Welcome to Day 30 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  Congratulations on making it a full 30 days!   How has this journey impacted your life?   Did you take it seriously?  Was it hard for you to stick to it?  Honestly, for me it's been a tough challenge.   I found myself drifting at times and had to intentionally re-focus to get back in the groove.  I think that's just life.  Things are always vying for our attention and keeping focused is a key point in exactly why we're doing this slow down challenge.

Task for today:  

1. Take some time and think about what this slow down challenge has meant to you.   Spend some time journaling your thoughts, so you'll be able to return later and read about the things that are making an impact on your life.  
2. Read Proverbs 30. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

Many people are wandering around these days without a clear purpose or direction.  They are seeking a better life, but they don't know how to find it.  A leader's job is to point people in the right direction.   The first place we need to point lost people to is God.

I really like what Proverbs 30:1-4 say:

This man declared to Ithiel,
to Ithiel and to Ucal:

“I am the most ignorant of men;
I do not have a man's understanding.

I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know!

This gives me a picture of a man, lost and wandering throughout his life with no real purpose.   He doesn't have a clear direction.  Yet, I think he gets it.  He understands that he's lost and he begins to call out.  He's seeking.   He's asking to be told how to find wisdom and understanding.

Do you know someone like this?  TELL THEM.   I believe many people are secretly lost in this world.  They may not have the foresight to seek out wisdom and to call out for it, but you know they're lost.

Like I've said in earlier posts, I believe everyone is leading somebody.   As a leader, it's your job to lead them in the right direction.   There could be no better place to start than to lead them first to God.

After reading Proverbs 30, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 30, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by thoughtquotient]  

Welcome to Day 29 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  You're almost done with this journey.  What thoughts are you having?  How are you feeling?  Today we're going to look at how your leadership affects others.

Task for today:  

1. Take a few minutes and think about the people in your life.  How is your character and leadership affecting them?  
2. Read Proverbs 29. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

Everything that we do as a leader is observed and taught to those people that are following us.   Some may say that nobody is following them.  If that's you, I'd caution you to examine your life better and think about all of the people that you rub shoulders with.   Sure, you may not be in a true leadership position at work or church or wherever you may be planted, but there are always people around you that you can influence.

A favorite saying of mine is "As the leader goes, so go the followers."

Verse 12 says:

If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials become wicked.

Leadership trickles Down.  It is a fact.   One of the best ways to affect those around you is to change yourself.   That's partly the point of this challenge you're taking.  It's all about slowing down your life to re-examine how you're living.

After reading Proverbs 29, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 29, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by gregtimm]

Welcome to Day 28 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  Today we're going to look at who you're getting advice from.   Leaders make plans and work their plans to achieve goals, but leaders also have trusted advisors to help guide them.

Task for today:  

1. Take 10 minutes and think about this journey you're on.   Are you drawing nearer to God?  
2. Read Proverbs 28. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

We must learn to go to God first with everything in our life.  As a leader, you will face adversity, triumphs, trials, tribulations and success.  In all things, pursue God first.  Trust Him.  Learn to listen for God.  

Verse 14 says:

Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord,
but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

All throughout Proverbs we see verses about trusting God and how that leads to wisdom and understanding.   

Verse 26 says: 

He who trusts in himself is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Trusting solely in yourself and your own abilities is a trap.   We need to make God our first advisor and apply His wisdom in our lives.

After reading Proverbs 28, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 28, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by shoebappa]

Welcome to Day 27 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  What type of person are you?  How serious do you take yourself?   Finding the right balance in your life is an important thing to do. 

Task for today:  

1. Think about the last time you did some spontaneous.  How did it make you feel?
2. Read Proverbs 27. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

While I believe that we need to plan and pursue our goals, I also believe that we need to learn how to live in the moment too.   For some people being spontaneous might be a difficult thing to do.   For me, I actually think it's harder now than it used to be.  Seems like when I was younger being spontaneous was easier for me.  I guess now with a family, business and responsibilities being spontaneous just takes more work and intention. 

Proverbs 27:1 

Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

We never know what tomorrow will bring.  This verse makes me think about how fragile life can be.  It makes me think about how living more intentional is required to live to the fullest.  We owe it to our families, kids, spouses and friends.

The next time you're feeling the urge to be spontaneous, act on it!   Take a chance to do something out of the ordinary and see how it makes you feel.  What's one thing you could do today to live in the moment?

After reading Proverbs 27, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 27, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by nailest]

Welcome to Day 26 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  A leader is a person that can overcome adversity in their life.   A leader is able to remain focused on their plan and continue to execute on the plan.   Leaders remain diligent.

Task for today:  

1. Think about any area of your life that you may be getting lazy and not remaining diligent to a plan.
2. Read Proverbs 26. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

I believe the reason that certain leaders are more successful than others is that they have the discipline to remain diligent to their plan.  

Diligent:  constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.

Proverbs 26:13-16 encourage us to not be lazy.   In my mind, this speaks directly to remaining diligent. 

The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer discreetly.

Make a list today of anything that you feel you're not remaining diligent towards.

After reading Proverbs 26, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 26, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by mostafa]

O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas song.  Here's a great version of it on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFxG6-WSnI 

Merry Christmas!

Welcome to Day 25 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  Starting at Proverbs 25, the remaining chapters are labeled "Wisdom For The Leaders".  Are you a leader?  I'd argue that everybody has somebody that they're leading.  As you finish this 30 Day Challenge, read the remaining days with a perspective of a leader.

Task for today:  

1. Think about the people in your life that look up to you as a leader.  It may be a spouse, child, friend, co-worker, employee, etc.
2. Read Proverbs 25. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

I believe everyone is a leader in some form or another.  I believe everyone has some form of leadership capability in them as well.   You may not be destined to lead a major corporation, ministry or organization, but there are people in your life that you can have an effect on. 

Today's challenge makes us slow down to examine how we're acting in our lives.  Would others call you a "know it all"?  How humble are you?

Proverbs 25:6-7

Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
and do not claim a place among great men;
it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

Know it all's get humiliated from time to time.  Keeping an attitude of humility is one way you can continue to strive for the intentional life.  Many times, remaining humble takes work, but in the end I believe it ends to life. 

I also like what Proverbs 25:28 says:

Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.   

Self-control is one of the most important character qualities you can have.   Strive to work on your self-control today.

After reading Proverbs 25, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 25, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by Light Knight]

Welcome to Day 24 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  Today we're going to look at remaining diligent even in times of trouble. 

Task for today:  

1. Take 5 minutes and think your life and any issue that you might be facing. 
2. Read Proverbs 24. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

How are you doing since yesterday's challenge about defining priorities in your life?  Are you finding it difficult?  Today, focus on the idea that a problem is really just a building block in your life.   You've heard the saying "if it doesn't kill me, it makes me stronger".  Today's challenge is to remain diligent in times of trouble.  Use a time of trouble as a growing experience to build character in your life.

Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!

I like what Proverbs 24:32-34 says:

I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:

A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
  

In times of trouble or testing, remain strong.  Don't get lazy, but continue to fight.

After reading Proverbs 24, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 24, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by LeRamz]

My 6 year old son asked me this morning if some people we knew celebrated Hanukkah.  I asked why he wondered that.  He replied that they don't believe in Jesus, so they don't celebrate Christmas.   I told him that many people still celebrate Christmas even though they don't believe in Jesus.   He didn't quite understand why they would celebrate it, because we've taught him that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.  We've taught him that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas.   Christmas does not exist so that we can get gifts or go to Christmas parties, but to celebrate His birth.  Christmas wasn't always so commercialized and centered around Santa Claus.   Yes, we do Santa at our house, but Santa is so not the point.   

Santa gives our boys one present and we give them 3 presents.   Baby Jesus was given 3 presents, so that is why we give them 3.   We are so blessed in this country compared to others and our boys lack for nothing, so we see no point in giving them piles of gifts.

We're starting to teach our boys (6 & 3) that it is better to give than to receive.   How do you celebrate Christmas?   Why do you celebrate Christmas?

Here's a great video of Ronald Reagan giving a Christmas address to our nation.    What if our country returned to this type of thinking and message from the White House?  Oh, how far we have drifted.

Merry Christmas! 

Welcome to Day 23 of the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge.  There is about a week left in your challenge.  Keep it up and finish strong!  Today we're going to look at priorities. 

Task for today:  

1. Take a minute and think about the things that are most important to you.  Where do you spend your time, money and energy?
2. Read Proverbs 23. Think about what stands out to you.  Think about what you can apply to your life.  What verses speak to you?
3. Blog, journal or comment about what you're thinking.

My Takeaway

The last few days we've been looking at purpose and direction and what it takes to find life.  One important aspect around purpose is setting correct priorities.  Everyone has certain passions and interests that help dictate where they spend their time.  Today, analyze what makes you tick.  What makes you come alive?  Also, analyze those things that you may be doing that distract you from fulfilling your purpose.   Are you letting certain activities or interests rule your life?  Make sure to set proper priorities to live an intentional life. 

Proverbs 23:4-5

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.   

I think one issue many men deal with is the desire to try and work hard to "get rich".   One must first look at what "rich" really looks like.  In the United States even those that live in poverty are "rich" compared to most of the world.   However, the thing that stands out to me about these verses is that we must show restraint.   Whatever you're doing that is wearing you out, try and get a grip on it and show restraint.  This could be in the form of many things.  For me, it's work, but for others it could look very differently.

Start today by making a list of those things that are or should be a priority in your life.

After reading Proverbs 23, what stands out to you?  What thoughts are you having?   Post a comment with your thoughts.  If you blogged about Proverbs 23, post a link to your blog post.

Read about the 30 Day Slow Down Challenge here. 

[image by hockadilly]