ducks quack, eagles soar

As we continue to move in the theme of excellence, we want to give our best in everything that we do. Like what Brother James Lee shared last week, no matter where we are, we can strive for excellence. By doing that, we can give glory to God. Below is an article that really impressed me about doing our best in our daily work.

Ducks Quack , Eagles Fly

Years ago, my friend, Harvey Mackay, told me a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey . He handed my friend a laminated card and said: "I'm Wally, your driver.While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement." Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement:"To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment." This blew Harvey away, especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said,"Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf." My friend said jokingly, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink." Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and DietCoke, water and orange juice." Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke." Handing him his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Times, Sports Illustrated and USA Today." As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio." And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the airconditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him.Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

"Tell me, Wally," my amazed friend asked the driver, "have you always served customers like this?" Wally smiled into the rearview mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It. Dyer saidthat if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'llr arely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiateyourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'" "That hit me right between the eyes," said Wally. "Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more."

"I take it that has paid off for you," Harvey said. "It sure has,"Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action." Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a YellowCab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.

Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles. So, can we be like the cabbie, to soar like eagles for God? We all can, only if we choose to go that extra mile for the glory of God.

''Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.''
Philippians 4:8

Look forward to!:

Youth camp 2008!! We thank God for that awesome time together last year and this year, we believe it will be a greater experience of fellowship, spiritual development and fun as we overcome our differences and fears! So book the dates now on your schedule: 9th to 12th June! For those who have not pay the amount please do so this Saturday after service. Look for Brother Bernard:) If you do have any queries, I'm sure he will be more than willing to answer you (no spamming pls:)) It's just barely 3 weeks away!!!!



This Week @ Detonate:

Rev Irvin Rutherford, Executive Director of Global Ministry Team will be here with Detonate this Saturday! Yes, it is a rare opportunity that he is here with us and we look forward to see how God will use this man to inspire us and to dream BIG for God! Also, there will be an intimate time of praise and worship with our God, our Life:)
Join us also, for a time of prayer for individual needs and ministry, The leaders have sense a spiritual dryness and stagnation as a whole and we need to come together to help one another to overcome. Because we want you guys to detonate for God, so take this chance to see your life transform. Don't hesitate. We urge you to come. You never know what God can do when His people come together with one voice to pray. Expect more. Want more. 4 pm. The whole of 2nd floor Sunday School.

Prayers from the Body:

Do keep our camp committee in prayers as they continue to labour till the camp is over. We know they have been going all out to let us enjoy to the maximum and planning through all the necessary details for us to have a relaxing and spiritually awakening time:)

With the recent news coverage, let's keep both Myanmar and China in prayers as they tide over this period of devastation. We know God has a special purpose and He is the overall control of the entire earth. We pray for peace and order to be restored back and for God to be their Providence for the needs of affected people to be met through His church. May the funds coming in from overseas not be used for selfish motives but God will have righteous men and women to take charge and use the money to help those in dearth.

Labels: excellence