Active Waiting

Happy Resurrection Day!  The resurrection of Jesus 2000 years ago changed everything for everybody.  God promised it would happen and it did.

Recently I woke up at 4:15am with Isaiah 40:31 rehearsing itself in my mind.  Does that ever happen to you?  Just as you are coming out of a deep sleep maybe there’s a quote, a scripture or maybe a song that just won’t seem to leave you alone?  For me, on that morning, it was something Isaiah wrote: “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” 

Just prior to that, I had met a man who was at the end of his hope. 

Literally. 

As I recall, he had come to the church looking for help.  He was asking for a hand up, not a hand out.  He needed hope in the worst way.  Everything in his world was in total chaos and getting worse by the day.  He had hoped that there would be more work in his field of construction, but, at the time, jobs like that were scarce.  He had hoped that the relationship with his fiancé would be stronger, but it was falling apart and the pressures of not having enough money just seemed to make everything worse.  Worst of all, he had hoped that he could provide for his daughters, but times were tough and everything he tried seemed to fail.  He wasn’t just having a bad day.  He was in distress and needed something to grab onto.

More recently I had a call from someone I haven’t spoken to in at least seven years.  He explained that was waiting in the school carpool line to pick up his daughter and that he had been looking for a number in his phone when he came across my name.  He said he felt like he needed to hear a familiar voice.  As I listened, he described that he had been laid off several months ago from a high-level position and as of yet nothing of lasting significance was opening up.  He was afraid.  He cried.  I understood.  He needed hope.  

Most everyone I know has had a time in life when they’ve struggled for something solid to hold onto.  We’ve all had times when we’ve felt like what Peter must have felt as he went from walking on water to nearly drowning.  One minute he’s walking on water and I imagine him thinking, “Hey, I’m walking on water!”  Not really thinking that he’s a big deal, but more of the thought that he just did what Jesus called him to do and the next thing he knew was that he was walking on water.  Everything was working out until it wasn’t.  So long as he focused on Jesus everything worked out.  However, when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and he begin to sink.  As he sank, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

And Jesus did. 

He reached out his hand and pulled him out of the water and as he did, yelled one word to Peter over the sound of the storm.  In English it takes four words to translate.  But in Greek it’s only one word.  Jesus yelled “Oligospistos!”  Translated that means, “You of little faith!”  What Jesus said to a man who was just saved from certain death was to call him a name.  At first it seems strange, even uncaring.  But Jesus was teaching Peter.  He diagnosed the root of Peter’s problem as fear.  Next, Jesus asked Peter a question, “Why did you doubt?” 

It’s still a valid question.

And it’s really more a lesson to be learned than a question to be answered.

Some things are hard to believe, even if they are true.  Take God’s promises, for instance.  They can be hard to believe; either because they have not happened yet, or because they are unusual or seem extreme.  The resurrection was one of those things that was hard to believe, especially for those closest to Jesus.  While all of His disciples struggled with doubt, Thomas was the last of the Twelve to believe.  Jesus came to Thomas and said, “Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27b).  Believing that God CAN do something is very different from believing that he WILL.  The promise that God will renew your strength if you’ll wait on him can be hard to believe especially when you’re afraid, or panicked or terrified. 

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“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead…”

(Eph. 1:18, 19-20) 

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The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in everybody who believes.  When God exerts himself, dead things come back to life!  But I’ll say it again: Believing that God CAN do something powerful is very different from believing that he WILL. 

Let’s jump back to Isaiah’s words, “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.”

The word Isaiah that is translated “renew” literally means “to exchange” like changing into a new set of clothes.  Isaiah is talking about active waiting.  Whatever you are hoping in as a source for your hope, peace, or joy can be exchanged for hope in the Lord.  That promise is for everyone.  By hoping in the Lord, your weakness will give way to God’s strength.  To bring us perspective and hope Isaiah goes into great detail: God stretches out the heavens like a canopy…he brings out the stars when its time and calls each one by name an never misplaces even one of them…he never gets tired…never needs to catch his breath and he knows everything, inside and out. There’s more:

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (wait) in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:29-31) 

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I know lots of people who need their strength renewed.  Maybe you are one of them.  I know quite a few people who have set out on a course only to discover that the plan hasn’t quite happened the way they thought it would.  The question is what are you going to do next?  My tendency and desire it to fix things, to do something.  Seldom is my first thought to wait.  God says that waiting on Him always turns out well.

The prophet is speaking to you and me through time to remind us that in the Lord we have a never-ending source for hope.  That’s something that’s worth waiting for.  To hope in the Lord means to trust in or look expectantly to the Lord.  When you hope in the Lord you will not be disappointed.

Remember the man I told you about earlier?  The one that had come to see me at the church.  The one who was at the end of his hope.  As I listened to him, I thought about Isaiah’s words and recommended that he do what so many others, including myself, have done in those moments when we felt like we were sinking.  I told that we would provide food and maybe some connections, but more importantly I recommended that the most important thing he could do was to turn to the source of all hope.  I reminded him that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead was at work in him.  He agreed.  We prayed together and when he walked out, his arms were full of groceries and his heart and mind were full of hope.  He had hope because he had faith in the Lord.  He seemed encouraged.  His strength seemed to have been renewed.

What would be wrong if you actively waited on the Lord to renew your strength? 

What if your entire life was lived in only one day?  What would that look like?  What time of the day would it be for you?  Morning?  Afternoon?  Evening?  Find out in Your Life in One Day blog: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/your-life-in-one-day/

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To learn how to build your life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping, visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/

“Wow! Did I need this book! Dan Holland has done a masterful job in bringing us back to what really matters when our backs are up against the “walls” of life. FAITH!…not intellect…. not talent…not money….FAITH! Read this simple, yet powerful biblically based book that can change your perspective on how to handle anything the world throws at you. Remember, God says, ‘I will never leave you!’”

Kent Allen, Vice President for Advancement, Oklahoma Christian University

 

Want To Make A Difference?

You don’t have to be beautiful or attractive or even talented to make a lasting difference in someone’s life or to live with incredible purpose.  You just need a little drive, determination, single-mindedness, focus and resolve.  What’s more is that, while it may be nice, you don’t have to be liked or accepted by others to have a positive impact; but you do have to like yourself.  Where you’re headed in life matters infinitely more than where you came from.  In other words, how you live is more important than where you were born.  Where you were born was yesterday.  How you live is today; You only have today.  Enjoy life…today.

 

Be the Best You

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Is 53:2-3

Jesus wasn’t physically attractive but he was popular and he did have purpose.  What was true for Jesus is true for every human being.  Life flows from your heart and mind.  Pay more attention to your heart and mind than everything external.  I am not saying that you should make an effort to be ugly, or mean-spirited, or brash, or sickly, or out of shape.  It’s just that the most talented athlete with an ungrateful spirit is simply talented and nothing more.  The most beautiful person with an ugly attitude is simply unattractive, or worse repulsive.  After all, physical beauty is skin deep. 

Sometimes we are seduced into believing that being liked by someone, accepted by others, beautiful by comparison, or talented in a certain skill is what matters most of all.  But those are all things that change and frankly over which we have very little control.  As a result of this delusion, you may find yourself spending your emotion, money and time trying to impress people you don’t even like, although you should probably love them…even though you may not like them.   

 

Enjoy Life…Today

If you’ve been humbled by life’s circumstances, had your faith tested through hardship, or are weary of wandering aimlessly through daily life, maybe the best advice is the advice that Jesus would give;  Love God with every fiber of your being; also, love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Love God; Love your neighbor.  That’s all.  Maybe you should determine that you will live all out.  Forget the past; press on in the life God has given you.  Run!  Run!  Run!

My hope is you will turn your faith loose in every area of your life.  As you do, I caution you to keep your faith in God rather than in actual outcomes.  The direction of your faith has a lot more to do with its impact on your life than the size of it.  I hope that your faith will shift from something that is simply available to you to a faith that invites you into God’s adventurous will for your life. 

Find a way to engage and enjoy life today.  And as you run with purpose, notice how beautiful and loved you feel.  You were created to run, to live fully, today.  

How are you choosing to live all out?  I’d love to hear from you.  Comment below.    

 

What if your entire life was lived in only one day?  What would that look like?  What time of the day would it be for you?  Morning?  Afternoon?  Evening?  Find out in Your Life in One Day blog: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/your-life-in-one-day/

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To learn how to build your life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping, visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/

“I’ve known Dan Holland for more than thirty years and this book is a beautiful watermark of his faith. It is an enlightening read that reminds you that God desperately desires to use you in EVERY chapter of your life. He skillfully communicates that trusting fully in God’s love and promises are the keys to successfully getting through the adventures he calls you to. This book challenges you to walk bravely into the arena of your life and to listen carefully for what God is calling you to do!”

Kim Carbia, Career Coach; Author of “Faith and Unemployment”

 

The Power of Appreciation

Everybody wants to be appreciated.  

Living in harmony with others may be the most overlooked, but most needed, lesson on what it means to live and lead successfully.  To live in harmony with others, it is important to communicate appreciation, publicly and privately. 

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Relationships Are Like Icebergs

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If you ever go on an Alaskan cruise, you will get to see some massive icebergs.  Did you know that what you see of an iceberg above the water is usually only one-ninth of its actual volume?  Remember the Titanic?  Everything was fine.  The ship was making good time until it hit an iceberg that ripped a hole in the hull of the ship.  It wasn’t what they could see that was the problem; it was what they couldn’t see.  

It’s the same way with relationships.  One day everything can be smooth sailing.  The next thing you know, something happens that threatens to sink the unity.  No wonder we use the expression “tip of the iceberg” when describing a problem or difficulty that is only a small manifestation of something much larger. It happens in business, marriage,  Most of what a relationship is about is below the surface. Relational icebergs can be dangerous to navigate.  But not impossible.  From my experience, people either learn how to communicate appreciation effectively or they stay stuck or worse, sink a relationship.

We should enjoy times of peace and use those times to invest in relationships.  Like I’ve said, one of the most effective ways to invest in any relationship is to communicate appreciation, publicly and privately.  Commending others should be the first thing on our relationship checklist. 

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How can we show appreciation? 

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There are lots of methods to show appreciation to others.  None of them are wrong and all are better than nothing.  I’ve commended others through a timely letter, a short note in a card, a pat on the back, a text, a phone message, and even through e-mail.  I’ve also passed along compliments through others, knowing that my words would eventually hit the intended target.  

In life and business, faithful service should never be taken for granted.  It should be recognized and appreciated.  Each time you communicate appreciation to someone, you are making deposits into the relationship bank between you.  Most people BELIEVE that showing appreciation is a good thing.  Of course BELIEVING it’s a good thing and CHOOSING to do it are two different matters.  If showing appreciation and gratitude is so powerful and effective in building a healthy culture within a business, church or family than why is it often overlooked?  I think one significant reason is because it comes off as too feely-touchy and can’t be measured.  That doesn’t make it any less real.  Think of a time when you were shown appreciation.  Just the memory alone can bring a slight smile to your face or cause a slow nod of your head as you recall genuine words spoken or timely praise given to you.  Being appreciated is powerful.  

I’ve experienced the power of appreciation first hand many times but one instance stands out.

It was my twentieth anniversary, in 2009, of being the senior minister at a church.  The leaders of the church had planned a very nice sit-down meal in my honor.  They flew my mother in from Phoenix, a last-minute surprise for me.  The place was packed and I was humbled.  I must admit that it was nice to hear good things said about me, and before I was dead.  I even enjoyed the ribbing and roasting that went on that night as well.

One particular man’s words are precious to me even to this day.  Tom Jarzynka stood and reminisced about the funeral I had done for his son, Zac.  It was the largest funeral I had ever done.  Zac, and his girlfriend, Brittany Smith, both in high school, had died in a tragic car accident together.  “They were two of the most popular and polite kids at Oviedo High,” wrote Mike Bianchi in the Orlando Sentinel, on May 17, 2002.  People stood in line five hours to pay their respects and grieve with both families.

Zac and his brother had come often to our church with their mother, but Tom rarely, if ever, attended with the family.  In the weeks following the funeral, Tom and I talked a lot about God, Jesus, and baptism; and spent lots of time in specific Bible study.  It was a blessing to baptize Tom.

Now, seven years later, Tom stood to speak at the church dinner in my honor.  He said, “When people care for others the way this church cared for me and my family, it comes from the top down. It’s not an accident.”  Looking at me, he continued with a simple, “Thank you.” 

These words of encouragement and honor have stayed with me. 

I hope that you too can think of a time when someone gave you appreciation.  It’s wonderful to see people who are thankful for you and what you do.  Gratitude can also act like glue, holding together a hurting marriage, a strained friendship, or a difficult work relationship. 

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“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.” – Proverbs 18:21

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Sometimes appreciation is the juice that keeps you going one more day.  If that’s true for you, imagine the impact your appreciation has on others.  Make it a point to speak words of appreciation to everyone around you.  Speak words of appreciation to…

…your husband or wife. 

…your kid(s). 

…your mom or dad. 

…your co-worker. 

…your boss.

…your friend(s). 

…your enemy(s).  

Everybody wants to be appreciated.  

 

(Photo Credit: Micah Holland)

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To learn how to build your life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping, visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/

“I LOVE Dan’s new book on leadership.  Simple messages with great biblical depth to inspire. You will be blessed if you buy this book.” –Al Robertson, Author, Speaker and Star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty

Free shipping – visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/. My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version.

 

Eight Peace-Pursuing Actions

What would happen if you assumed the best about others?  What if your opinions and facts were put on the back burner for a time, so you could gain understanding of a person or situation before you acted or spoke in a situation?  The best way to pursue peace on a daily basis is by constantly positioning (or repositioning) our hearts so that we put others ahead of ourselves.  

God doesn’t ask us to do things that we’re incapable of doing.  That would be cruel.  When we don’t pursue peace, it’s not for lack of ability; it’s because we don’t want to do it.  Simply said, WE CHOOSE not to pursue peace.  However, we can choose to pursue peace instead because God says we can.  It all starts with what I BELIEVE about someone.  

If you start thinking of others as better than yourself, the pursuit of peace will get easier and your actions will follow your beliefs.  What are signs that you are becoming a leader who pursues peace?  Hopefully, you will find yourself doing the following eight peace-pursuing actions more often.

1. You believe the best about others.

To live in harmony with others, it is important to avoid jumping to conclusions.  Assumption is the absolute lowest form of knowledge. Yet we do it all the time and often unconsciously.  If you are pursuing peace, you will avoid passing judgment based on mere outward appearances.  You’ll be slower to judge someone’s motives based only upon what you see or hear.  Even if something stinky might be going on, treat people with dignity and respect, allowing them the liberty to hold divergent views or give them the space to explain themselves.

2. You are willing to risk the relationship.

Often our society encourages individualism to the point that it is easy to develop an apathetic attitude toward others.  It’s a “live-and-let-live” worldly attitude. In pursuit of peace, you will love God and the other person enough to pursue peace, even if it means risking the relationship.  If you are a peace-pursuing leader, you will not have indifference toward others.  You will act in love and courage, going humbly and frankly to a friend and asking for an explanation, even if what they did seems indefensible.

3. You know how to apologize.

Rarely is the strain in a relationship as one-sided as we want to believe.  If you are pursuing peace, you will ask yourself, “How have I contributed to this conflict?”  There is great power in an apology.  Sometimes saying “This was my mistake. I’m sorry” can take a load off our backs, or turn around a situation altogether, allowing us to start over.  The bottom line is this: When tension rises in relationships, act and speak in love.

4. You listen well.

James writes, “…be quick to listen…” (James 1:19).  Have you ever had an argument all ready to go, so that you were waiting for the other person to stop talking so you could set them straight?  This is a violation of this Word of the Lord from James.  If you are a leader who pursues peace, you will be known for being quick to listen, not speak.  To truly listen is to gain understanding. Solomon wrote, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold” (Prov. 3:13-14).  Gaining an understanding can be life-saving.  My mom has a plaque on her wall that teaches us: “Never criticize a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.”  It’s important that we take the time to understand others as we choose to live in peace with all men.

5. You speak thoughtfully.

James also writes that we should be “slow to speak” (James 1:19).  This means we take into consideration the other person’s condition or circumstances before we respond.  It’s possible to say the right thing, but to say it at the wrong time.  It’s also possible to say the right thing in the wrong way.  If you are pursuing peace, you will be seen as one who thinks before speaking and chooses their words wisely.  You will be known as a person whose words improve relationships and situations, rather than a person out to prove a point.  Words can turn a good situation into a disaster in seconds.  Wisdom means not always saying every word that comes to mind.  Reflect on your thoughts and edit your words.  When said, they can’t be easily taken back.  Don’t try to put out a fire using gasoline.  Sometimes the best thing to do is to stop talking.

6. You keep emotions in check.

By now you’ve figured out there is a James 1:19-20 theme going on in the middle of these peace-pursuing actions.  If you are a leader who pursues peace, you will be “slow to anger,” as James says.  When anger takes over the only thing we can think about is getting what we want. T hat is why James tells us that rarely does our anger lead to the righteousness of God.  Generally, we do not make good decisions when we’re angry because we usually do not care about the consequences of our decisions at that moment.  I don’t know about you, but the angrier I become, the more convinced I am that I can read what’s going on in somebody else’s mind.  And I can’t.

7. You live in reverse when needed.

I’ve often been guilty of living in reverse.  Too many times the first step we take is to turn up the heat and bake our attitudes and thoughts for a while.  If you mess up and don’t listen, speak too quickly and angrily, put it in reverse.  Peace-pursuing leaders are humble enough to ask for a redo.  Putting others first and the pursuit of peace is not natural.  Just look at two toddlers trying to play side by side.  Parents say, “We need to share with our friends” and “We don’t hit our friends” ad nauseam until kids get it.

8. You choose gentleness.

Gentleness is a choice, not a feeling.  Monumental leaders are not ruled by emotion, but by the Word of God.  We do what’s right, not what feels good.  If you are praying for reconciliation, unity, and a sense of oneness, understand that communication must take place, and it must be done in a spirit of gentleness.  If you are a person who has been wrongly accused, you would do well to remember the wise counsel of Solomon in Proverbs 15:11: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

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“…seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14b

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These peace-pursuing actions are things each of us desires from others and they cost us nothing to give.  Peace isn’t something you will stumble upon and it can’t forced; it’s something you intentionally seek and pursue.  Will you always achieve peace?  No.  Yet, pursuing peace is like God giving you a gift because in the pursuit of peace He brings you peace of mind and you may find peace with those you never believed possible.  

Here are some questions to help you in the pursuit of peace…take time for deep thought.  Maybe when you’re with a friend over coffee or lunch have a engaging conversation using these questions as a guide.  Ask the question and then just listen. 

Do you believe others were created by God? 

If so, how do your thoughts, actions, and habits show evidence of that belief?

Are you praying for others?  How has the discipline of prayer shaped your walk with God and others?  Journal about what you have learned from investing in relationships.

Are you gentle with others?  How does this affect your leadership abilities?

To read more about Pursuing Peace click here: https://dan holland2819.wordpress.com/2019/02/24/pursuing-peace/

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To learn how to build your life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping, visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/

“In 70 Seconds Dan Holland opens a door into the life and leadership of Joshua, exploring not only the fascinating history of God’s very personal dealings with the Israelites after the wilderness wanderings, but also the driving forces that formed and sustained one of Israel’s most versatile commanders. With clear insight and warm personal anecdotes, Holland illustrates the ‘How To’ of putting faith into action and claiming God’s promises and rewards for God-given leadership at all levels. I heartily recommend this book to anyone wondering what God has in store for them, and how, exactly, to get started building a monument worthy life.”

Melanie Hunter, Partner at Hunter & Kalinke

Free shipping – visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/. My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version.

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Live in Reality, not Fiction

Choose to Live in Reality, not Fiction

God promised Joshua that He would be with him, and God guarantees you the same thing. 

An example of God’s presence with Joshua occurs soon after Israel entered Canaan.  Israel was camped at Gilgal, and Joshua was out taking a walk, probably checking out his strategy for the upcoming battle with Jericho.  When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him.  It happened suddenly.  From where had he come?  One minute he wasn’t there and in the next he was.  In that moment Joshua experienced a change in perspective, so that he could now see the man.  The man had a drawn sword in his hand, which meant that he was prepared for battle.  It was threatening.  Before we get to his question, let’s pause for a minute as Joshua is caught off guard by the sight of this man.

Sometimes what we need more than anything else is a renewed perspective that allows us to see reality.

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As I coach leaders, I often remind them that every day is a battle for perspective. 

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There’s God’s perspective and then there’s mine.  As a leader, I want to see what God sees.  There’s God’s truth and mine.  We need His.  Joshua saw something new in front of him.

Something powerful happens in the human spirit whenever we focus our attention on something outside ourselves and beyond our trouble. 

Whenever I focus my attention on Christ and the eternal life that is beyond this life, I find exceptional joy and abiding peace.  When I focus on joy, I am better able to break through obstacles that life presents.  Not always without pain and not always on the first try.  But that’s life.  We can learn to concentrate on what God says, rather than circumstances.  I wonder how much God wants His kids to look up from their myopic, small, navel-gazing concerns to see Him, standing and ready to fight.  I pray that my kids will always search for what is true and live in what’s real.  We don’t just need a different perspective from the one we already have, we need one that sees what is in front of us, one that sees what is holy and true.  A perspective that can only be seen by faith and beyond the minutia of the moment.

Joshua questioned the man about his loyalties and allegiance because he did not recognize him as a heaven-sent messenger.  Joshua asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” (Joshua 5:13).

Here was the man’s reply and Joshua’s response:

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

And Joshua did so (Joshua 5:14-15). 

What a scene that must have been.  The commander of Israel’s army is meeting the Commander of the Lord’s army. I don’t want you to miss the Commander’s response to Joshua because it has some solid application for us.  Joshua wanted to know whose side He was on.  Simple.  This is not an unreasonable question between two warrior leaders. “Are you on our side or theirs?”  What does that answer “Neither” mean?  How can someone, especially a warrior, be on neither side in a battle?

God does not show up to gather opinions; He doesn’t come to choose a side.  He comes to take over.  

We are not to ask if God is on our side, although that seems like a common question.  Rather than asking, “Is God on my side?” the more appropriate question is, “Am I on the Lord’s side?”  This distinction is important today as we face many battles – physical, emotional, relational, financial, cultural, and spiritual.

The Commander continued, “…as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”  And that was it.  There isn’t a clear resolution to this encounter, but the obvious implication is the Lord will fight for Joshua and Israel as long as they maintain the proper priorities, which we saw throughout the preceding chapters.  The Lord was letting Joshua know, in no uncertain terms, that he was not fighting alone.  It wasn’t just that God was with him, but God was for him and would fight for him.  Joshua needed to be able to recognize when he was in God’s presence and that he could trust in Him.  As long as Joshua maintained his priorities, God would fight for him.  This principle still stands today: God wants our undivided loyalty and holiness in our lives.

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We are called to live in God’s presence.  Keep your priorities straight. 

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God had already promised Joshua that He would be with him just as He was with Moses, so Joshua didn’t need to worry about that.  I don’t know about you, but I tend to live better when I am cognizant of God’s presence.

God’s presence is what made that place holy.  In fact, the word “holy” is used as a reminder for Joshua of the seventy-second talk he had with God earlier.  It was a reminder that spiritual concerns, and not military preparations, were of first importance to the Israelites in their mission.  

The principle of holiness is still relevant today.  The concept of holiness: living for God because He is with us, is God’s expectation from the beginning of time.

God is with you right now.  God’s presence calls for holiness and undivided hearts, but the temptation is to see how far we can walk from God and still be okay.   Why would we not rather see how near we could live to Him?

 

To read Your Life in One Day click here: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/your-life-in-one-day/

To learn how to build your life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping, visit www.CoachDanHolland.com/

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“In 70 Seconds, Dan Holland takes a refreshing look at one of God’s seminal lessons for life and leadership. In today’s world we are often left wondering how to interpret the scriptures God has left for us. In this book Dan does an amazing job of showing us a modern-day biblical perspective that is not only highly applicable, but interesting and entertaining. I encourage you to read it and apply these principles to your life.”

Nick Nanton, Esq., EMMY® Award Winning Director/Producer; Wall St. Journal Best-Selling Author

Free shipping – visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/. My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version.

_______________________________________

You can choose to receive an email whenever I post a new blog; just click the “FOLLOW” button in the top right of this page.

 

Does What I Do in Life Really Matter?

The spotlight was turned on Mandy Harvey when she received the golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent in June 2017; sending her straight to the live semi-finals.  I met her when she was interviewed at our church.  She talked about how her dream of being a choir teacher had been shattered when she lost her hearing.  She thought: Now what?  Do I matter now?  What do I do now?

Sometimes we think that when we’re defeated, the right thing to do is to withdraw, especially when we’re beaten.  It happens to all of us.  When we’re doing well, we rarely ask, “Does what I do really matter?” We ask that question when we feel defeated.  That’s the reality.

How could anyone possibly understand the feeling of desperation and the confusing emotions Mandy experienced at that time?  Her father, Joe, encouraged her to sing again.  At first, she was timid about it.  “Okay, I’ll try it,” she said, lacking confidence.  She had to rely on someone else to tell her how she sounded when she sang.  She had known how to sing and even when she lost her hearing, she could still sing.  But she couldn’t hear herself sing, so it felt like it was worthless and pointless. Let me say that again, she didn’t know how she sounded. She couldn’t critic herself. She couldn’t enjoy the thing she loved doing except through the joy it brought to others.

By relying on others, trusting her pitch, and watching tuning machines, she now sings on key, and keeps time.  Why?  Because she remembered what it felt and sounded like to do so.  We need to remember some things too.  The Lord said to Joshua, “Remember, I was with Moses and I’ll be with you.”

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” – Hebrews 10:35

Mandy’s deafness didn’t change, but her confidence did.  Sometimes our circumstances don’t change, but our confidence can.  The Lord can give us confidence in any and all circumstances, but we tend to assess ourselves based on what we see, instead of trusting His promises to us and His presence with us.

We ask the question about whether what we do matters or not at the wrong times—usually whenever we’re feeling defeated, not when things are going well.  Because of my deep love for my kids, it would grieve me immensely if they did not live up to their potential.  And God loves His kids more than that.  The amount of love we have for our children pales in comparison to the love God has for each one of us.  We cheer for our children and God cheers even more for us.  Why wouldn’t you make every effort to live up to your God-given potential?  You and I don’t live up to our potential whenever we forget, overlook, or ignore God’s promises.  The reason we can live fearlessly is because God loves us perfectly and eternally.

Every day God votes for you.  Every day Satan votes against you.  You cast the deciding vote. Every. Single. Day. You. Vote.

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To learn how to build your life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  Visit www.CoachDanHolland.com/

To read Your Life in One Day click here: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/your-life-in-one-day/  

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“I couldn’t put it down. What a blessing it was to me! I realized right away that I have been WANDERING for the last couple of months! Reading 70 Seconds has given me a newfound energy and dedication to staying faithful and making sure that I “vote” everyday. I am now thinking that maybe this season of my life is part of God’s plan to give me rest and help me to really listen for His voice to determine what’s next for me and to choose FAITH over fear!”

– Joi Williams, former head coach, UCF Women’s Basketball; former asst. coach, WNBA San Antonio Stars

 

My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version.

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You can choose to receive an email whenever I post a new blog; just click the “FOLLOW” button in the top right of this page.

 

Powerful Questions

What Happened Here? And Other Powerful Questions

The story of Joshua is easy to follow because it has a clear beginning, middle, and ending, and is marked by seven specific monuments during the time of the conquest. Like bookmarks in the pages of history, the monuments of Joshua reminded God’s people of important choices. Each monument was—and still is—intended to spark the memory of what happened at that place, to remind God’s people of His faithfulness, and how their choices to live by faith and obedience influenced God’s involvement in their lives. God even instructed that the history and lessons be taught to future generations for their benefit. That includes you and me.

A monument or memorial can mark a victory, like the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devils Hill, North Carolina, marking man’s first flight, or sorrow and defeat like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. All monuments cause us to ask: “What happened here?” That is a powerful question about the past that can influence the way we see the future. On our journey through Joshua, we will tackle some other powerful questions. Powerful questions can potentially disrupt your world because they cause your thoughts to travel new paths.

Although disruptive, these monumental questions can help you gain clarity about your life and break free of the gravitational pull of the status quo, charting a course toward greater meaning, joy, and impact instead. Some of the questions to explore are:

• How can I stop wandering and prepare to advance?

• What are God’s promises to me?

• How can I develop faith instead of fear in unfamiliar territory?

• Will I be able to handle trouble when it comes my way?

• Do I have what it takes to persevere during setbacks (because doubt and disappointments are part of the promised life too)?

• How can I pace myself and listen to God?

• How can I make effective use of failure?

• What does it take to lead towards unity and harmony?

• How will I finish strong and prepare the next leaders?

These questions can powerfully influence the choices you make today.  Is it easy?  Sometimes, but not always.  Is it worth the effort?  Every time; because they potentially can change the direction of your one precious life forever.  

To learn how to build your life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping, visit www.CoachDanHolland.com/

To read Your Life in One Day click here: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/your-life-in-one-day/  

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“I have often said that a well-placed question can change the direction of a person’s life forever. In 70 Seconds, Dan Holland walks through the kinds of questions that have the potential to disarm you and disrupt your life. But if you want to move past your past, or you want to avoid making the same mistakes as others, I recommend you think through some of the powerful questions that he poses in this thought-provoking book.”

Rick Bezet, Lead Pastor of New Life Church; Author of Real Love in an Angry World and Be Real, Because Fake Is Exhausting

Free shipping – visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/. My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version. 

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You can choose to receive an email whenever I post a new blog; just click the “FOLLOW” button in the top right of this page.

 

The Power of Choice

We Have Response-Ability

God has given humans response-ability.  It’s part of our original software design.  Regardless what our circumstances may be, how other people may treat us, or what difficulties we face in life, it is fully within our own power to determine what kind of attitude we’re going to have.  The moment we turn our eyes to God, we realize He is bigger than any circumstance.  Why should we spend time and energy worrying and fretting over the future or even over current circumstances?

God has been good to us and the proper response to God’s grace is to serve Him only, always, everywhere, and in everything.

We see this power of choice all over God’s story to us.  We see it in Joseph while in prison, Daniel while hanging out in Babylon as a prisoner of war and in a lion’s den.  John chose to worship on the island of Patmos, Stephen hoped in God while being stoned and Paul, while in chains, wrote,

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14).

The point is that no oppression of man can hold down the praise of God, or the attitude of grace we can access in Christ.  Those people I just mentioned understood one simple and powerful truth that many Christ-followers forget.  It is that praising God does not depend on our circumstances being praiseworthy.  It is not circumstances that are praiseworthy; it is God.  Why not choose to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says?

It’s What You Do Next That Counts!

I hope your faith has started shifting from something that is simply available to you, to a faith that beckons you into God’s adventurous will for your life—your promised life.  God still does exactly what He promises, every time.  I pray that hope will grow in you and surround your heart like the wall around the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida.  As the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, its walls stand thirty feet tall and are fourteen feet thick.  May that kind of wall keep you and make you feel so secure in God’s love, His holiness, and sovereignty that you will cross over into your promised life and lead others with you.

Start today.  With your mind deeply set on and believing in the Lord’s promises, turn your faith in God loose in every area of your life and see what happens.  Now you have been made righteous through Jesus Christ, live courageously, like Joshua, by your righteousness in the Lord.  No matter how good or bad, easy or difficult it may be, I guarantee you will not regret following God faithfully and crossing into the promised life.

To read the Power of Mindset click here: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2019/01/06/the-power-of-mindset/

To learn how to build a successful life on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping until the end of January, visit www.CoachDanHolland.com/

_______________________________________

“Absolutely critical truths for every season of life and leadership. This a great book. Part of my endorsement of this book is that I’ve watched Dan Holland live out the practical wisdom in these pages for nearly thirty years. 70 Seconds isn’t just a book with a few tips on living, it’s a book that will actually help you build a successful life on the foundation of Jesus Christ.”  Jamey Miller, Lead Pastor, Antioch Community Church; President, Share Life Now International, serves on the US Oversight Team for The Antioch Movement.

 

Free shipping until the end of January visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/. My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version. 

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When the Dust Clears

COMEBACKS.  WE LOVE a good comeback story, don’t we?  Whether it’s the Cubs winning Game 7 of the World Series in 10 innings or the surfer who gets back on the board after being attacked by a shark…comebacks are the best.  At least they are after the fact. It’s not so fun when you are in the middle of them though.

When I was thirteen, I loved dirt biking.  Once I was out in the desert, riding with six other guys.  They were older and had bigger, faster motorcycles than me, so I spent most of my time eating their dust.  Then came my opportunity to pass them.  They were slowing down, so I sped up to over fifty miles per hour.  My plan was to rush through them even though I couldn’t see through the dust cloud.  At the same moment I cleared the dust, everything became clear as to the reason they had slowed down.  There were dirt mounds and valleys created by the wind everywhere, but it was too late for me to stop.

What happened next is still burned into my memory.  My thought going into it was, Hey I’m going to get ahead.  Then time seemed to slow to one milli-second at a time as everyone watched me hit every bump until finally crashing into the dirt.  I had the breath knocked out of me and one of the guys told me, “The best way to get out of here is to get back on your bike and ride out.  But if you can’t, we will find another way.”

My comeback wasn’t that I won that race through the desert, but that I got back on the bike.  Sometimes when we crash, we give up.  Those guys did me a huge favor, advising me to get right back on the bike, so I would not fear riding in the future.  After catching my breath and a minute of rest, I rode out of the desert and continued riding even into adulthood.  They praised me for getting back on and riding the motorcycle out.  That incident has served as a metaphor for other moments in my life when I had to catch my breath and keep going.

For there to be a comeback there has to be failure or at least a falling behind.  Our God is a huge fan of comebacks too!  In fact, He is the ultimate Storyteller and Creator of comebacks. 

All of us will face situations in which we feel like giving up and throwing in the towel.  Not all challenges are the same and not everyone suffers the same challenges.  However, it is remarkable that Christianity produces individuals who, rather than shrink away, respond to the challenges such as slander, threats, abuse, and injury with forgiveness.  God created His people, each one, with the capability to respond like Christ to these difficult, hurtful, and sometimes horrific situations.  It’s not that we always respond to every circumstance all the time in ways that reflect the grace of God in our lives.  It’s that we are capable of responding to everything in a way that reflects our faith in God.

Discouragement following a failure or painful circumstance can cause us to vacillate, meaning we waver on taking any next steps forward.  Feelings of discouragement damage our confidence and strip us of courage.  The quickest way to get discouraged and disillusioned is to look at people and circumstances as the determining factors in your life.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”

Hebrews 10:35

Trials produce people with spiritual stamina.  Why is this true?  Because Christ’s death produces people “who are being made holy” (Heb. 10:14).  That’s why Christians were encouraged not to throw away their confidence.  Well placed confidence may be one of the most valuable characteristics we have.  Healthy leaders look back over life realistically only to discover that painful moments became doors of hope and greater dependence on God.

Never pass up an opportunity to re-examine your beliefs about failure and pain.  Learn from them.  “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”  We’ve probably all heard that famous maxim and if you are a parent, you have probably said that to your children as they learned to ride a bike, tied their shoes, didn’t make the team, or get into their first choice of college.  We encourage others to get back up and try again, but do we really believe that failure isn’t final at the very core of our own beings?  It’s easier said than done.

The truth is that people will fail you and circumstances will falter.  You can depend on that.  However, if we choose to believe that failure and pain are opportunities to learn, then failure and pain take on a whole new meaning.  They have purpose.  Pain gives us the opportunity to practice perseverance.  Failure is never final for the one who learns to persevere.

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Jim Morris knows a thing or two about comebacks.  He’s also a man of faith.  Jim “The Rookie” Morris, who was the inspiration for Disney’s movie The Rookie, endorses 70 Seconds: “In today’s way of thinking faith, love and contentment have disappeared because of a separation from God.  In 70 Seconds, Dan Holland gives a blue print for life, love and leadership.  It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, 70 Seconds reminds us that there are hardships and missteps as seen through biblical history, but you can overcome by faith in Jesus.  Dan conveys, in an incredible and understandable way, with God we can overcome and thrive.”

 

Free shipping until the end of January visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/. My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version. 

_______________________________________

To read more about the Power of Mindset click here: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2019/01/06/the-power-of-mindset/

To read more on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping until the end of January, visit www.CoachDanHolland.com/

You can choose to receive an email whenever I post a new blog; just click the “FOLLOW” button in the top right of this page.

 

God is For You!

CHOSEN.

WE ADOPTED BOTH our wonderful kids—Micah and Ashley—at birth. Some grieve over the thought of not being able to give birth naturally, but Beth and I believe that, eight years into our marriage, it was God’s will to build our family through adoption. Like all families we’ve had ups and downs, good times and bad, but through it all they are my kids and I love them. It’s difficult for me to quantify just how much. We tell them, “You were born of our prayers.”

When I got the call that Micah had been born, I was at my office, before the days of cell phones. I did have a car phone, so I jumped in the car to go home, but was so excited that I drove in circles as I tried to get a hold of Beth and thought about what I needed from my office. I can recall details about each one. I remember the first time I held that six-pound, ten-ounce baby boy. It was love at first sight. At just two days old he stole my heart as I stared into his piercing blue eyes. From the beginning he has been alert, fun, energetic, curious, and loving—all qualities I love about him.

As I held him, I experienced a kind of love that was new and that has grown deeper and richer through the years. Although I had taught about how much God loves us before this, in that moment I began to understand the sort of love for another that is totally and completely dependent on you. He was my son; I was his dad and he was home.

Then, two and a half years later, God brought Ashley into our lives. She was born on Easter Sunday, two weeks after her original due date. She has always taken her time and it has always been worth the wait. She had beautiful brown hair, brown eyes, and olive-colored skin. When I held her, she held me back. She melted into my arms. On Ashley’s Gotcha’ Day, the day we brought her home two days after her birth, the major news was a freak April Fool’s Day blizzard in the northeastern United States that dumped rain, sleet, and snow from Maryland to Maine, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and as much as three feet of snow on the ground. But at the Holland house the major news was Ashley. Forgetting it was April’s Fool Day, I called Beth to tell her the news of Ashley’s birth. I had to first convince her that this was not a cruel April Fool’s joke. Before her birth, I was scheduled to speak in a citywide outreach halfway across the country. Because Ashley went past her original due date I canceled that speaking engagement. I wanted to be able to tell her and her brother that they have always been more important to me than even ministry and I’m glad that I did.

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In a world of nearly eight billion people, only one boy is my son and only one girl is my daughter. As I held them I knew that I would love them and provide for them, but they didn’t know that.

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“I love you more than anything in the whole wide world,” I whispered in their little ears as I tucked them into bed each night. Micah, holding onto his pacifier with his teeth, would shorten “I love you” and say, “I…you.” Ashley would say, “I love you mucho.” To this day we can say or text, “Mucho!” and we know it means that’s how much we love each other. Today our kids are adults, and I love them more now than the day they were born. Whatever life brings their way, whatever challenges they might face, I want them to know they can always count on me to do the best thing for them. I want them to know they are significant and my love is secure. It’s mucho!

God also adopted us as His kids. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, wrote,

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1

We are His children. God wants even greater and better things for all of His kids, as I do mine. In fact, the more we come to understand and believe that God is for us, the more it will impact the way we think, and the more we will develop a healthy mindset. How you live is a direct response to how you think, and how you think is based on what you believe.

Choose to believe the promises of God. Those promises are for you.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” —John 15:16

To continue reading about the Power of Mindset click here: https://danholland2819.wordpress.com/2019/01/06/the-power-of-mindset/

To read more on the power of belief order a copy of my book 70 Seconds: Stop Wandering; Start Living and Leading!  For free shipping until the end of January, visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/

_______________________________________

“In 70 Seconds, Dan Holland takes a refreshing look at one of God’s seminal lessons for life and leadership. In today’s world we are often left wondering how to interpret the scriptures God has left for us, in this book Dan Holland does an amazing job of showing us a modern-day biblical perspective that is not only highly applicable, but interesting and entertaining. I highly encourage you to read it and apply these principles to your life.” Nick Nanton, Esq. – EMMY® Award Winning Director/Producer, Wall St. Journal Best-Selling Author

Free shipping until the end of January visit http://www.CoachDanHolland.com/. My book is also available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version. 

_______________________________________

You can choose to receive an email whenever I post a new blog; just click the “FOLLOW” button in the top right of this page.