The Rich Life, Proverbs 13

"The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats."

Proverbs 13:8
In a litigous society, rich people had better be worried. It costs nothing to tie up one's resources and put the rich person on the defensive. The "drain chain" can be a catastrophe in the making. It has been said that "Rich people rarely sue each other." Why would they? Nobody wins.

I guess this is great advice for the wealthy. The richer you get, be sure to get a great great team of lawyers, you may need them.


"Rudy!"

Proverbs 13:12 - "Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around."

Are you on the cusp of a lucky break? You just know in your heart, things are going to work out. Don't quit. Hang on, pray and walk through to victory. I am really excited by what God is doing in my life right now. Good friends haves said things to me that have been a blessing and they don't even know it. It is like God gave them a message for me that I needed to hear. I feel that a "sudden break" is pending, even thought it has taken years! How are things going with you? Is your break just around the corner?

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

Collapse and Ruin, Proverbs 12

"What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life."

Proverbs 12:12

It has been said that success is built on failure. The object is to fail faster and faster until one becomes a success in business, science, and/or in life! This verse offers encouragement for those with a champion's spirit. It recognizes that you will fail and it will seem that you are without remedy, but ultimately the Lord will help you to offer life giving fervor to those around you. It says the "wicked" will ultimately fail, not the righteous.


"Measured Success"

Proverbs 12:15 - "Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice."

Are you head strong? I may be. Marines are taught to take charge, move forward, and take the hill (I am a former Marine). Americans are self-reliant. It seems that most people don't want to hear advice or take it. I think this verse cautions us to check our motives. Are we being head strong, when we should stop and heed valuable advice. When we don't listen to our trusted advisors, we may cost ourselves and others valuable opportunities.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

12.17.08 The Producer, Proverbs 17

"A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share in the inheritance as one of the brothers."

Proverbs 17:2

"Ari Gold" Jeremy Piven of "Entourage"

I am a fan of the HBO Series "Entourage". Actor Jeremy Piven plays "Ari Gold" the "make it happen" Hollywood Agent who loves his clients and seems to pull a "rabbit out of hat" in crisis moments. "Ari" is a mensch who plays the game so well, without sacrificing his ethics. He is not beyond "sticking it" to those who deserve it, but he goes to war for his "Entourage" and comes out smelling like a rose. Not appropriate for this blog, you can do a google search on "You Tube" for "Ari Gold" and catch a few of his stunning quips and view of life in the trenches of Hollywood.


"Famous Failures" BlueFishTV

Proverbs 17:10 - "A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes to a fool."

Have you been rebuked lately? If the answer is no, then you are doing something wrong. People will tell you, you can't do something if you are doing something. They will blow you off if you are trying to make something big happen. They will ignore your e-mails if you have something to say. They will fail to return your call if you have a great opportunity. Rebukes are subtle. Don't let that stop you.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

The Plow, Proverbs 20

"A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing."

Proverbs 20:4
Have you ever been behind a plow? I have not, but I have worked on a farm with a friend of mine one summer when I was about 10. It was great being on the ranch until wake-up call at 5:00am. We ate a big, homemade breakfast with fresh eggs over easy, real bacon straight from the hog farm, grits, coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, and home baked bread toast with jelly preserves. Breakfast was incredible. Then it was time to get to work and we did work all day. The other meals were just as fantastic after a hard days' work.

We had varied duties throughout the morming and afternoon like gathering feed bags to feed the hogs, we administered iron shots to newborn pigs, sexed the piglets (cut the tails off of the females for easier identification), walked the 10,000 turkeys (pull out the dead ones that got smothered during the night), and drive the tractor to plow up the soil. I enjoyed driving the tractor best. I felt like real rancher.

It is hard for me to imagine what it must be like to have to plow a field with a horse (or without one). That kind of work takes grit and determination. Yet, we are called to do just that in our business, at work, and for the expansion of the Kingdom. Have you spent some time plowing for the Kingdom? What kind of harvest are you expecting?


"Serve and Lazy" skit

Proverbs 20:13 - "Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare."

Have you ever tried to sleep with one eye open? I have, it doesn't work. While processing through Marine bootcamp in 1988, there was no time to rest. In the classroom, one could at least try to "fake" attention while trying to catch even just 1 minute of sleep. The object was to keep one eye open and close the other. Embarassing as it was, it was worth risking at the time it seemed. Of course, the drill instructors would catch an unsuspecting recruit like me and make a submission payment for the "snooze" that was darn right unbearable. Thus the saying the Marine Corps, "You snooze, you lose."

I think this Proverb encourages us to have a strong work ethic. There is always one more thing we can do, push our limits a little more, get something done, and benefit for that sacrifice. The 1% difference between overwhelming success and mediocrity. Time to dig in even further.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

10.19.08 The Pursuit of Wealth, Proverbs 19

"Got my mind on my money and my money on my mind." - Snoop

When is it wise to pursue wealth? I have had my business since 1999 and love to see people succeed in their business. I enjoy reading about successful companies and the stories of incredible people who overcame to bring value to the population at large. Others villanize success, believing we should punish success through Government intervention, usually in the form of taxation and regulation. They see successful people as being "greedy", "arrogant", "selfish", etc.

Most succesful enterpreneurs are very dedicated to the details of their clients and offer something so unique, that they can't help but become a success. However, I have seen others who have financial success become terrible people, their lives come apart, or dig themselve into a huge financial hole. The recent stock market drops has most everyone with money invested, on edge. Why does God bless one with success and not others?

Are you struggling with the pursuit of wealth? I personally have not achieved the financial success that I have celebrated in others.

So, I have asked God about that. Well, he knows me better than myself and knows my heart. The answer probably lies within my nature to get ensnared in my own success. When I have had money in the past, I have not been the same person that I am when I am totally dependent on him. I admit that I have been rebellious and forsaken the Kingdom in those instances. I am thankful that God protects me from myself and makes me mindful of the long-haul, the future that he has planned for me and my family. I don't envy others. The Lord has given me the ability to hang out with the wealthy and poor alike and feel comforatable in either situation. I am thankful for that.

Given my personal situation, I do hope to have financial success one day. That hope is centered on being an instrument for the Kingdom. I don't know what that looks like now. It may not include the nice cars, big house(s), and exotic vacations (although I sure could use one). If you had all the money that you needed and more how would you invest it in the Kingdom? What would you do differently? If you have money now, what could you do today to further the Kingdom and grow your opportunities or integrate them into your business?


"Our God is an Awesome God" with Michael W. Smith

Proverbs 19:1 - "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse."

Know any fools with money on the airwaves speaking foolishness? Know any good business people with money on the airwaves furthering the Kingdom (you may not hear them directly, but they are making an impact)? We will have to give an account for our words one day. It is a hard thing to take control of the tongue in an era of information and opinions. Speak blessings to those in your circle. Pray for a wise tongue.

Proverbs 19:3 - "Wealth bring's many friends, but a poor man's friend deserts him."

Our culture celebrates successful people. This message offers advice to the wealthy and the poor. When you are riding high, your friends are many, when you ride low those friends disappear. You even lose the one you thought was your real friend. What you have that is of value to anyone is what the Lord gives you in character, honor, and esteem. Are you wealthy in spirit?

Proverbs 19:8 - "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers."

So what does it mean to prosper on Earth? When it gets down to it, our soul is all that we have. Have you ever heard someone tell you "I don't get it" or "I'm confused"? That usually means they aren't paying attention. To "get it" you have to seek it out, ask questions until you do "get it". Wisdom is about seeking it out, until we understand. What major issues are you dealing with today? Who can offer the best advice? Do you have any real friends you can call? Are they in your cell phone directory and can you call them 24/7? Can they call you anytime?

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org