Orrin,
I guess this story illustrates why the second half of the great commandment is, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
DaveC

Great point of yours, Dave.

If you don’t mind Orrin I would like to share my sermon notes from last Sunday because they fit so perfectly to the topic of giving ourselves in love and starting the ripple.

The word love as mentioned in the great commandments comes from the word AGAPE which describes an independence of a feeling, regardless of what the person that receives it has to offer. This kind of a love doesn’t require a response in any way. It is freely given.

In 1st John 4: 7-12 love is described in three different ways:

1. The love that seeks – It is the initiative love when Jesus took the first step in love, regardless of any response.
2. The second love is a sacrificial love – It is the love that requires a price to be paid, which could be time, involvement or other services.
3. The third love is a satisfying love – It is the love where real physical or emotional needs are met. (ultimately the need of eternal life)

It is up to us to develop the eye for needs within people around us. We have to take the first step and offer love regardless of the response. We will sacrifice our time to than satisfy physical or emotional needs within others.

Our initiative and our faith will start a ripple effect that will influence many. God is love and love is with us. It all started with twelve once. And yes – you can too!

With respect, Herbert S. Wagner

An impression is left forever when something is left behind - leave something positive. By sharing part of yourself, be it your love, your attention, your kind word, your thoughtful encouragement, you are providing the nutrients to enable the seedling to become the mighty oak. Never let the opportunity pass to be the "Sun" in someone's life.

I was blessed with 2 wonderful parents, but there was a time in me and my siblings lives that they had to spend the majority of their time tending to the family business. I am forever grateful for the love of my uncle Bobby, who at a young age was hit by upstien bar/ chronic fatigue syndrome and counted himself fortunate to be able to get out of bed some days, who when my parents were gone hard at work, would come over to spend time with me and my siblings. Some of my fondest memories were him teaching me how to properly throw a fast ball, playing basketball in our driveway, and recieving phone calls from him just to check on me and find out what was new in my life. I thank my Heavenly Father for the selfless love of Uncle Bobby who taught me "die to self," and Christ like service. My own experience as a father has been richly blessed by his example as he contrinues still today, regardless of the virus that still keeps him in bed for days at a time; Uncle Bobby is a true difference maker.
While I have a chance I'de like to mention the example of my sister Kenyon, who took the difficult hand that was delt to her and decided to make the world a better place for as many children as were put in her path. Her time working for the child crisis center, I know has already created a ripple effect for the children she loved there as well as the experiences that she draws upon to imagine better ways of serving more and more children. My sister Kenyon, another true difference maker that I love and repect very much.

Hey Orrin,
You don't need to post this, but I was wondering if there is a way that you can sent out or post a motivational "quote of the day" maybe have some type of subscription or post one on your blog! God Bless-Keep the blog rollin!! Andy

Let me tell you about my dad...the most important man in my life. A hard working, loving man, with a heart like no other. He struggled through school but made it thanks to good "soft" skills and some lady friends that helped him when he needed it. Starting with a marriage that didn't work out and a son from that marriage...he eventually found my mother and being 10 years older, with a child, a divorce, and being in the 70's needless to say his inlaws weren't his biggest fans. He has grown immensely being cut out of the industrial age when the factory he worked at left after 29 years leaving him $220 a month for the rest of his life he searched for meaning and jobs. My father found a calling in foster care...when I was 10 years old my parents asked me if I wanted brothers and sisters and I said "yes". Little did I know what I was in for! LOL At the young age of 63 he still works, and is a dad to my 4 teenage foster sisters and my 17 year old brother, finally got a "secure" job at the state, and if it wasn't for his hope in Team would work everyday of his life there...the 45 year plan is much more than 45 years for him. As a foster father he has raised over 60 different boys and girls ranging all over the board in needs and experiences..he gives his 40 hours a week to a girls detention center where he works and gets to deliver his "system" to some girls who have made some pretty bad choices. Those of you who know this man know his passion to help others and he has shown that in his life...He has stated that he read one book in the first 62 years of his life...that book was called "The Art of Giving Yourself" and was chosen because it had lots of pictures and very few words. The best thing about this story is that book defined his life without him even knowing about it for 62 years...than he was told about the Team system and started reading a book or so a week until his eyes started giving him problems...one of the last books he read was Love and Respect. It was about October and he told me in the car one night, "I know what I want for Christmas". I was baffled as the man I knew would never ask or tell anyone that he wanted anything he always gave and never asked. I asked him, "Whats that?" And he told me he wanted a wedding ring; after 31 years of marriage he had never had a ring he worked in a factory and never wanted one...until now...until he read Love and Respect. He told me that he wanted to show everyone he was "taken" :) That he wanted to show mom how much he loved her, and that the books he was reading was telling him that wedding rings are important to wives...Anyone care to guess what he got for Christmas? Thats right...his wedding ring and he proudly wears it everywhere he goes!
My dad shows me everyday the value of hard work, unconditional love, dedication, standing for what you believe, doing what you say, and so much more. He calls himself a "product of the system" and I second that motion knowing he was wonderful before and it just seems as if God is bringing out his true potential through a few books, some cds, and lots of association. I am proud of my dad and I try my best to edify him as often as I can...still it is not enough.

Orrin-thanks for bringing out the best in my dad and in me, thanks for this blog I check multiple times a day, thanks for this assignment to write about my dad, I am hoping to meet you soon!

To everyone else out there...millions of people are like my dad. Share a book, share a cd, share the association you have an opportunity to bring out the best in them, there are lots of sons and daughters out there who should have the relationship that I have with my dad and that may not happen unless you bring them the right tools

Well when I was 12 years old, my parents divorced, it was the hardest time in my life for me as a kid trying to grow up, especially at that age. But I have too say that the divorce still has a profound effect on me and the way I view life, even this many years later. But a few years later my mother had started to date a man that I would have too say became a huge role model in my life, his name was Bryan Waters, he was a man of character and integrity. My real father didnt come around very often so he was the main male mentor and role model in my life. He was a man who taught me discipline,- even though at the time I didnt want to except it, I am so thankful for it now. He was so loving and compassionate, took time to spend with us, played sports with us, took us fishing, hunting.....etc. He lived out an example of how men should live and treat others, something I never saw from my father. It is so true what you say, there are way too many women these days raising our country's future men....and boys cant learn how too be men from thier mother.......although a mothers love is so very important, but a boy just cant learn how to be man from a women. I am so thankful I had Bryan as a role model and mentor in my youth while my father was absent, without him there is no telling how I would have turned out. Him and my mother didnt stay together for but just a few years, but those few years had a huge impact on my life.....I will be forever thankfull for that man. Thank you Orrin and the rest of the Team Leaders for your example of what a man is and the priciples that men should live by. One person can make a difference!, and you have proven that Orrin, Thank you.

Hey Orrin,

Back in 1994 when I was a freshman in high school I had an English teacher that made such a huge impact in my life! Her name was Mrs. Calleri. 1994 was her first year teaching and she was really a great mentor in my life now that I look back and reflect. It is true that one person can make a difference in someone elses life!! I have never been a great writer, but Mrs. Calleri challenged me and took me from really bad to average. I will never forget the first paper she had us write........I know I did so bad, but she wouldn't let me fall behind. In fact I remember she didn't even give me a grade on my first paper. She wrote "Matt, I know you have tremendous potential. Keep stretching yourself." Now I have to confess; the paper was terrible!!!! But her belief in me and in my potential made me want to improve and as the school year went on I made improvements. I came into her class with a failing reading comprehension and writing level and left her class with a "B."

My senior year Mrs. Calleri was teaching an honors English course and despite my lack of confidence I decided to stretch myself and enroll in her class. Why? Because she brought out the best in me! That was the only teacher up until that point that ever sincerely believed in me! Just as great leaders do, she saw me not as I was, but she saw me as what I could become if I chose to. Her belief in me continued through that honors program and I got a B+. (I think that was highest grade I ever got, with the exception of gym class:) Orrin I have heard you say many times from stage that "leaders are dealers in hope." She was definately a dealer in hope and gave the best of herself to get the best out of me!

I will always be grateful to her for the difference she made in my life. One of my dreams is to one day give her a copy of the leadership book I am writing and tell her "that because of the belief you had in me, you empowered me to write a book that has helped many people better their lives"!!!

Thanks Orrin!

Best,
Matt

Orrin,
A role model I had as a yound person and still have today is my Dad. His consistent work ethic and sincere desire to see me enjoy life along with his strong Christian faith have laid the foundation for a fulfilling life that I appreciate beyond words.
In addition to these he was and still is committed to helping me develop as a leader. When I was young he gave me opportunities to make decisions financially and otherwise and allowed me to see the fruit of those decisions - good or bad. This prepared me for real life better than any amount of instructing he could have done. He constantly encouraged me to "figure it out, let me know if you need help" when I encountered challenges I wanted him to give me the answer to. This gave me confidence that I could make decisions on my own and overcome challenges. Because of his guidance in my life, their are very few things that I consider impossible for me to do. I know if I put my mind to it and work hard, I can accomplish what I set my mind to with God's help.
Thank you, Dad for your example.
Anthony Esh

For me it was my grandmother. She gave me the foundation of my faith that has gotten me through many tough times. My life growing up was less than great. My grandma always came and got me and my siblings for church every week. Her faithfulness to us and to the Lord never waned. It was because of her actions that led me to the Lord and her impact on my life will ripple into many generations because I have tried to be an example for my own children, so that they can be an example for their children, etc., She is still with us, but is very ill so I ask for your prayers. She is currently in the hospital with a very severe case of pneumonia. she is doing better, but is still very sick. I have told her many times, it was because of her actions, that I have the faith that I have today. I think that she likes to hear that she has helped me in that way.