You made it! So glad you are here! Welcome 
Recently we had a great evening at the church hosting Hall of Fame football player Jim Otto of the Oakland Raiders.
It was an evening we called “Celebrating Excellence!”
So, it got me thinking about … Excellence!
Is excellence just for the uniquely gifted? Those who have gifts of creativity or athleticism etc. You, know, those who make the “Hall of Fame?”
The answer is, no!
Excellence is a character issue. Character is the sum of our choices. It has to do with the choice of what effort I am going to give. It has to do with utilizing what God has given me. He gave us — life — and what excellence, is — is giving our best back to Him in the maximizing of our potential.
It’s as if when we were born God gave us a bag and inside are gifts, and opportunities, and potential. Excellence is doing something with what has been given to us. It’s maximizing our potential by giving the best effort possible. Too often people spend their time looking into other people’s “bags” rather then developing what has been given to them.
Excellence involves the lil things/ the “small choices!”
When Jesus fed the 5,000, we’re told it all began with 2 fish and 2 loafs of bread. A young boy was identified by Andrew who offered the food. What it tells us is that the Lord can use something small in a great way.
Phillips Brooks “Character may be manifested in the great Moments, but it is made in the SMALL ONES.”
The world champion boxer Joe Frazer said, “You camp out a fight plan or a life plan. But when the action starts, you’re down to your reflexes. That’s where your road work shows. If you cheated on that in the dark of the morning, you’re getting found out now under the bright lights.”
Excellence is different than “SUCCESS!”
Brian Harbour identifies this in his book Rising Above the Crowd. “Success means being the best. Excellence means being your best. Success, to many, means being better than everyone else. Excellence means being better tomorrow than you were yesterday. Success means exceeding the achievements of other people. Excellence means matching your practice with your potential.”
Excellence is playing to a different scoreboard. It’s the scoreboard that measures effort.The scoreboard that identifies if I have done my best. It’s the scoreboard that God see’s!
Excellence distinguishes between what you CAN CONTROL Vs. WHAT YOU CAN”T CONTROL
I can control my thoughts
I can control my decisions
I can control my priorities
I can control whether I prepare, whether I play with a big heart, whether I finish well
VERSUS
I can’t control the scoreboard
I can’t control what others think of me
Famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden,
“My thoughts were directed toward preparation, our journey, not the results of the effort (such as winning national championships). That would simply have shifted my attention to the wrong area, hoping for something out of my control.”
Live EXCELLENCE — to the glory of GOD!
2 Corinthians 8:7 read, “But as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you-make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might…”
not too shabby! can I ask questions about Bible passages? If so, was there a significance to ‘golden bells & pomegranates’ design on the hem of the priest’s robe mentioned in Exo.28:34. There is an explanation for the golden bells given, but what about the pomegranates?
Greg,
Congratulations on your new blog. Very nice. I like having the songs play while working at my desk. I did tell you the origin of the word blog a while ago but couldn’t remember it myself. I looked it up again and it is from weB LOG.
Dave
3/1/09 WOW!! I was so blessed by the message this morning. I felt so much closer to knowing my Almighty God for who he is and who I am through Him. The message gives me alot to meditate upon. Thank you Pastor Greg.
Great to hear from you, Jan! I’ll look into it …
And, thank you David for visiting. I was, right, you had enlightened me on the BLOG issue. Pamela, I too, am relishing in the wonder of what we are learning and what we have been reminded of. Thanks for visiting and I hope you return! BLessings, Greg
Excellent!
Greg:
I’m sorry I missed Mr. Otto’s presentation. Is it available on a CD? I enjoyed your blog on excellence. I believe excellence is a trait we can share with our children and grandchildren. I liked the simplicity of doing your best verses being the best. One of my grandsons, Noah, exhibits this trait. I want to encourge him on how important it is that he always strives for excellence in whatever he does. Speaking of excellence – I really enjoyed seeing Pete and Sarah as part of the worhship team this morning during the church service. I know it warms your heart to see them serving God. Sue and I both appreciate the way your whole family exhibits excellence.
I “found” This when searching for “Biblical Excellence”
Though I did not think it, I think it fits under the definition of What would God call excellent in His children, (other than being conformed to Christ)
Attitude # 1 Use or Lose
I will use my gifts talents and abilities to God’s glory.
(Read the story in Matthew 25:14-30)
Attitude # 2 Work to Win
I will find joy in the job where God has placed me. (Col. 3:17)
Attitude # 3 Exposure to Experience
I will accept new challenges to sharpen up my gifts, talents and abilities.
Attitude # 4 Production to Perfection
I will work to reach new levels of spiritual and physical excellence.”
(2Tim.1:6)
Attitude # 5 Flexible Planning
I will accept interruptions as God’s appointments to polish and develop my character.(Proverbs 2:7-15)
Attitude # 6 Give to Live
I will give more generously of my time, talents and money. (Proverbs 11:24)
Attitude # 7 Motivated to Motivating
I will look to God for the motivation to motivate others.
(Hebrews 10:24)
In Hebrews 12:1 a motivating picture is described. “Since we have this huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands . . . , let us run with patience the race God has set before us . . . , looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
One reason we lack the motivation that lasts a life time is because we’re not running for the eyes of our heavenly Papa. Consequently we don’t get excited about our God given work. We stop using some of our talents and then we lose them. We are too timid to tackle new opportunities.
We lose confidence in the process of production to perfection. Without the eye of the Lord we can’t adjust to the unexpected. Without the consciousness of His presence and provision we fail to give generously. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
That’s the only motivation that will last us a life time.
Greg: I always enjoy your energy & insights, this comment above was not my design, but I sure liked the focus and the attitude. I think its a Christ like attitude, don’t you?
May God grant us all the desire to have the Christ like attitude because we have the mind of Christ!
The first step to excellence is making a decision for Jesus, the next step is a game plan (which is the Bible) and then get both feet on the playing field; you can’t get on the scoreboard if you’re not playing.
This morning you talked about proving that God exists. One of the few things that I remember from college (I majored in math)is that in order to prove that something is true, you try to prove that it is not true. If you cannot prove that God does not exist, then He must exist.
I took your advice and went outside and looked at the sky to search for intelligent design; I almost drowned. It’s raining so hard in Roseville that I’m looking for an ark.
Hi Mike – thanks for visiting! Yes, Mr. Otto’s Cd is available in the office. Great seeing you this morning! Greg
Greg,
I have been so blessed by the songs posted on this site. I recently purchased the second worship CD at church. I listen to it in the car and each night as I put my little one to sleep. The “Garden Song” (You Fell Down) and “Eyes On You Alone” are engraved in my soul. Thank you for sharing them with all of us! “Safety At Your Feet”, and “Coming King” are beautiful! Sarah, your voice is so unique, beautiful!
It has been such a blessing to hear our youth lead worship!
Regarding “Excellence”- It really spoke to me about how being excellent is so much more than being successful. I believe it is desiring to grow, be teachable and be making progress, moving forward, not just spinning in place. I thought the evening with Jim Otto was great!
This blog site is such a wonderful idea. It is a positive place to learn, communicate.
Thank you for communicating your story of how God began to move in your life, sharing the godly influences in your life. Thank you for your faithfulness in bringing the truths of God’s word. For ALWAYS keeping the target JESUS!
Pastor Greg
Im so thrilled you have a blog..!
I really enjoyed reading this blog..i have learned alot and want to go get the Cd in the office if it is avaiable!
Also my husband and i really enjoyed the messsage this morning, you are a such a blessing to us– we have grown so much because of your faithfulness to the lords calling in your life. Thank you
It was also a blessing to hear Sarah and Peter lead worship this morning. Everytime they lead we are thrilled and soak it in..they are both truly gifted!
i cant wait to read more on this blog..
God bless
Elizabeth
Greg:
Congratultations on your blog. Praise Jesus for providing yet another vehicle of communication and “Making Him known”. I am proud that this is my very first time posting comments on a blog.(no spell check so forgive me up front)
Your comments on “Excellence” are spot on and we are so very blessed with how God has used you to communicate the Gospel. Thank You!!!
By the way, Dominic insists that I tell you “How cool it is that God knew him before the stars and moon were created”. Since my younger Sons Brennon and Dominic were in their classes this morning I chose to complete our homework together. Even though it was a bit of a cloudy night, they understood and we were blessed to have time together and discuss this morning’s message. Then we read your blog together. Brennon and Dominic are both playing basketball and this was a great way to remind them to focus on what is MOST important and that it to be “Excellent” in our walk with Jesus.
I think that we are a culture that measures success and results before we measure ones perseverance to become “Excellent”. When I think of being better tomorrow than yesterday, I can’t help but reflect on the challenge to remain on “Channel 2″. I believe that before we can be better tomorrow than yesterday, we must get past our past and not worry about the future. It is just like a quarterback that threw an interception or a receiver that dropped what should be an easy catch. We need to get over it quickly and persevere. Praise Jesus that by His blood we have been given the gift of GRACE that allows us to persevere and pursue “Excellence” in Jesus.
Hello Greg. Nice Blog!
-Hannah
Phil. 1:6
THANK YOU, HANNAH, FOR THE INSIGHTS YOU SENT ME ON BLOGGING. I APPRECIATE IT …
Greg
JUST READ YOUR BLOG ON “EXCELLENCE”. A THEME THAT TOO MANY OF US NEED TO BE REMINDED OF.
FINDING MORE AND NEW CHANNELS TO
COMMUNICATE IS AN “EXCELLENT” WAY
TO REACH THOSE OF US WHO LIVE
FAR AWAY FROM YOUR CHURCH.
keep it up.
Nice blog.
Wonderful teaching Sunday about the nature of God. Thanks for the depth, and the reminders. I think of Peter writing, as rendered by the NASB at 2 Peter 1:12, “Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.”
Thanks!
Greg-
Welcome to the world of blogging!
I appreciate your heart for God and love for His people.
Greg
WOW! Church was awesome yesterday. The character of EXCELLENCE is definitely being practiced here, because the services are better and better.
Brother Greg, thanks so much for the many encouragements that come through the Holy Spirit as you speak. It was incredible to think that God loved me and thought about me before He even created the world. That is too lofy for our little human minds, but came through loud and clear in the Spirit. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Jesus. It brings tears of joy to my eyes now while contemplating that very fact!!!
This morning in my study I read and understood Hebrews 12:12-13. It directs the believer to live a life of EXCELLENCE in order to pass Godly living on to others. It is God’s promise to heal our iniquities as we seek His will in our lives daily. This is the true ‘healing’ message of the Gospel that we can claim and cherish for our own lives. Praise God!
I am blessed that the Lord has brought me here as I tread on my own path toward EXCELLENCE. With His help I will surely finish well.
In His Love,
Marilyn
Hi Pastor Greg,
Truly you are a blessing to all! My husband, son and I have learned so much from your teaching on Sunday mornings. It is obvious that God has given you this great gift to share the truth with His people. When we leave on Sunday morning, we leave feeling encourage and loved. It is amazing! Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much we appreciate you!
In Christ,
Stephanie
The comments which I just read tell me that in Calvary Chapel Auburn we are one in the Spirit. Thank you, Greg, for teaching us the Word of God and writing songs (Sarah too) that lead our hearts minds and souls to HIM-keeping us in worship of HIM. Marsha,a Believer in Jesus Christ
Pastor Greg:
Your message yesteday entitled “Majoring on Thee Almighty” was so powerful and thought provoking. My devotion from Streams in the Desert March 1 was taken from Ecc.7:13 “Consider what God has done” I just love it when God confirms and reminds me of the most important thing in life.It helps me to keep the right eternal perspective on life and truly how small my concerns are for Thee Almighty. Thanks Pastor Greg. A great message “for such a time as this.”
“That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection,and the fellowship of His sufferings,being made conformable unto His death.” Phil.3:10
Because of Jesus, Cheryl
I love this Greg…The part about God giving us a bag and in the bags are gifts, and your past teachings on being able to control your own thoughts has made a difference in my life. Much love to you my good friend.
Thanks for the food for thought. It really helps one to read and focus on the topic to really understand one’s own thoughts on the subject. To me, excellence is really who you are when no one is watching (but our God, of course). That is really the yardstick by which we are measured. When we do shows I am struck by many of the comments we receive about us coming across as “very spiritual” or about how we touch people. It helps me to understand the importance of how you live your everyday life and how that comes across to other people you come in contact with. Excellence is striving towards godliness in all we do-it will reap the finest rewards!
God Bless! This is an EXCELLENT way to utilize the tools today to spread the gospel and to connect with “family” members.
I REALLY liked the analogy of having been given a “bag of gifts” from God (reminds me of Christmas). That we are not to look into other people’s bags. But too often, as humans, we do that. Everyone has their own gifts. The key is to maximize the gifts God has given us for His glory. Since we are human, we have weaknesses, so we should work on them to make those weaknesses less weak. If that makes any sense.
Today’s sermon was awesome.
*********
Thank you, Sarah, for your encouraging message. I appreciate it. Praise the Lord!
Greg
Sounds like a message I need to get. I went to Lake Almanor with family. Boy, I know I need more EXCELLENCE in my like. I get bogged down with the issues of life, and with family issues, and I choose to try to wrestle through the muck and mire on my own. Bad choice. But our loving God always pulls me through and picks me back up and encourages me to keep on looking to Him for He is my EXCELLENCE. What a loving, merciful God we serve. Excellent comment Ms. Marilyn Girl. I will talk to you soon, just got home from camping. We missed the fires, but what a lightning storm it was. I have never seen one quite like it, so long. Pray for the firemen and families in the areas being affected. Love, Pat Pray for Sandy Johnsom and family, they are in Shasta near the fire too.Thanks