Nugget of Wisdom: Power In Purpose

When you were young, there were all kinds of things to fear: the dark, monsters, even artichokes...lol. You were afraid because those things were unfamiliar and you were uncertain of your potential in the presence of them. As an adult, there are still many things you can fear: debt, layoffs, failure and loneliness.

However, the same power that you possessed when you realized there was no monster under your bed is the same power that is in someone who recognizes their purpose. You have to power to have peace in darkness and in storms. There is so much more to say about the power in you, but for now know that you’ll laugh at your fears when you realize the true power in your purpose.

Nugget of Wisdom: Helping Others

A business man sees a young lady fall ahead of him.  On her back, she looks and sees him approaching.  She begins to cry out, "Sir, can you help me?"  Without a word, he points to his watch and begins to walk past her.  However, he is soon lying next to her on the ground.  Rolling onto his side, he looks at her and asks, "Why didn't you tell me there was black ice here?"  She responds, attempting to get to her feet, "You were in too much of a hurry to help."

The Relevant Truth: Helping others helps you.

Nugget of Wisdom: Give Thanks

Giving thanks is the purest sign of intelligence, so this Thanksgiving be smart and give thanks for your life, your journey and everything associated with it.  You have more to be thankful for than you could ever know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nugget of Wisdom: Humble Beginnings

None of us are born walking. In fact, when we are born we are defenseless, naive and  ignorant to the reality that we have entered. Yet, despite how much we don't know or possess, our guardians still have great expectations that one day we will walk.

Since most of us accomplish this, it is safe to say that a humble beginning shouldn't be the deterrent to success, but it should be the motivation that promotes great expectation. Don't doubt and deviate from destiny because of deficiency. If God indeed exalts the humble, then God exalts humble beginnings. Only believe!

Relevant Text: 1 Peter 5:6 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.

On Call: I Need More

I am 31 years old and have been attending the same church for my entire life. My father is a bishop and the pastor. Although there are many aspects of the ministry that I love, I am not getting the spiritual nourishment that I need. It's not that what my father is preaching is wrong, but it is just so predictable. The only thing different about the messages that he preaches now and when I was growing up is the date on the cd or dvd. How do I tell my father that I am going to look for another church without him taking it personal? Obviously, someone is getting what they need from his preaching and teaching or else the church would be empty. I just need more! In my situation, is conflict unavoidable?


I Need More - in TX

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Dear I Need More, 
It's pretty safe to assume that some level of conflict is unavoidable. However, don't fret. One definition for conflict is simply a disagreement. While the situation you find yourself in could potentially excalate beyond a simple disagreement, be careful not to approach him with a defensive attitude. Its better to handle this with humility and sensitivity. For many parents who also happen to be pastors to their children, over time the two become so intertwined that they can't clearly distinguish the difference. It is important that your father is clear that in finding a new church home that better suites your spiritual needs that it doesnt mean that he has lost your respect or support. Ecc. 3:1 says To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Those times and seasons are not set but us, our parents, or anyone else.

Employ the prayers of your father as you embark upon this new spiritual journey. Because you go in a spirit of meekness and humility, if by chance your leaving the church is a mistake, you will have left in such a way that should make returning fairly easy. In the end there is no way to fully know how he will respond or react to your decision or this conversation. However, you still have a personal responsibility to follow what you believe you are being lead to do. To stay for any other reason besides the fact that YOU believe you are supposed to be there will ultimately not be enough (in the long run) to keep you there. If the truth be told, a portion of the people at your father's church probably came from or grew up in some one else's church. He, no doubt, came from another ministry to lead or create this one. That said, he would have no church without people who responded to their spirit's cry for something more than what they were getting. Continue to be there for your father and pray for him, but do what needs to be done. 

Clogged Tub

What only took seconds to drain in the past was almost up to my calf muscles. I checked the stop and it was up. Uggh...The tub was clogged. There had been no gradual change, no warning that there was about to be a problem. This awareness snuck up on me like a heart attack....so abrupt and unexpected.

I did what most of us do. I got frustrated and then tried to ignore it. Then I blamed it on the soap or perhaps the neighbors who had put something in their sink or tub and it was causing a massive back up for all of us... stupid neighbors.