Wednesday, March 31, 2010

College Impact is Here We NEED YOUR HELP!

With the arrival of my first book College Impact: Empowering Collegiate Christians for Campus Influence, we are intensely trying to get the word out. We need your help to let people know about it. How?

1. By letting every church you either attend or know of about it. Why, because statistics say that most High School church kids will walk away from the Christian faith. Its an important resource for their students.

2. By buying books for high school and seniors and college students in your life. It is a great graduation gift.

3. By telling friends and relatives who have college students and high school seniors in their lives about the book.

4. By getting the word out to any media outlets that you know of that would be interested in this type of books. i.e. I am from New Jersey and my home town paper might be interested.

5. By passing on the information about the book on any and all social media outlets with which you are apart.

How can you purchase a copy?

1. http://www.amazon.com/College-Impact-Empowering-Collegiate-Christians/dp/0976273829/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270052317&sr=1-2

2. http://www.paramindpublications.com/collegeimpact.html

Please know that we both need and value your assistance. This has been a labor of love. Thank you so much for your support!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Separation Anxiety

Think on this…An interesting dynamic has been happening in my house. My 5-year-old son is having a difficult time. Children with my son’s type of special needs have ebbs and flows in their development. When he was younger we dealt with his separation anxiety and thought it was over. Well, we are going through another round of that process, and it is hard to deal with to say the least.

Every time I walk away for a brief moment he looses it. In his mind I have abandoned him. I found myself reassuring him. “Daddy is here, I am not going anywhere. If I go away for a moment I will always come back if I can.” I hope to get through to him that daddy is dependable and that I am always here for him. Even though I have not done anything to undermine his trust in my stability and love for him, all I can do is continually remind him that daddy is here.

While encouraging my son I believe I heard God speaking to me. While telling Him that I was still there, God was saying the same thing to me. He was there, because He loved me and didn’t leave me alone. He like me was as close as a call or prayer away. It was hard to hear, but powerful at the same time. It’s really impacting my life and I hope I am showing my son a better way. “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father.”…Just a thought

(for the expanded blog on this topic visit http://www.damianlboyd.com/college-impact-blog/ )

Friday, March 26, 2010

Preaching to Myself

Think on this…I have had a number of good conversations with people lately. I am not saying the conversations have been about good things, but they have been important. Whether it’s a friend who is struggling in their marriage, to a person dealing with esteem issues, or a leader afraid take a step of boldness. I have learned that when speaking to others I am in essence talking to myself.

What do I mean that I preach to myself? I listen intently to what they are saying, I think about an appropriate response to their query, and I say things that make sense to them as though I were talking to myself. I try to learn as I am speaking and place myself in their shoes. It’s both a lesson of empathy and willingness to learn all at the same time. The tendency for most people is to say really good things to others and that don’t change to communicator, just the one being communicated to.

I don’t want to tell someone else truth and it bounce of me. That prepares me for hypocrisy. We can be geniuses as it pertains to others problems and idiots when it comes to our own. Have you ever heard a person give advice and realized that they we saying the very thing that they needed to hear? We need to learn to preach to ourselves. It would be dumb to tell a man to listen to his wife’s needs more and I don’t listen to my wife. The bible says, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27b It’s a life lesson that I think would benefit is all…Just a thought.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Update

Think on this…if you are a constant reader of this blog. I have good and important news. We are officially ready to release the first printing of College Impact: Empowering Collegiate Christians for Campus Influence. YEAH! Sorry, I am just a little excited. We have labored over this thing for 3 months beyond the initial due date. Things have not grown more urgent in the Boyd household, and we have seen God’s faithfulness along the way. But, its here, finally!

I have said before that we need your help. Yes, we need your help to push the book to college students and anyone who loves them. We are asking that you consider purchasing your copy. We also need you to tell every news outlet and person of influence in the college arena about it. We need your help. We believe that this book is going to be a spark that ignites a revolution. Please, consider becoming a part of the movement by getting the word out. Next week we will have all the marketing opportunities ready for you. If you are willing to help, then just post a comment on this blog and we will get back to you. Thank you in advance for your support…Just a thought.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Fridays

Think on this…I love Fridays. Since I was a child I remember the anticipation building on Friday during school. It was the thought that I would be free and from the rigor that the week brought. That continued with 10 years in the corporate environment looking forward to being home on the weekends. Friday was a day filled with the promise of peace and rest.

The harsh reality is that weekends don’t hold the same mystique as they used to. Now that I am working from home and I can rest more often than before. Actually, weekends are harder then the weeks nowadays. For instance, I have to teach tonight, I have to coach a football game tomorrow, I have to work most of the day on Sunday and I still love Fridays.

The reason I love Fridays is that I like the fact that there is a collective sigh of relief from everyone. Everyone has that same since of expectation around the concept of weekend. There is the overall feeling of freedom and relaxation. I think that is a healthy thing. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5That’s why I love Fridays…Just a thought.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Being-Haved

Think on this…our whole lived we are told to behave. This is the goal of all children, to act in a way as to not bring shame on your parents. I remember times when I was misbehaving and someone would tell me ‘I’m telling your mom’. That would often be just the encouragement I needed to act better. That was the problem, I was acting, I wasn’t actually better I was just trying to perform well. You could find me later doing the very same things. It was an issue of Character verses Behavior.

Behavior is what you see when people try to live up to cultural norms. Character is who you are when no one is looking. It’s the seat of your moral center. You can alter behavior, but your underlying Character will eventually present itself. Whether good or bad your character will ultimately breakthrough. We are not usually taught how to develop those inner attributes to ensure good character. Internally do we not only understand why we are to behave, but are we in agreement. That is when we start to touch approach the inward character.

If we learn to deal with our character then our habits change automatically not the other way around. Nothing just happens. The issue is often that we have refused or neglected to deal with our character. The bible says, For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. Matt 23:25-27 I am learning to work on the person within, and I encourage you to do the same…Just a thought.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Just Sick

Think on this…I have been under the weather lately and I am desperately trying to shake it. The crazy thing is, I know exactly where this came from. I have been burning the preverbal candle at both ends and in the middle. I have been speaking quite frequently, I am in a training class, I just sent the final version of my book, etc. Things are busy, and my body is having a hard time keeping up. I am not complaining because I love my life. It can be challenging, but this is much better then the former. I used to work two jobs and I was sick more often as my body just couldn’t keep up.

I have learned that sometimes, sickness comes right when you need to slow down. It is just interesting that our bodies are made that way. I have learned to appreciate my bodies’ ability to make me slow down. I find comfort in that. Why? Because I am prone to run myself ragged. So slowing down is a good thing for me.

What is the solution? I think it’s learning to slow down more frequently. The Bible has a perfect solution; it’s called a Sabbath. One day in a week to rest, really rest. Now, I am not one of those people that thinks we need to not buy food, or wash clothes on Saturday, but it is biblical that 1 day out of 7 we rest. The Bible says, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10 There will always be more to do. If we don’t learn to rest, we might not be around long enough to actually get it done…Just a thought.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hypocritical

Think on this…I believe there is a little hypocrisy in most of us. Now, I know that is a bad thing for a preacher to say. It’s the nature of man is to say one thing and do another. I remember the old adage ‘do what I say and not what I do’. How many parents, even if they have not said it, have done it? Don’t smoke, yet they smoke. Don’t lie, yet the tell stories about Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny. That is hypocrisy.

I wrestle with that as well. I tell people to keep their minds and hearts clean, but I am sometimes challenged with my own. I am not saying that I have killed someone, or committed adultery, but in the areas people deem less important I sometimes struggle. The truth of the matter is that God sees all sin the same. So what do you do with your own hypocrisy?

The correct approach is to deal with your own heart. It doesn’t mean that truth is not truth and doesn’t need to be communicated. It’s my responsibility to remain as clean as possible on the inside and do my very best preach what I practice. The bible says, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.Matthew 7:5 As I continue to deal with my own issues I am more capable to help others. That’s the remedy for hypocrisy…Just a thought.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Oscars

Think on this... I love the Oscars. I guess it’s the whole spectacle and grander of the event that draws me in. I try to forget that the awards are mostly political. I try to forget that we as society place some of these people on such a high pedestal that they will never live up to our expectations. I even try to forget that there are more pressing issues in the world. I just enjoy the moment for what it is and nothing more.

It kind of reminds me of heaven. How? We one day we will be ushered down a long runway. In that moment our work will be evaluated. Whether we lived up to the hype or fell flat. How many resources were invested verses the quality of the end product. In that moment will we be adorned correctly or will we be ill dressed for the occasion. Ultimately, will we receive any rewards for our work or will we just be happy we were invited at all.

The reality is that we will all be evaluated for the work we do in this life. The pomp and circumstances aside, what truly matters is that moment. “This proves that the conscience is like a law written in the human heart. And it will show whether we are forgiven or condemned, when God appoints Jesus Christ to judge everyone's secret thoughts, just as my message says.” Romans 2:15-17 On that day I want to walk away with the prize…Just a thought.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Finding Your Strength

Think on this…I have been very busy lately speaking, teaching, mentoring, and writing. The cool thing is, that is what I am supposed to be doing with my life. That is why I desired to leave Corporate America to more fully find my area of greatest effectiveness. It’s all based on my personal strengths and abilities. I can’t take credit for them, all I can do is maximize what God has given me.

We all need to find the areas in which we absolutely ROCK! We can spend so many years of our lives drifting through our days only wanting more. But, we rarely take the time to mine out the richness that is within to discover the treasure beneath. It’s not an easy process, and it could take some people years, but it’s worth the time. So many people ignore that deep calling and in their 40’s and 50’s they have a radical realization that they have wasted their lives. This is called the mid-life crisis. This can be avoided by searching for significance sooner rather than later.

Life is way too short to be wasted on pursuits that don’t satisfy. God cares about the work you do. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:10 If God cares about what you do, then it makes sense that he would help you discover it. But, you must do your part by intentionally looking inside to find it. It’s a worthwhile expedition…Just a thought.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Learning to Trust More

Think on this…about 9 months ago I lost my job. It was perfect for me because I was about to walk away from it. That to most people seemed like the worst thing imaginable in an economy such as ours. But, we believed God was leading me to do my life’s passion, which is to communicate a message of hope to the world, full time. That sounds good, but it doesn’t pay that much initially.

So, things have been lean in the Boyd household. On top of that we have my 18-year-old nephew living with us and that is like having 3 new mouths to feed. It would be awesome to tell you that money has flooded in and speaking opportunities are numerous, but that hasn’t happened. What has transpired is, every time we get low on funds more is made available. It’s a miracle. What has also happened is, I have finished my first book, College Impact, available next week. I have developed a website www.damianlboyd.com . I am a blog writing machine. I am tweeting and facebook-ing regularly. And yes, I have even done a speaking engagement here and there.

I have seen God in the process of trusting him with my life more fully. Either you trust God or you don’t. I have learned to allow Him to show Himself faithful and I have found He is. My responsibility is to continue trusting Him. But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 I love the old hymn, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take Him at His word. Just to wait upon his promise. Just to know thus saith the Lord” …Just a thought.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Another Twit that Tweets

Think on this…I recently joined the twitter craze. I have been fighting it for a while, not because I am against technology. Not because I am an old man that doesn’t understand what the kids are doing nowadays (well maybe a little). My reluctance was more an issue of self-preservation. From what? Narcissism! I have a tendency to think too much of my life and myself and minimize what is most important. Twitter seems to feed that practice.

Twitter enables the narcissist by making their every thought, whim, and experience news worthy. I AM NOT THAT IMPORTANT, and neither are you. Whether or not I had eggs or cereal for breakfast this morning is not something to broadcast to the world. Even worst, many people are hoping to say something provocative enough to gain global, wide spread, acclaim and acquire their 15 min. of fame.

So, to protect my own heart I have been resisting Twitter. I had some of my good friends fuss at me lately, because I was not apart of the cool crowd. They reminded me that I have a book coming out, I speak to young adults regularly, and as far as they are concerned I have something important to say. So, here is my compromise, I endeavor to tweet something important and meaningful, and as always make much of God and less of me. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 I don’t want to be another twit that tweets…Just a thought.