Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible!

I just sent my first formal draft of my doctoral dissertation to my project mentor. The technical editor is editing it. I will defend my project in L.A. on June 12 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Graduation is June 14 at 6:00 PM! Earning an accredited doctorate is an impossible dream that has come true for me!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! Only 20% of those who enter my particular doctoral program ever finish the Doctor of Ministry degree. It is highly demanding and difficult. I had an 80% chance of failure. But it was more than that. Keep reading and you will see why. :)

My tag line is: "Transforming Fear into Fulfillment, Hurt into Healing, Pain into Peace and Problems into Possibilities!" Another way to put it is: "Showing People How to Conquer Chaos and Transform Tragedy into Triumph and Problems into Possibilities!" I have been tested through the fire personally with this doctorate experience!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! It's happening for me and it can happen for YOU!
Don't let anyone or any circumstance stop you. Settle it in your heart. You're going over and not under! You're the top dog and not the bottom dog!

In high school my counselor told me not to apply for college. He said I would never make it. Guess what? I did it! Don't let anyone talk you out of your dream!

After earning my B.S. in Wildlife-Fishery Resources degree from the University of Idaho (one of the finest programs in the nation), I thought I would never go back to school. My degree was extremely difficult and demanding. It was like a Pre-Med Science degree. Done. Finished. I thought :)

I couldn't get the dream out of my heart. After working as a research biologist for a couple of years, I kept feeling this deep desire to go for a masters degree. So I began to Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! I did it! Not only did I meet the most beautiful bride in the whole wide world, I earned a Master of Divinity degree in two and half years. It normally takes three years.

On May 18, 2006, my beautiful bride asked me to apply for a doctoral program at a cutting-edge new school in L.A. Through a series of miracles, I was accepted.

I had no idea that this adventure would be like climbing Mount Everest without an oxygen mask! It was so challenging and treacherous at times, I thought I would literally fall to my death! It was far more difficult and demanding than I ever thought possible! I am not the scholarly type. It has been like learning Chinese in Hong Kong with no one to interpret for me. Talk about a whole new learning curve!

The Lord placed this dream in my heart. He gave me the strength and the courage to overcome every impossible obstacle in the adventure! I have been radically transformed and become a new man through this rich and rewarding experience!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! My beautiful bride, Irene, and son, Chris and our other team members helped me. I did it and you can do it! We are in the people business. People need hope and encouragement. They need it and you need it! We all need it!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible!

New Ideas

I have taken action on some creative risk-taking ideas during the last week. They have really improved my emotional health. Let me me share them with you.

I visited a spring open house for our homeowners association last Sunday afternoon. I met three people who inspired me. One of them asked me to run for the board of directors. I did it and got elected.

Then I applied for the volunteer academy at our local police station from a flyer I found at our association open house. The volunteer coordinator was very kind and encouraging.

I asked if the police department had a chaplain and the volunteer coordinator told me no, but they would be interested in a proposal from me.

Three ideas and three steps of faith. I had never thought about or done any of those three things. I had been in an irritable mood right be before I acted on those ideas. My wife noticed my improved mood since I took action on those three new ideas.

None of these new adventures pay me any money. I am not really overflowing with money right now, but I know that opportunities will come as I serve and give my time, energy and ideas and learn new things on my new teams.

Why not try something new? What do you enjoy? What comes naturally to you? Think of some ideas and take some daring action. Keep trying different things until the doors start opening and you find yourself with safe people at the right time.

Sometimes the the way we receive the hope and encouragement we need is to give ourselves to a cause that is larger than we are. I have discovered that our Creator has a perfect plan for you and me. All we have to do is start knocking on doors that interest us.

We will always find fulfillment, hope and encouragement as we give ourselves away to bring hope and encouragement to others! Dare to step out of your boat and walk on the water. It's fun and exciting!