The True Hero and the NFL All-Star

8 04 2013

A lot of the readers out there including myself grew up as NFL wannabees.  We worked hard when we were young and continued that work through high school and maybe your hard work took you to college to play.  Either way, that dream lived for a lot of us to one day get into the big show, the NFL.  Just yesterday, my pastor turned me onto the amazing testimony of Jason Hanson, the place kicker for the Detroit Lions.  No matter what your thoughts are of the Lions, you have to give respect for this gentleman.  I looked up some of his statistics:  Over the course of his 20-year NFL career, he holds the NFL record for most games played with one team. He holds the NFL record for most 50+yard field goals. He also is tied or the most 50+ yard field goals in a single season. He is the first player in NFL history to score 2,000 points with one franchise and has the most career games with one team. His consistency and his accuracy defy reason. He is the first kicker in NFL history to go 8-for-8 on 50+yard field goals in a single season. He holds NFL record making 24 consecutive field goals of 40+ yards. Amazingly, after the 2010 NFL season, Hanson has only missed eight extra points in his 20 year career! In addition, he can be counted on when the game is on the line, accounting for 17 game-winning field goals.

Here is his thoughts on all that:

I’ve had a wonderful career. I’ve been to two Pro Bowls. I’ve kicked several game winning field goals. I’m proud to have been with the Detroit Lions my entire career, and I want to finish well.

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 18: Jason Hanson #4 of the...My greatest struggle is not the pressure of making the kick when the game is on the line, or driving the ball deep on kickoffs. Actually, my greatest struggle has nothing to do with my performance on the field, or dealing with all the external elements. It’s an internal struggle. It has to do with not allowing my identity to be dependent on my performance.

God has used football and kicking to shape me. I don’t know how I could kick without my faith. God has given me ability and a mind to use. I find peace in knowing that. I train as hard as I can. I execute my technique as perfectly as I can. And if I miss, I know that God still cares for me and has a plan for me, and my identity does not depend upon a field goal.

Which is not to say that a missed field goal does not bother me. It does. If I miss, I’m more upset than anyone. But even if I lead the NFL in humiliation, I know that my hope is not tied up in what happens on the football field.

I grew up in a Christian family. I was a decent guy, and never visited the wrong side of the tracks. I didn’t come to Christ because I had hit the bottom. In fact, my story is somewhat the opposite. God worked through my success to draw me closer to Him. Success can be as big a test as failure. I began to experience how good it was to succeed. I was a consensus All-American my sophomore year at Washington State. I’ve signed nice contracts. I have a certain amount of celebrity. But I’ve discovered it’s all empty. It can’t satisfy. The greatest despair in life comes from reaching your dream and discovering that’s all there is.

I’ve always liked the Bible story of the rich young ruler, who had everything a person could want – fortune, good reputation, power and influence – but he was missing the most critical thing – a relationship with God.

Over the years, as I tasted success and found it empty, I have become more and more convinced that everything the Bible says is true, and Jesus is exactly who He says He is. In fact, I’ve based my entire life on Jesus being who He says He is – the Savior of the world.

Jesus said, “Come, follow Me.” And I have. And in Him alone I have found peace.   Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is something you can always rely on. I’m going to make mistakes, maybe miss a kick or whatever, but I know no matter what, I have my relationship with Christ. And that’s the most important thing of all.

 

Great stuff!  Do you think Jason claims that he is the hero of the story, or someone a lot bigger?  Most see his fortune, cars, and big house and believe it is only the skill and money.  Jason also has a marriage that lasts from 1992 and 3 children.   It makes one think.  No matter what you think of God and His Savior, you can’t deny the evidence.  You must get around people like Jason to truly see if it is real.  But where?  I get this opportunity with my friend and mentor, Bill Lewis .  He has all the success one would like, but consistently gives God the glory.  I would compel you to look into the depths of the Life Company.  Not the surface, but the heart is where the meaning lies.  They welcome your presence and your desire to be more.

God bless, Aron

Steel the mind and Tender the heart.


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Live from Hollywood — Forgiveness!

6 04 2013

I have been following Tullian Tchividjian for about 3 years now.  He is a powerful pastor and author.  His book, “Unfashionable” should be read by all.  He has a powerful way of preaching that appeals to many including myself.  Tullian has an active blog that I follow to gain insight.  On March 22nd, he had an entry called the “Fruits of Grace“.  I started to read the article when it diverged into a recent event in Hollywood.  Now I am very grateful for what the movie industry has done in bringing fiction and non-fiction alive.  I am consistently amazed at the imagination of men and women who work in the motion picture business.  They have a great eye for detail and in keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

Recently (and maybe always) the people of Hollywood have been a little less active in their profession and more active in the downward spiral of America.  They tend to have a large influence on the minds of Americans in this media focused world.  (Remember that this is my opinion)  But I love it when I see truth being projected from those whom face is in the lights.  Too many people expect the actor/actress to be same off camera and on.  I expect them to be real and to show their real side.  And that their “fruit” in life tells us how much or who they can coach.

Well, in the recent blog by Tullian, we see an amazing act of forgiveness and also, an expectation of forgiveness from others.  Robert Downey, Jr.  was given the “American Cinematheque Award, a prize given to an extraordinary artist in the entertainment industry who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion pictures”.  A mouth full to say the least.  Most of us know Mr. Downey,Jr from the 80-90′s and recently with the Sherlock Holmes series and the Iron Man series.  He is probably considered one the top names in Hollywood right now.  With receiving this award, Robert can ask anyone he chooses to present it on stage, and he choose Mel Gibson.  Most of us have heard bits and pieces of Mel’s quick drop from the top.

With all this being said, here is Downey’s acceptance speech:

I asked Mel to present this award to me for a reason. Because when I couldn’t get sober, he told me not to give up hope, and he urged me to find my faith—didn’t have to be his or someone else’s—as long as it was rooted in forgiveness. And I couldn’t get hired so he cast me in the lead in a movie that was actually developed for him. He kept a roof over my head, and he kept food on the table. And most importantly, he said that if I accepted responsibility for my wrongdoings and embraced that part of my soul that was ugly—”hugging the cactus” he calls it—he said that if I “hugged the cactus” long enough, I would become a man of some humility and my life would take on new meaning. And I did and it worked. All he asked in return was that some day I help the next guy in some small way. It’s reasonable to assume that at the time he didn’t imagine the next guy would be him. Or that some day was tonight.

Anyway, on this special occasion… I humbly ask that you join me—unless you are completely without sin (in which you picked the wrong… industry)—in forgiving my friend his trespasses, offering him the same clean slate you have me, and allowing him to continue his great and ongoing contribution to our collective art without shame. He’s hugged the cactus long enough. [And then they hug].

Wow!  What an act in the bright lights.  At complete risk of his own career, Downey gives and asks forgiveness.  Someone at the bottom and someone at the top can work!  What if we used this as an example of grace in our life?  What if we were to give more hands up and less hands out?  What if we were to truly give from ourselves and expect nothing in return? Our neighborhoods can be like this once again.  It just takes you.  The whole “Pay it forward” theory.  My friends and mentors in the Life company believe in the motto of “making a difference”.  Check it out for yourself and you will see it LIVE.

God bless,  Aron

Steel the mind and Tender the heart!


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Mental Fitness Challenge — “I am going to live”

4 06 2012

In the shadow of Memorial Day here in the United States,  I recently finished the amazing story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in WWII.  The book is In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton.

This book chronicles the incredible peril of the survivors of this proud ship of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet .  To give a short summary(very short):”the early morning of July 30, 1945,..the USS Indianapolis, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, immediately killing nearly 300 men, and sending as many as 900 others into the black, churning embrace of the vast Philippine Sea, some 350 miles from nearest landfall.  Four days later when the navy finally learned of the sinking, only 321 of these sailors were still among the living”.

The best-selling author, Chris Brady, talks about being “messed-up” watching the movie, Saving Private Ryan.  Not only the intensity of the cinematography but our mind and heart’s feelings of what it must have been on the Omaha beach-head.  This movie is concluded with the great Captain telling the Private that he had better make his life count.  Now I was “messed-up” in this same way following the completion of the this book.  It is the combination of the 1,196 brave sailors that set out to sail against an aggressive enemy,  the USS Indianapolis,alone, on a secret mission to carry the components of the “Little Boy” atomic bomb, the twin torpedo strikes that sunk the majestic ship in 11 minutes, and the 900 men in and 321 men out of the water ratio of 4 1/2 days later due to exposure, fuel-oil and saltwater ingestion, and hundreds of shark attacks.  But maybe the most striking characteristic was the common thread of the survivors mind-set – “I am going to live”.

Wow!  Volumes of books and blogs could and probably are written on this subject of the desire to live.  It can be put in so many different textual forms. I thought I had a fair idea of the mind-set required.  But after the survivors were quoted this passage “I am going to live”, I found more meaning.  How many of us just get frustrated with our commute to work, or “left-lane” drivers, or our coffee is cold, or same dinner again, or even, “it’s raining”?  Our attitude is critical.  What are we telling ourselves?  Bill Lewis, co-founder of the company, Life, states, “Our communication struggles are not primarily a struggle of technique but a struggle of the heart.  Our war of words is not with other people ; it is a battle within.”  How can we survive if we are destroying our lives from within?

At the same time of finishing this book, I completed the 3rd week of the Mental Fitness Challenge (MFC).  The week was spent on topic of Attitude.  God has such a perfect way of putting an exclamation point on the week.  Listening several times to Claude Hamilton‘s CD, Attitude, and reading through Orrin Woodward‘s chapter on attitude in Resolved, there is no doubt one can take specific intent to “live’ again.  As these survivors of the USS Indianapolis choose their attitude despite the situation, we can too!  I look forward to your choice of “I am going to live”!  Live the life God expects of you.  Take the Challenge to help you formulate a game plan and right attitude to achieve your life goals.  I would expect a WIN!!

God Bless, Aron.

Steel the mind and Tender the heart.


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Categories : Bill Lewis Team LIFE, Chris Brady LIFE business, LIFE, Mental Fitness Callenge, Orrin Woodward Team

The Mental Fitness Challenge

7 05 2012

Between the comments by multiple people in my life and two leaders in the world today- Chris Brady and Bill Lewis, I believe everyone should be striving with their family, friends, and co-workers to challenge each other with the Mental Fitness Challenge.

90 Day Mental Fitness Challenge

What a grand challenge!  For the last 10 years, I have been emersed in the self-improvement and leadership environment and as I go through the MFC, I find myself constantly being encouraged to be more.  In a world that believes that just by doing more will translate into a “win”, I feel through the 1st 8 days, I am called to be more.  In the 1st CD (MFC1 – 13 Resolutions for Life), Orrin Woodward talks about true involvement in any worthwhile endeavor requires mind, heart, and will.  He demostrates how the “soul can be schooled” through the improvements of each area.

In the 2nd CD (MFC2- Self-directed Education), Chris Brady coins the phrase “Refe-vival-ssance”  ( I apologize for the spelling. This is my guess of the correct spelling).  This is the concept of three needs in today’s world. 1) Reformation –  A return to the truth in all aspects. 2) Revival – An excitement of multiple generations and individuals talking and living the truth. 3) Renaissance – An appreciation of the beauty of art, music, and literature without the loss of truth.

I will not take away your joy 0f a true challenge of becoming who God meant you to be and being comfortable in your own skin. Grab the package and grab some friends.  I Dare you to take the  Challenge — The Mental Fitness Challenge!!

God bless, Aron

Steel the mind and Tender the heart.


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Quietude… Power in the calm

21 02 2012

I recently read an article by J.C. Ryle called “Peace! Be Still!”   This was an amazing description of Mark 4:37-40 where Jesus was awoken by His disciples during a raging storm because of their fear of death. –Pause–  Now I probably lost some readers and threw another group of readers into an analytical lens of how to look at Scripture.  I pray that you all stick around for the duration, because I may learn something.  Oh yah, you may also. –End Pause–

The picture above displays on a small-scale the power of a

Read the rest of this entry »


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Attacking Goliath — Overcoming

14 12 2011

Bill Lewis recently published an incredible blog on facing one’s goliaths.

I would impress upon each one of you to take the time to read his blog.  I have been eye-witness to the characteristic of overcoming by Bill.  A lot of individuals in today’s world of ‘experts’ have great advice on how to make changes in your life, but there are few men who talk through action and mentor from experience.  The LIFE business that Bill co-founded has a stated purpose to change lives through information and association in the 8F’s (faith, family, finances, freedom, following, friends, fitness, and fun).  Change is only temporary if there is no paradigm shift as Stephen Covey states. Leaders like Bill make their life, a pursuit of their obstacles.  Chase them down and destroy them for those that follow.

—The point I want to make is this.   Are you attacking the goliath’s in your life or are you cowering on the sidelines.  I am experienced on both sides.  It is not easy to face the goliath’s that we have in our lives but it is necessary for growth.  In leadership and life you are getting ripe or you are going rotten.  The second you stop facing goliath’s and growing from the experience you are beginning to rot.  It is even more of a tragedy if you have a mentor that can help you defeat goliath but you still choose to run circles.— Bill Lewis

Mark Batterson stated that we are imprisoned by what we know.  This profound statement is true for all people.  What we don’t know and what we do know keeps us put.  And ‘put’ is on our backside wishing there was another way.  As Bill stated, the rocks were right in front of David and likely all answers are just before us. Most answers are found through the use of faith.  Some come as new experiences but most come through the courage to ask someone who has gone through the minefield 1st.  “Faith is unlearning the senseless worries and misguided beliefs that keep us captive” states Batterson.  Take the time to find a mentor in life. The benefits are far-reaching and life changing.  Then as we fight our ’goliaths’, we have a wing-man to endure the fight.  Discover those goliaths and hunt them down!  Happy hunting!

I would also recommend you grab ahold of and listen to the audio CD’s ”Facing your Goliath” and “Developing your David” by Orrin Woodward. 

God bless, Aron

Steel the mind and Tender the heart.


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Categories : Bill Lewis Team LIFE, Character, Following, Orrin Woodward LIFE business

Courage in LIFE – continued….

12 11 2011

For full article by Bill Lewis, click on: Bill Lewis/Team/Life

In the shadow of Veterans’ Day, we look toward and remember the sacrifices of men and women throughout history whom protected the innocent with their lives and sacred honor.  You will see courage come through the story of Master Sergeant Benavidez which I retold recently or the above picture of the troops storming Normandy.  But it is greatly needed today on the battlefield of the American mind and heart!

Bill Lewis, co-founder of LIFE, published a blog about the state of integrity and courage in today’s news.  It is a must read for all Americans.  Follow his link on the right of this page to ‘What has happened to America’s character‘.  It brings the value of courage and fear face-to-face with reality.  I compel you, also, to listen to LLR  509 – The Churchill Factor by Kirk Birtles, because Kirk expresses how to overcome the issues in war for the minds of men.  I will allow you to hear it for yourself, but he talks about it in a conversation with Orrin Woodward about the fear of man.  Orrin had told Kirk that he fears no man.  If only North American men could develop the thoughts Orrin expressed to Kirk and back them through Christian foundations, where would we be?  Men should look to protect the innocent and expose the wrongs. The leadership fell apart on a university campus secondary to a lack of courage to do what is right.

I recently heard a pastor speak on this issue of courage.  He gave four points to improving our courage.

1)  Courage is Purpose Driven.  If asked of your purpose, how would you answer?  Would you state it boldly and it is seen in your eyes as truth? Are you taking each step with specific intent? As a Christian man or woman, do you use every moment to glorify God?  Life is all about the line between your purpose-filled goal and where you are right now.   We each have the ability to control distractions that make curves in the line.

2)  Courage is Persistent.  “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials” I Peter 1:6.  Do you stop at trials?  Is it a ‘no matter what’ or is it a ‘if only’?  Can you be called ‘tenacious’?  We will make endurance our ally.  I would encourage each of you to listen to ‘Rascal‘ by Chris Brady.   It can be found attached to the back cover of Brady’s book with the same title.

3)  Courage is Prepared to Die or Live.  There is joy in serving.  Not just jumping on the hand grenade for your comrades, but living a life of example for them.  We should be always doing our homework: listening to experience through seminars or CD’s and challenging our assumptions through books.  Working out mentally and physically for our time when it arrives.

4)  Courage is Pervasively Contagious.  You are the best motivation for your family, team, or associates.  Compel people to be courageous and integrity-filled through your actions.  It is said that true leadership is found in the front.  As you proceed forward, others will follow.

Bill Lewis took the time to share his heart on the current issues plaguing character.  But what is even more powerful is Bill’s courageous walk in LIFE and modeling the correct behaviors in all of his 8 F’s. He knows we can change our expected future only with courage.  Thanks, Bill!

God bless, Aron


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