Archive for April, 2008

One 4:8 Day At A Time!

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Just for today… 

  • Reduce all forms of whining and complaining. 

  • Use spare moments to dwell on the character of God. 

  • Refuse to nurse old wounds with your attention. 

  • Support and defend a victim of gossip or hearsay. 

  • Use your words to encourage your spouse and kids…a lot. 

  • Maintain your brain with healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise. 

Then wake up tomorrow morning, rinse and repeat!

Hope you will be tuning in to today’s TeleCoaching Conference Call!

 

 It is 2008, so think 4:8 and… 

Thanks for spreading the Word! 

Socially Acceptable Negativity?

Monday, April 21st, 2008

What was your experience like with The 8-Day Challenge?
 

As I’ve been reviewing feedback from nearly 6000 individuals that recently participated in The 8 Day Challenge, I have come across some common feedback that I thought would be of interest to you.
 

In one way or another, most participants developed a heightened awareness of the negative influences they encountered in their everyday life. Some commented on how pervasive negative thoughts, feelings, and conversations tended to be, especially in the midst of doing the challenge. Others, unsurprisingly, commented on how negative media coverage seemed to be. Many also noted that nasty gossip or “social cancer” was uncomfortably common and accepted. A significant number noticed, for the first time, how their children’s or spouse’s self-talk was so critical and self-defeating.
 

Lots of people reported the dramatic disconnect between their values on the one hand and the words and images that deluge their environment on the other hand. This was noted in the form of shallow conversations, chronic complainers, unwholesome songs, bill boards, talk radio programs, television shows and movies, and even youth sporting events.
 

Even though these observations seem bad, they are actually good. They represent awareness, and this awareness of 8:4 thinking, speaking and acting is the first step toward minimizing it in your household and in your life overall. If you did quite well over the 8 days, then this is great news. If you didn’t do so well, then there is enormous room for improvement…and this is still great news.
 

The more you focus on Philippians 4:8, the more alert you become to the people and circumstances that will lead you away from the peace and joy that God wants for all of us. Too many people are guided by what “most other people are doing.” Too many people are swept up in fads, trends, and the popular hype of the day. No matter how socially acceptable it is, don’t become one of them. Join the 4:8 crowd instead!
 

Think 4:8 during 2008!
 

The 8-Day Challenge has begun! Hope you’re one of about 6,000 4:8 thinkers taking part in this interesting experiment. If not, make it a priority to participate the next time we offer this.


The idea behind this challenge is to hyper-emphasize the good stuff in your life, both at home and at work, for eight consecutive days. Remember, every thought you think is shifting your life in a particular direction. Each thought leads either to the destination of faith or the destination of fear. Where are your thoughts leading you today?


 For more information about this challenge read my previous blog entry. (just scroll down)
 

Join the 4:8 movement…here are some ideas for consideration, just for today:
 

·         Today I practice prayer and forgiveness beyond the norm for me.
·         Today I give up all forms of whining.
·         Today I dwell on the nature and character of God.
·         Today I refuse to nurse an old wound.
·         Today I defend a victim of gossip.
·         Today I encourage my spouse and kids…a lot.
 

It’s 2008, think 4:8!

The 8 Day Challenge, Starting 4/08/2008

I invite you to join me for the first annual “4:8 Challenge” beginning when you wake up next Tuesday April 8th and continuing through bedtime on Tuesday April 15th. The challenge is to live in complete alignment with the 4:8 principle at all times (even on tax day) for eight straight days.

You Can Do It!

Do you think you could do it? Even though it is FREE, it may still sound like a pretty daunting challenge, but you probably already know the effort alone will produce enough rich rewards to make the attempt worthwhile. If you’ve already read The 4:8 Principle, you know this will be both enormously beneficial and also quite challenging. But as you know, it’s what you do after you read the book that counts the most. Are you ready for the challenge?

I’ll Coach You Through Each Day For 8 Days

To get you ready and supply a few final reminders and ground rules, I’ll send you the KICK-OFF email on April 7th. Then beginning on the morning of Tuesday April 8th, you will receive a short email prompt from me each morning, containing inspiration, encouragement and the 4:8 Challenge of the Day. Your objective will be to THINK, SPEAK, AND ACT all day long in a manner consistent with Philippians 4:8. The challenge will be to keep your mind as well as your mouth preoccupied with what is beautiful, excellent, true, just, and worthy of praise. Are you ready for the challenge?
I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE! click here


What You Can Expect During The Challenge

Throughout the 8-Day Challenge, you can expect to see the people and situations in your life differently because, as Thoreau wrote, “we find only the world we look for.” During this brief eight day period, you will be looking for, and consequently finding, fresh value in your relationships and circumstances and especially, new virtue within yourself. After all, it’s so easy to get consumed with your obstacles that you forget about your goals. It is so easy to entertain hostile thoughts about the future and end up missing the gift of the present. This is not for you! Are you ready for the challenge?

Here Are The 4 Ground Rules

Avoid any and all negative energy for eight days. During this 8-day challenge you’ll be asked to steer clear of specific thoughts, words and deeds that violate the 4:8 principle. You’ll also be encouraged to increase other thoughts, words, and behaviors that are in harmony with Philippians 4:8.

First, let’s identify some of what you should INCREASE during the challenge:
1. Prayer and forgiveness beyond the norm for you
2. Verbally encouraging your spouse, friends and family
3. Thinking and reviewing your goals
4. Smiling and laughing
5. Dwelling on the character of God
6. Reviewing your blessings, especially the little ones
7. Defending a victim of gossip
8. Predicting a positive outcome aloud
Can you think of anything else that should be increased?

Now, let’s pinpoint the most negative behaviors that you MUST temporarily SUSPEND during the challenge:

1. All forms of whining and complaining
2. Talking about fatigue, boredom or aches and pains
3. Gossip-based conversations
4. Condemning language of any kind
5. Exasperating body language or mannerisms
6. Criticism of spouse, kids, coworkers and even politicians
7. Worrisome thoughts or words
8. Nursing old wounds
Can you think of anything else that should be avoided?
I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE! click here


No worries - you can earn extra credit…and still pass!

Here’s some really good news. Even if you slip up a bit during the eight days, you can still earn extra credit and create a qualifying 4:8 day by completing The 4:8 Challenge of the Day. I always appreciated teachers that included this feature in their classes so I am extending it to you as well. The Challenge of the Day is a brief assignment that will refocus your attention on what is lovely, brilliant, positively exciting, and praiseworthy. The Challenge of the Day will be at the bottom of your daily 4:8 email prompt.

Go the extra mile…encourage four more!
Ever wish more people in your life practiced the 4:8 Principle? How would this improve your life? How would it improve their life? Well, here’s your chance! Ground rule number four requires that you invite four important people in your life to join you for the 8-day challenge. This is your opportunity to positively impact the important people in your life. You’ll find the 8 days is even more productive and fun when you’re experiencing it with your friends and family. You could involve your spouse, kids, parents, business partners, top clients, small group friends, accountability partner or mentor. Who will you invite to experience this challenge with you?

Will You Accept The Challenge And Experience The Thrill?
Since you’re still reading this invitation, I expect that you’re ready to go. Am I right? After all, what do you have to lose? It could even end up being the best eight days of your life. And if you don’t like living 4:8, you can always revert back after the 8-day challenge ends.


Here’s what you need to do to get started:

It is FREE and it only takes 48 seconds so click here to register and you will also instantly receive a FREE digital copy of our brand new, updated SMALL-GROUP LEADER’S GUIDE. That is all you have to do. Can you believe it? We’ll even keep track and let you know how many fellow 4:8 thinkers are participating with you. This is going to be fun and productive! Thanks for accepting the challenge.

Your Joy Blesses Others!

Coach
I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE! click here

Whatever you focus on grows in your own mind, right? This is true for an individual, a couple, a family, or an organization and yes, even our great country…

Take a moment to follow the link below and read the story.

The Media Driven Recession

Make you own headlines this year…and Think 4:8 in 2008

 

Coach