The Power of Information

In the connected world we live in today, those with information have power.  Some people feel the more information they have, the more power they have and the more information they share, the even more power they have.  You can easily find this to be true on any local or national news station, facebook, Twitter, the local barber or beauty shop, the lounge at work and unfortunately even the lobby at church.  Even if they only have tidbits of information that may or may not be true, they want to be the first to share any info to display their power.

I believe the concept of information equating to power is true in many ways.

Those that have and share negative information have the power to discourage, power to spread fear and anxiety, power to disgrace, the power to spoil, and the power to hurt.

What many fail to realize is that there is also power in keeping your mouth shut.  The more negative or inaccurate information someone shares, the more gossip someone spreads, the more power, trust, and credibility they lose.

The opposite is true for those with positive, uplifting information.

Those that have and share positive information have the power to influence, power to encourage, power to teach and train, the power to bless and the power to spread positivity.

What many fail to realize is that when it comes to positive information, there is no power in keeping your mouth shut.  When choosing to keep positive information to ourselves, we lose the power to influence, encourage, praise, uplift, and bless.  Take the Penn State scandal for example, sometimes keeping your mouth shut can cost you your job and worse, allow crimes to happen and continue.

Let's use our power to encourage, uplift, and bless by spreading positive information like wildfire every opportunity we get.  Let's gain and keep our power by keeping our mouth shut when it comes to negative information.

I challenge you to share positive information, hold back negative information, and prayerfully seek God's guidance so that you will know the difference.

Are You Positive?

Are you allergic to anything?

My wife recently had an allergic reaction to some flowers. She didn't know she was allergic to anything but anytime she got near these particular flowers, her eyes started watering, she got a headache, and her sinuses 'locked up' making it hard for her to breathe. Once she realized that it was the flowers that caused the reaction, she had to leave the room and got some fresh air.

I didn't know I had allergies either but I've come to realize that there are 2 things that I am allergic to: negativity and complaining. Anytime I'm around negative or complaining people I get a headache and it becomes hard for me to breathe. Often times I have to leave the room in order to get some fresh, positive air. 

Blame it on the media, society, or Adam & Eve but for some reason it is easier to be negative than positive and easier to complain than encourage.  The worst part about it is I find myself complaining and being negative towards people that complain and are negative!  How much sense does that make?!


Be thankful.  Be encouraging.  Be a glass half full kind of person.  Make an effort to see the good in each situation, even in the midst of adversity.  A guy by the name of Michael Hyatt said in a blog post that the best question to ask in times of adversity is "What does this experience make possible?"

As a leader this is of utmost importance.  You can positively or negatively impact your entire family/team/school/organization.  Someone once said that your "followers" will be half as positive as you are but twice as negative.  Make the extra effort to be positive.

Give It Up

What are you giving up for Lent? 

Have you heard someone ask that?  Did you wonder what in the world they were talking about?

Lent is a Christian tradition in which believers pray, fast, give, or sacrifice something for the 40 days before Easter.  Lent officially begins Ash Wednesday, which is this week.  You may even see people who have a cross on their forehead on Wednesday night.  You can learn more about Lent and Ash Wednesday here.

Why participate in Lent?  It is a great way to prepare our hearts, minds, and bodies for the greatest day of the Christian calendar, Easter.

Lent is not about simply giving something up like a New Year's Resolution.  Lent is about doing (or not doing) something that interrupts your daily life that will cause you to pray, remember what God has done, and grow closer to God.

Here are a few things that people may choose to give up during Lent:

- Give up caffeine to remember that God is the source of all strength and energy.
- Give up complaining or negative comments  and ask God to show you the best in all people and situations.
- Give up listening to music in the car and take the time to have conversations with loved ones or with God.
- Give up television or video games and read the Bible or a daily devotional instead.


Katy and I will be giving up TV during the 40 days of Lent.  Instead we plan to read, listen to positive music and podcasts, talk, play games, and learn to enjoy the silence.

Here are a few things that people may choose to do during Lent:

- Read the Bible and/or pray every day.  
- Write 40 encouraging notes to people who have made a difference in your life.
- Run or walk everyday.  Less about physical exercise and more about time alone with God.
- Give something away everyday.
- This church is doing something different each day of the week.  

I am going to send positive and encouraging messages via facebook, twitter, and text message every day during the 40 days of Lent.

These are just a few ideas.  You know what would work best in your life.  What you do or don't do is not important.  Please understand, participating in Lent will not make God love you more or less.  Participating in Lent will develop and strengthen your relationship with God as you catch a small glimpse of the sacrifice and giving God has done for you.

I'm Contagious...

Do you ever notice that when something doesn't go your way first thing in the morning you typically have a bad day?  And then the people you come into contact with also seem to be having a bad day?  Why is that?

The reason is You are contagious.  Your negative thoughts and actions are contagious.  When you react negatively to a situation it is natural for others to become defensive and begin or continue the negative cycle.  It's like dominoes.

Likewise, do you notice that when you start your day off right you typically have a great day?  And then the people you come into contact with also seem to be having a great day as well?  Why is that?

The reason is You are contagious.  Your positive thoughts and actions are contagious.  When you respond positively to a situation it is natural for others to smile and begin or continue the positive cycle.  It's like dominoes.

How do you start your day off right?  You make the choice to respond positively. 

The Common Denominator

Do you ever feel like everyone is against you?  Are there a lot of people that you don't get along with?  Have you had some sort of issue with all of your bosses?  Do your family members get on your nerves? Do you feel like people are always trying to rip you off?  Do you wonder why your relationships don't work out and you always attract "the wrong" type of people?   

What do all of those things have in common?  YOU!!! 

There are people that complain about one thing after another and act like they have no idea how they keep getting into negative situations.  They feel as though they have bad luck or can't catch a break. 

It is difficult to catch a break when you have a negative attitude, complain all the time, and talk about people behind their back!!  This kind of negative behavior rarely breeds positive outcomes.

Pardon me for sounding harsh but too often people forget to look in the mirror.  They can so easily see faults in others but fail to see faults of their own. 

When you feel as though everything is going wrong there has to be a point where you step back and ask yourself, "How can I improve myself, in order to improve my circumstances?"  It is amazing how better your outlook becomes when you are making a conscious effort to be positive and proactive.  Until you make this self realization, you will continue down the path of negativity.

If reading this made you upset then consider it another clue that you need to do some self-reflection.  Take some time ASAP to find ways to improve yourself, in order to improve your circumstances.  Start by keeping all negative comments to yourself.  You'll be amazed at how much your attitude and circumstances will improve.