NO MORE DRAMA - Tuesday, April 1, 2008
I was sitting in the second service in Houston on Sunday and I noticed in the corner of the sanctuary an interesting banner.  It was small and rather unobtrusive but its message registered with me.  It simply stated, “2008:  No More Drama”.  I found myself preparing to preach but riveted for a moment to the message, “No More Drama”.  Once service was over, I begin to think of what exactly that meant.  No more drama sounds good but it seems so challenging to fully experience.  For some of us our drama moments are the result of others’ mismanagement of our space.  Their choices and their unwillingness to do it right cause us unnecessary of pain and trepidation.  Then of course there is old reliable us.  We do things that are clearly not God’s will but with great confidence that there will be no fallout we press forward.  In the end, we experience pain and regrets for the choices and the conduct.
Drama is about undue pain, discomfort, or suffering that clutters our personal space with confusion and disorder.  We look for peace and calm only to discover that the drama has seemingly lasting impact.  How do we deal with the drama whether our doing or the result of others decisions?

1.  Really turn to God for wisdom and direction.

2.  Confront the culprit of the drama whether you or others.  Do so with the goal of resolution. 

3.  Have the courage to do what must be done to restore order to your life.  The outcome is to wake up everyday with a sense of peace and the assurance of God’s presence.

4.  Focus on what causes you peace and not on what causes you pain.  This is challenging because the cause is in your immediate space. Pay attention to the type of music you listen to, the content of conversations, and the books you read.  You will be amazed how important this is.

5.  Finally, trust the process of cleaning up your space.  It is sometimes painful but the end result is that you experience the absence of unnecessary pain and discomfort.

I write this because I desire this.  I know my life can be more uncluttered.  So I am more willing to remove the conduits of drama even if that is found in me.  Life is to be enjoyed and so lets go after the place of peace and strength.  Seize this season!!
Read Psalms 23, 44: Ephesians 4:29; 1 Peter 5:5-7

GO AND BREATHE - Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Today I return from Memphis to go away for a couple of days with the family.  As you all know this is spring break in Duval County.  As I prepare to go, I am thinking of the time I will spend with my family.  The time we will spend together and the new memories will be carved in our memory.  These memories of course will follow us the rest of our lives.  When we begin to transition this life, the remaining members will speak of these moments in a comforting way.  That is the amazing thing about these moments, they give reasons to smile when hurting and reasons to appreciate God even more.
My encouragement to you is to go and breathe.  If you cannot get away from the city, go and find a place to breathe.  I have become a proponent of this because personally I know I cannot handle the demands of my life without time away.  Breathing is about more than just doing something, rather it is about intentionally creating moments that heal you, restore you, and refresh you.  It is about uncluttering your space and finding somewhere in the world that allows you to rest.  Rest is so necessary.  My sons and daughters, your spiritual and emotional health is so important.  You need to be able to go and breathe.  Trust that it will be a good thing for you and refuse to make excuses as to why you do not.  Money is not a good reason because some of your best moments cost you nothing.  Having someone to go with you is not an excuse either, because being with God is the goal of the time.  So go and breathe.  The people who love and need you will appreciate a healthier you.  Enjoy!!
Read Judges 15:9-19; Matthew 6:6

ENJOY WHAT YOU DO - Thursday, April 3, 2008
Yesterday I was preparing to return home and as I prepared to go through security in Memphis, I was exposed to a rather disturbing conversation.  The persons working that area began talking about how unhappy and laborious their jobs are.  As I listened I began to thank God that’s not my story or present state.  They seemed so unhappy talking, lamenting that the day is long and that the end cannot come soon enough.  I wondered to myself, “What is it about their work environment that makes it so miserable for them”.  Then it dawned on me, it is not the work place it is the workers.  They are not excited about their place of employment because maybe they do not see it as a calling.

My desire for you is that everyday you are given; you will take full advantage of it and enjoy it to the fullest.  Ask God to place and position you in terms of employment so you like where you are.  Know that where you work is a calling and should be enjoyed.  My prayer for you is to enjoy where God has you and make the most of it each day.  Have some fun and enjoy!!

Wake up each day with a healthy confession about where you work and about what you do.  Decide that it is a good day, as Sister Fannie Mahone declares, and take advantage of the fresh opportunity.  Change your attitude and watch your attitude change your environment.  Love you sons and daughters and I pray you will discover what I have, a calling that energizes your everyday.

A DAY TO REMEMBER - Friday, April 4, 2008
Today 40 years ago, our country experienced one of its more painful moments.  Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated at the Lorraine Hotel, Memphis.  Though I was not old enough to understand its impact, to this day I like most feel it.  On that fateful day, more than a man killed our country’s most influential voice, he was ultimately killed by a system of hate and oppression.  He died because he stood his ground and challenged the system of hate that was so pervasive in America.  He was killed because he embraced love and hate could not stand his presence.  Martin King was a symbol of forgiveness and mercy.  Today our country remembers that moment that forever changed the course of human history.

I believe today I write about this not to stir emotions, but to challenge us all to do three things!
1.  Pursue your God given purpose
2.  Choose to serve humanity, not to harm it
3.  Embrace the virtues of the Christian faith and let them guide your life

God has called us all to make a difference and leave an impact on the world.  It is our assignment to touch lives and to glorify God in the process.  We are called to serve this present age, our calling to fulfill.  As Dr. King, we are assigned to a place and a time but most importantly to a people or a person.  Lets live with passion and purpose.  Love you and take time today to thank God for Dr. King and for others like him.  Read Judges 6; Luke 4:11-18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

LESSON LEARNED - Monday, April 7, 2008
Now I understand why women take their pursues with them.  After an absolutely awesome day at New Psalmist and an extremely positive report from home I found myself having to harness all of my discipline to manage a situation.  I was traveling from Baltimore to San Antonio for the NCAA Basketball Championship when my iPod and pouch, or man purse, was taken.  In the changing of airplanes my stuff was removed from the assigned seat in first class and taken to another plane.  However, my iPod and my pouch was not moved strangely enough.  In a panic I returned to the other plane only to discover that it was no longer in my assigned seat.  For the first 30 minutes of the flight I struggled with conflicting emotions.  I am aware that I can purchase another iPod but I felt both violated and quite frankly mismanaged by Delta.  While sitting in my seat all I kept hearing was, “This is not big enough to damage your witness, swallow it”.  Over and over I heard just that.
Colossians 3:12-15 came rushing to my mind and I understood that this was a test for me.  The goal of this night was one not to become so discouraged until I would lose my joy for the purpose of the trip and secondly, that I would understand that I had the resources to replace what was lost so why fret.  In the end I sat on the plane more relieved that my wallet was in my back pocket and that the flight attendant after 30 minutes showed some concern.
What is the lesson learned?  Simply, don’t allow yourself to become emotionally overwhelmed by situations especially when God has given you the means to move beyond it.  Learned to see situations for what they are and remember that God has you.  Losing an iPod is not that big of a deal.  Wherever the pouch is, I am ok and my trip goes on.  So I choose to enjoy.  Now over the anger and ready for a great game. By the way, man I miss you all.  See you Tuesday night.

WHAT A GAME - Tuesday, April 8, 2008
As many of you know, I attended the NCAA Basketball Championship Game in San Antonio, Texas between Memphis and Kansas.  I must admit it was an incredible game.  Though the team I desired to win lost, I throughly appreciated the passion and energy it was played with.  I enjoyed watching skilled athletes perform on the biggest stage at the highest level.  But what I will walk away with is more what I did not see.  I did not see bored uninvolved fans.  I did not see passivity when it comes to the intensity of fans or the players.  I saw persons so excited about their team and willing to share that passionate loyalty.  I saw persons who were willing to invest their money and set aside their time to show their school spirit.  And I thought to myself, “boy wouldn’t it be awesome to see that among believers especially those who attend Saint Paul”.
It is amazing but with all that's facing us, we need the same passion and the same energy I felt in the Alamodome and the streets of San Antonio.  In order for us as a church to accomplish the will of God, we must willingly wear our Kingdom colors and exhibit our pride for Saint Paul.  As well, as an individual, in order to accomplish your personal goals and dreams you must be so much more passionate.  This involves embracing what God has called you to and then willingly going after it with everything within you.  Passion is so vital to your personal growth.  Passion is about belief in who God has created you and then willfully allowing others to see it.  It is about not hiding your coat of many colors as Joseph did not in Genesis 37, and about walking in confidence that God has you.
Today ask God to infuse you with passion for what matters to you and willingly show off your Kingdom colors.  Love you and see you tonight in the Refreshing Hour.  Boy I got a word.

IT'S YOUR MOMENT - Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Boy it was great to be home last night.  Last night was such a powerful experience and man did God move in the house.  Thanks for attending in great numbers last night and providing an unbelievable atmosphere to minister in.
I have made a decision that we are going to use the Refreshing Hour to really push those who attend to go after their destiny like never before.  I sense that God is doing a new thing and that with it comes the responsibility to press forward.  On last night we dealt with David and how he took advantage of his moment to shine.  Read I Samuel 17 to get a full understanding of David’s story.  Pay close attention to verse 32 when David volunteers to fight Goliath, it is that moment that propels him into the public eye.  What came out of it for me was the fact that God creates moments or opportunities that set us up for the rest of our lives.  It is our courage to go after God and his will in that moment.  Let me restate the first two points.  I will share the other two tomorrow

I share this because I really believe that God has so much for you.  I know that your moment is either here or coming.  This moment allows you to step into “the everything” God has ordained for you.  What is so deep is that a lot of times it is not a glamorous or obvious moment.  You have to discern the magnitude of the moment and know what it is even when others do not see it.  It is exciting to know that God can and will allow you to move to new and exciting places if you are open to his purpose and his voice. 
My encouragement today is do not operate in fear, and allow your life to become your tutor.  Trust God at such a level until it gives you both the passion and the patience to pursue life in Christ. 
Love you and thanks for being the best church anywhere.  Have an awesome day, it may be where your life changing moment is offered to you. Read I Samuel 17:32-54; Ecclesiastes 11:4

MIX COURAGE WITH ACTIVITY - Thursday, April 10, 2008
On yesterday I began a devotional recapping the Tuesday night Refreshing Hour message.  Well I want to conclude by offering you the last two points.  It comes from I Samuel 17 and of course it refers to David's epic battle with Goliath.  This battle of course has been used to describe every great Big vs. Small battle in sports.  David a shepherd boy faces the skilled undefeated giant named Goliath.  Undaunted, he goes to the middle of the valley and with the power and strength of God he not only confronts him but also defeats him.  Wow what a moment in history.  David unafraid takes on the one who thought he could not be defeated and HE DEFEATS HIM!!  That is God working through humanity achieving his purpose for greater glory!
Well I noticed something; I noticed that David mixed courage with activity.  He did not become intimidated because the odds of failure were stacked against him.  In fact, he rose up and desired that because he had God on his side, failure was not an option.  In verses 45-47, David boldly proclaims that the victory is his because of the God he serves.  I want to encourage you to not allow anything or anyone to cause you to fear, becoming paralyzed into inactivity.  In this season of your life, be willing to pursue fully and completely all that God has for you.  Courage then becomes a necessary trait to achieve God’s plan, and mixing it with activity is an unbeatable combination.  Your courage is really faith in action.  It is really your unrelenting belief that God is worthy to be trusted and that nothing can and will defeat me if I go forth in his name.  As David went into the valley so also must you go and face Goliath.  Goliath is only the test of your faith.  So what is it that God is calling you to?  What is it that God wants to trust you with?  What is God staking his reputation on by putting it in your hand?  Why is God willing to risk his name because of you?  Awesome that God would trust you like this so go forth and refuse to be afraid.  Here is some advice from your pastor.

1.  Find your niche and trust it by executing it.

2.  Risk possibility of public failure, humiliation, and criticism by pursuing what God has called you to.

Trust me on this one, if you go after God’s will and if you embrace your moment whatever it is, you will be amazed that God always comes through, through us.  Wow what a great day to trust God for more.  Love you sons and daughters and refuse to stay wherever you are right now.  Choose the better part.  Have an Awesome day. Read Philippians 4:10-13

LOVE IT - Friday, April 11, 2008
I love what I do and I love where I am.  That is so exciting to declare.  Every morning I wake up, I must admit my day is filled with a lot of positives because of whom God has made me and where he is allowing me to go.  It is amazing how incredible life becomes when you can access the mind of God about your purpose and destiny.  Then with great conviction, commit your life’s energy and attention to it.  God so wants everyone of us to wake up everyday within the parameters of his purpose.  This is where life is fun.  For within the constraints of his will you discover the real meaning of favor and grace.  I am so encouraged, knowing that all challenges and all battles are within the arena of God’s awesome presence.  All we have to do is choose him and pursue him with passionate intent.  Here are several pieces of advice as we go into the weekend.

1.  Isolate the positive thoughts in your mind and feed them with attention and activity.

2.  Enjoy people who enjoy you.  Someone out there loves being with you, find them.

3.  Try something that makes you stretch. 

4.  Develop the spirit of appreciation.  Learn to value what matters to you

5.  Finally, Celebrate God’s grace through Jesus Christ.  Thank God for your daily second chance.

Listen, life is meant to be enjoyed so let’s do that.  Love who God is making you and love what God has you presently doing.  Give it your best.  Make today, this weekend, next week, next month, next year, next decade the best yet.   As Donald Lawrence was wrote, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”.  (First Lady is listening to that song while I am writing). Have an Awesome weekend, see you Tuesday night.

GO WITH THE FLOW - Monday, April 14, 2008
Yesterday I was in a service that was, to say the least, ballistic.  While preaching I called for a brief altar call for persons who were struggling with unforgiveness.  I was so unprepared for what happened.  Within five minutes the altar was filled with people in tears who embraced their private pain in a public moment.  It was unreal!!!  God had taken over and all we could do was go with the flow.  I was overwhelmed and all of my preparation was null and void.  God had decided to shift and all I could do was go with the flow. 
I write this because I believe that there are moments in life when God moves without our permission and shifts something in our lives and we are required to trust Him.  For many of us this is tough because we desire to always be in control.  For some reason, we are always trying to keep everything under our control.  When it is not under our control we feel totally outside of our element.  God at times in our lives requires us to simply trust him and go with the flow.  In a moment, we are challenged to trust two things.  One, to trust God pure and simple and two, to trust that we know God well enough that this unplanned, unscripted moment is truly God.  Going with God means that at times we must simply enjoy the moment and know that we are not needed to control it.  God has it and we can trust that.  I want to encourage you to grow with God until you are not uncomfortable when God orchestrates moments.  God allows it and we are trusting of God in it.  So know that God has every moment and even when we cannot control it, know that God has us in the moment!!  Sons and daughters I will be home on Sunday can’t wait to minister to the men.  This is going to be awesome!  See you tomorrow night.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11

GOLIATH MUST FALL - Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Everyone has some challenge that is both a test of their faith and a magnificently orchestrated moment that opens new and exciting doors.  God in his infinite wisdom allows us this “Goliath moment” to show us where we are and to open for us the possibilities that are before us.  Goliath is more than a historical reality he is ultimately history’s greatest statement that obstacles and challenges are not greater than men and women of great faith.  Goliath must fall because our faith energizes us.  Goliath must fall because we know that God has us and that no force on earth is greater than the God we worship.  I share this because I am about to face a new Goliath.  This Goliath is a wonderful door that God is opening for me.  I see it and yes it scares me.  It doesn’t scare me into paralysis, but it does scare me into a deeper need for God.  Man I hope you caught.

My desire for you is that you will understand that the challenges, the challenging people, and the challenging places are only a wonderful opportunity for God to prove himself and for you to experience the extraordinary which is God.  Nothing is greater than your faith and no one is more powerful than your God.

In this season of your life, face your Goliath with passion and confidence.  Do not waver nor become discouraged, because Goliath has budged.  He is as my momma says, “A defeated foe”.  Go forth and do the things before you and trust that your God is mighty in battle and a strong tower.  Enjoy the day and prepare yourself for Goliath to fall.  Love you and see you tonight.  Got a mighty word!!!

WELL GOOD MORNING! - Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Many of you are familiar with the first dog, Angel.  Well each morning Angel awakens and begins the morning, which has now become a daily ritual.  She wakes up, comes to the edge of the bed, and begins to try and lick us to wake us.  Now I know for some of you that seems kind of gross but it is Angel’s way of saying good morning and I need to go outside.
Well this morning I thought about something, “how do we say good morning”?  How do we begin each new day with its possibilities?  How do we greet the others in our space?  How do we respond to the good morning extended to us?  What is so important is that the way we begin our morning goes a long way to the way the rest of the day is.  If we wake up and “half speak” then that has an intricate influence on our day.  Our morning attitude towards those who are in our home or the way we greet our co-workers is important.  So many of us wake up and begin the morning cold and unapproachable and that is not good. Here is my advice for starting the morning.

1.  Give yourself 5 (five) minutes before getting up to gather yourself and to embrace the joy of a new day.

2.  See the first good morning as the first fruit of your day.

3.  As pleasant as possible speak to everyone in your home.  If no one is there, see your job as that first fruit moment and do your best to be pleasant.  This establishes you as a person of right attitude.

4.  Finally, make sure that you spend quality time with God and allow him to shape the morning.

I know this seems rather simple, but I believe that the good mornings are as important as anything we do.  Take a page out of Angel’s book and learn to be pleasant and positive each morning.  Love you and have an awesome day.

SOME THINGS ARE NECESSARY - Thursday, April 17, 2008
Last evening after preaching in Baltimore, I had a conversation with a ministry colleague who has preached on several national platforms.  He came by the office to congratulate me on the invitation to the Back to the Bible Conference.  While talking I asked him a question about the need for bringing media ministry products and he made a very interesting statement.  He said, “John some things are necessary”.  For some reason that stuck out with me.  As I pondered it the rest of the evening it became apparent to me that this statement is really about life and what God requires at every new stage and level.  The truth is that when God opens new doors and when God creates new opportunities, some things become necessary.  They are a part of the new season and the new opportunity.  No matter who you think you are, you have no choice.  It is necessary. 

For so many of us, we want the new season, we desire the promotion, we seek out the new door but we are not fully ready to walk in it.  This is because we do not understand that some things are necessary when you walk into a new season.  When you become the supervisor, some things are necessary.  When you become a parent, some things are necessary.  When you become a ministry leader, some things are necessary.  Every new season changes the dynamics of your life.  Know that some things are necessary. 

What new and exciting possibilities are waiting for you that will require you to have to open yourself up to new necessary things? What shift in you demands a shift?  In this new season of your life, you cannot fight against the changes that must occur not only in you, but also around you.

Let me conclude by suggesting that in order to satisfy the standard of this which is now necessary, it costs me more than before.  God, in calling you to what is now necessary, will up the price tag on you and require you to pay it. Why? Because where you are headed, some things are necessary!!  Love you and see you this weekend.

SUCH A REVELATION - Friday, April 18, 2008
On last night I was blown away.  In our sanctuary, over 40 men gathered to go through final preparation for Sunday’s Men’s Roundup experience.  You should have seen them, singing and smiling and stepping.  It was a wonderful sight to behold.  But you know, for me it was more than just men gathered to practice a few songs and a couple of steps.  No, it was really the evidence of a second chance.  About 7 years ago we had a viable Men’s Ministry.  I mean over 100 men actively involved in the ministry on a monthly basis.  God had given us the formula for getting men involved and boy was it working.  Well something happened and all the momentum was lost.
Last night I saw it back with a double portion assigned.  I sat in awe watching men sing with passion and step with authority.  And all I could say was thank you God.  On Sunday when you see the men I want you to think about Samson and the incredible revelation of Judges 16:22.  The verse simply says, “but his hair started growing back”.  I read this on the plane and did not understand the profundity of it until the scene last night.  Last night I saw the Men’s Ministry's hair growing back.  I saw grace. 
My encouragement today is to embrace your second chance and begin to celebrate in the moment that God loves you so much that he gives you new hair.  Enjoy this weekend; it is going to be incredible.  Love you all!!! Read Judges 16:1-22; I John 1:8-10

MONDAY THOUGHTS FROM A HAPPY PASTOR - Monday, April 21, 2008
Boy am I sore!!!  All that stepping and singing has a brother saying ouch with every step.  Yes I am feeling it today, as I am sure a lot of brothers are.  But you know, it is the best sore feeling I have had in a long time.  This weekend was perfect.  It was perfect, because it was exactly what God promised me.  It was perfect, because it was filled with hope and help; particularly for men.  It was a wonderful experience that had life change oozing from it.  It was a God moment. 
I sit at the computer this morning feeling so complete.  I have seen a lot as a pastor, but yesterday was amazing.  See when you lead and nurture God’s people, it is important to the leader that the people are better because of vision.  It is vital to the leader’s health that the people are able to grow through the plans that God shares.  Well in looking back over the weekend, I can truly say the plans are working.  I saw God minister to men, bringing us all into a healthier place.  I saw women open to being better when it comes to men and I sense children better understanding their fathers.  Wow what a day.
I write this today for 2 reasons:

1. I want to encourage each of you to never give up on what you believe God has promised you.  If you know that what you heard was and is the voice of God, trust it and stay the course.  I know sometimes God will seem like he is tarrying, but do not lose heart.  Keep faith and press toward the destination of his calling upon your life.
   
   
2. I want to challenge you to take advantage of your opportunities when they are finally presented.  Know that once the door opens, you are both capable and competent enough to make the most of it.

Now I raise this, because this is exactly what you saw this weekend.  This weekend was a long time coming, but it finally came.  The Men’s leaders particularly Deacon Ronnie Coleman stayed the course.  Reverend Taylor and Deacon Bryant, two extraordinary men of God, took advantage of this door and boy have they made us better.

NOTHING LIKE GOOD FRIENDS - Tuesday, April 22, 2008
There are many things that make life enjoyable.  Probably the most important are relationships.  A good relationship is more precious than anything in the world.  To have great friends who walk with you through thick and thin is invaluable.  I have found that friends are those who are rigid enough to not let you destroy yourself and flexibility enough to manage your growth moments.  Friends absorb your weaknesses and expose your strengths.  I find it so necessary in this season of my life that I have friends who can be trusted with me. 
I write this, because I strongly believe that no one who claims relationship with Jesus Christ should go through life friendless.  Just the fact that we embody and embrace the spirit of Christ makes us attractive to others.  The mere fact that we are patient, tolerant, kind, forgiving, and humble means that others will find us easy to relate to.  I so want to encourage you to be the kind of person that makes friendship easy for others.  Be a person who loves and lives well.  This means that for all you do, make sure you continuously work on you so you can be attractive for good friends. 

Let me offer the following today as you go about life:

1.  Learn to smile and laugh more.

2.  Make every effort to speak life and not death to those you love.  Read Ephesians 4:29

3.  Work at being tolerant and patient with others. Read Colossians 3:12-14

4. Stay away from sarcastic and cynical tones, conversational content, and body language. 

5.  Finally, develop the ability to be a pleasant person, particularly to your family and your friends.

Today make yourself friendly and watch how God will wed a Jonathan to your David.  Love you and have a friend filled day.
Read I Samuel 20:3-4; John 15:15-16

BE GOD'S STANDARD TODAY - Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Last night I was so blessed by the Word.  Yes I know I preached it, but it blessed me!  I must admit there are times I am not the standard God has called me to.  There are times I become distracted by the conduct and conversations of others and I fail to hold up my end of the deal with God.  God has commanded me to operate a certain way and to live by a certain standard with no negotiation.  Well, last night God challenged me to, like Daniel, always be my standard.  This means that whatever God expects of you, you fully embrace it and with all that's in you, you live it out.  This is so important, because your promotion and your next door are tied to your consistent embrace of God’s standard. 

Jesus Christ was always his standard.  Even on the cross, he was the forgiving man that he was early in his ministry.  The pain, agony, and distress of the Cross did not influence him to behave or think beneath God’s expectation.  Some of you are presently at work, dealing with difficult co-workers.  Do not negotiate your standard.  Some of you are involved with spouses and significant others who can be challenging to say the least.  Do not negotiate your standard.  Some of you are dealing with a major financial crisis.  Do not negotiate your standard.

My encouragement is be the happy, fun loving, encouraging, kind, healthy, high performing, positive, and holy person you are called to be.  Believe that God’s standard is worth paying the price for and enjoy the fact God trusts you with such a lofty standard. 
Read Daniels 6; Philippians 4:8

THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER - Thursday, April 24, 2008
One of my personal desires is to continue to grow and, prayerfully, become the man that will honor God fully and completely.  Sometimes in the pursuit of being that man, I am convicted and corrected.  That was the case earlier this week.  This week I disappointed someone who matters greatly to me.  It was a simple phone call or text message missed.  In seeing and hearing their disappointment, I felt so bad because they did not want gifts, just a simple recognition of what matters to them. 
Wow, it hit me very hard sitting on the plane, the basic lesson of good relationships.  Simple things are what make a relationship, intimate or friendship, work.  For so many of us, we are not very good stewards of the little things.  Yes, I am very busy at times and I have a lot going on at least in my head (lol), but in the end I have no excuse.  Neither do you!!  The little things simply mean that you are thinking of them and that you value them. The little things mean that you are not so consumed in your life that you cannot perform some little act of kindness or affirmation. What is interesting is that I am pretty good at it, but in this situation I was not.

I did two things that I hope will help you!

1. I apologized.  I am sorry is the ally to good relationships.
2. I called myself to accountability and am developing a means to insure I will not miss it again.

Take your pastor’s advice, work at the little things.  Think of what you can do everyday, or at least every week to communicate to those you love how important they are to you.  Let me offer some suggestions.

1. If you have a cell phone or email capability, each day or week send a thinking of you text or email.  Nothing deep, just something that says to your friend, “you matter to me”.
2. Put a card in the mail to say “you matter”.
3. Daily, offer a prayer for them.  They may not directly know it, but believe me they will feel it.
4. Finally, keep your word to them.  Your word is that you will love them, so take time out of your day and show them they matter.

Learn from your pastor, little things matter. 
Read Luke 8:1-4; Philippians 4:14-20

GOD DID A GREAT JOB - Friday, April 25, 2008
The image of the sun is resting gently on the still waters.  The birds have been assigned to usher in the dawning of a new day with singing.  Trees gently house the dew of the morning while reflecting their stately stature on the calm waters!  No humankind is in sight and all seems well.  At the present, I am sitting in a wonderful room in a small community known as Irvington, Virginia, serving as a worshipful witness to the awesome work of God through nature.  And thinking to myself, “Man, God did a great job”.  It is amazing to me how incredibly meticulous our God is.  God in his wisdom decided that nature would make a graphic statement about whom he is, and so each day nature speaks of God.  Each day the sun, the sea, the trees, and the animal community all come together to speak of the God of all creation.  In Psalms 19, the writer speaks of the how nature declares the glory of God.

And yet, too many of us are so consumed with the daily grind of life that we miss the subtle and yet magnificent way that God reminds us that he is in charge.  The consistency of nature and the overwhelming beauty of her presentation speak of God.  The wonderful way God has ordered creation and the fact that we can trust it, means that each day God wants us to trust him.  Nature, though it can have its moments, is still the most beautiful expression of God next to a saint who lives daily in the glow of divine grace.

Can I encourage you to do something?  Can I encourage you to slow down enough to pay attention to the beauty that is around you?  Can I admonish you to unclutter your morning routine and allow God to speak to you in the stillness of it?  Can I challenge you to see God beyond the superficial pursuit of prosperity, and know that real prosperity is the presence of God everyday?  We are so blessed, because we can experience the orderly beauty that is God’s creation.  So this day, enjoy God by enjoying what he has made.  This involves nature but also the family and friends that you are given stewardship of.  Because we know, “God did a great job”, we ought to express our appreciation for it by enjoying it!

Can’t wait to see you Sunday, it’s going to be an awesome day!
Read Psalms 19; 23:2-4

IT'S MONDAY - Monday, April 28, 2008
Every Monday millions awaken to begin another week of work and school.  The weekend ends and the grind of another week begins.  For most, it is an unwelcomed resident to their life.  It represents the cycle that never seems to end.  It is the cycle of the mundane.  Yet I believe that a fresh perspective on Monday will allow you to enjoy it more than to dread it.  Mondays represent a fresh opportunity to produce and to perform at your highest level.  It offers a chance to be the person that, on Sunday, you were called to and challenged to be.  It allows the greatness in you to be exhibited in a context that focuses primarily on profit and performance.  Mondays are really about raising oneself to “A” game level.

As well, it is about serving God with such excellence until others around you recognize Him as their God.  Your Mondays begin your week of service through your vocation.  Understand that God honors your Mondays, because in them He calls you to serve with great joy and passion wherever you are stationed.  Mondays mean that others will see how your time in worship this weekend has positively affected you and that this time is well spent.

Here is my advice. See Mondays as a gift and take advantage of the day to prepare for the week you desire.  Understand that God is going to use you mightily this week.  Within this week, God is going to bless others while blessing you.  This week, you are going to be given an opportunity to witness and share your faith.  This is the week the Lord has given you to rejoice and be glad in it.  The next weekend will truly be a blessing, because you took advantage of the week.  And it all started with Mondays.  Have an incredible Monday and a highly productive week. I Kings 10:1-15; Eccl. 3:1-8

YOU NEVER KNOW, BUT YOU KNOW - Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Last night I received a text from Pastor Cotton informing me of the tornados that hit my hometown area.  Immediately, I called my parents and First Lady called her mother.  When I was confident that my parents were all right, I called Pastor Sheridan Nelson to check on him, because he actually lives in Suffolk.  After several rings, he finally answers and boy was I not prepared for the phone call.  He was personally all right, but the community where he lives was devastated by the storm.  The storm leveled houses around him and destroyed buildings within his area.  As we talked I could sense that while he laughed it was an overwhelming experience.  He personally witnessed cars and debris swirling in the air under the authority of uncertainty.  Before concluding our conversation he stated that when he woke up in the morning he did not expect this.

The thought that captured my mind upon getting off the phone with him was, “Man life is so uncertain”.  I mean he woke up that morning, told his wife and children see you tonight and then in the midst of it all, a storm comes that changes his life.  He now lives with the memory of something he could not control, but of something that his God protected him from.  I write this today, because there is an awesome lesson in this.  The lesson is that no matter who you are, there are some things you cannot control.  While God allows us to determine some things, there are things we cannot control.  Storms come out of nowhere and we are seemingly at their mercy.  They arrive, leaving us damaged and wondering why us, and why now.

Yet the good news is that the God who allows the storm also protects us in the storm.  Our God is greater than the storm, and even while we are going through it, God covers us so that the storm does not destroy us.  I am not proclaiming that you are about to go through a storm.  I am proclaiming that God is the one who protects you daily and when the uncertainty arises, it is our God who insures that we not only survive, but also come through as pure gold.  God loves you and no matter what you face, you will stand in the end, because your God is greater.  Live in the confidence of God’s grace and strength.  Know that each day is in the hand of God and under the loving eye of God.  Jesus Christ lived daily under this recognition and even on the cross he declared his confidence in God.  No fear of tomorrow, because tomorrow is God’s.  Love you and trust God for your future. Read Psalms 40; John 16:33; Philippians 4:11-13

PROTECT IT - Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Last night was amazing!! The presence of the Lord arrested the place and the people.  The Word of the Lord last night spoke so deeply to so many of us until even after the dismissal, many stayed around to experience the afterglow.  

Upon leaving, the Lord became very clear with me that I must protect the word spoken.  Last night was not just about another great service filled with praise and emotional responses to the Preached Word.  No, last night was about permanent change.  It was about experiencing Grace and Mercy in its fullness and then going forth to never live in the weight of tomorrow’s mistakes.  It was about the confirmation of true restoration in each life represented.  And yet, the potency and profundity of the night means nothing if we do not protect it.

What does that mean?  Read Mark 4:1-9, about the parable of the sower and notice the first soil.  In a nutshell, the Word of the Lord or the seed is sowed into the soil and immediately the birds come and take it away.  This is the dilemma of many who come to church.  They hear the Word, but it does not penetrate to the point that it influences.  Thus, while we are responsible for what we have heard, we do not exercise an accountability to it as it relates to application.  Read Hebrews 10:26.  To protect then is to guard the word by:

1.  Hearing it again and again until it registers.  The purchasing of CDs greatly aids this.

2.  Applying the Word spoken when given a chance to

3.  Building your conversations around the Word spoken, so that it becomes a part of your consciousness

4.  Rereading the text so that the Word takes authority in your life

5.   Releasing the Word through some form of confession

Why is this important?  Because your desire is behavioral change and that can only happen when you make a decision that you want to live out the Word spoken to you.  It is important that you not settle for simply having a good time in church, but that once and for all you decide I want the Word of God to influence me.  I walked away last night determine that certain things would not happen to me and that certain things would happen for me.  Come on sons and daughters, lets protect the Word!!
Read James 1:19-25

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