April 1, 2011

The Life of Your Dreams - Pt. 5

What are the two most powerful words that will transform your life? This week I’ve been exploring how to live the life of your dreams. And today I want to talk about the discipline that has transformed my own life, perhaps more than anything else. It’s the discipline of gratitude. So you can probably guess that I believe the two most powerful words that can transform you life are: Thank and You. Thank you. It’s sounds so good, doesn’t it?

Most of us would say, “I’m so grateful for everything I have. My life is so blessed.” But how specific are you willing to get? How much thanks are you willing to express? When you see a beautiful sunset, or have a great conversation with a friend, do you say thank you for that specific event? And even more importantly, who do you say thank you to? I believe God loves it when we point to Him as the source of everything we have and everything we experience. When we show Him that we are grateful, I believe it somehow frees us up to start seeing more and more how God is continually dumping His blessings on us. That has been my experience.

Part 5 - Two Big Words



March 31, 2011

The Life of Your Dreams - Pt. 4

So you’re on the right path. But things are getting tough. What’s the best way to power through the hard times? This week I’m exploring some ideas on how to go after the life of your dreams. That’s what I’ve been doing. I moved to Nashville almost 18 years ago from Minneapolis to go after my dreams of doing music. I was anticipating moving here to rounds of applause and parades thrown in my honor. “Finally, he’s here,” they’d cheer. Well, no parades ever happened.

But I can see that now, after 18 years, all my dreams are finally coming true. And yes, it’s taken almost 18 years. Could I have given up 10 years ago? You betcha. But I’m sure glad I didn’t. Did people tell me I was crazy? Of course they did. Did they tell me that perhaps I was dreaming a little too big? Yep, they sure did. Did people tell me I was too average, too nice? Yes they did, and about a dozen other adjectives, as well.

Part 4 - Don't Give Up



March 30, 2011

The Life of Your Dreams - Pt. 3

What is the one thing that has held me back from living the life of my dreams? This week I’m exploring the topic of going after the life you truly desire.

I believe the most powerful force that holds us back from living the life we truly desire is fear. Fear of the unknown…fear of what might happen. For me, the big one has always been the fear of what other people will think. What if I go after the life I want, and everything goes horrible wrong, and I just end up in a pile on the side of the road? (This is where my mind can go sometimes!)

I believe we don’t go after our dreams because we prefer the comfort and stability of where we are at, even if it isn’t exactly where we want to be. It’s what’s familiar; it’s what we know. And even if it’s not completely fulfilling, it’s better than being seen as a failure, or bringing pain and discomfort into our life.

Part 3 - The Big Hurdle



March 29, 2011

The Life of Your Dreams - Pt. 2

What’s holding you back from living the life of your dreams? Yesterday I talked about the importance of having our identity firmly rooted in Jesus Christ before we set out on this journey of desire. If you’re like me, you’re already on board with God. But you’re probably thinking, “There’s got to be something more to life than what I’m experiencing right now!” And you’re ready to move from the mundane to the magnificent.

So what is the first barrier that must be climbed over before you can live the life of your dreams? I believe the biggest hindrance to living the life of your dreams is, drum roll please…a lack of vision.

Part 2 - Vision



March 28, 2011

The Life Of Your Dreams - Pt. 1

What if someone gave you permission to live the life you’ve been dreaming of? Someone has! My new radio single “Here’s Your Life” is all about waking up to the fact that life is yours to live…not to just blindly swim through it, consuming what gets thrown at you...but letting God’s heart inside of you guide you into a life filled with joy and peace. “This is the day the Lord has made!” So, what are you gonna do about it? I want to spend this week encouraging you to be bold and courageous in the pursuit of the deepest desires of your heart, trusting that the God of the Universe is on your side, working on your behalf.

Part 1 - Identity