Welcome to the Truth@Life Blog Site by Curtis Songer


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There are 5 threads of thought in this blog site:
1. Church Stuff - things pertaining to the evangelical Christian Church of today
2. Leadership Corner - concepts on management & leadership
3. Two Becoming One - principles of marriage enrichment
4. Train Up a Child - principles of parenting
5. Personal Thoughts - my mental ramblings on how God is growing me

I highly recommend you find an entry on one of these topics that interests you and click on that label at the end of that entry. It will bring up all the entries on that particular category. And be sure to check out the great web site links in the lower right corner of this page - Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Leadership Principle of Victory and the Celebration

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang a song unto the Lord… Exodus 15:1 Winston Churchill once said, “What is our aim? I answer in one word: Victory – victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.” The three components of victory are: unity of vision, diversity of skills, and a leader dedicated to raising the next generation of leaders to their potential. Winston Churchill was such a man. But leaders also know the importance of celebrating and remembering their past victories. After escaping Egypt, Moses led the people of Israel in a song of celebration. The Lord had drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, ensuring that Israel would never again have to run from Pharaoh. Beyond basic survival, celebration should be the reward for victory. Is it time for the “team” you lead to have a celebration? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Goodness and Mercy

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalms 23:6 God’s goodness is His predisposition to show favor and His energy to bring about blessing. It’s not just a static characteristic. God’s goodness actively flows from Him to us. But God’s mercy has a different tone. His standard is perfection and we fall short every day. Although we deserve punishment, God’s mercy means that we don’t get what we deserve. What a relief! Like David in the Psalms, we must pray for God’s goodness and mercy every day, counting on His goodness all day every day, even when we blow it and desperately need to experience God’s mercy again. God’s Spirit actually lives in each believer, so we are never alone. We have a Shepherd who guides us, protects us, and forgives us every day – that’s part of His daily goodness and mercy. If our spiritual eyes are open, we’ll notice God’s goodness and mercy all around us, and we’ll grasp his blessings with both hands. They’re there; we just need to see them. What are some evidences of God’s goodness and mercy in your life today? What are some things you should do to be more aware of God’s presence? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

The Leadership Principle of Buy-In: Moses Gains Credibility

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. Exodus 14:13 The approach of the Egyptian army terrified the Israelites, and they placed heavy pressure on Moses to handle the crisis. Moses didn’t panic, since He had seen the power of God’s handiwork. Instead, He exuded both poise and peace, winning for himself great credibility as a leader. Through one incident he became the nation’s “go to” leader. Note the following characteristics (from Exodus 14:13-22) that gained him this credibility: 1. He projected calm instead of craziness. 2. He projected confidence instead of cowardice. 3. He projected clarity instead of confusion. 4. He projected competence instead of clumsiness. You cannot lead if you do not have credibility. Do you have the credibility necessary in the eyes of the people you are called to lead? If not, which of these character qualities do you need to work on in your life to begin to have more credibility? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Put First Things First

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Don’t misunderstand Jesus message in this verse. He’s not telling you to focus exclusively on Him and not be concerned about anything else in your life. While that interpretation may be close to the truth – it’s off the mark – and those are the most dangerous kinds of interpretations. Jesus is telling us to pursue Him primarily. We still have to eat, sleep, raise our kids, pay our mortgages, and keep our cars running, but these things will flow far more easily if we make our relationship with Christ our first priority. Many of us try to manage our lives as if we’re trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together. All the pieces are there, but we are bewildered about where they go. We make attempt after attempt to make things work, but no matter how hard we try, all the pieces just don’t fit together. We’re frustrated and exhausted. There’s a better way. Jesus is saying, “Put Me in the center of your life, and then you’ll see how the pieces fit together.” We may think, “How can I add one more thing to my schedule. Seek Christ first – no way I have the time.” But if we take His advice, He promises to lead us, bless us, and give us more meaning than ever before. What does it mean to put Jesus first in your life? Will you take the risk? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Monday, January 30, 2012

Leading in the Wilderness & The Principle of Tangible Leadership

The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light… Exodus 13:21 God’s use of cloud and fire taught Israel to expect dynamic divine leadership. He provided more than just a set of rules (the 10 Commandments). When the pillar of cloud/fire halted, they were to stop. When it moved, they were to follow. God was using the principle of tangible leadership by providing leadership that could be seen. In a similar way, leadership today must be both definitive and dynamic. Whether you are a CEO or a stay-at-home parent, the people you lead need models and patterns they can observe and follow. They need an example. Do you provide a model, an example, that people can follow – or just a set of rules that people are expected to obey? Are you seen by the people you lead? Are you “out in front” leading them in a real and tangible way? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

What do You Trust In?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 In the Bible there are many names for God. These different names teach us that He is the Creator, that He sees everything all the time, that He promises He will provide, and that He is the sovereign Lord who rules over all. All these names reinforce our awe of God and reenergize our faith in Him through the good times and bad. We tend to trust in tangible things that are inherently strong, such as chariots and horses – or possessions and bank accounts. In fact, we often trust in our own abilities, our status, our parents’ money, our spouse’s reputation, or a hundred other things before we trust in God. It’s as if we try everything else and then realize, “Oh, I should have trusted God!” We have a tendency to trust in powerful things we can see instead of the God we cannot see. Those things have value, but they also have limitations. And they can vanish overnight. On the other hand, God’s infinite love and awesome power – represented and described by His names in Scripture – should make Him our first resort, not our last. What are some visible things in your life that are easy for you to trust in? What would it mean for God to become your first resort instead of your last resort for trust? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Equipping: God Used Aaron to Equip the Leader

Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go… Exodus 5:1 By sending ten plagues on the people of Egypt, God accomplished many objectives at once. Not only did He secure the release of the Hebrews, He also taught the Egyptians lessons about Him. Each plague spoke symbolically to the Egyptian people, establishing beyond a doubt that the God of Israel was THE God. And through the plagues God also taught Moses lessons on leadership. Because Moses resisted a return to Egypt when God called him at the burning bush, God allowed his brother, Aaron, to accompany him. God used Aaron to equip Moses during the plagues. During the first five plagues, Aaron used God’s staff while Moses watched. During the sixth plague, Aaron and Moses worked together to summon the plague of boils. During the last four plagues, Moses worked alone as Aaron watched. From then on, Moses took the lead in everything. How often does God use willing associates to prepare His chosen leaders for success? Is God similarly equipping you through the assistance of another? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Moses was a 360 Degree Leader

The Israelites then went and did what God had commanded Moses and Aaron. They did it all. Exodus 12:28 The story of Moses leading the people of Israel out of Egypt is a vivid illustration of a 360 degree leader. He had a position, growing up in Pharaoh’s palace, yet he gave it up to become a shepherd in the wilderness for forty years. He returned with no title or position, and had to convince Pharaoh to free his entire slave population. And he had to convince the Jews he was worth following. Moses had no experience or credibility with them. He had to depend on influencing through things other than position. Moses leaned on the following virtues: 1. His connection with God – His personal meeting with God at Mount Horeb. 2. His abilities and anointing – God confirmed his words with plagues and miracles. 3. His sacrifice – He left his earlier position in order to fulfill a difficult calling. 4. His wisdom – He knew what to do and where to go as he gave instructions. 5. His confidence – He had convictions about his task. 6. His humility – He was considered the most humble leader of his time. Do you rely more on your position or your virtues when leading (influencing) other? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Friday, January 27, 2012

Profiles in Leadership: Moses – The Unexpected Leader

Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3 What words come to mind when you think of great leaders? It is doubtful that “meek” appears at the top of your list. Yet that is the precise word that God chose to describe Moses. In Scripture He declares that, “the man Moses was very humble”. Moses had reasons to be humble. He certainly wasn’t a natural leader. Nothing in Scripture indicates that he attracted or led anyone in the first 80 years of his life. Although he was “learned in the ways of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds”, we have no record of any significant accomplishment during his first 40 years. So far as we know, his first attempt at exerting his influence to help the people resulted in the murder of an Egyptian and his flight from Egypt as a wanted criminal. The next 40 years Moses spent in exile in the desert of Midian, a time so uneventful that Scripture sums it up in three verses. You don’t have to be a natural to become a great leader; you simply need a heart for God and a teachable spirit. Most of the great leaders in Scripture were made, not born. Happily for us, God is still making them today. Could you be one of them? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

The Secret of Contentment

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Philippians 4:11-12 Many of us have some mixed up ideas about contentment. We think that if we can ever have this certain thing, our life will be better. Or if we can avoid that bad thing, then we’ll be really happy. And there may be nothing wrong with hoping to avoid a really bad tragedy – but that does not lead to true contentment. If we really thought about it, we’d realize that we know plenty of people that have this, or have successfully avoided that, but still aren’t any happier than we are. There must be a secret we haven’t discovered. There is – and Paul tells us about it in the Scripture above. Paul had learned the secret of contentment. He realized that possessions, fame, beauty, and other earthly things can be pleasant for a while, but they can never produce genuine contentment. That comes from the inside. We experience true contentment when external things lose their grip on our hearts and don’t matter much anymore. Happiness isn’t having what you want, it’s wanting what you have. Jealousy, envy, and greed suck the life – and sense of contentment – out of us. Replace those joy killers with gratitude for what you have, and watch your “joy factor” soar! What are some steps you need to take to learn the secret of true contentment? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Leader’s Clear Communication

Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13 Without the ability to communicate, a leader travels alone. No one will follow you without a clear understanding of your vision. And no one will catch your vision unless you first transfer a picture of it into his or her heart. A vision should paint a vivid picture of your goal or objective. It should give the hearer the feeling that they are there with you in the future. That’s what God did when he clearly explained to the Hebrew families how they could spare the lives of their firstborn sons. Are you painting a clear picture of your goals and objectives for those that you expect to follow? Has it captured their imagination and been firmly imprinted on their hearts? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Profiles in Leadership: Pharaoh – Attitude: My Way or the Highway

The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!” Exodus 10:27-28 The greatness of a nation does not automatically make its leader great. But in the Bible we see that Pharaoh seemed to think so. Not only did Pharaoh rule with absolute power, he also displayed absolute arrogance. He thought of himself as a god and demanded that others see him in the same way. How ironic that the wealth of that great nation, along with its power, came into Pharaoh’s possession through the hand of the Lord’s servant, Joseph. But as the years passed, when another servant of God (Moses) approached another man sitting on the throne of Egypt, an ugly confrontation erupted. Pharaoh revealed his arrogant character through his defiant response to Moses’ request that he let the people go into the wilderness to worship their God: “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go?” Pharaoh’s pride led to arrogance, and his arrogance to rigidity. In time, his heart became stone-cold and hard. It was “My way or the highway” in his mind. Of course, in the end the Israelites chose the highway and headed for the Promised Land, leaving Egypt with their pockets stuffed with Egyptian gold. And Pharaoh’s way led his army straight to the bottom of the sea. Does your leadership style ever reflect an attitude of arrogance? If so, what is your plan to change? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

One Nation Under God

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Psalm 33:12 Has there ever been a nation as blessed by God as the United States? Historians and pastors may argue about the intentions and beliefs of our founding fathers, but one thing is certain: God has blessed us with incredible wealth, freedom, and protection throughout our history. The question we must consider (if we want to continue to receive God’s blessing) is, what are we doing with it? Far too often, we enjoy the benefits of God’s blessings by spending them on today instead of investing them in the future. In biblical history, God blessed Israel so that they would be a blessing to the nations of the world. When Israel welcomed foreigners and supported the widows and orphans, God continued to shower them with riches and freedom. We can be sure of this: God always leads the rich to help the poor, directs the free to reach out to the oppressed, and empowers the wise to give hope to those who are confused. We have phenomenal riches in the country, riches that come from the hand of God. We need to recognize the source of all our blessings and commit ourselves to use every resource to make a difference for Christ’s sake. What are some blessings that we enjoy that other nations don’t? What are some specific ways you can invest your resources and freedoms to make a difference in others’ lives? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Moses: The Plagues & the Leadership Principle of Victory

You shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness”; but indeed, until now you would not hear! Exodus 7:16 Do you think that Moses enjoyed confronting Pharaoh with the plagues? While he obeyed God and warned Pharaoh of each coming judgment, he asked God to send them only to accomplish his goal. In the Bible passage we see no pride of arrogance in him. He certainly did not summon the plagues to draw attention to himself. Moses simply called down God’s judgment until Pharaoh broke and released the Hebrews. The Leadership Principle of Victory states that “leaders find a way for the team to win.” In this case, several plagues were required to convince Pharaoh to let God’s people go. And how can Moses’ attitude be described during those plagues? what enabled him to win the victory he sought? The passage reveals that, in this particular case, the following attributes were required for victory: Moses was patient, consistent, discerning, prayerful, tenacious, and credible. What challenge are you facing that requires your leadership to determine a way to win? What leadership characteristics will you need to demonstrate to be victorious? Does Moses’ example help point you in the right direction? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Monday, January 23, 2012

Leaders Make Sacrifices – Part 2 of 2

Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them … Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh. Exodus 7:6-7 Leadership demands constant sacrifice. We now continue our quick look at Moses' life showing how God molded him into an effective leader, willing to make the necessary sacrifice: 3. Moses was hungry for God. What does it take to make someone really hungry for God? It’s different for each of us. Some desire to know God from childhood. A personal tragedy may realign the priorities for others. And some may never turn to God. For Moses, it took four decades in the wilderness. A person can’t be staunchly self-reliant and hungry for God at the same time. 4. Moses was broken by God. God did not force Himself or His will on Moses. God waited for Moses to willingly come to Him. Once Moses turned to God, he could be broken. Brokenness involves two things: removing inappropriate pride and self-reliance and building healthy God reliance. God tamed Moses’ self-reliance and pride in the desert, but to create trust, He had to break the man’s fears. Moses dealt with three different kinds of fear in his encounter with God. First, were fears concerning himself – God responded by assuring Moses of his (Moses’) purpose. Second, he had fears concerning God – God responded by overwhelming Moses with His presence. Third, he had fears concerning others – God responded by demonstrating His power and commitment. Lastly, he had fears concerning his ability – God responded by providing him with an inner circle of supporters (see the previous blog: “Every Leader Needs an Inner Circle”). With his willfulness broken, his fears overcome, and his purpose reaffirmed, Moses finally placed himself in the capable hands of God. Life is filled with trade-offs – but you can trade up only if you have something to sacrifice. Moses had to sacrifice his status and his material possessions to get prepared for his life purpose. And then to fulfill it, again he had to sacrifice. The second time he relinquished the security and safety of obscurity in the desert to return to his boyhood home of Egypt (which he had fled as a wanted criminal – a murderer). If you desire to lead – if you hope to find and fulfill the purpose for which God created you – then you must have something to give. Keep growing and building your personal assets and hold lightly the things God gives you. And remember: you may need to sacrifice them at any time to answer His call on your life. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Leaders Make Sacrifices – Part 1 of 2

Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them … Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh. Exodus 7:6-7 Many leaders want to climb the corporate ladder, hoping that freedom and power wait at the top. They don’t realize that leadership really requires sacrifice. Leaders who want to rise must do more than make an occasional extraordinary effort. They have to give up their rights. That’s true of every leader, regardless of professional vocation or the personal arena (i.e., family life). Talk to any leader and you will find he has made repeated sacrifices. The higher that leader has climbed, the greater the sacrifices he usually has made. Effective leaders must sacrifice much that is good in order to dedicate themselves to what is best. Leadership demands constant sacrifice. It is an ongoing process, not a one-time payment. The circumstances may change from person to person, but the principle doesn’t: Leaders make sacrifices. What price are you willing to pay to become a more effective leader? Many leaders keep so busy pursuing their vision and rallying their people that they give it little thought. But leadership always requires sacrifice; no one achieves success without it. How was Moses able to give up so much and make such great sacrifices without growing bitter or resentful toward God? And what made him willing to return to Egypt as God’s servant after he had enjoyed the best that country had to offer? A quick look at Moses life shows how God molded him into an effective leader, willing to make the necessary sacrifice: 1. Moses was alone with God – for 40 years! Leaders in our day spend far too little time alone with God. Most seem continually on the go and rarely quiet themselves. If that description fits you, change your habits immediately. Set aside some time to be alone with God every day. Don’t force God to send you into the desert (for 40 years) to get your attention. 2. Moses was honest with God. By the time Moses met God at the burning bush, no trace remained of the cockiness that was prevalent in his previous life in Egypt. He knew his weakness. When God told Moses that he would bring the people out of Egypt, the humbled man replied, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Only as an older man, humble before God, could Moses be of great use to God. To be continued in tomorrow’s blogs… I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Every Leader Needs an “Inner Circle”

The Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. Exodus 7:1-2 Who wouldn’t tremble at receiving a mission like the one given Moses? He quaked at the daunting task before him, and so would we. Such a challenge would require every ounce of courage we could possibly muster. From the very beginning, Moses’ feeling of inadequacy prompted him to build an “inner circle” of close supporters. People he could trust and who had skills complimentary to his own. His brother Aaron quickly became a critical member of his team, and over time Moses assembled a unit that both shared his vision and complimented his weaknesses. Through the years Moses added to this inner circle, each time including individuals who possessed different gifts but the same vision as he. How about you? Who sits in your inner circle? Do they share your vision? Do they have complimentary gifts, useful where you need them most – or does that idea threaten you? Find yourself some Aarons, Jethros, and Joshuas, or you won’t be able to accomplish all that God has for you to accomplish. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Friday, January 20, 2012

Choosing Careers, Colleges, & Majors

Eighty percent of high-school and college-bound freshman have yet to choose a major. But they are still expected to pick schools, apply to and start degree programs without knowing where they want to end up. It is little wonder 50 percent of those who do declare a major, change majors - with many doing so two and three times during their college years. While it is difficult enough watching children struggle to find their life’s path, it can also be costly. With tuition averaging $13,833 a year at public universities (you can easily double that figure for private colleges and universities), indecisiveness can drain college savings accounts as students restart course sequences or transfer schools - losing credits in the process. Ultimately they risk extending their college days beyond the four years parents planned to finance. According to the College Board, five- and six-year students are not uncommon. Roughly 40 percent of those who start a four-year degree program still have not earned one after year six. With the trends getting worse, even universities are growing concerned. The longer students take to graduate, the fewer the slots there are for new students coming in. Some universities, like the University of Wisconsin, have instituted an ‘excess credit’ surcharge to encourage students to move on with their lives. The surcharge, which kicks in at 30 credits above the 135 normally needed to graduate, doubles a student’s tuition. And other schools are taking note. Most students tend to listen to other people's opinions of what they should do with their lives, rather than our own. They go to college with the intention of getting a job in the end that they can make a lot of money at, and hopefully having some fun in the process. They’re not thinking about the importance of being fulfilled in an occupation where they will spend the majority of their time for the next 45 years. Instead, people encourage them to be successful, to go for money, the status, the big car, the title. But when they get all that, we often find we’re not happy. Little do they realize that if they are fulfilled with their career, they will be passionate about their profession. If they are passionate about their profession, they will generally be good at what they do. And if they are good at what they do, they will be paid well and have job security. Changing majors not only drives up an education’s cost, it also drives down a student’s self-esteem. Encouraging children to think things through before choosing a school or program can help them avoid future frustration, academic let-down or feelings of failure. It is also key to helping them graduate in four years and move into their ‘real’ lives before they out-spend their college savings accounts. Ideally, you should pick a major before you pick a college and then select your college on the basis of those that have a strong program for your chosen major (among other factors). And to get into the best colleges you have to start courting them during your child’s junior (or even sophomore) year! Helping students identify those areas of study best suited for them in terms of their academic capabilities - but even more importantly - their interests, aptitude, and personality is critical. At Truth@Life, I have developed a series of assessments utilizing a student’s responses to questions regarding personal interests, temperaments, value systems, and academic history. These are matched to those majors where they are most likely to find success and satisfaction. Potential majors are linked to a broad range of associated career choices for further investigation. And the choices are much broader than most high school counselors would consider. So if your student needs some guidance before they pick a college, declare a major, switch majors, drive up their educational costs, or even worse – end up in a frustrating or unfulfilling career, I’d love to talk to you personally. Please check out http://truthatlife.com/ for more information or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

What am I Forgetting?

But we also exult in our tribulations. Romans 5:3 Gary Smalley tells a story about being in a Kansas City church where he had been leading a weekend conference. When the final session was over and he went to retrieve his bag to leave, but it was gone. You know how it feels when something like this happens? After the mad scramble to search and check and double-check to see if you might have laid it down somewhere, you feel that sharp, gnawing regret and anger. Why didn't I…? What was I thinking? Who wouldn't have known to…? On-site surveillance cameras recorded video of a tall kid in a striped shirt walking out the door with Gary's bag, but nobody knew who he was. There was no chance of finding it. Gone were Gary's laptop with all his lecture notes, as well as hard copies he had printed out to read on the plane to Chicago for his next seminar. Add to that the loss of a ruby ring and necklace he had bought for his wife to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Gary was nauseated. But then, the Holy Spirit convicted him. And Gary started thinking, Wait a minute, the Scriptures are clear: We're supposed to rejoice in our tribulations, "knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance" (Romans 5:3). The Lord tells me to "boast about my weaknesses” - even the weakness of being a little absent-minded, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Not immediately, but before the day was out, Gary had found his peace again . . . in the replenishing power of God's truth. Truly, the Scriptures have the power to realign our thinking with the heart of God, showing us how to act, respond and live - even in the pressure-packed, disappointing moments of life. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Leader’s Motivation: A Personal Vision

And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord, I was not known to them.” Exodus 6:2-3 God knew that Moses needed to be motivated if he were to pull off the task given to him. God rekindled his vision of freeing the people from slavery. God revealed Himself in a new way, giving Moses His personal name, Yahweh (v.2-3). He never did this with Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. God motivated Moses through a very personal vision. Leaders can indeed learn from each other, but when it comes to fulfilling a vision, we all need a personal encounter with God and a personal vision that matches who we are. Leaders need a vision that is: 1. Personal to who they are – it is owned by the leader. 2. Practical for when they live – it meets a relevant need. 3. Possible for what they have – it matches their gifts. 4. Parallel to who they are – it compliments their passion and personality. 5. Portable for where they go – it can move with them. 6. Powerful for how they live – it stretches them to accomplish more than they could on their own. 7. Profitable for what they do – it gets results. 8. Pleasurable for who they are – it brings fulfillment and satisfaction. 9. Purposeful for why they live – it fulfills their God-given mission. 10. Providential for where they are heading – it provides a God-sized destiny. How about you? Are you motivated by a personal vision that matches who you are? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Performance Review Time

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 When you know you are going to meet with your boss in a couple weeks for a performance review, how do you act? Most of us look at our list of responsibilities to be certain we get all our tasks accomplished, and we make sure we are pleasant to the people around us. The stakes can be pretty high. We may want a promotion or raise, or we may simply want to hear that we are doing a good job so that we can stay employed. We do whatever it takes so that the review is as positive as possible. In other words, the reality of the review makes a difference in our choices and behavior. The Bible tells us that we’ll be called into the Boss’ office one day for the ultimate performance review. We’ll stand before Jesus Christ to give an account of our choices as Christians. This is the only performance review by Christ we’ll ever experience. For that reason, we need to get ready now by aligning our lives with God’s purposes and his ways. I want that review to be a good experience for me. How about you? If Jesus’ review of your life happened today, what would He be pleased with, and what would He be unhappy about? How does the future reality of this review change how you will act today? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Career & Job Transitions

The average person will change careers 5 times in their life. It usually hits people for the first time around the age of 33. The feeling they have achieved most of what they wanted to in their career, and yet they feel depressed at the prospect of another 30 years doing the same job. So what should you do if you have decided it is time for a career change? It's very simple when you know what you want to do next, but for a lot of people it's not that clear. People know they are in the wrong job, but they don't know what they really want to do. An astonishing 80% of us end up in the wrong job. We finish school, and go through our twenties conforming to what other people want us to do. That's often a solid career with a professional qualification. But most people aren't maturing until their early twenties, and before that we tend to listen to other people's opinions of what we should do with our lives, rather than our own. Our idea is to go to college with the intention of getting a job in the end that we can make a lot of money at, and hopefully having some fun in the process. We’re not thinking about the importance of being fulfilled in an occupation where we will spend the majority of our time for the next 45 years. Instead people encourage us to be successful, to go for money, the status, the big car, the title, but when we get all that, we often find we’re not happy. At any point in our career we may decide that we want to find fulfillment instead. Sound like you? Then changing your career could be the best decision you ever make. For most people, a major career change is a very positive experience and nearly always a success story. If you can find a role that you love, the change will be totally invigorating. However, most people are scared to make the move because they are frightened of failure. People feel that they are 'giving everything up' if they leave a job they have worked at for years. On the contrary, those that make the change are astonished that the skills they have acquired move with them from job to job. But the unfortunate truth is that the current unemployment rate is 8.6%. The average time a person holds a job now is only 4.1 years. Consequently, The average person will change job 10 times in their lifetime. In fact, 25% of all employed people will change their jobs this year. Of the ones that don’t change this year, change is likely on the horizon, due to the turnover mentioned earlier and because 25% of all employed people are significantly dissatisfied with their job – the leading cause of poor performance and ultimate job loss. So the bottom line is that if you are not transitioning now, you likely will be soon – whether you plan to or not. What's important for you beforehand is to spend some time thinking about what you require from a job/career - in other words getting to know yourself better. Ask yourself questions like “if you were to be run over by a bus, what would you like to have done and to have left behind.” Talk to someone you trust about your plans and ask their advice. If possible, choose someone who has made a major career change – like myself. The typical life coach won't tell you what job you should be in or give you any answers. Instead, he will ask tough questions and challenge you about what you want out of life. At Truth@Life, I approach this a little differently. I’ll ask you the tough questions and challenge you about what you want out of life, but then use a proven process to guide you to specific answers. The process involves the use of 7 different assessment tools. I’ve used this process on myself, my own children, and dozens of other professionals. It works whether you are considering a possible transition, actively planning a transition, or currently in the middle of a transition (unemployed). Your satisfaction is guaranteed. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Keys to Successful Planning

The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Exodus 4:21 When Moses finally agreed to fulfill His divine assignment, he heard some unsettling news: God would harden Pharaoh’s heart. Moses had another major challenge on his hands. Not only did he have to convince everyone – including Pharaoh – to let him lead the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, but he had to plan the whole process. To mobilize his countrymen, he first had to organize them. That required shrewd planning. The plan would work, but not right away. Good leaders develop plans, but they also expect to make adjustments along the way. Rarely does any plan succeed without a bump or a glitch. The following “plan ahead” acronym has helped many leaders to think through their plans whenever a major challenge or opportunity approaches: P = Predetermine your course of action. L = Lay out your goals. A = Adjust your priorities. N = Notify key personnel. A = Allow time for acceptance. H = Head into action. E = Expect problems. A = Always point to your successes. D = Daily review your progress. Are you prepared to face the inevitable barriers to progress? Is there a major challenge or opportunity that requires you to “plan ahead” right now? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Leaders Who Make Excuses

Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11 Most of us can list excuses as to why we don’t lead effectively, just as Moses did. When God called him, he instantly thought of five reasons why he couldn’t lead. Do these same five reasons impact your leadership: 1. Who am I? Moses struggled with his identity. He didn’t feel qualified. He thought God had picked the wrong leader. God’s response: It doesn’t matter who you are, I am with you. 2. Who are you? Moses felt a lack of intimacy. He didn’t know God well enough to describe Him to the people and lacked convictions concerning his relationship with God. God’s response: I am ever powerful, ever present, and everything that you need. 3. What if they don’t listen? Moses felt intimidated. He worried about the people’s reaction to him. God’s response: When I am finished, they will listen. 4. I’ve never been a good speaker. Moses was concerned about his own inadequacies. Who would listen to him if he couldn’t even speak well? God’s response: I made you, including your mouth. 5. I know you can find someone else. Moses felt inferior. He compared himself to others – even his own brother – and decided that he (himself) came up short. God’s response: OK, I will surround you with people who will support you…but I am still calling you. If you think about it, many of these excuses (and God’s responses) may resonate in your own life or in the lives of other leaders you have known: You may feel inferior, you may lack faith in the relationships of authorities around you, you may worry about the response of those you are called to lead, you may fret about your own inadequacies, and/or you may compare yourself to others. But God’s responses remain the same. What’s your excuse for not appropriately leading? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

The Courage to be Honest

They said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4 Most of us spend our lives trying to project an image of beauty and competence. Certainly, we want others to think highly of us, but one of the things I respect most about people is their ruthless honesty – about themselves and their situations. Nehemiah was living the good life. He had a great job, working closely with the king, and living the life of luxury. However, his heart beat in unison with God’s heart. He cared about the things that God cares about. So when he heard the people in Jerusalem were suffering, his heart broke. He didn’t minimize the problem or fly into a panic of mindless activity. Instead, he let the brutal truth sink in and he responded appropriately: he sat down and wept. Nehemiah had a courageous conversation with the messenger and then he had a courageous conversation with God. Only courageous people are known for their honesty. It’s a lot easier to look the other way when we see needs in our lives or in the lives of people around us. We can give the excuse that we’ve tried as hard as we can or that we don’t have the time to help a person in need. But excuses don’t cut it. Like Nehemiah, we need to let the truth sink into our hearts so we can respond with genuine compassion. What are some needs in your own life or in the lives of those around you? How would being honest about those needs become a springboard for change? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

What God does When God Chooses a Leader

And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens. Exodus 2:11 Moses provides a wonderful case study on how God calls a leader out of a crowd to perform an assignment. Consider the following eight points: 1. God gives the leader an emotional investment in the work. Moses bought into the idea of freeing the Hebrews from bondage even before God called him to the task. 2. God affirms the leader through others. When Moses told Jethro about his encounter at the burning bush, his father-in-law affirmed him. 3. God gives the leader mentors. Moses asked for, and received help from Jethro, Aaron, and others. 4. God builds on the leader’s strengths, experiences, and background. God used everything in Moses’ background to help him fulfill his calling: the fine education he received in Egypt, his knowledge of Pharaoh, his understanding of Egypt, and his time in the wilderness. 5. God often refines the leader’s character in obscurity. Moses received a 40-year seminary education in the desert. 6. God instills in the leader the value of hard work. Moses may not have worked much in the Egyptian palace, but he learned its worth in the desert! 7. God sustains a leader with a powerful vision. Moses caught the vision of the Promised Land long before the Hebrew slaves did. 8. God brings others alongside the leader to compensate for their weaknesses. Moses enjoyed the help of Aaron as a spokesperson, Joshua as a general, and Hur as a battle supporter. Has God chosen you are a leader? If so, has He sustained you with a clear vision and a team of supporters and mentors? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Excellence in All You Do

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do. Ephesians 6:7-8 When you do more than you’re paid to do, you’ll soon be paid more for what you do. Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Few have excellence thrust upon them – they achieve it. They do not achieve it unwittingly by doing what comes naturally and they don’t stumble into it in the course of amusing themselves. All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Monday, January 9, 2012

Moses Leadership Evolved Over Time

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10 God prepared Moses to be His man to lead the Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage not in a day, but over a long period of time; not through an event, but with a process. Of course, others before Moses waited for years as well for God to fulfill His leadership development process. Consider the following examples: Noah waited 20 years before the predicted rains arrived. Abraham waited 25 years for the promised son. Joseph waited 14 years in prison, for a crime he did not commit, before he was released. Job waited an estimated 70 years for God’s justice. God prepares leaders in a crockpot, not a microwave. More important than the awaited goal is the work God does in us while we wait. Waiting deepens and matures us, levels our perspective, and broadens our understanding. Tests of time determine whether we can endure seasons of seemingly unfruitful preparation, and indicate whether we can recognize and seize opportunities that come our way. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Discover Your Strengths

And all the wise-hearted men among them that wrought the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim, the work of the skillful workman. Exodus 36:8 God has given each of us abilities that we can use to fulfill our God-given dreams. Certainly training is important, but we won’t get too far if we rely only on training. All of us know people who received lots of training, but they don’t have much competence for their jobs. They grind out work day-after-day, gritting their teeth until Friday afternoon and dread Monday mornings. Don’t focus on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths. When your work responsibilities fit your God-given abilities, you’re in the jet stream of accomplishment. You’re far more creative, more energetic, more relaxed, and more willing to help others who need a hand. Some of us have been caught in dead-end jobs for years, and we’ve lost hope of ever finding something that fulfills us. Certainly God can take us through valleys from time-to-time to teach us important lessons, but life need not be a perpetual valley. We cannot be passive. We need to take initiative to uncover out latent talents and use them all our hearts. It’s not optional. Someday we will stand before God to give an account of our time here on earth. On that day, He will ask us how we used the talents that he gave us. I want to hear Him say, “Well done – good and faithful servant.” What are the activities and responsibilities that rev your engine? What do you need to do to refine your career so that your job fits your God-given talents? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Profile in Leadership: Hebrew Midwives?

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives… and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. Exodus 1:15-17 Who changes the course of history? Kings? Generals? The wealthy? Sure – but more often than not, it’s men and women with no power and little social standing who most significantly reshape the world. When the king of Egypt grew worried about the exploding number of Hebrew slaves, he instructed the Hebrew midwives to murder all Hebrew male newborns. But these midwives feared God and refused to obey such a wicked command. Despite the king’s threats, they would not submit to his authority and continued to deliver healthy male children. Although they had no way of knowing it, their risky decision helped to spare the life of Moses, Israel’s future God-ordained deliverer. In civil disobedience, the midwives risked their lives to protect the children God had placed in their care. Their bravery prompted God to show them kindness by blessing the midwives with families of their own. No doubt their children and grandchildren took part in the great exodus from Egypt that they had enabled. At a strange juncture in history, these Hebrew midwives – politically powerless, socially despised, and economically disadvantaged – defied the ruler of Egypt to obey the God they feared. Their perilous choice to do the right thing protected the line of Abraham through which the Messiah would eventually come, thus fulfilling God’s plan not only for the Hebrews, but for all mankind. If you lead people, you can enable them to have real power to make a real difference – it’s your choice. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Resolve to be Clean

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15:3 As the New Year has begun, make a resolution to take on a higher level of personal holiness - to stand before others with a newly purified heart. Find an accountability partner and ask him/her to ask you on a regular basis “Are you clean?” Clean from impure thoughts, pornography, immorality, etc. It’s a good question to ask, don’t you think? Few of us like being presented with something that pries this hard - something so personal, something we might not be able to answer yes to. And be prepared, you may not get the answer you’re hoping for. Your partner, if they are truly being transparent, may tell you they are not “clean”. Or they may tell you they are and then circle back with you later to tell you that they lied. For most men, and for an increasing number of women, this is the reality of the world we live in today. Don’t judge these people, give them the grace to allow the Holy Spirit work in their lives and help them any way you can. Forgive them if they respond to the Holy Spirit with honesty and remorse. Talk with them, pray together, and lay out some accountability steps. It can change a life – theirs and yours. And it can free them from the whole demoralizing trap of phony sexual fulfillment. How about you? Are you clean? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Oppressive Leadership

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” Exodus 1:8-10 A new ruler came to power in Egypt who was not the great leader that the prior Pharaoh was. He had little in common with the confident ruler who led Egypt during Joseph’s day. While he was a man with great power, he had little character or wisdom. He was constantly worrying that others might usurp his power. He felt his security threatened and consequently sabotaged his own leadership. Many of us have seen this kind of leader in our own lives. Notice how he responded to the challenges he faced… When the Jewish population grew, he oppressed them instead of caring for them. When the Jewish babies were being born at a high rate, he commanded all the male babies to be killed instead of planning to equip them to be future leaders. When the Jews complained about their hard labor, he enslaved them and increased their work load instead of lightening their loads. And when racial conflict arose, he ruthlessly dominated them instead of building relationships with them. This “leader” was setting himself up for certain failure. Are you an insecure leader that oppresses and controls your people or are you confident enough to enable and develop them into future leaders as well? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

The Purpose of a Life Vision

Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:2-3 Some of us wander from one thing to another our whole lives. We’re capable of so much more, but we have never clarified our purpose in life. An out-of-focus purpose cannot inspire us, but a crystal-clear lens on God’s purpose for us rivets our attention and gives us energy to keep going until we reach our goals. We need to write our life vision down in clear, compelling language so that it grips our hearts. A clearly written vision statement frees us from confusion so that we can “run” instead of wander, stumble, or go backward. A clear vision overcomes inertia and produces the inspiration to run toward our goals. But the fulfillment of the vision is in His timing, not ours. Seldom does anyone move in a straight line from the conception of a dream to its fulfillment. Far more often, we experience ups and downs, delays and disappointments. These, though, won’t stop us if we keep our eyes on our purpose and on the One who has given it to us. Do you have a clear, compelling personal life vision statement? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Friday, January 6, 2012

Prayerful Thought for the Day

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 Prayer is the highest intelligence, the profoundest wisdom, & most powerful of all vocations. Nothing is too big to ask of Him. But it is God's business to decide if it is good for us. It is our business to obey Him. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Dream Big

We grow by dreams. All big men are big dreamers. Some of us let dreams die, but others nourish and protect them, nurse them through bad days, to the sunshine and light which always comes. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Joseph and The Law of Empowerment

Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. Genesis 45:9 When Joseph’s brothers realized that the one they had betrayed could now do with them whatever he pleased, they feared that payback time had arrived. Instead of retaliating, however, Joseph blessed them and empowered them to complete the task that had brought them to Egypt in the first place: to secure food for their families. Genesis 45 reveals the qualities that made Joseph such an empowering leader – a strong sense of Security, Identity, Empathy, Purpose, and Perspective: “There are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve posterity for you on the earth.” As a leader, do you empower others or command & control them? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out at… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Monday, January 2, 2012

Adversity Leads to Either Character or Compromise

Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:19-20 Joseph put his entire life in perspective in the final chapter of Genesis. During the height of a terrible famine, his brothers humbly come before him and bow down, just as he had predicted decades earlier. But instead of using his enormous power to punish them, he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” How does one develop such a godly and rare perspective? What enabled Joseph to refrain from exacting the kind of vengeance most of us would be tempted to dish out in similar circumstances? One word: character. Because Joseph had spent years in God’s character building course, he could maintain a proper perspective and use his power to bless his brothers rather than curse them. How a leader deals with the circumstances of life tells you many things about his character. Crisis doesn’t necessarily make character, but it certainly does reveal it. Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. Every time he chooses character, he becomes stronger, even if that choice brings with it negative consequences. The development of character is at the heart of our development as leaders. If you want God’s blessings and perspective on life, then be sure to consistently choose character over compromise in times of adversity. I’d love to talk to you. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out at… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Sunday, January 1, 2012

True Peace, Joy, Contentment, and Meaning in the New Year

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 3 John 1:3 My personal mission and calling in life is to bring greater peace, joy, contentment, and meaning to people such as yourself by helping to transform lives to become more as God intended them to be. As stated in my blog introduction, this site is dedicated to sharing the lessons God has taught me from 30 years’ experience in the business world of management consulting, as a husband, a father of 6, and in fulltime vocational ministry as an Executive Pastor, & Life Coach. For true peace, joy, contentment, and meaning a person must be willing to evaluate their life from an internal, external, and eternal perspective. Internally, you need to better understand yourself and how you are a unique blend of your natural personality, spiritual gifts, innate talents, specialized skills and knowledge, personal interests and passions, life experiences, and driving motivations. You have to be able to answer the following questions: Who am I really? How well do I know my strengths and weaknesses? Am I satisfied with my personal development or is there something I want to change? Is my desire to change a reasonable expectation – based on my unique design – is this change even possible for me to achieve? Externally, you need to better understand your world around you and the relationships that make it up. Relationships at home and at work define much of your external world. Are these relationships everything you want them to be or is there something you would like to see changed? If there is an opportunity to improve, you define and implement the changes you desire in your personal and professional relationships whether they be husband-wife, parent-child, manager-subordinate, or horizontally with co-workers. Eternally, everyone wants to believe they are here for a reason and that their life is making a difference, that they are leaving a legacy and making a lasting impact. Do you know what yours is? What is your unique God-given calling or purpose? Are you satisfied that when you’re gone, your life will have mattered and that the lives of those around you will have been eternally impacted? Are you satisfied with the progress you have made thus far in your life? For true fulfillment, you need to be able to identify your calling, assess the impact you are making, and develop a life mission and life plan for maximizing the impact you can have with the time remaining that God has allotted for you. I have helped people evaluate these perspectives of their life for over 20 years, but this is what I do now fulltime – it’s my calling and my passion. If I can assist you in any way, contact me at the email address below. Remember, your greater life fulfillment through personal, godly transformation is my personal life mission and singular desire. It doesn’t matter where you are located, I can work with you by email and phone or in person. So if you have an area of your life where you feel frustrated or are in need of making a change, contact me – I can and want to help. For more info check me out at... http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com