“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?

If I’ve been challenged in any area of my walk with God it’s the constant battle of learning about God (information) and knowing God (intimacy). I absolutely love learning, in fact, I often feel like Neo from the Matrix when I listen to tapes, read books, etc.. I get all of this information crammed in my brain and it makes me feel amazing, for the moment. I’m addicted to gathering information.

Glen Packiam recently wrote a book that I haven’t gotten a chance to read yet, called Second Hand Jesus. The thesis is essentially that we live in a culture that experiences God 2nd hand through books, listening to sermons, etc.instead of experiencing Him for ourselves.I believe we’ve experienced a lot of things second hand.

Over time, I’ve come to the realization that I can know a ton about God, but not KNOW God. I can know a lot about leadership, but not actually be leading. I can learn a lot about love, but not actually love. I can learn a lot about successful relationships, and have nothing but shallow relationships.

While I’ve experienced God for myself, I haven’t to the level that I want to. While I’ve led to a certain level in my life, I haven’t developed my potential as a leader as I should have . . . you get the picture. All because I’m more focused on information than intimacy, learning than doing, talking instead of walking…

The problem with this lifesytle is that it’s not real. Until you’ve moved beyond information to intimacy, learning to doing, talking to walking… You’ve never actually lived what you’ve learned, but how often do we learn something new and believe we’re living it because we’ve read it.

I don’t know if you struggle with this or not, but I know this, I’m finished living this lifestyle. While I’m comitted to being a life long learner, I’m making a commitment to refuse to continue to just gather  information so I can say I did or quote something cool from a book or sermon. Instead, I’m going to start focusing on being with God, actually leading, actually doing what I’m learning. I know this is the season God is bringing me into… and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

What about you? Are you an information addict? What do you do to combat this?

²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” -James 1:22

So now it has been 7 months since I’ve moved out on my own… It seems like the lessons I’m learning and need to learn are coming at me faster than I can handle them! I love it though! I guess that is life isn’t it? You’re never “ready”… SO here is what I’ve been learning since being out on my own 7 months:

If It’s to Be it’s Up to Me - I recently heard a quote that said, “Your future depends on a lot of thing, but mostly you.” Noone determines the type of life I’m going to have other than me. Nobody else will be in my relationship, live with me, raise my kids, pay my bills, do my laundry, landscaping, devotions, etc. I’m the only one that can determine what my life will look like.

The World isn’t Paying Nearly as Much Attention as We Think – we spend so much of our time doing things and buying things to impress other people who don’t spend more than two seconds about what we’re doing or what we have. Live your life for you and life your live for God – Period!

Family is Everything – My appreciation and love for my family has increased greatly since I moved out. They’ll be there through thick and thin…the good and bad… through everything. There is no replacement for family – and honestly nothing else except God can or should take a higher priority than your family!

Until You Have to Act, You Don’t Know Where Your Faith is – For the first time in my life I’m learning to exercise my faith. I’ve had my faith built up and I know the Word, but now I actually have to put it into action when it comes to paying bills, receieving healing, building a career, etc. When is the last time  you actually put your faith into action?

Those are some of the huge lessons I’m learning being on my own right now… Simple to say… Hard to apply!

Thoughts? What lessons have you learned lately if you’ve moved out?