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BAM!

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Contents

Acknowledgements....................................................ixForeword............................................................xiiiIntroduction........................................................xvPART I CELEBRATING THE INCREDIBLECHAPTER 1 Understanding the Journey................................9Question your reality...............................................14Qualify your relationship...........................................16Quit when the timing is right.......................................18CHAPTER 2 Unleashing the Joy.......................................23Let God take care of the hurdles....................................27Learn how to triumph over the hurt..................................32Leap towards new heights............................................35CHAPTER 3 Utilizing Better Judgment................................41Trust God's message.................................................44Transform your mind.................................................46Take responsibility for your own mistakes...........................49CHAPTER 4 Using Wisdom to Complete the Journey.....................55Deal with immediate problems........................................59Do away with inefficient practices..................................61Develop new ways to instigate progress..............................64PART II CHERISHING THE INVISIBLECHAPTER 5 Seizing the Moment.......................................77Be observant........................................................83Be obedient.........................................................87Be an opportunist...................................................93CHAPTER 6 Sacrificing for the Mainline.............................101Get involved........................................................109Give increasingly...................................................113Go beyond insecurities..............................................119CHAPTER 7 Savoring Every Minute....................................123Don't be afraid to laugh............................................131Don't be ashamed to lament..........................................133Do your best to love................................................136CHAPTER 8 Seeking New Meaning......................................143Stay on your knees in prayer........................................148Share knowledge with other parties..................................149Strive to keep things peaceful......................................153PART III CHALLENGING THE IMPOSSIBLECHAPTER 9 Never Give Up On Doing Right.............................163Be mindful of your ministry.........................................169Be mature about misunderstandings...................................172Be motivated about your mission.....................................173CHAPTER 10 Never Give In to Doing Wrong............................177Be aware of your temper.............................................183Bridle your tongue..................................................185Biggie-size your trust..............................................191CHAPTER 11 Never Succumb to Doubt..................................197Anticipate reconciliation...........................................203Avoid redundancy....................................................209Aspire to do right..................................................216CHAPTER 12 Never Settle for Defeat.................................221We can overcome failure.............................................231We can overlook faults..............................................234We cannot afford to lose faith......................................239Epilogue............................................................243

Chapter One

Understanding the Journey that you have endeavored to explore or embark on is essential towards the enjoyment of what you can and will experience. The thrill of our victories may very well be governed by our ability or inability to comprehend where we are in the present, where we have come from in the past, and where it is that we hope to go in the future. If we fail, due to a loss of focus, to grasp the reality of what we have achieved with great strides towards success, then, by our own errors, will we be less inclined to acknowledge, accept or appreciate the advancement made towards that of which we have been in pursuit.

It is essential, in our efforts towards achieving our goals and aspirations in life, that we allocate some time in our schedule just to relax, reminisce, and reflect on the joys that we have experienced. The Gospel narrative of Saint John shows us that Jesus Christ, on his journey to the cross, allotted time in his itinerary to celebrate. Christ, along with His disciples, answered the call to join the community in the celebration of a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Scriptures say:

"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him". {John 2:1-11}

This story involves several intricate elements essential towards the understanding of one's journey. A key factor to remember, in efforts to maximize the potential of every moment, is to be aware of both our strengths and weaknesses. The Gospel narrative of Saint John points out that a pivotal part of the progress punctuated in this scripture passage was contingent upon faith, follow-through and divine favor.

Mary the mother of Jesus in this Gospel narrative illustrates the essentialness of employing faith in our everyday efforts. She is recorded as saying, "Whatsoever he (Jesus) saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5). We cannot expect extraordinary things to occur in our lives without the employment of faith that cancels out the fears of failure, which would so easily prevent us from focusing forward. The lesson that Mary, the mother of Jesus, brings to our attention is that we must not allow our fears of an uncertain future or our failures of an unbearable past prevent us from trusting God uncompromisingly in the present.

The disciples' role in this Gospel narrative depicts the essentialness of obedience...