When Opportunity Knocks

How will you assess opportunity when it comes knocking? We all have times in our lives when opportunity comes knocking at our door. The key is being able to discern which opportunities are God-sent and which ones are simply false realities. We are all faced with opportunities ranging from professional, relational to even familial. How should you embrace and assess opportunity when it comes knocking? I’m not sure I can share a magic silver bullet answer that will cause the world to change, but I will point you in the direction of God Who is able to order and direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6). Don’t be wise in your own eyes but allow the opportunities of life to be filtered through the powerful, never failing truths of God’s Word. In addition, be open to praying for guidance, but allow God Him to respond to your prayers before making a move. He will answer your prayers with Yes, No or Not Yet!

God Bless!

KP

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Heroes in Disguise by Paul Wilson, Jr.

Often when I ask someone, "What do you want to do with your life?” they answer, "I want to help people." Then when I ask the follow-up question, "How do you want to help people?" and they answer, "I don't know. I just want to help people."

While it's great that you want to help people, not having a clear understanding of your purpose and a specific direction in life can lead to misfires, misplacements and missed opportunities. Consequently, it can become very frustrating to not know your purpose and to keep running into dead ends while trying to figure it out. I would like to present a different approach to the “what’s-my-purpose” discovery process.

Growing up I was thoroughly fascinated by superheroes and their super powers. Some of my favorites were Spiderman, Flash, and Green Hornet. I always wondered what it would be like to have super powers. There were so many cool powers - being able to fly, run at hyper-speeds, invisibility, incredible strength, etc. - it was hard for me to choose the one I wanted the most.

At some point in time, I’m sure most people have thought about what it would be like to be a superhero (I know I’m not the only one). Fortunately, you don't need super powers to have a super impact. Our society needs everyday heroes who utilize their special talents and skills to make other’s lives better.

So let’s think about your purpose in terms of you being somebody’s hero – and let’s have a little fun while we’re at it. Here are some questions to get you started. If you were a superhero…
- What powers would you want to have?
- Who would you want to help?
- How would you help people?
- What cause would you fight for?
- What would be your slogan?

Although this is a somewhat playful exercise, your answers to these questions could shed some light on your passions, purpose, and proficiencies - and what you are ultimately supposed to be doing with your life. Analyze your responses for clues that might give you an idea of where your unique talents and skills should be directed.

You don’t have to wear a special suit to be super. You can be an everyday hero. Just use what you have to the best of your ability to help as many people as possible.

What are you waiting for? People are waiting to be rescued!

Dream B.I.G.,
Paul Wilson, Jr.
www.DreamBIGin3D.com

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Out of the Shadows by Paul Wilson, Jr.

My favorite poem is “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson. I love this creative masterpiece because she powerfully articulates our privilege and responsibility to live as the incredibly awesome individuals that God created us to be. He designed us fearfully and wonderfully in His image (Psalm 139), so we need to better understand and embrace what His expectations are. Here’s an excerpt of the poem…
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.


Some of you may remember a part of this poem from the movie Akeelah and the Bee. In it a very bright and naturally talented young girl was hesitant to do the hard work to fully explore her potential and pursue her greatness. She was content to hide in the shadows of her own greatness.

Sadly, the struggle of that fictional character is all too common in real life. Many people are hiding in the shadows of their own greatness. Erwin McManus says, “I see everyone as pre-great.” It’s unfortunate, though, that most people stop at “pre-great”, and never get to great.

There could be multiple reasons for this. One reason is they are afraid of the accountability that comes with being in the limelight. Because once your greatness is exposed, you can’t go backwards. You can’t go back into the shadows.

When you excel at what you do best and demonstrate a genuine passion for it, you will be a light – a positive force in the world. We need you to shine your brightest in your area of expertise. When you are not shining, the world is missing out on the unique gifts, talents, and experiences that you bring to the table. Furthermore, God didn’t create you to hide. He created you to shine like a light on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16); and He is going to hold you accountable for how well you utilized what He gave you (Matthew 25:14-30).

Don’t use being afraid of the limelight as an excuse not to be your best and pursue your greatness. If your talents and passions lead you to get attention, don’t focus on the limelight. Instead focus on being a light. And you can’t be a light in the shadows.


Dream B.I.G.,
Paul Wilson, Jr.
www.DreamBIGin3D.com

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Evict the Invisibles! by Paul Wilson, Jr.

Some people have invisible friends. Others have invisible enemies. People with invisible enemies make statements like:
 “They don’t like me…”
 “They won’t help me…”
 “They might laugh at me…”
 “They don’t want me to succeed…”

Any of these sound familiar?

Until now I didn’t really know who “they” was, but now I do. “They” is an invisible enemy that causes fear and attacks your self-esteem. Consequently, fear is the silent killer of dreams.

These invisible, silent influencers - often disguised as negativity and pessimism – trigger a cancer of your confidence that eats away at your creativity and productivity. “They” prompt you to second guess your ideas and question your abilities. “They” poison your thinking and prompt you to dismiss legitimate opportunities. “They” erode trust in your relationships and short-circuit your potential.

“They” start off as little concerns, but then grows to doubts, worries, anxiety, apprehension, paralysis, and finally death. This death is not literal, but represents the creative, mental, or emotional death of one’s aspirations.

Delete these unhealthy, unproductive, and unprofitable influencers by refocusing your attention on things that are righteous, pure, inspiring, motivating, uplifting, encouraging, excellent, praise-worthy, and faith-building.

Instead of imagining all the ways things could go wrong, how about using your imagination for something more fruitful like imagining all the great things that could go right?

Also, crank up the volume of your “faith-tunes” – songs, words, images and other positive spiritual nutriments that will feed your faith and frustrate your fears. Make sure the voice of your faith is louder than the voice of your fears.

It’s time to evict the invisibles. Quit letting “they” keep your from pursuing your dreams and fulfilling your destiny.

Dream B.I.G.,
Paul Wilson, Jr.
www.DreamBIGin3D.com

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Experience A Full-Flavored Life by Paul Wilson, Jr.

They say people are willing to pay a premium for coffee at Starbucks, not just because of the coffee itself, but because of the “experience.” If that’s true, then a full-flavored life is about the “experience” not just the time lived.

I am by no means a coffee connoisseur. If I drink coffee it has to have a good amount of sugar and cream (I especially like flavored cream). I am just as likely to indulge a 99-cent cup from McDonald’s as I would a $4 grande from Starbucks – as long as it has lots of sugar and cream…

For those who are coffee connoisseurs, how often do you think about what it takes to provide you with a great java experience? Have you ever thought about what the beans have to go through to get to the point where they provide the fresh taste, pleasing aroma, and comforting warmth that you come to expect from a superb cup of coffee.
Coffee beans in their natural form don’t taste very good. They have to go through a long, strenuous process of grinding, heating, and (in my case) sweetening in order to be desired and enjoyed. Without this process, the full-flavored potential of the coffee bean is never achieved.

A full-flavored life is one where you are able to achieve your full potential in terms accomplishing your purpose, pursuing your passions, and leveraging your professional skills to create wealth. When you are flowing in all these areas simultaneously your life experience will have a fresh taste, pleasing aroma, and comforting warmth. Not only will you enjoy your life, others also will have a positive experience and lasting impression as they engage and interact with you.

Like the best coffee, achieving a full-flavored life involves a process similar to the coffee bean - grinding, heating, and sweetening…
- Grinding: Tough situations and circumstances that press the mess out of you, so that you can be pure in your intentions and motivations.
- Heating: Challenging events that serve to forge your character, i.e. the times you are compelled to do the right thing even when you don’t want to.
- Sweetening: Rich and refreshing experiences that make life worth living – relationships, recreation, relaxation, and other rejuvenating rewards.

I’ve heard people say that life is a grind. When I really think about it, they are absolutely correct. So why not use the grind to your advantage? Like the coffee bean, the grind should help to make you better not bitter.

You may or may not be a coffee connoisseur, but you are a life connoisseur. You should want to indulge in the best that life has to offer. Just understand that enjoying a full-flavored life is going to cost you something, whether you want to pay the price or not. However, when you do pay the price, it will be an experience worth enjoying over and over and over again! Drink up!

Dream B.I.G.,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

B.I.G. Dreams are coming soon to a mind near you! www.DreamBIGin3D.com

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Battle Between Flesh and Spirit: My un-Confirmation of Singleness

This week has definitely been interesting for me. It’s been filled with sleepless nights, which have led me to tune my ears for what the Lord is trying to communicate to me. It has also been one of un-Confirming a gift of singleness over my life. I have been wrestling with the Lord over the past couple of years about my overall life purpose, and asked Him to confirm whether or not I should be focused on a life of singleness? Well…I have definitely received a un-Confirmation of Singleness over my life. I still have a high desire for sex! I still have a high desire for marriage! I still have a high desire to have kids! MY FLESH HAS BEEN TRYING TO CALL ME TO ACTION THIS WEEK!! Whew…I’m glad I got that off of my chest.

The ongoing battle between the flesh and spirit can be very intense and I’m here to testify that I’ve been in quite a battle this past week. Did I give way to my eye gate which allowed images to penetrate my mind? YES! Did I give way to my ear gate which allowed my mind to visualize some of the things that were going in? YES! Am I any less than a man for admitting some of my weaknesses? Absolutely not!

Some of the most highly influential and ‘God-focused’ men of biblical antiquity dealt with the same things that I am dealing with today. Praise be to God that I recognize that men’s lack of self-control, in addition to the lure of God’s beautifully crafted vessels (known as women), have served as a great formula for the downfall of many leaders. Otherwise, I’d probably give in to my fleshly desires and tell the critics around me to ‘KICK ROCKS!’ However, I’ve learned this is more than a battle between the flesh and the spirit, but one of ongoing processing in the life of one of God’s chosen vessels. The battle I deal with periodically is one that has a little to do with being a man, but is more of a penalty for experiencing sex outside of God’s original framework and plan.

What has this recent episode of being sex-starved taught me? Well…I need to get back in sync with the Word of God so that I’m able to keep withstanding the temptation of my flesh. I need to keep preaching against this battle, knowing that I must be on the right track since the enemy has turned his attention to me. Finally, I need to stop playing around in my single season and focus on pursuing a helpmeet that can help me transition into the next phase of my life :).

For those who know about the struggle, here are some verses to help you:
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
1 Corinthians 7:2 - But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:9 - but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Hebrews 13:4 - Let marriage be held in honor...and let the bed be
undefiled

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Change of Direction

Last night I suffered through the worst night of sleep I’ve encountered in quite some time. However, after further reflection, the restlessness of my sleep pattern has now been revealed as a sign of God trying to recapture my attention. I find myself operating at such a hectic, ongoing pace, that God can only really speak to me when I’m dead tired and my environment is silent.

This recurring wrestling match between life and ministry is a personal battle of me discerning the difference between my will and God’s will. Ultimately, no matter how much we put our hands in the ongoing details of life, God will ultimately show His hand and guide us in the direction we are supposed to go.

It is very apparent that I’m really supposed to be going in a different direction with my life, but only remain attached to certain areas so I won’t disappoint others around me. I know and recognize the expanded assignments on the horizon, but need to first release some of my current assignments in order to be positioned to receive my new ones. Luke 9:23 speaks specifically about picking up one’s cross (burdens, barriers, assignments) with a willingness to follow Him. Far too many times we find ourselves fixed in certain phases of life and refuse to let go of certain assignments in order to move forward.

Thank you Lord for meeting me with Your mercy not allowing me to serve as a continued barrier to my greater purpose in life!

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