Invest In Yourself

When my wife and I first got married, we decided to start investing in various funds. We sat down with a lady from Allstate and wrote a policy for life annuities for her and myself. Since that time, we have been able to invest in a 401-k and a couple IRA Wroth’s. Believe me when I tell you that it is not much; however, I do desire to make sure that my loved one’s are taken care of in the event something were to happen.

Recently, I have been speaking with a man from Edward Jones about making some additional investments. As I was speaking to him just the other day, I began to think about the investment each of us should be making not only in retirement or in the unforeseen, but also in ourselves.
I wonder, what are you doing to improve yourself? A man once said, “You make the world a better place by making yourself a better person.” How are you making the world a better place? Do you have a personal plan for growth? What are you doing to develop yourself? If you don't make a plan, you might not do anything.

Luke 2 says,

"I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."

Ask yourself these questions when planning for the future:
1. Where do I want to be spiritually at the end of next year?
2. What spiritual goals do I want to accomplish next year (ministry, verses memorized, etc)?
3. What area of my life do I need to work on (patience, faith, prayer life, specific sin, etc.)?
4. What verses can I memorize to help me in the above mentioned area?
5. Who can I seek out to be my accountability partner to help me grow spiritually next year?
God desires that 2010 would be an even greater year of spiritual growth for you than 2009 was.

Remember as you enter a new year to keep your eyes on God, your focus on His will, and your determination to live for Him strong. Take time to invest in yourself. Others will be glad you did.

This Is Christmas

What's all this hectic rush and worry?
Where go these crowds who run and curry?
Why all the lights-the Christmas trees?
The jolly "fat man," tell me please!

Why, don't you know? This is the day
For parties and for fun and play;
Why this is Christmas!

So this is Christmas, do you say?
But where is Christ this Christmas day?
Has He been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song?

No. He's not here-you'll find Him where
Some humble soul now kneels in prayer,
Who knows the Christ of Christmas.

The Economy Is So Bad...

This is a bit funny, and also sad. Someone recently sent me an email with these one-liners. I thought it too good to pass up. Enjoy!

THE ECONOMY IS SO BAD . . .

The economy is so bad that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

It's so bad, I ordered a burger at McDonalds and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

The economy is so bad that CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

The economy is so bad if the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call them and ask if they meant you or them.

The economy is so bad Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.

The economy is so bad parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.

The economy is so bad Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

The economy is so bad Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.

The economy is so bad the Mafia is laying off judges.

The economy is so bad Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.


Isn't it great to know that our trust is not in organizations, institutions, or in the goverment? Our trust is found in Christ alone! (Psalm 31)

A Mindset Change

There are times when we find ourselves so extremely frustrated with life. Even during a wonderful Christmas season, we can let negative feelings and emotions permeate our very core. Personally, I have found that often times, the smallest change in the paradigm of my thinking can make all the difference.

Before we "lose our cool" or give someone "our two cents" or become aggravated over a situation/event in our life consider changing your mindset. Often times, the greatest change can take place in our lives by simply making a minor mindset change.



Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last six months.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for minimal wages, to feed her family.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you panic over a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the person on chemotherapy who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about?, what is my purpose?, be thankful for there are those who did not live long enough to get the opportunity to wonder.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness, or insecurities, remember how much worse it could be if you were one of those bitter and insecure people."

A Thanksgiving Story

Recently I read the following story and thought I'd pass it along. Happy Turkey Day!

Two old friends met each other on the street one day. One looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”

The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you: three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand dollars, free and clear.”

“Sounds to me that you’ve been very blessed.”


“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million from her.”

Now the man’s friend was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week . . . nothing!”

That’s a problem with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it almost as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer.

It is the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don’t deserver my comfortable home that I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short time (like water or electricity or internet going down), I get upset.

Let’s make an effort today to recognize the blessing we’ve come to take for granted. Focus on what we have rather than on what we don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve our attitudes.

On This Veteran's Day

On this Veteran's Day, I am more aware than ever of the sacrifice, commitment and incredible steely resolve of our men and women in uniform. Recently, I read an article that perfectly summarized my feelings on this Veteran's Day. We ought to be immensely grateful for a wonderful country and for brave soldiers that have sacrificed so very much. God bless America! Below is an excerpt from that article:

I hope that you will take the time today to express appreciation to those who have worn (and still wear) the military uniform of the United States of America. I trust that your expressions of gratitude will go far beyond the obligatory "thank you." Instead, may we stop, stand tall, look these heroic patriots straight in the eye (while warmly gripping their hand) and say, from the bottom of our hearts, "I sincerely appreciate your service to our country." They didn't do it (and still don't) for our thanks. But, it would be ungrateful, unpatriotic and, in my humble opinion, criminal if we don't say it!

Why Have A Music Program?

There have been a lot of debate over the years about music programs and the styles of these programs. Why is this issue so important? Why have music programs at all?

I have been involved in music programs most of my life. Over the last six years, I have run, coordinated, and directed a music program from the ground floor up. Currently I find myself involved in starting yet another music program. Let me share with you what I believe to be the four fold purpose of a music program:

(1) Share the gospel of Christ through song.
(2) Encourage believers in their walk with Christ.
(3) Lead the congregation in worship
(4) Provide an avenue through which individuals may share their talent. We believe that talent is a gift from God, and that to be good stewards of that talent, we should develop people’s talent and return that talent back to God.



Scripture has a lot to say about using the gift of music and singing unto the Lord. We accomplish the command of praising Christ through music in a variety of different ways: congregational singing, instrumental praises, special music, choir, and various guest groups. This does not differ much from church to church.

Recently, I preached a message regarding a music program and why I believe that it is so important. Why do we have a music program? Is it something that we do mainly out of tradition? Is there a Biblical model and basis for such a model?

There are many places throughout the OT, where God specifically records for us the use of music programs being used to lift up praises to God:

* Levite Choir is in 2 Chronicles 5
* The book of Ezra records the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore Israel to her land after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. The book shows Ezra’s return to Jerusalem to help bring spiritual revival to the people. We find when they did a census of the people of God, there were 42,360 and there were among them a choir of 200 singing men and women. Most of these where the Levites again (2:41) with 128 singers… then, Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem with the blessing of the king and rebuilds the wall in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). Nehemiah recorded everyone that had a part and was in the city. The number was 42,360. They now though had 245 people singing (vs. 66, 67).
* We know that David organized official choirs or singers and instruments in the temple. He knew the power that music played in worship. Psalms, which David is credited for writing a great majority, is the earliest hymn book in our tradition.
From the material provided in Chronicles and Psalms, we learn that Heman, Asaph, and Jeduthen were directors of separate temple choirs. (Heman’s choir, for example, was called “The Sons of Korah.”)

The fact that emphasis was placed on the temple singing being directed and accompanied by musicians can not be overlooked. The great value of a choir from Biblical times to present, is to glorify Christ through words of music (music that is beyond that capacity of the congregation).

Choirs are found before, during and after the temple in the OT, and they are a part of worship. We even see in the NT what appears to be a choir in heaven. Choirs are biblical (2 Chronicles 5:12-14; Nehemiah 12:31-40; Revelation 19:1-6).

One thing is clear, we are commanded to praise Him!

Psalm 18:49 - "…sing praises unto thy name."
Psalm 100:2 - "…come before His presence with singing."
Psalm 105:2-4 - "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him."

We have various Old Testament examples of singing and praising in the temple. There are also several commands given in the New Testament regarding worshiping Christ through music. My favorite is found in Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

(Music programs teach and train people to sing musically.)

In short, music programs fulfill the Old Testament examples of praising and it fulfill the New Testament command of teaching and training others to sing for the Lord.

Does God Have Your Cell Phone Number

Is it just me, or does it seem like every single person in the world these days has a cell phone? I rarely walk past anyone or drive past anyone who is not talking on his cell phone. Are babies born with these multi-colored technological gadgets attached to their ears? The other day I saw a little girl walking to school (she could not have been any older than first grade) talking away on her cell phone!

Recently, I read a sign in the lobby of a church that said: “When God speaks, He will not call your cell phone, so please turn yours off as you enter the auditorium.” I enjoyed that immensely but have also been convicted by its message. With all of the modern technology today ringing in our ears, I wonder if we would even recognize God’s voice if He did “call.”

In Acts chapter nine, Saul of Tarsus is on his way to Damascus, ready to imprison any whom he could find there that were following the way of Jesus Christ. Suddenly, a light shines down from Heaven that literally blinds his eyes. A voice, following that light, says, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” I find Saul’s response very interesting. Trembling and astonished, he asks, “Who art thou, Lord?” He answers his own question before he finishes asking it. How did Saul know that this was the voice of God? I believe that he had heard that voice before. No doubt at the stoning of Stephen, Saul had heard that voice. No doubt as he had watched the early Christians suffer martyrdom (some historians say that Saul was responsible for the death of over 2,000 Christians prior to his conversion), he had heard this voice. Now as he hears God speak once again, his heart is smitten, and he is wonderfully converted!

When is the last time you heard God speak to you? With our ears to our cell phones, our televisions, our computers, our video games, and all the other noisy distractions of the world, I wonder: Can God get through to us whenever He needs?

Most cell phones today have “Caller I.D.” It is when you know who is calling, and you can willingly ignore that call. Worse than not hearing God’s voice today would be to hear Him, but refuse to answer!

“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:24-29).

If you have been ignoring God’s voice lately, why not give Him a call today. He will not block your call; you will not get voice mail or a busy signal. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). If by some chance you forget, and He calls you first—make sure you answer. He has a great message for you!

Change

Not long ago I read a joke... It said all the politicians running for president are promising change to the American people. We send them billions and billions of tax dollars and they send us the change.

Funny? Not really; there is too much truth in it to be funny. But that got me to thinking... They all promise change. A restoration that would take us back in time to a place where things ran better, smoother and life was more enjoyable. Change? That, in truth, is what they have been giving us all along. Consider this:

• We used to have a strong dollar... Politicians changed that.


• Marriage used to be sacred... Politicians have changed that.


• We used to be respected around the world... Politicians changed that.


• We used to have a strong manufacturing economy... Politicians changed that.


• We used to have lower tax structures... Politicians changed that.


• We used to enjoy more freedoms.... Politicians changed that.


• We used to be a large exporter of American made goods... Politicians changed that.


• We used to teach patriotism in schools... Politicians changed that.


• We used to educate children in schools... Politicians changed that.


• We used to enforce LEGAL citizenship... Politicians changed that.


• We used to have affordable food & gas prices.... Politicians changed that too.

We could go on and on with this list. What hasn't been changed, politicians are promising to change that as well, if you will elect them. When is America going to sit back with open eyes and look at what we once were and where we have come and say, enough is enough?

Isn't it great to know that there is someone that never changes. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. I love the old song that says... "all may change, but Jesus never - Glory to His name."

Attitude Is Everything

Your attitude towards life defines not only who you are, but the quality of life you are after.....

Whatever it is that has been bugging you, doesn’t seem so bad anymore, does it?
If only we all could have the spirit that this little boy has!

"For I have learned in whatsoever state I am, wherewith to be content." - Philippians 4:11

What Is Worship?

I am going to open the proverbial "can of worms" here. It seems like churches and church leaders are debating this huge topic of worship for some time now. Recently, I have been teaching and developing a curriculum on the subject of worship. So, that is where a variety of the following has come. I do not claim originality for all of the information below. This blog is simply a tool that I hope, as I have assimilated information, is a help and blessing to others. Some of the following was gathered from books, blogs, seminars, as well as personal study.

The worship portion of our corporate church services has become a subject of great debate. To some it is so confusing that they have thrown up their arms in surrender. They accept any and all types of music sung or performed in any and all styles. To others, the worship service has been simplified to a formula leaving no room for any other interpretation. A set of rules has been established for determining correct worship and you dare not challenge them or you will be labeled a traitor.

I wonder what God thinks of our church worship services? On the one side a Believer stands in a congregation of people who look and sound an awful lot like the world. He raises his hands in praise and to the best of his knowledge, sincerely sings to God as the screaming electric guitar and deafening trap set create a “mood” for his worship. The music is sensual, the singers are carnal, and the environment is worldly. On the other hand, the Christian stands in a congregation of dead, lifeless people, whose minds are anywhere but on the task of worship. He mumbles through a hymn written 200 years ago and struggles to keep his brain engaged. The music is boring, the singers are lifeless, and because of this, the environment is no more godly than the previous illustration. Which one pleases God?

Unfortunately, the majority of churches that preach the gospel in America would fit in one of the two scenarios described above. They are either a contemporary church with carnal, worldly music, or, they are a conservative church with boring, dead music. The contemporary congregation claims to be more godly because they are more sincere. The conservative church thinks they are more godly because they do not use rock music. What has happened to God’s people that they have reduced worship to a style of music?

Understand this: you cannot set a mood for, induce, create, or perform worship. Worship is something that takes place in the heart. It is produced in the mind and soul between a Believer and God. It can happen inside a person’s head as he silently praises God. It can take place in spoken monologue as a believer prays to His Savior. It can be set to music. But the music is not worship. It is simply a vehicle by which worship is carried. Let’s work with this basic definition of worship: Acknowledging the “worth-ship” of God. In other words, praising God for who He is and what He has done.

When we go to church it is our responsibility to make sure that we worship. It is not the job of the worship leader, music pastor, or minister of music. It is not dependent upon the song selection, or the talent of the musicians. It is a duty of mine to discipline my heart and mind to worship God! No one can do that for me. I must do it myself.

Here is the problem: Our churches, conservative and contemporary alike, have rallied around a style of music rather than around their God. It is my experience that a high percentage of churches have music programs that are either sincere but sensual or conservative but dead! Why is this the case? I believe it is because we are more concerned with music style than true worship of God. You do not have to read much of the New Testament to discover that believers are not to be like the world. That truth alone is going to rule out the majority of contemporary churches. On the other hand, God does not have very good things to say about those who leave their first love and worship Him without engaging the mind. Who are we fooling? God wants our hearts, minds, and souls! He wants us to be sold out to him.

Could it be that the level of enthusiasm in our voice mirrors the level of commitment in our relationship with Christ? How many of us are living the principles of Scripture day in and day out? How many of us are busy about the one task God left us on earth to do…share Jesus with a lost world who desperately needs Him. I truly believe that if our congregations, and even our pastors were out in the world sharing their faith, pointing souls to Christ, meditating on His word, and worshipping Him in private, our corporate worship services would look entirely different. Maybe the reason that we have difficulty genuinely praising God on Sunday for who He is and what He has done for us, is because we are not choosing to experience the wonderful relationship with Him throughout the week that only a truly committed believer can know.

When we sing to God in a dull, boring, lifeless way, He is no more pleased with that than with the contemporary musician who sings Scriptural words set to a rock beat. Neither pleases God! Singing to God in that way is like wearing a T-shirt that says, “I’m not in God’s will!” It is like waving a huge red flag over your head that says you are not experiencing a joyful relationship with Christ!

The bottom line is this - Godly believers love to worship and praise God! You do not have to coax, prod, or convince them to sing to their Lord. Their joyful song of praise is evident because it is a lifestyle for them. It is not something that they “put on” for church on Sunday. If Fundamental churches are going to continue to please God in the new century they have got to wake up to the fact that boring does not equal godly! Our music programs should honor Christ in their musical style, in the presentation by the performers, and even in their associations, but that should not reduce them to being dead and lifeless! Our music should be alive, full of vigor and enthusiasm, exciting, and relevant. Our God is not boring and neither is the Christian life. If you are experiencing that kind of a relationship with Him during the week it will be obvious on Sunday. Our music should represent Him!

Gambling

What is "gambling"? Dictionaries define "gamble" as "to play games of chance for money," "to risk money on uncertain gain," "to stake or risk money, etc. in the hope of great gain." But gambling is not just taking a risk. Gambling takes place when risk is artificially created in order possibly to lose one's own possession. It is an attempt, through chance, to gain the possession of another. Both cannot win - someone must lose.

Forms of gambling in our society include card games, throwing dice for money, slot machines, betting on horse or dog races, betting on sporting events, buying lottery tickets, and playing bingo for money or prizes. We must take the time to study God's Word and then think through these activities. Otherwise, we may well consider them to be harmless forms of entertainment. But we simply must think and meditate upon what God tells us in His Word.

One principle that runs throughout the Bible is that of stewardship. The Bible repeatedly and consistently paints the picture that God is the ultimate owner of all earthly possessions. The psalmist observed that the Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). James wrote that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). Jesus referred to humans as stewards - those who are entrusted to take care of another's property (Luke 12:42). And He declared that every person has the moral responsibility to be a faithful steward of the money that has been entrusted to him (Luke 16:10-11). Yet, each year people shell out billions of dollars gambling away the money that has been entrusted to them by God. Imagine the good, wholesome projects that could be supported annually by such enormous stores of cash - children could be fed, the Gospel could be preached, houses could be built, and the list goes on. Instead of such worthwhile projects, however, these billions of dollars are pumped into a system that leads to addiction and abuse.

It would be difficult, indeed, to conclude that gambling is good stewardship of the money with which God has entrusted a person. In reality, to pour one's money into a system that mathematically and statistically has been proven, time and again, to benefit the "house," and take from the gambler, certainly would fall into the category of unfaithful stewardship. Concerning unfaithful stewardship, Christ said: "Therefore [if] ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [money or riches], who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16:11). To stand before the throne of Christ, having squandered the money God entrusted to you on an idle and degenerative activity like gambling would be a frightening thought indeed.

Gambling also does not fit with the work ethic that is so clearly taught in God's Word. God wants people to labor, to work with their hands, to toil with the sweat of their brow. Paul said: "I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). He also wrote: "Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which, that he might have to them that needeth." (Ephesians 4:28). He also wrote: "If any would not work, neither should he eat," (2 Thessalonians 3:8). God wants people to work, toil, and labor - not gamble!

The Bible also teaches that we should not be covetous or greedy. God wants people to work to have money for daily living---for self, family, and the needy (1 Timothy 5:8; Galatians 6:10). But "making money to live" is very different from "living to make money." God has always warned people not to lust after this world's riches (Colossians 3:5; 1 John 2:15-17). Paul spoke of those who "are minded to be rich," who have "the love of money" and who "trust in uncertain riches" (1 Timothy 6:9, 10, 17). Gambling is extremely addictive and promotes the "love-of-money" attitude that God's Word so clearly condemns.

Who Happened To You?

There is a verse in Galatians chapter six where Paul is speaking to the churches at Galatia and he asks them a question, “O foolish Galatians, WHO hath bewitched you?” I have always found this question interesting as Paul did not ask the question that we often ask. The question we often ask is: “What happened to you?” Unfortunately, many times we ask the wrong question. We should not be asking “what” when it comes to change in our own life, we should be asking “who.” Who is it that has influenced my life to the point that I now make these horrible decisions? Who do I let in my inner circle that has brought me all of these bad circumstances?

Do you remember when you used to serve the Lord?
Do you remember being an effective witness for Jesus Christ?
Do you remember being faithful to church?
Do you remember giving of your time, resources, and abilities to Christ?

WHO HAPPENED TO YOU? Someone… somewhere, talked you out of serving Christ. Think about the people in your life: friends, family, co-workers, etc. Have any of these "who's" ever influenced you into doing something that you would not have done had they not been around? Well, of course, they have. We could probably have a lot of humorous illustrations right here where the wrong “who” told us to ask someone out, told us the wrong way to do something, made us look foolish, or dared us to do something embarrassing that we would NEVER have done on our own.

Rest assured, someone is going to happen to you. Yes, I said that right. Obviously, someTHING is going to happen to you; however, I’m telling you, someONE is going to happen to you as well. A pastor once told me that life is summation of the experiences you encounter and the people you meet – both good and bad. So, you’d best be on guard.

Think for moment… think about the “who’s” in your life. Throughout your life there will be good and bad “who’s.” God will give you the right people in your life if you will follow His plan; however, the wrong “who’s” will be there to mess you up every time.

Those you allow into your circle of friends, you give them the power to affect you. You give them power of influence (as you listen to what they say). You give them the power of interruption (as you take a phone call at any time). You give them the power of injury (as those that are closest to you have the most ability to hurt you) And you give them the power of inspiration (as they will inspire you in either a good or bad way).

Don’t let the people in your life keep you from being you. There is only one of you. God created you to be unique. Don’t succumb to the pressure of conforming to others. We are NOT to be transformed into their image; rather, we are to be transformed into His image (Romans 12).

So, how do I know if there is a wrong “who” in my life? Here are a few questions:

• Do the cause me to love God more?
• Do they have a passion for reaching others?
• Do they celebrate God’s blessings in my life/church?
• Do they live what they believe?
• Do I trust them to make the call when I am not there?

When We Don’t Know the Will of God - Pt 2

Suppose you were to invite me to dinner tonight at 6 o’clock. For sake of my illustration, let’s assume (always a dangerous thing to do) that all is going well and I stay till after ten o’clock at night or so. After a wonderful evening, let’s suppose that you walk me to my car and I am about to leave. Then, I turn to you and say something like this: “I can’t leave now. I’ll never make it home.”

“Why not?’ you ask puzzled

Well… I will not be able to drive home because it is dark outside and I cannot see.”

You look at me baffled and ask, “Don’t you have headlights? …if you turn on your headlights you can see through the darkness and you will be able to see your way home.”

“Yes, I do have headlights, but my headlights only allow me to see about sixty feet or so. And I have several miles to travel.” I reply

“Yeah, but don’t you realize that if you turn on your headlights and drive… for every sixty feet you travel, your headlights will allow you to see another sixty feet and then another sixty feet and then another sixty feet. And sixty feet at a time you can see your way home!”

************************************************************

This simple, abbreviated illustration can be applied to our lives. When we are searching for the will of God or for life’s path, we often search for the entire journey. We want to find the treasure map with the big “X” on it. However, with God we find that He does not tell us the entire journey. We have no such map that shows us the end game of our lives.

But scripture DOES tell us that His word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. Therefore, by using scripture I can navigate my way “home” successfully sixty feet at a time as long as I am walking in His paths and with His light. We can no more see the entire journey when set out on a car ride than we can when we set out on life’s journey. We have no idea the road hazards and accidents and detours that life will throw our way; but with His light (the Bible) we can navigate through these alternative routes.

So, what is my sixty feet? What is the known direction of my life? Surely I have to begin somewhere?

I previously posted a blog regarding “What to Do When We Don’t Know God’s Will.” In that post, I told you four things that the Bible tells us is the will of God:
* He wants us to be saved.
* He wants us to share our faith.
* He wants for us to be controlled by the Spirit.
* He wants us to separated to Him.

Through the lens of scripture we are able to determine God’s will for our lives, at least in the beginning stages. For sake of our illustration let’s call this the first sixty feet. If you don’t know what direction it is that God’s is trying to take you, I encourage you to do the known will of God (travel the first sixty feet that you can see) and He will reveal the unknown. These four things will allow you to see the sixty feet that you need to see in order to get started on your journey of living for Him. I promise you, once you travel these sixty feet, God will reveal the next sixty feet… and sixty feet at a time you will navigate through the road hazards of life and you will find your way “home.” Following this “sixty feet” principle, one day you will look back on your life and you will be amazed at the journey that God has taken you. All because sixty feet at a time you allowed Him lead you to His plan and His desire for your life. May our prayer be: “not my will, but Thine be done.”

When We Don’t Know the Will of God

I recently preached a message, and have gotten so much positive feedback from it that I decided to put it into a blog form. I hope this is a help.

In Colossians 1:9, Paul is praying for the church to be filled with the knowledge of HIS will. Now, that only means one thing: it is possible to KNOW what God’s plan and desire is for your life.

Now, obviously, God has certain things that He desires for all of us. He desires for us to be good parents, friends, hard workers, diligent, and wise stewards of the things He has entrusted in our care. However, more specifically, God has a will for each and every one of us. It is individualized specifically for each of us. For some, God has called us to be Sunday School teachers, Deacons, AWANA workers, Nursery workers, Choir members, Ushers, Parking Lot Attendants, etc. I think we all have a basic idea of what this entails. But what do you do when you have no idea what God’s will is?

Let me start off my telling you that from the time that I was 15, I knew what it was that God wanted me to do with my life. I was at the Gospel Light Youth Conference in Walkertown, North Carolina, and a preacher by the name of Steve Roberson spoke. I couldn’t tell you what the man preached on. I couldn’t tell you the book of the Bible or one thing that the man said. To be honest, I couldn’t even tell you if he preached on surrendering your life to full time Christian service.

In the moment that the pastor was preaching, I knew what God wanted for my life. I fought it for a while; however, I eventually caved to “not my will, but Thine be done.” From the time that I was 15, I knew what God’s desire for my life was. I knew the “what” of the will of God; however, everything else remained a mystery. You see, even though I knew what my future held, there were still times that I wondered about how God's will was to unfold. I knew the “what” of God’s will for my life; however, I have found myself many times trying to discover the “how” or the “when” or the “where” of His exact plan.

I remember wondering at one point, where I was gonna go to Bible college. There are a lot of choices out there. I knew what God had wanted me to accomplish, but I didn’t know the “where.” I wanted His will but I didn’t know “where” it was.

I remember wondering at one point, who was I to marry. I prayed for years about the person that I was gonna marry. As a matter of fact, I prayed for years for the right person to marry. I knew some of the trials that a pastor’s wife goes through as I saw my Mother play that role. Let me tell you something, a pastor’s wife goes through more than you will ever know. Being a pastor’s wife is lonely at times, discouraging, sacrificing (time, money, family), and heartbreaking; however, there are some pretty big rewards too! I prayed for a wife, but I didn’t know “who” of the will of God.

I remember just before I got out of college, the girl that I thought I was gonna marry left me. I thought I knew the will of God was, but evidently, I did not. (Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever thought that you had life all figured out only to find that the floor came out from underneath you?)

I remember getting out of college, I knew God wanted me to preach, but I didn’t know to what church God was calling me. Needless to say, God gave me wisdom and direction as He led me to a place of service. Since that time, I have experienced several transitions in ministry where I have not known various facets of what God’s will was to entail, and I know that there will be many more in the future.

Perhaps that is you today. Maybe you know the general idea of what God’s will is for your life. I know as sure as I’m writing this blog that God has called me to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe that is you… maybe you know exactly what God has for you, but you are searching for the “who” and the “how” and the “when” of God’s will.

Friend, scripture tells us that we can know what God’s will is. God is very plain throughout scripture to tell us exactly what His will is for our lives. Consider these four things that scripture plainly tells us is God’s will:

#1 - SALVATION

Listen, in order for you to know God’s will, you must first know God. Listen to the scriptures below:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. - II Peter 3:9

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. – I Timothy 2:3,4

Before you search any further on a quest for God’s will, you must make sure that you know God.

#2 - SHARE YOUR FAITH

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. – Luke 14:23

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. – I Timothy 2:4

If you are searching for God’s will, the best thing you can do is be saved, then you should help someone else find God. It is said, “you can’t lead in a direction that you are not going.” When you are spending time in His word and pointing others to the Savior, you cannot help but be attentive to His voice.

#3 - SPIRIT FILLED / SCRIPTURE FILLED

We are to filled by the Spirit. Sometimes we fail to understand this concept properly. To be filled with the Spirit is not like going to a gas pump and getting “filled up.” You cannot run “empty” on the Holy Spirit. When I am filled with the Spirit means that I am controlled by the Spirit. Let me ask you something: do you know that you have as much of the Holy Spirit today as you will ever have? It’s true. The Holy Spirit does not enlarge himself; instead, we must decrease our self. John the Baptist said, “He must increase and I must decrease.” Consider the verse below:

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit...” - Ephesians 5:15-21

Here it is again, God is telling us what His will is for our lives. It is His will that we be not drunk with wine; however, we should be filled with the spirit (or controlled by the spirit). Why do you suppose that drunkenness and Holy Spirit power are listed as contrasting in this verse? Here me out for a moment:

I have seen some people intoxicated. It is amazing what someone will do when they are impaired. It is amazing what someone will do when they relinquish control to external addictions. I have seen people do things that they never would do otherwise because they allowed for some “outside influences” to control them.

I’m gonna tell you something, when you allow the Holy Spirit to control you, you will do things that you never thought possible. You will find yourself with wisdom you do not possess, grace that you do not deserve, and blessings that you have not earned. When you allow the Holy Spirit to control you, He takes over and does phenomenal things.

#4 - SANTIFICATION / SEPERATION

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour…” - I Thessalonians 4:3, 4

To properly understand sanctification, we must realize that Biblical separation is not separation FROM the world, but rather separation TO God. The Mormons, Jehovah Witness, Muslims, etc – all of these people are separated from the world. Are they close to God? I tend to think not. Therefore, just staying separated from the world is not enough. I must exercise personal holiness by identifying myself with Christ. I Peter 1:16 – “It is written, be ye holy as I [God] am holy.”


In closing, let me tell you that God is not going to reveal any more of His will until we are doing what His KNOWN will is now. What is His known will? That’s very simple, His will is that you be saved, share your faith to others, be Spirit controlled, and live sanctified lives. I guarantee you, once you do these known things, God will reveal to you the unknown.

I know how frustrating it can be searching for various aspects of the will of God; however, trust me, it’s worth it. God has a reason for not revealing His will just yet. It may not make sense. I remind you what Isaiah recorded for us in chapter 55, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Do all you can for Him now! He will reveal His purpose, plan and program for your life. In the meantime, it is imperative that you exercise good stewardship and be faithful with what He has told you to do.
• Salvation is a must
• Share your faith
• Spirit filling is imperative
• Sanctify yourself unto the Lord





Pastor Micah recently spoke this message at Faith Baptist Church (www.fbcbelong.com) as the Senior Pastor was on vacation and asked him to preach in his stead. To find out more about Pastor Micah, please visit www.gbcfamily.tv. If you would like to listen to this message in its entirety please cut and paste the internet link below:

http://www.fbcbelong.com/media1.asp

Can There Be Change In A Baptist Church?

What did you say? Change in a Baptist church - is that even possible? It seems as if Baptist churches as whole have quite the reputation for becoming almost as rigid and legalistic as other types of religious organizations. Is it possible to have change in a church? Surely, there has to be some upgrades and things we can do differently; however, it seems as if everything I read says I should go this direction or that direction. If it is possible to go another direction, should we do it? Well, I decided to write down some of my thoughts on the subject.

Life is a wonderful mixture of change and stability. Fortunately, there are some things that never change. Babies are born into this world today exactly like they were 6000 years ago. People still breathe oxygen and still eat dinner. Spring still comes after winter. And fall still comes after summer. Some things never change!

Yet other things change all of the time. The world does not contain the same people today that it contained just yesterday. The world is not the same as it was before! Knowledge, science and technology continue to revolutionize and change our world… most of it for the better.

However, there are some things we want to change! WE WANT FOLKS TO CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES ONCE IN A WHILE, DON'T WE? But we do not want them to change and wear nothing at all! We want the rain to change to sun. BUT WE DO NOT WANT IT TO BECOME SUNNY AND NEVER RAIN AGAIN!

Change is necessary and good in some cases, but it is dangerous in others! For instance, Jesus told us to beware of clinging to the traditions of men. But then, in the same Bible we are told to stand fast and hold the traditions we have been taught in the Word of God! There are morals and principles throughout God’s Word that teach us how to live. Thankfully, we live in a country that was founded on many of these principles taught throughout scripture. May we never change the Biblical way of living and the Biblical focus on which our country was founded.

Now, I hope we can all agree that while there are many things that we must never change, there are some things that we MUST change. It is imperative for churches to realize that in order to reach people in today’s culture that we cannot continue to do church like the 1950’s anymore. After all, what businessman runs his corporation the same way that his father did? What businessman even runs his business today the same way today that he did five years ago? So, change MUST be facilitated; however, compromise must never be made. It is absolutely essential that things DO change!

Unfortunately, people tend to become one dimensional and it never even occurs to them that there might be a different way to do things that is not anti-biblical or sinful. Know this, if we can find ways to reach others that does not violate our beliefs and doctrine, we should do it… even if it means criticism. And make no mistake, criticism will come. Because for some reason, it is easier for folks to label things as unbiblical or sinful for the simple reason that they do not understand it or because they would prefer it a different way.

Now, before I go any further, let me say that change is not the answer to reaching others. Neither is change something that should be done haphazardly. It is merely a tool that, if used effectively, can help you to have a greater impact to aid in what you are already doing and help you become more relevant. If you are not reaching others for Christ now, chances are the screens you put in your auditorium and the name change at your sign will not transform your church to achieve a “Pentecost” moment this Sunday. Change for sake of changing is ridiculous. There are church leaders all over this country that think the answer to reaching others is to completely change everything to be more “seeker sensitive.” This has destroyed thousands of churches. I believe we ought to be aware of what “seekers” needs are; however, our churches are to be “Savior sensitive.” Far too many pastors have fallen for the latest fads and gimmicks in church movements and destroyed their church. Are there people that have accomplished this successfully? Well, I’m sure there are; however, just because someone else has done it does not mean that you should. No change should be done without lots of prayer, wise counsel, proper leadership, and most importantly a God given vision.

Now, let me tell you some of the things that we must not change. There are things that we must cling to like a man hanging to the side of a cliff. Some things to which we must hold fast. These are things that we cannot let change regardless of what culture throws our way! There are some things that make true Baptists different than all the rest of the groups out there. These are the things that we cannot compromise!

There are seven essential fundamentals of the Baptist faith. Historically, Baptists have clung to these fundamentals and have taught them from generation to generation. They have been the reason that Baptists remain today, the largest body of non-catholic Christians in the World. They are the reason that Baptists are the leaders in missionary endeavors worldwide. They are the reason why Baptists have influenced the world since the days of the Apostles. WE MUST NEVER ALLOW OURSELVES TO CHANGE THESE ISSUES!


These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word "BAPTIST":

Biblical Authority

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

Autonomy of the Local Church

The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices. Autonomy, however, does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship (and should) with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie.
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23

Priesthood of the Believer

Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God's Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God--whether we are a preacher or not.
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10

Two Ordinances

The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord's Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Individual Soul Liberty

Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

Saved, Baptized Church Membership

Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer's baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3

Two Offices

The Bible mandates only two offices in the church--pastor and deacon. The three terms--"pastor," "elder," and "bishop," or "overseer"--all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church.
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1



*This blog is an abbreviated message from a Wednesday Night Bible study group. For more information on our church see www.gbcfamily.tv.

Are You Dealing With Insecurity?

Are You Dealing With Insecurity? I think if we all are to look at our human side for a moment, we would recognize that we all feel insecure from time to time. Insecurity can be detrimental in leading people. Others will not follow when they realize that you are unsure (and yes, they will pick up on it). You might be able to hide it with personality, but the insecure leader will always fall short in the one area that he is judged by – the results.

You might say, “Well, I’m not a leader.” I beg to differ. If you are a parent, you are a leader. If you have influence over someone else by way of a relationship (family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), you are a leader. If you have any position regarding authority such as a ministry, task, or some type of volunteer group, you are a leader.

Recently, I was listening to a leadership podcast with Pastor Johnny Hunt. He gave some very insightful knowledge regarding this area of insecurity that we all face from time to time. Is it any wonder that the scripture says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean NOT on thine own understanding”? Below are some of the notes from that talk:

• An insecure leader has a hard time giving credit to others. “Why should praise seem like an unrecoverable cost? It is a gift that gives back to everyone.”

• An insecure leader keeps information from his staff. “When you release information, you convey trust and confidence to others. When you conceal

• An insecure leader doesn’t want his staff exposed to other leaders—people who may possess qualities you don’t, people who may have skills your staff wishes you had. “When one person grows the whole team grows….Give your people the best—even better than you are.”

• Insecure leaders are too needy of praise. “For this reason, more than perhaps any other, they can’t really be leaders. When someone needs his followers to always be telling him how wonderful he is, he works in direct opposition to the heartbeat of leadership, which is: building into other’s lives.”

• Insecure leaders don’t provide security for those they lead. “If the mood and environment in the office is one of fear, second-guessing, and self-doubt, you can be sure an insecure leader is in charge.”

• Insecure leaders take more than they give. Instead of validating and encouraging others, they are focused on receiving it.

• Insecure leaders limit their best leaders. “Insecure leaders cannot genuinely celebrate the victories won by others.”

• Insecure leaders limit their organization. “Not only does insecurity throttle down the horsepower of individual team members; it results in putting restraints on the whole church or organization.”

The Bean Test

Ok, I found this and thought it was great. And, if you're curious, I found 'the man' after about a minute or so... guess I need more protein. :-)

GOOD LUCK!

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THE BEAN TEST

Doctors have concluded that, if you find the man in 3 seconds, then the Right half of your brain is better developed than most people.

If you find the man between 3 seconds and one minute, then your right Half of the brain is developed normally.

If you find the man between one minute and 3 minutes, then the right Half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to Eat more protein.

If you have not found the man after 3 minutes, the right half of your Brain is a mess, and the only advice is to look for more of these types of exercises to make that part of the brain stronger.

The man is really there. Keep looking! Forward to your friends & see how well their right brain functions.

Addicted to Technology

“Hi, my name is Micah Warren and I'm addicted to technology.” I feel like I need to join a support group. I'm willing to admit it. I'm addicted to technology. Whether it be my cell phone, I-pod, Facebook, Twitter, Instant Messaging, Texting, Emails, or my Blackberry Messenger I am just plain addicted to all this stuff! How did I ever get along without it? I’d rather text than talk. I'd rather read an an email from you than listening to one of your voice mail messages. I send text messages while driving, and I never turn off my phone. When I'm with others, I pull my phone out as soon as the conversation hits a lull, and I send text messages just to pass the time. This morning, I found myself checking my phone to see what emails, texts, Twitter, and Facebook notices I received before I had even rolled out the bed.

I don't think I am alone in this addiction. I know there are more of us out there. How do I know this? Because you are the people that are sending me all these messages! And because some of you will have read this within an hour of the time that it hits the Internet! It's kinda crazy and kinda awesome at the same time.

Technology is playing a greater role in our life than ever before. I can send and receive emails from anywhere, surf the web, listen to music/podcast, and even watch a movie. Never before has it been possible for me to be so productive or so entertained regardless of where I am.

Thousands of people are constantly typing away at their blackberries Hundreds of thousands are using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. And there is no telling who all is texting these days. Listen to this, according to a recent study by Nationwide Insurance, “1 in 5 people send text messages while driving.” I must admit, this stat was not at all surprising to me because I do this myself (despite constant objections from my wife). The study goes on to say that “the percentage of users between the ages of 18-34 is even more at 1 in 3 people who will send a text while driving.” It is just insane that some of us (and yes, I am included in the “us” category) are so addicted that we cannot even drive down the road and enjoy ten minutes of solitude without pulling out some sort of device so that we may connect to our friends, listen to music, or post a status. Yet, I am guilty.

I like all these tools at our disposal, I think they are a tremendous asset. I have found them to be a great source of encouragement and a lot of good things have happened as a result. I love the fact that information is constantly at our fingertips. I really do. I think this information age in which we live is simply incredible. However, there are some draw backs to said technology.

Unlike face-to-face communication, electronic forms of communication often force us to make more assumptions about the sender’s intent, since messages must be interpreted with limited knowledge. Not to mention that an email or message or status sent at midnight can violate various unspoken boundaries than that of a face-to-face meeting. Furthermore, without the accompaniment of body language and facial expressions, electronic communication leaves the door open for many misinterpretations.

Now, I hope you do not get the idea that I am against all this technology. I love it. You should see my blog post from June 10, 2009 entitled, “Taking the Plunge.” I have no problem with this technology; but I would like to pose a question.

What about God?

I must admit to you that in my devotions this morning, I was interrupted (so to speak) by eight different messages, and I became convicted about my addiction. I had to force myself to put my phone on silent just so I could have a private moment with the Lord. The crazy thing is – it was difficult to even do. It's like my blackberry had become my crackberry!!!

If we are not careful, our prayer life and walk with the Lord can suffer because of all this technology. We must make sure that we do not find ourselves trying to multi-task our time with God believing that God understands. After all, we are extremely busy. God understands if I only take time to pray to Him during the commercials of my television show, right? I think not. By only giving God the brief moments or leftovers in our life, we exchange our intimate times with God for a quick email devotional and trade study and meditation for something we can grab on our way out the door. And just as our messages and posts can be misperceived, we can misinterpret God’s voice when we don’t allow ourselves to wait and hear what He has to say. Why do we not hear His voice? Because every moment of our day is spent with our mind constantly being pushed from one direction to another without any time to meditate on God.

Yes, it's true. Emails, texts, instant messaging, and other such technologies make it all too easy to fill in the dead parts of our day by cranking out another email or responding to someone's question or turning to my device for my next instruction. I think we need to heed the psalmist instruction when he said, “Be still and know that I am God.” When was the last time that you took time out of your hectic schedule just to “be still”?

Technology makes our lives much easier, but we must be careful not to let time with technology take the place of a daily private time with God. We need to seek direction from God, not from the email in the inbox. We need to take the time to worship Jesus Christ, and not the latest technology. We need to give Christ what is right and not what is left.In a world that calls us to be “on,” let us take time to turn off. Turn off the phone to spend time in prayer. Turn off the computer in order to study the Bible. Today, let us forsake the addiction to technology in an effort to pursue a direct and personal relationship with God!

Flip the Pillow Over

As I go sleep each night, often times, reflections and memories of the day as well as expectations of the next day keep my mind engaged despite my effort to fall asleep. Usually, I do not mind the process as I often spend that time praying: I thank the Lord for the blessings he has given me, my wife laying beside me (usually already asleep), and my son sleeping soundly in the next room. After a brief amount of time, my pillow starts to get warm and for whatever reason, it really starts bothering me. I shift my body and my head as I search for that perfect, comfortable position. After a few moments of discomfort, I decide to correct this problem by flipping my pillow to the “cool side” and I experience euphoria! It’s really insane. I know. All I do is turn the pillow over, but it brings me such joy and allows me to lie there and comfortably drift off to sleep.

I began this thought process last night as I flipped my pillow over, I believe it is necessary from time to time for us to “flip the pillow over” in certain areas to keep our lives in an effort to keep life from becoming uncomfortable, boring, and leaving us less than satisfied. I don't know about you, but sometimes life can become very disinteresting thus leaving us unfulfilled. We start to think about the lives of others and what they must be doing. After all, their life cannot be as boring as our life, can it? American's spend millions of dollars on this venue every year. There is an entire entertainment industry built around letting you see other peoples lives so that you may live vicariously through their experiences as you go through your boring, mundane existence. You don't have to look far as these magazines and newspapers are at every checkout counter from Florida to California.

Why do we search for happiness amongst others? As a culture, why do we spend so much money on entertainment as if that has the potential to make us happy? Jesus said, “I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly.” If Christ is indeed the answer, why are people so miserable? Why then is life so unfulfilled to so many? Why then is life so empty? The answer is clear, it is because we choose not to have a life centered around Christ. So, to keep life from become boring, we must first realize that Christ must be the center.

A wise man once said, “You are as happy today as you choose to be.” I believe that to be mostly true. I also believe that your life is as exciting as you choose for it to be. There are too many people that are not excited about living. If your life has become something that you are not happy with, that the take time to “flip that pillow over” and make it exciting. You would be surprised at what a difference a small change can have in your life. Here are three that have helped me as of late:


Number one, spend extra time reading the scriptures and in prayer. The Bible said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” The problem that each of us have in our lives is that we don't use the Word of God to light our path; instead, we choose to walk around in darkness... and we wonder why our lives turn out the way they do. If I were to live drive tonight with my lights off, my chances of being involved in an accident have greatly increased. Friend, God wants you to be fulfilled and excited about your life; but true happiness and joy is not known outside of Christ. Joshua 1:8 teaches us that we ought to have a life of meditation on His Word and only then will we find true success. Listen, there is no real joy outside of Jesus Christ. If your life has become empty and vain and mundane and boring, it is because you are not meant to live unto yourself. I implore you to search out the one source of true joy and spend extra time throughout the pages of the best selling book of all time – the Bible.

Number two, switch things up a little bit in your relationships – this will spice up your life a little bit. You know, it seems as if Anniversaries, Birthday's, Valentine's Day, Fourth of July, etc... it seems like all these days force us to remember a special person, a mile marker, an event, or a reason for celebration. Many times though, I feel that we take for granted so many things in our life for the simple reason that the date has not arisen for us to remember. Why do we need a date for us to remember the blessings and privileges that we enjoy? It seems as if we only think upon thankfulness at Thanksgiving and we only think of the freedoms we enjoy on patriotic holidays. I guarantee you if you “flip the pillow over” in terms of looking at the blessings you have in your life, you will soon see that your life is not boring at all. Instead, I believe that you will see that you have a blessed life that you have simply taken for granted. Why not take time today to send your wife some flowers (for no reason at all), take your husband out for dinner, thank a veteran, spend time reflecting upon your freedom, and begin thinking about the blessings God has given you instead of complaining about what you don't have? It doesn't take much, just a small change in your paradigm, and you'll be amazed at the difference.

Number three, do something for someone else. Scripture tells us, “Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Life does have a tendency to become predictable. I can promise you, since you feel this way from time to time that other people feel much the same way as well. Take some time out of your day to be a breath of fresh air to someone. Encourage someone. Perhaps God can use you to “flip the pillow over” in someone else's life. Who can you encourage today? Listen, life is hard. Pain is real. A pastor of yesteryear once said, “Be kind to everyone because everyone is having a rough time.” We all have areas of our life and issues in our family that we worry over. It really is more blessed to give than to receive. I know that you will find satisfaction in your life and you will get out of the rut when you get your eyes off of yourself and onto others. Someone has it worse than you do. Find that person and be an encouragement today.


This is by no means an exhaustive list. Job tells us that life is short and full of trouble. Christ has not promised an easy or pain-free life or a life free of trouble, but He has promised us that we don't have to go through these things alone.

I think flipping the pillow over from time to time may be just the thing that you need to experience a breath of fresh air in your life. Snap out of the norm, break free from the ruts and routines that we all find ourselves in, and in doing so you will be surprised the joy that will engulf your life. Who knows? By flipping those things around in your life, you might just find that God will use you in a mightier way than you ever thought possible. “Flip that pillow over” and experience the cool side of life. Experience the life that God intended for you to have. You'll be amazed at the result.


Ephesians - “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly above all that we even ask or think.”

Boulders on Your Path to Recovery by Doug Dickerson

While there is still a long way to go, we are slowly seeing signs that the economy is trying to make a comeback. Positioning yourself for the turnaround begins now so as not to be behind the curve when the recovery takes place. Think about it for a moment, what will your company look like in six months, a year from now? While it may be difficult to predict, the time is now to think strategically about your future.

I am reminded of a story about how a king in ancient times placed a boulder on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the boulder out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.

Every boulder you have faced on the road the past year or two with the economic downturn presents valuable lessons that you might not have considered. From under the boulder on the road contains a purse with a few nuggets of truth that are reminders for us today.

First, successful people move boulders. Many of the king’s merchants and courtiers walked around the boulder. Consequently, they did not receive the gold coins which are indicative of many today. Success comes to those who in the face of obstacles will work hard to remove the obstacles before them. Others prefer to walk around obstacles and pretend it is not there or blame someone for it.

Someone once said, “If Columbus had turned back, no one could have blamed him, but no one would have remembered him.” The successful person will roll up his sleeves and with determination move the obstacle. It may take a while and will certainly not be easy, but the reward will be worth it. What will you do with the boulder on your path?

Second, boulders are a barometer of your creative powers. For many, a boulder on their pathway is a nuisance, an irritation on the way to some place else. While the king’s men likely cursed the boulder the peasant chose a different approach. While no one wants a boulder on their path like a recession, how you choose to respond to it will make all the difference.

Obstacles provide opportunity. For the peasant the obstacle was a boulder in the road. The reward came when he moved it only to discover the purse with the gold coin. For Sandra Garratt, the reward came in the form of designing clothes that she didn’t like. The truth is- opportunities often come in a disguise. Not every boulder is an obstacle. Sometimes it’s a reward waiting to be discovered.

In his famous poem, The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost writes, “I shall be telling this with a sigh, somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” You are on your path for a reason.

The next time you stumble upon a boulder on your path, pause before you curse it or the one who put it there. Keep in mind that what lies underneath quite possibly could change your life.



******FOOTNOTE... the above blog was taken from http://dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com/

Don't Lose It Dad!

Today is Father's Day. This is a day set aside to honor fathers. Since I am one, and I have one. It is a good day for me. For whatever reason, somehow Father's Day doesn't seem quite as important as Mother's Day, and it may only be a marketing ploy to sell more greeting cards, but I would like to address those of us who are fathers. This is a very important time to be a father. The children born between 1976 and 1996 represent one fourth of America's population. This generation is called "The Millennial Generation" or "The Bridger Generation" because they are the bridge to the new millennium. For at least the next half-century, they will be the most influential people in the world. If you are a dad, some of them probably live in your house; but maybe not, because many Bridgers/Millennials do not live with their fathers. At any given time, nearly one-third of all children 18 and under do not live in the same home with their fathers, and less than half spend their entire childhood with both of their parents.

As I approach this day today, I asked myself: What is a father anyway? What is he supposed to do? How is he to instruct? What is he to instruct? So, as I sit here early on this Sunday morning typing this out, I think I came up with a logical and Biblical conclusion. Fathers are supposed to provide for the material needs of their families. They are supposed to teach the difference between right and wrong, and to show what it means to be gentle as well as strong. Fathers, more than anyone else, teach their sons what it means to be men and their daughters what it means to be women.

Today, more than ever before, children are being raised in a world without absolutes. Although they have some interest in spiritual things, they have little or no interest in organized religion. They have been trained to be suspicious of anyone who claims to know the truth. Listen to these sobering statistics, while 60% of their grandparents, 40% of their parents, and even 25% of their older siblings claim to be Christians, only 4% of the Millennial generation will profess faith in Jesus Christ. Why is this happening?

I fear that a lot of times people have no idea what it is that they have until they have lost it. We have been blessed of the Lord and yet we take it for granted. It is a sad and tragic truth that many a husband has taken his wife for granted only to find out he no longer had her as a wife. Then it was too late. It is a sad and tragic truth that many parents have taken their children for granted; only to discover their kids no longer want to see them. It is a sad and tragic truth that many children took for granted the love of a mom and a dad only to realize their great loss when they went on out into eternity.

Four things that I believe need to be understood about our families:

· Don’t take what God has given you for granted.
· Don’t treat what God has given you poorly.
· Be appreciative & thankful for them.
· Protect them.

It really has become a trite statement; however, that does not make it any less true: “you don’t realize what you have until it is not there.” It was not until I moved out of the house before I realized that my parents were not as ignorant as I perceived them to be!

I had no idea that my parents actually had some wisdom behind all those rules and regulations. In many respects, I did not know what I had until I lost it. This point has been proven true countless other times when it has come to other relationships, jobs, material possessions, and various other situations in life.

As my mind wanders this morning, I began thinking about people in the Bible that had things and lost it:

1. In Genesis 12, we find that Lot lost his family because he let his greed overrule his duty to protect his family. Most of his family was destroyed and his wife was turned into a pillar of salt. What a sad account it is for this man who took his family too lightly and as a result, he lost them all.

2. In Psalm 51, we find that David lost his joy because he indulged his fleshly desire over God’s desire. We see him in this chapter begging for Christ to restore his joy.

3. In Matthew 26, we find that Peter lost his reputation because he cared what others thought of him when he denied ever knowing Christ. Scripture records that he wept bitterly when he realized that he had destroyed his reputation.

4. In Luke 12, we find the worst loss of all; here a man loses his own soul. In this passage, we see a rich man with all the wealth he could possibly want, yet he did not make provision for his eternity.

However this blog may find you, I wonder, are you being a good steward of all that God has given you? I mainly wrote this with the subject of fathers in mind; however, this applies to us all. Don’t lose your family (or whatever those things that you hold precious to you) because of greed, fleshly desire, caring about other’s opinions, and by avoiding Christ in your life.

Second John tells us that we should "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward." So, with that in mind, look at yourself today. Are you being a good steward? I dare say, we can all improve on this area of our lives. How will you improve today? This week? This month? This year? A failure to plan is a plan destined for failure. Fathers, value your family and don’t lose it!

Happy Father’s Day!

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Another One Bites the Dust...

Well, the news came out this week – another one bites the dust! It should not be so shocking to the world by now. It seems as if another “hero” of sports has fallen. Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs has now been linked to performance enhancing drugs during the 2003 season. I personally think that every time one of these stories comes out that it does nothing but tarnish professional sports. In many respects, I wish they would leave the past in the past and not continue to drag out these allegations…but I digress.

With that thought in mind, I began thinking about these people that we enshrine into heroism almost instantly the moment they achieve some type of accolade. In my opinion, the distinctiveness of the modern day hero has deteriorated greatly. Until recently, our heroes were individuals who braved unknown frontiers at the risk of death or public humiliation, regardless of the sacrifices. Much of what they accomplished was for the good of humanity rather than their own self-centered needs.
In the past fifty years, attitudes, values, and priorities have been increasingly shaped by a mass-media culture. Our heroes have changed drastically. Today, our children worship wealthy performers who change spouses as often as they change underwear. They look up to rappers with criminal records and sordid drug habits. They idolize movie characters whose talents involve killing by day and gratuitous sex by night. They revere those with the most cynical attitudes, the most obscene incomes, the foulest mouth, and the lowest regard for human life. To many contemporary heroes, agricultural advancement means sowing bushels of their wild oats everywhere they can. They seem to live by the motto: “Snort, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow…well, tomorrow we’ll meet at my place and do it all over again.”

It seems as if we have so overused this word “hero,” and that it has lost its meaning. When I was a kid, heroism was an ideal; but it seems that today every teacher, athlete, and movie star wears the label of a hero. I’m sure that many of them are heroes to a certain extent, but it doesn’t take superman’s x-ray vision to see right through the vain appearance demonstrating that many are anything but. From A-Rod to Kobe Bryant to Michael Phelps drug use to Rodger Clemens and the list goes on. These supposed “heroes” continually succumb to cheating with performance enhancing drugs, addictive habits, and poor life choices. Yet, they are depicted as heroes for our children. No wonder our nation is in a quandary. No wonder our generation is making such poor moral indiscretions – they are following their heroes. After all, it is perfectly natural (but totally opposite of God’s view) for one to cheat on their spouse, lie to the government, laugh at authority, not pay taxes, and be dishonest on the job. Then, to add insult to injury, as a nation, we create sitcoms, television shows, and movies about these things all the while laughing at the moral decline of others. Then, we call the actors that do such, heroes! Does anyone else notice the irony here? It seems as if we can live however we want without consequences so long as we can make someone laugh, hit a ball with a stick, and make lots of money.

In our culture, heroism is often defined in terms of what a person has rather than who he or she is and what he or she can do to make the world a better place. What these heroes have is money, fame, athletic talent, or physical beauty. And because of this, they are often given tacit permission to break the rules and sidestep the moral code.

With this in mind, I have come to a conclusion that there is a HUGE difference between someone that has a heroic moment and someone that is a true hero. I believe that true heroes are people that live a life of heroism and not simply have a heroic moment. I’m sure that there are heroes that are well published and known around the world, but I am grateful for the heroes that preach in small churches across the world, the nurses working in hospitals on third shift, those in the military sacrificing months away from their family, the teacher that spends countless hours after school helping a child, and incalculable other illustrations. These stories depict what I believe to be a stark difference between those that not only have heroic moments, but instead live as constant, steady heroes in the hearts and lives of people.

Talent doesn’t make a hero, and beauty should not equate to virtue. So, before we can raise our children to become heroes, we need to redefine heroism in healthier, less materialistic terms. Heroes should be people who are willing to sacrifice their own interests for the greater good. Heroes should be those who, day after day, do what they believe is right, regardless of their audience, their temptations, their excuses, the unpopularity of their choice, or the outside reaction it may trigger. And they do what is right for rightness’ sake, not to earn brownie points or special favors.

Real heroes are not only those who risk life and limb to save another, but anyone ready to risk personal loss–of reputation, pride, friendship, confidence, money, pleasure, and opportunity–for the sake of what is right. In short, heroes are led by their sense of honor rather than by the path of least resistance and highest immediate rewards.

So, in conclusion, as another “hero” bites the dust, may it be our prayer that we remain faithful and committed to those in our lives that we have the responsibility to influence. May we make the right decisions, even though it is difficult, and may we stand for right even when it is the path least traveled.


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