NUDGE SEVEN: Is Your Tongue Warty?

This Nudge Your World Challenge will require you to "Do Nothing." Well ... maybe a little thinking and exerting a bit of self-control - but you won't need to "Do Anything." (smile)

When I was a little boy, I heard the story about a kid who always spoke great kind words and when he did, beautiful flowers would appear. But there was another boy whose words were mean, cutting and disrespectful and when he spoke, frogs fell out of his mouth.

So which would surround you today? Flowers or Frogs? The Bible says that life and death or in the power of our words. James tells us that our words can destroy someone or bring warmth to ones heart. But often we are so careless with our worlds.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.

Proverbs 18:21 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Proverbs 12:18

Today ..... listen to yourself talk about others, talk about your spouse, your job, the government, your church, or anyone or anything. Flowers or Frogs?

Let's try this. Let's Nudge our World this week by planting flowers. Speak words that lift people up. Speak words that encourage. Speak words that build up rather than tear down. Speak life into people.

Change the world around you this week by planting flowers .... and maybe squishing some frogs in the process. Besides that ... who wants a warty tongue? (smile)

WEEK SIX: Watch This Video and Ask a Simple Question.

This week's Nudge Your World is a bit different. What I would like for you to do is to spend 4 minutes watching this video about helping people in Afghanistan. There are almost 1000 people who have been following Nudge Your World and I truly believe there are some that can meet some of these needs - or know someone who might be interested in directly helping this organization.

But each of us can do something. All can pray. Some can give. Some can go. Some can supply small items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss. Perhaps some can supply bigger items: Dental Equipment. Perhaps you know of someone who might be interested in a humanitarian effort such as this - you can forward this to them. We all can do something.

So spend 4 minutes - Watch the Video - then ask God - "What Can I Do?"

Let's Nudge the World.

Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

On a housekeeping note - I am going to switch from weekly to twice monthly on posting Nudge Your World. The next "Nudge" will be March 1st.

WEEK FIVE: Thank a Soldier

According to Wikipedia, The military of the United States is deployed in more than 150 countries around the world, with more than 369,000 of its 1,379,551 active-duty troops serving outside the United States and its territories. U.S. troops are seeing active combat in several countries, most notably Afghanistan and Iraq. Others are deployed as part of several peacekeeping missions.

The military of the United States not only defends our Freedoms, but has fought to provide freedom for countries all over the world. Even now, our servicemen and women are being used to provide aid and relief to the Earthquake region of Haiti - part of America's ongoing humanitarian service.

When was the last time you said Thank you to one of our Military?

Many of our families have those serving our Country - why don't you thank them? There are some serving that have no family - why don't you thank them? Write them a letter - send them an email.

It seems like such a small thing to do. However, simply saying thank you let's them know you haven't forgotten them and you appreciate their sacrifice in serving.

So this week's Nudge is simply this - Thank someone in the Military for their service. Send them a letter or email. Let them know you appreciate their sacrifice and service.

If you need a place to start - Start here: http://www.anysoldier.com/

For families that have someone serving in the Military - if you will, post up email or snail mail addresses where we can contact your family member.

Let's Nudge the World this week by encouraging those who make our World a bit safer!

WEEK FOUR: Find a Need and Meet It

This week's challenge is short, simple and a sure fire way for you to Nudge the World that God has placed you in.

Here it is: Find a need and meet it. That is it. Simple as that. Whether the need is physical, emotional, relational or spiritual - find that need and meet it.

What could be simpler right? (smile) Don't wimp out - don't sell yourself short. There are all kinds of needs around you.... find one and meet that need.

You may enjoy it so much; you will do it again tomorrow!

We asked the people of Bayshore to do this, watch the video for some of their response. Click here to watch the short video.

Matthew 25:37-40 (CEV) Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?" The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."

WEEK THREE: Find Something Right With the World!!!!!

What is Wrong with this world?

How many times have you caught yourself thinking or saying that? Goodness knows, there is enough wrong with the world to keep you focused from here to eternity: Government, earthquakes, job loss, weight loss, etc - and that is just from the last few hours!

It is easy to find what is wrong. It is even natural to do so ... but it is helpful? Is it even healthy?

It is understandable to find something wrong and then work to fix it. There are things we can exercise some control of, but most of the stuff on fixates on are things one has no - or very little control of. And then it seeps in ... sticks in you ... effects you ... and you wonder why you are irritable, grouchy, and have no peace.

So lets try something different this week. Rather than noticing what is WRONG with the world, look for - seek - search for what is RIGHT with the world! And when you find it - point it out to someone else!

By doing this, you not only NUDGE yourself, but you NUDGE those around you - if only for an instance - to notice something that is RIGHT with the world. By the way - the more one does this - the more peace they will have in their heart. And the more we help others do this - the more peace we can spread around our little worlds.

So - FIND SOMETHING RIGHT at least one time a day this week and point it out or share your story this week. Post your findings here online - share it with us. Encourage us with your stories!

Let's NUDGE the FACEBOOK WORLD!

Finally, look for something true, something noble, something right, something pure or lovely. Search for something - anything that is excellent or praiseworthy - and then turn your focus on those things. Philippians 4:8 para

WEEK TWO: Tangible Expression of Appreciation

WEEK TWO: Express Gratitude

Can you imagine how many people touched your life to make you what you are today? So many people, teachers, coaches, friends or parents - the list is only limited by our memory - have helped, encouraged or instructed us in some way.

In High School I was incorrigible - but there was one teacher that was as ornery as I way - Mrs. Yaniass. She taught Orchestra where I played Double Bass. I had a habit of "drumming" on the side of the Bass when not playing - a habit that truly annoyed Mrs. Yaniass. For two years we went round and round. At times we exasperated one another - but she did get the best out of the limited abilities I had.

When I moved back to LaPorte, I started to look for her - just to say thank you and to let her know I didn't end up in Prison! (smile) She had lost a battle to lung cancer a few years ago and I had lost the privilege to say thank you one last time.

Don't miss your chance.

It may be a parent, a teacher, a coach - someone - but find that someone and find a tangible way of expressing your appreciation to them. Write a card - maybe a phone call - but find a way to let them know you recognize their impact on your life. There may be more than one.

Find them. Write them. Let them know you haven't forgotten them. Thank them.

It will make their day. It will nudge your world.

And finally - when remembering their impact on you - keep their legacy alive and work on impacting those around you.

Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion. 2 Timothy 1:3-4 (para)

Week One: Call Them By Name

They are nameless, yet we talk with them. Many of them help us daily, but we never really notice them. Often, we see them repeatedly, but few could recall the simplest, but most significant feature about them ... their name.

Who are they? The clerk at WalMart. The waitress at the restaurant. The Batista at Starbucks. The Drive-thru person at McDonalds. But they all have two things in common. They are all real people - and they all wear name tags.

Do you know their name? Have you ever really noticed them?

We get so busy and wrapped up in our own worlds - with our own agendas that we seldom notice these people. In our minds, they really aren't people - they are dispensers of change, people whom we give our money to and who give us our goods.

So this week - let's notice them. See them as real people. Men and women with families, hurts and hope.

Something small - but so very big.

Call them by name.

Most all of them have on a name tag. Take a moment. See their name and thank them - by name - before you leave.

Every time. All week.

Call them by name.

Let them know you see them as real people. Look into their eyes - call their name and thank them .... wish them a Happy New Year.

Something so simple. Yet it reminds us there are real people all around us - real people with names - with hurts - with hopes. Real people whom Jesus loves.

Call them by name.

My children, I, the Lord, created you and formed you, don't be afraid. I have rescued you. I have called you by name; now you belong to me. Isaiah 43:1 para