Kevin W. McCarthy

Professor of On-Purpose

Jesus

The Benefits of My Christmas Birthday

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Did you know I was born on Christmas Day, lived in Bethel for many years, educated in Bethlehem, and often traveled to Nazareth? Of course, all those locations in this parallel are in Pennsylvania, not Israel.

Before I jump into my Christmas birthday story, let me give you a funny present first. A Christmas Story is a classic movie capturing so much of my childhood having grown up in the Pittsburgh area. Yes, I experienced this pole-thing at least once. On so many levels I still laugh when I see this scene.

Most people think having a Christmas Birthday is awful because I somehow got cheated of birthday presents. Thanks to my family, I can say I never felt that way. In fact, there are many benefits to sharing this special day with all of Christianity.

My introverted side avoids attention for the anniversary of just being born. In many ways, I relish the diversion of unwarranted attention. Here are some of the benefits of having a Christmas birthday:

1. Fewer theoretical presents means fewer thank you notes to write or combining them. I like the efficiency of having it all done on one day.

2. Vacation. My birthday is always a day off from work.

3. Humility. God cared enough about me to give me an annual reminder that no matter how important or impressive I think I am — I’m not. God is number 1. Then, God allowed me to be married — I slide to number 3. Then God blessed me with two children — two more reminders. Number 4 then number 5 position. For 14 years we had a dog and I clearly was in the number 6 position, especially when cleaning up number 2 after the dog. The dog died and I was promoted back to number 5. Now I know why Judith wants to get another dog so badly.

4. Grace. Most people forget it is your birthday which they would probably do anyway. So it provides a built-in excuse when my birthday is forgotten and an easy grace given. I don’t take offense.

5. Parties! I get to go to parties where everyone is festive and joyful on my birthday and they’re not faking it for my birthday because they’re actually celebrating Christmas.

6. Family. My family is always around for my birthday. That’s a good thing, right?

7. Giving. I get to buy and give presents for other people on my Christmas birthday.

8. Good company. There is something really special about sharing this special day with Jesus. Hard to describe, but it is special.

The people I really feel sorry for are the people born on December 26–30. Talk about an anti-climatic, easily forgotten valley wedged between the mountains of Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Now that’s tough!

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

P.S. Bonus: And now for something completely irreverent about sharing a birthday with Jesus: Monty Python’s Life of Brian Nativity Scene.

 

Can You Put It Into Words?

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Is it time for your On-Purpose leadership experience?OP Person and Peace covers

Join Kevin W. McCarthy as he facilitates On-Purpose Peace, a 7-week live video conference small group using On-Purpose Peace. Learn more at the On-Purpose Peace website.

 

Meet Hamlet, our family’s standard poodle who died back in October of 2015. Hamlet was scary smart and we kept expecting him to talk. Looking at meHamlet with Ball with his big brownish/gold eyes it was as if he was asking for permission to speak. I’d say to him, “Hamlet, use your words!”—the same statement I would make to our kids in their terrible twos to thwart a temper tantrum.

Hamlet, of course, didn’t talk. Imagine what his and our lives would be like if he could have put it into words. Thank you very much, Dr. Dolittle.

Words are powerful. The most powerful are personal, intimate, informative, revealing, insightful, meaningful, and offer definition and clarity. God created the world by speaking it into being with words (see below). It doesn’t get much more powerful than that!

When reading the writings of others, I so appreciate a turn of phrase that captures exactly what I’m feeling but I couldn’t express in words as succinctly. There’s something refreshing to the soul when a song, poem, or book articulates our spirit and reveals a rare glimpse at ourselves, yet through the eyes and words of another.

Consider the cost of ill-suited words. Words are the sword of the tongue and spirit. This gives rise to wise counsel such as, “Think before you speak.” Words can be hurtful and mean.

Medically speaking, an undiagnosed illness is the absence of the right word. A disease can’t be treated properly or as effectively until it can be identified. Symptoms may be managed, but the cure remains a mystery. To put it into words makes a big difference.

Consider the gains to be had using the right words. The sense of understanding and completion is richly satisfying to the soul. Right words enable right action, productivity, and accomplishment.

The Meaning of Life and The Meaning of Words Are One

Of everything in the universe, the ultimate question of life can only be explained in words. The meaning of life is understood in words because God used words to create the world. The Gospel of John tells us that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

What Are The Words of Your Life?

Writing your personal purpose statement may seem like it is the act of putting your life into words. In fact, it isn’t that at all. Writing a purpose statement is the audacious attempt to articulate and then harness the supernatural mystery and link between the spiritual and physical realms. 

Your purpose, like Jesus, is fully spiritual and fully physical. When the revelation of your purpose comes to light, your sense of your self, your life, your experiences, and more come into an extraordinary focus and context. It is the power of words made personal and authentic. 

A true highlight of On-Purpose Peace is writing a 2-word personal purpose statement. This is the beginning of being on-purpose. Imagine what your life would be like if you, unlike Hamlet, could use your words that are written on your heart.

How Do I Find Peace In My Life?

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In this Christmas time, the words “Peace on earth, goodwill to all” take on significance. In fact, this adage isn’t seasonal at all. It can be a part of your every day life.

Finding peace in your life is really a matter of finding peace in your spirit. When your spirit is calm, then peace of mind follows and the swirl of chaos and confusion is an annoyance, but unable to cut to the core of our being.

Peace is not like an elusive rainbow that can be seen but never visited. Peace can take residence in your heart when the space is there for it. Most of us have such cluttered spirits and have gotten ourselves so busy that we don’t have the margin to explore the possibilities within us, nor do we have the process to help us get there.

Peace and security are often joined at the hip as being mutually dependent. We may have a sense of security, but we aren’t really secure. The world is a broken and fallen place so security is an illusion.  

Security is simply protection from outside forces. Peace is the need for no protection. Yes, you can have a bit of heaven on earth. Peace can be owned. You’ve experienced it, haven’t you? Now you know when you have it and when you don’t.

Look for an On-Purpose Peace program in January. You’ll be hearing more in the next 30 days or so. On-Purpose Peace is both a one-on-one coaching program by Kevin W. McCarthy or Mary Tomlinson as well as a small group experience that can be self-facilitated. 

 

May I Share Four Gifts With You?

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What is Peace? 

Please read the text below this On-Purpose Minute and Christmas Greeting. 

Here are your 4 Gifts:

Gift 1: The Gift of Finding True Peace

Gift 2: The On-Purpose Person Kindle Edition* for free (link below)

Gift 3: The On-Purpose Business Person Kindle Edition* for free (link below)

Gift 4: The Gift of Sharing These Gifts—Pass along this message!

    *BONUS: Link to download free Kindle Reader App for most any computer, tablet, or phone

Gift 1: The Gift of Finding True Peace

What is peace? And, who doesn't long for peace? But do we really understand what we're searching for? Peace is not an absence of conflict, work, distress, or stress. Peace is a state of being in spite of conflict, work, distress, and stress. 

In Hebrew the word Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) means peace or oneness, wholeness, or completeness. This oneness 800px-Shalomisn't to be found just within us. In fact, core peace is only found in a oneness with God. When we're apart from God, we're divided, alone, discontented, and unsettled. Peace apart from God is impossible.

Your 2-word purpose statement is your unique, loving connection to God. When you know your 2-word purpose statement you have the essential connector to God that is distinct to you. This added identity gives a depth and strength so we're more apt to be at peace even as all Hell is breaking loose around us.

Being On-Purpose is that state of being one with God—truly the peace that passes all understanding. Inner peace begins with being right with God.

My Christmas wish to you is that you embrace the Prince of Peace—the person of Jesus. Keeping God as a concept is easy. Jesus, however, is difficult because He is about a personal relationship. He brings us to a place of decision to accept or reject and that causes conflict, work, distress, and stress. So how can one who causes so much turmoil to the soul be the way to peace? The seeming irrationality of it all is confounding on its face. Think for a minute, however, and you'll see that it is the only logical way for us to come freely to a place and person of peace. Of course Jesus was hated and loved. His presence calls for a response.

My Gifts Toward Peace For You:

May I help you get on the journey to peace? From December 25—27 only, use the links below to download free Kindle editions of The On-Purpose Person (Gift 2) and The On-Purpose Business Person (Gift 3).

Gift 4 is the gift of sharing this offer of peace with family, friends, and associates. Please copy and pass along this link: https://kevinwmccarthy.com/my_weblog/2012/12/what-is-peace/


BONUS GIFT: Don't have a Kindle device? No problem! There are Kindle Reader Apps for PCs, Macs, iPhones, Androids, iPads, and more. Use this link: Kindle Reader Apps For Most Any Device



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Bishop Greg Brewer Installed in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida

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Yesterday, I witnessed for the second time in my life the consecration of a bishop in the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Gregory O. Brewer was installed as the Fourth Bishop of Central Florida.  In addition to greeting Bishop Brewer, I also had the pleasure of hugging retiring Bishop John W. Howell and his predecessor, Bishop William H. Folwell.  Three out of four ain't bad!  Bishop Gray died a number of years agos so no hugs there!

One of the most remarkable traditions and moments in the ceremony is captured in my photo – the consecration.  In the center of the photo on stage and what looks like a cake frosted with red, white, and gold are bishops from across the US encirling, laying on hands, and praying over then Rev. Brewer. 

Rev. Greg Brewer Consecration
This is the moment!  Here is Apostolic Succession in action or commonly referred to as the laying on of hands and prayer.  

Many people wonder what is consecration of a bishop?  A minimum of three Bishops are required to ordain an Episcopal Bishop.  Apostolic Succession may be compared to a family tree where the laying on of hands and prayer are traced "genealogically" through the generations to Jesus laying hands on Peter.   In the Episcopal Church their is an unbroken chain thanks to Bishop Seabury of Scotland. 

I'm personally excited about Bishop Brewer's ministry returning to my home diocese.  Bishop Howe offered a strong orthodoxy and voice in the midst of turbulent times in the Episcopal Church.  Few men are such stalwarts of the faith and so gifted as a preacher and teacher. Bishop Brewer brings a pastor's heart, a keen intellect, and welcoming arms to an orthodoxy in risk of being lost.  Something is brewing in Central Florida with Brewer.  

Below are comments he made on Jan. 21, 2012 at the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Central Florida. Listen to his vision casting message about Compassionate Charimatic Character.  Here is a rich example of a leader setting a course for a vision to be developed in anticipation of being on-purpose [my term].

Bishop Brewer, may your ministry be blessed.  I look forward to your spiritual authority and leadership.



 

 

 

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Do You Really Know Who You Are?

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Do you really know who you are?  Are you maturing or just getting older?

Purpose is ultimately a spiritual matter.  Most of us are on neutral ground when we talk in terms of mind, body, spirit.  For two decades people of many faiths and even people of no faith have participated in and benefited from the On-Purpose® Approach as it is.  It just works because the principles are universal! 

When Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce President Mark Goldstein urged me to offer the program from a solidly Christian point of view to the Chamber members, I resisted.  Not because I was unwilling, but because I am the Board Chair and didn't want to abuse my position.  Mark pressed hard upon me and prevailed with the Board's blessings.  Could they really say no?  See the problem?

My Christian faith is the central point of integration for my life.  Generally, I don't wear it on my sleeve, nor do I hide it.  I like the idea of having "living water language" that is both secular and sacred.  So much of Christianity is riddled with jargon and scripture references that is an unnecessary barrier to entry to the faith.  Jesus taught in parables when not dealing with the religious elites.  On-Purpose makes faith more accessible to all.

Therefore, in partnership with the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce, I am thrilled to share with you the replay of the first ever On-Purpose Leader Experience for Christians.  Here is a link so you can listen.  (55 minutes plus 20 minutes of Q&A)

If you are serious about maturing as a leader of your life, then you want to invest an hour of your life to transform your life.  This six-week experience is that good.  Registration for this experience closes after Monday, September 20.  Please listen in and join me for the next five weeks so you, too, can…

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

PS:   If you like what you see and hear, please use the "SHARE THIS" button on the replay website to tell your family and friends.  Frankly this is a message that needs to get out to lots of people in the pews.

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On-Purpose Profile: Michelle Aguilar

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Weight loss has a definite physical component, but there is so much more to being well.  Our heart and soul, however, are what's often eating at us and why we eat to fill the void.  This video
from the I Am Second series with Michelle Aguilar, a winner of The Biggest Loser TV show, provides great insight into the cause and cure.  (Click on the image below of Michelle to watch the video.)

After watching Michelle's story, continue to view many more stories of some famous and not so famous people and why they are second.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Michelle Aguilar

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