Living Fearlessly

Is there something in your life that is holding you back from getting your goals accomplished? Are you scared about something? Are you fearful of failure? Do you want to attack your fear head on so that you can get to the next level of your life?
Well now is as good a time as ever! Today is the first day to the rest of your life. I have a real fear of heights. I have been talking about going and doing bungee jumping or something like this to overcome. I talked with a friend last night who asked me if I wanted to go with her to Vegas and ride the rides on top of the stratosphere! 800 something feet above the ground!! Of course I said "no way." But, can I get over the fear by moving around it. It reminds me of a story in the Bible. God had promised Abraham that he would inherit the promise land. It took years and years but they finally arrived to the edge of the promised land. They were nervous about what was on the other side. They sent 12 spies to go and search out the land. The spies came back and reported that the enemy was too great. They were "grasshoppers" compared to the enemy. The spies were fearful. They were afraid and had lost there trust in the Lord. God had promised them the land. A land where milk and honey flowed. A land of blessing. A land of their own!
God has promise for your life. He has blessings and abundance for your life. Whether you are called by God or not you have an opportunity to experience Gods blessing in your life.
But, here is the catch. In order to get to the next level, you must take the next step. You can't reach the top of a 20 story building without going up the steps. You can't get the next place without overcoming your fears! What are you afraid of? What do you have to lose? If you are a salesman, all they can do is say no. If you want to start a business, the worst case scenario is it doesn't work out and you are back where you started. If you want that promotion or raise, kick it to the next level. You only have one life to live. You see, because the spies came back and exaggerated their reports because of their fear, most of the people that were there on the edge of a major abundant life never made into the land. Press through. Overcome. And live a greater life!! A fearless life!

Keep on keeping on!

As I was doing a personal study I came across a couple of verses in the bible. There was one that really hit home and I thought you would benefit from it. It is found in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and it states the following:

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

If you are doing things in your life to honor God and are striving to live the absolute best life possible, you have no worries. The things which make it difficult for you now are only temporary. The economic situation that has everyone on edge is only temporary. The rainy weather we had in Texas today is only temporary. The car and house you work hard every hour of every day for is only temporary. But, if you give this life all you have got and you have your focus centered on accumulating eternal treasures and you concentrate on leaving behind a legacy that will live on even after you are gone, the "big" speedbumps will pass away. Why let the things of this world get you down. Life is way too short to be stressed out. Focus not on the bad things, for they will soon be gone, but put your entire being into living the best life you possibly can. Remember on your tombstone it does not say "drove a Ferrari, lived in a million dollar home, surrounded always by beautiful women (or guys for you women), and partied like a rockstar!! It has a born date, the date you die, and a dash. Once you are buried in the ground will people forget who you are? Will you have had a lasting effect on their lives? Will something you taught them or did for them cause them to leave behind the same to their kids and grandkids? Just think about it. If you had thirty days to live, how would you spend that time?

What a Night! Best Yet!

What an awesome night last night! We had our largest group so far. We had new faces. We had great discussion and we had some great works and breakthroughs that began to happen last night. James chapter 1 in the bible declares, "Consider a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." Did I hear that right?? James just told us to be happy when we are in a rut? to be happy when our finances are out of wack and we are about to lose our home? Be happy when we are diagnosed with cancer and given a month to live? What? Could this be right? First of all, how are we to be happy? Well it starts with perspective. It begins by looking at the situation with the possible outcome in mind. When you look at the challenge as a learning and growing experience, something happens. If we live according to James, we know that challenges are inevitable. Not only are they inevitable, but they can be very beneficial. He states, "Let it do its work so you can become mature and well developed, not deficient in anyway." The challenges make us better people. If we get the right mindset we learn how to overcome and trust more in the Lord. In 2 Corinthians it states that we go through stuff so that we can turn around and help those in need. Those whose need is perhaps the same challenge we just completed. What an opportunity! What a chance to really be used by the kingdom! What a chance to love on your neighbor! What a chance to have your life changed and the others around you at the same time! Remember, it is all about learning humbly. When you change your perspective, your attitude through the trial will change as well.
If you had one month to live how woulod approach every challenge? Would you have a different mindset?

My take on the current economic crisis

Hey Guys. I hope all of you had a great weekend. On Sunday pastor continued his series concerning 1 month to live. It was great! We have seen alot of great things happen in our group and in the church. If you have not had a chance to visit our church you need to give it one shot. Never before I have been around such caring and down to earth people. If you want to go to a place where you will be encouraged and a place where you can build character in your life and a place where you will not be judged on who you are, what sin you commit, or what clothes you wear, this is your place. Join us this Sunday!

The biggest question I have been asked lately is what my take is on the current economic crisis. If you are reading this expecting a highly educated response or some long drawn out conclusion I will probably let you down. All I know is the mortgage companies have given bad loans to people who had bad credit and no money down for the past 8 years or so. When you overlook the future potential of anything, good or bad, you neglect to see the results of your current decisions. When the banks gave away mortgages with exploding adjustable rates, they had to have known what the results would have been. They were looking to make a lot of money while they could. Like everything in life, real estate and economics are like roller coasters. They are cyclical. What goes up must come down and vice versa. It has been this way since the beginning of time. So I have basically resolved this issue in my way of thinking. Just because you are happy and you have a good paying job now doesn't mean that bad times will not come on you.

There are a couple of things I want to say about preparing for the future. First, if you have a great paying job now and it is secure, there may come a time when you are the one looking for a job and a new place to live. Make sure you are saving money for the bad times. Remember the roller coaster: there will undoubtedly be valleys in every area of your life. Second, if you place your trust in the Lord, and walk in faith and do your best to be a good manager with what you have been given, you will not have to worry so much during the "valley times." Give this current market a year or two. We may not ever go back to the boom we experienced in the early 2000's, but we will again live in good economic times.

Don't forget about Tuesday nights. 7p at my place. Everyone is invited. Have a great week.

Also be sure to check back this week. I will be posting a story about one of my favorite clients. A client who has seen the work of the Lord in his own real estate deal!!!

Tuesday Night

Just a reminder about Tuesday night. My place at 7p. Childcare is provided. Give me a shout if you can attend. Lives are being changed and perceptions are being focused. It is amazing how great your life can be when you begin to focus on the little things. I am not talking about sweating the small stuff. I am talking about focusing on what's important in your life. Making extra time for the kids. Being better to your spouse. Doing today what you would normally put off until tomorrow. This is precisely what we have been talking about on Tuesday nights. Letting go of our control and allowing God to come in and lead us to a better life in Him. It is amazing! Some of our friends have realized that money becomes a lesser issue when you get your focus. Watching a particular television show is not as important than spending time with family anymore. (unless it is the Cowboy game!!) Believe me. I have experienced a change in my own life as a result of this group. It has only been 2 weeks but there have been some awesome things take place. Why are you sitting on the sideline?? You and your family are miserable and you have been reading this blog with no hope and excitement about the future. What has kept you from coming?? We provide the food and childcare. You can set the DVR to record your favorite Tuesday night show. Make up in your mind to throw away the excuses and give us a try for one night. Your family deserves it. Your friends deserve it. Your boss deserves it. Your employees and business deserve. And you out of all people deserve to get the best life now. Remember on a tombstone are three things: a date you are born, a date you die, and the dash representing your life. Do something great with your life. You need direction?? We'll see you Tuesday night. Please RSVP so we know your coming! Be Blessed.

Another Great Night!!

Hey Guys
Another great night last night. I don't think I have ever been a part of a bible study or life discussion like the one we host. I don't mean to come across boastfully. It is not us, but the people who are attending that make it great. We had 3 new faces. Great food again. I wanted to touch on a couple things we talked about last night.

Let me ask you a question...do you have a dream?? Is there something you want to get accomplished in your lifetime? Do you desire to be something or someone? Well the news I bring is you have the success, the career, the financial breakthrough, the spiritual well being, whatever it is you dream of right across the river from where you now stand. In the bible Joshua who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Isrealites, had his people right on the edge of the promised land. God had told them all they had to do was cross the river and possess the land. Do you know they were there on the brink of their dream for years and years. The bible said the time with which they ran in circles and stayed afraid to stake their claim lasted for generations. The people who had trusted God for their release from the Egyptians had lost that same trust they needed.

Here is the deal. You have a dream. Maybe you want to start a business. Maybe you want a new career. Maybe you just want to make a better life for you and your family. It feels as though there is a wall between you and the fulfillment of your desire. Muster up enough faith and enough boldness and enough fortitude to pass through the barrier and into a better life for you and those around you. Remember, on your tombstone is just the date you were born, the date you die, and the dash between the two. Your life is but a dash. You have little time to make an impact. Do you want to leave behind a legacy? Do you want the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life? Do you want to accomplish something special? Now is the time to seize the day. Carpe Diem!!

Living Passionately

Hey guys,
I know alot of you are setting your schedules for the week. Be sure to write Tuesday night into your calender. You won't want to miss another night of fun, food, and an overall good time. On the menu this week is Italian. Jenn's homemade spaghetti, and word is there will be salad and breadsticks from the Olive Garden. A great dessert is also on the dockett. This meeting is not about the food, but I have to have some bait to get you there!!!
This week we will be talking about living our lives with passion. Do you ever wonder why life gets so boring? Do you ever feel like you are in a rut? You know a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out. If you ever feel like you are doing the same old thing each and every day then you could use a change...a change to instill passion back into your everyday living. Do you know if you are to get the passion and zeal back into your life and relationships you would enjoy life more and live the life the bible says God wants us to live....an abundant life.
You see life as a Christian has nothing to do with rules and regulations. It is about a passionate relationship with our Creator. Most people won't go to church because they feel they will walk into a place where people are ready to judge them. Unfortunately there are a lot of churches out there who fall into this category. But if you make an intentional decision to change your life, and you begin to build a passionate relationship with God, you would be amazed at how different your life will become. The passion for your job, your family, your relationships, and your everyday living will increase and you too will live the abundant life. Be blessed and please post your comments for others to see.

Last night was awesome!!

Last night was awesome! We had good food, good fun, and good word. For those who don't know, we kicked off this season of Lifegroups with our church, LifeGate Church of Burleson. This was our first night as a host home and leader. We had a good crowd of people. We were missing some who committed to being here, but hopefully will catch them next week. We started at 7p with dinner. Thanks to Travis and Jamie who brought that awesome queso. Jenn made her quesadillas and taquitos and our homemade salsa. We then capped off dinner with a Lemon Creme Cake and some kind of Bread Pudding (which I have to admit...I kept the leftovers!!) Thanks Jamie. At about 7:40 or so we gathered in the family room and watched a video from the "One Month to Live Challenge." Afterwards we discussed how much better our lives would be if we would live life like we only had a month to live. Then after that we had an awesome time of prayer and encouragement. God is really poised to do some great things in our group!!

We will continue the series next Tuesday at 7p at our home. If you missed the last one, you missed a good time, but you are not to late to join the challenge. RSVP to Jenn or me and we will look forward to seeing you then. Be Blessed.

Whats up with the wiring?

I had a client who had a home inspection done a few days ago. The inspector noticed this new home had the wiring completely backwards throughout the home. Whoever did the electrical wiring should lose his electrical license. Plugs were upside down, grounds were not connected, breakers appeared to be used and on and on. You have never seen anything like this, I promise. It did get me to thinking (uh oh). We are all wired by God. Probably the most perfect and tedious wiring job ever. Each one of us is unique and because of our "wiring" we each have different skills and talents. I for one am not good at things requiring patience or jobs or repairs involving really small parts. Ask Jenn how I react when I have to do this stuff. She thanks you for your prayers!! Anyhow, you have a talent and a skill which you can use to not only better your life, but also those around you. Maybe you are the creative type who can express your talent in an artistic or crafty way. Maybe you have a gift of playing or singing music. Maybe your talent is knowing how to make money and therefore you are able to bless people around you with what you can.
Each one of us is designed to have a talent. We are wired with gifts and abilities. You may be thinking your wiring is messed up and your plugs are upside down. But know this: you have a talent or a gift....you might just need to discover it by getting in touch with the ultimate INSPECTOR.....God!!
What are your talents? What are you good at? How were you able to discover your talent? Voice your opinion and make a difference in someone's life. Be Blessed!

I only have one month to live

I went to the doctor’s office the other day for some routine checkups. The doctor found something he was curious about so he decided to run some tests. Well we got the results back this week and they basically come down to this quote of the doctor, “you only have one month to live.” It floored me. How could I be so young and have so many more years to live and receive such news as this. I was devastated. My wife was devastated. What were going tell our family? How would we tell them? We know it won’t be easy.

The previous story is only fiction for me. But for others it is a complete reality. What would you do if you received this news? Where would you run? Or hide? How would live out your last month on this planet? Would you travel to exotic places? Would you skydive or complete some other over the top adventure? Would you concentrate on mending relationships and building back bridges you have burned? What would you do?
After spending time talking with people who have experienced such drama in their life I have come to a conclusion: they almost always say that the last part of their life, their last month, is the sweetest month they have ever lived. You know why? Because they have shifted their focus to things that never pass away. They took their eyes off of attaining material things and put their focus on healing their relationships and living their life as though today was the last day. It got me to thinking. What would I do? Not only that, but how could help other people live their life as though they were dying?

Well, Jenn and I want to invite you to our home for dinner while we and other people discuss and share our feelings on this subject. We are going to find out how we should be living our lives daily to get the most benefit . We will be playing some games, having dinner, and learning how to live our best life now. Childcare is provided. All we ask is that you RSVP. We will be meeting every Tuesday evening at 7pm starting Sept 9. We look forward to having everybody that is able to attend. Please call or email me with your RSVP.

James Cell – 817-791-7002
Jenn’s Cell – 817-262-1609
James.like@yahoo.com

Hello...is anyone home??

Have you ever went to someones home and rang the door bell and knocked and waited and repeated the steps and still no response? Or have you ever had someone at your door doing the same and you were hiding and peeking out a window where you thought they would not see you? Jenn is bad about this. (don't hold it against her if you are knocking on my door). She won't even walk to get something from the car if her hair and clothes are not perfect. But that is a different story.
Ever once in awhile my profession calls for the old school cold-calling techniques of knocking doors and going there unannounced. I can hear the mom yelling to the kids, "hey you be quiet or that man will hear us." But mom what does he want?, "I don't know, just be quiet." Funny huh. You probably have done that to me before!! I got to thinking. Things aren't like they used to be. People have gotten so closed off from the world. They are only home to sleep and watch a little TV. They have listed their numbers on the no-call list. I know phone calls can get very annoying, especially considering they always happen when sit down to eat.
It reminds me of an important event in my life. Before I changed my life, I had a knock at my door. The door did not go to my home, but to my heart. My heart was vacant. There was no one at home. I had rented it out to different things throughout my life and none of which took care of it. But the time for eviction came. There came a time in my life when I had to rid my "spiritual house" of all of the clutter and junk that years of bad living had accumulated. That knock will be something that I never forget. But that person knocking was the greatest tenant that I have ever had. Never before had I had a tenant that had paid my debt off in full at move-in. That person was Jesus Christ. He came into my home and fill it with hope, peace, and joy among other things. He will stay in my home as long as I want Him to. He will never abandon my home, unless I falter and evict Him.
My question for you is...have you ever felt that knock?? Have you ever opened the door? If not, answer the door and invite the greatest salesperson ever in. If you have invited Him in and He has changed you, leave a message on this board testifying if His good deeds! Have a great week!

What's in a house?

There is a foundation, some walls, a roof, and a bunch of "junk" or treasure, depending on who you ask. We spend a lifetime collecting things. We frequent the home interior store, we spend thousands on furniture that we may not need, and we never get rid of anything (unless it is to the garage).
But do these things really matter when all is done? I heard some say once that when you leave this world, the hearse will not be carrying a U-Haul trailer. The things you worked so hard for will pass away and rot and become corroded.
So the question is, what is in a house? The most important thing in a home is our family. We must make sure that we spend quality time with our loved ones. A home can burn down, be sold, or even foreclosed on. But if we treat our families like we should and love them like we should, those things will never pass away. You can be the richest man in the world, or in the greatest position ever, and if you do not cherish your family, you will die lonely and with no legacy to leave behind. Just a thought to a real question.

The Unpredictable world of Real Estate

Well if you have ever been a part of a real estate transaction, you know how unpredictable things can be. If it is not one thing, it is another. When I last posted we were days away from purchasing the Winthrop home. Well the repair costs began to pile up, and the closing costs began to pile up, and the market price began to get less clear as we wade through this current market. Be checking back often as we continue to shop for our next home. We will be starting a new project soon, as the right deal comes along.
For all of you aspiring investors remember this: the money is always there, the deal is harder to find. You find a great deal, the money will appear.

Life and Real Estate

Some people ask me what it is like being in real estate? Whether flipping homes or being one of the top agents in the area, it takes a lot of time and dedication to succeed. I write this as I sit at the office on Sunday afternoon. We've been here for 4 hours and maybe 1-2 more are in store. One thing I know and have been told is it takes several years to build a business that can stand on its own. Our eventual goal is to be able to have our business working for us and not necessarily us for it. Jenn and Jayden have been great. Jenn especially because she has been the support I need. She has been beside me through thick and then. She has helped to develop our business, even though it may not be her favorite thing to do, but she never complains. And Jayden, well she starts school this year and all she knows is Daddy as a real estate guy. She even likes to go and preview homes with me. She's great! So to answer the question above...it is great when you are in the will of God and have found what you enjoy most in life! When you find your purpose and you strive to fulfill it, there is no greater joy! I welcome any comments that you may have.

Pics of Winthrop Home

HERE ARE SOME PICS OF THE BACK AND INTERIOR OF THE HOME. IT NEEDS ALOT OF WORK AND CONTRIBUTION TO CURB APPEAL. I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE THE AFTER PICS!!

New Project

Hey Guys

It has been awhile but we are about to start another rehab (flip house). We just put under contract a home in Ridglea Hills in Fort Worth. Sales price is 133k. 30k repairs (est.) an ARV of 230k. We are really shooting to sale at a price of at least 210k. This would be a nice profit and would get us back in business. We are partnering in this deal with a good friend that lives in New York, Ramsey. He has been great through the process and we are looking forward to much success.
I will be posting pics as soon as they are available. Check back soon for more details.