Be Patient and Wait for the Lord

Psalm 27:4 I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking [Him] in His temple.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27 is written by David and is a request for God to hear him and care for him. David understood that if he was in the presence of God that God would meet his every need.

Impatience is something that I am working on in myself. More and more technology is being created to find solutions on the spot. I upgrade as quickly as I can so that get where I need to get as quickly as I can get there.

Fast Food

Fast Delivery

Fast Coffee

Fast Customer Service

Fast Support

Fast Meetings

Fast Information

It does not work that way with God. It is like any other relationship. You cannot microwave a relationship and expect it to last long It takes time to form and develop. David reminds me of this in Psalm 27. He ends chapter 27 repeating the important message to "Wait for the Lord." Too many times I have rushed into decisions or into meetings without seeking the Lord first.

God help me to practice patience more in my life. Help me to make Psalm 27 a part of who I am that I can wait on your best instead of just my good. Let my desire be to dwell with you as much as possible.

Getting Water in the Desert

Luke 5:16. Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

Even being the Son of God Jesus understood the importance of getting away from the noise to spend time with God. Many times we find that Jesus went away from everyone and everything so He could completely focus on God.

It is important today that we get away from the noise of life to find the source of life. We say we give God control of our lives, then we let our lives control us. One of our goals (or resolutions) should always be to get away from the noise - get away from everyday distractions and talk to God. Not only talk to Him but meditate and wait for him to speak. For me I do not just want to make good decisions, I want to make spirit-led decisions.

Snowballs and Goats

Gen 27:20 But Isaac said to his son, "How did you ever find it so quickly, my son?" He replied, "Because the Lord your God worked it out for me."

This is the story of Isaac's family and the meal that he asked Esau to prepare for him. A meal for Isaac to bless him. We find that Jacob finds out from his mother that this blessing is about to take place (vs. 6) and he searches out goats then he prepares a meal for Isaac first. Then as the story is told Isaac blesses Jacob because of deception (vs. 23).

I see here one lie turns into another lie and another lie and it begins to snowball. First, Jacob lies about who he is then further lies to say that God has worked it out for him to find the meal for his father. This can be a reminder to us to be sure that our intentions and actions are pure and holy. Later we find that it catches up with Jacob and he is deceived by Rachel's father. I sum it up with this if there is something you want pursue it wholeheartedly and do not deceive lie or steal to get it. Work hard. Otherwise it could come back to bite you or it will take you twice as long to get.

Lord, help me to keep my motives pure and holy. Help me to do things out of my love for you and not for the sake of man or to seek approval of others. Help me to share this truth with others that they can make the honorable and right decision as well.

Plant the Seed

Luke 4:30 But He passed right through the crowd and went on His way.

While Jesus was in Nazareth he read the scroll written by the Prophet Isaiah. During his time there he began to tell the people truths about about history and the people did not like it. He was driven out of town for what he was speaking then they were about to push Him off of a cliff but then we find verse 30 when he passes through them and goes somewhere else to speak the truth.

The truth is not always popular. The truth is not always the thing everyone want to hear. But just as it is written in Luke 4. We must speak the truth and be on our way. In other words, plant a seed but move on and plant the next one. If the farmer stands and waits to see the one seed grow he will not have time to plant the rest of his crop and will not produce a great harvest. People might not always want to hear the good news of Christ but it must be shared and instead of debating and arguing we must know what we believe, plant the seed and be on our way.

Lord, help me to know the right seed to plant and when to plant it. Help me know to belabor Your word but be willing to plant the seed and move on. This year help me to be more bold in my faith to share it with others. Help me to speak the truth with out exaggeration or manipulation.

How's the old complaint?

James 5:9 ~ Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged.  Look, the judge stands at the door. 

Just as God gave these words to James for him and the people of his time, we (I) must be reminded of this verse.  James saw where people were complaining about one another - judging one another.  The Lord inspired him to give the people these words to remind them that He - the Living God is the only acceptable judge for our actions.

God has been speaking this to me lately. I am sure it is a reiteration or reminder of that this morning.  I find it easy to complain or judge others when it is not my place and I should just shut up and do what He has called me to do.  I am not perfect in my techniques, timing and delivery of things but God still graces me to do my work in spite of my self.  It is easier to point fingers at others or judge others when I have a different perspective but what I must remember is that my perspective is not always the best and that we (I) all must grown and learn along the way. 

So my prayer today is that God helps me to shut up, mind my own business and do the work that He has called me to do.  I do not make perfect decisions but God grace me to make the right decisions.

1 Corinthians 10:12 ~ So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.

Heading to Jackson for a picnic and play time, then naptime!!

Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music. ~ John Williams

Almost got run over by a semi pulling a trailer. He meant business.

Rockmelt Browser - You gonna try it?

http://www.rockmelt.com/

Will singing a native American song.

Will's 1st Thanksgiving program & lunch today. Good times...

New Addition to the Family, Approximate Birth-day 06/26/2011

Offer Something Superior

I have always drank coffee since I can remember. The first time I drank a cup of coffee I remember my Papaw Lyles telling me, "Son, if you drink coffee it'll put hair on your chest." That would be followed up with my Mamaw yelling from the kitchen, "You know you can't drink coffee, you're to young." Still till this day I do not understand what she was trying to keep me from. Was it the caffeine? Was it the party that I would want to have 3 hours later? I am not sure but what I do know is that once I drank that first cup I always wanted more...And the chest hair, well that never really happened(Oh well). And here I am 9:30 at night drinking another cup...

Over the years I have come to appreciate a flavorful coffee and can tell right away if coffee has gone stale in the bag. There are various ingredients that will vary the taste of the coffee as it is brewing. Such as the type of water, the oils in the beans, the type of filter used, if ground before brewing how long it is ground for.

I finished up a book this week that I read a year or so ago because it had great parallels. The name of this book is, Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz. For anyone that has visited your local Starbucks you recognize the author as the CEO of Starbucks.

There are great points that Mr. Schultz makes about the beginnings of Starbucks and the passion that the founders all carried.

1. There are two main types of coffee beans Arabica and Robusta.
- The best coffees are arabicas. Especially those grown high in the mountains. Arabicas can withstand the heat, and the darker the beans are roasted the fuller the flavor.
- Packaged food companies prefer robusta beans or light roasts because they allow a higher yield or weight. There is a tenth to half of a percent difference in shrinkage. The lighter the roast, the more money they save.

Mr. Schultz goes on to say, "Starbucks only uses arabicas because they care more about flavor than yields."

2. You must stand for something whether personal or in business.
- "Starbucks stood not only for good coffee, but specifically for the dark-roasted flavor profile that the founders were passionate about. That's what differentiated it and made it authentic."

3. Do not just give everyone what they ask for. If you are best at what they are asking offer them something they are not accustomed to.
- "Offer them something so superior that it takes a while to develop their palates, you will create a sense of discovery, excitement and loyalty that will bond them to you. It may take longer, but if you have a great product, you can educate your customers to like it rather than to appeal to the mass-market."

Lessons from Lady Gaga

A reoccurring theme that I feel is hitting me in the head is the noun Passion. I am a passionate guy when it comes to completing tasks or love for my family and friends but I want to continue that drive. When I speak of being passionate I do not mean going to the latest chick flick movie with my wife and crying with her about a love story by great actors.

I have just finished reading again, "Pour Your Heart Into It" by Howard Schultz. And if there is anything that I really received from that book and from the Starbucks work ethic is be passionate about what you do! Howard encourages every Barista in every thing that they do to do their best and be their best. That when they make that cup of coffee to make it the best that it can be. I was a barista for a few months and watching the videos with Howard's training you can tell that no matter how many zeros he has on his check that he wants to continue the passion that he had, if not more, when he started in the business. There is actually a shot rule that if a espresso shot sits for more than 8 seconds it is considered dead and should not be used in a espresso drink.

Just recently a short-known acquaintance passed away. In the short time I got to know him it was very evident that he was a man with passion. When I grow up I want to be as passionate as he was with everything that he said and did. It was even said at his funeral that he was passionate about life and that it showed until his final day.

Lastly, on a completely different note, I watched the Grammy's earlier this week and though I ended up cutting it off abruptly I must comment on a performance that I viewed. It never fails when I see Lady Gaga that she is wearing something that I think is crazy or doing something that I think is crazy. But what I realized about her is every time that she performs she is showing passion for what she does.


1 Peter 3: ¹³ And who will harm you if you are passionate for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, ¹⁵ but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

Sad Tigers

Sitting here watching Georgia Tech man handle Clemson. Watching our freshman QB and freshman coach. I am a bit worried. Seeing them play it looks like they are completely out of their league.

Blog Format Change...Well Kinda

I have decided to change the format just a little in my blog. Along with worship stories and personal stories I will start including worship deals, freebie's and suggested material.

Today, I want to turn you to a website. There is a worship leader based in Georgia that has a couple albums available to purchase on iTunes. His name is Aaron Keyes. He has a resources page on his website that gives some lessons that he has taught at various venues. Also, on this page he has pdf chord charts of his albums. One great arrangement that he has on his first album is It Is Well with Made Me Glad. Most of his songs can either be done with a full band and worship team or acoustic guitar and a couple singers. Check out his resources here.

Blessings.

I had some time to think yesterday on my way home from work. Most of the time I have the iPod on playing New Life, Desperation Band, Brooke Fraser, Hillsong or something of that nature. I decided to blog about something that has been on my mind for a while...

I read a Tweet by John Mayer the other day that had me thinking. John Mayer is a phenomenal artist. He can sing through a guitar like no one I have ever seen or heard. I got to watch a video of him in the studios with a couple of great musicians and they pulled together a hit song in a day. After everyone left John is in the studio harmonizing his guitar with the guitar line that he had just played a few hours earlier. The tweet that got me to thinking John was stating that he had a guy over that was teaching him some new chords and techniques. John Mayer is John Mayer for goodness sakes who could teach him anything?

My point is we are never to old or experienced in any field to say we know what we need to know or that we have all that we need to have to do what we have been called to do (pretty long sentence right?). I am 28 years young and I pray that I never get to a place where I think that I have a patent on how things should go or that the routine is too perfect to change. For me I have decided that I never want to do something just because it is popular or because The Jones's are doing it but do it because my convictions line up with what I see, hear or feel. We have been instructed by Jesus in "The Parable of the Net" this: "...every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." There is another scripture that I am reminded of that speaks about not putting new wine in old wineskin. Whenever I learn something new I need to renew my wineskin(current way of doing THAT thing), for we will all be judged according to our own teachings.

In my last blog I mentioned that we had not been able to sell our house. I said that I knew that this was a faith walk for Rachael and I that I know God was going help us through. I am happy to say that we have sold our house in SVL and now live in Tryon, North Carolina. We were praying that through this transition that our boys would feel at home at our new house. Will has really adapted well and I feel that he has taken the move really well.

This Thanksgiving we have a lot to be thankful. We closed on our house this past Friday. We are now in a cute little place in a cozy little town, with a view of the mountains out the front door. There is a new level of worship I feel our church is rising to. I believe it is revelation that is changing the atmosphere at HPHC. Thus, another reason to be thankful…

The past few years have been tough for Rachael and I transitionally. Our relationship has been tested but has proven to be strong. We feel that this coming year 2009, is going to be our best ever. We have a plan that we pray will push us to another level as a family.

There is a song that has been resonating with me lately. We just recently learned it at HPHC and it really touched the congregation. You can check out the music video here. Also, to get an understanding to what the song is about check out the song story.

I have been torn on what I wanted to post. I have decided to post something that has been on my mind since the downfall of our economy (in the past couple weeks).

Yesterday, I was in prayer about our service that we had last night and I ask God, "What can I say to build up the church even though we are facing the tough times that we are". The thought came to me quicker than any other thought he has ever given me. I felt him say, "Remind them about how faithful I am"! I thought that is just what I needed to hear. Not just for the church but for myself.

We have yet to sell our house. It has been on the market for 4 months. So for him to give me the word to reflect on how faithful he is was reassuring that he IS going to take care of us.

For the church, I know that the word was reassuring to hear knowing the gas prices high, stock prices WAY down and the housing market struggling.

The worship set that we sang last night was:
Forever (God is faithful)
How Great is Our God
Great is Thy Faithfulness

I referenced the scripture Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him. (NLT)

I know that it has been 5 months since my last posting. Here is an updated picture of the boys.

What a past 5 months it has been. I was let go from a job back in April. I searched for a couple months to try to find something locally and prayed for God to direct me where he wanted me to be.

Taking you back to my last blog I stated that I had been contemplating about how I was no where closer in my life with my career on where I wanted to be for the rest of my life.

Well God opened a door at a church in Hendersonville that I now minister at. We are having great services...I see that lives are being changed weekly and that I what it is all about. As the Hillsong song says, "Touching Heaven, Changing Earth"!!

It was a tough week last week. I had a lot going on at work and then I had to go to my 42 year old uncles funeral. I knew that it would hurt to see him gone but I didn't think that it would affect me that bad.

One of the ministers referred to the fact that he has sang his last song. And that we must continue to sing our songs whatever they might be. It just hit home with me on how important it is for me to be sure that I am singing a new song everytime that I minister.

I was reading a devotional a few nights ago that keeps reverberating in me. I shared in a meeting Thursday night and I thought I would include it in this blog.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. (MSG)