The other night as I laid my head on my pillow, it dawned on me that I was holding on to way too much and trying with all MY might to do what I wanted. It dawned on me that by yielding to the perfect will of Almighty God, I will rest better, perform better and be in "the zone." I prayed that briefly before going to sleep. I slept better than I have for a while and woke up so refreshed and energized, it had to be all GOD! So, we certainly need to use all of our gifts for the improvement of life and the glory of God, but we'll do much better when we give up doing it under our own strength and rely on the unlimited strength and power of God.
On November 18th, I spoke to the men's banquet at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church. I spoke about my military career and how it started out as a Titan II Missile Combat Crew Commander. The responsibility as a Second Lieutenant was as a Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander for a Titan II missile and attached warhead. The warhead (check it out on google) is a 9 megaton warhead. When detonated, this warhead is capable of completely wiping out a 990 square mile area (or the size of Lancaster County, PA). Well, in thinking about that tremendous destructive power, I wondered about how to unleash a "9 megaton blessing blast" to bless and heal a 990 square mile area. How do we think big enough to bring about harmony, peace, prosperity and goodness rather than total annihilation? I have been counseled plenty of times to begin with myself. Start small and do what I can. That's probably "ok" advice, but I also think that we typically don't "go for it." We don't name and claim lofty ideals.
Without aiming high, setting really grandiose goals, we fall short, achieve less than what is possible and muddle around in the mire of mediocrity. What do you think? Can you dream BIG? Let's go for it together! I believe in you and your unstoppable abilities to bless!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Another Gorgeous Day!
Today is Thursday, Dec 2, 2010 and it is sunny and cold with blue skies and puffy clouds. Today, I'm back into my full scale exercise routine - complete with a 40 minute treadmill workout, 100 crunches, 50 pushups and some superman (lower back) exercises. Feelin really good!
Here's the point: The last few days, I had a lower back pain and a kink in my neck that prevented some of this (not the treadmill, but the floor exercises). Through patience, persistence and just letting the ole body heal, I'm back on top of my game. It's easy to get "down," discouraged and frumpy with the aches and pains of life. It's faithful to look forward, stay positive and keep on moving! You and I have been mightily blessed with gifts, abilities, and skills to make others' lives better. Let us focus on dusting these off, polishing them up and letting them shine for the glory of God!
The future just keeps getting better and better. Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me!
Here's the point: The last few days, I had a lower back pain and a kink in my neck that prevented some of this (not the treadmill, but the floor exercises). Through patience, persistence and just letting the ole body heal, I'm back on top of my game. It's easy to get "down," discouraged and frumpy with the aches and pains of life. It's faithful to look forward, stay positive and keep on moving! You and I have been mightily blessed with gifts, abilities, and skills to make others' lives better. Let us focus on dusting these off, polishing them up and letting them shine for the glory of God!
The future just keeps getting better and better. Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Encouragement through aches and pains
Today is Tuesday, November 30th. Woke up with a stiff neck and a back ache. Still, I got up, put on my running shorts and shoes and hit the treadmill. Did 40 minutes on the treadmill, listened to some motivational podcasts (have a whoppin 160 gig iPod) and got the blood flowing. The kink in the exercise schedule is not being able to do my 100 crunches (because of the back thing). Anyway, I am now at the keyboard, working in my beautiful home office and pushing on to what needs to be done.
Even with aches, pains, gray cloudy skies, and looming unemployment, I am encouraged with skills, abilities, and passions to serve God and God's people.
I am launching a ministry of encouragement through coaching conversations. If you need some encouragement in your life, give me a call - 717.742.0711 and let's chat.
Know this - no matter what your ailments are, no matter what your life circumstances are, you are loved with an unconditional love! You are beautiful, unique and deeply treasured. Be encouraged!
Even with aches, pains, gray cloudy skies, and looming unemployment, I am encouraged with skills, abilities, and passions to serve God and God's people.
I am launching a ministry of encouragement through coaching conversations. If you need some encouragement in your life, give me a call - 717.742.0711 and let's chat.
Know this - no matter what your ailments are, no matter what your life circumstances are, you are loved with an unconditional love! You are beautiful, unique and deeply treasured. Be encouraged!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Where have I been and What's next?
WOW! It's been over a month since I posted! Well, to answer the first question - I've been on vacation! Spent 2 weeks on the luxury liner - Solstice with Celebrity Cruise lines. Cruised all over the Caribbean and had a ton of fun. It's my preferred way of relaxing and forgetting about the world. Did a bunch of reading and reflecting to get ready for the next adventure! I believe that God has an amazing adventure in front of me, so really needed this time to mentally prepare.
To answer the next question: I will be leaving my role as the Associate Executive Presbyter for Donegal at the end of December 2010. In January I will be launching into a ministry of coaching. This might entail a church setting in which I will be coaching people to use their wonderful God-given gifts for ministry and/or it may also entail doing some coaching of God's people to achieve more in life than they could ever imagine. You see, I probably said this before, but I have the gift of encouragement, so really get energized and blessed by using this gift to full advantage!
And, finally, here's the BIG IDEA! Have you ever gone to a conference or workshop, gotten all charged up with new ideas for life or work and then couldn't implement them at home? I am putting together a collaboration of coaches who will help solve that problem! We can hold a few powerful conversations with you and get those new ideas integrated into your life and work! This is absolutely HUGE! See my website at postconferencecoaching.com for more details!
To answer the next question: I will be leaving my role as the Associate Executive Presbyter for Donegal at the end of December 2010. In January I will be launching into a ministry of coaching. This might entail a church setting in which I will be coaching people to use their wonderful God-given gifts for ministry and/or it may also entail doing some coaching of God's people to achieve more in life than they could ever imagine. You see, I probably said this before, but I have the gift of encouragement, so really get energized and blessed by using this gift to full advantage!
And, finally, here's the BIG IDEA! Have you ever gone to a conference or workshop, gotten all charged up with new ideas for life or work and then couldn't implement them at home? I am putting together a collaboration of coaches who will help solve that problem! We can hold a few powerful conversations with you and get those new ideas integrated into your life and work! This is absolutely HUGE! See my website at postconferencecoaching.com for more details!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Ideas - the fuel for life
I'm discovering that I'm the happiest when I can spend time with new creative, entrepreneurial ideas! I will often get huge, daunting ideas for business ventures or other "life enhancing" enterprises. These give me a boost, a shot of adrenalin, a smile on my face and the happy song in my heart. So, I really enjoy getting these ideas and mulling them over and even making some lists of next steps. Here's the down side of that. I will tend to not "go for it!" I see the obstacles in time, money, relationships (connections) and then will go on to the next thing. In some regards, this is just life, but on the other hand, am I being unfaithful to the world in not pursuing a larger dream?
Perhaps I simply don't cultivate enough relationships in life to bounce these ideas off of. Maybe with a few more conversation partners and connections, I could see how to make some more giant ideas (visions) become reality. Perhaps with some "git r done" people on the road beside me, I could use my God-given imagination to truly bring more good things to life (sorry GE).
Well, that's where I am today. If you have some coaching questions for me to help me flesh this out, by all means - send them to me at: cwgross@gmail.com Have an awesome day!
Perhaps I simply don't cultivate enough relationships in life to bounce these ideas off of. Maybe with a few more conversation partners and connections, I could see how to make some more giant ideas (visions) become reality. Perhaps with some "git r done" people on the road beside me, I could use my God-given imagination to truly bring more good things to life (sorry GE).
Well, that's where I am today. If you have some coaching questions for me to help me flesh this out, by all means - send them to me at: cwgross@gmail.com Have an awesome day!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Slowing, Focusing, Paying Attention
After 77 hours of intensive coach training, having been coached for a number of months, and reading extensively in the field of coaching, you'd think I would be slowing down, focusing more and paying attention. That is what I keep practicing and trying to do. But, every now and then, I start to speed up, get in a hurry, skim the reading, skip the details and miss the really really obvious.
The other day, I had to take a document to AAA to be notarized. Here's what happened. I must have been in a hurry in filling out the form to be notarized and took the date March 12, 2007 and entered, March 7, 2007. Well, I got it notarized, sent it off and thought I was done with this project. To my dismay, a few days later, I received a note saying that I should have had March 12, 2007 on the notarized document, so I had to do it over. My initial thought was, "give me a break. Just change the date and make it right." But then I realized, it was my problem, not theirs. I re-did the form correctly, got it notarized again and sent it off.
What did I learn? I still have to be mindful in my daily actions, focus intently on each project in front of me and perform with excellence in a moment to moment time frame. Rushing off to the next project with a trail of shabby performance behind is not good stewardship or efficient use of time. Maybe this is helpful for you!
May you breathe deep the breath of God and be intensely IN the present moment! It's a wonderful present that God is giving you right now! Extravagant Blessings! Charlie
The other day, I had to take a document to AAA to be notarized. Here's what happened. I must have been in a hurry in filling out the form to be notarized and took the date March 12, 2007 and entered, March 7, 2007. Well, I got it notarized, sent it off and thought I was done with this project. To my dismay, a few days later, I received a note saying that I should have had March 12, 2007 on the notarized document, so I had to do it over. My initial thought was, "give me a break. Just change the date and make it right." But then I realized, it was my problem, not theirs. I re-did the form correctly, got it notarized again and sent it off.
What did I learn? I still have to be mindful in my daily actions, focus intently on each project in front of me and perform with excellence in a moment to moment time frame. Rushing off to the next project with a trail of shabby performance behind is not good stewardship or efficient use of time. Maybe this is helpful for you!
May you breathe deep the breath of God and be intensely IN the present moment! It's a wonderful present that God is giving you right now! Extravagant Blessings! Charlie
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thinking, Speaking, and Acting like a Coach
Recently, I started a new podcast series on iTunes called Empowering Encouragement Coaching. It is available at itpc://www.charliegross.com/ee.rss At this point, it is a mirror site (except for the artwork) of my Charlie's Creativity Podcast Series (www.charliegross.com/charliecreativity.rss)
I'd love for you to check this out! My latest podcast is all about my current task of creating powerful questions for various contexts. This was a request from my mentor coach and is creating a whole new me! I am thinking, speaking, and acting in a fresh new way that is helpful, supportive, and taking people to new heights of possibility.
My hope is to use my God given gifts to bless the ministers and members of the Presbytery of Donegal as I serve the Sovereign, Holy and Life-giving God! It is a privilege to serve others and see how powerful questions spur us all on to new ways of crafting the kingdom of God.
If you want to know more about this work, visit my website at: www.empoweringencouragement.com
If you want to enter a conversation about the possibility of a coaching partnership, send me an email - cwgross@gmail.com May the Lord Extravagantly Bless You!
I'd love for you to check this out! My latest podcast is all about my current task of creating powerful questions for various contexts. This was a request from my mentor coach and is creating a whole new me! I am thinking, speaking, and acting in a fresh new way that is helpful, supportive, and taking people to new heights of possibility.
My hope is to use my God given gifts to bless the ministers and members of the Presbytery of Donegal as I serve the Sovereign, Holy and Life-giving God! It is a privilege to serve others and see how powerful questions spur us all on to new ways of crafting the kingdom of God.
If you want to know more about this work, visit my website at: www.empoweringencouragement.com
If you want to enter a conversation about the possibility of a coaching partnership, send me an email - cwgross@gmail.com May the Lord Extravagantly Bless You!
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