Thought Design with Mark Mabry

Several months ago I wrote an instagram post entitled "falling on your face". And now, this morning I find myself in a unique position of getting to take my own advice. Let me read the original post real quick and then I'll elaborate. The value of falling on your face. I love the story of the leper who jumped through the crowd and "fell on his face" to get Jesus' attention. Specifically, I love th...

This one is a personal story with a personal lesson. I feel like it would be beneficial to share it here. Enjoy! Mark

This week my son left home, but first I wanted to get his take on the last 19 years. What were his big takeaways? Where did I fail/succeed as a dad? How was his relationship with his siblings?  I struggled with whether to publish this or just transcribe and keep it in my journal. It's a bunch of personal stories, but I also feel like there may be some useful moments.  So enjoy!    mark

Pulling the trigger. Sometimes it's the toughest part of an otherwise sure shot. There are times we feel compelled to say something or do something that feels bold. Challenge a friend to change. Commit to a difficult course of action. Turn ourselves in. Or change our mind about something. The biggest question around pulling the trigger is 'what is inspiring this?' The simple answer, to a believer,...

Do you think that parents had to shush their kids when Jesus ministered to children? I don't. When a moment is especially heartfelt and the spirit is there, the kids naturally focus. Even babies. In other words, there's a different between the social norm called "RESPECT" and the spiritual concept called "REVERENCE." True reverence is awe and longing to be in the moment, it happens to us somehow w...

"We all break down" was how I started my instagram post this morning. I feel like the topic deserves some elaboration. If you'd like to see the original post, please find me @reflectionsofChrist on Instagram. 

What does your work say when it lands on your audience? Does a meal taste better when it's made with love? Does art hit you harder when it was created in a certain spirit? Does a book speak more loudly when it was written with inspiration? Yes.  BUT only to the right audience.  I believe there is a spirit to your work, but that spirit will only be familiar to those ready for it.  Enjoy,    Mark  

When was the last time you were steamed at a leader of your church, company, family, or team? It might be worth taking a moment to ask yourself this one simple question.  This episode was inspired by Professor Anthony Sweats new book entitled "Seekers Wanted"    Enjoy    Mark  

Have you ever wondered how to best share your sacred feelings on social media? ... without it blowing up in your face.  Anna Macfarlane @Annaistheworst @kidsaretheworst @thingsaretheworst coaches some of social medias big players on how to move their message to the masses.  Her takes on authenticity are aimed at someone working on growing their influence on instagram and also applicable to someone...

Sometimes losing is good. Not just "good for us" as in "getting beat will humble me", but I'm talking about having a bad idea or choice thwarted.  We all lose.  How we view and respond to that loss is the key to our forward momentum continuing, and to our long term success.  Enjoy this First Thing Mark

We all act different when someone is watching. It's just a thing. Did you know this thing has a name? It's called "the Hawthorne Effect". Google it.  Today I wanted to discuss how we might use it to help ourselves and those we love to live better.    Enjoy!    Mark

Do you ever feel like you're in a corner? out of options? The only thing that makes it a corner is the angle from which you're seeing it. PERSPECTIVE is the beginning of how we approach anything. In the realm of tools that help us gain perspective is perhaps the super tool... the Holy Spirit. This morning I felt like talking about how to see with the Spirit.  Enjoy!    Mark  

Why does "clever" offend me a little bit? Let me tell you the story of a guy who taught his computer to compose music that fooled the experts into thinking it was Bach... in 1981! This is The First Thing on the Gifted and Lifted Podcast. 

What does "home" mean? How can understanding and defining "home" embolden me to explore the world a little more bravely?  I'm adding a new segment called "First Thing" to the podcast. Basically, I'm going to share the first  that inspired me this morning. These little segments will be short, usually 3-5 minutes.    Enjoy!    Mark  

"Proponents of Evolution underestimate the strength of their own argument, and Creationists undervalue the brilliance of God." Perry Marshall is a multiple best selling business author and digital marketing consultant. His approach is aggressive and he credits his faith for that. Prior to moving into marketing Perry was an electrical engineer. In 2015 Perry published Evolution 2.0, where he dives...

Kate Hansen was an unlikely star at the Sochi Winter Olympics. She was one of the top Luge athletes, yes. But that doesn't usually land you on NBC nightly or on Kimmel, or get you tweeted by Beyonce.  The reason people wanted to see Kate is because she was able to see beyond the sports moment (not easy considering she had been completely focussed on being one of the best in the world for 11 years)...

Denise Walsh is a retired clinical psychologist. She has dealt with prisons, alcoholism and abuse, in rural communities all over the world. She is a wife and mother of two.  She is an author and has written many books, one of which is 'Design Your Dream Life." She is an inspirational leader and teaches us how to find peace in the 'here and now', and how to find the beauty in things all around us,...

"Once you cry, you feel comforted. I would really encourage people to cry things that they feel. Once you do that, that is where the Holy Spirit really works... it doesn't mean that it changes the circumstances, it just means that you have comfort within those circumstances." Candice Wiggins scored more points than any woman in Pac 10 basketball history while at Stanford . She was sixth woman of t...

Ryan Moody is a world renowned fitness coach.  He speaks about overcoming his obstacles and becoming the 9-time world record holder in box jumps.  He speaks about his gift of faith and how he motivates other people to overcome their demons. He believes that in every limitation there is opportunity, and to never stop dreaming. You can find him on Instagram @theexplosivecoach.   Show notes   Ryan ta...

Will Tukuafu is an American football fullback. Will grew up in Salt Lake City with his parents and 15 siblings. After high school, he served a mission in Jamaica for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. When he came back from his mission, he moved to Scottsdale Arizona where he played football for a Junior College. After playing one year at junior college, he moved to Oregon where he p...

For Kenzie, her faith is not separate from her yoga practice. In fact, her practice of yoga has strengthened her practice of Christianity. Kenzie talks about how yoga has changed her life and her mentality, and how she finds her place within the yoga community. She talks about dealing with social media in her life and using her platform to empower women. Kenzie is a force for good as she speaks ou...

Can applied faith help us outperform ourselves? Yes. In Gifted and Lifted, host Mark Mabry interviews world class performers about their relationship with God. You'll hear tactics and strategies for how to perform at a new level through faith.