"Do you tell stories?"

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The most common question I get from emails and as I do speaking engagements is: "How do you come up with all of those stories?" And that’s a great question. I write and record about 260 stories a year.

I guess there are two short answers: One is I listen to my life and just share what happens. And the second, based on the first, is I don’t do anything—writing stories, or anything else—in life alone. I ask God to be with me everywhere I go in everything I do.

I’ve noticed that sharing stories as I listen to life sets off a chain reaction of story-telling about what God does in other people’s lives. Folks share their stories with me on my blog at drjoey.blogspot.com and through our website at listentolife.org. Then I get to share their stories with others around the world.

Ask God to go with you everywhere you go. Then express yourself about what God shows you. Tell your stories to anybody who will listen. And that’s one way you can listen to life and make a life, not just a living.

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"Got an encouraging word?"

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My Dad had a cornea transplant a couple of months ago. I went with him to have the surgery and also to his first follow-up visit.

It’s a fairly painful recovery, with your eye constantly feeling scratchy which makes your head hurt. So by the time that follow-up visit rolled around, my Dad was pretty tired of the whole affair and feeling a little down.
At least that’s how he went into the follow-up visit. But when he came out, he was a new man.

"The doctor said I’ve improved 250% in only two weeks!" he told me. "I’m making great progress."

My Dad left the doctor’s office a different man than one who came in. He was encouraged.

And you know, sometimes that’s all you need—a word of encouragement, the assurance that you’re making great progress; that it’ll be all right.

Today when you see someone who looks like they’re struggling, help them listen to life and give them an encouraging word. They’ll be different for it…and so will you!

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"Are you trying to figure out life on your own or do you have a blueprint?"

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Let’s say that you and I decide to build a doghouse. I mean, how hard can that be, right?

So you go to the local home improvement store and buy some wood, only you’re not sure what to get so you just pick up a few of these and some of that and a couple of nails—you’re not sure which size to get—and bring it back home. You and I stand there looking at the wood, looking at each other, wondering, "How in the world do you build a doghouse?" What you and I need is a plan, a blueprint for building a better doghouse.

Just like you wouldn’t build a doghouse without plans, you don’t want to build your life without a plan. When you do, you wind up building just a living and miss making a life.

God created you unique out of six billion people here. There is a plan for your life. There is a dream for you to fulfill.

Avoid just trying to figure it out by yourself. Ask God to give you your life’s blueprints. Listen to life not in the daily grind, but by God’s design.

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"Got twenty-five cents?"

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If I told you that for about twenty-five cents you can buy something that will focus your thoughts completely and allow you to communicate clearly, what would you do? Go out and buy it?

Of course you would. With all of the distractions going on around us 24/7 today—like cell phones and email and text messages and mp3 players—it’d be great to focus completely, wouldn’t it?

You know it would. And with so many distractions, it’s a real challenge to say what you mean and mean what you say, isn’t it?

But for about twenty-five cents all of that can be cured…when you purchase a pencil.

Your full attention is automatically focused on a thought when you sit down with a pencil in your hand. The pencil ties your mind to that thought.

Try writing a prayer to God today about some challenge or problem you’re facing. God will have your full attention as you do and can download the answer for you to write as you listen to life and make a life, not just a living today.

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"What's your strength?"

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During World War II, Colvin Williams was walking behind a tank patrolling France. The tank hit a mine, exploded and permanently blinded Williams.

But that didn’t stop Williams from pursuing his goal of becoming a minister and counselor. He went on to graduate from college with honors. He said he thought his blindness was actually an asset in his career.

"I can never judge by appearances," he said. "I can always give a person a second chance. My blindness keeps me from cutting myself off from a person because of the way he looks."

Williams went on to say, "I want to be the kind of person to whom anyone can come and feel secure, to express [her]self."

You’ve got to love Williams’ positive attitude! Blinded, by no fault of his own, and he turns a potential weakness into a powerful strength.

What potential weakness do you face right now? I wonder what Williams would say about your weakness if it was his?

Ask God to transform your weakness into a strength as you listen to life.

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