Nov 20
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Every Man's WorldYour world is only as big as the trails that you run. Unless you are willing to travel new roads you will never see different landscapes. Men are creatures of habit. We like the comfort of the trail. But if you’re going to have new adventures in life – if you’re going to experience new levels in business – if you’re going to have new relationships – you must enlarge your world. “I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised…” God speaking to Joshua. A… Read more »
Nov 16
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution AuthenticityBelief systems matter. What you believe will produce what you do, what you do reveals who you are. “Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works?” Affirmation without discipline is a delusion. Neil Kennedy 1. What you do creates your reputation. Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic, a leading medical device maker, visited one of their plants in California to determine how they could speed up production. After carefully examining the plant… Read more »
Nov 6
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Leadership Lessons from Strong Men1. In team-building, do not tolerate mediocrity - Steve Jobs is considered the CEO of the decade. His amazing turn around of Apple is legendary. The strongest attribute of Jobs is his relentless pursuit of excellence. His team knows that nothing less than perfection is expected. One of the great principles is “excellence begets excellence.” 2. Always be prepared to execute - Never enter an important situation unprepared. What separates the average from the extraordinary is preparation. Wh… Read more »
Nov 3
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Unlock God's Potential in YouThree Things that you must activate in your life: 1. Your Thoughts – “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” - Solomon The Battlefield is in your mind. Your thoughts are powerful. In fact, God can do nothing in you beyond your belief system. Everything is possible for the man who believes. We often establish fences that keep us out of areas of the unknown. For an example, the science of the day said that man is incapable of breaking the four minute mile. That was until May 6, 1954, Roge… Read more »
Oct 15
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution You Cannot Correct What You Are Unwilling To ConfrontA young shepherd boy named David had already been anointed by the Prophet to be the next King of Israel, yet he remained in obscurity. The anointing upon his life did not manifest until he faced the Champion warrior named Goliath. Facing the champion on the field of contest is where the anointing of David was revealed. David received three specific benefits for confronting his Nemesis: 1) He received financial reward 2) He received elite status and tax freedom 3) He received the hand of a pri… Read more »
Oct 8
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Father as Head and LeaderSolomon wrote over 3000 proverbs to teach his son life lessons. As father, we have the responsibility to lead our families. Fathers are foundational. Regardless of popular culture, fatherhood is the head of the family. Most of our societal issues can be traced to either the absence of fatherhood or the abuse of fathers. Jesus taught leadership this way: "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when people get a little power how quickl… Read more »
Oct 2
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution 3 Steps to Spiritually Strengthen Your FamilyOne of the most challenging things men must to do is to lead their family spiritually. Men ask me regularly, "How do you lead family devotions?" I have to admit that we have not consistently practiced family devotions. I have chosen seasons where we have sit down as a family to study the Word but not every week nor for that matter every month. What I have done is to teach as we go. I look for opportunities to teach practical lessons of faith as we do life together. 3 Steps to Spi… Read more »
Sep 30
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Topsy-TurvyAsk boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way,adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. James 1:6-8 Leaders, (men you’re a leader by default) must be able to make decisions. We do not have the luxury to be indecisive. There is nothing more frustrating than a man who is weak-minded. When something must be done average men look at their calendars, excellent… Read more »
Sep 26
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution The Four Needs of a WomanSolomon said, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Hope is a confident belief that a desire or promise will be achieved within a specific time period. I believe that we can trace a lot of the problems in marriages to this one principle. When a wife has expectations that go unmet, she takes on sickness. Dr. Gary Smalley states that the four greatest needs of a woman are: 1. Emotional and physical security – a husband as spiritual authority to umbre… Read more »
Sep 25
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Networking, Partnerships, Employees, and StaffNetworking, Partnerships, Employees, and Staff: 1. A lack of Integrity - When you align with someone who lacks integrity, you impugn yourself. Your associations call into question your authenticity. When building an organization, we often value a person with gifting rather than character. I promise you, that person will cost you more than he will ever bring to your table. Solomon warns us that the accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he is put under oath and dare not testify. 2. A lac… Read more »
Sep 23
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Leaders are ReadersFive years from now, you will be the same person that you today unless you expand those with whom you associate and with the books that you read. Solomon said, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get Wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." I find it amazing that people do not read. Fascinating. People will spend hours to be entertained by so called "reality" television; yet will not spend a minute in a book. I can hear the sigh of God, "My pe… Read more »
Sep 16
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Honor Above PainWhat was the name that you were tagged with? What name was put on you to define you? To mark you as different or unacceptable? What were you called that warned everyone meeting you for the first time? The remarkable promise of God is that he changes names! The scriptures are filled with examples of men having their names changed. Jabez was a better man than his brothers, a man of honor. His mother had named him Jabez (Oh, the pain!), saying, “A painful birth! I bore him in great pain!” Jab… Read more »
Sep 14
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution The Mystery of Purpose“Where the purpose is unknown abuse is inevitable.” God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. 1. Purpose is the key that unlocks opportunity. Within everyman is a hidden gift. A divine deposit. A gift that opens up great doors. Your purpose is m… Read more »
Sep 10
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Speak ClearlyWhat good is your message if it remains a mystery? Some want their message to have a mystic about it. What good is that? Educators take a simple truth and make it hard. Communicators take a complex truth and make it simple. The Apostle Paul said, “Pray that I may proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly as I should.” The prophet Habakkuk said, “Write down the revelation and make it plain.” How to Speak Clearly: 1. Always write down expectations. It will cause you to clearly articulate wha… Read more »
Sep 9
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution "Green" with EnvyCovetousness is not only “I want what you have” - it’s more personal, it is “I want what you have at your expense.” Political philosophies are at war – capitalism, socialism, marxism, communism, totalitarianism. Only capitalism gives the individual the right of personal prosperity! Successful people are always envied. Listen, “always!” It comes with the territory. Enviers bite at others success. They hate it. They explain it away. They question your character and right to have what you… Read more »
Sep 8
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Husband: Heal Your WIfeThe Apostle Paul taught husbands that they have a sanctifying affect upon their wives. The world system hates women. It started in Genesis 3, when the curse was announced, “I will put enmity between the woman and you.” Every commercial, every demonstration of woman is degrading, reducing her to an “object” to be abused. Your wife faces a machine of propaganda attempting to manipulate her emotions and insecurities. Yet, you have the power to heal your wife. 1. Your wife must draw her securi… Read more »
Sep 2
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Arm Yourself with AuthorityI drove my daughter to school today. A rare experience. We picked up Starbucks on the way. Gave her good friend, Lea a ride. As we drove, Courtney shared with me that over 150 students were sent home because of H1N1. I immediately said, "Let's put on the armor of God." We then, along with her friend, confessed Ephesians 6:14, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted wi… Read more »
Sep 1
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Go Placidly Amidst the Noise and the HasteThe plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. - Solomon 1. A moment of haste can cause a lifetime of waste. The President wants to rush a 1,100 page bill that will effect one-sixth of our economy before anyone can read it. Before we judge to quickly, we’ve all signed contracts – car notes, bank notes, cell phone contracts without reading the contract. Later, we find the hidden costs involved in the deal. 2. When you hurry, you never fulfill excellence. A c… Read more »
Aug 31
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Wake-up CallI can’t remember more “change” in a short amount of time as we have had in the last few months. Frankly, I am more convinced as ever that FivestarMan must become a movement of men speaking up for authentic manhood. The deterioration of manhood is embarrassing. Our culture has replaced the role model of the strong, wise, and dignified male with an effeminate, metro-sexual pretty boy decorating the dominate woman’s house. We have beer grunting buffoons as the leading example of the man in the… Read more »
Aug 28
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution God-ConfidentAre you self-confident or God-confident? There is a huge difference. Self-confidence can lead to very destructive relationships, arrogant missteps, anger, unfulfilled expectations, and depression. Self-confidence is described as the fool in Proverbs. God-confidence is an active faith that believes that God is directing your steps, orchestrating the harmony of your life, connecting you to the right network of people, and fulfilling your purpose in life. 7 Steps to Develop God-confidence. 1.… Read more »
Aug 26
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Future is Not FateFuture is not fate. Men do not decide their future – they decide their focus. Solomon said, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Your future, my future is determined by the seed that we sow today. Don’t live a fantasy. A fantasy is expecting a harvest that you’ve not sown a seed for. “I press toward the mark for the prize.” Apostle Paul Paul expressed his desire for pressing on toward the goal of attaining what Christ took hold of for us.… Read more »
Aug 25
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Everyone Has a Book Within ThemThere is not a week that goes by that someone doesn’t ask me, “Neil, I have a book that I want to write, what do I need to do?” My answer is, “Write it!” When my father retired to his home on a mountain in Arkansas, he got out some old notes about a book that he had always wanted to write. Finally, he did it. He wrote the book without a publisher. Although he knew very little about computers, he began to research E-publishing. After publishing his book “electronically”, he won an “EPPY” aw… Read more »
Aug 20
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution The Law of Progression"We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!" - John The Bible teaches a law of progressive increase as opposed to get-rich-quick schemes. It states that as we put the Word of God into our lives, mixing it with faith, we will make progress and have increase. In other words, the revelation and increase we have, come from the Word of God. If we want more revelation a… Read more »
Aug 19
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution You Need a CoachWisdom is gained either through pain or by a mentor. Mentors are put into your life to help you advance beyond the normal process of life lessons. Don’t make the mistake to think that Mentors are there to pat you on the back and caress your failures. Mentors correct, rebuke, sharpen, and impart into your life. They’re more like a coach, their not your buddy. You may never meet some of your Mentors in life. You may simply read their lessons of wisdom. Those you do meet and get to know, pra… Read more »
Aug 17
-
FivestarMan added a link contribution Advantage Over OppositionOn the field of contest, whether that is a football field, business arena, or even the battlefield you must take advantage of your opposition. 1. Opposition is proof that your goal is worthy of achieving. Let’s face it. If you were attempting to accomplish something that no one opposed, then it isn’t worthy of pursuit. “Nothing of great value is ever achieved without facing violent opposition.” Albert Einstein. If your enemy fears what you are doing, you should believe it what you are doin… Read more »