GOOD that They Do?!?!?

I watched a documentary a few months ago covering exactly how the ant works and constructs his home. It was interesting to see them in action up close and personal. It reminded me of the movie "Honey I Shrunk The Kids" Because I had a face to face view of what goes on in the ant world on a daily basis.

As I was at the bus stop again. I observed the little creatures in their element raiding a trash can and it got me thinking about the scriptures in the bible where it tells us to look at the ant as an example and it struck a real life lesson for me that day.

They're up before we awake, everyone synced in line like a swiss army, everyone doing his part. You rarely see them working by themselves or lagging around. They are one of the tiniest creatures in this earth yet one of the wisest and hard working. They have a structure and system setup in which there is rare competition because everyone knows their place and their role. They have a sense of order and authority that rivals the US Army and have communication down to a science!

I admire them for their ability to forecast and gather in the summer even though winter is 2 seasons away. They are savers and have a heart to rebuild no matter what the weather conditions are! They are an inspiration to me and should be to you as well as to what it really takes to be successful in all aspects of life.

SO How does this ALL Apply to our RUN? We have to open our eyes to see the little things that we can draw strength or encouragement from. It may be as small as the ant, but it can teach us weighty lessons that will carry us through to success. Take the time today to notice the small things that you normally look over or take for granted. Get inspired by looking at the small "seemingly" insignificant aspects of our day and TRULY pull out Meaningful lessons that will impact your life and others lives for years to come!

TS

Proverbs 6:6
Proverbs 30:25-29

DO you Have ENOUGH CHANGE?!?!?

I was riding the bus yesterday and Its just amazing to observe people. ((If you ever want to study the behavior of people, just ride your city bus for a week!)) It's so funny because someone threw a water balloon at me while I was waiting for my bus, ((In all Honesty, I wish it wouldve hit me bc it was so HOT outside))

But I was on there yesterday morning and it was PACKED...I MEAN SERIOUSLY PACKED!!! I was about 3 blocks from my transfer and a guy and a girl got on and were scrambling to find their money so we all could proceed to our places for the day. The Guy put some coins in the machine and many coins were rejected. It seemed like an eternity as we all waited for them to find their money so we could all to get to our respective places. I Imagine some were going to work, others were just going home, some to school, and others who knows, but we all had something in common..we were al trying to GET somewhere and we were held up because someone didn't have ENOUGH CHANGE!

Whether you acknowledge it or not, we are all linked together some way or some how, just like my fellow passengers on that bus, and many are waiting on US to get ENOUGH CHANGE in our lives so that we can usher others to their destiny! Its a Hard truth, but our decisions, both bad and good, effect others in various ways...We Can invoke change or hinder a person from getting to their place of fulfillment all because we didn't make the decision to be disciplined enough, daring enough, or discerning enough to find the hindrances in our lives and eradicate them!

The CHANGE you need may be different from the CHANGE I need...but it is inevitable WE ALL NEED CHANGE IN ORDER TO GET TO OUR DESTINY! This Change may require you going out and finding it, it may require you to get up and CREATE IT, It may be somewhere where you frequent. But CHANGE is necessary!!! We cannot stay the same and reach this generation, our family, or our community without it!

When it all boils down to it...WE ARE ALL Being Watched by SOMEONE...not just the Government..but the people AROUND you..the people in your family, the people you work with, or who work for YOU, the people who you don't know, and the people you DO know, and they're looking for some significant amount of CHANGE in your life that will give them the right to Change! I can look back over my life and pinpoint the people who's lives I observed, and as a result made necessary changes in MY life some good, and some bad! We are ALL Discipling SOMEONE and if there is NO FRUIT of change in your life..they will NEVER get to partake of the TRUE Fulfillment they were called to walk in.

SO Today...Take A GOOD Look at yourself...Have you MADE The Necessary CHANGES to Cause a ripple effect of effectiveness in your workplace, your business, your family, your community, your marriage, and the list could go ON and ON!

Remember..If you don't have ENOUGH Change...Just like My friend on the bus...you could possibly DELAY Someone's fulfillment of their destiny!

Keep Ya Stride!
TS

Hebrews 6:12

Failure is Not an OPTION....Its a Decision

You've Heard people say that "Failure is NOT an Option". Many people quote it in the wake of tremendous difficulty and struggle in efforts to maintain a high level of confidence that will sustain their optimism on a subject.

This is true HOWEVER, in life, I believe that Failure, much like success, is a definition that is totally left to an individual's interpretation. You see, I used to think that the definition of success and failure were universal. That everyone had the same mindset when it came to the attaining of a goal or the lack thereof. I figured that everyone thought like me, but I was soon to realize that I was sadly and ridiculously mistaken.

Success & Failure are tricky topics. Where one person sees success another sees failure. Its much like tomato/to-MAH-to, Potato/Po-TAH-to, its all in perspective. When I see success I interpret it as the attainment of an individuals heartfelt goal or dream. I interpret failure as the lack of achievement in that same goal. Here comes the trick...an individual can be a failure in Success and a Success in failure...Paradox I know...But we wont tread that deep..

The purpose of this blog today is to show you that your definition for success or failure...is your perspective on the matter, not anyone else's. I've learned that winners create the conditions in their mind to win. For Instance, when I was a kid, we would race in the neighborhood. Now this was before the gaming systems, and internet, and Facebook..so we actually PLAYED outside! Well it would be in one of these races that before we started, I would imagine that the neighborhood terrorist, a Rottweiler by the name of Tango, was behind me. "On your Mark, Get Set, GO" Everyone took off... but I would be in another mindset.."if I don't win, Tango will TEAR me UP!" So I would go on to either win or tie with another person. Case and Point...Its all in your mind on how you interpret a failure or success...Its Not an Option....Its a DECISION!

This is why I said that Failure is not an option, it's a decision. You decide to fail or succeed by your own interpretation. What I've heard someone say in the past few weeks is that they "dont experience failure, only levels of success." I thought that that was so profound because it gives room for both, the person who may be starting out in goal setting and the veteran to give themselves some room. Maybe you didn't hit that goal of losing the certain weight, or getting the promotion, or making a certain amount of money, but in the process as you prepared for it, you got a bit wiser, maybe a little stronger, maybe a little more disciplined, and as a result a little closer to your goal than before.

So I just write to encourage you, that if you've done ALL that you can do, if you've been intentional in your pursuit, focused, disciplined, and you've kept your inspiration at a peak..You My Friend..in MY BOOK have been successful...now its up to YOU to decide if you agree or not.

Have a GREAT DAY Folks....You said it..Keep RUNNING!

TS

Is This Just Ecstasy....

Many people are unaware that ALL relationships go through stages. Stages in which if people are not ready for, can really take them for a loop. Years ago my pastor, taught us the difference in seasons of relationships, and it never fails that when faced with a new relationship...I walk through them in view of what he taught us years ago. He said that all relationships whether it be a business relationship, a parenting relationship, a marriage relationship, or church or organization relationship goes through several stages. I've found out in various times in my life that these stages are lived out in progression. But if you keep the end result in mind, they'll all pan out the way they should.

#1. The Ecstasy Stage: This is where you fall head over heels with her curves and great personality and quirky little nonchalant-ness (if that's even a word), and his muscles and his attitude, the businesses ability to earn more money for the family, and the positions possibility for increase. These are all great and ALL relationships should start off like this. I believe that it is healthy because in the progression of the relationship you may need to refer BACK to this place as a reference point on your feelings of "Where have you been ALL my life?"

#2. The REALITY Stage: This stage is where you figure out and realize that those curves that you were in love with have a bad attitude sometimes and Mr. Muscles and attitude's breath is not ALWAYS the best. The Business you started may not be as easy as you though it would be, and the goals you've set may not be as in reach as you thought it would be. Its that day when you realize that the person, business, or relationship that you've entered into may not be as perfect as you thought they/it would be and it is in THIS stage that you MUST make a decision because the NEXT Stage will MAKE or BREAK that relationship.

#3. Problem Stage: Uh OH...Mr. Muscles got caught looking at Suzy Q, and Ms. Curves got caught not telling the FULL truth about Her "Big Brother" ((Sidenote: Single people if someone says 'Oh Thats Just my Brother/Sister' Your response should be is that 'Yo Brother/Sister or A Brother/Sister?')) This is where you as the person have to work through those tough situations that no one wants to face. But you see there is one thing that I've learned about trouble...it doesn't last ALWAYS...Its like the rainstorm. Its here and it seems pretty bad, but you weather it...because you remember what the sunlight felt like, and you are eagerly awaiting its return! This is the time you ride it out. Stay committed to your goals and dreams and reflect back to #1...Remember what it was like when you first SAW Him/Her...Remember what it felt like when you first held your son/daughter in your arms...reminisce on the day when you were so optimistic about your future...and the present problem will soon be bearable. It is in this stage that you TRULY make a COMMITMENT!

#4. The Commitment/Covenant Stage: This Stage is ONLY for the STRONG at HEART & Soul...you can ONLY make it here when you have a FULL perspective on the prior 3 and STILL have the wherewithal to continue to the End. Sometimes this decision has to be made QUICKLY, but some cannot make the decision to continue going forward to where God has called them to be in that business, relationship, or job because the pressure is on. But its in the HEAT where the Gold is made pure, Its in The HEAT where the raw materials of flour, eggs, sugar, and spice make the PERFECT Cake...Its in The HEAT where the TRUE WINNER is Birthed!

I love working through these processes because it just goes to show that there is nothing new under the sun, there is nothing too hard for God, and there is NOTHING that You CANNOT DO!

So today before you give up on that person, business, job, opportunity...Take a minute to see where you are in the process Ecstasy, Reality, Problem, or The Commitment/Covenant Stage!

Keep it Movin....Love YAll!

TS

Public Success but a Private Failure

Imagine waking up one morning going through your daily routine. You Jump out of bed, get some breakfast, brush your teeth, and start getting ready for your day. On your way out the door you grab your coffee mug and head out the door. But instead of the freshly landscaped lawn and lush tulips and annuals greeting your eyes when you open the door. You are met with terror and calamity as the outside world you know totally has went far South between you lying down last night and stepping foot outside your front doorstep.

You want to go out of your home, but the picture to the left is what meets you...a Sink Hole HUNDREDS of feet Wide and who knows how many Feet or MILES deep!!! What Horror would fill your heart, what thoughts, what actions, what plans of survival would be rushing through your mind as come face to face with danger and possibly your demise?

While I wish that this revelation was mine to truly communicate, I have to give recognition to one of the authors that I have grown to love, Mr. Gordon MacDonald who brought this reality to the forefront in his book, Ordering Your Private World. MacDonald does an AWESOME job detailing the effects of sinkholes in our daily lives.

It was such an inspiration that I had to share my thoughts with you. MacDonald tells the story of the Floridian Sinkhole that happened some years ago. Sink Holes happen when the underground currents of water dry up during seasons of drought and the surface above caves in due to the lack of it's underground support, instantly swallowing up homes, cars, buildings, and people. He tells the reader that this sinkhole can be related to the caving in of our "outer-world" because there was no spiritual depth to keep the pressures of this life from causing a cave in, a break down, or a sink hole.

I thought it was so interesting to read and understand that so many of us have build great exteriors of our lives. We've gotten a certain level of success, recognition, applause, accomplishments, and awards...but many times we receive the reward but inwardly we cannot appreciate and accept what has happened because our "inner world" is disorganized and many times compromised.

We've seen it over the past few years, preachers, politicians, musicians, business leaders, and the like experiencing abyss like craters in their ministries, careers, marriages, businesses, and finances. This is all due to a neglect of the inner world (thoughts, will, imagination, emotions, spirit, and intellect). They are what i call a Public Success but a private failure.

Their private lives have no substance, no depth, and little meaning. Most of their efforts are external and focused on acquiring the recognition that they forsake the TRUE meaning of success...Wholeness in EVERY Area of life...Spiritual..AND Physical.

MacDonald tells us that our spiritual life is one that sustains the strength and foundation of our physical lives and all that we build on the surface of our lives. So today...I encourage you to do 2 things:
#1. Go Get This Book
#2. Think about how much time you are spending building things on the surface, but if truth be told some of us are just one degree away from experiencing a sinkhole in which EVERYTHING you thought was strong caves in and is lost for ever...

Take about 15 Minutes today to attend to and strengthen your inner man through prayer, reading The Bible, journaling, or just simply visiting your future through your imagination. Whatever you do, make sure you take time out for yourself...You Need it..and DESERVE it!

Love Ya'll....Keep Running!

TS

Hebrews 11:3

Romans 12:1-2

1 Corinthians 2:9-11

Questions EVERY Dreamer Should ask Themselves!

What are your dreams? I am seriously curious as to what they really are? I want you to really think about it. Are you staying true to those dreams? Or have you placed them on the back burner of your mind and postponed them for some time in the future?

Many people pawn off their success and the fulfillment of their dreams on the boss giving a raise, people in their circle applauding their every decision, and some strangers coming by to drop that million dollar check in their hands.

This would all be so much easier than actually working for it, and sacrificing for it, and building a story that will bless people. You see, 100% of my personal success depends on my effort! My thoughts tonight are rather to the point....they are actually Questions, and I really want you to SERIOUSLY ask yourself these questions!!

What have you done with your dreams?
Where are they? Why haven't you lived in them yet?
Who is stopping you?
Why are you letting your past write the script for your future?
Why do you let others talk you out of what you believe God told you?
Why do you need their acceptance anyway? When did it become so difficult for you to dream?
When did it become too hard?
Why did your dream house get scaled back in size?
Why did you diminish why type of car you wanted to drive?
Why did you say you only want 2 kids instead of 5?
Why did you stop singing?
Why did you stop acting?
Why did you stop PUSHING?
Why did you stop swimming Against the current?
When did you become such a conformist?
Why Did you cower back and not say anything?
Why did you fail to prepare yourself for the opportunity?
Why haven't you written your Business plan?
Why haven't you written down your vision?
Why haven't you wrote that book?
Why haven't you lost that weight?
Why haven't you forgiven them?
Why haven't you forsaken your own way of doing things?
Why haven't you finished that book?
Why Haven't you cleaned that garage?
Why didn't you start that 501C3?
How did you feel when they said no?
How did you let your grip slip?
How did the pressures of this world, cloud out your pursuit for your dreams?
How would it feel to have ALL of your Bills Paid at the BEGINNING of The Year?
How would it feel to be applauded for your input & contribution?
Did you know that people are waiting on You?
Did you know that EVERY decision you make effects SOMEONE..SOME WHERE?!
Did you know that your idea is VALUABLE?
Did you know that you have an edge and perspective that NO ONE else has?

You are Unique! You are intelligent! You are successful! You are Valuable! You are Beautiful! You are NEEDED! You Are Worthy! You are an asset! You make my day! You are truly amazing! You Can DO THIS! If anyone else cant do it..YOU Can because you have IT!

Today...Understand your worth...Ask yourself these questions...and be truthful! We all have areas in our lives where we need a lil' encouragement, a little PUSH, and someone to tell us...YOU ARE the BOMB dot COM!

Keep Running!
TS

You Can Count on God's Integrity!!

Wow....It seems like FOREVER since I've been with you all! Its only been 3 Days!

SO Much has transpired over the past few days of my life! There is so much to share that I want to just encourage everyone to stay tuned to The Blog. I may release some things.

For those of you who know about our journey out to California, it was a TOTAL leap of faith and extreme obedience on our parts. We sold our home, resigned from positions, went through a process that stripped me of everything I had confidence in. I lost some things along the way, things that were necessary to be lost, I found some things, Things that were desperately needed to be found...but overall it has been a Great run!

We were faced with a decision over the past week and it was probably another one of the hardest "tests" that I had to endure, but it was one of the most peaceful! Walking with God, and walking in FAITH on this journey brings strength and wisdom. So on the onslaught of the decision, instead of fear...we worshiped, instead of worry...we confessed...instead of crying...we REJOICED!!! Knowing, that if God Said It...He WILL Perform it! I had to actually take my own advice and TRUST God No Matter what it looked like, no matter what it felt like, no matter what it sounded like, and no matter what anyone else said! It was hard, but we obeyed God once again and it PROVED to be the right decision as God's TREMENDOUS Blessings poured out on us!

God is awesome. I cannot tell you how Faithful God has been to us through our journey! Like I said there is SO much to share and SO much to tell. I will be putting it all in the book, Running After Destiny. Here in the next few days you will be given the opportunity to subscribe to an "EXCLUSIVE" email list for this blog and be the FIRST to know when the release of the book is. You as faithful readers and supporters of this blog are well worth me investing into! You have supported me and this work for a couple months now, and the reviews, encouragements, and testimonies we've been getting have been PHENOMENAL to say the least! So, Thank You! You are truly appreciated!

SO What piece of advice could I give to you as my fellow Runners? I give this to you... If God Said it...He's GONNA DO it!

Now I know that sounds a little cliche, but I'm serious...God's Integrity is IMPECCABLE!!What God Said He is Going to do...or has already DONE for us..Take Him at His Word! This week I really spent time getting to know The Bible. I began memorizing verses and not just for the sake of adding verses to my memory, but for the sake of having something to SAY when the devil came with his stupid accusations and temptations. One of the scriptures that I meditated on is one I believe that you can as well. its found in Romans 8:18, which says:

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us"

This Scripture was so Dynamic because it was a prophecy against the challenges that I had been facing. The main thing is that God was giving me confidence that what I'm GOING Through...Is What I'm GOING Through...not staying IN...SO I had to take this scripture and tell my circumstances...you're NOT WORTHY to be compared to THE Glory that will be revealed in Me and my family!

I don't know about you all...but I'm GOING ALL THE WAY! ALL the way to the place where God has already predestined me to be!!! And today I just want to encourage you..it may not look like it will happen, it may look a little bleak, and dark, and cloudy, but understand this...there is a place that only YOU can fill...It was reserved for you...no one else can occupy YOUR place(unless your forfeit and quit)...So If God Said it...He's Gonna DO it...BELIEVE HIM!

God is amazing you all...Just trust Him...know that He has the FINAL Word about EVERYTHING going on in your life...He's NOT done with you, He's very well taking you on the path that HE's prepared for you!

Keep Running!

TS

Philippians 1:6

Isaiah 55:11

Jumping to Conclusions!

Have you ever had a situation where you judged a situation prematurely and JUMPED to Conclusions?

I know I have PLENTY of times. As a matter of fact I did, JUST Yesterday! In the whirlwind of circumstances it’s very important that we STOP, BREATHE, and Consult Wisdom! But not many of us naturally think like that…It’s almost like in those times there is such a haste to take things into your own hands, that you’re like a bull in a china shop, that no one can tell you anything! ANY major decision that is founded in haste will backfire horribly and in turn hurt many people, including you.

The anxiety of sharp decision making that we are sometimes driven to make are normally founded in FEAR and not TRUST! All to find out that the situation could’ve been handled in a more peaceful way! Why did this happen? It’s because you didn’t get ALL of the facts, rushed into a decision, and as a result offended and possibly hurt someone else.

It’s a shame that many times we end up doing THE SAME things to others that we have experienced ourselves, and it’s just a red flag that maybe we weren't as "perfect" as we thought in the first place! In times like these we need to consult wisdom to see what we need to do about the matter instead of hastily taking things into our own hands, making erratic decisions, and possibly losing the confidence of a partner, employee, boss, family member, or friend.

So I learned a HUGE lesson yesterday! It was a hard lesson… but I accepted the rebuke and made a heart change and turned in the opposite direction. So today, although it wasn’t filled with examples, and stories, I challenge you to get wisdom and understanding before you make a decision. It is VITAL that we get ALL of the facts and firsthand knowledge so that we are able to make sound decisions that will benefit our lives and the lives of those around us!

Run HARDER!!!!!!!

TS

Proverbs 4:7

Proverbs 8:11

Proverbs 9:8

VIDEO BLOGS COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARNING: Comfort Zone Ahead!

When you see a warning sign or a hazard sign like the one to your left..... what's the FIRST thing you think about? When I see one many things go through my mind!

For instance, If I see one while driving I start to think that ahead there may be Danger, Death, Destruction, Disaster, Derailment, Devastation, and "AHHH DON'T DO IT!"

In driving, warning signs are placed up and down the road where we are driving to ensure that the driver is aware that that up ahead there is a sharp turn, or a dip in the road, or a Dead end. They are necessary to get the drivers attention so that driver and their passengers get to their destination in one piece safely!

Much like the roads that we travel up and down day after day, month after month, and year after year, we all have inward warning signs that will give us these same types of red light/flags that warn us from the impending danger. Its up to the driver if he/she will adhere to the warning sign or drive any way he/she wants to...and in turn crash, burn, and in a way, fulfill the "prophecy" that this warning sign gave a few miles back. We have to be careful of the warning signs.

We understand the danger of warning signs that we can see, but what about the one's that we don't quickly recognize? You know... its those signs that you "didn't see" when the cop stops you and writes you a ticket..mhhmmm those! And sometimes signs are merely blocked by shrubbery! So its not that it wasn't there but it's the FACT that you ignored it, or were so distracted that you didn't SEE It!

Many signs tell you about the Work Zone ahead, or a testing zone ahead, but one of the MOST Dangerous signs to look out for on this road to destiny is The COMFORT ZONE!

Comfort is on Success' Most Wanted List because it robs you of the courage, willingness, and confidence it takes to step out and be successful! Lets Be REAL this morning, okay....Success takes risks! It goes against the grain because while everyone is going one way, a successful mind sticks out and goes it the opposite way. A Youth Minister of mine, years ago, told me something that I've lived by since the day I HEARD it. He said to us one Thursday Night,

"If you want to be successsful, look at what everyone else is doing...and do the EXACT Opposite"

So I began practicing that at my job at that time. Everyone was coming in late, taking long lunches, and leaving early or on time. What I began to do is get there early, skip lunch, and workOVERtime...Success was the result. But it took me getting out of my COMFORT ZONE to yield the results of monetary success, respect, and responsibility!

All of us want to be successful in various things. There are A LOT of people around the GLOBE who read this blog and I cant tell you what measure of your success you desire, but I'm sure that it deals with a life that is far above mediocre and mundane. There are HUNDREDS of you that want to be a great Father, Teacher, Mother, Sibling, Aunt, Business person, Christian, Boss, Manager, Employee, Pastor, Writer, Minister, and ____________(you fill in the blank). But we will NEVER reach our destination safely if we IGNORE THE COMFORT ZONE WARNING SIGN!

Comfort is a DANGEROUS place when it comes to this journey towards your Destiny!!! You have to get uncomfortable!!! The old saying says "No Pain..no Gain" and it is SO true because without an exertion of conscious, physical, spiritual, and mental effort, your life remains in the mediocre state of existence that goes unnoticed...You Show me a Gold Medalist, or a top CEO, or an UBERLY Successful person who stayed in their comfort zone and rose to the Top and STAYED there...cant find many...or ANY for that matter....

My Point is that, maybe your goal isnt to be a world leader, or a top exec, or a business owner. Maybe its just to live your life "Unafraid" like my wife would say. Well, you will never rise from obscurity without you getting out of the comfort of the huddle and get on the playing fields of life and GET ON to Greatness!

So as you're sitting there today..invest 5 minutes into YOURSELF and ask yourself...Where am I TOO comfortable concerning my goals...identify them...and DO Something INTENTIONALLY today to get just a step closer to the fulfillment of your DESTINY!

I know ya'll have been running...but RUN HARDER this week!

Love ya!

TS

Hebrews 13:5-6

Proverbs 6:6-9

Proverbs 20:4

The Missing Ingredients to Your Success

One of the things in my life that I wouldn't trade FOR ANYTHING is hearing The Voice of God.

Most people cannot live without their Blackberries, their Iphones, their coffee, their boo, or favorite pass time...but I can honestly say that the ability of hearing the voice of God is one of the single most valuable asset I own. Ive been preaching The Word for about 9 years now..and I can tell you that Hearing His voice is what makes the difference in EVERY one of my messages...but not only in the pulpit..in Business deals, in relationship choices, in major life choices..His voice is the determining factor of my peace in every situation.

But along with hearing the voice of God comes GREAT responsibility because just as clear as I have heard Him... I MUST obey Him just as rapidly. One of the most valuable lessons He taught me years ago is that a person has to have 3 vital ingredients in order to fulfill His call for their lives. These ingredients are to:

1. Listen and Hear Clearly
2. To OBEY Swiftly
3. Submit Uncompromisingly

We talked about Hearing God yesterday, so we'll deal with # 2 & 3 today because they go hand in hand.

While some people recognize and can hear the voice of God...Many don't OBEY The Voice for various reasons. One of the highest reasons is that normally what God tells us to do is contrary to what we WANT to do, or FEEL Like Doing because it challenges our comfort zone for example... Forgiveness....

If we ALL be BRUTALLY honest with ourselves, forgiveness doesn't really feel good. We want the offender to PAY the FULL penalty for their wrong doing, we want them to suffer the same way we did, and get the revenge that is do to them, and WE want to do it...or sit in eye's view while they get their "payback"...but this is NOT forgiveness...

Forgiveness deals with YOU releasing that person both physically, emotionally, and MENTALLY from the "payback" you feel is due to them. It deals with you not having ill feelings towards them when you see them, hear their name, hear their voice, or see their feed on Facebook or Twitter!!! Forgiveness is HARD...but its something that we must extend if we ourselves will be forgiven by God! SO obeying God doesn't always FEEL GOOD...But it's NECESSARY to succeed in your life, and we have to obey SWIFTLY in this!

When we obey swiftly we position ourselves for the blessing far earlier than if we would wait, and postpone, and delay, and procrastinate, etc! I love it when I get fast service at the auto shop and the restaurant because it frees me to get along with my day. Same thing with obedience..the Faster we obey..The closer we get to the realization of our destiny!

When you obey Swiftly, you have the responsibility to submit uncompromisingly!! So, after I have heard God, Obeyed Him, I have to submit to His directives no matter what challenge, struggle, or opposition comes. His instructions to you may be to focus on being a better husband, father, mother, employee, boss, business owner, or leader. It sounds GREAT at first, and you are willing to obey...but are you STILL committed when the challenges come? THAT'S What Submitting Uncompromisingly encompasses..having the "stick-to-it-iveness" to see the end result of you hearing, and obeying God.

SO today I want to challenge you that after you have heard clearly to obey swiftly, and submit uncompromisingly so that you can get to your destination...Faster!

Until tomorrow...Run HARDER!

TS

J0b 36:11

Deuteronomy 11:13-14

Matthew 6:14

WARNING: Comfort Zone Ahead!

When you see a warning sign or a hazard sign like the one to your left..... what's the FIRST thing you think about? When I see one many things go through my mind!

For instance, If I see one while driving I start to think that ahead there may be Danger, Death, Destruction, Disaster, Derailment, Devastation, and "AHHH DON'T DO IT!"

In driving, warning signs are placed up and down the road where we are driving to ensure that the driver is aware that that up ahead there is a sharp turn, or a dip in the road, or a Dead end. They are necessary to get the drivers attention so that driver and their passengers get to their destination in one piece safely!

Much like the roads that we travel up and down day after day, month after month, and year after year, we all have inward warning signs that will give us these same types of red light/flags that warn us from the impending danger. Its up to the driver if he/she will adhere to the warning sign or drive any way he/she wants to...and in turn crash, burn, and in a way, fulfill the "prophecy" that this warning sign gave a few miles back. We have to be careful of the warning signs.

We understand the danger of warning signs that we can see, but what about the one's that we don't quickly recognize? You know... its those signs that you "didn't see" when the cop stops you and writes you a ticket..mhhmmm those! And sometimes signs are merely blocked by shrubbery! So its not that it wasn't there but it's the FACT that you ignored it, or were so distracted that you didn't SEE It!

Many signs tell you about the Work Zone ahead, or a testing zone ahead, but one of the MOST Dangerous signs to look out for on this road to destiny is The COMFORT ZONE!

Comfort is on Success' Most Wanted List because it robs you of the courage, willingness, and confidence it takes to step out and be successful! Lets Be REAL this morning, okay....Success takes risks! It goes against the grain because while everyone is going one way, a successful mind sticks out and goes it the opposite way. A Youth Minister of mine, years ago, told me something that I've lived by since the day I HEARD it. He said to us one Thursday Night,

"If you want to be successsful, look at what everyone else is doing...and do the EXACT Opposite"

So I began practicing that at my job at that time. Everyone was coming in late, taking long lunches, and leaving early or on time. What I began to do is get there early, skip lunch, and work OVERtime...Success was the result. But it took me getting out of my COMFORT ZONE to yield the results of monetary success, respect, and responsibility!

All of us want to be successful in various things. There are A LOT of people around the GLOBE who read this blog and I cant tell you what measure of your success you desire, but I'm sure that it deals with a life that is far above mediocre and mundane. There are HUNDREDS of you that want to be a great Father, Teacher, Mother, Sibling, Aunt, Business person, Christian, Boss, Manager, Employee, Pastor, Writer, Minister, and ____________(you fill in the blank). But we will NEVER reach our destination safely if we IGNORE THE COMFORT ZONE WARNING SIGN!

Comfort is a DANGEROUS place when it comes to this journey towards your Destiny!!! You have to get uncomfortable!!! The old saying says "No Pain..no Gain" and it is SO true because without an exertion of conscious, physical, spiritual, and mental effort, your life remains in the mediocre state of existence that goes unnoticed...You Show me a Gold Medalist, or a top CEO, or an UBERLY Successful person who stayed in their comfort zone and rose to the Top and STAYED there...cant find many...or ANY for that matter....

My Point is that, maybe your goal isnt to be a world leader, or a top exec, or a business owner. Maybe its just to live your life "Unafraid" like my wife would say. Well, you will never rise from obscurity without you getting out of the comfort of the huddle and get on the playing fields of life and GET ON to Greatness!

So as you're sitting there today..invest 5 minutes into YOURSELF and ask yourself...Where am I TOO comfortable concerning my goals...identify them...and DO Something INTENTIONALLY today to get just a step closer to the fulfillment of your DESTINY!

I know ya'll have been running...but RUN HARDER this week!

Love ya!

TS

Hebrews 13:5-6

Proverbs 6:6-9

Proverbs 20:4

Do You Hear what I Hear?

On this road to destiny it is imperative that we hear clearly! There are SO many occurrences that I have been through in my life that the ability of hearing God clearly allowed me to be successful in that endeavor. I can remember when I heard The Call to go to ORU...I had no money...all I had was FAITH...and God came through! When He told me to move back to Houston after graduating, it was Hearing Him Clearly that gave me the confidence that I was making the right decision. When I was called to move my family to California...Hearing God CRYSTAL Clear was VERY Vital...and He continues to prove Himself true! In all of our lives, whether you detect it or not, God is speaking, but the question is ARE YOU LISTENING?!?!

In all of these occurrences God taught me a vital lesson on experiencing His will for our lives. It was this lesson that I want to detail and we'll expound on it throughout the week. He taught me that if I wanted to experience HIS Success that He Predestined for me, it would be to the degree that I could:

1. Listen and Hear Clearly
2. Obey SWIFTLY
3. Submit Uncompromisingly

These Three abilities have carried me through some of the most uncertain, ridiculous, and "doesn't make sense" scenarios that I've experienced in my lifetime that turned out to be GREAT Victories. Today we will deal with #1: Listening and Hearing God.

The Summer Days of my pre-teenage years were filled with Fun in The Sun, the swimming pool, and video games!!! Every summer my siblings, cousins, and I would take turns in invading each other's homes for a week. One week it would be this aunt's house, then the next week it would be my house, then the next week it would be another aunt's house! It Seemed like we RULED the summer. But you see, when cousins get together its a lot of FUN...But there is also a tiny probability that someone is gonna get in trouble (just a little bit..lol...you Know its true!)

Well, one of us would ALWAYS get in trouble..and it was basically around the fact that we didn't LISTEN! Before Aunty or Mom left for work we would be given some expectations that they had of us called "chores"...We nodded our heads, said "yes ma'am, and acted like we understood...but deep down inside we would be thinking about the new video game that we rented from Blockbuster that we planned on playing ALL DAY! So much so that we missed specific instructions that she gave; we Heard but didn't listen!!!

SO they day goes on...and the clock strikes 4:30pm..and its ALMOST time for my mom or aunt to come home..So We RUSH to clean up everything in efforts to have the WHOLE HOUSE SPOTLESS by the time she walked through the door..and time and time again...We would pull it off! We were MIRACLE WORKERS!! (so we thought)

So she arrives home from work, but we're so focused on playing Street Fighter that ALL of our eyes were PLASTERED to the Screen and our thumbs flying at 150MPH that we don't hear that she arrived and had been calling us for 10 minutes STRAIGHT! We hear a faint sound at the door...and all of a sudden, the door BURSTS open and we hear "Ya'll didn't hear me calling you, Why didn't ya'll take out the trash?!" Taken by surprise, our hearts beat out of our chest and we scramble to make it right...but..We STILL..Got In TROUBLE...

In our lives as we go through our day, it is imperative that we take time to HEAR CLEARLY what God is instructing us to do! Many people don't hear it because their mind and heart are in a different place where they cannot hear CLEARLY and are quick to question God when trouble arises! So many of us are focused on our OWN desires that do not line up with His call that we MISS What He's saying. We have to take time to HEAR and LISTEN to God because His specific instructions are tailor made for your success in life!

SO How DO I hear? You have to get into a quiet place where you totally focus your mind on Him without any distractions (A closet, vacant room, your car, etc). Open up the Bible and read a couple verses or chapters of a Psalm or a Proverb out loud (This puts you in the mind frame to hear from Him)..Then start thanking Him for all of the things and abilities you have (a job, business, wife, children, clothes, home, apartment, car, health, eyesight, mobility in your limbs, etc)! Then Just start telling Him how Great He is to you, and how Grateful you are to be lent His Breath in this day (this may go on for sometime when you really start opening up and realizing How GOOD He's been). After that, begin to give your heart to Him again, tell Him that you only want to do His Will, tell Him that you want your heart filled with His purpose and plan for your life (confession of sin/wrongdoing is usually involved as you submit your will to His.) And finally ask Him to speak to you CLEARLY in a way that YOU WILL KNOW it's Him...then get quiet..and listen...as His voice begins to rise in your heart...and you begin Hearing His voice...write down what He tells you..you'll be amazed at what you hear!!!!!!!!!!!

God's voice will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS line up with His Word(The Bible) and will bring glory to HIM! SO always be cognizant of everything God will say to you audibly...It will ALWAYS line up with what He's written!

Tomorrow we will talk about OBEYING SWIFTLY! You don't want to miss that!

So Keep Running...you're ALMOST THERE!

TS

John 10:4

Psalms 63:1

Psalm 27:8 This is a REALLY REALLY Good One!

The Missing Ingredients to Your Success

One of the things in my life that I wouldn't trade FOR ANYTHING is hearing The Voice of God.

Most people cannot live without their Blackberries, their Iphones, their coffee, their boo, or favorite pass time...but I can honestly say that the ability of hearing the voice of God is one of the single most valuable asset I own. Ive been preaching The Word for about 9 years now..and I can tell you that Hearing His voice is what makes the difference in EVERY one of my messages...but not only in the pulpit..in Business deals, in relationship choices, in major life choices..His voice is the determining factor of my peace in every situation.

But along with hearing the voice of God comes GREAT responsibility because just as clear as I have heard Him... I MUST obey Him just as rapidly. One of the most valuable lessons He taught me years ago is that a person has to have 3 vital ingredients in order to fulfill His call for their lives. These ingredients are to:

1. Listen and Hear Clearly
2. To OBEY Swiftly
3. Submit Uncompromisingly

We talked about Hearing God yesterday, so we'll deal with # 2 & 3 today because they go hand in hand.

While some people recognize and can hear the voice of God...Many don't OBEY The Voice for various reasons. One of the highest reasons is that normally what God tells us to do is contrary to what we WANT to do, or FEEL Like Doing because it challenges our comfort zone for example... Forgiveness....

If we ALL be BRUTALLY honest with ourselves, forgiveness doesn't really feel good. We want the offender to PAY the FULL penalty for their wrong doing, we want them to suffer the same way we did, and get the revenge that is do to them, and WE want to do it...or sit in eye's view while they get their "payback"...but this is NOT forgiveness...

Forgiveness deals with YOU releasing that person both physically, emotionally, and MENTALLY from the "payback" you feel is due to them. It deals with you not having ill feelings towards them when you see them, hear their name, hear their voice, or see their feed on Facebook or Twitter!!! Forgiveness is HARD...but its something that we must extend if we ourselves will be forgiven by God! SO obeying God doesn't always FEEL GOOD...But it's NECESSARY to succeed in your life, and we have to obey SWIFTLY in this!

When we obey swiftly we position ourselves for the blessing far earlier than if we would wait, and postpone, and delay, and procrastinate, etc! I love it when I get fast service at the auto shop and the restaurant because it frees me to get along with my day. Same thing with obedience..the Faster we obey..The closer we get to the realization of our destiny!

When you obey Swiftly, you have the responsibility to submit uncompromisingly!! So, after I have heard God, Obeyed Him, I have to submit to His directives no matter what challenge, struggle, or opposition comes. His instructions to you may be to focus on being a better husband, father, mother, employee, boss, business owner, or leader. It sounds GREAT at first, and you are willing to obey...but are you STILL committed when the challenges come? THAT'S What Submitting Uncompromisingly encompasses..having the "stick-to-it-iveness" to see the end result of you hearing, and obeying God.

SO today I want to challenge you that after you have heard clearly to obey swiftly, and submit uncompromisingly so that you can get to your destination...Faster!

Until tomorrow...Run HARDER!

TS

J0b 36:11

Deuteronomy 11:13-14

Matthew 6:14

You ALREADY Have What You're Looking For .....

Sometimes some of the most AVERAGE occurrences and experiences in life can teach us MAJOR lessons.

Back in my ORU Days, my friends and I would play a game called "Take it to The Cross". This Game was a COMPLETELY Random game that ANY of us could start at ANY Given moment. It's purpose was to see how creative we could be in tying EXTREMELY Random things back to The Cross of Calvary( I Know a REAL Preacher's Game....lol). It would be in these random moments of us hanging out in IHOP that someone would pick up a straw wrapper and say, "Hey, Take it to the cross!" And another would proceed in explaining how Jesus was the ULTIMATE Straw and the wrapper represented the earthly garments that Jesus put on in his descent from Heaven to Earth and How he had to ultimately lay it down so that He Could Draw ALL Men to Him (Cant get the contents out of the cup unless you first take off the wrapper)...So Little "smart" things like that helped us in sharpening our "Parable Skills" LOL...Good Times...

Something happened yesterday that reminded me of this game. So, I want to play this Game with you, but I wont take it to The Cross. It'll just be one of those things that get you thinking...You ready? Here we Go....

About a couple of weeks back Nova, TJ, our friend and I were at Panera Bread after church to grab some lunch. We were ALL CRAVING that Beautifully delicious Frontega Chicken Sandwich that MELTS in your mouth with every bite! It was like we could TASTE it ALL through Service. So we run inside and place our orders to go and we wait on it. We jumped in the Truck and about to SPEED back home so we could sink our teeth into the sandwich and satisfy this craving of ours!

Well, When everyone is settled in I put the key in the truck and turn the key...but something happened...The Truck wouldn't start...Immediately my mind went to the fact that my food was going to get cold and I didn't want to eat a microwaved Pannini! So I tried again...It didn't even CRANK! So my friend tells us, "Oh this happened a couple months back and I had to get a jump". In My head Im like "Okay Cool" So I ask.."Where are the cables" and she tells me one of the most Horrifying things that I have EVER Heard..."I took them out"...{o_O}

I Screamed in my head as I imagined my Fresh,Hot, Frontega Chicken growing Ice Sickles because it was Going to Be COLD by the time I ate it...We spent about 30 minutes asking random people for jumper cables and NO ONE had them. We even walked to a nearby AAA to ask for a jump and they couldn't help us! {WHAT ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!} We asked for another 10 Minutes until I finally decided to try and start the car again...and IT STARTED! {YES!} So off we Go!!! Back to House where Can FINALLY eat my Frontega CHicken....But this is not the end of the story...

You See...YESTERDAY as I was putting our luggage in the back of my SAME Friend's vehicle...I had to move some things around and as I was organizing, I opened up one of her side compartments and low and BEHOLD....JUMPER CABLES...Nicely Wrapped in their Case...UNTOUCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I was like WOW...I Ate a COLD Frontega and What I needed was RIGHT IN MY PRESENCE....But I Was So BLINDED by my desire to EAT, That I didn't think to check the trunk...

The lesson That I learned is simple and I hope that you caught it too...Many times we are so focused on a goal, a dream, a hope, a desire, that we overlook the ONE thing that will help in the fulfillment of that Desire...We go around Asking people, even go to places where they are SUPPOSED to help you, but we never realize that ALL The while...The Answer was WITH you... You may have to search a little bit, it might be covered by debris, and you may not find it immediately...BUT ITS THERE...it may be a Spark of Faith, Hope, Love, Trust, Forgiveness, discipline, giving of yourself, being honest with yourself, or submitting to a mentor..But that ONE thing you need is probably different from what I need....only YOU know what you are lacking...

So take the time today and EXAMINE your heart, Search it out to see what that ONE thing is so that you can get your JUMP and Get on to your destiny...

Until Monday Folks....KEEP RUNNING!
TS

Lamentations 3:40
1 Corinthians 11:31
2 Corinthians 13:5 (THIS IS A GOOD ONE!)

Get an ARIEL View

IN The Next few hours I will be boarding a plane to Houston, TX for my Dad's Funeral. THOUSANDS of things go through my head as I sit here on this living room floor, with my back leaning against the wall and my bags packed just a few feet from me to go do probably one of the hardest things that I've EVER Had to do in LIFE: Eulogize His Funeral...

While it is difficult, it is at the same time an honor to be able to stand and bring words of comfort to my family and friends at such a sensitive time in ALL of our lives. The sudden loss of a loved one can be taxing as you go through both good times and bad in your head, and because its so unexpected you cannot help but to get the feelings of "I wish I would've spent more time, or reached out, or returned that call..."

ALL of us face turmoil, trouble, turbulence, and trials in our lives. Regardless of our background, our creed or color, one thing that is COMMON to the human experience is difficulty. If we look at the current situation of The GLOBE; Debt Crisis, Gas Prices, Unemployment, UNDEREmployment, Crime increase, foreclosures, repossessions, divorces, Wars, riots, terrorism, hunger, slavery, human trafficking, Drugs....All of these DIFFICULTIES are common to our world that we live in, and NO ONE is exempt....But through all of that I can only tell you one thing that has helped me overcome the tragedies of life...That one thing is "Perspective"

The perspective of an individual is ABSOLUTELY Key in all facets of life. You can have two different people in the SAME situation and have a TOTALLY Different outcome! It reminds me of the formula that was shared with me by Jack Canfield in the book, The Success Principles. Jack said that if we, when faced with difficulty, could change our reaction to a certain event, we would have different outcome. His Formula is simply This:

E(Event) + R(Reaction) = O(Outcome)

And this is so True! The outcomes of a bad situation can be TOTALLY controlled by our reaction to the event, but your reaction is COMPLETELY Predicated upon your PERSPECTIVE.

SO there are MANY Perspectives, but for time sake and length sake Ill put them into 3 Categories: The Chicken, The Goose, and The Eagle.

The Chicken:
A Chickens perspective is linear focused, they have their eyes on only what is in front of them, they have limited mobility, and are always the victim ((Ask Colonel Sanders))! Same is true in real life. When Faced with a difficulty like loosing your job, or a lifestyle status, do you mope and complain about it? Are you immediately stressed, Start worrying, and having your own pity party but masking it by texting everyone asking for prayer because "I don't know how I'm gonna make it..." If so...you Might have a chicken perspective...

The Goose:
The goose is opulent, graceful, and can fly at a certain level. They have a broader eyesight that is only contingent on their ability to raise themselves out of trouble to a higher altitude, but the problem is, is that they cant stay there..They eventually have to come down due to their webbed feet. Now, people with a Goose perspective can go through difficulty, and can actually LOOK like it's not phasing them, externally they are generally positive, but INWARDLY they are full of worry and anxiety because they KNOW "SOONER or Later...I Have to come down and deal with this issue.." These are the type that are Public Successes but Private Failures...

The Eagle's Perspective:
The Most Elegant, Strong, Agile, Wise, and Bold of the three is the Eagle. We ALL Know that the eagle is used in symbolizing excellence, achievement, and victory. The Eagle has the capacity to see further than a chicken, raise himself HIGHER than the Goose, But He is able to STAY there because He has been equipped innately with the tools he needed to succeed! His eyes see miles away, He not only flies... but LIVES altitudes HIGHER than Most birds. In any given situation the Eagle assess it against his strength, agility, and wing span with great confidence that He can RIDE ABOVE IT. Ones with the Eagle's perspective is a person who says "I Understand there was a recession, I understand that He/She has walked out on me, I understand that my health may have faded, I Understand that I may have lost the respect that I once had, but I KNOW That 'Greater is HE that is in ME, Than HE that is in the World'". You See, the eagle has an Ariel perspective that is envied by all other species...because with the same eyes that he sees adversity...He Sees VICTORY in the same frame!

YOU ARE AN EAGLE...SEE Like ONE, FLY LIKE ONE, and LIVE LIKE ONE....

Keep Running!
TS

I John 4:4
Ephesians 2:4-7
Luke 10:19

Are You GONNA QUIT...

Each of us has a CHOICE...to Keep Running or let the pressures of Life STOP us...

Any runner or personal trainer will tell you that if you stop for too long during a Marathon/ workout that your body will get cold and that you'll have much difficulty starting up again or even finishing at all.

The same is true with your Run towards that place in life where there is total and complete fulfillment: If you STOP...you run the Risk of:

1. Others Passing you up
2. Getting Too Comfortable to where your Comfort overrides your desire to finish
3. Letting the people on the sidelines applaud your "attempt" at Greatness
4. Regret filling your heart because you knew that you possessed the capacity to finish

The risk is far greater than the temporary discomfort you feel on the road to destiny. A Mentor of mine always says "Momentum is difficult to get, but VERY EASY to lose". And this is what you want to protect...Your MOMENTUM...

Without going into a physics lesson: Momentum is simply the product of mass times velocity.This means that the greater the mass of an object/action and the higher the speed indicates the MAGNITUDE of the IMPACT! This is why that marathoner, at the 22 mile mark, grabs the water from the sidelines, throws water in their face without breaking stride and keeps running, because they know that the AMOUNT of training they've put in and the distance they've ran so far, is not worth losing even though their body is racking with pain!

Momentum is VERY precious and can determine the level of success you experience. So in this short blog I want to encourage you to Keep Running through the discomfort, through the pain, through the problems, through the deadlines, Through the boss acting crazy, through the loneliness, through the anguish and even THROUGH SUCCESS...because at The FINISH Line..There is GREATER Reward, Recognition, and Promotion!

The Choice is YOURS...Are you Gonna Keep Running...or QUIT...

Love you ALL!
Keep Running!

THIS BIRD WAS CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Can remember a time where my family went to San Antonio for a family vacation back in the day. I used to love these times of fun in the sun as we embarked on visits to The Alamo, The Riverwalk, and Sea World. It was the HIGHLIGHT of my summer ((That and Watching The Sandlot 5MILLION Times.."FOR EV ER...FOR EV ER..lol)). My brother and sister would be as eager as I was to see Shamu jump up out of the water and splash the salty water all over us in the front row. ((This became disgusting over the nexty few years of my life when I realized that Shamu didn't GET OUT of the water to use the restroom...So Yea...Salt water wasn't cool anymore, needless to say)).

It was on one of these day trips that my family and I were getting ready to go somewhere, that we decided to go to Ihop or Dennys ((Cant remember which one)) for Breakfast. My Siblings and I were excited for a few reasons #1. We were going somewhere fun ((Alamo, Wax Museum, or Ripley's Believe it or Not)) #2. WE WERE EATING OUT!!! So we pull up to the restaurant and we're already behind schedule...So my mom, siblings, and I jump out to go ahead and get the table while my dad parks the car...

So while we're on our way to the front door..We notice the unusually Loud Chirp and scream from a Bird overhead...So we're looking around and notice that there is a FEROCIOUS, MOUTH FOAMING, Mocking Bird that begins swooping down toward us with missele-like speed...I Can See His Laser Focused RED GLEAMING EYES looking directly at me...I look in Fright as I make a BREAK like Usain BOLT toward the door of the restaurant. It seemed like I had run a MILE to catch the door, all the while this Pterodactyl-Bred Mocking Bird is Swooping down on my head trying to peck my brains out!

So I finally reach the door...I'm inside "Whew!" I try to catch my breath as I look out to see this MONSTROSITY of a BIRD Doing the same to some other people...So in my head..Im like "What is wrong with this Psychotically-Rabid Mocking Bird?" Im looking around and I notice when it's not trying to decapitate someone...it is flying over beside a fallen bird friend of his, and it registered to me.."Oh Wow...This Razor Toothed Bird is PROTECTING His Friend"...And get This...The OTHER Bird WASN'T EVEN A MOCKING BIRD!

I told you this story because I wanted to drive home the point that there may be some person out there that may not be your favorite "type of person" that may have fallen from grace, they may be hurt, they may be on the sidelines of life looking at your Run After Destiny and are HOPING, WISHING, and PRAYING that someone would take the time to tend to their wounds. And I have to tell you...These people DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU, THEY DON'T DRESS LIKE YOU or SMELL Like YOU, THEY DON'T LIVE WHERE YOU LIVE, THEY Might have Tattoos on Their Face, They Might have rings in their nose, eyebrow, or lip. These people may have a tight skirt on or Sagging down to their ANKLES. They MAY be of a DIFFERENT COLOR or ETHNIC Background...

While it would be So Easy for that Bird to say "Dude..you should've known better than that...Why didn't you use your wings" He/She didn't take that attitude...He/She said "In efforts to not have you hurt ANY Further...I May not be able to heal your wounds personally...But I can PROTECT YOU until we're able to get you to a place of STRENGTH!"

THAT, My friend is what I call Intercession...Standing in the GAP for someone until THEY ARE STRONG ENOUGH to handle it on their own again! I know we generally use the word intercession as a word for FIERY prayer...But I want to take it a little bit further...Intercession is YOU PHYSICALLY Standing in the GAP Between a person's Weakness and The STRENGTH of GOD whether that be spiritually or physically...When was the LAST time you stood in the GAP for a person who was wounded? Not Just in your prayer closet but out in PUBLIC..When Someone's behavior, ministry, character, integrity, family, job, health,etc is being slandered in your hearing that you SPEAK UP and DEFEND the Fact that THAT person is a soul that Jesus Died for TOO!!! REGARDLESS of their Mess up...Regardless of their mistakes...Regardless of What Their FALL is..REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY LOOK!

So, I never got to see what happened to that hurt bird that was on the ground...But I do know the other Mocking Bird did His/her part in PROTECTING the Healing process of another with SINCERE FIERY PASSION that got the attention of a young man and taught me a lesson in STANDING UP for those who are wounded, hurting, and cannot Stand on their own!

We have to get back to honoring ALL Men friends...and in turn...Honor will be reciprocated back to us!

So today..as you go through your day...Ask God how you can HONOR HIM through interceeding for and honoring someone else in desperate need!

Check out these stories on Honoring Those who have fallen:

1 Peter 2:7
Woman Caught in Adultery
Paul Struck Blind
The CLASSIC: The Good Samaritan

BELIEVE..No Matter How ROUGH it Gets!

If I was to chronicle all of the lessons that Ive learned in Running After My Destiny. I would have a List that would rival the Forbes 500, The Top Paid CEOs under 30, and your grocery list even. On this list would be the most imperative lessons that Ive learned. Among that list would be topics like Persistence, Patience, killing pride, the dark places, the phantom successes, Living In Joy and many others. But the SINGLE most effective and lasting lesson that Ive learned over the past 12 months has been BELIEVING GOD...No Matter How TOUGH It Looks...

Ive learned that in our Run After Destiny and in our pursuit of God's perfect will in our lives that God has got to be GREATER than Your circumstance. I've found that in my "humanity" of trying to provide for my family as a "man" that I let the Majesty of God dwindle In my life. Meaning that I exalted the problem over the Magnitude of God's Strength and Might and not visa versa. That had been my problem...I deduced God's Majestic Everlasting Eternal Power to match or even be smaller than my circumstances...

Since when Did God's Power get smaller than the Light Bill, Gas Bill, Car Note, Grocery Bill, IRS Bill, Hospital Bill, Sickness, or Disease??

The only way that you can rise in your believe is if you raise your awareness of who God is! He is the Same God that spoke us into existence, The Same God who Parted the Red Sea, the same God who provided the Manna, The same God who brought water from the rock, The same God who healed leprosy, The same God who healed lame, deaf, and blind, The same God who raised Jesus from the dead..The same God who brought Paul and Silas out of prison, The same God who delivers Us today!

God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask for or think according to The Power that works in us...The Power that is in us is Faith, The power of Belief, and the Power of TRUSTING God to do EXACTLY what He is capable of doing and being in your circumstance: The FAITHFUL Father who sees our needs a far off and in turn answers ALL that Call on Him with a pure heart!

So Today as you go through your day...Magnify God's GREATNESS over your Circumstance. How do you do that...GLAD YOU ASKED..((Now This is for those who are REALLY Serious about SEEING God MOVE MIGHTILY in your circumstance...Are you READY?...all you have to do is.....))

Cast your CARES Upon Him! LAY it ALL out to Him as you talk with Him today and end the prayer by saying...

"God...I Cant do this without you, so please reveal to me YOUR will in this situation and give me the POWER to obey you...Every ounce of FEAR that may be in my heart and life today that is hindering me from moving forward, I renounce and choose to walk away from. I surrender my WILL to yours and I ask you for your leading. Father I ask you to help my belief, Help me to realize how BIG you are, How MIGHTY you are, how COMPETENT you are, I choose not to stress over this anymore, I Trust you...In Jesus' Name"

Wait for God to pour in your heart and mind How GREAT He is and How He has already taken care of it...your part is to Trust, Rely, and Keep releasing your Faith to see the materialization of what God has already promised!

Believe God no matter how TOUGH this journey Gets, no matter what the devil tries to throw your way, no matter who is talking negatively against you...I Promise you there is strength, Health, and VICTORY in Continuing to Stand and BELIEVE God..no Matter How ROUGH it Gets!

Love ya!
Keep Running!
TS

Check these out:
I John 4:4
Mark 9:23-24
Ephesians 4:20

In Honor of My Father, Douglass Brandiburg...RIP

This morning...With tear stained eyes...I press through the key strokes..trying not to cry but the tears keep streaming...To know I only knew you for a while...breaks my heart, because forever thjere will be a firsthand experience mystery that I never got to experience..

I never got to know what your true passions were, nor your dreams, what your favorite food was...I never got to know YOU...The times I spent with you..you showed pride in me being your son, how I looked like you..How you called me your twin...I felt safe knowing that you cared so much for me...though you were never there...

I can remember when I went to your home in 02..a Connection was birthed that I had no idea I would encounter with you..I saw a glimpse into your faith..and how you loved the Lord as I glanced over your confessions you had on your walls. In my head I thought "Wow...He might be more serious about God than I ever thought.." We parted ways that summer..little did I know that the silence between us would even be greater...

9 whole years pass by...But there wasn't a week that I didnt pray for you nor a Month in those years that I didn't think about you because with every glimpse in the mirror I saw you...You were staring back at me..telling me I could be something..Telling me that I didn't have to fear..telling me that I could be a Great Father...a Great Husband..a strong Leader...you told me that you Loved me...though I hadn't heard it from your lips...But I imagined that it was you saying it as I spoke...I remember the day that I spoke with you and it was as if there was not a breach in time as we caught up and I could tell you all the wonderful things that had happened in my life and you got to share in the joy in knowing that I was a husband, and a father and following God with ALL of my heart...You assured me that you Loved me and I FELT the sincerity in your voice as you called me "your twin"...The sound of your voice was so comforting to me...

We kept in contact for a few weeks and then the number changed and I was met by silence again...But it was okay..The words you spoke to me on that day were enough...you sent me a picture through text wishing me a happy Easter..Cleverly with your hat tilted up a bit and a cigarette in the side of your mouth..lol...Written in the caption were those words that I Longed to know..."I Love You"...

I had a dream a few nights ago that you had died...So I prayed...I thought about you Yesterday...and I prayed..I thought about you TODAY...and I prayed..not knowing that today would be your last day on Earth..but THIS time...I Cried and I prayed...as the reality set in that I didnt have a chance to have you meet TJ...That He didn't get to meet his Grandpa...That yo didn't get to meet my beautiful bride Nova..That I didn't get to see you, embrace you, smell your beer/cigarette breath again lol...Truth of the matter is..though your weren't present in my life..your were So NEAR in my heart...

I Love you and honor you Dad...Always have...and ALWAYS WILL...

Imma Keep Running!
TS

YOUR Inspiration..Inspires ME to Keep Going....

Afternoon Folks,

I just wanted to take a break in the blogging to personally thank you for your support of Running After Destiny. This journey that we all are taking is not in the least bit EASY, but it's ABSOLUTELY Worth it!

Writing has always been a sporadic event in my life. I would start writing something and I would stop, I would start and then I would stop. It wasn't until I put out a Facebook Post saying that I was thinking about committing to blogging, and I got an OVERWHELMING Response from you all...SO I began writing again. Your response was the spark for my inspiration and encouragement. My first post was on June 27 as I detailed the reality of being Left Alone, and from THAT Point on..The responses that I received were once again, OVERWHELMING!

This sparked an enthusiasm about the blog as I began to see MANY people flow in and view the blog. It was interesting to see that so many people from around the country would chime in and read what God had laid upon my heart for that day. We hit 2 week of July and the views just kept pouring in from ALL over the GLOBE, Nigeria, The Congo, Brazil, Canada,Germany, The Ukraine, Jamaica (buck buck), Spain, and Indonesia, just to name a few! I was EXTREMELY Humbled as I saw that SOOOOO many people were viewing this work!

As the blog began to mature and get out there one of my good friends Tamala Huntley, a Marketing GENIUS and Ceo of Make Life Happen, came to my rescue and gave me some tips on how to clean up my blog and make it more visually appealing! She is the one that designed the header for this blog, and her wisdom has really allowed me to have a greater appreciation for this art!

As we approached the 1 Month anniversary of the blog we exceeded my goal of 1000 views in less than 30 days, with a WHOPPING 1,247 views in over 13 Countries!!!!!!!!!! We ended the month with a Solid 1,300+ views!

I began getting phone calls, Texts, DMs, and Instant Messages from COUNTLESS people. Some I knew, and some I didn't...but I say all of this to say..There were some days That I didn't have ANYTHING to say..but before I speak, write, or do ANYTHING I always Ask God to "Give me the tongue of the learned that I may know how to speak a word IN Season to him who is weary"(Isaiah 50:4) and He sure did! your responses and feedback have meant the WORLD to me.

I know some days I get a late start on the blogging...but I want to make sure that EVERYTHING you read on this page will Uplift, Inspire, challenge, motivate, Offer Advice, Heal, Mend, cause you to dream again, and allow you to REACH Your destiny! So I take TIME in getting into the right frame of mind and heart to give you what God has given me...

But I stretch and challenge myself to the next level of excellence to have a FRESH Blog Every Morning by 8am PST!

So THANK YOU for your support! It has been quite refreshing to hear your feedback and how you've been inspired! Your Inspiration Inspires Me to Keep Going! So Thank You, THANK YOU..A MILLION TIMES THANK YOU!

Feel Free when I post these blogs, If it inspired you in anyway to share them with your friends, make mention of them in on your social networks, email it to someone, leave a comment follow me on twitter (@Torrian_Scott). Please Help me get the Word out to as many people as possible. We want to impact the lives of over 1 Million people WORLD WIDE with this blog and The Running After Destiny brand.

Thank you once again! Until Monday Ya'll...Keep RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!

TS

Something Fresh!!!!!!

Nova, My Wife..The most beautiful woman IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE..and I have had an ARRAY of crazy experiences in our journey in life together. Some frustrating and some enjoyable. The frustrating points in our relationship come from those involving food... Me, I'm a "lets just eat" type person..but Nova...NO NOVA Has to be PARTICULAR and PETTY!

We'll be at a restaurant and it seems as she loves to interrogate the waiter about EVERYTHING on the menu...Me..I Know what I want...I have in mind what I want to eat and that's pretty much it..We Get in, we Get out..I'll take what you give me... point blank! Now..Don't get me wrong, I DO have a standard of excellence when it comes to food..but there is only so much you can expect from a Fast Food restaurant.

SO Back in the day we'd stop by a restaurant for lunch, like Wendy's or The Golden Krust, and it would be in THOSE TIMES that Nova will ask one the most frustrating questions I've ever heard (especially to a starving man..who hadn't ate since...breakfast). She'd Ask, "Are the Fries/Beef Patties FRESH?" In my head Im like "Oh Man, Here we go", because this question could possibly delay my food coming out and satisfying the GUT WRENCHING aches that are challenging my very existence on this Earth! My Eyes roll, I show quite a bit of disdain for this question, while Nova looks at me like "What's your problem I want something Fresh..I have every right to get what I paid for"...With MUCH attitude I say "whatever" as the cashier goes to the back and ensures that the food is indeed..."Fresh"...

Y'know we can learn a lot from my wife's standards ( I know I have!!) Many times we are faced with situations and life just throws us things!!! And as fast as its being thrown we, just as rapidly, accept whatever is given us! This shouldn't be the case!!! Much like my "Ill take whatever you give me" mentality when it comes to food, many of us have adopted that same mindset when it comes to our lives, our marriage, our government,our business, our ministry, our relationships, our degree, and the list could go on and on..But there comes a time where You must TAKE A STAND and say "I REQUIRE BETTER"!

My wife has a very strong will and only I can handle her...Its much like that with God..You MUST have strong Faith in order to manifest in your life what You require because He can handle it! There is NOTHING in this Earth that is too Hard to acquire! It may take time, effort, sweat, obedience, character building, sacrifice, distress, suffering, BUT IT IS ATTAINABLE! You just Have to get in the mindset much like my wife THAT I WANT SOMETHING FRESH!

You know there is nothing more disgusting that an Old Soft and Cold French Fry! But SO Many times we settle for it because we are in a HURRY to get somewhere! I want to tell you that some of the most enjoyable and fulfilling food experiences is when subscribed to my wife's requirements and I waited for that Hot....Fresh....Steaming meal as it came from the back! SO Glad I was patient!

Patience is ABSOLUTE if we are to enjoy the pleasures and experience God's BEST in this life! The Word teaches us that after we have DONE the WILL of God that we have Need of Patience. We are also to let Patience have its PERFECT WORK in us so that in the end we will be COMPLETE and LACKING NOTHING!! So the next Time you're faced with mediocre circumstances in your life..Make a Demand to REQUIRE Better, it may take a little patience on your part..But in The END You'll have the fulfillment that you waited on Something FRESH!!!!!

Im HUNGRY NOW....

Keep Running!
TS

Hebrews 10:36
James 1:4
Galatians 5:22-23

IT'S NOT WORTH IT!

I would love to tell you that Ive been a golden child all of my life and have never had to deal with dark places in my life. But the truth of the matter is that I've been faced with a host of temptations throughout my lifetime. Ones that I yielded to and ones that I didn't. The one's that I did yield to..I had the after effect and thought of "Why did I just do that? or You know better than that.."

It the worst feeling in the world to know that you could've possibly postponed, delayed, or forfeited something that was on its way for you all for a few moments of the enticements of the flesh. I can tell you that doesn't feel good.

The regret, the guilt, the shame, embarrassment, and fear of not knowing where you stand with God is quite frightening. So before you get in your car and go to work, before you take the kids to school, before you get your day going, I want to put a phrase in your mind that I want you to remember in the VERY CRUCIAL times of your day..I want you to say this outloud when you read this..You ready?...Okay.. "ITS NOT WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Seriously..Think about it...Its NOT worth it..I don't know what temptations you're facing or will today...or frequently for that matter..But you forfeiting the breakthrough that God has reserved for you is not worth losing it! What is it that you're tempted to do(rhetorical)?

Is it give into the pressures of pre-marital sex, getting drunk, high, hurting someone...or maybe its lying, cheating, stealing, or maybe its QUITTING on your Goals, cursing out that neighbor, coworker or boss, maybe its divorce, maybe its ANGER, maybe it's ROAD RAGE..could it be pornography...or robbing God to pay your bills...maybe it's being lazy and procrastinating, suicide, maybe its not clocking out on time to buy you more hours at work..Ask Yourself..WHAT IS IT?

Whatever it is IT DOESN'T HAVE POWER OVER YOU! You are stronger than the temptation! That's why it presents itself to you to see if you will yield or not...and in that moment you have a choice to accept the thought or reject the thought! So DON'T QUIT...DON'T GIVE IN...DON'T RELAX...PRESS, God will give you strength and ability to get the Victory in this one! You GOT THIS...Its Not WORTH IT!!!

You have a purpose, you have a destiny, you have a legacy to initiate and leave...DONT MISS a lifetime of blessings because of a few moments of emotions! Remember your STRENGTH is NOT IN YOUR FLESH..Its IN The Name of JESUS!

Luv Yall...FOR REAL!!!
Keep Running!

1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Corinthians 15:57
Romans 8:37
2 Peter 2:9

If you've been blessed in ANYway please let us know by joining us to the left, liking our page on Facebook(just click here), following me on twitter(@torrian_scott), or just simply leave a comment! MuchLuv-TS