"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the power of our ideas. Everything that we experience everyday was once an idea. And everything that we will experience in the future will be the result of yours or someone else's idea. God designed you with the most creative force on the planet - your mind. How you use it will determine how purposeful and prosperous your life will be. This reminds me of a guest blog I wrote a few years ago. Enjoy...

You are what you eat. This is not just a principle of your physical health. It's also a principle of your mental health. You simply can't eat a mental junk food diet and stay mentally healthy. If you consistently feed your mind with media or conversations that are full of negative and destructive words, actions, and images, then you will spend a lot of your time dealing with negativity in your mind. 

RELATED: The Entrepreneurial Mind of Christ: Applying Kingdom Strategies that Build Business Success

Conversely, if you spend more of your time filling your mind with positive or constructive words, actions, and images, it will be much easier for you to engage positive thoughts to counterattack the negative thoughts when they come. The result is that over time, your actions will prove to be more constructive rather than destructive for yourself and others.

Know thyself, feed thyself. Many people say their media intake doesn't affect their behavior, yet over time their actions become a representation of what they have been eating. Just because something is popular doesn't mean it's good for you. Similar to a world-class athlete who disciplines her body to beat her competition, you must condition your mind to beat your spiritual and natural competition. 

You will not be able eat what everyone else is eating and stay ahead of them at the same time. If you want to move beyond your competition, you have to do things differently.

To get the kink out of your think, change your intake. Be very selective with what you watch, what you listen to, who you listen to, and what you read. Eat only those things that will build and edify your character and propel your life in a positive direction. You will gain the courage you need to make positively powerful decisions that benefit you and those connected to you.

What do you think? Leave your comments below...

Your talent is a gift from God that you must exercise to benefit the most from it. God also gifted you His grace to empower you to sharpen your talents. The more you work your talents the more they will work for you. 

History Channel's "The Bible" miniseries has been a ratings bonanza. The premiere on March 3 is cable's most-watched entertainment telecast this year.  Further,  the $22 million cost was paltry compared with the $200 million HBO spent on the 2010 war epic The Pacific. For Christian entrepreneurs in the business of creating content for your customers, you can learn a lot from this production.

Daniel Chioco wrote in the Business2Community blog a very enlightening article that Christian entrepreneurs can use to glean from the well executed marketing plan of this historic TV program...

1. Thou shalt plan wisely. 
   
2. Honor thy collaborations.
3. Thou shalt repurpose content.
4. Remember the grassroots and reach out to them.
5. Thou shalt not spend needlessly.
6. Thou shalt seek advice.
7. Thou shalt take advantage of what people know.
8. Thou shalt build anticipation.
9. Thou shalt make it cool.
10. Though shalt capitalize.

Read the details at http://www.business2community.com/content-marketing/marketing-miracle-what-history-channels-the-bible-can-teach-content-creators-0440395#yxTwZlsoF8qs4q7J.99 

How can you apply marketing lessons from "The Bible" in your business? Leave your comments below...

My guest this week on Passion in Action TV is Lowell C. Pye, Sr., a dynamic gospel singer who grew up in Detroit, Michigan. As the youngest  member of  the gospel quartet group known as “The Junior Echo’s”, Lowell never knew this humble beginning would pave the way for a lifetime of ministry in the world of gospel music. Lowell gained notoriety when he embarked on his season with John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir in 1990. Though relatively unknown to the masses, Lowell soon became recognized as one the greatest and most distinguishable new voices in the gospel music industry.  After singing and traveling with John P. Kee and New Life for four years, Lowell was ready to embark on new beginnings and cofounded the contemporary gospel group, Men of Standard, in 1996.  With a string of hits from Men of Standard, the group was able to capture Stellar Awards and several gospel nominations. Though a part of another foursome, Lowell’s ability to harmonize, yet be an individual sets precedence like none other in the gospel industry.
 
For over 30 years, Lowell has been perfecting his gift through ministry.  He has toured with industry greats, such as Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and a host of others. With chart topping hits including, “Mighty Long Way” produced by Joe Pace, Lowell has been featured and appeared on more than 25 gospel albums.   As an actor in his own right he has shared the stage with the likes of Denise Williams, Peabo Bryson, Morris Day, Debra Morgan, and Dave Hollister; in stage plays across the United States.  Lowell currently resides as Worship leader at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.
 
From his early days of traveling and singing with John P. Kee’s New Life Community Choir, to his successful years as one quarter of the Stellar Award winning contemporary gospel quartet group Men of Standard, Lowell Pye has established himself as one of the most soulful male gospel vocalist in the industry.
 
In 2010 Miralex Records and Overflow Entertainment collaborate to present Lowell’s long awaited solo debut project Finally.  Produced by the award winning Asaph Alexander Ward, Finally is a blend of Urban inspirational and contemporary worship songs intermingled with a strong influence of traditional gospel. Lowell’s break out radio single is the emotional remake of the Commissioned’s classic hit, “Running Back to You” in which he revisits his Detroit roots and demonstrates his gift to stir an audience and invoke the presence of God.
 
Finally, with guest appearances from Lowell’s friends Pastor Marvin Winans, Rance Allen and Deitrick Haddon, marks a phenomenal milestone in Lowell’s career and establishes his amazing talent as a future legend in gospel music. 

He now has a new single "I NEED YOU" and prepping for another album.


Watch the live stream online this Thursday, March 7th at 7pm ET only on www.passioninaction.tv. 

You can also watch our previous shows right now. See you Thursday!

Check out some of Lowell's powerful music ministry...

I recently read a great article on Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneurs: You're More Important Than Your Business Plan. It reminded me of the leadership quote, "Become a person of leadership before seeking a position of leadership."  Make no mistake that a plan is needed. However, many entrepreneurs put too much stock in a great business plan and don't focus enough on equipping themselves to be a successful entrepreneur. This article points our some key factors that entrepreneurs need to possess in their character, mindset, and skills that will position them to succeed over the long-term:

• Purpose and Passion
• Perspective and Resilience
• Point of Entry and Leadership
• Innovation
• Potential for Big, Bold Impact
• A Good Business Plan

All in all, you still need an effective plan in order to succeed as an entrepreneur. However, don't make the mistake of spending an inordinate amount of time working on your business plan compared to the time spent working on yourself.

(MORE: Kingdom Business University Christian Entrepreneurship Courses)

Click here to read the entire article...

What are your thoughts about the importance of a business plan for entrepreneurs? Leave your comments below...

Do you think of God as creative? It amazes me how some Christian entrepreneurs, when looking for a creative jolt, don't initially seek the Creator of the universe for ideas, innovations, and inventions. Further, you were created in the image of God so creativity should be oozing out of you. In fact He expects you to be clever, imaginative, and resourceful, because it reflects some of the brilliant aspects of His character. 

One necessary attribute of entrepreneurs is that we must be creative in dealing with the myriad of challenges that are thrown at us. This post is just a small reminder for you not to overlook or underestimate the most creative force in the universe the next time you need a spark of ingenuity for your business. Here's seven scriptures to help spark your entrepreneurial energy:

1. "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts." - Exodus 31:3
   


2. "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." - Psalm 139:14
   


3. “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of ingenious inventions.” - Proverbs 8:12
   


4. "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." - Proverbs 22:29
   


5. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" - Isaiah 43:18-19
   


6. "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." - Ephesians 2:10
   


7. "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you..." - 2 Timothy 1:6
   

God cares about your and your business. You can ask Him for all that you need, including creative energy, and He will help you.

What scriptures do you use to spark your creativity? Comment below...

Check out this video I created a few years ago about God-given creativity...