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

I was born for the Storm….

17 01 2012

I hope you get a chance to read Bill Lewis’s recent blog, Are You Feeding Your Elephant? , and watch the short video.  What an amazing time of fun and celebration.  Just the thought of taking our buddies for a weekend to play and enjoy life is so exciting for Mary and I.  We build the LIFE business for these times.

Now I know that there may be one or two people out there that look at the adventure of driving cars and may say, “What a waste of time”.  But I would plead with you to continue reading.  Maybe no one else has ever felt like — It must be nice, or They are just showing me what they have and what I don’t have, or I’m not part of that group, or My situation will never allow me to have that.  Well I appreciate your sentiment because I have been there.  I want to give you a glimpse into what I have found.

A couple of years back, I heard a speaker say that she worked under the principle of — Have fun, Make money, and Make a Difference.  At least that is what she attempted to say.  The young lady misspoke and said, “Make funny..”   She quickly made the correction and moved on, but I am not so sure it was a slip of the tongue.  How many have heard that, “Life is fun”?  Some may say “Well, it ain’t fun, for sure!” But what if we could make the decision to Make funny — make our life fun.  Not pursue fun for fun sake, but find the humor in things without losing its importance.  Orrin Woodward– recipient of the 2011 IAB  Top Leader Award, exemplifies this attitude.  I picked him up at the airport a couple of days ago and he had a swagger about him that reminded me of a quote by President Andrew Jackson, “I was made for the Storm, the calm does not suit me”.  Not the steely-eyed conviction that grows with conflict like a General Patton, Maximus, or King Leonidas, which Orrin can produce if needed. But the attitude that whatever is going on, God planned it for good, so I am going to smile and enjoy the growth.  We can learn volumes from this.  What a pleasure to be around people like this.  They don’t make light of the situation, but bring light into the situation.   

What if we could take our moments and feed our elephant with fun?  What could change in our day if we didn’t take ourselves so seriously?  What if we woke up tomorrow and said that we were going to go out today and make someone smile?  What if in that process, you could discover their dreams and give them a picture of it?  Paying off a debt? Traveling to a warm island?  Driving that specific car?  Helping a loved one?  Spending time with a loved one?  Writing a check to a certain charity?

 I highly recommend listening to LLR 473  “Sprezzatura” by Chris Brady.   He illustrates this point so well.  Take time to enjoy and make fun part of your life.

God bless, Aron

Steel the mind and Tender the heart.


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Categories : Bill Lewis Team LIFE, Chris Brady LIFE business, Fun, Orrin Woodward LIFE business

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

Grace and the AGO Series

4 12 2011

Recently the first instalment of the AGO series through LIFE featured the “Con of Man” by Chris Brady.

Chris has an incredible way of utilizing the Scripture to explain the ‘3C’s of Heaven and Hell’.  I would highly recommend you request to borrow or purchase this audio.  Whether you are one who considers yourself on a strong foundation or one confused on what is meant by a ‘foundation’, I believe this talk will enrich your life.  From the “foolishness of preaching’ wisdom is found.  Now I may lose my large following of readers at this point(likely it is now 1 – my wife, Mary) secondary to the thought of “here we go again. Another person who is going to preach to me”.  Just hold on.  Maybe even hold on tight.  I will at least give you something to comment on.

A couple of days ago, a friend of my father’s called me to tell me a story of his father.  I will do my best to retell the story. 

Several years ago, Fred’s father was approached by an oil drilling company in regards to drilling on their property.  The father was told that their was a large deposit of petroleum and that they would receive revenue checks for many years with the drilling.  The prospect came true and several checks began to flow in(no pun intended).  During this same time, Fred’s father was going through some strife with the grandmother.  To make the story short, the father ended up in a shouting match and cursed the existence of the oil well.  Fred happened to be there on this day, and thought in his heart when the great blessing of the revenue checks would literally dry up.  Sure enough, 6 weeks later, two representatives of the oil company knocked on the father’s house to tell him they were going to stop the pumping because the well was found unprofitable.  The pump was pulled. The well was capped, and the land returned to a corn field. [now hold on…   You may be one of those people, like I once was. “These two events are related?  For real?  Let’s get down to earth here!”  Just hold on and read on]

20 years go by…   Fred is now helping his father with some tree trimming.  Conversation breaks out with the father stating that another oil company came by a couple of days earlier to ask to drill on the former site again.  Apparently, the deposit is still there.  The father told the company with some excitement to begin drilling!  Fred hears this story and is amazed.  He asks his father to sit down and tells him the story(unknown to the dad) of being in the house the day of the argument and then the ensuing termination of the pumping well.  Fred expresses to his father about the need to follow God’s law and God’s rich grace and mercy to us.  His blessings to us without the deserving and His rich forgiveness through His Son. “God so loved the world…” John 3:16.   He stated to his father that God was giving the well back as a great gesture of mercy.  He stressed to his dad to watch his thoughts and words and know that this is God’s work.  Fred’s father dismissed the conversation as nothing of importance and within 2 hours, the father was back to his old ways of cursing and blaspheme.  Fred had remembered a story in the Old Testament very similiar where a captain mocked God and was killed within sight of a reward.  Fred’s dad observed the rich blessing of the oil well but died 22 days before the revenue checks returned again to his house. 

Fred told me that he remembered 2 Kings 6:24-7-20; known as the siege of Samaria. I encourage each and everyone to read this story.  The impact of the King, the Captain, and Elisha are far-reaching and impactful.  Whether you treat the Bible as a book of fables or as the Word of God, you know that the something can be gained from truth.  As I read through this passage, one comes to an understanding that there are powers at work that work for the good of His people and the glory of God. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…” Romans 1:20.  The King finds the truth in asking of God for help.  Elisha, a man of great wisdom, is there to expound on the Truth seeing what others don’t believe.  While the Captain, sees the blessings of God, but never gets to experience the blessings secondary to his mockery of God.  Now I am not one of the “Health and Wealth gospel” thinking. This states that good comes to those that are good and bad to those whom are bad.  So if you are only getting bad right now, you need to change something to experience God’s blessings. Read the story of Job and your thoughts will stray away from this.  But, I do believe God does want to bless His people and there is a lot of people out their that mock this Truth.  He asks for full submission in the Holy Spirit and faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work on the Cross. 

As Fred told me this story and encouraged me to read this passage from the Old Testament, I felt the deep concern God has for His children.  I have a deep interest in my children and only want what is needed for their well-being.  God reflects this and is concerned about you.  Look to Him in prayer and seek out someone in your path to help you with God’s great message of good news.  My prayer is for all you to have a personal relationship with your Savior.  As leaders, we need a rock to be our foundation.  Many are counting on us.  Look to the Truth.    And may I suggest looking into the AGO series from LIFE at www.the-life-business.com. 

God bless, Aron

Steel the mind and Tender the heart.


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Categories : Character, Chris Brady LIFE business, Faith, LIFE, Orrin Woodward LIFE business

Orrin Woodward Team – Life Cycle- always moving.

19 11 2011

A recent article was posted on Orrin Woodward‘s Blog and also found on  Bill Lewis:

—Chris Brady and I flew up to Atlanta for a 6 hour mastermind session on Tuesday. Here is one of many concepts that were generated from brainstorming together. Generating ideas with Chris Brady is like drinking water from a firehose – fast and furious!  I love our 17 year business partnership! LIFE is something special and I have never felt as good about community building as I do today. Laurie and I started a new leg 10 days ago and it is now over 10 levels in depth! The LIFE Business is good because it helps people become good in their Circle of LIFE. Here is Brady’s article explaining what our products do in a person’s life. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward—

Chris Brady dove in a little deeper:  “I had a very engaging conversation with my friend and co-author Orrin Woodward today.  As usual, we kicked around a ton of stimulating ideas and pieced together something that, in our estimation, will immediately convey greater understanding as to the purpose of the LIFE business.  (See the inset diagram).

The CIRCLE of LIFE

In each of the 8 F categories of Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Following, Freedom, Friendship, and Fun, one can imagine a certain grade based upon how one is doing in that category. In the diagram the center represents horrible, as in, you are totally “stinking up the joint” (as my kids say) in a certain category. Working your way out from the center to the outer ring in any of the categories represents a stronger grade.  So someone with a dot near the outer ring is doing well in that category.  By connecting the dots on your subjective personal estimation of your life at this moment in each of the categories you can come up with a shape that roughly represents your life right now in each of the 8Fs.

Quite simply, the LIFE business supplies life-changing information to help you increase your score in each of the 8Fs.  The goal is to take someone from the not-so-good black shape represented toward the center of the diagram to the much improved (and happier, we would think) life represented by the red outline toward the outer ring of the circle.

Who doesn’t have at least a category or two, or three, or eight, in which he or she would like to have a better score? Who wouldn’t want to transform his or her life from the tiny blob (and who among us hasn’t felt like a tiny blob from time to time?) in the center to the big wheel (and who hasn’t wanted to be a big wheel at least once in his or her life?) toward the outer ring?

That’s it.  From little blob to big wheel.

But all kidding aside.  This CIRCLE of LIFE is the snap-shot diagram to which people can easily relate when it comes to understand the goal of LIFE and the life-changing information we offer.  We will help people learn and apply truth in each category and thereby improve their shape. ” –  Chris Brady

The basics, of all this, is that we all are given a wheel.  Whether it be one built for the track, the farm, or just a skate board, they need to be shaped right to do the purpose they were made for. 

 In my short time on this planet, I have noticed that most people want to trade their wheel in for a different one.  Or they are constantly looking for a better model in their own class.  The truth is that God made us all with the ability to make decisions. We choose to be ‘flat’, ‘over-inflated’, or of ‘optimal pressure’.  (Isn’t that so true– You need pressure to be optimal! and that all wheels are “round” — a size most want to stay away from).  Plug in with those that God put’s in your path with success in one or more of the 8F’s. You will watch those dimples, bulges, flats, weak side-walls, and even holes, repair with the right equipment. 

 Steal the Mind and Tender the Heart!  God Bless, Aron.


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

LIFE business- The power of mentoring

5 11 2011

Through the thinking and experience of Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady, the LIFE business will provide not only an avenue of wealth, but an amazing center for mentoring/life coaching.

On my way home tonight my car started acting up.  A little chugging and a little sputtering with increased shaking as speeds increased.  And as expected, I received the good old ‘service engine soon’ light.

service engine soon

This light appeared bright and continuous.  It beckoned me to pull over and check the engine.  Multiple things could be wrong and likely more things are worsening as the drive continues.  What do most people do?  ‘If it is still driving, let’s at least get home.’  ‘Please don’t die now’ – and continue to drive. ‘It’s probably nothing’.  Once we get home, the key is turned off and the light goes off. The next comment out of our mouth is, ‘I will deal with it tomorrow’.  For some this saga continues till the car is being towed behind a tow truck heading to the junk yard or to the repair shop for a total overhaul. 

How similar do things in our life happen as we are just cruising through life.  All of our 8 F’s (Faith, Family, Friends, Finances, Fun, Following, Freedom, Fitness) appear to be good then something happens.  We start chugging along in life.  Our marriage starts to go flat.  Our finances seems to be running on empty. Our fitness needs a big change and maybe even a new filter.  Fun? What is that?  And so on, probably 80 more Fs we could talk about!  Unlike a car, we don’t notice our ‘service engine soon’ light.  When that little light starts glowing bright, it becomes very evident to get some repairs for our vehicle.  Would it not be nice to have these with our life?!

We do!  But we must allow someone else to see it and help us with the repair.  The true power of mentoring or Life coaching has two sides: a hungry student and an integrity-filled mentor.  This mentor is not an advisor (all theory), but someone whom has been through the minefield of life and helps through experience.  I have been able to see this and experience this coaching through the men of Orrin Woodward, Chris Brady, and Bill Lewis.  These are men that are bent on giving themselves a ‘check-up from the neck up’ and helping ours through grace and love to do the same thing.  Through the recent launch of LIFE, they can now take that heart-felt coaching mainstream!  Anyone can grab ahold of CD’s and books and be part of an association that will help identify our ‘engine’ problem.  Then like a repair manual, give us insight on the how to change.

Now as the service engine light comes on, use the power of LIFE with Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady to get the tune up.

God bless,  Aron


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Categories : Following, Orrin Woodward LIFE business, Orrin Woodward Team

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