From time to time, you will have Homework Assignments as you go through this course. I know it's not the same as taking the class live and in person, but hopefully, you will benefit from these lessons and from doing the homework. Let me tell you from personal experience that doing the homework lessons is where you will find the most value.
Start thinking about the period of your life between kindergarten and – let’s say – sixth grade. Can you remember that far back? I hope so!
I really think that during this period of your life, you were more like who God made you to be. This was before you got out into society and let them start defining who you are. This was back when you were more like “you.”
So here’s what I want you to do. I want you to think of one episode during this period of your life when you did something successfully and you felt great satisfaction when you did it. This would be a specific story you could tell me about something that you really did well. In fact, it may not have seemed hard to you, but others complimented you on it saying how well you did, and you were thinking in the back of your mind, “That? Phsssh. That was nothing. I could do that in my sleep.”
Write a sentence or two about that episode, and have it ready before you read the next lesson.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Every Day Of Your Life
Now for the last point in Lucado's outline:
Man was originally created to do a job – not to do nothing! Some people are under the impression that work was a result of the curse after the Fall. But that’s not the case. Man was given the job of taking care of the Garden before the Fall. The curse was that his work would become difficult – not that he would have to work.
So why do we feel so unfulfilled in our daily lives? Many times it’s because we’re not utilizing our strengths and talents in our daily lives. And this goes beyond just your career. This is fundamental to the way you do everything in your life. If God made you a creative person, be creative in the way you parent your kids, in the way that you worship, in the way that you work. If God made you a good communicator, maximize that talent in your personal relationships, at your church, in your community and at your job.
What we have to learn is how to do what we do best, do it every day, and do it in such a way that it is not for us.
* * * * *
In summary, take a look at this diagram. We’ll talk more about this concept over the rest of the course.
Do you see that spot in the center that is at the convergence of all three circles? That’s the Sweet Spot. Get one circle right, and you will still feel unfulfilled. Get two circles right, you might feel a little better. Get all three circles right, and you’ll be a shining example to the people around you of how God intended for us to live life.
Excited? Ready to get started?
Good. I can’t wait to help you discover who God made you to be and to see what God is going to do in your life!
---------------------------------------------
If you have benefited from these lessons so far, leave me a comment and let me know what you think and what you have found most interesting. Thanks!
Every day of your life.
(where you do it)
(where you do it)
Man was originally created to do a job – not to do nothing! Some people are under the impression that work was a result of the curse after the Fall. But that’s not the case. Man was given the job of taking care of the Garden before the Fall. The curse was that his work would become difficult – not that he would have to work.
So why do we feel so unfulfilled in our daily lives? Many times it’s because we’re not utilizing our strengths and talents in our daily lives. And this goes beyond just your career. This is fundamental to the way you do everything in your life. If God made you a creative person, be creative in the way you parent your kids, in the way that you worship, in the way that you work. If God made you a good communicator, maximize that talent in your personal relationships, at your church, in your community and at your job.
What we have to learn is how to do what we do best, do it every day, and do it in such a way that it is not for us.
* * * * *
In summary, take a look at this diagram. We’ll talk more about this concept over the rest of the course.
Do you see that spot in the center that is at the convergence of all three circles? That’s the Sweet Spot. Get one circle right, and you will still feel unfulfilled. Get two circles right, you might feel a little better. Get all three circles right, and you’ll be a shining example to the people around you of how God intended for us to live life.
Excited? Ready to get started?
Good. I can’t wait to help you discover who God made you to be and to see what God is going to do in your life!
---------------------------------------------
If you have benefited from these lessons so far, leave me a comment and let me know what you think and what you have found most interesting. Thanks!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Making A Big Deal Out Of God
Let's look at our next point in Lucado's outline:
I believe we were created for purpose. That’s why we’re so different and have such different ways of doing things. That diversity is on purpose. If we have a Creator, then He must have had something in mind for us. I think that at its simplest and most fundamental level, our purpose is to bring glory to the One who made us.
“Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.” -from the letter that Paul wrote to some Roman citizens
It’s not enough just to know who you are and to start using your strengths more. You must do it for a purpose. People in America are crying out for a purpose -- a reason to live their lives. That's why Rick Warren's book The Purpose-Driven Life" has been on the best-sellers list for over 3 years. Deep down, we all want to know why we are here and what life is all about.
I know several people who know what their strengths and abilities are and they are using them in their jobs or on a daily basis. But they are empty because they are doing it all for the wrong reason. It is not enough just to do what you love to do. Real fulfillment comes when you are doing what you love and you also have a purpose for doing it. Ultimately, I believe real purpose comes from doing it not for yourself or even another person. I believe real purpose comes from being who you are and doing what you were created to do for your Creator.
In a future lesson, we’ll spend some time learning what it means to “Applaud God Loud and Often.”
To make a big deal out of God
(why you do it)
(why you do it)
I believe we were created for purpose. That’s why we’re so different and have such different ways of doing things. That diversity is on purpose. If we have a Creator, then He must have had something in mind for us. I think that at its simplest and most fundamental level, our purpose is to bring glory to the One who made us.
“Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.” -from the letter that Paul wrote to some Roman citizens
It’s not enough just to know who you are and to start using your strengths more. You must do it for a purpose. People in America are crying out for a purpose -- a reason to live their lives. That's why Rick Warren's book The Purpose-Driven Life" has been on the best-sellers list for over 3 years. Deep down, we all want to know why we are here and what life is all about.
I know several people who know what their strengths and abilities are and they are using them in their jobs or on a daily basis. But they are empty because they are doing it all for the wrong reason. It is not enough just to do what you love to do. Real fulfillment comes when you are doing what you love and you also have a purpose for doing it. Ultimately, I believe real purpose comes from doing it not for yourself or even another person. I believe real purpose comes from being who you are and doing what you were created to do for your Creator.
In a future lesson, we’ll spend some time learning what it means to “Applaud God Loud and Often.”
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Use Your Uniqueness
Let’s look at a basic outline taken from Lucado's book of what we’ll be covering in this course. I’ve included just a small overview of each point here, and we’ll develop them much further in future lessons.
Remember the story that Jesus told the people of his day about the talents given by the Master to his servants? In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus said that the master gave each servant according to his own ability. The first two servants invested their talents and doubled them. The last servant was afraid so he hid his talent to try to preserve it until the master came back.
What happened? The master was pleased with the first two equally because they had both taken what they were given, had taken a risk and put them to work out in the marketplace. He welcomed them into his favor and reward. The last servant was given a “tongue lashing” and called a “wicked servant” because he had taken no risks, had misunderstood his master and had done nothing with what he had been given.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to end up my life and have to stand before God to give account for my life and say that I was afraid to do anything with it.
If you are going to be a good steward of what He has given you, then it would probably be in your best interest to discover who you are. We’ll talk in the next lesson a little bit more about a concept called “unpacking your bag.” Lucado uses it in the book to illustrate how God has packed our bags for us for this journey through life. And if we want to know where we are going and what we are supposed to do, we should look in our bags.
The way that we’ll do that is to go back through our early lives and think about certain kinds of stories that will give us insight into who God made us to be. You’ll get more information on that later.
Use your uniqueness
(what you do)
(what you do)
Remember the story that Jesus told the people of his day about the talents given by the Master to his servants? In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus said that the master gave each servant according to his own ability. The first two servants invested their talents and doubled them. The last servant was afraid so he hid his talent to try to preserve it until the master came back.
What happened? The master was pleased with the first two equally because they had both taken what they were given, had taken a risk and put them to work out in the marketplace. He welcomed them into his favor and reward. The last servant was given a “tongue lashing” and called a “wicked servant” because he had taken no risks, had misunderstood his master and had done nothing with what he had been given.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to end up my life and have to stand before God to give account for my life and say that I was afraid to do anything with it.
If you are going to be a good steward of what He has given you, then it would probably be in your best interest to discover who you are. We’ll talk in the next lesson a little bit more about a concept called “unpacking your bag.” Lucado uses it in the book to illustrate how God has packed our bags for us for this journey through life. And if we want to know where we are going and what we are supposed to do, we should look in our bags.
The way that we’ll do that is to go back through our early lives and think about certain kinds of stories that will give us insight into who God made us to be. You’ll get more information on that later.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Who Are You Supposed To Be?
How many times do we live our lives like we think someone else wants us to live without stopping to think about how God made us and wants us to operate? One of my favorite quotes from Chuck Swindoll is the following:
“You are not who you think you are. You are not who others think you are. You are who you think others think you are.”
There’s a lot of truth in that observation. Have you ever caught yourself trying to be something that you thought other people thought you should be? There’s pressure from parents, bosses, friends, co-workers, neighbors – and sometimes the worst – the church. The pressure feels crushing at times, doesn’t it? You just feel like you can’t possibly be who everyone wants you to be. Have you ever felt that the real you was buried deep down inside, just waiting to be released on the world – but you aren’t real sure how to become that person that God created you to be?
You’re not alone.
Everyday, millions of Americans go to jobs that they don’t like or know that they are not suited for. And they dread it. But “the mass of men go on living lives of quiet desperation,” as Henry David Thoreau once said. They don’t know how to escape so they feel trapped. They’ve given up on believing that there just might be something out there that they are perfectly designed for, and so they settle for living in a way that doesn’t take advantage of their design.
There’s hope. That’s what this course is all about. I want to help you discover (or rediscover) who you are and who God made you to be. We’ll think about what natural talents, strengths, passions and gifts you have and how you can use them for God’s glory.
But let me be honest: It is a process. There are no “quick fixes” or easy answers. I can’t prescribe one simple formula for everyone because each person is unique. People are also at a different point in their journey through life. I’ve had people take this course who were in their early twenties and some who were in their sixties. Some people already know a lot about who they are, and others have not given it that much thought. I don’t know where you are, but I can point you in the right direction and give you some things to think about and pray about that will help you start to take steps in the right direction.
“You are not who you think you are. You are not who others think you are. You are who you think others think you are.”
There’s a lot of truth in that observation. Have you ever caught yourself trying to be something that you thought other people thought you should be? There’s pressure from parents, bosses, friends, co-workers, neighbors – and sometimes the worst – the church. The pressure feels crushing at times, doesn’t it? You just feel like you can’t possibly be who everyone wants you to be. Have you ever felt that the real you was buried deep down inside, just waiting to be released on the world – but you aren’t real sure how to become that person that God created you to be?
You’re not alone.
Everyday, millions of Americans go to jobs that they don’t like or know that they are not suited for. And they dread it. But “the mass of men go on living lives of quiet desperation,” as Henry David Thoreau once said. They don’t know how to escape so they feel trapped. They’ve given up on believing that there just might be something out there that they are perfectly designed for, and so they settle for living in a way that doesn’t take advantage of their design.
There’s hope. That’s what this course is all about. I want to help you discover (or rediscover) who you are and who God made you to be. We’ll think about what natural talents, strengths, passions and gifts you have and how you can use them for God’s glory.
But let me be honest: It is a process. There are no “quick fixes” or easy answers. I can’t prescribe one simple formula for everyone because each person is unique. People are also at a different point in their journey through life. I’ve had people take this course who were in their early twenties and some who were in their sixties. Some people already know a lot about who they are, and others have not given it that much thought. I don’t know where you are, but I can point you in the right direction and give you some things to think about and pray about that will help you start to take steps in the right direction.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
What Is The Sweet Spot?
Golfers, tennis players, baseball players – even ping pong players. They all understand what the “sweet spot” is. When the ball hits that right spot, the results are incredible. It’s effortless.
The same is true of your life. You have a “sweet spot.” A zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. -- from Max Lucado’s book “Cure for the Common Life"
* * * * *
When those pieces of sports equipment are used in the right way – in the way that they were designed, they are much more effective. In fact, you could say that it actually becomes easier because they are working like they were designed.
The same principle works for our lives. God created us uniquely with certain talents and strengths. If you believe that God created you, and if you believe that He created you uniquely, then there must be certain things you can do or that you can do in a certain way that no one else can do. One of my favorite quotes from Lucado’s book is this one:
Think about that for a moment – because it’s worth thinking about! If you try to be someone else or to do something that is not your natural talent or strength or giftedness, you are not being you. That means that the world will not get to experience the real you – the one that God intended!
The same is true of your life. You have a “sweet spot.” A zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. -- from Max Lucado’s book “Cure for the Common Life"
* * * * *
When those pieces of sports equipment are used in the right way – in the way that they were designed, they are much more effective. In fact, you could say that it actually becomes easier because they are working like they were designed.
The same principle works for our lives. God created us uniquely with certain talents and strengths. If you believe that God created you, and if you believe that He created you uniquely, then there must be certain things you can do or that you can do in a certain way that no one else can do. One of my favorite quotes from Lucado’s book is this one:
“If you are not you, the world misses out on you.”
Think about that for a moment – because it’s worth thinking about! If you try to be someone else or to do something that is not your natural talent or strength or giftedness, you are not being you. That means that the world will not get to experience the real you – the one that God intended!
Monday, July 9, 2007
They're Everywhere
They exist in every company in America. They lurk in every hallway – in every meeting. But they rarely tell anyone else about their condition. They try to hide it – often unsuccessfully. Studies tell us that almost 80% of all American employees share this condition.
What is this condition?
Job dissatisfaction. It is shared by the majority of people in the workplace today. Day after day, they get out of bed to go to a job they don’t like or to a place that is not enjoyable or to a job that they feel has no purpose.
If this is you, then you are one of millions in the US who are struggling to find meaning in their work. Maybe you’ve thought about it recently. Or maybe you’ve stopped thinking about it because you’ve given up hope that fulfillment on your job is even possible.
What if I told you that it is possible? What if I could show you a way to discover exactly what it is that you were designed to do? And what if I could help you find a way to do it in such a way that you found meaning and fulfillment and purpose in your life? When you learn who you are and how to find purpose, it will improve not only your work life, but your personal life will improve as well.
That’s what you can experience when you learn what your “Sweet Spot” is and how you can learn to live there. I believe that each one of us is unique, based on our personality, our genetic makeup, our design, our passions and our experiences. Take the sum total of these and figure out how to do them and why, and then you’ll be on your way to breaking free from the hum-drum way of life you are experiencing today.
-----------------------
Check out the Center Cross Creative web site to buy Max Lucado’s book Cure for the Common Life. And check out our next workshop series "Living In Your Sweet Spot" that will help you work through the process of discovering your sweet spot and your purpose in life.
What is this condition?
Job dissatisfaction. It is shared by the majority of people in the workplace today. Day after day, they get out of bed to go to a job they don’t like or to a place that is not enjoyable or to a job that they feel has no purpose.
If this is you, then you are one of millions in the US who are struggling to find meaning in their work. Maybe you’ve thought about it recently. Or maybe you’ve stopped thinking about it because you’ve given up hope that fulfillment on your job is even possible.
What if I told you that it is possible? What if I could show you a way to discover exactly what it is that you were designed to do? And what if I could help you find a way to do it in such a way that you found meaning and fulfillment and purpose in your life? When you learn who you are and how to find purpose, it will improve not only your work life, but your personal life will improve as well.
That’s what you can experience when you learn what your “Sweet Spot” is and how you can learn to live there. I believe that each one of us is unique, based on our personality, our genetic makeup, our design, our passions and our experiences. Take the sum total of these and figure out how to do them and why, and then you’ll be on your way to breaking free from the hum-drum way of life you are experiencing today.
-----------------------
Check out the Center Cross Creative web site to buy Max Lucado’s book Cure for the Common Life. And check out our next workshop series "Living In Your Sweet Spot" that will help you work through the process of discovering your sweet spot and your purpose in life.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Upcoming Lunch-n-Learn series
Our Next Sweet Spot Workshop Series:
A four-week series of lunchtime workshops on the topic "Living In Your Sweet Spot." Healthy food for the body -- Healthy stimulation for the mind.
First four Thursday's in August from 11:45am - 12:45pm. (Aug 2, 9, 16, 23)
Price includes a healthy lunch and all your workshop materials. (The book that this course is based on - Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado - is available at a discounted price on our web site when you register Just click to add one to your shopping basket.)
Click here to register -- Living In Your Sweet Spot.
Space is limited to 12 learners.
A four-week series of lunchtime workshops on the topic "Living In Your Sweet Spot." Healthy food for the body -- Healthy stimulation for the mind.
First four Thursday's in August from 11:45am - 12:45pm. (Aug 2, 9, 16, 23)
Price includes a healthy lunch and all your workshop materials. (The book that this course is based on - Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado - is available at a discounted price on our web site when you register Just click to add one to your shopping basket.)
Click here to register -- Living In Your Sweet Spot.
Space is limited to 12 learners.
Purpose of This Site
This is the site where we will post articles and news about our "Living In Your Sweet Spot" workshops here at Center Cross Creative.
From time to time, we offer workshops at our location as a Lunch-n-Learn series, and we offer workshops at your workplace or at your church. Contact us to get more information on upcoming workshops or to schedule one at your location -- micah@centercrosscreative.com.
From time to time, we offer workshops at our location as a Lunch-n-Learn series, and we offer workshops at your workplace or at your church. Contact us to get more information on upcoming workshops or to schedule one at your location -- micah@centercrosscreative.com.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
