lance cashion: remote control

First Things First: Don't Check Your Email

I am guilty as charged!  Trying to break a decade old habit is tough.  It is a daily battle. I walk into my office and fire up the computer... and open my emails.  Worse is when I wake up in the morning and the first thing I see (besides the time) is my email on my iphone! 

This is not the proper way to start your day.  What's so important that it cannot wait until I filled my mind with something of value like a Bible verse, exercise, or morning meditation?  Let's be honest, if it were an emergency, I would have received a phone call, not an email.

Looking for a simple way to bring levity and peace into your busy work day?

This is what I do when I arrive at work: (5 minutes)

1. I say a prayer and review my personal mission statement

2. I review my Goals

3. I check my To-Do List

4. I make sure my To-Do List and 1-3 are in alighnment and concert with each other.

Notice, checking email is not included on that list.

How do you start your day?

 

Where do you place your trust?

I was reading through the Old Testament this morning. I finished Deuteronomy (34) covering the death of Moses. My outline skipped ahead to Psalm 91. The last few verses resonated with me... They are about Loving and Trusting God. They explain the outcome of our trust and love.  

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Psalm 91: 14-16

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; & I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Where do you place your trust?

I'm interested in your thoughts.

Have a Great day!

Lance Cashion

Company devotional? A glimpse into our soul

Over two years ago I started a prayer group meeting at our company.  With the help and encouragement of strong Christian leaders within our organization, this weekly event has undergone a metamorphosis into a hybrid of Bible study, life application discussion, prayer and small group.  Our focus is on learning about Christ, sharing and praying. 

This meeting has changed the face and soul of our company.  We operate on a higher level.  Not perfect, but pressing forward. When someone on your team can comfortably share their trials, loss and joy with complete trust, you no longer have a company... you have a living body that has a soul that also happens to be a business.

I'm thankful that we, at American Health Underwriters are privileged to have such meetings and fellowship.  Most companies discourage this practice.  I don't think I could work, much less thrive at a place that did not allow or encourage team members to join in fellowship.  Its completely optional to join us on Wednesday mornings.

Christ is central to what I do.  In sharing that fact, it allows others to communicate and facilitate boldness in sharing their faith.  I'm screwed up just like everyone else (I've accepted it).  That is what makes small group work for me.  The knowledge that we're all screw-ups and together, we encourage each other to walk the path.

Below is a link to this week's notes and outline: 1 Thessalonian 2:1-2

Download AHU Devotional 06-23 1 Thes 2 1-2

I'd like to hear from you.  Feel free to comment below.

• Does your organization allow meetings like this?
• If you could have something similar to a small group or prayer group at work, what would change?
• If your organization has a devotional meeting, what is it like?
  

Have a great rest of the week!

Lance Cashion

Life Insurance Planning: Remember, No One Gets Out Alive

Life Insurance is one of the most important things you can do for your family.  It is YOUR responsibility to have enough life insurance to replace your income if you were to die.

There are two irrefutable facts in life; 
1. You were born 
2. You are going to die.

No one gets out of this alive my friends.  Create a plan for your family in the event you die.  Create a plan for your family if your spouse dies.  If your spouse cares for the children and home, buy life insurance on that person.  Why?  Try focusing on your career when you have to take care of a house and children if your spouse dies.  Figure out how much you will need to spend to hire someone else to do that job for you.  Get the picture?

• Life Insurance is about loving your family
• Life Insurance provides money at the point of need (without dealing with probate)
• Life Insurance establishes an immediate estate

Think about it.  Pray about it.  Talk about it.  Ask about it.

Buy a good Term Life Insurance plan (10x your income).  Do the same for your spouse, service in the home is NO different than producing income.  Stay away from life products you do not understand!

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps. (Prov 16:9)

Contact me if you would like to know more or if you need advice.

Look up, because that is where I'm headed

Lance Cashion

email

ps.Thanks to Dr. Sims for reminding me about this.

Faith: can work be a form of worship?

The other day I was searching for information on Rabbi Daniel Lapin, the author of “Thou Shall Prosper”.  I have not had the pleasure of reading this book yet, but it is on the “to read in 2010” shelf.  In any event, in my research I came across a page on Zig Ziglar’s website that I found to be very useful.  Not only did it contain an article from the Rabbi, it also contained two articles from Zig and Dave Ramsey.  Jackpot!  Needless to say, I bookmarked the page and found myself rereading the material.  In any event, I’ll share some of the highlights.  I’ve provided a link to the page as well for further reading.  I’m going to focus on Rabbi Lapin’s article, but I encourage you to read all three.

Note: A special thank you to Zig Ziglar’s team who granted me permission to share some excerpts from his site

Three Spiritual Secrets to Building a Business- Rabbi Daniel Lapin

Know What You Do For People and Proudly Proclaim It.

Have you heard of customer service?  How about a worship service?  It is interesting that the English language employs the same word for attending to both customers and to God.  What could the connection possibly be? 

You’d be surprised how often people will approach you once you have successfully clarified how you can help them.  This is the secret of the noble art of advertising. (continued here)

Develop the Ability of Your Most Important Business-Building Organ

However, identifying the key organ for building your business is a little harder.  Still, if you consider that building a business is the real-world result of practicing the 3 Cs—communication, collaboration, creation—you will quickly see that the key organ is your mouth. 

Fortunately, the answer is unexpectedly easy.  The only problem is that this truly amazing method to develop your speaking ability can make you feel a little self-conscious.  This is why so few people undertake what I am about to suggest and which, I guarantee, will dramatically improve your communicative ability.

Here is what you have to do:  Practice three times a week, for half an hour each time, reading aloud from a quality book.  Unless you have a particularly understanding spouse, or children who just love to have you read aloud to them, take yourself into isolation for this exercise. The most useless activity for developing verbal fluency is watching television.  Continued here...

Copyright © 2009-2010 The Ziglar Weekly Newsletter

The Rabbi also suggests that you could practice like Abraham Lincoln did, by reading the Bible.

It’s interesting how the internet and search has changed the way we learn about new things.  I started my journey looking for information on the Rabbi.  I ended up striking intellectual and spiritual gold.  10 years ago, I would have never come across this information.  Link to original article.  Link to Zig’s Home page and Newsletter.

Enjoy

Lance Cashion

Is it true? Is it kind? Does it glorify Christ?

This is piece is from the Daily Devotional page on Billy Graham's website (I’ve added the NIV version below).  I think it is important to reflect on this passage.  As we all are guilty of losing control over our tongues from time to time.  We're human.  Link here

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” -James 1:26 (KJV)

Same passage from NIV:

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” –James 1:26 (NIV)

Commentary:

The problems of the world could be solved overnight if men could get victory over their tongues. Suppose there was no anger, no profanity, no lying, no grumbling or complaining; suppose there were no dirty stories told, no unjust criticism—what a different world this would be! The Bible teaches that a man who can control his tongue can control his whole personality. We should ask ourselves three questions before we speak: Is it true? Is it kind? Does it glorify Christ? If we would always think before we speak, there would be much less evil speaking, and there would soon be a spiritual awakening that would sweep the church in America.

Prayer:

May I remember how important it is to keep a check on my tongue. I pray that my conversation this day will be pleasing in Your sight, Lord.

Have a great weekend!

Lance

Read the Old Testament in 2 Years!

Sound like a HUGE undertaking?

If you break it up into smaller piece, it can be done!  This is one of my main goals for 2010.  Basically, you will ready two chapters every day (except Saturdays and Sundays) for a year.  At the end of the year, you will have completed the Old Testament!  Think about the millions of people who own Bibles.  Now think about the number of them who have actually read the ENTIRE Old Testament!  You will be among the few.  If you exercises to stay in shape, why let your spirit atrophy?  Seems silly doesn’t it? 

If you engage this task, I guarantee your life will improve and peace will invade the areas of turmoil. 

Below is a ling to The Quest.  Are you up for a challenge?

Note: Use the NIV Versions of the Bible.  The reading takes 15-20 minutes MAX.  Don’t worry about starting at the Beginning to catch up.  Dive in on today’s date!

Resource Links:

The Quest (Reading Guide and Schedule)

Study Bible (Suggested)

Have a great day!

Lance Cashion