Osteen - Every Day a Friday

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Copyright 2011 by Joel Osteen

David J. Pollays The Law of the Garbage Truck was used with permission by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
Copyright 2010 by David J. Pollay.

Scripture quotations noted AMP are from The Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

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Scripture quotations noted The Message are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

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ISBN 978-0-892-96993-7

Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

Your Best Life Now Journal: A Guide to Reaching Your Full Potential

Your Best Life Now Study Guide: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

Daily Reading from Your Best Life Now: 90 Devotions for Living at Your Full Potential

Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every New Day of the Year

Your Best Life Now for Moms

Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day

Become a Better You Journal: A Guide to Improving Your Life Every Day

Daily Readings from Become a Better You: 90 Devotions for Improving Your Life Every Day

Its Your Time: Activating Your Faith, Achieving Your Dreams, and Increasing in Gods Favor

Its Your Time Journal: A Guide to Activating Your Faith, Achieving Your Dreams, and Increasing in Gods Favor

Daily Readings from Its Your Time: 90 Devotions for Activating Your Faith, Achieving Your Dreams, and Increasing in Gods Favor

This book is dedicated to Victoria, Jonathan, and Alexandra.
I cherish each of you. Your love, joy, and happiness brighten my
life, and I wake each morning looking forward to another day
spent with you. You truly do make every day a Friday.

It is fitting that this book is called Every Day a Friday because Ive learned that every day brings a deadline when you are writing a book. Thanks to many talented and hardworking people, we met all of our deadlines and produced an inspiring and uplifting book that I am very proud to offer.

As always, God guided me through the process with help from my editor Rolf Zettersten at FaithWords/Hachette and Hachette Chairman and CEO David Young, along with leadership team members Chris Murphy, Martha Otis, and Harry Helm.

I am grateful also to my literary agents, Shannon Marven and Jan Miller Rich at Dupree Miller & Associates, who once again proved invaluable throughout the entire process.

Special thanks go to Wes Smith, a true wordsmith, whose speed at the keyboard is matched only by his strong work ethic and good humor.

In this book I offer many stories shared with me by friends, members of our congregation, and people Ive met around the world. I appreciate and acknowledge their contributions and support. Some of those mentioned in the book are people I have not met personally and, in a few cases, weve changed the names to protect the privacy of individuals. I give honor to all of those to whom honor is due. As the son of a church leader and a pastor myself, Ive listened to countless sermons and presentations, so in some cases I cant remember the exact source of a story. Thanks to all who have touched my life with their own. My intention in writing this book is to pass on the blessings, and to God be the glory.

I offer special thanks also to all the pastors across the country who are members of our Champions Network, especially that groups chairman, Pastor Phil Munsey, and his wife, Jeannie, of Life Church in Irvine, California.

I am indebted to the amazing staff of Lakewood Church, whose service to Gods house makes every day a joyous one for me. I am grateful to the loyal members of Lakewood whose stories inspire me, whose lives bless me, and whose loyalty humbles me. I express my sincere appreciation to the thousands of selfless individuals across America and around the globe who generously support our ministry and make it possible to bring hope to a world in need. And I am thankful for the millions of fine people worldwide who watch our services on television, via the Internet, and through the podcasts. I consider each of you to be a valued part of our Lakewood family.

I am blessed to have a supportive family of wise and talented people who help keep our ministry humming along, including my brother Paul and his wife Jennifer, my sister Lisa and her husband Kevin, and my brother-in-law Don and his wife Jackelyn. Inspiring and out-working us all is my mother, Dodie Osteen, who serves as a wonderful example of someone who finds happiness and joy in each and every day.

J ohn was ninety-two years old and blind, but he was just as sharp as could be when his wife, Eleanor, went to the Lord. He didnt feel he should live alone, so John decided to move into a nice seniors home. On the morning of the move, he was up and fully dressed by 8:00 a.m. As always, the elderly gentleman looked impeccable, with his hair perfectly combed and his face neatly shaven.