We had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves. Just hanging out with friends was a much needed respite for me. As an extremely focused and determined individual, it’s very hard for me to take a break and relax. Many thanks to the friends that invited us to a night out.

To add icing on the cake, I bowled perhaps the best game of my life. Seriously. 127 points.

Now, I know that all of you semi-professional bowlers out there are thinking, “Whoop-de-do. I can bowl a 130 in my sleep.” Much power to you. However, for me, this was definitely one of my personal bests. I’m proud of my performance even if it seems novice to the pro.

You see I am a normally streaky, inconsistent bowler. I go back and forth between pummeling pins too hard or causing the ball to mysteriously veer to the left over and over again.

Unfortunately bowling is usually an emotional roller coaster for me. One moment I’m on cloud nine, doing the moonwalk back to the bench in celebration of my first strike…seven frames into the match. More often than not I am perplexed as to why the ball refuses to roll in the direction that I send it.

I must say, my friends, tonight was different. I walked up to each bowl relaxed and confident. The ball released from my hand at just the right speed and my aim was on point. I felt like a new man.

This evening’s success at the lanes reminded me of what causes me to be successful in life endeavors. Here is wisdom that tonight’s game taught me:

(1) Relax. What’s the opposite of being relaxed? Tense. I am a horrible bowler when I am tense. Being tense causes me to rush my bowls, forget my form and lose my focus. I perform much better when I let the game come to me. The same applies to my business, my ministry and even my marriage. Living life wound up and on edge promises spotty results. Learn how to take a deep breath, relax and tackle the challenges of life.

(2) Use just the right speed. Muscling the ball down the lane demolishes a few pins while failing to touch the others. Rolling the ball too lightly results in diminished impact. When I deliver the ball at just the right speed I increase my chances of hitting all of the pins.

Being successful in life is about working at just the right speed. How many times have we burned out because we tried to do too much at once? Conversely, how often have we missed opportunities due to laziness and lethargy?

Everyone has a productivity rhythm; I am still learning mine. Be strategic with your time and diligent with your efforts in order to maximize your results.

(3) Follow through. Sloppy follow-through causes the bowling ball to travel towards unintended destinations…like the gutter. How you end is really more important than how you begin. We are often guilty of generating great ideas but failing to see them through completion. Make the extra effort to finish what you started.

Follow these suggestions in life and you will see your ability to bowl strikes increase. And you never know, you may even beat my score.

13 “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Today’s 5 minute devotional is for anyone who finds themselves discouraged by the struggles of life. The secret to happiness is learning how to be content in good times and bad times…

Study the scripture for yourself: Philippians 4:12-13 — http://read.ly/Phil4.12.NIV

Why so much negativity? Remember that life and death is in the power of your tongue… Make an effort to be positive, rather than being negative.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. – Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. – Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

I was riding home on the subway and an encounter with a homeless man reminded me of the significance of grace. Before you judge a person or their situation, remember that you too could be in that situation, if not for the grace of God…

Click here to watch my video post.

When was the last time you asked God what His will was? Our scripture focus for today is Romans 12:1-2:

¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^[a] act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

In order to know the will of God we must:

1. Surrender our all to Him
2. No longer conform to the pattern of this world
3. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds

This is Part 1 of a three part series. Please feel free to leave comments below! Click here to watch the entire series.

“Most of us go to our graves with our music still inside of us, unplayed.” – Oliver Wendall Holmes

That quote struck a chord with me (no pun intended). If that statement is indeed true, then it means that most people in life will never reach their fullest potential. Unfortunately, many will lead mediocre lives and die with music unplayed. Unplayed music ultimately means unfulfilled purpose.

Take a moment to reflect on the fact that God created each and everyone of us purposely:

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. – Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you. Furthermore, He placed a calling on your life. You are special and He has unique purposes that He desires to reveal through you. These purposes are directly tied to His will.

Maybe He has called you to become a successful entrepreneur who empowers people within your community. Perhaps He wants you to utilize your intellect in order to research and tackle some of the socio-economic problems of our time. Or, maybe, He has simply gifted you with the ability to smile and bring joy to the relationships around you.

Regardless of what your passions or interests are, there is beautiful music that God has placed inside of you, and He wants the world to hear it. We are designed to be instruments for His glory.

So today, consider your life as a symphony. Understand that God is the composer of your life. He has already written the entire score, from beginning to end. He has personally crafted each movement of the piece; even the dark and dramatic moments.

Life, like the world’s greatest classical compositions, is dynamic and full of complexity. However, if we place our complete faith in the Omnipotent Composer, we will find that the end of the symphony is always better than the beginning (Haggai 2:9). We must trust that God is leading us to a grand finale that is greater than anything that we can hope or imagine!

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Finally, recognize that all great musicians need a skilled conductor to guide them through a complicated symphony. For believers, the Holy Spirit is our Conductor. He knows the heart of the Composer and establishes tempo in realtime. With our eyes fixed on the wave of His baton, the Holy Spirit guides us through each movement, advising us when to start, stop, crescendo or decrescendo.

When we allow God to lead, beautiful music is produced within our lives.

Today’s Prayer:

Lord, I dedicate my life as a symphony to you. You made me fearfully and wonderfully. It is my desire to play beautiful music that draws people to your love. Help me yield to the conducting power of the Holy Spirit in everything that I do today. I embrace the calling and purpose that you have destined for my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen.

Click Here to View It