Saturday, January 18, 2014
Day 19
Memorial Offerings
Your prayers and gifts to the poor
have come up as a memorial offering
before God."
Acts 10:4
"Acts 10:4 declares that our prayers are memorial offerings. I cannot promise that God will answer your prayers how you want or when you want, but I can promise that God will answer. He always answers! At critical points in my life, the Spirit of God has whispered to my spirit: Mark, the prayers of your grandfather are being answered in your life right now. Those sacred moments rank as the most humbling and exhilarating moments of my life.
Like a parent who collects their children's elementary artwork and displays it prominently on a refrigerator door, the heavenly Father loves our prayers. Each one is a keepsake. Each one functions like a memorial that jogs the memory of the Almighty.
If our prayers are that precious to God, shouldn't they be more significant to us? Aren't they worth collecting like snapshots in a family photo album? Shouldn't they be treated with respect and dignity, like the monuments that grace the nation's capital?"
Mark Batterson-Draw the Circle
I tell leaders all the time, especially those younger and equally ambitious, to become experts now, even before they need to be. Part of being a disciplined leader is being ready. When it's your turn to come off the bench, when it is your turn to give your opinion and offer advice, when it's your turn to lead the project, you can step in and make it happen. Act, lead, dream, create, and deliver based on the job or position you want next, not the job or position you have now. Step into that role before you ever have it. demand perfection from yourself before anyone else demands it of you. Hit home runs in the now, but have a vision and hunger for something bigger. See where you want to be, and lead like you're already there.As we lead, we must continually engage in the act of self-questioning. I suggest writing down critical questions once a year and then answering them honestly:
- When I look at the sum total of my efforts this year, do I believe I've done my best work?
- Have I finished everything I started, or have I left a wake of piecemeal projects behind?
- Did I give in to the temptation to cut corners, and if so, how can I protect myself from taking those shortcuts in the future?
"When people see you living a life of integrity and accountability, they'll trust you."
Brad Lomenick-Catalyst Leader
The SEAL Code
• Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate
• Serve with Honor and Integrity On and Off the Battlefield
• Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit
• Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates
• Excel as Warriors through Discipline and Innovation
• Train for War, Fight to Win, Defeat our Nation’s Enemies
• Earn your Trident everyday
• Serve with Honor and Integrity On and Off the Battlefield
• Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit
• Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates
• Excel as Warriors through Discipline and Innovation
• Train for War, Fight to Win, Defeat our Nation’s Enemies
• Earn your Trident everyday
United States Navy SEAL
In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed.
Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life.
I am that man.
My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.
My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.
I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men.
Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.
We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.
I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.
We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me – my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.
We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.
Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.
Bravo! Let’s all try to live up to this wonderful code of conduct in our daily pursuit of excellence. I believe you would see some serious results.
Mark Divine
NavySEALs.com founder
NavySEALs.com founder
