When Jerry Jenkins was working with Billy Graham in the writing of Graham's autobiography Just As I Am, Jenkins asked Graham about his spiritual disciplines. He said, "...you're seen as almost the Protestant Pope. Surely there are secrets, hints you can offer laypeople on how to maintain their walk with God."
Graham demurred, insisting that he is no authority. Jenkins asked Graham to explain, at least, how he maintains his own spiritual disciplines.
Graham answered, "There's no secret to that. God doesn't hide the key from us. The Bible says to pray without ceasing and to search the Scriptures. And I do that."
Graham went on to say that he has a habit of leaving his Bible open somewhere where he will notice it during the day. He said, "I pick it up at odd moments and read a verse or two or a chapter or two or for an hour or two. And this is not for study or sermon preparation. This is just for my own spiritual nourishment." [Adapted from Jerry Jenkins, Writing for the Soul]
Bible reading and prayer: these are the habits that have sustained one of the greatest Christian leaders of history. We will never outgrow or "out-succeed" the need for these basic disciplines. This is why Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." (1 Peter 2:2)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
ONE STEP FORWARD
One winter morning, an employee explained why he had shown up for work 45 minutes late. "It was so slippery out that for every step I took ahead, I slipped back two."
The boss eyed him with suspicion, and asked, "Oh yeah? Then how did you get here?"
The employee said, "I finally gave up and started home."
One step forward, two steps back. Ever felt like that was you? Bruce Springsteen wrote about it...
When I look at myself at myself I don't seeThe man I wanted to be.Somewhere along the line I slipped off trackOne step up, two steps back.
The Bible has a word for those backward steps: sin. It also has a solution: repentance. When we find ourselves moving in the wrong direction, we need to repent. We need to do what the above mentioned employee did—head back home. That will get us where we need to be.
Isaiah said, Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)
Listen to that voice...and keep moving forward.
The boss eyed him with suspicion, and asked, "Oh yeah? Then how did you get here?"
The employee said, "I finally gave up and started home."
One step forward, two steps back. Ever felt like that was you? Bruce Springsteen wrote about it...
When I look at myself at myself I don't seeThe man I wanted to be.Somewhere along the line I slipped off trackOne step up, two steps back.
The Bible has a word for those backward steps: sin. It also has a solution: repentance. When we find ourselves moving in the wrong direction, we need to repent. We need to do what the above mentioned employee did—head back home. That will get us where we need to be.
Isaiah said, Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)
Listen to that voice...and keep moving forward.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Prayer
It's been a few days since I've logged an entry...forgive my infrequency. I had intended to over the weekend. My thoughts have been a bit scattered, however.
Sadly, Marvina's father, Mr. Marvin Skidmore, passed away on Sunday evening. At 85 yrs of age he lived a remarkable like, and his passing is his graduation into the presence of the God he so faithfully served.
Please keep Marvina and our family in prayer this week as we go through the difficult, but necessary things that must be done when a family member passes away.
Sadly, Marvina's father, Mr. Marvin Skidmore, passed away on Sunday evening. At 85 yrs of age he lived a remarkable like, and his passing is his graduation into the presence of the God he so faithfully served.
Please keep Marvina and our family in prayer this week as we go through the difficult, but necessary things that must be done when a family member passes away.
Friday, August 29, 2008
HABITS AND THE PULL OF GRAVITY
In his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey talks about how the astronauts of Apollo 11 had to overcome the tremendous gravitational pull of the earth to in order to get to the moon.
He says, "More energy was spent in the first few minutes of lift-off, in the first few miles of travel, than was used over the next several days to travel half a million miles."
Covey continues...
"Habits, too, have tremendous gravity pull -- more than most people realize or would admit. Breaking deeply imbedded habitual tendencies such as procrastination, impatience, criticalness, or selfishness that violate basic principles of human effectiveness involves more than a little willpower and a few minor changes in our lives. Lift off takes a tremendous effort, but once we break out of the gravity pull, our freedom takes on a whole new dimension."
Anyone who has broken a habit knows about this. The first few days of a new diet, or a new exercise regime, for example, are torture...ask me...I'll tell ya! But there comes a time when you get used to it, when each action doesn't take monumental effort ... and eventually you actually begin to enjoy it.
When breaking a bad habit or trying to establish a good one, you can expect some resistance up front. Don't let the anticipated resistance prevent you from getting started. You'll burn a lot of fuel for the first days, but it won't be long before you're able to coast a bit.
He says, "More energy was spent in the first few minutes of lift-off, in the first few miles of travel, than was used over the next several days to travel half a million miles."
Covey continues...
"Habits, too, have tremendous gravity pull -- more than most people realize or would admit. Breaking deeply imbedded habitual tendencies such as procrastination, impatience, criticalness, or selfishness that violate basic principles of human effectiveness involves more than a little willpower and a few minor changes in our lives. Lift off takes a tremendous effort, but once we break out of the gravity pull, our freedom takes on a whole new dimension."
Anyone who has broken a habit knows about this. The first few days of a new diet, or a new exercise regime, for example, are torture...ask me...I'll tell ya! But there comes a time when you get used to it, when each action doesn't take monumental effort ... and eventually you actually begin to enjoy it.
When breaking a bad habit or trying to establish a good one, you can expect some resistance up front. Don't let the anticipated resistance prevent you from getting started. You'll burn a lot of fuel for the first days, but it won't be long before you're able to coast a bit.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
QUOTES ON GOAL-SETTING
I love these quotes. The first two by Mays and Twain are my favorites. They remind me of the verse: "With God all things are possible..."
"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It isn't a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim, is a sin." -- Benjamin Mays
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain
"If you can accomplish all your goals in a year or two, your goals are too small." -- Joel Osteen
"The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." -- Albert Einstein
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." --C.S. Lewis
"Everything I've ever done was out of fear of being mediocre." -- Chet Atkins
"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It isn't a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim, is a sin." -- Benjamin Mays
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain
"If you can accomplish all your goals in a year or two, your goals are too small." -- Joel Osteen
"The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." -- Albert Einstein
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." --C.S. Lewis
"Everything I've ever done was out of fear of being mediocre." -- Chet Atkins
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Quotes On Leadership
Inventories can be managed, but people must be led. -- Ross Perot
There's nothing more demoralizing than a leader who can't clearly articulate why we're doing what we're doing. -- James Kouzes and Barry Posner
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. -- John Quincy Adams
The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority. -- Kenneth Blanchard
Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others. -- Robert Louis Stevenson
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be. -- Rosalyn Carter
The price of greatness is responsibility. -- Winston Churchill
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. -- Peter Drucker
Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing. -- Albert Schweitzer
A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him. -- John Maxwell
There's nothing more demoralizing than a leader who can't clearly articulate why we're doing what we're doing. -- James Kouzes and Barry Posner
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. -- John Quincy Adams
The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority. -- Kenneth Blanchard
Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others. -- Robert Louis Stevenson
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be. -- Rosalyn Carter
The price of greatness is responsibility. -- Winston Churchill
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. -- Peter Drucker
Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing. -- Albert Schweitzer
A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him. -- John Maxwell
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Confident In A Crisis!
Someone said, “Tough times do not last, but tough people do!” I don’t know about the last part of that statement, but I am certain about the first part.
A crisis won’t last, but people with faith in God do!
You can outlast the crises of life. Acts 27 gives us a little insight into how to do just that. Paul’s journey to Rome was filled with danger and the potential for destruction. As they sailed toward Rome, their ship was engulfed in a major crisis in the form of a tremendous storm and they all expected to die at sea.
Paul’s experience at sea during the crisis is an example for you and me. As we continue on this faith journey, we sometimes must sail over stormy seas. Sometimes, the sailing is smooth. Most of the time, it is not! Often the crises and storms that rock our lives seem to threaten the very foundations that we stand upon.
Many times, these storms cause us to become discouraged and to want to give up, but Acts 27 is a wonderful reminder that we can be confident in a crisis!
Join us Sunday August 31st as we examine Acts 27 and discover the lessons that will help us remain confident in a crisis.
A crisis won’t last, but people with faith in God do!
You can outlast the crises of life. Acts 27 gives us a little insight into how to do just that. Paul’s journey to Rome was filled with danger and the potential for destruction. As they sailed toward Rome, their ship was engulfed in a major crisis in the form of a tremendous storm and they all expected to die at sea.
Paul’s experience at sea during the crisis is an example for you and me. As we continue on this faith journey, we sometimes must sail over stormy seas. Sometimes, the sailing is smooth. Most of the time, it is not! Often the crises and storms that rock our lives seem to threaten the very foundations that we stand upon.
Many times, these storms cause us to become discouraged and to want to give up, but Acts 27 is a wonderful reminder that we can be confident in a crisis!
Join us Sunday August 31st as we examine Acts 27 and discover the lessons that will help us remain confident in a crisis.
Friday, August 22, 2008
DAILY PRACTICE
Andre Previn said, "If I miss a day of practice, I know it. If I miss two days, my manager knows it. If I miss three days, my audience, knows it."
He was talking about the piano, but the same is true about your devotional life. When you're spending time with God on a consistent basis, it shows. When you aren't, it also shows. You'll see it first, then those closest to you, and, pretty soon, it will be obvious to everyone.
Paul said that you are "transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2) This renewal -- this transformation -- occurs during those quiet moments we spend in the presence of God, when he open his Word and open our hearts to what the Spirit would say to us.
No matter what one accomplishes professionally in the work of the ministry, this time with God remains a daily priority. If Andre Previn needs to practice the piano every day to stay at his best, we need to practice the presence of God every day to stay at our best.
He was talking about the piano, but the same is true about your devotional life. When you're spending time with God on a consistent basis, it shows. When you aren't, it also shows. You'll see it first, then those closest to you, and, pretty soon, it will be obvious to everyone.
Paul said that you are "transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2) This renewal -- this transformation -- occurs during those quiet moments we spend in the presence of God, when he open his Word and open our hearts to what the Spirit would say to us.
No matter what one accomplishes professionally in the work of the ministry, this time with God remains a daily priority. If Andre Previn needs to practice the piano every day to stay at his best, we need to practice the presence of God every day to stay at our best.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Storm? What Storm?
It's Tuesday night and the day has passed without so much as a few sprinkles and some wind. To be honest I'm kind of bummed about it all. I wanted to experience my first hurricane!
Tropical storm, Fay, never developed for the Tampa area. Instead it went further east and is still in the process of crossing the state. Oh well...at least all the area school kids got a free day out of school.
Tomorrow it's back to normal. I'll be back into the "no shoes, no shirt, no problems" mindset!
Tropical storm, Fay, never developed for the Tampa area. Instead it went further east and is still in the process of crossing the state. Oh well...at least all the area school kids got a free day out of school.
Tomorrow it's back to normal. I'll be back into the "no shoes, no shirt, no problems" mindset!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Bring on the Storm!
As Tropical Storm Fay churns across Cuba and heads for Florida, Marvina and I are planning to hit it head on! In about 4 hours we'll be boarding a Southwest Airlines flight for Tampa. Should be an interesting week!
Stay tuned. I'll be posting...even if it's from an evacuation shelter! Keep us in your prayers.
Stay tuned. I'll be posting...even if it's from an evacuation shelter! Keep us in your prayers.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thinking For A Change
I've not share this with too many people before, but somewhere in my documents on my hard drive is a file called "Personal Growth." It contains some things I've complied over the years to help me grow and improve as a person. The majority of quotes, sayings, articles, etc. are about your thoughts. It may seem insignificant but your thoughts play a BIG role in shaping who you are and what you'll become.
Dale Carnegie said, "Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think." This is why Paul commands you "to be made new in the attitude of your minds..." (Ephesians 4:23)
There's no getting past it: change begins between your ears. You'll never see a permanent change in your circumstances until you make a permanent change in your thoughts. The paradox is that when you successfully change the way you think, the status of your situation loses much of its significance. When you begin thinking right, you find that externals aren't all they're cracked up to be.
Thinking right doesn't change your circumstances directly. It changes you -- it renews you and transforms you -- and the indirect result most often is that external conditions change, too. But your first focus must be on what's going in your mind. What are you thinking about?
Norman Vincent Peale said, "Change your thoughts and you'll change your world." That's a secondary outcome. The primary outcome is: Change your thoughts you'll change yourself. As Paul said, "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (Romans 12:2)
Where do we start? "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8)
Happiness, satisfaction, contentment, and optimism: these all begin (and end) with being made new in the attitude of your mind.
Dale Carnegie said, "Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think." This is why Paul commands you "to be made new in the attitude of your minds..." (Ephesians 4:23)
There's no getting past it: change begins between your ears. You'll never see a permanent change in your circumstances until you make a permanent change in your thoughts. The paradox is that when you successfully change the way you think, the status of your situation loses much of its significance. When you begin thinking right, you find that externals aren't all they're cracked up to be.
Thinking right doesn't change your circumstances directly. It changes you -- it renews you and transforms you -- and the indirect result most often is that external conditions change, too. But your first focus must be on what's going in your mind. What are you thinking about?
Norman Vincent Peale said, "Change your thoughts and you'll change your world." That's a secondary outcome. The primary outcome is: Change your thoughts you'll change yourself. As Paul said, "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (Romans 12:2)
Where do we start? "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8)
Happiness, satisfaction, contentment, and optimism: these all begin (and end) with being made new in the attitude of your mind.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Plant any trees lately?
An ancient proverb says, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today." Looking back on the past twenty years of my life, it's easy to see all the trees that should have been planted: I should have invested more, studied more, taken more picnics with the kids, appreciated others more, watched TV less, worried less, laughed more, enjoyed life more, and on and on.
It's easy to see today all the trees I failed to plant twenty years ago. And it may be tempting to dwell on those good things left undone. God, however, has forgotten them; those sins of omission have been cast into the same sea of forgetfulness as our other sins.
Instead, I must be about the business of planting trees today. Paul said, "Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2) Yesterday will never be any different than it was, but the pages of now are still blank. Today is the day of salvation; today is the day to start planting trees!
It's easy to see today all the trees I failed to plant twenty years ago. And it may be tempting to dwell on those good things left undone. God, however, has forgotten them; those sins of omission have been cast into the same sea of forgetfulness as our other sins.
Instead, I must be about the business of planting trees today. Paul said, "Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2) Yesterday will never be any different than it was, but the pages of now are still blank. Today is the day of salvation; today is the day to start planting trees!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
101 Ways To Praise A Child
I got this from a friend of mine, Tom Rees.101 Ways to Praise Your Child:
WOW · WAY TO GO · SUPER · YOU'RE SPECIAL · OUTSTANDING · EXCELLENT · GREAT· GOOD · NEAT · WELL DONE · REMARKABLE · I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT · I'M PROUD OF YOU · FANTASTIC · SUPER STAR · NICE WORK · LOOKING GOOD · YOU'RE ON TOP OF IT · BEAUTIFUL · NOW YOU'RE FLYING · YOU'RE CATCHING ON · NOW YOU'VE GOT IT · YOU'RE INCREDIBLE · BRAVO · YOU'RE FANTASTIC · HURRAY FOR YOU · YOU'RE ON TARGET · YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY · HOW NICE · HOW SMART · GOOD JOB · THAT'S INCREDIBLE · HOT DOG · DYNAMITE · YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL · YOU'RE UNIQUE · NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW · GOOD FOR YOU · I LIKE YOU YOU'RE A WINNER · REMARKABLE JOB · BEAUTIFUL WORK · SPECTACULAR · YOU'RE SPECTACULAR · YOU'RE DARLING · YOU'RE PRECIOUS · GREAT DISCOVERY · YOU'VE DISCOVERED THE SECRET · YOU FIGURED IT OUT · FANTASTIC JOB · HIP, HIP, HURRAY · BINGO · MAGNIFICENT · MARVELOUS · TERRIFIC · YOU'RE IMPORTANT · PHENOMENAL · YOU'RE SENSATIONAL · SUPER WORK · CREATIVE JOB · SUPER JOB · FANTASTIC JOB · EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE · YOU'RE A REAL TROOPER · YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE · YOU ARE EXCITING · YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT · WHAT AN IMAGINATION ·WHAT A GOOD LISTENER · YOU ARE FUN · YOU'RE GROWING UP · YOU TRIED HARD · YOU CARE · BEAUTIFUL SHARING · OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE · YOU'RE A GOOD FRIEND · I TRUST YOU · YOU'RE IMPORTANT · YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME · YOU MAKE ME HAPPY · YOU BELONG · YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND · YOU MAKE ME LAUGH · YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY · I RESPECT YOU · YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME · THAT'S CORRECT · YOU'RE A JOY · YOU'RE A TREASURE · YOU'RE WONDERFUL · YOU'RE PERFECT · AWESOME · A+ JOB · YOU'RE A-OK MY BUDDY · YOU MADE MY DAY · THAT'S THE BEST · A BIG HUG · A BIG KISS · SAY I LOVE YOU!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Opening Ceremonies
As I type this I'm watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games in Beijing. I'm not usually a big fan of stuff like this, but this ain't half bad! If I heard Bob Costas right the cost for these opening ceremonies is around $300 million dollars!
I'm thinking...what could I do with $300 million dollars? That's a lot of trips to Cold Stone creamery!! It's also a lot of Jeff Gordon memorabilia to decorate my office. Come to think of it...$300 million dollars is a lot of everything!
I'll probably never have that much, but God always makes sure I have what I need. The difference between my needs and my wants can be as wide as the Atlantic Ocean sometimes. I have to remind myself it's not about what I don't have that I need to dwell on. Rather I need to thank God for what I do have.
I would encourage you to do the same! Thank God every day for what you have...even if the grand total only comes out to $30 dollars verses $300 million.
I'm thinking...what could I do with $300 million dollars? That's a lot of trips to Cold Stone creamery!! It's also a lot of Jeff Gordon memorabilia to decorate my office. Come to think of it...$300 million dollars is a lot of everything!
I'll probably never have that much, but God always makes sure I have what I need. The difference between my needs and my wants can be as wide as the Atlantic Ocean sometimes. I have to remind myself it's not about what I don't have that I need to dwell on. Rather I need to thank God for what I do have.
I would encourage you to do the same! Thank God every day for what you have...even if the grand total only comes out to $30 dollars verses $300 million.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAITH AND HOPE
The following comes from Thomas Smail. I found it to be a powerful reminder. Read it slowly and take in each word.
"When the prayer made in faith is not answered, and the healing for which many have sought does not come, we are not to look for someone to accuse of failure in faith.
Rather we are to remember that besides faith there is hope.
Hope has to do with God's promises that are still future and hidden, just as faith has to do with God's promises that are here and now.
To the person who has believed for today but has not seen the answer come today, there comes the call to hope.
Hope says, 'Tomorrow also is God's. Enough has happened already to assure you that the rest is on the way.'"
Amen.
"When the prayer made in faith is not answered, and the healing for which many have sought does not come, we are not to look for someone to accuse of failure in faith.
Rather we are to remember that besides faith there is hope.
Hope has to do with God's promises that are still future and hidden, just as faith has to do with God's promises that are here and now.
To the person who has believed for today but has not seen the answer come today, there comes the call to hope.
Hope says, 'Tomorrow also is God's. Enough has happened already to assure you that the rest is on the way.'"
Amen.
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