Check these guys out at: http://www.thepowerteam.com/
More to come as the event gets closer!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Power Team
Check these guys out at: http://www.thepowerteam.com/
More to come as the event gets closer!
Contagious
WOW! I wonder if I cause someone else to have a rotten attitude or a healthy attitude?
Check this out:
http://withoutwax.tv/2010/04/28/its-contagious/
Check this out:
http://withoutwax.tv/2010/04/28/its-contagious/
Monday, April 26, 2010
Training Wheels
Let go and let God.
I was driving down the road this morning on my way to Gallatin Hospital to visit a person and the Lord spoke those words into my spirit. "Let go and let God." Sometimes we get a "message" from the Lord, and as in my case, I try to decipher if it's for me or for a message that's coming up in the near future or what?
As I was driving I thought about when I was teaching Bailey how to ride her bicycle "without" training-wheels. I remember holding onto the seat and telling her to keep her balance and keep the handlebars steady and focus on what was in front of her and that at some point I would be letting her go so she could "ride" the bike all by herself. But for her to do all of that and to really TRUST in me letting her go, she had to TRUST in the fact when I let her go, I would be right there beside her running alongside of her to catch her when she started to fall or get all swervy (if that's a word).
Whether those words came to me for my sake or for a message down the road, I believe it will preach. Sometimes, no let me rephrase that, ALL the time we need to TRUST GOD and realize that He wants us to "ride without the training wheels" and that we can STILL trust that he will be there to catch us and steady us.
To be continued ...
I was driving down the road this morning on my way to Gallatin Hospital to visit a person and the Lord spoke those words into my spirit. "Let go and let God." Sometimes we get a "message" from the Lord, and as in my case, I try to decipher if it's for me or for a message that's coming up in the near future or what?
As I was driving I thought about when I was teaching Bailey how to ride her bicycle "without" training-wheels. I remember holding onto the seat and telling her to keep her balance and keep the handlebars steady and focus on what was in front of her and that at some point I would be letting her go so she could "ride" the bike all by herself. But for her to do all of that and to really TRUST in me letting her go, she had to TRUST in the fact when I let her go, I would be right there beside her running alongside of her to catch her when she started to fall or get all swervy (if that's a word).
Whether those words came to me for my sake or for a message down the road, I believe it will preach. Sometimes, no let me rephrase that, ALL the time we need to TRUST GOD and realize that He wants us to "ride without the training wheels" and that we can STILL trust that he will be there to catch us and steady us.
To be continued ...
Friday, April 23, 2010
Spiritual Wheaties
When I read this post on perrynoble.com it was like eating my "Spiritual Wheaties"!!!!
Makes me PUMPED also!!
Read it: http://www.perrynoble.com/2010/04/22/stop-expecting-excitement-to-happen-create-it/
Makes me PUMPED also!!
Read it: http://www.perrynoble.com/2010/04/22/stop-expecting-excitement-to-happen-create-it/
God's Clock
"His sovereign rule lasts and lasts, his kingdom never declines and falls. Life on this earth doesn't add up to much, but God's heavenly army keeps everything going. No one can interrupt his work, no one can call his rule into question ... Everything he does is right, and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person into a humble man or woman." Daniel 4: 35,37 (MSG)
In my devotion this morning I was reading the account of King Nebuchadnezzar and how he became prideful and deceited in all his ways when that he should have been giving glory to God for all that had prospered him to the position that he was in. I often wonder if we get ahead of God and decide that we got to where we are by being deligent "in works" and forget that we even breath because of the mercy of an Almighty God.
God turned Neb from a person of influence with a great following and an established reign to a grass eating, long haired, fingernail fungus infested, animal minded nothing.
The bible says that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18) Neb got pridefull and it caused him to be brought down for seven years eating and living among the beast of the field, literally.
I was visited by someone this week, sent from the Lord, and the reason the Lord sent them was to remind me that He is the "King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Daniel 4: 37 KJV) I don't want to lose the anointing that God has put on me because of some prideful attitude that has slipped in because of some scheme of the devil. I want to be fully aware of the strength that is within me and that strength is the power of the Holy Ghost! No man will shut me down!
Sometimes we need a wake up call! God is setting the clock!
In my devotion this morning I was reading the account of King Nebuchadnezzar and how he became prideful and deceited in all his ways when that he should have been giving glory to God for all that had prospered him to the position that he was in. I often wonder if we get ahead of God and decide that we got to where we are by being deligent "in works" and forget that we even breath because of the mercy of an Almighty God.
God turned Neb from a person of influence with a great following and an established reign to a grass eating, long haired, fingernail fungus infested, animal minded nothing.
The bible says that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18) Neb got pridefull and it caused him to be brought down for seven years eating and living among the beast of the field, literally.
I was visited by someone this week, sent from the Lord, and the reason the Lord sent them was to remind me that He is the "King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Daniel 4: 37 KJV) I don't want to lose the anointing that God has put on me because of some prideful attitude that has slipped in because of some scheme of the devil. I want to be fully aware of the strength that is within me and that strength is the power of the Holy Ghost! No man will shut me down!
Sometimes we need a wake up call! God is setting the clock!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Men of Integrity, part 2
As noted in the previous post, I was privileged to attend a men's retreat this past weekend in Dickson, Tn. I wanted to share with you some of the highlights of the event.
We were blessed to receive one of the finest steak meals that you could possibly have. The cooking ministry of Empowered Ministries went beyond the normal links to satisfy the appetites of a bunch of hungry men. After the meal we gathered in the chapel for some worship that was lead by a group of men that are from the "Celebrate Recovery" ministry. These men lead us in worship at the beginning of each session. It's good to know that God is still in the "recovery" business. I think AA, and the like, is good, but let Jesus and the Holy Spirit loose in their lives and He makes worship leaders out of them. God is awesome!
Friday nights session gave us Chaplain J.B. Smith, from the The Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. He preached to us about having the "right stuff"! About having "Personal Integrity". God used this man of God to convict a room full of men about having what it takes to have the right relationship with God, your spouse, and others. He spoke about having the right principles, soundness of moral character, honesty being the best policy, and shared with us this message: Integrity depends on our relationship with God. We must be identified with Christ!
Saturday morning came early, 6am breakfast! The next session was worth getting up early! Pastor Jamie Allen from the Oak Grove Church in Charlotte, Tn. ministered to us in the 2nd session of the event, and man was he used by the Holy Spirit to break a bunch of men! He spoke about being a "Husband and Father of Integrity". Jamie's message was full of scripture and conviction. He shared with us his own personal testamony about an event that happened in his life and through the love and prayers of some friends in his local congregation, God saw him through. His message was: Don't play with fire! At the end of this session there was men kneeling at the altar and at their seats and all around the room in prayer and repentance.
The finale of the event came from Bishop E.C. McKinley, TN Presbyter, COGOP. Bro. McKinley presented a top knotch message with media clips from "We were soldiers" that spoke to us about "Leadership Integrity". Integrity is WHO you are. Character is HOW you live. Character is also how you live out your integrity. Maturity is learning WHAT is important in life. Integrity tells us that preparation is important in everything that we do. Integrity tells us that we must lead by example. We must take integrity personal. (And this is just the highlights).
Through these three men of God, I have realized that in my own life, I must make every effort to have this most important quality: Integrity. "God, give every man the integrity that he needs to win the lost, to sustain his family, and to reach the goal."
We were blessed to receive one of the finest steak meals that you could possibly have. The cooking ministry of Empowered Ministries went beyond the normal links to satisfy the appetites of a bunch of hungry men. After the meal we gathered in the chapel for some worship that was lead by a group of men that are from the "Celebrate Recovery" ministry. These men lead us in worship at the beginning of each session. It's good to know that God is still in the "recovery" business. I think AA, and the like, is good, but let Jesus and the Holy Spirit loose in their lives and He makes worship leaders out of them. God is awesome!
Friday nights session gave us Chaplain J.B. Smith, from the The Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. He preached to us about having the "right stuff"! About having "Personal Integrity". God used this man of God to convict a room full of men about having what it takes to have the right relationship with God, your spouse, and others. He spoke about having the right principles, soundness of moral character, honesty being the best policy, and shared with us this message: Integrity depends on our relationship with God. We must be identified with Christ!
Saturday morning came early, 6am breakfast! The next session was worth getting up early! Pastor Jamie Allen from the Oak Grove Church in Charlotte, Tn. ministered to us in the 2nd session of the event, and man was he used by the Holy Spirit to break a bunch of men! He spoke about being a "Husband and Father of Integrity". Jamie's message was full of scripture and conviction. He shared with us his own personal testamony about an event that happened in his life and through the love and prayers of some friends in his local congregation, God saw him through. His message was: Don't play with fire! At the end of this session there was men kneeling at the altar and at their seats and all around the room in prayer and repentance.
The finale of the event came from Bishop E.C. McKinley, TN Presbyter, COGOP. Bro. McKinley presented a top knotch message with media clips from "We were soldiers" that spoke to us about "Leadership Integrity". Integrity is WHO you are. Character is HOW you live. Character is also how you live out your integrity. Maturity is learning WHAT is important in life. Integrity tells us that preparation is important in everything that we do. Integrity tells us that we must lead by example. We must take integrity personal. (And this is just the highlights).
Through these three men of God, I have realized that in my own life, I must make every effort to have this most important quality: Integrity. "God, give every man the integrity that he needs to win the lost, to sustain his family, and to reach the goal."
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Men of Integrity
Just a short comment for now on this past weekends COGOP men's retreat:
J.B. - You started the ball rolling with ministering what God had put on you for OUR CONVICTION!
Jamie Allen - YOU TOTALLY ALLOWED GOD TO USE YOU TO POUR INTO A ROOM FULL OF MEN THAT NEEDED TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR OWN LIVES BY TELLING YOUR STORY! Through your message the Holy Spirit totally broke me!
Bishop McKinley - Top knotch! Fantastic message on integrity in leadership. CHALLENGING PRESENTATION! SEPARATED THE MEN (OF GOD) FROM THE BOYS!
To Be Continued...
J.B. - You started the ball rolling with ministering what God had put on you for OUR CONVICTION!
Jamie Allen - YOU TOTALLY ALLOWED GOD TO USE YOU TO POUR INTO A ROOM FULL OF MEN THAT NEEDED TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR OWN LIVES BY TELLING YOUR STORY! Through your message the Holy Spirit totally broke me!
Bishop McKinley - Top knotch! Fantastic message on integrity in leadership. CHALLENGING PRESENTATION! SEPARATED THE MEN (OF GOD) FROM THE BOYS!
To Be Continued...
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Marriage: STILL more to learn
I follow Pastor Noble's blog because I like the way that he just comes out and says what is on his mind (and everyone else's). I think we all would be better people and get along better if we would quit trying to "keep from hurting feelings". Here is part two of Pastor Noble's post about marriage:
Things I’ve Learned About Marriage In Ten Years–
Here are lessons 6-10 following up with yesterday’s post…
#6 – The Purpose Of Conflict Is To SETTLE The Argument…Not Win It!
Lucretia called me out on this one night when I was getting my rear end whipped during a disagreement we were having. So…in a desperate move I began to change the subject, to bring up things that had NOTHING to do with what we were discussing. I was doing it to try to get out of the hole I had dug for myself…and then she said she felt like I was trying to win instead of really caring about settling the conflict. BUSTED! Staying focused on an issue and trying to settle THAT issue isn’t just a good idea for marriage…it’s essential!
#7 – Don’t Ever Go To Bed Mad At One Another!
Unresolved conflict will KILL a marriage! (See Ephesians 4:25-26!) AND…it gives the enemy a foothold so that he can then climb all over a couple. There is NEVER a good reason for two people who love Jesus and love one another to not deal with an issue that is stealing intimacy away from that couple.
#8 – You Cannot Hold Your Spouse Accountable For Unspoken, Unrealistic Expectations!
Like it or not…your spouse cannot read your mind–period!
#9 – Intimacy Is Not Limited To A Sexual Experience!
AND…if you think it is then there is probably ZERO intimacy in your marriage. AND…you CAN have sex without having intimacy. BUT (guys…read this please) you can’t have intimacy without having sex!!! When a couple (specifically the man) will focus on creating a romantic environment rather than just getting her in bed, thus making her feel valuable, romantic and pursued…well…then…uh…DANG!
#10 – It Takes Work To Make It Work!
I hear couples say from time to time, “But Pastor P…marriage is SO HARD!” My response is always, “duh…and water’s SOOOO wet!” Yes it’s hard…if it were easy then 50% of all marriages would not be ending in divorce!!! If we want the most OUT of marriage then we’ve got to be willing to work IN the marriage and ON the marriage! EVERY couple that I know that has a successful marriage did not achieve that success by accident…it took intentional, focused and unselfish WORK to make it happen!!!
BTW…let me say this because my wife DOES read my blog. I said that I have learned these 10 lessons…BUT let me be VERY clear that I have NOT mastered them!!! I’m a work in progress…and am so thankful that I am married to a woman who understands that!
Things I’ve Learned About Marriage In Ten Years–
Here are lessons 6-10 following up with yesterday’s post…
#6 – The Purpose Of Conflict Is To SETTLE The Argument…Not Win It!
Lucretia called me out on this one night when I was getting my rear end whipped during a disagreement we were having. So…in a desperate move I began to change the subject, to bring up things that had NOTHING to do with what we were discussing. I was doing it to try to get out of the hole I had dug for myself…and then she said she felt like I was trying to win instead of really caring about settling the conflict. BUSTED! Staying focused on an issue and trying to settle THAT issue isn’t just a good idea for marriage…it’s essential!
#7 – Don’t Ever Go To Bed Mad At One Another!
Unresolved conflict will KILL a marriage! (See Ephesians 4:25-26!) AND…it gives the enemy a foothold so that he can then climb all over a couple. There is NEVER a good reason for two people who love Jesus and love one another to not deal with an issue that is stealing intimacy away from that couple.
#8 – You Cannot Hold Your Spouse Accountable For Unspoken, Unrealistic Expectations!
Like it or not…your spouse cannot read your mind–period!
#9 – Intimacy Is Not Limited To A Sexual Experience!
AND…if you think it is then there is probably ZERO intimacy in your marriage. AND…you CAN have sex without having intimacy. BUT (guys…read this please) you can’t have intimacy without having sex!!! When a couple (specifically the man) will focus on creating a romantic environment rather than just getting her in bed, thus making her feel valuable, romantic and pursued…well…then…uh…DANG!
#10 – It Takes Work To Make It Work!
I hear couples say from time to time, “But Pastor P…marriage is SO HARD!” My response is always, “duh…and water’s SOOOO wet!” Yes it’s hard…if it were easy then 50% of all marriages would not be ending in divorce!!! If we want the most OUT of marriage then we’ve got to be willing to work IN the marriage and ON the marriage! EVERY couple that I know that has a successful marriage did not achieve that success by accident…it took intentional, focused and unselfish WORK to make it happen!!!
BTW…let me say this because my wife DOES read my blog. I said that I have learned these 10 lessons…BUT let me be VERY clear that I have NOT mastered them!!! I’m a work in progress…and am so thankful that I am married to a woman who understands that!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Marriage: more to learn
This past March 2nd my wife and I celebrated 19 years of marriage! I believe that I have a previous post about that event but I read today a post from one of the blogs that I follow and I want to share that post with you today as well. No matter how long or newly wed you and your spouse are these comments from Perry Noble could come in handy:
Things I’ve Learned About Marriage In Ten Years…
Last week my amazing wife and I celebrated 10 years of marriage…and during that time I’ve learned A LOT! (AND still have SO MUCH more to learn!) Here are a few things…
#1 – Never “Talk Yourself Into Marrying A Person!” You had better KNOW!
When it came to marrying Lucretia it wasn’t something that I had to convince myself was the right thing to do…I knew she was the one for me. (And she would say the same thing!) If you go into the marriage with serious doubts then you will be tempted to sprint out of it at the first sign of trouble (and trouble WILL find you!) If you are trying to convince yourself that he/she is “right” for you then you may be on VERY dangerous ground! I know God has called me into this marriage and will fill me with the strength to sustain it…even during the tough times! (Philippians 1:6)
#2 – Marriage Is Not About What You Can Get…It’s About What You Can Give!
When a person enters marriage with a list of expectations that they want the other person to meet then there are going to be “issues!” We’ve got to view marriage NOT as an opportunity to be served…but rather to serve. Just think…how awesome would marriages be if each person did all that they could to try and outserve the other person!
#3 – To Expect Another Person To Meet All Of Your Needs Is Incredibly Selfish!
I HATE IT when a couple is having problems and I begin talking with them and then one person says, “Well…they just aren’t meeting my needs!” First of all…another person will NEVER meet all of our needs…EVER! And…second of all, the person who is usually doing the complaining probably doesn’t have a halo on…in other words, they probably aren’t “meeting the needs” of the other person! Many marriages fall apart not because of “irreconcilable differences” but rather unrepentant, selfish people!
#4 – Have Fun Together!
When couples date they have fun…when they get married it seems there is a sprint to become as “normal” as possible as soon as possible. Guess what–normal sucks! The LAST thing I want to be is a “normal married couple!”
#5 – “Quality Time” Does Not Mean “Let’s Have A Conversation During The Commercials!”
OUCH…this one has taken me longer to learn that I would like to admit. Unfortunately…men LOVE to get home and turn on the television, even if they aren’t watching it…we just are addicted to noise. AND…trying to talk to her AND watch it ISN’T romantic in her book (and “her book” is the ONLY one that should matter!) If a couple does not carve out intentional time for communication…it WON’T happen. This means there needs to be a lot less tv/twitter/facebook in a lot of peoples lives!
Things I’ve Learned About Marriage In Ten Years…
Last week my amazing wife and I celebrated 10 years of marriage…and during that time I’ve learned A LOT! (AND still have SO MUCH more to learn!) Here are a few things…
#1 – Never “Talk Yourself Into Marrying A Person!” You had better KNOW!
When it came to marrying Lucretia it wasn’t something that I had to convince myself was the right thing to do…I knew she was the one for me. (And she would say the same thing!) If you go into the marriage with serious doubts then you will be tempted to sprint out of it at the first sign of trouble (and trouble WILL find you!) If you are trying to convince yourself that he/she is “right” for you then you may be on VERY dangerous ground! I know God has called me into this marriage and will fill me with the strength to sustain it…even during the tough times! (Philippians 1:6)
#2 – Marriage Is Not About What You Can Get…It’s About What You Can Give!
When a person enters marriage with a list of expectations that they want the other person to meet then there are going to be “issues!” We’ve got to view marriage NOT as an opportunity to be served…but rather to serve. Just think…how awesome would marriages be if each person did all that they could to try and outserve the other person!
#3 – To Expect Another Person To Meet All Of Your Needs Is Incredibly Selfish!
I HATE IT when a couple is having problems and I begin talking with them and then one person says, “Well…they just aren’t meeting my needs!” First of all…another person will NEVER meet all of our needs…EVER! And…second of all, the person who is usually doing the complaining probably doesn’t have a halo on…in other words, they probably aren’t “meeting the needs” of the other person! Many marriages fall apart not because of “irreconcilable differences” but rather unrepentant, selfish people!
#4 – Have Fun Together!
When couples date they have fun…when they get married it seems there is a sprint to become as “normal” as possible as soon as possible. Guess what–normal sucks! The LAST thing I want to be is a “normal married couple!”
#5 – “Quality Time” Does Not Mean “Let’s Have A Conversation During The Commercials!”
OUCH…this one has taken me longer to learn that I would like to admit. Unfortunately…men LOVE to get home and turn on the television, even if they aren’t watching it…we just are addicted to noise. AND…trying to talk to her AND watch it ISN’T romantic in her book (and “her book” is the ONLY one that should matter!) If a couple does not carve out intentional time for communication…it WON’T happen. This means there needs to be a lot less tv/twitter/facebook in a lot of peoples lives!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Keep Praying
Hey, I'm back! Have you ever experienced not doing something for awhile and when you try to start doing it again it seems like you can't get the hang of it. That's how it seems to me right now as to getting back in the blogging mode. It seems that there is just so much going on that it seems to be no time to do anything. I did enjoy my mini-vacation with my dad as we joined 16 other men in Alabama for a few rounds of golf, which is another avenue that I find myself trying to get the hang of having not playing golf in a year! We had wonderful weather such as we are having this week and a good time chasing our golf balls all over the course. One guy said that we were playing "military golf" - right left, right left because we'd hit it right one time and then left the other. Oh well, I hear my dad say a lot, "a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work."
This past Sunday morning at Kempville Chapel was a special one. We had a normal service and had already scheduled for a lady to be baptized at the end of the service and that we did. After we had already dismissed the service and people began to make their way home, there was a gentleman by the name of Mark Jones approach me and asked me if he could talk to me for a minute. For those that don't know "Trooper Mark Jones" of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, he along with his wife and three daughters (and one on the way), have attended our church for as long as I have been pastor and I'm sure they attended before I came. Mark had asked me over a year ago now to go jogging with him one day. The first time that he asked me to go I had an excuse as to why I couldn't go (had the kids at home and Kelly was at work and couldn't leave). The second time that he called and said that he was going running and asked me to go I had to go! As soon as the words came out of his mouth, the Lord put it in my spirit that if someone ask you to go a mile with them you go two! Well, as it turned out, we went more than two! It almost killed me! I'm not in any shape to run two feet let alone two miles! That day Mark and I had a good conversation as we ran and walked down the road about his upbringing and my upbringing and what he has been taught and what I have been taught about Jesus and Salvation and about life. You know it really doesn't matter what "church" you are brought up in as long as there is one common denominator, and that is Jesus and what he did and is to us! That's all that matters because if we turn everything over to Him, He will work all the details out just like He wants them!
For those that don't know, there have been a lot of prayers prayed for Mark Jones to be saved! Prayers from his wife, his in-laws, his church, etc... This past Sunday morning all those prayers was answered and Mark was baptized as well! God is still in the prayer answering business with his Saving Grace! I'm thankful that God answers prayers and I want to encourage you today to keep praying for those in your family that are lost. When you feel like there is no hope and that someone may have gone too far just remember how far Jesus went to Save those that you are praying for. God is an "on time" God!
This past Sunday morning at Kempville Chapel was a special one. We had a normal service and had already scheduled for a lady to be baptized at the end of the service and that we did. After we had already dismissed the service and people began to make their way home, there was a gentleman by the name of Mark Jones approach me and asked me if he could talk to me for a minute. For those that don't know "Trooper Mark Jones" of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, he along with his wife and three daughters (and one on the way), have attended our church for as long as I have been pastor and I'm sure they attended before I came. Mark had asked me over a year ago now to go jogging with him one day. The first time that he asked me to go I had an excuse as to why I couldn't go (had the kids at home and Kelly was at work and couldn't leave). The second time that he called and said that he was going running and asked me to go I had to go! As soon as the words came out of his mouth, the Lord put it in my spirit that if someone ask you to go a mile with them you go two! Well, as it turned out, we went more than two! It almost killed me! I'm not in any shape to run two feet let alone two miles! That day Mark and I had a good conversation as we ran and walked down the road about his upbringing and my upbringing and what he has been taught and what I have been taught about Jesus and Salvation and about life. You know it really doesn't matter what "church" you are brought up in as long as there is one common denominator, and that is Jesus and what he did and is to us! That's all that matters because if we turn everything over to Him, He will work all the details out just like He wants them!
For those that don't know, there have been a lot of prayers prayed for Mark Jones to be saved! Prayers from his wife, his in-laws, his church, etc... This past Sunday morning all those prayers was answered and Mark was baptized as well! God is still in the prayer answering business with his Saving Grace! I'm thankful that God answers prayers and I want to encourage you today to keep praying for those in your family that are lost. When you feel like there is no hope and that someone may have gone too far just remember how far Jesus went to Save those that you are praying for. God is an "on time" God!
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