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Routine, monotony, and mediocre living are all things I despise, yet I still find myself being constantly pulled by them. Why do we constantly focus on the problem when God always sees the solution? The mistake I make in trying to control things that I have absolutely no right in trying to control. It is my lack of faith that creates this lack of trust. The foolish moments where I’ve viewed a glass as half empty when I follow a God who always sees it as half full. I pray that my mindset would be transformed, that my focal point would be on the things that God can do, rather than the things that I can’t do.
The stupidity I possess when I’m convinced I can achieve anything of eternal significance by my own efforts or attempts. This world continually persuades me to be visible, but I know there is so much more value in being invisible. When I’m not seen God is.
The materialism of this world disgusts me. I hate the affect that media and Hollywood has on my mindset. The sins I have committed in coveting what others have that I do not, i.e. (cars, iPhones, houses) rather than expressing gratitude for the blessings I do have that others do not, i.e. (food, clean water, education). May I stop comparing my life to the Jones’ and begin living a life that is focused heavenward. This life I live is not about me, may I live in a way that reflects such a statement.
The roadblocks in my life are not meant to discourage me, but rather encourage me with the realization that God is using these roadblocks to better define my character, strengthen my faith, and examine my heart. Without roadblocks, trials, and difficulties I might become foolish enough to think I can accomplish amazing feats by myself. To God be the Glory!
-the Monday Mindset.

B. Wang

 I find it much easier to praise HIM when things are going as I’ve planned them. I find it such a blessing to praise HIM when I’m comfortable and not worrying about a thing. I find it simple to praise HIM when the compliments and accolades pour in. It’s fun to praise HIM when everyone joins in it……

But what about when things don’t go as I’ve planned them. Or when I’m anything but comfortable. Or I’m worried and stressed about everything. Or when I’m being criticized for my faith. Or when I’m all alone……..

Why is it so much harder to offer up Praise to the Lord on High when that happens?

What do you do when your all alone?

- The Monday Mindset

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As one chapter closes another begins. This story we read, this life we live has so many turn of events. As we navigate through its pages we sometimes laugh, and other times cry. But the beauty we find at the end of the story is worth marching through the chapters of pain. Sometimes when we begin a new chapter in life we aren’t too sure what might be in store, but that’s okay, because the One writing our story promises us a safe return home as long as we trust Him as our Author, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Lord, I just pray when I get to the valleys and the chapters filled with struggle and trials You remind me to look to You and not the obstacle. Keep writing my story, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

-the Monday Mindset

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Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe God would use a bench warmer like me. Not only does He continually give me opportunities to play in the game, but in the midst of the game He calls plays for me. And here’s the crazy thing, I mess up, drop the ball, and He still calls my number. To top it all off He’s placed this overwhelming understanding within me that recognizes I’m lost without His coaching. So He continually coaches me, and continually gives me opportunities, so much so that I eventually score. But even in the victory something deeply resonates within my soul that alerts me to the realization that there was no way I would’ve ever scored without Him in my corner. Without a God who continually showed me grace when I dropped the ball. I know full well my batting average is well below .200, but He keeps sending me to the plate. And eventually I connect, but only because He was willing to use me despite myself. I realize more everyday He doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called. Thank You Lord, I’ll keep swinging.

-The Monday Mindset

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More than enough. More than enough. More than enough. This has become my mantra during this month that tries to convince me I need a new iTouch, jacket, or shoes. I don’t need more things! I need more Jesus. He is more than enough. What a foolish trap we fall into when we try to complete ourselves with materialistic things.
However, I must admit that sometimes the things I need most are the things I want least. I want to be humbled by God, but I fear the process. I want to be used by God, yet coward away from the persecution. I need more of Him, yet spend more time elsewhere. He has blessed us beyond belief, and yet we somehow think we need more! Jesus you are all that I need, all that I will ever need! May my life reflect such a strong statement.
-The Monday Mindset.

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Sometimes I get so caught up in the moment I fail to stop and reflect upon all that God has done. Perhaps my biggest struggle is learning to be more like Martha and less like Mary. I just pray that my toil is not in vain. Who am I really working for? Am I toiling for my own ends, or do I really possess a heart that is fixed on toiling for His kingdom and His kingdom alone?  Lord, I just pray for a wisdom that trickles from Your word and not this world. That I would possess discerment and strength to make good decisions even when it’s hard. May my soul be saturated with courage to take the road less traveled. As I embark on fatherhood I just pray that the love You show me as your child might be a fraction of what I am able to give to my son. May my marriage be a reflection of the way You love the Church. I pray You would use Link Year to catapult young men and women on to college campuses to make a impact in this world. I pray young men and women would begin to understand a Biblical Wordlview and live accordingly.  Father, I lift Brian and Autumn up to you today as well. Protect their marriage from the enemy, use them for Your Kingdom, annd may they have more impact on others as a team then they ever have single. Lord, my life for Yours. May You take these idle sticks of my life and burn them up for You. Show me areas of my life that poorly communicates the Gospel and show me ways I can improve. I need You Abba. I am ineffective without You. Oh how I know You don’t need me, but how I pray You would use me!

-The Monday Mindset

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My soul is saturated with disgust as it faces the realization of the
countless blessings it has come to expect or take for granted. The
sense of entitlement that I have bought into leaves my spirit in angst.
I will drink the cleanest water in the world today and never think
twice about it. I expect whatever food I want whenever I want it. The
numerous times I’ve showered without taking into consideration the
millions that won’t. Tonight I will sleep with a roof over my head and
in a comfortable bed with this mindset, “I earned this and I deserve
it!” Did you hear me? Deserve it! I deserve nothing but eternal
punishment, and yet I’ve allowed this country of ours to Americanize
me. “He does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to
our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:10) What a wretched man I am! May the
comfort zone I live in be crashed, understanding this is the greatest
collision that can occur in my life at this point. Beyond our comfort
zones is where life truly begins, and yet I constantly choose comfort.
Fear grips me and lack of faith paralyzes my very being. If only I
could shake this American mindset. If only I could learn to view Jesus
as the only thing I have that matters, and live a life that echoes such
an understanding. It is only with this mindset that I will live a life
of any significance. I’ve grown weary with trying to attain, achieve,
and accomplish. My educated mind has only allowed my knowledge to puff
up. My pride has pushed me towards my own problems. Problems that could
be so easily resolved if I would learn to have a desperate dependence
on nothing else but Christ. If only I could learn to look at others and
realize what I do have, rather than look at others and realize what I
don’t have. May I extinguish the thoughts of needing more and allow the
never enough mindset to exit my head forever. He is more than
enough……may my lifestyle reflect such a statement!

-the Monday Mindset

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We forget things all the time. Well at least I forget things all the time. I’m a forgetful person and I have so much on my plate that if I don’t put it on my calendar or set a reminder the chances are there is no way I will remember. But oh how I pray not to forget the places the Lord has rescued me from and the places He has brought me to. It’s often in the times of forgetfulness that I find myself in a state of doubt. My inability to reflect on God’s faithfulness only leads me to worry and anxiety. I worry because I forget He is faithful. I become anxious because I fail to remember He has and continues to provide for my every need. When we, or at least I fail to remember I become entitled and begin to take matters into my own hands, but when I remember all He is done I trust Him more. When I fail to remember I fail to be thankful. If being thankful is in the midst of God’s will, then being entitled must be it’s antonym. Lord I pray for a heart of gratitude as I remember all that You have done and continue to do, and I pray against an attitude of entitlement. I deserve nothing. (Psalm 103:10)

-The Monday Mindset

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I keep pressing forward and this world keeps pushing me back. I strive to remain positive and this world attacks me with negative thoughts. I chase my dreams and delight in the Lord and the enemy plants nightmares and entices me by pleasures of this world. I’m trying to focus, but this world keeps blurring my vision. I’m trying to listen, but everything around me just seems like pointless noise.
I want to escape. No I don’t. I want to fight. It’s the absent of courage that plants ideas of escaping. I feel too weak to fight, too cowardice to advance, and too comfortable to change. But I must fight, I must advance, and I must live the abundant life that only exist outside my self made comfort zones. I want to be different, but in so many ways I’m still just the same as everyone else. I have bought into the lies of this world so many times. I have sold-out to the media mindset far too often, and I have been convinced of the grass being greener on the other side more times than I would like to admit. The grass is greener on the other side because I fail to water the grass in which I walk.
I desperately want to be used by the Lord, yet perhaps I’m unaware of the sacrifice this requires. I press on in this battle but have no concept of the surrender it requires. Constantly learning more only to realize the more I know is actually the more I don’t know. My significance is not found in this world, but my fight is. My security is not found in this world, but if you look hard enough my God is. My value is not found in this world, but my brokenness is. The things I find in this world are in constant tension with who I desire to become. C.S. Lewis says it best, “If I find within myself a desire in which this world cannot satisfy, the only probably explanation is that I was made for another world!”
-The Monday Mindset.

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If everyone was a leader no one would follow. Should I not follow first in order to become a more efficient leader? Leadership as the world defines it is not the leader I desire to become. The struggle I find within the desire I have to become the type of leader that is counter-culture. This world laughs at humility and servant hood, it is considered weak and incapable. What if only one person followed, would I still be a leader? Being a leader must be so much more than wanting things done your way, as a matter of fact, it is the furthest thing from leadership.
I can’t be a leader unless I empower others, and I can’t empower others unless I am empowered by a greater Source. This world constantly criticizes, doubts, and hates on every and any leader that ever existed. So why do I desire to be a leader? I cringe at criticism, despise doubters, and hate being hated on. On the other hand how could I lead better? Did not my very Lord and Savior model this perfectly for me? May I be satisfied in serving, made whole in humility, and lead in love.
Teach me to follow first and to lead by your teachings Lord. I wrestle with my dreams and can only pray they’re not driven by myself. My big ideas only seem small in comparison to my God. It seems as if this world tells me I dream too big while God assures me that I’m dreaming too small. I am caught in a tension, a tension so tight it exhausts my very being. Today my strength is weak, my ability is futile, my vision if blurred, but I’m following a Leader whose strength is mighty, ability is limitless, and vision is clear. This is why I will survive today. I will follow Him who is far more capable of leading than I ever will be!
-The Monday Mindset