Mission Statement

MISSION STATEMENT

Rica Martin

 

We've all heard of and have been encouraged to write down our goals, but what about writing a Mission Statement?  Anyone who has achieved any form of success has taken the time to write out a Mission Statement.  A Mission Statement is a summary describing the aims, values, and overall plan of an organization or individual.

 

Yes, you will gain a higher percentage of success by writing down exactly what you are trying to accomplish.  A Mission Statement will help to give your goals direction.  It answers the "why" when setting certain goals.  [i.e. My Mission is to provide food and shelter to the needy across America is “why” I want a million dollars].

 

Notice the definition is not limited to an organization or business, but also includes individuals as well.  It's not a bad idea to be business minded when planning your life and finances.  Single people can call their business ME, Inc., and how about WE, Inc. for married couples.  What will it take to make your business and finances grow?

 

Be firm but flexible!  Successful people/businesses realize that in order to have continued success, they must make adjustments.  They understand the importance of shifting with the times.  If you look carefully you'll notice that most of the people/companies that have stood the test of time will come out with something new and improved (shift), but will keep the foundational concept and principles that helped to build their success. 

 

Please don't take your mission lightly.  Take the time necessary to detail the plan for your life and finances.  Build a firm foundation strong enough to hold your goals.  If you want to play professional sports, you can't just sign up.  If you want to be a minister, you can't just skim the Bible.  If you want to build an Ark, you can't buy cheap wood and build it over night…ask Noah.  

 

Aim high!  Consistently evaluate your mission.  You may find that when you change, your mission may change.  Be careful not to confine yourself to a box.  Step out of the box, pop the bubble and declare your success!

 

"In order to have what you've never had before, you must do what you've never done before!" [author unknown]

 

Modern Day Bible

 

Rica Martin

 

Take a moment of reflection.  Go as far back as you can remember.  How has your past shaped your thinking?  Is where you are now a positive or a negative result of your past?

 

Now think about the people in the Bible.  There are countless examples for living locked into the Old and New Testament books.  Is there a person or a story in there that mimic what you've been through or are going through right now?  How did their story end: blessing or ruin; sickness or health; salvation or damnation?

 

What if a new Bible was written once this life is over?  Imagine if God chose to use your life as an example in one of His books.  What would be the message to His new creation?  Would it be a message of hope?  Perhaps it would be a message of obedience or disobedience?  Would you mirror a hero or a coward?  Maybe you were only part of the crowd and your individual story isn't worth mentioning?

 

In other words, how has your life affected others?  What's your legacy?  Have you been a negative or a positive influence to the people you've encountered over the years?  Are you a modern day Adam, who was placed in perfection, but lost it all because you chose not to be accountable for what was under your control?  [Genesis 3:12]  Are you today's Sarah, who feels like you have to help God accomplish His promise to you?  [Genesis 21:16:2]  Are you one of the 22,000 that was afraid to go to battle with Gideon against the Midianites; or one of the 300 that stayed? [Judges 7:3-7]  Maybe you are an over-comer like Joseph or after God's own heart like David.  Are you the Judas-type whose mission is to get people to their cross?

 

Now take a moment of reflection again.  From as far back as you can remember, to as far ahead as you can see…what story will your life tell?  Whose life will yours touch?

 

If you see that you are not living a life that is pleasing to God, it's not too late…START TODAY!  Remember Paul?  Initially he tortured Christians, but was converted and went on to write over half of the New Testament!

 

You are the 67th book of the Bible right now, because you may be the only Bible that some people will ever read.  Be careful not to be a stumbling block to those who are reading you.  Understand that your life is not your own.  Strive to be an example of excellence!  Determine to be a message of integrity!  Let your life tell a good story that will encourage, enlighten, educate and edify all those who read it.

 

Adam & Eve...Husband & Wife

Adam & Eve…Husband & Wife

Genesis Chapters 1 & 2 gives us a clear picture of how life (as we know it) began.  We are all familiar with the story (Chapter 1): God made everything within 6 days and rested on the 7th.  Then Chapter 2 goes into detail on how God made man from the dust of the earth in (Gen 2:7) and gave him (Adam) charge/authority/dominion over everything on earth created before him.  When God saw that it wasn't good for man to be alone He pulled woman (Eve) from his side, to help Adam dress & keep the land.  They were to enjoy life on earth together.  The last two verses of Chapter 2 (24 & 25) tells man to leave his mother & father and cleave unto his wife becoming one [flesh] and that man and wife were naked and not ashamed.

This is more than just a story nor is it merely just an 'excellent read'.  This is Life as Man and Wife as God has intended.  The fall is no excuse to start living by our own rules just because we've experienced disappointments in life and/or marriage.  God gave Adam charge/authority/dominion over everything and God brought Eve (the best of him) out of Adam to help.

Up until a few generations ago, it was custom for men and women to apply the Adam & Eve (Biblical) Principals to their lives/marriages no matter what and was deemed disrespectful not to.  In today's society we are most often taught and/or sold on the concept that it is acceptable to reverse the roles of Adam and Eve.  In order to begin to have a healthy marriage, we must get back to the basics…

Men -women need to feel a sense of security from her husband; remember everything was already taken care of before she existed.  She (your wife) needs to know that you will handle the things that you are given charge over.  This [charge] may vary from household to household, so it is important that you find out what makes your wife feel secure in your relationship (you won't regret it).  Remember she is a part of you; you named her (vs. 23) and you need her to help meet your needs.

Women -'All You Women Whose Independent' throwing your hands up at Beyonce/Destiny's Child -be careful…they may not be talking to you.  Men need to feel respected as the High Priest and final [earthly] authority; remember that was his first charge in life.  We can not continue to carry his torch (whether we picked it up or he gave it to us), give it back.  Be 'independent' when you are doing it by yourself; but be humble and submissive and aggressive and authoritative in the areas that your husband needs you to be (stay off his toes--it hurts).  Remember we were created to help meet his needs.

Final thought:  When the Bible says for man to leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife…it meant to leave the folks that you are closest to and become closest to your spouse.  In those times, your mom and dad where normally who you were closest to; today this includes biological children, step children, aunts, uncles, cousins, best friends, etc.   No one but God comes before your spouse.  God is not pleased with us when we put others before our spouse (no matter how we justify it).  How much time have you lost and how much do you have left when the kids leave and your friends and family move away.  Why spend what's left of your marriage playing catch up; peanut butter goes down better when its spread evenly…such is life/marriage.  Be naked (open/exposed) with your spouse throughout your marriage and at the end of your journey together you will not be ashamed.

-Rica

THE STRUGGLE

            by Rica Martin

 

You ever notice that things generally get worse before they get better?  Why is that you ask?  It's simple…because there's a struggle going on.

 

Struggle: to contend with an adversary or opposing force; a task or goal requiring much effort to accomplish or achieve.

 

Often the mere thought of change -or- something new creates tension on what is considered the norm in our life.  The normal begins to resist the new.  The normal is comfortable the way it is!  It doesn't want anything new to come in changing things.  This is true, especially if the new thing isn't going to give the normal thing the freedom to conduct business as usual.

 

Ever noticed that it's only a struggle when the change is for our good?  Picking up a "bad habit" never seems to be a problem.  As a matter of fact, bad habits seem to flow right in with no opposition.  It doesn't take long to develop.  It often goes unnoticed until there is a need for change.

 

This is because GOOD OVER-POWERS BAD!  Bad has a way of finding an empty place and slips in quietly; while Good, on the other hand, is invited in and overtakes a place!

 

When you strive to change for the better, the good habits will replace the bad habits that have secretly set up shop in your heart and mind.  Those bad habits aren't going to just give up without a fight…  The struggle begins. 

 

Think of the butterfly.  Before it becomes a beautiful piece of art, it is a caterpillar.  It goes into its cocoon and struggles with change.  In time, it breaks the shell.  This good thing emerges and successfully flies off into areas that it never could've gone while it was only a worm.

 

It will take effort to accomplish or achieve change.  You will have to contend with the adversary, because anything worth having is worth fighting for! 

 

Expect the struggle…Enjoy the success!!

 

 

THOUGHTS about YOUR DESTINY!!

THOUGHTS about YOUR DESTINY!!

Self Evaluation

 

STOP!  Take a good look at where you are right now…are you where you want to be?  Better yet are you where you are destined to be?  Do you like where you are?  Now that you are thinking about it…are you wondering how you got here??

 

At a Women's Conference, Creflo Dollar made this statement that has forever changed my life: Your Thinking Determines Your Destiny.  Duh…I knew that!  So why was I in the rut that I was in at that time?  At that moment, I began to evaluate my life. 

 

My Thoughts determines my Words.  My Words determines my Actions.  My Actions determines my Habits.  My Habits determines my Character.  My Character determines my Destiny. 

 

We've discussed the fact that our behavior/emotions determine what pops into our heads (October 2006 P.A.I.D.D.); so let's start here with our thinking.  Generally, if I think about something long enough it is safe to say that I will begin to say/speak those things (words).  The more I say/speak something; I will begin to act/behave that way (actions).  My actions will cause me to do certain things (habits).  And what I do usually tells who I am or what I'm about (character).  Who I am or what I'm about is a good indicator of why I am where I am (destiny).  Selah

 

If I watch the movie Superman and think that it would be cool to fly and begin to tell people that I'm gonna fly and run out and buy a cape and start jumping off steps or cliffs then I will go crazy and I will end up in either a hospital (psych-ward) or dead.  A little dramatic…but you get my point.

 

I DON'T LIKE WHERE I AM--how can I change my destiny?  If you don't like where you are then you need to evaluate how you got there.  Seems simple right?  It could be if you are completely honest with yourself.  Change is the result of a process…it takes time and real effort.  [In the same token, sometimes we are just where God has intended for us to be; but for the sake of this text we are only focusing on what we have the control and ability to change].

 

In most cases, a destiny change isn't as simple as merely going in a different direction.  Picking up where you left off and/or switching courses doesn't address any issues…you'll just carry your baggage through that trip too.  You'll need to get to the root of where it all went wrong. 

 

How can I get to the root of my problem when there's nothing wrong with me?  This can be a hard concept to grasp if I am not open to the fact that I am not perfect; or if those sores are too painful to pick.  I can't find the root of a tree without first breaking the surface.  I'd have to start with where I am, then dig deep.  If I take my Destiny backwards and clean up my Character by changing my Habits and Acting differently since my Words are better because of righteous and positive Thinking--then I'll end up in a better starting place.  Selah

 

What disappointment(s) triggered my negativity?  What lack or desires caused my frivolous spending?  What comment initiated my insecurities?  Where did my trust-issues begin?  Am I overcompensating for my lack?  Am I not giving myself enough credit?  Besides me, what is the common factor in my failed relationships?  How do I handle my emotions?  Do I think highly of myself?  What have I given to God?  What have I taken back?  Again I say…Selah

 

Self evaluation is essential in staying on track to fulfilling our destiny.  I said SELF evaluation--meaning to evaluate my status with what God has purposed for me-- not comparing myself with someone else.  We aren't perfect so there is always room for improvement (no matter how old or successful we become).  Our flaws are there to keep us humble.

 

Begin by writing things down…quirks, flaws, ambitions, goals, finances, prayers.  Writing down your thoughts brings them to life.  It becomes a blue print to the destiny that you are building.  It is available for review.  It keeps you on track, and it shows progress.  When you write down your thoughts and reread them…you create a clear and realistic view of your destiny.  Statistically, averages of about 90% of the people who write down their goals accomplish them.  [Habakkuk 2:2]

 

Seek God for your starting place.  Ask Him to take you to that place where you detoured or became stagnant.  Without true deliverance from this dry place, you will never achieve the fulfillment of who God is calling you to be. 

 

Rica Martin 

Forgiveness

Rica Martin

 

Forgiveness is like an old scar.  When you look at the scar--you can remember the circumstances surrounding the wound.  You can remember how, when, and where it happened.  You can remember the pain associated with it.  However, when you look at the old scar, remember the old scar, and even when you touch the old scar- it doesn't hurt anymore.  The same principle applies to forgiveness.

 

You can also look at the scars that you wouldn't allow to heal properly.  Those scars are normally ugly and took longer to heal.   Nevertheless when you see, touch, and even talk about the scar- it doesn't hurt anymore.  It's not tender.  It's not sore.  It's HEALED -it took some time- but it's HEALED!

 

There are also internal wounds?  Internal wounds are heart issues that will cause mental, emotional and/or Spiritual damage.  These are often hidden scars that are buried under a false sense of forgiveness.  They can spread through your body like cancer.  If undetected, internal wounds will eat away at your very being. 

 

You'll know if you've truly forgiven by gauging the pain of the wound.  If you exhibit the same range of emotion when confronted with people/circumstances of the past…chances are, you haven't forgiven.  If its still a "sore subject" to talk about…chances are, you haven't forgiven.  Like an old scar TRUE FORGIVENESS doesn't hurt anymore!!!

 

The rule has been to FORGIVE and FORGET.  I beg to differ.  That's like saying, "HEAL and HAVE NO REFERENCE POINTS!"  How can I forget when the scar reminds me that something happened?  Maybe it's there to warn me not to do that-thing again, or possibly to remind me of where I was at the time. 

 

I say FORGIVE and REMEMBER!  It's ok to have a reference point.  Forgiveness let's you know how far God has brought you from the pain.  Remember: by HIS Stripes [scars] we are healed!  [1Peter 2:24]  Go on in forgiveness…

 

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