Darryn's Blog

Build your shield of gratitude

She's known as "hot cop" by her brothers in blue. Fishers Police Officer Leslie Hulse has a smile that will light up any room. She's currently in the fight of her life in her third round with cancer. She is one of the most grateful, joyful people I know. Recently she told me, "One thing I've learned to do in the last year is to recognize the small blessings."

I know it sounds cliché, but learn from Leslie. Make it a regular habit to "count your blessings." This is the process of turning our "have to's" into "get to's." 

For example, there are people who are saying today, "If only I could walk again." "If only I could go to work today." "If only I could talk with my mom or dad."

• Think about what you do have, instead of what you don't have.
• Think about what's right with your life, instead of what is wrong.
• Think about what is beautiful, instead of what is ugly.
• Think about what is true, instead of dwelling on gossip.
• Think about what you get to do today, instead of what you have to do.
• Think about how big God is, instead of how big your problem is.

Protect those first few minutes of your day. They will determine what your day will be like. Go offline. Resist the urge to go to your inbox or the day's headlines. Keep the TV off.  Seek out some quiet. Maybe take a walk to get your heartrate up and the blood flowing.

Then out loud, begin to declare what you are thankful for. What do you "get" to do today? Let the words that come out of your mouth today be grateful, faith-filled words. 

If you're continually thinking about the goodness of God, you will train yourself overtime not to worry and complain. You will train yourself to overcome being down and discouraged. You're going to become consistent, not up one day and down the next...and people are going to notice.

Leslie writes encouraging notes to herself and sticks them in places where she is sure to see them often.

"Spend more time considering God's promises and less time looking at my circumstances."

Do whatever you have to do to build your shield of gratitude. It's worth it!

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6-7 (Message)

Remove the roadbocks to change

What do you do when you know what to do but you can't seem to do it? What happens when you "get stopped?"

A few weeks ago, nationally syndicated radio host and author Steve Arterburn wrote me his thoughts about our message series on Scarcity vs. Abundance. Steve writes,...

I think this is a very needed series of messages on changing your thinking.  I would add, "Change your behavior, change the world." Or at least change your world.

I think it is important for people to understand why their thinking is  messed up. In addition to media, parental influence and their own arrogant decision making process.  Then if they see the problem, and desire it to be  different and are willing for things to be different, you have to ask why they did not change.

What we do at New Life is take away the road blocks...the self-sabotaging thoughts, feelings and behavior.  For some it is counseling. For others, it is reading the Bible and for others their thinking will always be anxious ruminations until they finally get medication or start exercising or start eating differently.

Then if you change your thinking and the feelings don't come along, search for why, and then do whatever it takes to fix that or better said allow God to fix it.

The same goes with behavior. If it happens over and over again, is it dependency, addition, personality disorder, character flaw, rebellion, fear? Just what is it that keeps you the same?

The bottom line on all of this is just doing the next right thing.

You don't have to have everything figured out. You just have to do the next right thing, keep doing it and it will lead you to the path you need to be on.

And if you know the next right thing but cannot do it, unblock the path to wholeness by seeing, accepting and surrendering whatever it is that is causing you the problem that won't go away.

I hope this helps in some way.
Steve

Take Steve's advice. Find some space to get quiet and get clear about where you are habitually "getting stopped." What is the persistent roadblock? Resistance is found in the destructive habits (or defensive routines). If you want to be truly free, I invite you to dig deeply into any places of resistance that might be present.  The path to wholeness comes by seeing, accepting and surrendering whatever it is that is causing you the problem that won't go away. 

Post your thoughts and questions below. What does this stir up in you?

Reclaim Your Identity

Thanks for Jim Herrington for posting this comment on his facebook page today.

“For as long as you can remember, you have been a pleaser, depending on others to give you an identity. You need not look at that only in a negative way. You wanted to give your heart to others, and you did so quickly and easily. But now you are being asked to let go of all these self-made props and trust that God is enough for you. You must stop being a pleaser and reclaim your identity as a free self.”

Henri Nouwen

Let generosity pave the way to success

When we think from the filter of abundance, generosity can produce incredible creativity and productivity. Tim Sanders, co-founder of Yahoo.com told this story at The Leadership Forum at Southeastern University this past March.

Elmer Letterman, who is known as the greatest life insurance networker in the history of the United States, started his business in 1924 in Manhattan. He founded his business on a simple philosophy of helping people and making a difference.  His commitment to generosity did not change, even at the height of the Great Depression.

Every Friday he would host a networking lunch, inviting three people whom he felt would benefit from meeting one another. He would not bring any business cards or speak of his insurance company. Mr. Letterman did not confuse networking with prospecting for clients but simply engaged in networking as an act of love.

In 1933, he set a record for most individual policies versus assets in a single year in a single major market, which stood until 1949.

How was he able to accomplish the feat of selling so many policies during the worst economy in American History?  By connecting three people, 50 weeks a year, for 10 years, Mr. Letterman had invested in thousands of people who felt grateful towards him.

Recognizing you are a part of a greater community will give greater self confidence. Generosity will pave the way for success. Continue to make deposits of love into the relationships in your life.  If you do this your life will be satisfying and deeply fulfilling. If you have invested in people, you never face a crisis alone.

"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation." Proverbs 3:2-4 (NLT)

The compounding influence of a great team

Today I was greatly surprised and honored to receive the Rotarian of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Fishers, Indiana.

For those of you who don't know, Rotary International is a world-wide organization of over 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders in over 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Rotary’s main objective is Service Above Self — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotary is greatly respected for it's highly successful initiative to eradicate Polio. Recently, the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation gave a $255 million dollar grant for ending polio. This is the largest single donation EVER given to any non-profit, humanitarian organization.

I'm very proud to a part of this organization and I am greatly honored to receive this award from my peers in this community. I am humbled, grateful and thankful for their belief in who I am and what I stand for.

I was so surprised to hear my name announced I was rendered nearly speechless (can you believe it). After the presentation moment ended and I went back to my seat, I immediately wished my mind and mouth had been quick enough to express the real convictions of my heart. That one is too small a number for greatness. That no one can do it alone. That what has been accomplished this year is a result of the synergy and compounding influence of a great team.

Let me tell you of some of the incredible people I get to serve with and the gratitude I have for them.

1) I would not have received this award had it not been for then-President Tom Branum, Jr. who caught the vision and has been the spokesperson for the Water is Life Project. He took something that was in my heart and became the real champion for this vision. He is a terrific leader, a great listener, and as I tell him often, "one of the finest 'cat-herders' I’ve ever seen." He has led us cats well this last Rotary year. Tom, words do not express how proud I am of you.

2) Without the talent and abilities of George Wiley, the vision of the Water is Life Project would have never grabbed the hearts of so many people. He was rightly honored by the Club with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his video and website work. I’m his boss at Heartland Church, but all his work comes from the heart and with 100% effort. That’s a gift he gives freely and I’m very proud to serve with him.

3) I’m grateful for the invitation by Corby Thompson to join our club. He introduced me to the Fishers Rotary Club in 2001 so I owe him a lot..more than he probably realizes.

4) We have an amazing club full of deserving people who "get it" and contribute in their own special way.  The Water is Life project is a team effort. I think of all those vision meetings, planning meetings, impromptu conversations and extra presentations. I want to thank Valory Myers who served as Club President the year before Tom. The culture she cultivated methodically each week to serve and make the world better really inspired me to be a better Rotarian and commit to a higher level.  I’m also very grateful to Bill Jerrow, Diane Eaton, Brian Lott, David Cranor, and incoming Club President Michelle Sybesma and the many others who sacrificed their time and energy over and above their regular Rotary obligations to lay the ground work of support. Again without their efforts, Water is Life would have never lifted off the ground. 

5) I also want to thank Dr. JoAnne Lyone, founder of World Hope International who invited me to travel with her to Sierra Leone and see the need of this special country.  I'm grateful to the first groups of people who traveled with me, sacrificially taking the time to expose their hearts and lives to the great need in one of the poorest places on the planet. Their stories and experiences have fueled the vision and caused this powerful ripple of love and generosity to happen: David Cranor, Amie LoPresti, Diane Lott, Jenn Makulusky, Vincent Manganello, Lacey Moore, Lindsay Moore, Jordyn Scheske, Nick Scheske, George Wiley.

As I think about this amazing year of service with such wonderful people, I think, "Who am I that I should receive honor?" I’m just part of telling a story of what could be and what ought to be. The real heroes are every single person who has given sacrificially. The real heroes are those who dig the wells and go into the villages and do the work of making dreams real. It’s action that counts in the end and every well we create will change the lives of hundreds and hundreds of people. 

In the end we are about something much bigger than ourselves. Any gifts I have been given came from my Father in heaven, so any success in my life must be offered back to him. I’m just trying to listen to him, obey his promptings, and get in on what he is blessing. I want to give myself completely to his mission in the world to love people well, one life at a time.

I think of the time I spent in Africa and the life-changing news of generosity and love that thousands of people will receive that says, “Yes, we care!” Proverbs 25:25 says, “Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.”   

To my Fishers Rotary Club Family ... I love you all. Thank you for this great honor. In only increases my passion to serve with you here and around the world.

The future of Rotary is in our hands.

_____________________

If you would like to learn more about Water is Life, or make a contibution, please visit, www.waterislife.tv.*

*"Water Is Life" is a project of the Rotary Club of Fishers, Indiana.  Donations will go through the District 6560 World Community Service Foundation, or through Fishers Rotary Club for the benefit of "Water Is Life".  Tax status, intentions of the donations, and information regarding the donor will determine where checks are written.  All donations and fundraising will meet Rotary International Guidelines and are subject to outside audit -- for transparency and integrity of the project's stewardship of funds donated.

 

Respond with purpose

I received this great reading from Jennifer Iverson yesterday. I don't usually keep forwards but this is one I'll hang onto.

What upsets you is not what happens.
What upsets you is your response to what happens.

Just as easily as you respond in a negative way, you can easily and naturally respond in a positive, empowering, uplifting way.

The biggest problems are often caused by what you choose to do about the smallest problems.

Most of those big, painful problems are so unnecessary.

Keep reminding yourself that you are in control of you. You are in control and you can decide exactly how you wish to feel at any point.

Imagine the power of remaining calm and focused and resourceful when some totally unexpected, disappointing development interrupts your day. Truly, you can make the disappointments not disappointing at all.

Respond on purpose, with purpose. Feel the power and the joy as every moment gives you a way to move forward.

—Ralph Marston

So what happens when you have the desire and not the power? See the list of power promises in my last post, including this one ...

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Change Your Information Diet

What is your information diet? What are you filling your mind with? Have you connected the inputs of your daily life to your general sense of well-being and security?

Consider: Are you glued to the negativity of the news all day? Are you surrounding yourself with scarcity-thinking, “chicken-littles” who continually tear people down and talk about all the things that are going wrong?  Do you catch yourself mumbling negative thoughts about who you are and your abilities? Is there a negative soundtrack playing in the background of your thoughts throughout your day?

If that’s all you constantly think about, then don't be too surprised if your mind gets troubled and filled with fear and anxiety.

The Apostle Paul writes…

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

That eliminates a whole lot of what's on TV. It could eliminate a number of the friends you hang around with.

You can change your information diet. For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:

You say: “It’s impossible.”
God says: “All things are possible to those who believe.” (Luke 18:27)

You say: “Nobody really loves me.”    
God says: “I love you.” (Psalm 66:20, Psalm 86:13,  John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: “I can’t go on.”    
God says: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: “I can’t figure things out.”    
God says: “I will direct your steps.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: “I can’t do it.”
God says: “You can do all things through Christ.” (Philippians 4:13)

You say: “It’s not worth it.”
God says: “It will be worth it.” (Romans 8:28)

You say: "It's unfair! They're getting away with it."
God says: "I'll settle the score." (Romans 12:19 & 1 Peter 3:9)

You say: “I can’t forgive myself.
God says: “I forgive you.”  (1 John 1:7-9 & Romans 8:1-2)

You say: “I don’t have enough.” 
God says: “I will supply all your needs.” (Matthew 6:33 & Philippians 4:11-13, Philippians 4:19)

You say: “I’m afraid.”
God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear.” (Psalm 56:3; John 14:27 & 2 Timothy 1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated.”
God says: “Cast all your cares on me.” (Philippians 4:6-7 & 1 Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm a failure...my vices are too powerful for me."
God says: "I will always provide a way out." (1 Corinthians 10:13 & James 4:7)

You say: “I don’t have enough faith.” 
God says: “I’ve given everyone a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:1-3)

You say: “I’m not smart enough.”
God says: “I give you wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:30 & James 4:7 )

You say: “I feel all alone. I am not enough.” 
God says: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Learn to live a positive, grateful life by seeing yourself and your circumstances from God’s point of view.  God has given you the promises of His Word to discipline your mind with.

As you meditate on what God says about you, you’ll start to see yourself in a whole new light. You will start to see yourself as God sees you.  You will develop the incredible confidence that comes from a godly self-image.

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you…”  Philippians 4:9 (NLT)

Post a comment. Tell me how you make this practical. How do you keep thinking the right thoughts?

Hunt Elephants, Not Firewood

I miss my grandfather, John Lynn, very much. He went to be with the Lord last year after living 95 years on this earth, 43 of those years as a missionary in East Africa. He was a tall man with dark skin, leathered by many years in hot African sun.  I spent countless hours listening to him tell the stories his adventures and experiences. His speech was often laced with scripture, wise sayings and African proverbs. I always came away a little different after one of our visits. He was an abundance thinker.

As he became fluent in the Kiswahili language in his early thirties, he took a particular interest in learning hundreds of proverbs with which the language abounds. They are small bites of wisdom condensed in a short line. In some cases, they parallel our own proverbs. For instance, we say “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” In Swahili, one would say, “Hills that are far away have no stones.”

But my Grandfather’s favorite proverb is this—

“The hunter of elephants does not lack firewood.”

Here is an excerpt from one of his letters to me in which he explained the meaning of this wise saying.

To anyone who does not know the habits of these great animals, this is a mystery and has no meaning. But I have seen many elephants and watched them for hours as they were feeding in the bush areas. I have watched them stand up on their hind legs and grab a big branch of a tree and tear it out and pull it to the ground where they proceeded to eat all the leaves and small branches.  When they finished with that branch they went on to another tree and repeated the same process.

Therefore, the hunter of elephants, does not need to hunt firewood. All one has to do is hunt elephants and on their trail one will find firewood in abundance.

There is a better way to live. What are you spending your life on?  I am convinced that many people spend all their time and energy seeking how they can amass “firewood” but they miss the greatest things in life.

In Matthew 6, the Lord Jesus proposes a radical lifestyle for His followers. He says, “…don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

In other words, put God’s priorities and purposes first in your life and pursue them wholeheartedly. Then, as another translation says, “…all these things will be given to you.”

If your priorities are right, you will never have to worry about the necessities of life

What a powerful challenge! Just think, you can be involved in God’s business first of all, and He takes care of  “all these things’

Hunting elephants is no easy task but you can have the excitement and the joy of pursuing a greater purpose then just hunting firewood---you get the firewood thrown in free, from the hand of God.

As St Francis Assisi said,  “Give up your small ambitions.”

Be an abundance thinker. Hunt elephants, not firewood. Then you get it all.

This Sunday with Leslie

For everyone who heard me this past week, I shared an update on Fishers Police Officer, Leslie Hulse. If you don't know her story, watch the background video at the bottom of this post.

Several of you have asked for the text of the letter Leslie wrote me this past week when she discovered that the cancer had returned, this time in her brain. I asked her permission and she has gladly consented to let me share her powerful words of faith and abundance with you.

This is what is means to have confidence in God, gratitude in your mouth, and generosity of spirit. Leslie is an "abundance thinker!" Feel free to share her incredible faith.

Hi Darryn,

I've been meaning to write for a week to tell you about my last CT scan but I keep procrastinating.  I've gotten to know my oncologist so well that I can read his body language before he gives me the "bad news face".  I knew when he walked in the door I wasn't going to get the news I wanted [...] I told the doctor that I was surprised because I have been feeling better, besides the pain.  He is starting a new drug to go along with the current treatment.  I felt disappointed by the news but I didn't get upset.  I think it's harder on the doctor.  He once said he hates giving me bad news because I take it so well.  He badly wants to give me good news.  I think I've only had good news once in the last year and it only lasted 6 weeks.  I wanted to share what I learned from God after the news that day and share some of what I wrote in my journal. 
 
Not coincidentally, I came across 1 Cor. 2:9-16.  ...

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"- 'but God has revealed it to us by his spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.  The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 'For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct him?'  But we have the mind of Christ."

Bad news came today.  I was hoping for healing but learned the lesions are growing and the cancer is appearing in different locations.  More cancer drugs.  The doctor told me not to give up hope.  I have been praying for healing .  I have no doubt that God is able to heal me.  I don't know what God is doing.  I know the message was "to get up" and I'm trying to do that, but feeling good is day to day and I sure don't feel like I'm accomplishing anything.  I don't want to waste the time God is giving me.  I know God cares about my obedience.  How can I not trust God?  What darkness would I be in without Him?  Will I finish out my life in a few years as a sick person?  Will I recover and have good health again?  Are we prolonging my life with these drugs or will God heal me?  Only God knows.  I don't dwell on these questions.  I know God will use it for good and to glorify Himself. "
 
I've been a Christian exactly half of my life.  I believed in Jesus 18 years ago when I was 18 years old.  I sometimes think about the years I have wasted learning the same lessons over and over again and I realize why God is so patient with us.  It takes us that long to "get it".  I was looking back at my prayer journals when I was a brand new believer and I saw that I have the same struggles all these years later.  It took "The Great Crushing" to finally make me mature. 

"The Great Crushing" is what I call the last 3 years.  The one question I frequently ask God is not why? but why so long?  How long will I continue to suffer?  The verse I go back to for comfort is Joel 2:25, "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten..."

I know God is using me through my suffering.  It matters how I respond.  I don't think most people realize I'm still suffering and still in the middle of my trial.  Most people see me on Sunday and of all the days of the week, Sunday is almost always my best day.  I know it's because God wants me to go to church.  I look forward to it each week.  I have never been more excited about going to church than in the last year since I started going to Heartland.  And I've been going to church my whole life.  I've been to about every kind of church there is. 

I hope I'm giving and not just taking from it. 
 
One thing I've learned to do in the last year is to recognize the small blessings and not focus on the bigger picture.  That's God's job. I have a quote taped to my computer monitor that says,

"Spend more time considering God's promises and less time looking at my circumstances." 

I have another quote taped inside my car that says

"Take comfort that even though situations may seem bleak, our God sees our end and intends our good." 

Recently I went through a discouraging time and every night before I went to sleep I read the Psalms out loud and didn't stop until I was comforted.  I never went to sleep during that time without comfort. When I get discouraged I remember the promises God put in my heart and I know I won't die until He fulfills them . So, I don't worry about bad news. [...] Though, it is hard to imagine the future.  I guess the blessing behind that is that I really can live day to day and see what God will do.  I know God loves me.  I know what it's like to have constant pain and I know what it's like to be the kind of tired that even sleep can't cure, but God always always shows up and somehow encourages me and lifts me up. 

I'm grateful for "The Great Crushing" because it brought me into a right relationship with my Savior.  John 10:28 says,

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." 

I believe that once we believe in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit that nothing can snatch us from His hand, not even ourselves.  I was hiding from God before "The Great Crushing" but I started seeking Him.  He made me choose between Him and my sin at the time and I chose Him.  God knew what was coming and He has never let me be alone even when I was in despair.  That's why I know that how I respond is my witness.  That's how I know God will restore the wasted years. 
 
 I still feel sad and discouraged sometimes, but I believe I am an abundance thinker.  I hope my message says the same thing to you.  
 
 I want to thank you for your faithful prayers for me over the last year.  I appreciate that you are a prayer warrior on my behalf.  I believe God has heard our prayers and answered them; we just haven't received the answer yet.  Daniel 10:18-19 "Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.  'Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,' he said.  'Peace!  Be strong now; be strong.'"  This was one of my comforts from God when I was despairing last year.  I remember at the time wishing God would send His angel to talk to me like that.  That's why we have prayer and the Word, right?
 
I have chemotherapy in the morning early.  It's just one drug so hopefully I will recover quickly like I have been.  I'm looking forward to Sunday. Have a great rest of the week!
 
In Christ,
Leslie

P.S.  I think my friend [name deleted] would like to say hello to you sometime [...] You've been introduced.  I don't know if you remember him.  I see that the Holy Spirit is at work in his heart.  He's tough on the outside, but I believe he desires God. 
 
I think this is the longest email I've ever written.