A young man approached the foreman of a logging crew and asked for a job.
"That depends," replied the foreman. "Let's see you chop down this tree." The young man steeped forward and skillfully knocked down the great tree. Impressed, the foreman exclaimed, "You can start Monday, we pay on Fridays."
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by. Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your paycheck on the way out today."
Startled, the young man replied, "I thought you paid on Fridays?"
"Normally we do," said the foreman. "But we're letting you go today because you've fallen behind. Our daily charts show that you've dropped from first place on Monday to last place today."
"But I'm a hard worker," the young man objected. "I arrive first, leave last and even have worked through my coffee breaks!"
The foreman, sensing the young man's integrity, thought for a minute and then asked, "Son, have you been sharpening your axe?"
The young man replied, "No sir, I've been working too hard to take the time for that!"
Abraham Lincoln once said: "If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend the first four hours sharpening the axe".
Just to state the obvious, the axe is a tool to perform what you have to do. I can probably define the axe as `something which helps me do what I have to do faster'.
I spend a large amount of time sharpening my axe. How do I sharpen my axe? I listen to at least 10 hours of motivational messages a day; while I’m working, driving or sleeping and I read at least 15 minutes a day something positive to lift my spirits. I also have cut cable in my house.
Now I'm not a Nazi or a prude, I've just learned that what I allow into my eyes, ears, and heart can either sharpen or dull me. I don't share this with you to boast but to admit that I struggle. I struggle as a husband, as a father and as a business man. Because I know I struggle, I must sharpen my axe.
If you find yourself dragging your feet at the end of the week, ask yourself, "Did I sharpen my Axe?"
My Conversion Story
On April 23, 2011 I celebrated two milestones. My son's 8th birthday and my confirmation into the Catholic Church. The funny thing is when I began my faith journey I didn't want to be Catholic.
Here I share my conversion story and my desire to inspire the Catholic Church.
I AM!
“Studies show that 500,000 books a year are now being published. Of those, over 98% will sell less than 500 copies. If you’re just starting out, shooting for 500 is a good start. After that, I would say you’re moderately successful and ready to strive for the thousands.” (Terry Cordingley)
Last year my book God Made Me Pick Up Underwear, Finding Faith in Unusual Places was published and it has already sold over 500 copies. My book isn't a best seller yet but at least I can say that I AM part of the 2% that succeed.
My wrestling coach, Jose Campo, always says “What the mind perceives, one can achieve.” I strongly believe that this book will continue to sell. My belief comes from knowing that this book is God inspired. I can honestly say that that 2.5 years ago I had trouble putting a paragraph together. “Where I am weak, He is strong.”
I AM is such a powerful phrase. When Moses asked God what shall I say is your name. God replied, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14) When Jesus described Himself in Revelations He said, I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” (Revelations 1:11)
If to be a Christian means to be Christ like. Then we must be Extraordinary like Christ. So I claim that I AM a child of the Utmost High! I AM forgiven by the blood of Jesus! I AM a national best selling author! I AM!
Last year my book God Made Me Pick Up Underwear, Finding Faith in Unusual Places was published and it has already sold over 500 copies. My book isn't a best seller yet but at least I can say that I AM part of the 2% that succeed.
My wrestling coach, Jose Campo, always says “What the mind perceives, one can achieve.” I strongly believe that this book will continue to sell. My belief comes from knowing that this book is God inspired. I can honestly say that that 2.5 years ago I had trouble putting a paragraph together. “Where I am weak, He is strong.”
I AM is such a powerful phrase. When Moses asked God what shall I say is your name. God replied, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14) When Jesus described Himself in Revelations He said, I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” (Revelations 1:11)
If to be a Christian means to be Christ like. Then we must be Extraordinary like Christ. So I claim that I AM a child of the Utmost High! I AM forgiven by the blood of Jesus! I AM a national best selling author! I AM!
Change Me!
Day in and day out I am given the greatest opportunity to step into the lives of my friends and family to hear of their struggles and their victories of life. One constant in most people's lives is a longing to see change but most are using the wrong tools.
The other day I tried to file down a sharp edge off my daughters ceramic bowl with a nail file. As you can tell where this story is going, it didn't work. Why? It didn't work because I was using the wrong tool for the job.
So what is the correct tool for change?
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Early in my prayer life I prayed that my wife would change. After many so called unanswered prayers God showed me that my prayer shouldn't be to change my wife but my prayer should be, "Change me!"
Once I realized that I only have the power to change myself I began taking action. I prayed the prayer, "Change me!" and God revealed to me areas of my life that needed adjustment.
Many times I didn't like what He had to say but it is the truth that sets us free. Is it easy? No! But God didn't give us a life of ease, He allows trials and tribulations in our lives so we can be better (James 1:12) so we can be Extraordinary.
God is Extraordinary and He has created us in His image. If we accept good then we are not in His image. We need to strive for a life of Extraordinary and it begins with, "Change me!"
To an Extraordinary Life!
Orlando Javien Jr., Author
God Made Me Pick Up Underwear
I AM an Award Winning Author!
"God Made Me Pick Up Underwear" is the inspirational story of Orlando U. Javien, Jr. I have read many books written by men concerning their faith. When I read this one I knew it was written from the heart. It takes a courageous man to admit his faults. Mr. Javien is a courageous man. It is easy to admit your faults and failings to your friends, but much harder to share them with the public. He relates to us his struggles with addictions. Everyone will be able to relate to at least one of the chapters in this book. The writing style is simple and conversational. I felt as if Javien and I were sharing a cup of coffee, as he shared his story with me.
This book will benefit everyone. It would be ideal for a small group Bible study or simply for a couple to read together to strengthen their marriage and home life. I found the book to be quite inspiring and it made me look closer at my own faith and Christian life.
God Made Me Pick Up Underwear
In his book, "God Made Me Pick Up Underwear," Orlando shares his powerful journey to faith through tales from his life. The book shares the struggles in his marriage and how a game of golf taught him how to be a better husband.
The author even illustrates that picking up underwear can be a test of faithfulness, and how his death on the television show CSI led him to live a fuller life.
"This book is meant for those who have made the confession of faith, and need a map to continue their journey with Christ," Orlando writes. "This book is also meant for the Christian who is struggling with their faith – one foot in the world, and the other foot with Jesus. Most of all, this book is meant for the Christian that wants to take their walk to the next level, beyond the ordinary."
In "God Made Me Pick Up Underwear," readers ultimately will see that faith can be found if they truly look and listen – even in unusual places.
Now Available On Audible.com
God Made Me Pick Up Underwear is now available on Audible.com. If you, like many have a long commute to work you can listen to this book in a few days. Download it and listen to Sean Kilgore of Tate Publishing narrating the story of finding faith in unusual places.
Audio Book Available
Tate Publishing has just released the Audio version of God Made Me Pick Up Underwear. If you have already purchased a book you will now have access to the audio version. Look at the last page of the book and visit Tate Publishing and enter the access code.
Download the files and add to you IPhone, IPod or burn to a CD. This is another great way to spread the book that God birthed in me.
To God be the Glory,
Orlando Javien Jr.
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