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Frustration is Eventually Productive The first time I heard this was in a chapel service in college.  The speaker that morning was someone that I had never heard from before or since.  He shared an illustration that peaked my attention, and followed it up by saying, "Frustration is eventually productive." Now to a young minister in training, I couldn't really appreciate the truth of that statement.    At the time I thought, "How intriguing?"  All the frustration I had ever known up to that point and time in my life was trying to pass my Intro. to Philosophy class and get anything better than a C in Synoptic Gospels.  (Yea, the class, was that tough.) But as I entered full-time ministry, got married and began to experience life at it best and worst I understood.  Frustration isn't just a part of life, it is a constant. John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I

All of us have a built in fight or flight mode.  When fear kicks in, either we fight for our lives or run to the hills. Now 2 Timothy 1:7 says  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. But if God created all of us to have this fight or fly mode, then why does Paul tell Timothy that God doesn't give us a spirit of fear?  #1 - Fear serves a purpose.  Built within each of us is the ability to survive under extreme circumstances.  If something is about to fall on you.  If a car is about to hit you.  If someone is threatening your life, you have a built in system to survive.  Fight or run!   #2 Fear can get out of control.   Your brain doesn't have the capacity to determine what is or isn't real.  In other words, if you perceive that there is a threat, then your brain thinks there is one and reacts accordingly.  If you think your boss is going to fire you.  If you believe that your spouse is going to divorce you.  If you thi

"Often times the only difference between winning and losing is momentum."  John Maxwell.  "When you have momentum it is wonderful.  When you don't - it's awful."  Russ Jones  If there is anything I know about change is this.  It can be fickle.  The change that was bringing you what you wanted can suddenly take away everything you have.  You look up at God and say, "Really?"  I understand.  But think about David for a moment.   Sometimes progress is discouraged.   In 1 Sam 17:28 we read how Davids older brother Eliab really gave his little brother an earful for asking questions.  What if David had listened to his brother and went home.  History would have turned out differently.  Don't get discouraged.  Fight it with all you have.  Sometimes it will just stop dead in it's tracks.  In 1 Sam 17:38 David puts on King Sauls armor.  It didn't fit.  While it was a good plan, it was the wrong plan.  What if David had said, &

Change is an ugly word to some people.  Change is tough, challenging and sometimes complicated.  But it doesn't have to be ugly. Choose what you want to change, or change will make a choice for you. The one thing that will never change is - change. But how do you change?  Wait! Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. That's right - wait.  I use to work for a pastor that always said,  "Make a decision.  Right or wrong it doesn't matter.  Doing nothing isn't an option."  I agreed with him to a point.  But he was always making the wrong decisions because he wouldn't wait.  This eventually ruined him.  One too many wrong decisions.  Patience is tough - but it is also a reward. When you set a goal to achieve it is going to require change.  It can be challenging, but if done right, it will also be very, very

Each new day starts with a fresh dose of daylight to brighten our eyes and warm our skin.  Then we will walk out our door.  It is the attitude we start with that will carry us through our day.  If you start the day with disdain, it will be a horrible day - I guarantee it.  But if you walk out the door with hopeful anticipation, it will be much better. Hebrews 3:13 says   But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Understand that this world doesn't want you to get any joy out of your day or any day for that matter. This world, which is full of sin and disobedience against God, is determined to destroy you and everything around you.  That includes your hope for this day.   The writer of Hebrews tells us how to counter this nonsense.  Exhort or encourage each other.  If you want encouragement, help someone.  Smile at everyone.  Greet people with a cheerful hello.  Ask if you can help someone

Matthew 15:21-28   21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.”And her daughter was healed instantly. It would appear that Jesus is just rude in this passage.  He isn't, but He is testing her faith. - To rephrase a famous busines

 Wouldn't you know it.  The moment that I start writing about life going crazy, my life goes crazy.  Yesterday I had to keep telling myself. "Keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all time.  Wait until the ride comes to a full and complete stop." It was midnight last night before I realized that I didn't blog yesterday.  In what was one of the rarest days ever, I didn't even turn my computer on.  I knew my life had gone crazy. Jer 29:11 11 F or I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Time management is a misnomer.  You can have great strategies to manage your time, and I suggest that you use them.  But time management is nothing more than self-management.  So in the spirit of transparency, I didn't manage myself very well yesterday. Why is this important?  God has a plan.  But it is my responsibility to be a good steward of that plan. If I don't manage my tim

John 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Life has its ups and downs.  We all know that.  There are seasons of plenty, and there are seasons of pain.  Expecting life to be perfect and wonderful all the time simply isn't being realistic.  Life isn't going to be fair. So what do you do when it all goes sideways?  Can you even get back on track?  What do you do? Many years ago I met a man who had recently suffered a heart attack.  He drove a gasoline truck on a major interstate in a metropolitan area.  That alone would cause me to have a heart attack.  One day, while driving the truck, he suffered a heart attack.  Fortunately, he was able to pull the truck to the side of the road and call for help.  What was so odd to me about this story was his age.  He was only in his 20's.  His brother brought him to my office because he needed help.  He was going to

There are those seasons in life when everything goes crazy. Someone recently asked me, "What do you do in those times?"  My response was, "Keep your hands and feet inside at all times and wait until the ride has come to a full and complete stop!" They laughed and said, "No really!?!" I said, "I wasn't joking." You may feel like your life is out of control.  It might be, but it doesn't have to stay that way. John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. #1 - Have Patience If your life is a runaway freight train, then you have to understand.  It's going to take some time to stop it. A 150-car freight train traveling 50 miles per hour takes 1.5 miles to stop. An 8-car passenger train traveling 79 miles per hour takes 1 1/8 miles to stop.  The faster you are going, the longer it is going to take. Take some ti

Father's Day service at FFWC with Duke Matlock was awesome!  It was a beautiful day to honor dads and Biblical manhood. The big take away I got from it was this. Maybe this week you feel like that God has forgotten you.  Perhaps you think that your family or friends have given up on you.  Maybe it just seems like you're getting nowhere fast.  Don't give up! Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. God knows when you are going to succeed.  It's our job to trust Him to see us through.  PRAY:  Dear Jesus, help me to wait for your success today.  AMEN 

You probably know the scientific fact that bees can't fly.  But no one told them that. Did you also know that tears change shapes according to your emotions?   That flies think before they do anything.  How about this one, playing video games will make you smarter. Well, all of these things are true.  But some of us are looking at hope today like it is an impossibility.  I know that it is right up there with flying bees and stuff, but the fact is - you can have hope.  1 Cor 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. You've heard the phrase, "You can't take it with you." This refers to the fact that you can't take what you have in this world into the next.  But Paul would slightly disagree.  While it is true that there are no Uhaul's behind hearses, you can take faith, hope, and love with you.  Do you see it? If there is hope in heaven, and there is, then we will find hope here and now. Jesus

Romans 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. There are some sayings on the wall of my office.  One of them is, "Clarity is power."  Lots of people have said this over the years, but few really by into it.  Think of it this way, the more you know what exactly what you should be doing the better you can work on doing it.   Ambiguity doesn't serve us well.  Being in the dark and fumbling our way through life simply isn't God's will.  Paul showed us the secret to a clear mind in Romans 12:2.  Have your mind transformed and renewed by God then you will know exactly what you are supposed to be doing.   This world changes every day.  What is wrong today could be right tomorrow.  But God never changes.  What is right today will be right tomorrow and for all eternity.  When we follow Jesus, we follow a standard th

Fathers Day can mean many things for different men. - For me, it has been a joy to embrace Fathers Day since Anneka was born.  She always makes my Fathers Day special. - But for some, Fathers Day is a reminder that they cannot be a father.  I can understand that.  The four years before Anneka's birth Betty and I when through one miscarriage after another.  Fathers Day was a bit painful. - For some Father's this day reminds them of their mistakes and failures.  Marriages that are broken and families who have parted ways. Proverbs 20:7  The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him! Here is a question of your dads out there.  If your children live their life with the same integrity and character you have embraced, would they do well in life?  True, there is always room for improvement, but will they be considered, honest, loyal, and hard working?  Will their character exhibit more grace, mercy, and compassion than yours?  If they do you will

I stopped at a convenience store today to get some bottles of water.  As I walked to the back of the store to retrieve them from the cooler,  I inadvertently walked up to a man praying.  The store was tiny, so his ability to be discreet was insufficient.  He was facing Mecca, and he was on his prayer mat.  That's right, he is a worshipper of Islam.   John 1:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:... Now I am a worshipper of Jesus Christ.  No, I am not trying to start an argument here.  I only want to make a point.  Everyone worships something or someone.  As you go about your day today, look around.  Some people worship fashion.  There are those who worship food.  Some worship power while others worship themselves.  How some people worship their chosen, "god" can be very offensive while others go practically unnoticed.   Jesus called for us to love one another.  Why?  Because He wanted our worship to be recognizable by everyone else.  In

Acts 5: 14 - 15 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. I've always been amazed by this verse.  Peter's shadow.  WOW!  That must be some awesome shadow, right?  Well, not really.   Peter and the rest of the apostles were used of God to do a number of miracles and healings.  Not only did the church meet the immediate needs of the people, they were also able to meet the impossible ones too.   So what was up with Peter's shadow?  The level of faith of the whole community was being raised to an all-time high in Jerusalem.  The teaching of the Apostles, the worship of the Church, the fellowship of believers, the serving heart of these followers, the message of hope they were sharing encouraged people to believe.  It wasn't Peters shadow that made the diff

Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” So Peter and John have prayed and observed the healing of the lame man.  This caused quite a commotion at the Temple.  Such a commotion that the religious leaders take note.  Immediately they realize that these are Jesus' disciples and that Jesus is getting credit for this healing.  So they arrest  Peter and John put them in jail overnight.   One might say that this proves that no good deed goes unpunished.  But that isn't' the point of this passage.  Jesus promised that signs and wonders would follow.  But know that there are some who would dismiss and even discourage such belief among those who have faith in God.  Regrettable, I know, but true nonetheless.   We follow Christ and do His will to please Him.  We don't do it to please men.  As followers of Jesus, we ca

(For those of you who read my blog via email each morning, I apologize for missing that last couple of mornings.  I tried something new that I thought my help me blog a little better.  It didn't work obviously.  So, I'm back on schedule until I try something new again.)   Acts3: 4 - 6 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” What do you need?   The answer to that question usually falls into one of two categories.  What you perceive that you need and what you really need.   People perceive that they need a new car or a new suit of clothes.   Some people really need help with their marriage or a new form of income for their family.   The beggar perceived that he needed money.  He wasn't wrong.  He could not

Acts 2:4 A nd they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. As soon as the 120 began to speak in other tongues, people were trying to explain it. The short answer on that day? They are drunk. I can’t help but laugh every time I read that. So what you are telling me is, these people got drunk and started speaking a language that they have never spoken before? I’ve heard a lot of stories where alcohol was blamed for something, but never this. Ever since then people have either tried to explain away or deny the fact that this even happened. It’s in the Bible, it happened. Or it’s a fantasy. Some reputable research indicates that nearly 1 billion people will be baptized in the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues by the year 2020. The reality is the Church is powered by the Holy Spirit today. Signs and wonders are still happening. Healings are still happening. Lives are still being changed.  Is your’s? PRA

Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. If someone were to ask me if I wanted more money I would say, YES!!! If someone were to ask me if I wanted more coffee, I would say, YES!! If someone were to ask me if I wanted more Krispy Kreme Donuts, I would say, YES!! But now when someone asks me if I wanted more coffee I will probably say no. A couple of cups and I’m done. If someone were to ask me if I wanted more Krispy Kreme Donuts, I would probably say No. (Even though I did have 4 the other day, that was a treat, not a regular event like it used to be.) I’m getting picky about what I say yes to. Every time I say yes to something I have to recognize that I am saying no to something else. Yes to the donuts means saying no to good health. Sorry, I like healthy. FYI - No ever asks me if I want more money. Hmmmm! 3,000 people said yes to a simple sermon and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. 3,000 people were saying

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” One of the purposes of the Holy Spirits presence is your life is to help you be successful in serving others. I have taught and trained others this principle for years. The purpose of allowing God into your life is to change you. That change will move from being a taker/consumer to being a giver/server. Jesus’ last words on earth were clear. You are to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve others throughout the world. Start at home and keep going to the ends of the earth. Wow! What a challenge. But in order to that to happen, you have to change. You and I live in a consumeristic culture. “The customer is always right.” Marketing is designed to get you to do what they, marketers, want you to do. Buy their stuff! The key is to create a demand, “this will make you thiner, this will make you more a

Eph 1:13 - 14 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. One of the purposes of the Holy Spirits presence is your life is to help you be successful in life. If it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit, I don’t know where I would be today. He convicted me of my sins and led me to ask Jesus to forgive me of those sins. He called me to serve in full-time ministry as a pastor. He directed me to attend the Bible college I attended. He led me to and encouraged me to marry my wife. He spoke into my life and led me to Florida. I could do this all day. My life wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit. Now when I ask people what their definition of success is, I get a variety of answers. Most of them though are centered around seeing one's goals and aspirations in life thr

If you don’t know, I have a BA degree in Bible and Theology. I read recently that my degree has one of the longest life spans of any degree you can receive. That means what I learned back in 19 something, no I’m not willing to admit it, is still relevant and useful today. A medical degree, by some estimations, is only good for around 14 years. A computer degree is only worth one year. Ouch! Why does this happen? Change. Science is always changing. Things I learned in school are not true today. Science and research have changed the way that we understand our surroundings. That’s why we must be continuous learners. God never changes. (Mal 3:6) What we know about God today will still be true tomorrow. As I was reading Acts 2, something I do every Pentecost Sunday, Acts 2:10 jumped out at me. .... we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God. As these followers of Jesus were being baptized in the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues, they were praising G

We live in a dark world. Jesus said that we are supposed to be a light in this dark world. Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. If there is one thing I know about darkness, it is this.  It likes to be dark.  I know, deep stuff, right?  But think about it.  Light drives the darkness away, and darkness is always trying to find some way around the light.  A shadow here and secret space there.  Gradually, if the light beings to fade the darkness slowly creeps in until it's too late.   Darkness hates the light because darkness can never force itself on it.  In other words, darkness can never extinguish the light.  But it will always stand ready to fill any void in our hearts, our lives and even our ministries.  This is why we need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Empowering us to be a light unto our world

If you don't know, I am a Pentecostal.  Right now some people are saying, "YES"!  There are some that are wondering if I do "weird" things and others who will just outright dismiss me.  But before you that I would like to point out that near 2/3rds of the followers of Christ in the world (around 650 million) speak in other tongues. But just because one speaks in tongues doesn't mean that they are necessarily Pentecostal.  There is more to being Pentecostal than just speaking in tongues.  (Even though that it an impressive part of it.) Acts 2: 17 - 18  And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. This verse is actually a part of my message today on Pentecost.  Peter decla

Being in a life and death situation can be very scary.  I don't mean horror movie scary.  I mean, break out in a cold sweat, heart palpitating, scare the livin' daylights out of you scary.   I was recently reminded that when our brain perceives something as a threat, it releases a chemical called cortisol. According to Psychology Today , "The stress hormone, cortisol, is public health enemy number one. Scientists have known for years that elevated cortisol levels: interfere with learning and memory, lower immune function and bone density, increase weight gain, blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease... The list goes on and on."   As I said, When your brain perceives a threat, it reacts.  It releases cortisol into your system which leads your brain to think of ways to survive.  But the question we need to ask is, "Is the threat real?" While the answer would be a resounding, "Yes!" in many situations, it would also be, "No!" 

If you don't live in South Florida then you may not understand the rainy season. Starting June 1st, it rains.  It is usually in the afternoon and you can set your watch to it.  Somedays it will rain for 5 minutes.  Today it has been raining since this afternoon.  One thing for sure it will rain. Except, one summer.  It didn't rain.  The drought was awful.  The grass died.  The retention ponds dried up.  Lake Okeechobee was so low that the docks were useless and dry.   It was bad. So I put on the church sign.  Pray for Rain.  That's all I said.  In a few days, the religious editor at the Stuart News called to interview me.  We got a nice write up in the religious section a couple of weeks later.  The weekend it ran, the rain came.  It rained and rained and rained.  It rained every day for weeks.  Scientists said it would take years to recover.  It only took a few weeks. The day that the article ran the editor ran a special note alongside.  "If I had known that

Growing and giving go hand in hand.  It can also be a bit painful.  Every time Anneka has a growth spurt my wallet goes, "Ouch!"  She grows, and I give. But giving is a key to your success. Adam Grant, a researcher at the Wharton School of Business, explains that if you want to become more successful, become a giver at work. Grant has identified three basic kinds of workers: takers, matchers, and givers.  - Takers see the workplace as a competitive, dog-eat-dog place. "If I don't look out for myself first," takers think, "no one will."  - Matchers believe that work relationships are governed by even exchanges of favors.  - In contrast, givers are other-focused, paying more attention to what other people need from them. Their hallmark is generosity at work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7   6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided