Month: June 2015

Greener Grass Syndrome

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Everybody wants a great relationship, a great marriage. Everybody wants a good job, you know, job security. Everybody want a church they can call home. Everybody wants a great ministry, to be used by God. Not too many, though, want to do what’s necessary to make it happen where they are. They are always looking for something better on the other side of the fence. The way to fix that is simple: You love what you have You nurture what you have You invest in what you have You put value on what you have You believe in what you have You are grateful and thankful for what you have You cherish what you have You water where you are This is the cure, I think, to the greener grass syndrome. If you love your country, make it a better place. If you love your home, make it a better place. If you love you church, make it a better place. If you love your school, your neighborhood, make it a better place. You never …

Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise

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A few days ago, I walked into my office and realized that I had two voice messages from the light flashing my office phone. I quickly pressed the button on the phone to retrieve the messages. As I listened to the second message, I recognized a familiar voice. It was Bob Kilpatrick. If you don’t know who Bob is, you ought to. He is not only a prolific singer songwriter with countless hits, an author, but also one the most down to earth, passionate for Jesus and funny guys on planet earth. He is a bundle of joy to be with. Around the time I got saved, Bob’s praise and worship songs were sung in every church. I remember leading the church in songs like, In my life be glorified. That one song was featured in almost every worship set. Long before I got to meet him, Bob’s words in songs took me to another place. A heavenly place. His words today, are still taking me same. Taking me places.  Heavenly places. In 2014, we had an opportunity to spend …

Here is Ben Rector’s two-cents about Making Money

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Making money, it isn’t easy And it sure won’t make you happy So I think it’s funny, we’re so concerned with making money And money won’t keep folks from grieving And it won’t stop love from leaving So here’s my two cents What’s the use in making money And I know that life ain’t cheap And not all good things are free But there is no enough and no too much and it seems so strange to me I just think it’s funny, we’re so concerned with making money I make my living singing love songs That I made up cause I love songs But folks believe them, So I’m receiving paper money Don’t get me wrong, I love my lady And I probably wouldn’t trade her But life’s no better with debts or debters Making money And I know that life ain’t cheap And not all good things are free But there is no enough and no too much And it seems so strange to me I just think it’s funny, we’re so concerned …

The use of Excessive Force: 10-quotes-from-malcolm-gladwell’s-david-and-goliath

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In David & Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell offers a paradigm shift in the discussion of how we usually deal with pain, suffering, disadvantages, obstacles, and discrimination. He frames the story of David and Goliath as one of an underdog facing a giant. The cool thing about this dynamic is, “being  an underdog can change people in ways that we often fail to appreciate: it can open doors and create opportunities and educate and enlighten and make possible what might otherwise have seemed unthinkable.” If you’ll allow it, this book will massively overhaul and change the way you look at challenges in your life. In short it a manual for underdogs, misfits and all those who are faced with giants way too strong to conquer. Notable quotes: “Giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness.” “If you bomb a city, you leave behind death and destruction. If you take away a mother or a father, you cause suffering and despair. But one time in ten, out …

10 Quotes from Max Lucado’s ‘Before Amen’

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When Prayer Flows If you want to take you prayer life to another level of simplicity and ease, “Before Amen” is for you. It is inviting and inspiring. The focus remains on the Father all through the book. In essence, that is exactly what prayer is all about. Enjoy a few quotes that jumped off the pages: “Before you face your world, face you Father.” “Prayer is conversation with God while driving to work or awaiting an appointment or before interacting with a client. Prayer can be the internal voice that directs the external action.” “Guilt leaves a tattooed heart.” Just as a happy child cannot mis-hug, the sincere heart cannot mis-pray” “Prayer is the hand of faith on the door handle of your heart; the willing pull; the happy welcome to Jesus.” “Prayers are not graded according to style.” “You are never more like Jesus than when you pray for others.” “An un-prayed for problem is an embedded thorn.” “Life is a gift, albeit unassembled. It comes in pieces, and sometimes it falls into …

The Only black man in town

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I am a missionary. My mission statement is, “God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours.” –David Livingston Well, I live and minister in the middle of nowhere. I usually refer to it as, “my ends of the earth.” For a long time, we were the only black family in town. Now, there is two other black families, I think. I find absolutely nothing wrong with that. We love everyone equally and expect the same. Besides the occasional stares, we love it here,. We are on a mission. We love our church as well, it is the most loving church in the world. We are proud to be their pastors. There is no other group of people I’d rather spend my time doing life with. Haven said that, when my youngest daughter was about 6, a kid in her class looked at her and said, “why are you so black?” Well, …