The Extraordinary Life: Can I get There from Here? Getting from Point A to Point B requires we first know where Point A is located. If we want to travel to Janesville, WI but have no idea that we are in Chicago, IL; then we'll have no idea which direction to take, which highway to chose; we'll have no clue as to the best mode of transportation. Should we walk, bicycle, car, or take a plane? Are we able to make it to the destination? Oftentimes we become like my granddaughter. She was with me in the car the other day. Together we were excitedly going for a treat. We chose to drive. When I asked Madysen, “how do I get there?” Her eager response was, “You just go, Papi.”
Often we “just go”. We keep busy with many things that give us the impression that something is happening. We have a sense that we are living. Too often we just go through the day, then through the week, then the month, then through many months and years. Our life is spent "just going" in uncertain motion, unclear as to where we are going and unable to determine if we have arrived. In the end we live the ordinary life, not able to make it beyond our own limitations. Yet, it is the Extraordinary life that each of us are called to live!
Living the Extraordinary life requires in addition to asking “Where am I?” we must also ask a more potent question, “Who am I?” Lost time, lost track and lost opportunity are products of lost identity and an ordinary life. The Extraordinary life is a meaningful, purposeful life that counts for now and eternity. It is the real deal. The life every human being longs to live. Before we define our course, we best define our self. The work of Christ is the defining Source. Through simple faith the transformation of the new nature produces fruitfulness and breakthrough. Now we can prosper and be in health; we can love and be loved. We can live the Extraordinary life.
You get here by faith. And, from here… you can get there!
Michael L. Bachmeyer
It was...It is...It will be...
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way." This quote from Charles Dickens’ famous work, “The Tale of Two Cities” seems as though it could have been pulled from today’s headlines. It causes us to wonder what to make of all the present pandemonium. There were two men who built identical houses. The first chose to approach the task with patience and wisdom. Diligently he dug deeply until he found firm bedrock on which he poured the footings and foundation. Confidently he built house. The second man, having no time for unnecessary excavation chose to cut corners. He had many other things to get on with. After all, a house is a house.Moving soil aside he made room for his footings and poured the foundation for his house. Many months passed. Both men had moved their families and possessions into their homes. Life was good for both men. Until, one day a storm of great intensity brought winds and floods. The angry storm tested the homes’ design-nothing wrong here. Then, the storm tested the builders themselves. By raging winds and pounding waters the first man rested secure inside for his home was placed on solid ground. The second man was weary, afraid and now with no roof over his head. Building upon the crumbling sand was a choice that he now with great loss regretted. What kind of “times” is it for you? The best of times... or the worst of times? Everything before you... or nothing before you? What kind of times have you had? What kind of times will you have? In all times the hope of life and a powerful future lie in what we will believe. Jesus is the Rock upon which to build. The concepts of God’s Kingdom provide hope, peace and wisdom. What we believe now will effect the times of our lives!
Rock County's Not so Perfect Storm Michael L. Bachmeyer
The June 3rd announcement of General Motor’s plans to close four plants in the US including the Janesville plant was a stunning reality for this traditional manufacturing community. It has been estimated that nearly 3000 jobs will be lost to the closing of the facility. On October 12, 2008 General Motors announced that due to market conditions the Janesville plant closing will be pushed forward to December 23, 2008 much earlier than the original announcement that kept the plant open until 2010.
The initial shock of this news will take some time to be absorbed and assimilated. Listening to the commentaries of the various news media including comments from the Governor of this great state offers a wide array of thought; much of which is quite negative. Some fearing the worst have declared this a devastating blow to the community. This is no time for white knuckling it.
When all this settles in and the awareness of these things comes home, the reality will be that this community will survive. We are a resilient work force. We have creative abilities which we will tap into for solutions. There are opportunities already in us yet to be discovered in the form of business, commerce, politics and social needs. Families will be fed. Businesses will survive and new ones started. RockCounty will become an even better place through the challenge.
The weight of this local news comes at the same time that our national economy and the world economy are reeling in the throws of uncertainty. The stock market, the economy, the energy market, the presidential election raise many issues of concern. Many social, political, financial and ideological pressures seem to have converged into a perfect storm. The news desks are full and television and radio are jammed with the latest updates. Fear is flooding the airwaves.
I would suggest that we all take a cautious approach in being informed. As believers we must be informed and knowledgeable on the issues. However, it is quite dangerous to listen too much to the pundits and prognosticators.
Give your heart a break. Spend a good portion of your time just listening to God rather than to peddlers of fear. We have not been given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind. Anxiety being a form of fear can quickly fill my mind and detract me from effectiveness and fruitful living robbing me of peace. To quote a wise father, “When you become concerned about times like these, remember this that there has always been times like these.” God who is faithful in all he does is also faithful to all who trust him. “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
T. Boone Pickens has raised public awareness of vast resources in the energy issues of the day. Those associated in that arena have begun a slogan to push part of the solution, “Drill, Baby, Drill!” While all that is fine and has great merit perhaps we would also do well to be reminded of another great resource, “Believe, Baby, Believe!”
Don't Be a Monkey's Uncle!
-Michael L. Bachmeyer
The other day, a college anthropology student approached me with some questions about evolution and creation. On the lighter side, does being a monkey's uncle reflect upon you, or on your brother's kids? At any rate his questions got me thinking.
What is at issue in evolution vs. creationism?
Some would frame the discussion of this issue simply around... Read Entire Article
Our vision is to raise your faith and encourage you to live your dreams and destiny. You were created to impact your world in a very positive way!
I'm ready to walk this life of righteousness that Jesus bought for me!
I'm ready to see what God has planned for you and me-this blessed life!
I'm ready to walk this life of anointing and power!
Because the heavens are open I will see signs and wonders!
No more someday... the time is Now! I walk by faith with the nature of the Father.
Generational Passages Michael L. Bachmeyer
The passing of my father revealed a passage through which a new generation of leaders is appearing. Passages play a significant role in our journey through life. A passage is a way of exit or entrance; a road, path, channel, or course by which something or someone passes. There are many passages in life. Most of them are found in the form of a wooden door, a steel gate, a tile floor, a cut in the wall or a stone arch. Some passages are narrow, some are wide, some are short, some are tall and some are clearly visible while others are more obscure and hidden. Read Entire Article...
Foundations and Faith Increased -Pam Conway
On Sunday morning January 20, 2008 we were in the midst of an awesome worship time at our house, Grace Community Int’l. I was worshipping God when I sensed His glory in a new way. I have experienced His glory on many occasions and I love to be in the glory but, today, I had never experienced the Glory of God like this before. The presence of the Lord was so great I could hardly contain it. I believe that we were singing about the glory of the Lord. All of a sudden, I saw what appeared to be bright, yellow lights—almost like lasers. They were shooting out in different directions and hitting what looked like ice under people’s feet. The ice was cracking, shaking, and breaking apart. I heard the Lord say He was removing the foundations from under our feet, foundations that were not of Him. It was almost like watching a movie. As we continued to worship, Mike Bachmeyer was commenting about our mindsets.As I was interceding about us having the mind of Christ, in front of my face I saw a large Rubik cube. Then, there were two hands, that easily without any struggle, putting it all together correctly. The Lord impressed to me that He can easily change our mindsets without any effort. We can try to do it, but it is much more difficult.So I proclaimed over the house that the Lord was changing our mindset and that we have the mind of Christ. Then, Mike asked everyone to go to 2 or 3 people and speak into their lives.As I was in the front of the building it was like I was somewhere else (in another realm), but I heard everyone speaking to one another behind me.The Lord said, “Faith is being released in this house.Faith is increasing as these words are being spoken and to each other.I began to declare, “God, your faith is being released here and increased in a greater measure.” Amen. It is so.
The Robe of Righteousness Michael L. Bachmeyer
"This robe, we will wear with distinction, courage and purpose. As we do so, we should also be reminded of the One who has gone before us..."
"I have been thinking about time alot lately. But my thoughts haven't been about lost time, past time, wasted time, overtime, enough time or sometime..."
Recently my wife, Vicki and I helped to move her mother from her home into an apartment. The experience of packing and moving, loading and unloading is familiar to most of us. It caused me to think about moving day... Read Entire Article.
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