I learned more from these than from any blessing that ever came my way.
I shall be candid and tell you that I’ve garnered practically nothing from success—except that it tends to make me over-rate my ability.
I knew a fellow.
We were acquainted with each other for twenty-seven years. Sometimes we were friends; other occasions, enemies. It was always spicy.
He died thirteen years ago.
Yesterday he came to my memory, and I realized that for all intents and purposes, nobody knows about R. B. I think even his family may have allowed his image to slip from their minds.
I learned a lot from him. (Mostly through those aforementioned flops, failures and flunk-outs.)
But there were times that were rich with emotion.
And all the encounters were chocked full of experience.
I’d like to take a while to tell you about that twenty-seven-year journey, one story at a time. They won’t be long—and I certainly hope, not tedious.
If they end up being boring, it’s only because I failed to tell them well.
But at the end of our journey—whenever that happens—I hope we will share the value of learning instead of just assuming.
For the sake of his privacy, we shall refer to him as R. B.
The first time I encountered him was right after I finished writing a musical…
Attractive Without Attraction Does Not Attract Anybody
I freely admit that being handsome or gorgeous is an immediate plus for gaining attention in the human family. Matter of fact, it may give you one or two free cracks at the prize without having to suffer too much critique from admirers.
We like pretty people.
We, ourselves, either believe we are pretty, or certainly have a comprehensive plan and are working to get there.
But if “attractive” cannot produce an attraction, people will scurry away, not only disappointed, but vindictive that they so easily swooned over dimples and smiles. At this point, attractive has failed to deliver, through evident beauty, any promise of beautiful things forthcoming.
I don’t think I need to discuss with you what attractive is. But I have readily prepared myself to explain what the attraction is that can take unattractive people and attract them to everybody.
There are three links that form a chain.
If you’re able to grasp how these units are meant to combine to generate an attraction, then you won’t have to worry nearly as much about being universally considered attractive. There are even many actors in Hollywood who might, on the surface, be considered homely, but because of their work, character, longevity and quality, are now able to attract anybody.
So what are the three links that form the chain of attraction?
It begins with confidence.
Confidence is characterized through the statement, “I have some experience.” Confidence does not say that you have all experience, or that your experience will solve the entire breadth of problems or that there isn’t something that could come up that you would not be able to handle. Confidence is just stating, “I have some experience.”
You take that link and fasten it to “humble.”
Humble is an admission necessary for all of us: “I have some weaknesses.”
These two attributes connected create a ying and yang that let people know that you’re safe for consideration.
Confidence: I have some experience.
Humble: I have some weakness.
The final link is mercy: I have some forgiveness.
If you are a leader and you’re starting a job managing a group of people and you don’t have mercy, you unfortunately will soon turn into a tyrant.
But when you take the three links—confidence, humble and mercy—they form a chain of attraction.
No matter where you go across the world, they will attract you to anybody.
Too much confidence? You’d better be attractive, too.
Too much humble?You may just look like you’re playing it safe.
And too much mercy?You can be taken advantage of.
So if you can ignore whether you are deemed physically attractive, but instead, confidently, humbly and mercifully pursue your goals, then that will build the attraction which will attract you to anybody you meet.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly donation for this inspirational opportunity
The vocal chords and the tongue have very little to do with intelligence. Surprisingly, the brain is also often a deterrent to being aware of the truth.
The best way to be smart is to be honest.
And the preferred path to honesty is to get rid of the fear of being considered out of step or not in the know.
So this week, try one thing to open the door to becoming smarter: That which you’ve seen and that which you’ve heard is the only thing you will declare.
In other words, if you read it on the Internet or catch wind of a rumor, restrain yourself. If you haven’t seen it and you haven’t heard it, don’t confirm it.
The most powerful part of your life is your personal testimony and journal about your own discoveries.
When something comes up that you have not seen or heard, simply reply, “I’m sorry, I don’t have much personal experience in that matter.”
It does not make you look stupid. For after all, the only way to look ridiculous is to pass along ideas which end up being false. The better way to come across intelligent is to let people know that you will only offer insight if you have personally seen and heard.
Other than that, you simply listen and see if you can garner some data which might be tested and proven to be true.
A great man once said, “Be careful how you hear.”
He also said, “The light of the body is the eye.”
True.
So take this week, and instead of going to the trough of the Internet or the news services to discover erroneous stories which you pander off to your friends, speak only what you have seen and heard.
It is a powerful way to look smart.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly donation for this inspirational opportunity
In the midst of puberty, football, family problems, unbearable school work, insecurities and an unwillingness to walk the dog, I managed to wiggle in time to attend church.
I didn’t go there because I loved God or was fond of listening to sermons. Matter of fact, I couldn’t recall one single point from one of these elongated discourses. No, I went to the Steeple House to see church friends and because I had an abiding love for gospel music.
So when it was announced by our pastor that a competition would begin in the style of College Bowl, using the Bible for questions and answers, and that we would be competing with eleven other churches in our district, to win a trophy, I was immediately on board. It would give me a chance to be with my friends, carpool to new locations, and actively participate in a way to prove that I was better than others.
The first category for our pursuits was Acts of the Apostles, which had intelligently been shortened to the Book of Acts. We studied the material for three weeks. The teams were divided into Junior Bible League and Senior Bible League.
I was at an annoying age–the oldest in the Junior League, but youngest in the Senior League. So they stuck me in the younger group. We went out for the first competition and won handily against Milford.
Having a disconcerting mixture of ability and ego, I quickly decided that the Junior Bible League was beneath me, so I immediately began to lobby to be in the Seniors. This stimulated many discussions, church board meetings, and phone calls among pastors, all trying to decide if it was righteous for me to be with the older participants.
I think they wanted me to give it up. Yes, they figured that eventually I would stop asking.
But I didn’t.
So by the third contest, studying the Book of John, I wore them out and was placed on the Senior Team. Within two weeks, I was one of the starting members and on the third week was voted Captain.
Can I tell you the problem with progress? The reason life has steps to it is so we can enjoy the graduations–because even though I got my way and was on the Senior Team, I was stuck there for four years, with no further encouragement for ascension–just an expectation of ongoing winning.
For the first three years we won the trophy for the best Bible League Team in our district. But by the fourth year, quite honestly, I just wore out.
My jot was exhausted and my tittle lay dangling.
So the lasting memory of this experience is that we lost, in my final year, because of my indifference, and I shall forever be remembered as the guy who almost pulled it off.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to stand up against unreasonable rules and regulations. But often they are there to ease us into a joyous journey, where we have the pleasure of growing instead of the aggravating expectation of doing well … again.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
After an appearance earlier this year in Surprise, Arizona, Janet and I were blessed to receive a “surprise” ourselves. Click on the beautiful Arizona picture above to share it with us!
Click here to get info on the “Gospel According to Common Sense” Tour
Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about scheduling SpiriTed in 2014.
She passed by me without saying a word, heading for the door. It had all the appearance of an exit. Suddenly she paused, turned on her heel and walked slowly back toward me.
She said, “I’m a dying breed. I was raised two counties over. My mama and daddy grew cotton, so we spent all of our time in the field, crawling on the ground and picking cotton, dragging huge sacks behind us to collect the fruits of our labor. It was so hot that I had to cool my feet in the shade of the plants, and sometimes the work day was eight to ten hours. We didn’t have much, but we always seemed to have enough.”
And then she just stopped talking.
I looked deep into her eyes. It was like bathing in a well of experience. I suppose some people would consider her rural, rustic or maybe even rugged. It isn’t really so. That’s just another example of how we make quick judgments because we’re too lazy to spend time with one another. I realized she was embarrassed with her own silence and would soon slip away, so I decided to ask her a question.
“What did you learn?”
She didn’t miss a beat. “I learned to take care of myself and to not ask too much of others.”
It was one of those simple, beautiful, profound answers, laced with so much experience that additional wording would have been cumbersome.
“I just wanted you to know my story. How I’m part of a dying breed. People today don’t understand and kids would have no idea. I enjoyed your show.”
She quietly turned, walked away and disappeared out the door.
I thought about her words. The truth is, I don’t take care of myself enough. Somewhere between silliness and believing in the abiding grace of God, I float along, thinking that each day is promised to me instead of a gift. Much to learn.
And even though I try hard to be a servant instead of a burden, there are still strides to be made in that arena, too.
I sat and thought for a moment.
Some people read the Good Book to find their inspiration, believing it to be the sole source of life and instruction.
Others stubbornly wait for God to give them a burning bush to illuminate their path.
I suppose there are even people who are praying for an angelic visit to grant them the insight to propel their heart’s desire.
Not me.
Since we’re all part of a breed that’s dying, the smartest thing we can do is listen, observe and believe in other members of the herd that come our way, and accept the beauty: that it’s a gift from God.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
Click for details on the SpirTed 2014 presentation
Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about scheduling SpiriTed in 2014.
I picked up my calendar and noticed that tonight I’m going to be sharing at New Life Lutheran Church in Pearland, Texas. I couldn’t help but notice the two words: New Life.
I like that idea. I think everybody wants a new life to some degree, even if they’re enjoying the essence of their present journey. “New” is fun and fresh, and “life” is beautiful, if for no other reason than it’s the absence of death.
But I have never been a soul satisfied with the offerings of organized religion. I want new life, but Heaven and the promise of eternal existence is not enough to get me through Earth.
I need some heaven done here.
This is what Jesus promised in the Good Book–that it was possible for God’s will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. I’ve always wondered why we thought Heaven was going to be so special if we weren’t impressed with the adventure God offers us on Earth. It’s like owning a Toyota Camry and being dissatisfied, and having the company offer you a Tercel. Still made by Toyota. No reason to believe the different name will make things better.
So I go to Jesus to find out what he thinks life is. Two things jump out immediately. He contended that life should be “abundant” and life should be “joyful.” Actually–full joy.
So what is abundance? I suppose it could be interpreted as “wealth” or accumulation. But I think in this case it means variety.
Yes, I will know that I have new life when I’m not afraid of what’s coming. If God was with me yesterday, why would I believe that overnight He’s abandoned me simply because today offers a different dilemma?
Yet, it is what plagues us. We really gain new life when we’re not afraid of what’s coming and we welcome the abundance because we know it grants us the wisdom to use our talents to gain our security.
And I need joy.Joy is the decision to be happy while you’re pursuing contentment.
If you do it the other way around, you’ll end up quite disappointed, trying to find contentment as a means of determining your happiness. This means that every disruption of your experience, actually bringing abundance, will distress you instead of bless you.
Yes, “new life” is the ingenious blending of abundance and joy.
So as I talk to these folks tonight I will share with them that Jesus did not come to try to make things comfortable. Instead, he came to comfort us as we grow able to handle our circumstance while maintaining our good cheer, eager for a chance to prove that what is in us … is up to the challenge..
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
Click for details on the SpirTed 2014 presentation
Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about scheduling SpiriTed in 2014.
Jonathots Daily Blog 
