STARTING SLOW DOESN'T MEAN FAILURE

STARTING SLOW DOESN’T MEAN FAILURE

The mindsets of 21^st century people can accurately be described as microwave mentalities.  Indeed we tend to rush most matters, even during our moments of leisure.  We love fast food, even though slow cooked cuisine is superior in every way.  Two commonly held measures of life-success are how quickly he or she receives their first promotion, or makes their first million.  But fast-tracking something doesn’t always guarantee favorable results.  Neither are slower starts reliable predictors of failure.

If you need practical evidence, consider the following: The first electric light was so dim that a candle was needed to examine its socket.  One of the first steamboats took 32 hours to chug from New York to Albany, a distance of only 150 miles.  Wilbur and Orville Wright's first airplane flight lasted only 12 seconds.  And the first automobiles traveled 2 to 4 miles per hour and broke down quite often.  Carriages would zip past while their passengers shouted out, “Get a horse!”

In fact, it occurs to me that late-bloomers are among the finest of flowers and fruit.  And you do remember the allegory of “The Tortoise and the Hare,” don’t you?  My friend, if any life situation seems to be developing rather slowly for you, remember the wise words of our Lord and Savior: “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)  So occasionally, it just might be beneficial to slow your row.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WHAT IS BEAUTY?

WHAT IS BEAUTY?

Our society seems completely preoccupied with popular notions of physical beauty.  In fact, our cultural obsession with the same is clearly evident through images that dominate media.  But I love the humor of the rather serious looking President Abraham Lincoln.  Regarding beauty, he wrote, “The Lord actually prefers common-looking people. That’s the reason He made so many of them.”  Awesome…smile!

On the real, what is beauty?  How can we accurately define it?  Is it merely a physical matter, or are other aspects of beauty more reflective of its true nature?  John Keats concluded In his classic poem, “Ode to a Grecian Urn,” that “beauty is TRUTH…truth beauty…that is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.”

My friend, it may well be that YOU are far more beautiful than your self-image allows or others imagine since you daily don the countenance and content of truth.  Why not gaze into the ‘mirror’ of God’s Word to truly discern where you are situated on Heaven’s scale of spiritual and eternal beauty?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS

IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS

This past weekend, we traveled to my birthplace in Western Pennsylvania.   Of course it’s always good to go home.  On Saturday, Belinda and I took our granddaughter, Kennedy, to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium which called to mind the Carnegie family, generous philanthropic supporters of regional culture.  Years ago, I learned that in Andrew Carnegie’s will he had bequeathed $1 million dollars to a family member.  That ungrateful relative actually cursed Carnegie because he had also left $365 million to public charities and had [quote] “cut me off with just one measly million.”  Wow!

Perhaps even more astounding is the fact that many people hold similar attitudes of ingratitude regarding our Creator.  Although He freely provides us the necessary air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, clothes to wear, places to live and families to grow in – yet we’re occasionally tempted to see our lives through the prism of a ‘deficit model’ – focusing selfishly on what ‘feels’ lacking to us.

My friend, if that describes your emotional station in life, it’s time for an immediate and radical change.  Remember: As long as there is life there is hope.  So stop carping, complaining and throwing pity-parties that no one attends but you!  Invest trust and faith in God, not in life’s circumstances.  And become passionate and purposeful in your gratitude.  Don’t you dare (ever) neglect the giving of heartfelt thanks.  After all, ‘thank you’ makes room for more. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

COME JUST AS YOU ARE

COME JUST AS YOU ARE

Ian Wilson writes of a London businessman named Lindsay Clegg who owned a warehouse property that he intended to sell.  However, the building had been vacant for years and definitely needed repairs.  Vandals had damaged doors, smashed windows and scattered trash all over.

As Clegg showed the property to a prospective buyer, he took pains to say he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage and clean out the garbage.

“Forget about the repairs,” the buyer interrupted.  “When I buy this place, I’m going to build something totally different.  I don’t want the building; I want the land!”

Wilson writes, “Compared with the total transformation that God has in mind, any efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping out a warehouse slated for the wrecking ball.  When we become God’s property, the old life is over, and  HE makes all things new. (II Corinthians 5:17)  All God wants is our life-site (as is) and permission to build.”

Amen, Ian Wilson, Amen!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

KNOW YOUR VALUE!

KNOW YOUR VALUE!

A father said to his son: “You graduated with honors.  Here is a car that I acquired long ago, which is quite old.  But before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them I want to sell it and see how much they offer you.”

The son went to the used car lot, returned to his father and said, “They offered $1,000 because it looks very worn out.”

The father said, “Take it to the pawn shop.”

The son went to the pawn shop, returned to his father and said, “The pawn shop offered $100 because it is a very old car.”

The father asked his son to go to the antique car club and show them the car.

The son took the car to the club, returned and told his father: “Some people in the club offered $100,000 for it, since it is a Nissan Skyline R34, an iconic car that is sought after by so many.”

The father said to his son, “I wanted you to know that the RIGHT place VALUES ​​you the RIGHT way!”

My friend, if you are not valued, DO NOT BE ANGRY OR DISAPPOINTED.  It simply means you are in the wrong place. Those who KNOW your value are those who appreciate you.  Never stay in a place where no one sees your value.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

HOW DO WE HANDLE ANGER? (Part II)

HOW DO WE HANDLE ANGER? (Part II)

Although it is counterintuitive to what we might expect, it is actually reasonable and right to conclude that anger is a divinely implanted emotion.  How so?  Because God’s Word allows us the freedom to become angry, as long as our responses do not reflect sinful behaviors.  Thus, Ephesians 4:26 admonishes believers to “be angry, and do not sin.”  Bottom-line: Righteous living requires that forgiveness must always be present in moments of anger.

If you wonder how our loving and gracious God would allow anger to impact the lives of His children, consider this: Anger is closely allied with the believer’s character, which detests and opposes anything that isn’t just or right.  This means that followers of Christ feel strongly that evil (not people) is both irritating and abhorrent.  It has been said that the person who cannot feel anger at evil is a person who lacks genuine enthusiasm for good.  If we do not hate wrong, it is questionable whether we truly love righteousness. 

Let’s look at the life of Jesus Christ, our perfect example, in order to find evidence that anger can be a divinely implanted emotion.  For example, Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and saw a man with a crippled hand.  He knew that the Pharisees were watching to see what He would do, and Mark records that Jesus was disturbed that those religious leaders did not care for that man or value the power of God brought to bear on him, but were only out to prove Christ wrong.  We should note that Jesus’ upset emotions did not hinder the complete healing of that man.  (Mark 3:1-5)

Also, Jesus Christ showed anger when he drove out “those who sold and those who bought in the temple.” (Mark 11:15-17) God’s house of prayer was becoming a den of thieves -- hence Jesus' angry words and deeds.  Anyone who cannot be angry at anything that thwarts God’s purposes is living too far away from his fellowman to feel compassion and love.  Think about it.

We must be angry at unrighteousness; then we must minister to it, and minister in spite of it.  Lesson learned.  My friend, whenever you are angry at someone else for any reason at all, be sure to infuse your anger with the Word, with forgiveness, and with God’s love.  It’s powerful evidence that you truly belong to Him.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

HOW DO WE HANDLE ANGER? (Part I)

HOW DO WE HANDLE ANGER? (Part I)

When we become angry, which all of us inevitably do, only two choices await.  We either control and release it in a productive manner, or we hold onto it, tenaciously embracing its destructive outcomes.  Everyone knows that angry words can cause incalculable and enduring pain.  Indeed, once spoken, vitriolic communications cannot be recalled, even by the most sincere and contrite apologies.  

How can anger be so dangerous?  Because anger can cause us to move very swiftly, cruelly and unwisely.  A Chinese proverb says, “The fastest horse cannot catch a word spoken in anger.”  Carefully consider that fact.  A “National Geographic” article tells of a park ranger in British Columbia who displays two sets of interlocked bull moose antlers.  Apparently those two huge and beautiful creatures were fighting so viciously that they could not dislodge themselves long enough to go free and survive.  My friend, is your personal frustration and fight worth the unsettling aftermath?

One relational rule-of-thumb can be summarized as follows: ‘How do we deal with inevitable anger?’  Do we treat it as priceless treasure, harboring and holding onto it until Kingdom come?  Or do we seek to understand the ‘who, what, when, where, why and how’ of it – thus transforming it into positive attitudes and actions?  Stay tuned for tomorrow’s devotional to learn how anger can actually be thought of as a divinely implanted emotion, simultaneously testing and positioning us for growth.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

MAKE TIME FOR YOUR MAKER

MAKE TIME FOR YOUR MAKER

When Belinda and I served as resident missionaries in South Africa, the following was shared with us.  Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and persistent in private devotions.  As such, each one had a separate spot in the thicket where she would pour out her heart to God.  Over time, paths to these places became well worn.  As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to others.  They would kindly remind the negligent one, “Sister, the grass grows on your path.”

My friend, how well-worn is your pathway to prayer?  The Almighty has purposefully made room for you in His kingdom through the sacrificial and vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ.  Make sure that you make room as well, i.e. that devotional fellowship is consistently included on your daily agenda.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WHY NOT BE AN ENCOURAGER?

WHY NOT BE AN ENCOURAGER?

It’s rather easy, even automatic for some, to be critics instead of encouragers.  But at the end of your days, how would you like to be remembered, as someone who purposefully sowed positive seeds or as a cranky purveyor of weeds? 

The Duke of Wellington, the celebrated British military leader who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, lacked sensitivity in communicating with his men.  Although he was apparently brilliant, he was known to be quite demanding, never guilty of showering subordinates with compliments.  Yet even Wellington realized that his leadership style left something to be desired.  During his retirement years, a young reporter asked him what, if anything, he would do differently if he had his life to live over again.  Wellington thought for a moment, then replied transparently: “I’d give more praise!”

Honest praise is both positive and productive.  Seriously consider and embrace it, my friend.  You (and those in your sphere of influence) will surely be edified, encouraged and blessed.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

SURVIVING GETHSEMANE

SURVIVING GETHSEMANE

Interestingly enough, the Garden of Gethsemane is not actually a garden; it is an orchard.  Olive trees still grow there today.  During the years of Jesus’ ministry, an olive press there produced oil for the entire region.  In fact, the word “Gethsemane” stems from this.  In the Hebrew tongue, a “gat” is a press, a huge five-foot-high stone, and a “semane” is oil.  In order to extract the oil, the olives must first be crushed.

On the evening before Jesus’ crucifixion he went to the orchard of that olive press to pray with his disciples and to experience the ‘crush’ of submission to the Father’s will.  It was a time of emotional and spiritual agony, but Christ ultimately prevailed.  “Remove this cup…nevertheless thy will be done.”

Every believer has a personal Gethsemane to walk through.  But we are never alone.  Jesus Christ, our High Priest, has prayed earnestly for us. (John, chapter 17)  And by faith, we overcome.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

YOUR PRECIOUS LIFE

YOUR PRECIOUS LIFE

In William Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth,” the principal character offers a profoundly dismal view of life.  Macbeth declares that “life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”  If that worldview was accurate, our very existence would be frustrating and futile.  Although our lives do have moments that are challenging, even exasperating, there are far more pluses than minuses.

In the words of the novelist, Ernest Hemmingway, “The Sun Also Rises” – even in the wake of occasional stormy days.  Even more importantly, “THE SON” has risen and redeemed us from the penalty and power of sin and shame.  Christ endows us with “His divine power” which grants us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.”  Thus, His Word contains “great and precious promises,” empowering believers to walk in victory as long our hope and trust reside in Him. (II Peter 1:3-4)

I dare say that things aren’t nearly as bad as one might imagine.  So trust Him.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

SCRIPTURAL AFFIRMATIONS FOR OUR HEALING

SCRIPTURAL AFFIRMATIONS FOR OUR HEALING

God’s Word declares that healing is the heritage of believers:

 

Psalm 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

 

Psalm 118:17

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

 

Job 17:9

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

 

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 

I Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

 

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

 

II Peter 1:3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

 

Psalm 91:5-7;14-16

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

 

Isaiah 65:24

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

 

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.  The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.  The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Be healed, delivered and set free in the mighty, marvelous, miraculous and matchless name of Jesus Christ!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

UNTAPPED POWER

UNTAPPED POWER

 Herbert Jackson recounts the story of how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push.  He devised a clever plan of action.  He went to the school near his home and got permission to recruit some students to push his car off.  Otherwise, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running.  He employed this procedure for two full years.

 When ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, a new missionary was assigned.  When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new missionary began looking under the hood.  Before the explanation was complete, he interrupted, “Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable.”  After giving the cable a twist, he stepped into the car, turned the key, and to Jackson’s astonishment the engine roared to life.

 For two years needless trouble had become normal and routine.  The power was there all the time.  Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.  The first chapter of Ephesians refers to the awesome power that is the heritage of every believer.  When we forge close connections with Christ, the Zoe (life of God) and the dunamis (power of God) are readily available to us.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

A CURE FOR WORRY?

A CURE FOR WORRY?

 David Mackenzie presents a creative strategy for minimizing worry in “Still Married, Still Sober.”  In Mackenzie’s words, “To act on the principle of turning matters over to God, I took a paper bag, wrote “GOD” on it, and taped it on the back of our kitchen door.  As I prayed about matters such as my career, my role as a father, my ability to be a good husband, etc., I would write down each concern on a piece of paper.  Then those pieces of paper would go into the bag.  Here is the rule I set for limiting my personal anxiety.  If I started worrying about a matter of prayer that had been turned over to God, I would have to fish it out of the bag.”  Try it.

 It has been well said that the beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE!

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE!

 A sociological study estimates that as much as 77% of our thoughts are primarily negative and counterproductive, silently working against us.  This study also estimates that people who grow up in the average American household hear “NO” or are told what they CANNOT do more than 148,000 times before they reach age 18.  What is the net result?  Even though it might be unintentional, it is a highly destructive shaper of destiny, a.k.a. “negative programming.”  Negativity seriously hurts us. 

 Why not do yourself (and others) a tremendous favor today?  Find something more positive and productive to communicate, or consider saying nothing at all.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

JESUS!

JESUS!

 I so savor the history of the Christian church.  While perusing the writings of a 4^th century Constantinople bishop named Gregory of Nazianzus, I came across this description of Jesus Christ:

 

Jesus began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.

Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.

 The lyrics of a beloved classic hymn best capture my personal sentiments:

“Oh, how I love Jesus – because He first loved me!”  Amen!  Amen!  Amen!

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

STAY IN 'TOUCH'

STAY IN ‘TOUCH’

 Being touched – physically, emotionally, spiritually – is mission critical to our wholeness and health.  Rene Spitz recorded the tragic results of 97 babies and toddlers living life ‘untouched’ within an understaffed South American orphanage.  Due to a serious lack of funding and staffing, these children were deprived of emotional and physical contact with others.  They ranged in age from 3 months to 3 years old.  Although nurses changed their diapers, bathed and fed them, there was little time to hold, cuddle, and talk to them as a mother would.  

 After three months, many showed signs of abnormality.  Besides a loss of appetite and inability to sleep soundly, many children developed a vacant expression in their eyes.  After five months, serious emotional and physical deterioration had set in.  They lay whimpering, with troubled and twisted faces.  When a doctor or nurse would pick them up, some would actually scream in terror.  Sadly, twenty-seven of these children died the first year – not from lack of food or healthcare, but from a lack of human touch and emotional nurture.  Seven more died the second year.  Only twenty-one of the 97 survived, and most of them experienced serious psychological damage. 

 What is reflected in these children is actually applicable to later ages and stages as well.  ALL of us require the sustaining and healing properties of the human touch, which translates to our fundamental need for affection and love.  My friend, reach and touch someone (today), and in doing so, you will also be touched.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WORTH MORE THAN YOU IMAGINE

WORTH MORE THAN YOU IMAGINE

 One of the most cunning and cruel of satanic devices is to cause us to devalue whatever our Creator has deposited within us.  If we are unaware of our worth, we might be tempted, like Esau, to trade our future prospects for mere bowls of soup.  This truth calls to mind the tragic tale of the famous English poet, John Milton, who grossly undervalued his talent and worth.

 In April 1667, John Milton signed an agreement with Samuel Simmons, a London publisher, to sell the copyright of his book, “Paradise Lost,” one of the greatest classics in all of history, for a mere five pounds (just over six US dollars).  Also, Milton would receive an additional five pounds for the sale of each of three subsequent editions, an edition comprising 1,500 copies.  He received a second five pounds in April 1669, making a grand total of 10 pounds to the author of what is arguably England’s greatest epic.  After his death, Milton's widow Elizabeth sold all remaining rights for eight pounds to Simmons, who became the perpetual copyright owner.  One can scarcely imagine someone selling something of such great value for so little. 

 Lesson learned.  My friend, never sell yourself short – whether it’s your intellect, career, possessions, or character.  You are worth far more than you might imagine.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WHY NOT TAKE IT EASY?

WHY NOT TAKE IT EASY?

My friend, never travel through life feeling like you have to be tough in order to survive and thrive.  Learn to ‘chill’ and slow your row – to look at your situational ‘glass’ as half-full.  You’ll discover that it’s not necessary to alleviate every problem or address every person.  Sometimes silence serves best.  Indeed, people aren’t your enemy; hopefully you’re not either.  So try to take it easy on others, even when they fail or disappoint.  Wear circumstances lightly and rightly.  And always remember the words of Abraham Maslow: “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”  So pause.  Pray.  Reflect.  Gain perspective.  And apply faith (not fury or fear) to your challenges.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

UNDER PRESSURE, WHO ARE YOU?

UNDER PRESSURE, WHO ARE YOU?

Let’s consider for one moment a sponge that’s saturated with liquid.  If we push down on it (even slightly) liquid seeps out.  Thus, we will know for certain what fills the interior pockets of the sponge.  The same is true of people.  Others can tell what fills you on the inside by what comes out under pressure.  So make sure you are filled with ‘the right stuff.’  If anyone is uncertain as to what that is, GOD’S WORD is the right stuff!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

CAN WE HINDER OUR PRAYERS?

CAN WE HINDER OUR PRAYERS?

 In his book, “Why Prayers are Unanswered,” John Lavender retells a story about Norman Vincent Peale.  When Peale was a boy, he found a big cigar, slipped into an alley, and lit up.  It didn’t taste good, but it made him feel very grown up – until he saw his father coming.  Quickly he put the cigar behind his back and tried to appear casual.  Desperate to divert his father’s attention, Norman pointed to a billboard advertising the circus.

 “Can I go, Dad?  Please, let’s go when it comes to town!”

 His father’s reply taught Norman a lesson he never forgot.  “Son,” he answered quietly but firmly, “never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide a smoldering disobedience.” 

 Perhaps this life-lesson from Norman’s youth can presently benefit all of us.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WHO ARE YOU?

WHO ARE YOU?

There are four major bones in every organization…

The Wish-Bone: Hoping someone else solves issues.

The Jaw-Bone: Talking much but doing nothing.

The Knuckle-Bone: Knocking anything and everybody.

The Back-Bone: Carrying the load and doing the work. 

Be the solution you seek.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!