"Hope for the Heart Broken"

“Caleb Put His Shirt On Backwards and it Changed My Life”

One of my favorite quotes says, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Apparently I was ready for one of the greatest life lesson reminders yesterday morning. My son was getting ready for school and I had told him, “Son, hurry up and get dressed so we aren’t late!” Little Caleb put his underwear, socks, and pants on, and all he had to do was throw on his shirt. I happened to be brushing my teeth as I looked over at little Caleb and saw that he had just put his shirt on backwards. Usually Caleb is a little on the grouchy side in the mornings. However, as he looked to me in frustration and confusion about his shirt being on backwards, we both just started cracking up. We were laughing so loud that the neighbors had to be thinking that we were watching a comedy movie at 7:00 a.m. After dropping him off at school, I was thinking to myself on the way into Jamba Juice for my 2-ounce shot of Wheat Grass, “Gee, Caleb sure was in a really good mood!” What caused this today? I sat there and thought: “Wait a minute! There are actually a few lessons we can learn from Caleb’s little blunder today”:

1. Don’t Take Life So Seriously – We all need a reminder that we are not supposed to sweat the small stuff. Life is too short to be so uptight, angry, or serious. There are times when you just need to realize that it’s just not a big deal.

2. Remember To Laugh – When was the last time you just laughed at yourself, at one of your mistakes, or in the face of adversity? Laughter truly is better than medicine, and it is healthy for the soul and mind! It actually was nice to take a few minutes to laugh about something that most people have grown much too stressed or calloused to enjoy.

3. Don’t Be Negative – I know far too many parents that pass negativity down to their kids in the small moments of their lives. It could have been as small or seemingly harmless as saying, “Come on, can’t you tell which way to put your shirt on?” However, we as parents, leaders, spouses, friends, or bosses need to remember the power of positive thinking and speaking.

4. Change – We all overlook things, drop the ball, make mistakes, and “fail.” However, we must never get to the place where we can’t admit, take full responsibility for, or simply make the changes necessary to put us back on the right path or in the right direction. After our few minutes of cracking up and a few positive words, I just simply said, “No biggie buddy, just turn it around and put it on right!” Remember that you can change, and many times we are just one or two adjustments away from positive and successful results in our lives.

Isn’t it amazing that just a few powerful principles can be refreshed within us at the most unlikely times and through the most unlikely circumstances? The next time something doesn’t happen the way you want it to or thought it should, simply ask the question, “What can I learn from this?” Never lose your passion to learn and grow from each experience and situation in your life. God bless you as you get back on your feet, let go of your past, and move towards success, prosperity, and positive results in your life, business, family, and Christianity.

Matthew J Maddix

http://swbootcampfire.com

“Dad, would you just make a decision?”

Tonight I threw my son for a loop and gave him a choice, “Son, we can go home, snuggle up and watch a good movie or we can go play some more baseball and hockey, what would you rather do?” He contemplated for about 4 minutes and then asked the most fantastic question, “Why can’t we just do both?” A little awed by his sweet faith and confidence to ask his daddy anything, I just stared at him and chuckled. While we were going through the grocery store picking up a few things for the house and for his lunch tomorrow he said, “Dad, would you just hurry and make a decision?” I got the biggest kick out of his grown up request and plea for me to, “Make a Decision!”

Friends, we can’t forget or neglect the reality that there are those that are waiting on us to, “Make Decisions!” The book, Why CEO’s Fail, says that the number one reason why CEO’s fail is because of a lack of execution. I want you to be honest for a moment and become extremely transparent with yourself. What in your life have you been putting off, and what needs immediate execution? If you are sincere about being a successful business man, Christian, husband, or whatever it may be, then you must become action oriented. Needless to say, Caleb and I just finished snuggling up to a good movie because daddy decided that it was a little too late to play baseball and hockey. God bless you this week as you choose to take action on the urgent priorities of your life.

Matt Maddix
http://swbootcampfire.com/

"Lessons from Anthony Mangun"

The last couple weeks have been the most transformational, impacting, and enlightening two weeks of my life. I’ve had the opportunity to spend the month of February with Anthony Mangun and the Pentecostals of Alexandria. It will be a month that I’ll forever cherish and remember as long as I live. They’ve all expressed what a “blessing” that I’ve been to them and how much I’ve impacted the church for Soul Winning, Guest Follow Up, Home Bible Studies, and Discipleship. However, it’s actually been the other way around; I’ve been the recipient of blessing, encouragement, training, and empowerment. I’m going to share with you five powerful lessons that I learned from Anthony Mangun:

1. Consistency –

I’m not sure if I’ve ever met someone that is more consistent than Anthony & Mickey Mangun. I remember having Gentury Mangun down in St. Petersburg with us for a few weeks, and Anthony called every night to pray for his son. I’ve been in a close mentorship with Anthony Mangun for the past 4 years, and I can tell you that he is the most consistent person that I’ve ever met. He is consistent with his family, relationships, his word, and is very consistent with his Spiritual Disciplines. He doesn’t waiver on the message of Salvation, holiness, and family devotion. Every Monday night, Pastor Anthony and Mickey lead a family devotion for 1-2 hours of prayer, discussion, Bible study, devotion, and dialogue. It’s so refreshing to know a leader that is so consistent in his life, speech, attitude, actions, and example. Back when I was going through a challenging time in my life, Anthony Mangun called me every single day for about 45 straight days. They have been so kind to me through the years. Even when I needed correction or direction, he always did it in such a consistent manner that actually made me want to listen and do whatever he said. Their consistency makes you feel safe, and I trust them with my life. It’s the reason why POA is a refuge for not only people locally but also the hundreds of ministers and wives that have come under the safety, shelter, and protection of such consistent and Godly people.

2. Soul Winning –

I can teach a lot about Soul Winning and feel that I can really help churches and train for personal Soul Winning. However, just by spending time with Anthony & Mickey Mangun, I can tell you that they are Soul Winning Machines. A lot of people may not even realize what an awesome Soul Winner Mickey Mangun is. She is such a people person and is one of the most genuine ladies that you’ll ever meet. She started a group that meets on Saturdays and helps people that battle with addictions from alcohol, drugs, and pain medications. To watch Mickey interact with people at church or in restaurants is simply refreshing and encouraging. The Manguns have always been my heroes, mentors, and people that I’ve deeply admired. They are true healers to so many, and there are literally thousands upon thousands of people in the city of Alexandria that they’ve personally impacted through personal evangelism and friendship. I was eating at Copelands last Sunday with Lee Stoneking and the Manguns, and a man died of a heart attack across the restaurant. As soon as the waiter told Pastor Anthony what had happened, they went to check on the family and pray for the man. The entire family (wealthy and very classy) saw Pastor Anthony and said, “Oh Dr. Mangun, please pray for our friend; he just passed out, and they are pumping his heart.” It was so amazing to watch how they touched, empathized, showed compassion, prayed for, and ministered to this entire family. The Pentecostals of Alexandria is the most powerful, effective, passionate, prayerful, and Soul Winning church on earth. You’ll never see it just on a Sunday visit or at Because of the Times, but if you could get into the veins, the life, and daily flow of POA, you’ll discover that it’s a true Soul Winning church. I remember telling Sis. Mickey last week, “You know, you are one awesome Soul Winner!” Pastor Anthony laughed and said, “You haven’t even heard all my Soul Winning stories yet, you just wait!” J Sister Mickey just laughed and whispered to me, “He’s a Mangun and always has to win, and I just let him think so, but we know…” It was so neat to watch the way they interact with each other.

3. Giving –

If I had to take one word and describe Anthony & Mickey Mangun, it would be “giving!” They are the most giving people that you’ll ever meet. They have such a passion for people, missions, the poor, and the hurting. I’ve watched Anthony Mangun walk across the restaurant on many occasions and pick up people’s bills and pay for them. He really wouldn’t want me to say anything about this, but I’m going to, because I’m just sharing with you principles that I’ve observed so it can encourage and impact you to become better people; Anthony Mangun eats at “The Pit Grill” a lot in Alexandria, and this past Christmas, he walked in and gave every single waitress $50 for Christmas. They absolutely love him in there, and his giving spirit has won many of them to God and helped them trust him as a preacher. It’s so neat to watch “Anthony Mangun” just sitting down talking with a normal everyday waitress that might make about $5.00 or $6.00 an hour, and he’ll just slip them a $20 from time to time. Last Christmas, Anthony & Mickey Mangun would just randomly knock on a door in Alexandria and hand a family $300.00 and bless them. Their spirit of giving has brought the blessings of God upon them, the church, and the entire city. Just remember that God blessed all the Egyptians for Joseph’s sake. The way that POA gives to missions, other ministries, people locally in Alexandria, and to many other causes is absolutely powerful, and it reveals why they are all so blessed.

4. Honor –

You’ll have to search long and hard to find people that are any more polite, respectful, and kind to people regardless of their status in life. The Manguns love them all and most importantly have taught me the valuable lesson honoring the past. I’ve watched Anthony Mangun for 10 years and have been very privileged to have many conversations with him, and I’ve never one time heard him speak a negative word against leadership or elders. He’s always very respectful and gives honor to his parents, official leaders, and the Tennys. As a young minister, I can really appreciate the way he honors leadership. It’s a perfect example to me to always remember to give honor and show respect to older ministers and people that have gone before us; however, not just honor for older ministers or even mentors of his, but even peers and other ministers get the feeling of respect and consideration around the Manguns.

5. Authentic –

Let me tell you why POA is POA and why BOTT is BOTT! Anthony and Mickey Mangun are authentic, genuine, honest, and real! They are the type of people that we all appreciate, because they are open about their failures as well as their successes. As a young minister, I’ve found it to be very safe to talk with them about anything and even ask questions that would have me marked or cut off among some other people. Yet, they are so authentic that they make you feel very safe to have dialogue, talk, share your heart, and ask questions without fearing rejection or judgment. The reason that so many people feel safe attending the POA is because people in the 21st Century are looking for consistent, giving, respectful, and authentic leaders. You’ll not meet people that are any more genuine than the Manguns.

You know, it was really challenging for me to keep this in 5 lessons when, in reality, I could’ve really talked with you about his family commitment, leadership skills, passion, work ethic, pastoral ability, vision, and wisdom. He has never one time led me astray! They’ve been my true friends and have caused me, as a young man, to become stronger, more consistent, more giving, a better Soul Winner, show more respect, and just be authentic. It wasn’t always their words that moved me. Many times it was when they didn’t even know they were teaching me – the times when I just watched, listened, observed and caught the principle. I’m excited about many return visits to the POA in the future, and it’s become my home away from home. I’ve adopted the Manguns to be like parents to me, and they are just simply awesome, neat, amazing, powerful, influential, wise, empowering, encouraging, and a gift from God. I’m not sure if any of you really realize just how many millions across the world have been inspired, encouraged, blessed, and impacted by the Manguns and the Pentecostals of Alexandria. They are truly a once in a lifetime, very special, and God sent people. They are leaders of leaders, and they, to me, are a nail in a sure place. The United Pentecostal Church should always appreciate, honor, and thank God for leaders as the Manguns that give many of us younger ministers hope, inspiration, and clear direction. Thank you God for February 2009 and for the opportunity to get to experience the Pentecostals of Alexandria and to spend quality time with my mentors! If you have never been to a Sunday service at POA, please take a weekend vacation and just go experience for yourself the hospitality, kindness, passion, worship, preaching, and awesome church. It will be the experience of a lifetime.

Why should I attend a Soul Winners Boot Camp?

As many of you know by now, we’re going to be coming to Houston, Texas, on Thursday, March 19-22, 2009, for a very powerful and Apostolic Soul Winners Boot Camp. I’d like to help answer a very important question that may have already entered your mind; “Why should I attend a Soul Winners Boot Camp?” I am going to give you at least four good, concrete reasons that you should do whatever it takes to make sure that you or someone that you care about attends this awesome, God blessed ministry opportunity.

1. Soul Winners Boot Camp has a Mission – The mission, purpose, and goal is very clear and concise; train and inspire Soul Winners. Nothing else really matters if we don’t have both “inspiration” and “training!” The church doesn’t lack vision, passion, heart, or inspiration. However, there seems to be a gap for practical and effective tools for Soul Winning and Discipleship.

2. Soul Winners Boot Camp will Equip you – You’ll receive the following training and teaching at Soul Winners Boot Camp: (1) Guest Follow Up, (2) How to Structure Outreach in the local church, (3) How to Disciple and Close the Back Door, (4) How to have Soul Winning Youth Groups, (5) Effective Personal Soul Winning, (6) How to Pray people through the Holy Ghost, and (7) What God really expects from a Soul Winner.

3. Soul Winners Boot Camp is Motivating – God told us time after time in the word of God to renew our mind and strength, and there would even be times that we’d get weary in well doing. I want you to know that Soul Winners Boot Camp will renew your passion, vision, and heart for Souls. You’ll leave feeling very motivated, re-energized, excited, and renewed in your faith and passion.

4. Soul Winners Boot Camp Fulfills your Passion – Who doesn’t have a passion for God? Who doesn’t want to see as many people make it to Heaven as possible? Who doesn’t want to do more with their life? Soul Winners Boot Camp focuses on (1) Hands on Training, (2) Serving the Poor, (3) Winning Souls, and (4) Practical & effective equipping for Soul Winning and Discipleship.
You’ll love it and feel re-charged to follow your passion and be the Soul Winner you’ve been called to be.

So here is what I’d like for you to consider as you make your choice to either, (1) Attend, (2) Support financially, and/or (3) Tell others about Soul Winners Boot Camp. What would keep you from coming? What do you really have to lose? What’s the worst thing that could happen to you or any of your friends, family, and church by attending a Soul Winners Boot Camp? Do you believe that we should all be hungry to learn, grow, and sharpen our skills? Would you be willing to take 3 days out of your schedule to attend a Soul Winners Boot Camp? If you are ready, hungry, and willing to do whatever it takes, then Soul Winners Boot Camp is right up your alley and for you.

If you have any questions whatsoever about Soul Winners Boot Camp in Houston, Texas, March 19, 2009, please visit our website at http://swbootcampfire.com or call our office at 727-289-4629. I can assure you from the depths of my soul that you’ll not regret for one single moment your time at Soul Winners Boot Camp. You’ll be so encouraged, inspired, and equipped that you’ll feel so confident and secure about winning souls. We’ll help you overcome your fears, obstacles, and empower you to reach your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. If you are unable to attend but still believe in the overall cause and would like to become one of our monthly partners, please call Travis at 727-244-1066 or Amber at 727-692-2305. We’re thankful for those that partner with us for $25-$50 a month and help us continue the mission of training the Apostolic church and reaching the 6 billion lost souls.

Sincerely,

Matt Maddix

"Three Reasons that I am a Soul Winner"

Often I’m asked to come to churches and light a fire within the members to win souls and reach the world. I’ve given 17 years of my life to Radical and Adventurous Soul Winning, and I must admit that it’s been the time of my life. Of all the things that I enjoy and am involved with, there is nothing more rewarding, fulfilling, and satisfying than seeing a soul won to Jesus Christ. It causes me to want to do more and spend the rest of my life taking this precious gospel around the world to the streets, college campuses, neighborhoods, ghettos, homeless shelters, cancer centers, to doctors, celebrities, businessmen, third world countries, high schools, children, jails, nursing homes, internet, TV, radio, or wherever and whatever I possibly can. Jesus came to this earth for the cause of people, to save sinners, and to give life to this world. Thank God that He has given us the awesome opportunity to live in an era where so many are hungry for God and are ready for the gospel. I’m deeply moved, at this current moment, as I sit in my office and reflect upon my experience and involvement in Soul Winning. It’s been a thrill, and at the same time, a very overwhelming task when I consider all that God requires of us and can do through us. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to share with you three reasons that I’m a Soul Winner; it’s going to be a major challenge to keep it within three, but I’ll do so for the sake of your time. I’d beg you from the depths of my heart and with every drop of blood in my body to read this and be inspired, motivated, encouraged, and mainly awakened to the need, cause, and urgency that lies before us. Get ready to weep, get excited, and want to take action at the same time.

1. Burden –

The first reason that I am a Soul Winner is because of the genuine burden that God gave to me, because I sincerely asked for it at a young age. There were three divine moments in my life where I could feel the transfer of burden in my heart and spirit. It reminds me of the young preacher whose church was exploding and growing at a very rapid rate that used to weep while preaching. Feeling the embarrassment of weeping so much while he preached, he actually prayed and said, “God, please take away my tears.” The Lord honored his prayers and his tears were gone. However, after about six months, the young pastor’s church began to decline and lose members, influence, and momentum. It was then that God began to deal with this preacher about the cause of such a loss; it was because he prayed for the Lord to take away his tears; therefore, lost his burden. He then found a place to pray and said, “Lord, please give me back my tears!” Friends, I write this with tears streaming down my face, and I write for the cause of hurting, lonely, empty, lost, and confused families, children, teenagers, and people that need a church of compassion and burden. Do you mind if I share an observation with you about the 21st century church? Our churches in the 21st century are consumed with the mechanics of “church”, and many of us are so talented or perhaps have gotten so busy that we’ve lost the burden of what this is really all about. I’m a Soul Winner, because I have a burden and a heart full of compassion for this world and those that have to go to bed at night with no Holy Ghost, no peace, and no Jesus. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be without God and His presence, power, and peace in my life.

I’m not even going to attempt to express my burden for the poor, fatherless children, hurting single mothers, bound alcoholics, a man that has made decisions in life that have led him to a bed that consists of a park bench or the sidewalk, and the millions of precious, sincere people that attend churches with no power, life, or Holy Ghost revival. We must pray and ask Jesus to let us have His heartbeat and His Spirit, and if we let it happen, then we must be prepared to live life with compassion and burden. It’s not always easy, but people of burden and compassion will change the world and make a life changing eternal difference in the lives of people.

2. Excitement –

Please understand that Soul Winning is not an issue that we should be debating the mechanics over. I’m actually stunned and amazed at the amount of people that evaluate the Tim Downs approach, Soul Winners Boot Camp approach, or the Holy Ghost crusade approach. I’m not sure where those well meaning people are coming from when they want to spend their time making issues over the cause of evangelism and soul winning. The real issue is that we are missing out on the purpose of sharing our testimony; we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. I will admit that not everyone sticks, and the majority of churches have a very weak follow up and discipleship system. For that very reason, I’ve given myself to the solution, and I believe that God has given me insight; I plan on teaching churches, pastors, and leaders to effectively follow up and disciple people. However, while we may not all have everything together just yet, please don’t overlook the joy and abundant excitement that fills your heart when you share the gospel, serve the poor, baptize a sinner, and watch God fill someone with the Holy Ghost. Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to know that winning souls is an addiction, a thrill, and the joy of a lifetime. It’s the single most rewarding and exciting element of the church. Let’s not become distracted with who uses what method to reach people. Methods are like tools – they are all necessary for certain functions of assembly or construction and are meant to help us and make life easier. Church doesn’t have to be a competition nor do we need to make it all about comparison either. We need to get back to simply enjoying being a Christian, the blessings of God, and enjoying the journey of winning people to Jesus. If you feed the homeless, go to the jail every Tuesday night, knock on every door in your city, teach Bible Studies, drive a Sunday school bus, bake cookies for the shut ins, or whatever you may do to serve, give, let your light shine, or pray people through on a daily basis, just go do it, and let the excitement return to your life. Nobody has all the answers or right methods. We are simply called by Jesus to do six things; (1) Let our lights shine, (2) Do good works, (3) Serve the poor, (4) Witness, (5) Win Souls, and (6) Disciple people. If we all do those six things, regardless of our method or style, it’s meant to be exciting, fun, and addicting. Did I make myself clear?

3. It’s the Will of God –

Please let me make it very clear that Soul Winning is not supposed to bring condemnation on your life. It’s not about that. However, you know yourself better than we all do, and you know if you are truly a careless, apathetic, lazy, and critical “Christian” that simply just doesn’t care, and therefore, it’s easier on your own conscious to talk about those that are winning souls or to make excuses of why you are not. We’ll leave that for the Lord to decide. However, let me go on record, stand flat footed and tell you that Soul Winning is the perfect will of God. There isn’t a person alive on this planet that attends one single church, preaches one message, teaches one Sunday school class, or holds one position that is exempt from Winning Souls. It’s not a separate ministry of the church; while there may be different methods or ministries that all affect Soul Winning, it doesn’t exempt our individual responsibility to be a witness to our neighbors, family, friends, or co-workers. It’s our calling from God, and it’s His perfect will for us to win souls. You’ll never in your lifetime meet one person that is more radical, addicted, passionate, and consumed with Soul Winning than Jesus Christ. There is no way possible that any of us could stand before nail scarred hands with a calloused, apathetic, hard, and burden less heart. It’s just not going to happen. If you desire to be in the perfect will of God, then please begin following Jesus, and allow Him to make you fishers of men.

I’ll close with a few thoughts to provoke and cause all to think. If we have no passion to win souls, we are not following Jesus. Why should we hear the gospel three times a week when there are millions that have never heard it one time in their lives? Why would you not want to see your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers experience Salvation and be saved from a lake of fire? Would you not want to do the very thing that pleases God the most? Are you willing to learn more about Soul Winning? One last thought; I know of thousands of preachers and saints that will go to conference after conference to listen to preaching, but when it comes to just pure raw Soul Winning and going to the streets, where are they? Are you willing to finally actually GO? Are you willing to actually put it into action and win a soul? Are you willing to be trained and experience a Soul Winning explosion? If yes, then please be bold enough to join us at one of our 16 Soul Winners Boot Camps by visiting swbootcampfire.com, and I can assure you that you’ll leave with a Soul Winning Passion and tools that will help you reach your friends and family. God bless you as you follow God with your whole heart and allow yourself to become an effective Soul Winner in 2009!

Matthew J Maddix

http://mattmaddix.com

http://swbootcampfire.com

"If I Had it to Do Over Again"

It has been a beautiful Friday in the state of Florida and in my life. I awoke early this morning to finish my “Must Be Done List” and accomplish all my daily goals. I was able to make it to the gym for a strong, hour long cardio and work out. It was so refreshing and mentally healthy. I listened to an audio book on my IPOD called, “The Passion Test”. It was so awesome and very motivational. After swinging by the health food store to get my daily wheat grass shot, I decided to visit my favorite place in St. Petersburg; Mazzaros! If you are ever in the St. Petersburg area and want to have the experience of your life, then stop by Mazzaros! Everyone in that place knows me and treats me like a celebrity whenever I walk in. It’s fun and very energizing to talk, laugh, and connect with all the workers. It’s one of the most electrifying places you’ll visit. The music, culture, and atmosphere are a true Italian experience. There is a coffee bar in the middle; it’s the place where everyone sits around and talks. Today, I noticed a very cute elderly couple sitting right next to me and decided to talk with them and ask them questions about life, family, success, work, and passion. It was an awesome conversation as this 79 year old couple that had been married for 60 years talked with me and answered my questions. I like to talk with people and thoroughly believe that I can learn something from everyone that I meet. They say that experience is the best teacher. I’ll have to disagree; experience isn’t the best teacher. The best teacher is experience and the experience of others. I walked away from an hour conversation feeling so refreshed, enriched, and thankful for life. I also walked away with the feeling of, “Oh God, life really does go by fast!”

I was telling my brother about this experience and became very sober at something that the elderly gentleman said after I had asked the question, “Jim, if you had it to do over again, what would you do different?” He looked right into my eyes and said, “I’d do what I really wanted to do.” For the past hour, I’ve been thinking about that one sentence. I’m in deep thought right now, there is a lump in my throat, and I have even been choked up a few times over the past few minutes. What would we all do if we had it to do over again? It’s a fun question and it’s something that we should ask everyone that we meet and know. However, it’s the most disappointing feeling in the world; we will never have it to live over again. Someone once asked me what my most sobering thought was. My most sobering thought is, “We all only have ONE life!” One chance to do it!

We have one shot and one chance to learn our lessons, make our mark, and experience life. Does it go by fast? You bet that there’ll come a day that you’ll look back and it will be too late to live your dreams and passions. Someone once said, “When we get to the end of our lives, we’ll not regret the things that we did but rather the things that we didn’t do.” So, what is it that you really want? What would you do with your life if you could have the “perfect” life? What would you do if you had to do to again? What would you do if money was no option and you could actually have the confidence to try and do what your heart beats for? What do you daydream about? What is burning in your soul and mind to do? Friends, I urge you to stop right now and make sure that you are living the life of your dreams now. Look within and tune a deaf ear to those small minded people that are always dragging you down with their average and mediocre words and thoughts. Please don’t get to the end and regret. Please don’t die with the dream inside. Please don’t allow fear or the unknown to keep you from living your life to the fullest.

Anyone that studies success knows that “clarity” is the secret to achieving and getting what you want. Are you able to “clarify” exactly what you want and then are you willing to pursue after it? Why don’t you go back to school? Why not take that missions trip? Why not take your parents on their “dream” vacation? Why not build that Homeless Shelter? Why don’t you start giving now the way that you “think” you would give if you had a million dollars? Why don’t you save the money and take your family on a vacation? Why not slow down and go play catch with your son, have that talk with your daughter, and go play games with your friends? I’m bothered with how stressed and unhappy America has become. We seem to be in such a hurry, rushing and going nonstop. We are living in fear of rejection and have settled with schedules we don’t like and working jobs that we hate. What? You are going to give 40 hours of your week away doing what you have no passion for? Why? For what; security, a car you don’t like, and a house you don’t enjoy? Why not make some radical changes! Change your spending habits, get out of debt, go back to school, and do whatever you must do to start doing what you love and what you want. Are you willing to break out of your rut and take a leap or risk? I always like to operate with the worst case scenario in mind; what is the worst thing that could happen? If necessary, you become the biggest penny pinching miser, get rid of the car payment, and live below your means until you are able to do what you love. It’s a mind over matter for the bigger picture of your dreams and passions.

You may have to work two jobs just for one year, get up at 4:00 am to study and read. You may have to say no to the good so you can say yes and enjoy the best. However, whatever you do, please don’t fall into the trap and sell yourself short. Please don’t allow your father’s negative opinion, your ex husband, your friends, or even your past keep you from a bright, healthy, exciting, passionate, and successful future. Your future is right now, and I want you to get off, “Someday Island”. You say, “Someday I’ll…” I’ll what? How about doing it now and enjoying your life today? How about playing with your kid now? How about reading that book this week? How about enrolling in college next semester? How about volunteering at the mission this week? How about winning a soul now? How about reading your Bible through this year? How about joining the gym today? How about making changes in your health now? How about calling your dad now? How about inviting the family over this Sunday afternoon for a cookout and games? How about less TV time and more personal time? How about less negativity and more of what you want? How about going to the mall and buying yourself that dress you really want?

Please slow down and get out of the boring, monotonous, and dissatisfying rut; live it up. Please dream and think as big as you can! Please wake up with a fresh view tomorrow! Please do something for yourself! Please enjoy, laugh, and love. Please give to others and especially our families. Please take the time for what really matters. Please don’t allow the church bus to take your kids to church for you. Please don’t make your wife have to read a romance novel to discover romance and passion. Please don’t make your kids wonder what you were like! Please be with them, and when you are with your family, be with your family mentally, physically, and emotionally. Let’s allow our walk with God, our churches, our health, and family become a PASSION of ours again and give our best years, time, and energy to what really matters. Hey guys, “What do you really want?” Since we don’t have it to do over again, why not do it now?

Matt Maddix

http://mattmaddix.com