Sharing Hope

There is a simple phrase you can learn and use to release positive energy that has dramatic effects. Scientists have proven these two words decrease blood pressure, lead to better sleep, increase edorphins and lead to a long satisfying life. You'll find how to have perspective and make it through anything you might face. Discover two words for a better life and business through this engaging message. The power of life and death is in what you say.

We all wear masks that hide our inner issues. Listen to this podcast to learn how to peel those dangerous masks away so you can live genuine and free. You'll revisit the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery to finally understand why Jesus said, "whoever is sinless should cast the first stone." There are to types of people in this world - 1) those who recognize their need for grace 2) those who hide their need for grace.

Do you ever feel like you are hanging on to life by a thread?  If so, you are not alone.  Life is full of obstacles to overcome, especially when you face tough odds.Recently my daughter and I watched a Disney movie where the hero was faced with insurmountable odds which could no way imaginable be overcome.  As the move progressed, the character developed, grew, and discovered an energy force they could tap into for power.  By the time the credits rolled, the problem was solved, the distress ended, and the world was rescued.  This was a story of hope.  The character used hope to power through the impossible.What was a movie you've probably seen and would watch again.  I've learned, but you might disagree, but its these tales or triumph that make life worth living.  In the struggle we find  strength. The trials test us to develop power we didn't know was available.  This is the story of your life a fascinating story of hope.The truth is that no one would watch a movie or read a book where the main character grows up easily in the mid-west, never faces a bully or problem in school, graduates with honors and a super-high GPA, excel in college, get s dream job, marries, has children, and eventually retires to travel the world and then dies  peacefully in his sleep at a ripe old age.  That story is boring!  We are attracted to tales of hope where light wins over darkness.  We dream of victory over adversity.  This story fuels the energy of hope.  The better days ahead are tikvah!Super Bowl champions hope they can repeat their wins. Army generals hope their battle plans bring victory.  Kids hope that school lets out early.  We must have hope today as well. In Hebrew one of the words translated as hope is “tikvah.”  This hidden Hebrew gem is much more than just a political catchphrase telling you that things will get better one day.  Tikvah is hope super-sized.  Tikvah is hope magnified. Tikvah is hope on steroids.  It is power for your life and an amazing message from years gone by. Now, it's important to know that each Hebrew word is built upon and based upon a smaller root word. This is similar to how the word “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is rooted and based upon the simple word “super.”  The Hebrew word "tikvah" is rooted and based from the word "qawa" which means to "twist, stretch, wait, or collect."  The word picture here is clear that Tikvah is a twisting a stretching from heaven as we wait on our Maker.  In fact, the words “hope” and “wait” are often used interchangeably by Bible translators. The root word for Tikvah is also found in Genesis 49:18.  This is a prophetic verse that can only be understood in the holy Hebrew language.  In English it reads, “for your salvation I hope O Lord.”   In Hebrew this verse says, “Qawa yeshua Yahweh.” The root word for “tikvah” is found in this prayer by Jacob.  It's also in this passage that the patriarch Jacob says the name of our Messiah. Thousands of years before he would be born to a virgin, Jacob says “I have tikvah in Jesus” or “I wait upon Jesus Salvation of the Lord.”  It is absolutely amazing that Jacob knew the Messiah's name and he recognized that Jesus would bring hope to the entire world. It should not surprise us but the national anthem of the nation of Israel is called “Ha Tikvah” or “The Hope.”  The number one message given to soldiers and citizens in the Promised Land is that of hope.The lyrics to the song explain the hope of the Hebrews.  Just read how the lyrics of this song express the prophetic desire of God…“As long as the Hebrew spirit is yearning deep in the heart, With eyes turned towards the East, looking toward Zion, Then our hope – the two thousand-year-old hope – will not be lost To be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem."There is a national hope and there is individual hope in this song and in our lives.  And just as the Almighty restored the nation of Israel, the Lord can and will restore your life from the brink of destruction.  Jeremiah 29 verse 11 promises us a good hope in the end. Indeed, the message of the Bible is that the Lord Yahweh first created things wonderful and perfect until sin entered the world.  Messiah came to restore all things and we await a redemption that is soon upon us.  In this we should take hope that things will be better in the end.   Things will work out for us.  We can have hope that all things will blend together for our good in the end.Therefore if things are not good now, then it's not the end!  If your situation is dire; if you are in pain; if your heart aches; then it's not the end. The Almighty promises you a good hope in the end.  Don't give up!  In English, Hope is also in acronym that says, “Hold On Pain Ends.”  Have hope like the boy in the baseball game.  The story is told of a man who approached a little league baseball game one afternoon. He asked a boy in the dugout what the score was. The boy responded, "Eighteen to nothing--we're behind."The spectator said, "I'll bet you're discouraged."  The little boy shrugged his shoulders and said, “Why should I be discouraged?  We haven't even gotten up to bat yet!"That's hope! In the Hebrew dictionary, tikvah is defined as “a cord, a rope, a line, meaning to bind.”  If things are really bad and you're given a rope you must make a choice to either tie a knot and hang on for dear life, or to tie a noose and hang yourself.  Tikvah is a rope that we can hang on to God with when things are good and bad.  It is a cord from heaven, it is a rescue line and a life preserver. When pain and hurt come your way it's easy to lose hope; to consider things worse than they really are.  However, consider Psalm 62, “Yes, my soul, finds rest in the Lord;my hope comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on the Lord; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for the Lord is our refuge.”  This must be our battle cry as we face the wars of worry, fear and doubt.Hope is what gives us strength to carry on.Tikah is that connection between the natural and the supernatural.It is a rope that ties us to heaven.Tikvah is a word used in Psalm 19 as a “line, cord, or circuit” that stretches from heaven to Earth.  Our hope is in the One who bridges heaven to Earth.Jesus is Jacob's ladder and Jesus is our hope, our tikvah.  Proverbs 30 asks us, “who has gone up to heaven and come down?Whose hands have gathered up the wind?  Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?  Who has established all the ends of the earth?  What is his name, and what is the name of his son?” Hope, or "tikvah" in Hebrew, is the cry of our hearts and the mission of our message. Tikvah has the power to support you on a bad day and carry you on your worst.  And, it is first found in the Bible in a most fascinating story.After Israel left Egypt and were on their way to the Promised Land they came upon the great walled city of Jericho.  Spies were sent to reconnoiter the huge town and they returned to the camp with an exhilarating story. While in Jericho the Hebrew spies hid out at the home of a prostitute named Rahab.  Rahab promised to keep them safe if they would rescue her family during the impending invasion.  As a sign of their agreement (and location of her house) Rahab would tie a red colored rope from the outside of her house. The Israelites would spare anyone in the home with the red rope. That rope was a symbol of hope!  In fact, the Hebrew word used for "rope" in this story is the Hebrew term "tikvah."  Tikvah is like a rope of hope. Hope is an expectation of something better. Despite the circumstances of the present, hope always looks towards the future.  Rahab was in a horrible situation.  Things were so bad that she was actually selling her body just to make enough money to live.  After the visit from the Hebrew spies Rahab finally had some hope for the future.  Redemption though was not instant.  She still had to wait.  Hope is a power that comforts us as we wait upon the Almighty.  Rahab was faithful to gather her family into her home when destruction came upon Jericho.  She shared her hope and rescued others because she knew there was a way out.No matter how bad your life seems right now, take hope – have tikvah that better days are ahead.  One place to gain such hope is from the Word of Lord.His Word is a message of hope for us today.     There is actually a unique connection between Tikvah and the Torah. In 2 Kings 22 a man named Tikvah has a daughter named Huldah. It is this same Huldah who becomes a prophetess and gives God's message concerning the Torah being found by King Josiah.  From this we can understand the Word of the Lord and hope are a packaged deal. The Word brings hope and strengthens tikvah.  Get into the Word and let the Word get into you until your hope is overflowing.  The opposite of tikvah is fear. If hope is the potential of good things to come, then fear is the death of better days. Fear is the absence of tikvah.Know this - just because things are horrible today doesn't mean that it will stay that way.  Tikvah gives us a hope for a better tomorrow. That's the challenge with tikvah though.  Many people do hope for a good new year or to get well soon.  And we all know that things will be great in heaven one day.  Tikvah is not a future tense word though.  Tikvah is a present tense word for today.  We have the promise of hope in a heavenly home.  We also have tikvah for the next sunrise.“For thou art my hope (tikvah), O Lord: thou art my trust,” Psalm 71:5.  Can you say this verse every morning?  Hope believes in the face of problems and pain.A person with tikvah should behave differently than one without hope.  When a person has tikvah they pray for rain and they carry an umbrella.  A believer hoping for sickness doesn't mope around telling everyone about their symptoms.   Someone with tikvah for finances blesses others and gives to the poor.  A woman with hope for a new job gets dressed up and puts out resumes without end.  A family who hopes for wholeness forgives and takes steps to move on.  Tikvah prays for the peace of Jerusalem while the world wages war.   Tikvah produces actions.  Indeed, there is a cord between tikvah, faith, and works.  Hope is the desire and belief that things will get better while faith is evidence of that belief displayed in actions. Faith is also tied to tikvah by Rabbi Sha'ul.   He wrote, “these three remain – faith, hope, and love and the greates of this is love.”Just imagine that as awesome and life changing that tikvah is, the truth of love is even greater.  (We'll discuss “ahava” or “love” in the next teaching in this series!)“What does hope do for mankind? Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest. Hope motivates when discouragement comes. Hope energizes when the body is tired. Hope sweetens when the bitterness bites. Hope sings when all melodies are gone. Hope believes when the evidence is eliminated. Hope listens for answers when no one is talking. Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping. Hope endures hardship when no one is caring. Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing. Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking. Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging. Hope dares to give when no one is sharing.  Hope brings the victory when no one is winning.  There is nothing to do but bury a man when his hopes are gone. Losing hope usually precedes loss of life itself. You don't need a better environment; you need more hope. It's the one thing in your life you cannot do without,” wrote John Maxwell.A number of years ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope!  Tikvah can energize your faith because it sees the unseen.  Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for unthinking rodents, how much greater should is effect be on our lives.  Can you feel the tikvah of God rising up in your spirit as you read this teaching?  The Almighty wants to fill you with His tikvah and empower you towards victory.Stop seeing the glass half empty.Take your focus off your bills and bosses.  Look to Maker of heaven and earth and have tikvah.  God's word is living and effective. His word, even just the singular word tikvah, will never return unto void.  It will accomplish all that He desires in your life as you pray and believe for tikvah.  Walk in it's strength and pray tikvah over the situations in your life.  Believe for the best.  The Father has promised you a good hope in the end.The hidden Hebrew word “tikvah” is hope and so much more.  By looking past the English translation and into the ancient tongue we can know the truth better.  Consider these verses as you meditate and study the concept of “hope.”   Know that Yahweh tikvahtenu or “The Lord is our hope” and an ever present help in times of trouble. 

We all experience the ups and downs of emotions. How can you control the feelings and thoughts that give you stress or worry? What about doubt or fear? Or anger? The answer to the emotional ride is found in a story about Jesus who did something amazing when faced with his greatest challenge. Discover a fascinating way to control your emotions and experience peace no matter what loops happen in your life.

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead," Philippians 3:7-11.

Decide it is wise! "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is," Ephesians 5:15-17. In light of past experiences, what is the wise thing to do?In light of current circumstances, what is the wise things to do?In light of future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?

You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You.Isaiah 26:3 Samuch yetzer tizor shalom shalom ki batuach Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkenedRomans 1:21 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.Hebrews 11:1 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.1 Corinthians 2:14-16 1) Does this thought bring stress or calm?2)Who would I be without this thought?3)How do I imagine God's best in this situation? God is always at perfect peace and we can experience this peace when our imagination overlaps His.Isaiah 26:3

Coming soon!

Notes coming soon!

What exactly is real religion that God accepts and makes a difference in this world? How should a "religious" person behave or believe? Listen to this podcast to learn how the brother of Jesus defines spirituality. His insights will challenge you to live in a way that helps others and keeps yourself unspotted from the world.

Dig deeper into the book of James and discover how God can surprise you when you are open to him. This episode will introduce you to the brother of Jesus who wrote this short letter for us and included so many insights for living an abundant life. You will no doubt be surprised and encouraged as you listen!

 The covid-19 pandemic turned life upside down on so many levels. Some people could work from home while others were considered essential and still had to report to their job site.  If you are like me, you probably created a working office on your dining room table and your eyes saw only squares from constant webinars and online meetings.Yes, thanks to the medical emergency, pajamas became formal attire and kids, who were used to school bells and book bags became virtual students overnight. This covid craziness created confusion as we sought work and life balance. Of course, its hard to give equal time to home concerns and the job when the two overflow into each other. And while balance can be a good thing, there is something more beneficial than just giving equal time to the various parts of our lives. Instead of balance, how about blending?Blending life, the various aspects of your day - work, home, entertainment, and faith – creates consistency. And in our tornado-like society, consistency is something we all need. Instead of a scale balancing time, what if we integrated all aspects of our day?  I thought about this a lot during the covid lock down and especially when the kids and I set to baking.During the first few weeks of the lock down my family baked lots of bread.  We had finished Netflix in its entirety and wanted something different to do.  So, we pulled out the bread pans and began to bake.And we discovered that even the simplest of recipes call for consistency.For example, once I remember mixing a beer bread with the kids.  They were convinced the one can of Budweiser was going to make them drunk, but we made the beer bread anyway.  We poured the number of distinct ingredients into a mixing bowl.  Then the instructions called for us to “stir the items to uniform consistency.” Basically, we had to fold the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, cheese, and beer together. We needed to do this until the individual ingredients were blended so well that every spoonful of the final mixture looked the same. No longer could you differentiate between flour and sugar. Even the beer disappeared. Blending creates consistency. This is true with cooking and with living.When it comes to life, we can choose to try to balance everything.  But we all know how well that goes.  Just imagine that circus performer balancing plates for a suspenseful audience.  The clown adds more and more spinning plates, hoping everything stays in motion and nothing falls.  That is the problem with balance, something can fall at any time. Let's consider this idea of blending a little.Blending life means that you blur the lines between the different areas of your day. No longer do you compartmentalize life as work hours or church or family time. You act the same during all these times. You allow who you truly are on the inside to interact with each part of your schedule.Sure, everyone changes a little according to the people they are interacting with.  You aren't going to talk with your toddler the same way you speak with your co-workers. What remains the same is the basis of your behavior. Blending creates consistency. Let me give you an example…Several years ago, in Long Beach, California, a fellow went into a fried chicken place and bought a couple of chicken dinners for himself and his date late one afternoon. The young woman at the counter inadvertently gave him the proceeds from the day-a whole bag of money (much of it cash) instead of fried chicken. After driving to their picnic site, the two of them sat down to open the meal and enjoy some chicken together. They discovered a whole lot more than chicken--over $800! But he was unusual. He quickly put the money back in the bag. They got back into the car and drove all the way back. Mr. Clean got out, walked in, and became an instant hero. By then the manager was frantic. The guy with the bag of money looked the manager in the eye and said, "I want you to know I came by to get a couple of chicken dinners and wound up with all this money. Here." Well, the manager was thrilled to death. He said, "Oh, great, let me take some photos for social media. I'm going to have your picture all over the internet. You're the most honest man I've heard of." To which they guy quickly responded, "Oh no, no, don't do that!" Then he leaned closer and whispered, "You see, the woman I'm with is not my wife...she's uh, somebody else's wife." ​This guy didn't have any consistency or integrity.He was one person behind closed doors and another person in front of others. Another option is to allow blending to create a consistent lifestyle where your words match your actions. Something great at work can make life great at home. The way you interact with others is same, regardless of where you find yourself.  Blending is all about synergy.  It allows the traits from home to overflow into work and vice versa. Life is not boxed when you blend your behavior. You can be a successful mother and entrepreneur – the skill set is the same. Take for example the integrity that must be shown by a bank teller. The banker must be extra cautious with other people's money, disclose the fine print of financial transactions, and be courteously professional. When these traits and ideals blend, the banker's life at home is impacted. He is cautious to use a budget with spending and treats his family members kindly. He would never be late for work, so he's never late for family gatherings either. And his personality and faith show through all the while. The banker's joy is contagious to everyone he meets, and he treats the worker at the fast-food window the same as he would the customer at the teller window.  That is blending at its best.This is totally applicable in life.  You can take these ideas we are discussing today and allow your best self to be present in each moment. Most of us we no longer have just an office. Many have home offices, which is a space full of blending. And those lessons learned from both sides can have positive impact on both fronts. Perhaps you read an inspirational quote. Sure, this could just be on your mind or you could post it on social media.  You can also talk about it at work and with those in your personal life. Inspiration can blend to help make the world a kinder place. Life is full of opportunities to share your skills and impact people daily. The days of a 9-5 binary opposite existence are over. Here are a few other ideas of how this plays out in your day…What if the compassion shown at home with your aging parents, who can't figure out their smart phone, is brought to the job site? There are so many ways that caring for others creates a better work culture. What this could look like would be offering to help people when they have an issue instead of rushing to judgment that they screwed up. We all want to be given the benefit of the doubt, at home and at work. The drive that you have at work with goal setting and passion to perform can also be applied to family goals. Imagine taking that laser like focus that you use to achieve something special at work and applying it to a fun game night with friends or Taco Tuesday with your family. And those communication skills totally blur in life. What if you were just as intentional with speaking in clear kind ways at your job like you do with your partner? You don't exclusively communicate with the people that you love via email or text. Just think of how your partner would feel if you only emailed him instead of talk to him face to face. It's the same way with your job. It's important to look people in the eye and build relationships when communicating. Connecting with others is not built via instant messaging at home or at work! Blending can integrate those organizational skills too. And we all know that we could use a little more grace or forgiveness no matter where we go. Blending creates consistency. Your professional life and personal life are two sides of the same coin when you live with integrity and consistency.As a person of faith, I have found that spiritual principles can be applied to every area of life. Real religion is not just one hour on Sunday. True faith is living in a way that affects every hour of my day. This concept is supported through the writings of many world religions. One day, after the resurrection, Jesus is talking to his followers and says to them, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all the ends of the earth.” Blending creates consistency with the faith too. It allows followers of Jesus to be “in the world” and make a difference without being “of the world.”  It's really interesting what is implied in this passage when Jesus said his followers would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, out to the ends of the earth.Jesus said that his followers would be witnesses, but he didn't say if they would witness FOR the Christian faith or AGAINST the Christian faith. He simply declared, “you will be my witnesses.” We all know people who claim to be religious but act anything but. And sadly, the news headlines often contain stories about people of faith who have been accused or caught acting immoral. Our actions witness for or against our beliefs. If you are a Christian, your actions speak louder than your religious words of worship.Does what you say on Sunday blend with what you do on Thursday? Those who claim Christ but act with hate or judgment are witnessing against Jesus. Those who show love and forgiveness are witnessing for Jesus.Our behavior, and not our theology or thoughts, is what matters. ​Values we put into action are values that we hold true. You may think you value something like saving the sea turtles or helping ease racial tensions.But those thoughts are simply thoughts until you back them up with activity. Thinking you value or believe in human dignity is only true when you express that value by volunteering at a homeless shelter or donating money to fight sex trafficking.  You only value what you do. And you only do what you value. If something is truly and deeply important then it will find its way in your calendar or checkbook. We often think we value concepts or philosophies.  Perceived values are more in your mind and thought world. Until it is an action, it is simply an idea or something to romanticize. That religious, political, or social issue is only supported with conduct.  Is there something that you feel is important that you feel you value or cherish or believe in?  Well, do you back up that idea with behavior? You are not alone if that's the case, but let's do something about it!  Let us be consistent and allow our conduct and passion to line up.Surely you can think of people who claim to know God yet spout nasty words or treat people poorly. That's a witness but it's not a good witness. Believers are to be a light to the world and are always on display. Social media rants, political tirades or work shortcuts are watched and remembered. When a person blends their honest and sincere faith throughout their day, they don't have to worry about witnessing against the Lord. Instead, they are consistent at the worship service or at Wal-Mart. Someone once said to “preach Christ at all times and if you must use words.”Notice the areas that Jesus mentioned that we are his witnesses. He said, ‘In Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all the ends of the earth.” Jesus was probably in Jerusalem when he made this comment. He was speaking to Jewish people about their capital city Jerusalem. Jesus was saying, when you are home you are my witness.  The next area was Judea, which was the larger area around the center of Jerusalem. Judea was outside the home. He was letting people know that their actions matter during their normal days. Then in the geographical list came Samaria.  This was north of Judea and farther from Jerusalem. Here in Samaria lived the enemies of the Jews. Though Samaritans and Jewish people did not get along, the followers of Jesus were witnesses in “enemy territory.” If you are a Christian, you are a witness even when things are hard or when people are against you. Jesus completes this flow of destinations with “all the ends of the earth.” Our witness starts in the home (Jerusalem) continues in our city (Judea) moves out to those who are different than us (Samaria) and then reaches the entire world.  This is a beautiful illustration of the blended life. If you are a follower of Christ, then you are a witness for Him or a witness against Him. Your actions matter at home, around town, with outsiders, and wherever you go.The story is told of when a rabbi bought a donkey from an Arab. The rabbi's servants were delighted at finding a jewel hanging from the donkey's neck.  He at once returned the gem to its original owner, who cried out, “Blessed be the God of the Jews Who renders His people so scrupulous in their dealings with other men.”  The rabbi's actions led to God's name or reputation being praised.  His witness proved his character and illustrated a foundation of faith – to do to your neighbor what you would have done to yourself. Sadly, though we've somehow separated people's behavior from who they are in our minds. We've excused the priest and the politician from saying one thing and doing another. And it's become acceptable to act with vile negativity or name calling to one group of people while portraying yourself as kind and compassionate to others.There are so many who say they follow the Bible, yet their actions prove them to be hypocrites.  Too many people say one thing and do another.  This type of religion is void of any spiritual power and has become sour to the world. Benjamin Franklin said, “a good example is the best sermon.”  Who can disagree with that?The opposite of consistency is hypocrisy. No one likes a hypocrite. We're all disgusted by those who say to “do as I say and not as I do.” Teenagers are frustrated with parents who say to be respectful but then show disrespect. Even toddlers are quick to point out when daddy says a word that he shouldn't. I've found that some of the best parenting advice it to simply be the adult you would like your child to become. That easy idea enforces consistent blended living.Hypocrisy is self-justification on display. It's acting one way or being one type of person at times and then being totally opposite with others.  It often happens when people look for work life balance. It's easy to say to yourself, “the boss will understand if I slack off because I worked extra hard a few days ago.” It has been said that the way you do anything is the way that you do everything. This indicates that even your smallest actions or most insignificant behavior reflects your intentions. Again, the way you do anything is the way that you do everything.The story is told of the great Michelangelo, who painted the magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel while lying on his back for endless hours to finish every detail with great care. A friend asked him why he took such pains with figures that would be viewed from a considerable distance. "After all," the friend said, "Who will notice whether it is perfect or not?" "I will," replied the artist. Blending creates consistency. While no one likes a hypocrite and struggles with work life balance are apparent, we are all okay with people who are consistent. One way to know if you are consistent is by asking yourself a specific question of discovery. The neat part about this definite question is that it is applicable in in any and in all scenarios. This unique tool I am about to share with you applies regardless of what situation you find yourself in. You can use this today to help your professional and personal life blend. Here is the secret weapon… when making a decision, simply ask yourself “What would a consistent person do?”  That is it.Ask yourself, preferably out loud, “Would a consistent person do BLANK and then fill in the blank.”  Line up that query with your goals or your identity.For example, if your desire is to spend more time with your family and children, then say aloud, “would a consistent person work later hours tonight or take time for the children?”  The path will become clear with this inquiry. Maybe your hope is to lose weight and you say to yourself, “would a consistent person eat these doughnuts?” Here are a few other examples… “Would a consistent person post this online?”“Would a consistent person talk this way to the cashier?”“Would a consistent person spend this money?”“Would a consistent person wash my car?“Would a consistent person pray right now?”“Would a consistent person go on a run for exercise?“Would a consistent person stay late for work to help out?”“Would a consistent person say those words?”This power question will power you to be blended as you seek consistency. Just imagine if we all blended our lives so that the lines between who we are at work and home are cross. Aren't there benefits from a blended life that creates consistency?  Here are a few things to consider…. Blending allows you to be the same at work or homeThe compassion needed at home is also needed on the job. The attention to detail at work is really needed at home.Seeking balance often leads to areas in your life being shortchangedThe skill set for being a good friend and a great manager or coworker are the same and can overflow into each otherProfessional development and personal growth are two sides of the same coinYou only truly value what you act uponFollowers of Jesus witness for the faith or against the faithYou can be consistent at home, at work, around town and throughout the worldThe opposite of consistency is hypocrisy and no one likes a hypocriteThe way you do anything is the way you do everything.Ask yourself this power question, “Would a consistent person do ____ and then fill in the blank.” Learn more about leading a lifestyle that matters at thehope.network.