Is It Time for a New Bike?

I’ve had three bicycles during my adult life. First a hybrid trail-road bike that I bought just for recreation and a little exercise. My wife ended up taking this to college and Madison and using it for transportation around the campus. I didn’t get another bicycle for approximately 12-years when in 2004 I bought my first real road bike. An aluminum frame Felt road bike. It was a decent bike and definitely met my needs as a recreational road cyclist and someone who enjoyed dabbling in triathlons. I got my third and current bike a year later. It is a carbon fiber Scott road bike. Much like the Felt…but made of carbon fiber so it is quite a bit lighter and has slightly better components and better wheels than my first bike.

There are bikes that are much better than mine and those that are of definite lower quality. I am very satisfied with the bike I currently have, as I believe it doesn’t hamper my performance at all. In fact…I know my fitness level could raise several notches to match the level of performance this bike is capable of. I always determined that it is time to upgrade my equipment when it is truly the equipment that is hampering my performance.

Let me ask you this question…in your life…in your profession or career…are you in a position that will allow you to grow or is your position limiting what you are capable of? I am a firm believer that you will not realize your full potential until you align your career or profession with your passion.

Just as I purchased and made an investment in a new bike when I felt my level of fitness called for it…so must you be willing to make the move and make the investment in yourself and position yourself in a place that will allow your giftings and passions to be fully realized.

Is it time for a new bike for you?

Romans 12:4-8 – “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved

By the Bell or Near Hell

“Some wish to live within the sound of a church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” C.T. Studd

C.T. Studd was a missionary and evangelist in the early part of the 1900’s. The quote above is no stretch of how he lived his life. He father made a fortune in business and C.T. inherited a good part of that fortune when he turned 25. Being a believer in the promises of God he gave away almost all that he inherited to other evangelists and missionary works. C.T. lived his life fearlessly…taking numerous missionary journeys. And he spent the last 21 years of his life in the heart of Africa. He desired to go to Africa in 1910…but he was being strongly discouraged by his doctors who warned him he was not in good enough health and that the journey alone may kill him. But C.T. felt he was being called by God to go. So he did. And God blessed him with 21 years of productive ministry in Africa.

Shortly before his death C.T. wrote this in a letter home to his wife and children…

"As I believe I am now nearing my departure from this world, I have but a few things to rejoice in; they are these:

1. That God called me to China and I went in spite of utmost opposition from all my loved ones.
2. That I joyfully acted as Christ told that rich young man to act.
3. That I deliberately at the call of God, when alone on the Bibby liner in 1910, gave up my life for this work, which was to be henceforth not for the Sudan only, but for the whole unevangelized World.

My only joys therefore are that when God has given me a work to do, I have not refused it."

The ability to end a life with the assurance that C.T. was able to write with that he had followed the Lord in all of his callings on life and that he had truly given it his all doesn’t come easily. In fact it is downright tough. There is a certain amount of danger and risk that goes with being able to make claims such as C.T. made near the end of his life.

The decision to get out of our comfort zone is not an easy one to make. It is much like a description I heard recently of someone having to enter some cold water. At first you just test the water with your toes. Then you are up to your knees and then a little deeper and pretty soon you are at a point that you just do not want to take another step. At this point there is not easy way. You are better off just taking the plunge and jumping in.

The transition to living a life that may be considered a bit wild or on the edge is just that way. You can only tip-toe for so long before you are really required to make the plunge.

I believe that there are so many reading this and so many people that we all know that are wondering what the next step is…what is next in life…where is the fulfillment? I believe that there is no real answer…other than taking the plunge into a life dependent on the faithfulness of God…and being a witness to his faithfulness playing out in our own lives.

Take the plunge…it may be uncomfortable…but it is so much better than sitting on shore watching.

2 Corinthians 11:24-28 – “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved

FAITH....In What?

In what areas do you claim faith, but your actions show unbelief? If you don’t do it, then you really don’t believe it. It is absolutely amazing how easy it is to claim total faith and trust in God when life is comfortable. It’s easy because all of the things that are so incredibly important to us are right there for us. Our home is there, the paycheck to pay the mortgage every month, the money for groceries, the ability to buy birthday presents for the kids, the security of knowing that at the very least everything will pretty much be the same, month by month. It is easy to claim total faith in God, but it is really hard to live it.

What if the very thing that we strive for all of our lives is also the very thing that prevents us from ever experiencing total reliance on God? The American Dream of a nice home, several months of income in savings, and maximum contributions to our 401K, and a great monthly income and the year-end bonus. It sounds great…and it is. There is nothing wrong with it, but as people we become so reliant on our ability to produce the income that gives the home and savings and retirement that if it were ever to go away, most of us would not know how to act. That is where the problem comes in. God doesn’t want us to be reliant on ourselves He wants us to be reliant on Him.

How far will your faith get you? When challenges arise in your life…does your faith go as far as your own resources…as far as your knowledge to fix the situation or are you able to be at peace even when you cannot see the answer? That is when faith truly begins…faith begins when we ourselves cannot see the answer but yet we proceed as though we do. Faith says that God will provide, but even if he does not, you will continue to believe. Let me show you an example of the faith I am talking about…

Daniel 3:16-25 – “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

How far would your faith get you? Would it last just up to the meeting with the king? Would it last until they tied you up? Or would it make it into the furnace?
Had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wavered in their faith they would have turned to dust the minute they got close to flames. They would have died with those men throwing them into the fire. You must be unwavering in your belief. You must hold fast to your trust and faith in God. God wants us to be decisive. He knows we will make mistakes, but I believe that He would rather have us be decisive and wrong than to be wavering and never make a decision or take action.

You claim faith…but what do your actions say? Take a step towards faith in your actions today!

Have a blessed day,

RodZ


© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved

Do You Take American Express?

Here is just a glimpse into one of the things that I find myself thinking about. American Express…the charge and credit card company…here is a company that charges each retail location more to accept their card than any other. For most merchants the going rate is anywhere from 1.79% to 2.29%. I could be off a bit but that is very close. American Express charges every retailer 3.5% of every dollar that they charge when accepting their card. When retailers apply for a merchant account Visa, MasterCard, Discover are usually all lumped into one. American Express is its own separate entity. You must apply separately for a merchant account with them.

Then…for the consumer…American Express cards are usually harder to get. They generally have an annual fee and unless you have one of their Blue Cards the balance must be paid in full within thirty days. You cannot carry over a balance. Also…American Express is not accepted at all retail locations. And now you know why after reading the above paragraph. Yet guess which card is one of the most desired and the card that brings with it the most prestige? You guessed it…American Express.

American Express was founded in 1850 as an express delivery company. While the US Postal Service was very unreliable and did not offer delivery of anything larger than an envelope…American Express provided reliable transportation of envelopes and small packages. One of their biggest clients turned out to be banks that needed safe and reliable delivery of important documents.

In 1882 American Express launched its money order business and by the early 1900’s it was selling more than $6 Million annually in travelers cheques annually. As you can imagine American Express experienced extreme challenges through both World Wars and the great depression…yet the company had a determination to survive. Even during the period that Chase Bank secretly over a period of several years bought up 97% of American Express’ stock and staged a takeover. Again…through the determination of the company and the remaining stockholders and also some fortunate legal rulings that went their way…American Express remained American Express.

Even though there was such tremendous strength in the company…during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s American Express was nearly eliminated from the Charge and Credit Card business. In 1991 a group of Boston Retailers organized a revolt against American Express and its high fees…this revolt became known as the Boston Fee Party. Outside the United States American Express was experiencing card suppression…when merchants try to dissuade the consumer from using a particular method of payment. Years later the CEO of American Express commented, “If not for the strength of our brand name, American Express would have collapsed by the late 1980’s.”

It’s interesting to me to consider the history of a company and read through the various challenges and hurdles that they have had to overcome. And for a company like American Express to come through such challenges as one of the most desired card companies…while still being one of the most expensive…is interesting to me as well. It truly shows the importance of the image and the status that we put forward.

All of that to say this…I think the same holds true for what we as Christians portray to the world around us. Does our life reflect something to the world that says, “I want what they have?” Does our life say to the world that even though it may not appear to be the easiest way…it is absolutely the best and only way?

Too often I think that we project the wrong thing to the world. Serving Christ is not a matter of just right and wrongs and dos and don’ts. It is a matter of living a privileged life. A life truly designed by the Creator for us. When you look at the beauty of the world that was created for us….can you imagine our creator designing anything less beautiful in the life he has planned for us?

Today…take the American Express approach. Live your life in such a way that says…even though it may not be the easiest to get…it’s not the least expensive…and not everybody is going to accept it…it is absolutely, positively the life you desire!!

Colossians 1:10-14 – “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved

Deadliest Catch

It’s been quite around the house the last few days. My wife and kids have been gone. So I turned on the TV and caught a portion of a new episode of Deadliest Catch last night. One of the captains had sustained an injury that the crew thought was causing him to cough up blood. When they showed the preview of next week’s episode they showed him being x-rayed and the technician talking to him and showing possible problems…but none of them related to a recent injury. She was talking more life threatening problems such as cancer. I don’t know how it will end. But it was enough to cause this captain to question where he was in life. What would happen if he were gone? What he should have done differently. What were his values?

When I am able to catch glimpses into peoples life such as this I find it so interesting. Because it seems as though people just live how they want to live until something life threatening comes along or they just catch a glimpse of morality.

For those that have embraced a relationship with Christ…there is a vitally important realization that I really don’t think people totally get a grasp of. That realization is that once we enter that relationship with Christ…we have already begun our eternal living. We have begun eternal life. The only thing that is going to change is that our spirit at some point will move from this earthly vessel to the heavenly realm. What you have to ask yourself is…what power does this earthly vessel have? I think we would all answer this the same…the earthly vessel really has no power. The power is in our spirit…which is the same spirit that has the relationship with God. So if our relationship with God is held with our spirit and it is our spirit which will live forever and if that sprit is within our earthly body…then don’t we now have all the God given power and authority that we will have when we enter eternity? I think so.

When you begin to digest this…our fear of death and any separation…that so many people fear and dread…suddenly is gone. That is why Paul could confidently say… “For me to live is Christ…to die is gain.” He could say it and mean it. He knew it was the truth and it should be the truth for all of us. For us to live is Christ….Christ being present on this earth…making a difference…being an example…showing the world what a difference living for Christ can make…yet for us to die is only to gain. Same spirit…only in an absolutely perfect setting. That is what Paul was talking about…and it is what we should be talking about as well.

Philippians 1:20-22 – “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!”

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved

Don't Move that Stone...He Stinks

We all face difficult crossroads in our life. Moments when you have to make a decision on which way to go. Those times when you have to turn left or turn right. Sometimes it seems as though either direction could be good. Other times it seems like neither direction could be correct…yet you have to go one way or the other.

Jesus faced many such moments in his life. The moment when so many disciples decided to dessert him, (John 6:60-67) he had to make the decision that he would keep teaching the truth even though it meant the loss of so many. Another time was when Lazarus was sick. Jesus could have gone immediately to heal him…but instead he stayed two days longer where he was. He did not give in to the pressure to leave as so many wanted, rather he remained resolute to the fact that this sickness would not end in death.

Some could argue that Jesus was wrong…Lazarus did die. Jesus even said so several verses later. Jesus told them flat out “Lazarus is dead.” Yet when Jesus said that “this sickness will not end in death,” he was telling the truth. Because Jesus knew that Lazarus’ death was not the end. He knew that there was still life to be had for Lazarus…even though everything in the natural was saying otherwise. He looked dead, he was wrapped and in the tomb, scripture even records that he smelt dead…as most would that had been laying in the tomb for four days. Yet even with the overwhelming FACTS of this world stacked against him…Jesus proceeded as though Lazarus truly was just asleep…not really dead.

Let me ask you…what do you have in your own life that appears to be dead? And maybe it doesn’t just appear to be dead…but the overwhelming evidence would say that it is dead. Maybe it even smells dead. Is it a dream? Is it a goal that you have had for so long but you just don’t see the progress? Is it something that you had promised yourself long ago, but it just isn’t happening? Maybe you lack the discipline, maybe you lack the ambition, maybe you just need to make the decision that now is the time and this is the place and begin to march forward.

Whatever it is…do some research, find the scriptural promises of what God has for you and what he promises to those who believe and put their faith in him…not in themselves. And armed with those tools begin to move ahead, begin to march forward, and lay hold of the land and the life that God desires for YOU.

John 11:38-43 – “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"


Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved

A Good Return on Coffee

From the time of its offering in 1992 up until 2006 Starbuck’s provided a total return of 5,814 % to its shareholders. Since the end of 2006 the return hasn’t been quite so strong. In fact the return since 2006 has been a negative 52%. Howard Schultz is no stranger to struggles and the current performance of the Starbucks stock does not worry him. He recognizes the need for change but he replies to questions about the performance with the statement that “It was a false indicator when high and it’s equally as false now.” He says that on a day-to-day basis he is more concerned about the price of coffee than he is about the price of the company stock.

Howard Schultz, the Xerox Salesperson…turned kitchenware’s salesperson…who eventually convinced the original 1971 founders of a company called Starbucks into hiring him. That year was 1982. At that time Starbucks wasn’t selling brewed coffee, rather they were selling coffee beans. When the original founders wouldn’t embrace Schultz’s idea of selling coffee by the cup he left to start his own company. Then in 1987 he bought Starbucks from the original founders for $3.8 Million of other peoples money.

The original founders don’t talk about Schultz much. Rather they quote the movie Bambi…when Thumper’s mother tells Thumper – “If you can’t say something nice about somebody, don’t say anything at all.” The feelings of the original founders don’t seem to distract Schultz much at all. Which is a trait quite often found in people that succeed.

And the apparent disapproval of the original founders is not the only challenge Schultz has had to face. One of the first challenges was the prompting of his father-in-law to give up on his coffee dream and get a real job. Then he had one of his early investors who tried to wrestle the company from him. And now he has the newest challenge…how to deal with the unexpected threats from companies such as Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds…who Schultz admits to visiting to try their coffee. His description…“swill.”

In the year 2000 Schultz turned the day-to-day operations over to other people. But in January of this year he stepped back into place as CEO of the company. He felt that some of the elements that had made Starbucks what it was had been lost and he was there to bring that back. And he is doing it with the same enthusiasm you might have imagined when he returned from his fabled trip to Italy where he came up with the original vision of coffeehouses on every corner that become the social hub of the neighborhood.

Which brings up the question, how do you keep things as exciting and fresh and new as they were when you first started?

· Keep learning and trying new things – Schultz is absolutely ecstatic about a new drink that Starbucks will be offering this summer in California and in all of Starbucks 16,000 stores by next year. Schultz says of their new drink – “I’m energized, and believe it or not, I’m excited by this.” “Were in business for our customers. And they’re going to love this!”
· Refocus as necessary – Just a month after taking back the reigns of the company, Schultz…in great theatrical fashion…closed more than 7,000 stores for three hours so 135,000 baristas could relearn the art and fashion of making decent espresso. The cost to the company in wages and lost income…$10 Million. But Schultz insists that it was worth every penny. He said Starbucks will look forward with laser intensity by looking back to where it all began…the coffee.
· Don’t be afraid to make changes – Since taking over the reigns Schultz has not been afraid to get rid of those things that seemed to have become a bit of a distraction to the original mission. He has discontinued the breakfast sandwich that was available in some locations. He said that although it was profitable it interfered with the original intent of Starbucks. He is also reinventing all of the food offered in Starbucks. He recognizes the shortcomings of their baked goods. Schultz says, “I am embarrassed by the food.” “The food is going to be completely reinvented by fall. With a stake in the ground. Done!”

Whether it is business or if it is your relationship with Christ; don’t be afraid to refocus, to make changes to keep things on track and to keep things fresh and new…always.
Lamentations 3:22-25 – “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved

Marathon Swimmer


She grew up in a family that saw very little of her father. And when he was around…he certainly wasn’t welcomed. He was abusive to her and to her mother. As for her mom…she was a person that for whatever reason couldn’t express or show her love to her children. So Diana…being the oldest of three children became the caretaker and comforter to her siblings. For most…this environment would have been enough of a challenge. But for Diana it was only the beginning.

She went out for the swim team and at the first practice the coach noticed some real potential in her. She began to pour herself into her swimming. She awoke at 4:30 AM for training. She stayed late at school to train some more. And through her commitment and dedication she went on to set school and state records. She set her sights on the 1968 Olympics but was sidelined with a heart condition and was unable to make the team. But during that time she suffered more; by the hands of her coach who sexually assaulted her five times during the course of her high-school swimming career. Too embarrassed to say anything she kept silent until well after high school.

How does a person recover from such a childhood? How do they find the energy to go on? How can they find the ability to focus on something other than just surviving?

It seems odd to think that some of the greatest accomplishments have come through people who have faced the greatest adversity. It seems that although some people would seem to have the perfect environment to foster the greatest successes in life…they end up with mediocre accomplishments. And others that seemingly should just be happy to have survived and made it out alive have gone on to set world records and have provided inspiration to thousands if not millions of people.

What did Diana Nyad go one to accomplish?
· From 1969 to 1979 Diana was the greatest long-distance swimmer in the world
· In 1979 she stroked the longest swim ever recorded in the world by swimming from the island of Bimini to Florida. A distance of 102.5 miles. The accomplishment took more than two days of constant swimming. The record held for 18 years.
· She became an announcer for Fox Sports News, CNBC Host, ABC Sports Announcer, Host of her own radio program and author of three books.

So how does one person who was forced to face so many obstacles go on to accomplish so much?

I believe it is how that person chooses to view the obstacles. Nyad recalls her actions after one of her attacks. She swam in a meet that same day and lost for the first time. She recalls jumping into the diving pool and swimming to the bottom of that pool and screaming as loud as she could, “This is not going to ruin my life!”

Trauma, setbacks, unfair treatment, being taken advantage of, being cheated on…any of these things and so many more…they can ruin your life only if you allow them to. It is always our choice.

Diana Nyad had a choice to make. Would she allow the circumstances and the obstacles of her life define her or would she define her own life?

In an interview with her younger sister…her sister recalls the cold treatment of her mom and she realized that there was something strange going on when her dad was around. But she recalls that there were many happy moments in her life…and they always involved her older sister Diana. She says that Diana made their home life as happy of a place as it could be. Ironic since Diana was the one taking the abuse.

Your circumstances and situations only define what you allow them to define.

What are you defining for your life?

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 – “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved