Vacation time baby!!!! I am out of here for the next week…

Here are two videos that describe my approach to vacation (Minus all the drinking stuff!)

Also, while I’m gone . . . I highly recommend checking out these blogs/posts:

ZackBlair.net

The Rath Faction

Nathanhurst.net

Bradcooper.us

Michaelhyatt.com

Swerve

Seth Godin

Here are some links to past posts I’ve written that were popular and that I believe will add value to your life… So here you go:

• Free from Sin, Addiction, and Bondage

• Alcohol, Purity, and Our Culture

• Setting and Attaining Your Goals

• People that Have Changed my Life and People that I’d Love to Have Lunch With

• God’s Plans

• Kingdom Minded

• Ask Anything Fridays

• What Makes a Great Teacher

• Catalyst West Coast

• Overcoming Insecurity

• The Best of 2008

• All About Me

• Ministry Highlights

• Ministry Lessons

• Marathons

Giving Away Experiences and Opportunities Will Produce Vision in Others

Tomorrow I’ll be leaving for vacation in North Carolina – so pumped! I’m going with a family that offered to take me for free. A free vacation… Such a blessing. It got me thinking though… This family is choosing to love me and allowing me to have an experience that I wouldn’t have been able to have on my own. Here is what I know about Experiences and Opportunities in my life:

• Because someone introduced me to Starbucks, I now enjoy the Starbucks experience

• Because people have taken me on vacation with them I’ve been to places I would have never gone in my life: NYC, Chicago, Bar Harbor, Maine, DC, etc.
  

• Because someone gave me an opportunity to speak and develop my gifting, I’m now able to speak to large audiences often.
  

• Because people modeled what an awesome Godly family looks like, I now have a vision of how I’ll raise my family.
  

• Because someone was willing to share Christ with me, I’m now able to experience God everyday.
  

These experiences and opportunities all expanded my vision for my life. My vision for what life could be like, what a relationship with God could be like, what wearing nice clothes would be like, what raising a Godly family would be like, what annual vacations with my family would be like,  the list goes on and on.Edit Post ‹ BubbaSmith.net — WordPress

What’s my point? Some people have never experienced a cup of coffee at Starbucks, have never been on vacation, have never owned a pair of nice clothes, have never got to use their gifting, have never seen what a healthy family looks like, or have ever experienced God in their lives.

All too often we take these things for granted, not recognizing that if we’d share our experiences with people or giving them an opportunity that they wouldn’t normally have, that we’d increase their vision for their life and ultimately, their quality of life.

Imagine someones life being changed forever cause you shared Christ with them or someone getting a vision for their future,  or career, or family, etc. because you shared your own experiences with them. Imagine someone changing the world with their gifting because you gave them a chance to use it. Is there any greater privilege?

What experiences are you sharing? What opportunities are you giving?

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” –Proverbs 19:20

I just got back from a training to become a Making it Count Speaker. Man did I get stretched! To make a long story short, I had to memorize 2 presentations and present them before trainers (who are all veterans with the company) along with the other speakers trying out. I felt like I was in front of Simon trying out for American Idol!

Did I mention I was probably the youngest one there?  Everyone else consisted of professional actors, professional speakers, pastors, business owners, teachers, etc… A ton of talent was in the room…just a little intimidating – So what did I learn through the process??? SOME VALUABLE LESSONS!

1.) The Value of CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM – Speaking in front of other professional speakers and having them critique my communication skills was very humbling, but they did it in love and gave me things to work on that will make me better. I’m so glad they were willing to be honest with me.

2.) To Check the Source of Compliments – We should want complimented by people who do what we do. That should actually encourage us more than someone who is just saying “good job” because they appreciate our gifting.

3.) Our Gifts Need Challenged - When was the last time you were actually stretched in the area of your gifting? It took this weekend to realize it’s been a while for me.  If it’s been a while for you, I strongly recommend you do something to get out of your comfort zone.

4.) I Need Coaches, You need Coaches – Definitely want to start pursuing coaches in the areas of communicating and writing… anyone have any contacts that would be good?  If you’re gifted in an area – find a coach in that area, no matter how good you think you are.

Thoughts?