7 HABIT OF UNCOMMON ACHEIVERS by KATE MCVEIGH

Greetings O Ye Uncommon Achievers....how's your habitual life?

A habit is defined as "a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance; an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary; a way of acting fixed through repetition." (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition) "In other words, a habit is doing the same thing consistently so that eventually you do it without thinking." (Kate McVeigh)

As believers in the D.B.R. (Death, Burial, Resurrection of Jesus the Anointed One)...we are called not to just be conquerors and victorious...but we are called to be MORE than conquerors and have SURPASSING victory.

"Yet amid all these things we are MORE than CONQUERORS and gain SURPASSING VICTORY through Him Who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

So it is with ACHIEVERS. There are many...many...many...many.. did I say many...books written about positive mental attitude (PMA)...and just as many if not more people who preach the gospel of success. Of course nothing is new under the sun (unless you are under THE SON). There are a plethora of books about positive thinking and success that forged the thinkers, movers and shakers, entrepreneurs of the day including people like J. Clemont Stone, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Hill, Dale Carnegie, Anthony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, Stephen Covey, The Chicken Soup Books, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren...and the list just keeps going on and on. One common thread throughout these books and writers...positive mental attitude...and Biblical principles. The problem is...while there are Biblical principles (that work for the Christian and non-Christian alike)...sometimes (not always) there is a missing component of submitting to the Lordship of Jesus.

Of course you will always have the debate of success versus poverty and who is more spiritual... and this is review is not meant to prove one or the other...but it is a review of a book...that to me...has the best of both worlds of positive thinking and the Lordship of Jesus.

7 HABITS OF UNCOMMON ACHIEVERS...by Kate McVeigh is a positive, encouraging, challenging, convicting book about how habits determines your future. "Kate McVeigh graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1987. She is a respected evangelist and teacher of the Gospel who emphasizes healing the sick and winning the lost. Through her down-to-earth and often humorous teaching of the Word, many people have been saved, healed, and encouraged to attain God's highest for their lives." (Bio from book jacket)

"Did you know that what you do DAILY determines what you become PERMANENTLY? Your DAILY HABITS are creating your FUTURE. You are a result TODAY of YESTERDAY'S HABITS...GOOD or BAD." This is true in every area of life. " (Kate McVeigh)

As I read this statement...it rings so true in my life. Choices that I have made in my past...affected my future. Oh for sure God can...did...and continues to redeem my sins and mistakes and choices...and causes good to come out of the good, bad, ugly things in my life... but there are things in my life that I DID NOT HAVE TO ENDURE...simply because of DAILY CHOICES.

I truly believe that God's heartbeat is PROSPERITY and SUCCESS...but not as the world views prosperity and success.

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth...but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to DO according to all that is written in it...for then you will MAKE YOUR WAY PROSPEROUS... and then you will HAVE GOOD SUCCESS." (Joshua 1:8)

True Biblical prosperity is having enough to meet your needs and an overflow to meet the needs of others...and Biblical success is accomplishing God's purposes and directives in your life....and it is hinged on your response to the Word of God as you take your faith and combine it with corresponding actions. Of course...you can be spiritually wealthy...and financially decreased...as long as you know the SECRET found in Philippians chapter 4...of BEING CONTENT in whatever STATE you are in...having plenty and having nothing. This will position you to be able to say...My God will SUPPLY all my NEEDS (not your greeds) according to His riches in glory IN CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians 4:19)

Well...as you are on your journey with the Lord...I believe that this book will help you along the way. Here are the HABITS listed:

Habit #1 Write The Vision
Habit #2 Develop a Prayer Habit
Habit #3 Create a Strong Spirit
Habit #4 Practice Organization
Habit #5 Take Control of Your Thought Life
Habit #6 Cultivate the Power of Positive Confession
Habit #7 Grow in Your Love Walk

On a closer and more personal level...I attend church with a lovely couple by the names of Steve and Jill Grossman. These two are encourager's. As a matter of fact...Steve and Jill practice what they preach. Steve has started a new business venture...that will utilize his giftings in helping personal and corporations to reach their goals, maximize their potential...and to be who they were created to be. I highly recommend Steve. You can check out his website at:

www.stevegrossmanonline.com

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY...NO REALLY...FINALLY

I give this a POSITIVE ruminatin' hoofs up with 5 out of 5 moo-moos.

Love and Positive Kisses
Rodney "Uncommon Achiever Wannabe" Boyd

THE HAYFORD CONNECTION: Pointing To The Word of God

Greetings and Salutations O Ye Lovers of The Word of God. Have ya read the Word lately? If not...why not?

I am sitting in my office at home...surrounded by a plethora of books about multiple topics including: theology, martial arts, Speech Pathology, multiple versions of the Bible, Bible study aides (lexicon's, handbooks, concordances, dictionaries, MAD magazine collections, guitar, pop culture, etc. Sometimes...I am overwhelmed by words, thoughts, books.

Ever since 1970...I have been in love with The Word of God...a written expression of the heartbeat of God for mankind and a written expression of THE Word of God...Jesus. It is by hearing this Word of God...that faith comes...that I believe...that I confess...that has continually changed my life. (Romans 10:6-17) I have found that this Word of God....when I hide it in my heart that I am able to keep my way pure and I decrease my sin factor. (Psalm 119:9-11) I can apply this God breathed living document and by it I can be taught, reproved, corrected, and trained that I may be adequate for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16-17) I guess the question arises...IF the Bible...the Word of God...is so important...why would I waste time reading books about THE BOOK....or for that matter...why read any other book other than the 66 books collected into one volume called THE BIBLE. I said all of that...to say this....I LOVE BOOKS.

One of my favorite theological authors...that brings a practical application...to be walked out on planet earth...is Jack W. Hayford. Papa Jack...as some affectionately call him was for years Senior Pastor of Church On The Way in Van Nuys California...a Four Square Church. Mr. Hayford is known as the pastor's pastor....who is able to speak to many people in many denominations. He is Spirit-Filled...but very balanced and practical. "Dr. Jack Hayford is Founding Pastor of The Church On The Way, The President of King's Seminary (an interdenominational ministry training center), speaker at pastoral leadership conferences (speaking to an average of 20,000 leaders annually) and author of more than 30 books.

I have called this Recommended Ruminator Reading Review...THE HAYFORD CONNECTION: Pointing To The Word of God...because it is hard for me to choose just one book. I have placed a few pictures of some of my favorites...but unable to place pictures of all the pictures of the covers. Other books includes: Pastors of Promise (a book in the Pastor's Series), The Leading Edge (Keys To Sharpen Your Effectiveness As A Leader), Church On The Way (a history of this cutting edge church of servanthood), The Key To Everything, The Power and Blessing, as well as Hayford's Bible Handbook and The Spirit-Filled Life Bible.

The first book picture is the first book I read by Pastor Jack called PRAYER IS INVADING THE IMPOSSIBLE. It is a window into how prayer is more than just an intellectual exercise in futility...but is a practical exercise of how our prayers can pierce the heavenlies...and the Creator of the universe hears us.

The next book pictured is GROUNDS FOR LIVING (Sound Teaching for Sure Footing in Growth and Grace). I love this book. In this crazy mixed up thing we call life...if you don't have sure footing...it is easy to slip, stumble, and fall. It lays out a thoughtful overview of: (1) The Holy Scriptures (The Fountainhead of Truth) (2) The Eternal Godhead (The Glory of the Trinity) (3) The Fall of Man (Knowing Revealed Anthropology) (4) The Plan of Redemption (God's Restoration Program) (5) Salvation Through Grace (His Glory In Our Humanity) (6) Baptism and the Lord's Supper: Ordained Ordinances (7) The Baptism with the Holy Spirit (River of Release) (8) The Second Coming of Christ (Our Blessed Hope) (9) Heaven (The Ultimate Reward of God's Grace...Hell (The Ultimate Cost of Rejecting God (10) Tithes and Offerings (The Cycle of Abundance) (11) Divine Healing (A Covenant for Life and Strength).

As the back cover underscores..."Grounds For Living represents Jack Hayford's vision to disciple and train mature, spiritually vibrant, biblically strong, theologically balanced, Spirit empowered Christians. His desire is that all followers of Christ would be equipped to serve Him boldly and effectively."

The next book pictured is Living The Spirit Formed Life (Growing In The 10 Principles of Spirit-Filled Discipleship)

The prologue sets the tone of the purpose of the book with Galatians 4:19 "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until CHRIST IS FORMED (made solid) IN YOU."
There are 3 Disciplines covered: (1) The Spirit-Formed Disciple (2) The Disciplines of the Spirit (3) The Disciplines of Prayer. Each discipline has multiple disciplines from forgiveness, the power of baptism, feeding on the Word of God etc.

"In a world with so much competing for our attention, it's easy to neglect or lose sight of the importance of the spiritual disciplines the Lord has given us for victorious living in Christ. Jack Hayford, author of Worship His Majesty, shows new believers and mature Christians alike how to rediscover the power and blessings of such basic disciplines as prayer and fasting, daily worship and the release of repentance and forgiveness." (Blurb on back of the book)

Pastor Jack served as Editor of the New Spirit Filled Life Bible...along with multiple editors and many people to comment on Kingdom Dynamics, Word Wealth, Truth In Action, Book Introductions, Outlines, Notes with an emphasis on the Spirit Filled aspects of the believer.

At the beginning of each book there is information on Background, Occasion and Date, Purpose, Content, Personal Application, Christ Revealed and The Holy Spirit at Work. The is also the obligatory Outline of the Books and maps, concordance, etc.

It is the New King James Version (I am a New American Standard Version man)...but again...always a fresh perspective to help break the rut of our preferred translations.

I like what the front cover says..."KINGDOM EQUIPPING THROUGH THE POWER OF THE WORD."

Well...that's it for now. Many books...so little time. If you had to choose between the WORD OF GOD...or Jack Hayford's books...CHOOSE THE WORD OF GOD! However...if you use ANY book by ANYBODY...as a tool...a resource...something to point you to the Word of God...and gives you further insight of the historical, the practical, the spiritual...then it is a good thing.

I give THE HAYFORD CONNECTION review of multiple Jack Hayford books a big 5 moo-moos out of 5. Instead of thumbs up...I give a big hoofs up.

Love and Well Read Kisses
Rodney "Library Man" Boyd