Fill 'er Up!

Today I began to reread a fresh copy of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. This reading is not a substitute for my daily Bible reading, but an addition to my devotion time. I am going to do as the book instructs and read one chapter a day so I can think on the reading throughout the day.

I am at a point in my life where I need some good positive and encouraging words spoken into me. If you know me you know that I am an Encourager. I love building people up. But there comes a time when the Encourager needs encouragement. That time is here. I'm out of "encouraging gas" and need my "encouraging tank" refilled so I can go about continuing the tasks God has given to me.

All of us need to be refilled from time to time. We all need that time where we can relax, reflect, rethink, refocus, repent, regroup, renew... name your "re___"! So I say to God, "Fill 'er up!"

I was reminded today that everything starts with God. Not a book, pastor, leader, concept, program, etc. Everything starts with God! (Colossians 1:16) HE is where the focus must be. So I am at the right filling station. Rick says, "God is not just the starting point of your life, He's the source of it! (p. 20)

Are you needing that renewal that comes from God? Maybe you'll journey with me over these next 40 days and "dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty!" Ps. 91:1

Fill 'er up, LORD!

Timing

I just completed my first Leadership Summit at NorthStar Community Church where I serve as the Lead Pastor. It was some kind of awesome weekend with some of the finest folks in this area!

The Summit challenged us all in many ways and I believe we all came away with the desire to meet more often as leaders. I shared some goals for the Fall that will challenge us to make but they can be reached.

Then our guest speaker yesterday, Jimmy Blanton, came in with a message that was right on time for us! Actually the whole weekend was great timing for a 4-year-old Church. Click here to listen. The title is funny but has great significance!

Now my "spiritual senses" are on ALERT! God is about to do something and it will be on His time. His timing is what is so cool. Have you ever had His timing happen in your life and as you reflected on that moment you realized that the only way the incident could happen would be a "God Thing"?

Post a comment when God's timing was just right for you. I've had many and am expecting even more in the days and years to come.

Cussing Pastors

Ed Young knows exactly what to say when an important issue arises. This is a great word, not only for pastors, but also for all of us who are Christ followers. Click here to see Ed.

Snakes Anybody?

I have had an interesting journey with my yard since moving into our home over seven years ago. When I first moved in my back yard was covered with Wisteria vines up to 30 feet long. The interesting thing about Wisteria is that every so often it decides to run a tap root. Of course that doesn't count the other root system under the surface. But that's another story for a later post.

Because of my fruit trees - fig and apple - and my pecan tree I have seen raccoons, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, squirrels and a red fox, not to mention the many types of birds.

My next door neighbor once had an alligator snapping turtle that bit the fool out of his German Shepherd!

I caught him and gave him to a military friend from Louisiana who knew what to do with turtles. Each spring I generally see a green snake around some bushes and they are good to have around to eat insects.

However today I got a big surprise - I came across a baby rattle snake in my front yard, near the street and next to my neighbor's brick fence! And did he have an attitude! I scooped him up in a bucket and took a few pictures before sending him off for some enhanced interrogation! Sorry to say he didn't make it through the process. Of course when you find one snake this small you wonder where the mom and siblings are! Since that experience this morning I have been more cautious in picking up sticks in the yard!! It's interesting that the snake showed up in the wide-open environment. One minute he was no where to be seen and the next minute he was coiled up and ready to strike! We expect to see snakes in the dark woods or deep weeds but not much where there is no cover.

There could be a life lesson here: You don't have to be in the wrong environment for a snake to show up! The first time the devil is mentioned in the Bible he was called The Serpent. He tempted Eve and Adam in the wide-open. Of course, after God got through with that serpent, he didn't have a leg to stand on! (I know...old, bad joke...sorry)

The devil is stealth and crafty like a snake and he shows up when we least expect it. So put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) so you can stand against and withstand anything the devil throws at you, even in the wide-open.

Finding Real Change We Can Believe In

With all the hype and media frenzy out there over the "change" America's is supposed to believe in I wanted to bring some hope to the hopeless!

First, it is OK to be politically incorrect! Think about it for a moment... If I am politically correct, more than likely I will be biblically incorrect and that's not a place I want to be. How about you?

Second, no matter who "rules" a throne or sits behind the "big desk," GOD is still on HIS throne and nothing has taken Him by surprise!

Third, real "change" comes from the inside! It's a metamorphosis that is generated by a power great than ourselves. It begins by exchanging our Old lives for the New life that Jesus offers.

Real change does not come from a finite and limited plan, program or person. Real change comes from an infinite Person - Jesus Christ, the REAL Messiah. He's ready to give you a change you can believe in!

Think about it.

New Year

I absolutely love New Year's Day! There is just something about this particular day that gets most people to thinking. We regretfully think about the past and with great anticipation we think about the future.

Sure, today is no different than yesterday (Dec. 31) but there's just something about this day that puts great hope in all of us. Do you sense that on this day or is it just me?

The Bible teaches us: "Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to the things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19b HCSB)

"Something new" comes daily. With each morning we see a new day. With each day we see new opportunities. With each opportunity we see new progress!

Start each day with anticipation and remember: The past is past! Let's learn our lessons and move on toward our future. Life is better when you look through the windshield than through the rear-view mirror.