God's Will: Give Thanks In All Circumstances!

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Where does the time go? I recently lost a legitimate 10 lbs., and I am wondering if I can keep it off over the holiday season. This Thanksgiving holiday is going to test my resolve like none other. Run Ronnie Run!

As you prepare to celebrate this holiday with family, friends and food, and I mean a whole lot of food, I want to encourage you to spend some extra time thanking God for all the wonderful things you have in life. Too often, we tend to focus on the negatives, or on the things we don’t have, instead of giving thanks for all we possess.

My favorite scripture on thankfulness in the Bible is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. It says: “16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I think it is important to point out that God doesn’t expect us to give thanks for all circumstances in life. For example, if a loved one dies, we don’t have to be thankful for this unfortunate incident.

However, as this scripture exhorts us, we can be thankful even in our worst moments in life. For example, instead of focusing on the loss of a loved one, we could remember all the wonderful times we had with him or her and give thanks.

Why is being thankful so important?

Thankfulness is important because it protects us from a negative attitude. A thankful attitude will act as a protection against the dark forces of anger, unforgiveness, anxiety and fear. Don Kistler said, “The person with the discontented heart has the attitude that everything he or she does for God is too much, and everything God does for him or her is too little." Thankfulness creates a no stick surface in our souls, which prevents the negative fallout from corrupting the mind, will and emotions.

Why is thankfulness so important?

Thankfulness is important because it is a more healthy way to live. A recent study of 1,000 people aged 65-85 points to the importance of a positive/thankful attitude in dealing with life. After almost 10 years of follow-up, researchers found that people who described themselves as optimistic/thankful had a 55 percent lower risk of death from all causes and a 23 percent lower risk of heart-related death.

While one's attitude toward life isn't everything, it does make a crucial difference in dealing with life. Optimistic and thankful people tend to be more physically active, drink less, and smoke less. They cope with stress more effectively.

John Henry Jowett, a British preacher of an earlier generation, said this about gratitude: "Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic." What did he mean? He meant that gratitude, like a vaccine, can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled, discouraged spirit. Like an antitoxin, gratitude can prevent the affects of the poisons of cynicism, criticalness, and grumbling. Like an antiseptic, a spirit of gratitude can soothe and heal the most troubled spirit (John Yates).

Have you ever wondered: “What is God’s will for my life?” His will is for you to give thanks in all circumstances of life. This makes total sense! It protects us from a negative attitude, and it is the healthiest way to live. I can think of no better time to remember the power of gratitude than during Thanksgiving week.

My prayer for you this week is that your heart would be just as full with thankfulness as your belly is with turkey! That’s a whole lot of thankfulness!

Happy Thanksgiving and God bless!

Adversity: A Blessing in Disguise!

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been attempting to answer the question: Why do bad things happen to good people? The Bible teaches us that God uses hardships and trials to develop character in us. When we possess character and perseverance, we will bring glory to God even in our most difficult moments. Without character and perseverance, we will never bring glory to God when we suffer.

On October 6th, in a football game against the University of North Carolina, Florida State University field goal kicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals in the fourth quarter. He pushed the potential game winner—a 40 yarder from the middle of the field—wide to the right.

After he and teammates listened to coach Jimbo Fisher’s postgame speech, Hopkins cracked open his Bible and read Psalm 34:18. It says: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

While most players will avoid reporters after not performing well on the field, Hopkins chose to speak to the media and answer their questions. When asked why he decided to talk to the media Hopkins said: “There's a lot of stuff I'd rather do than talk about this," he said. "But I'm going to give you the honest answer. I think God just puts us in some situations with highs and lows. And sometimes, you can affect more people with how you react in your low time than you can in your highs."

"So if I can affect just one person through Christ and how I handle the situation, then that's what I'm here for."

Near the conclusion of his post game interview, running back Jermaine Thomas grabbed Hopkins and whispered in his ear for several moments. Hopkins eyes watered when asked about the conversation. “That was probably the closest I came to crying the whole night,” Hopkins said. “He just said that he loved me and the other guys on the team love me.”

It seems Dustin Hopkins is affecting more than one person through Christ!

Though most of his teammates already had showered and changed, Hopkins still was wearing his uniform. He had answered questions for well over 10 minutes.

“This is just a blessing in disguise,” he said. “For sure.”

How can having the worst game of your college football career be a blessing in disguise? It can be blessing when you know that character and perseverance are developed during times of adversity. It can be a blessing when you know that the crown of glory is attained on the road of suffering. It can be a blessing when you understand your greater purpose in life is to be a witness for Jesus Christ in every situation.

One week later, during a night game against the Clemson Tigers, and with the Seminoles’ ACC Championship hopes hanging in the balance, Dustin Hopkins was once again called upon to kick the game winning field goal with three seconds remaining on the clock. This time his attempt would be from a terrifying 55 yards away
.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Dustin Hopkins kick sailed right through the middle of the uprights as the time ran out on the game clock. The Seminoles won 16-13!

Dustin Hopkins two missed field goals during the North Carolina game gave him an opportunity to glorify Christ in his time of suffering. It also gave him the opportunity to develop more character and perseverance. Finally, it gave him an opportunity to witness about his Christian faith.

Coach Fisher told a reporter after the victory over Clemson, with tears in his eyes, that there is nobody else in the country he would rather have kick a field goal for him with the game on the line. He said he knew Dustin had the ability to make the field goal from that long distance. Wiping the tears from his eyes, Coach Fisher then said: “He’s (Dustin Hopkins) even a better person than player.”

It seems Dustin Hopkins is affecting more than one person through Christ! What a blessing in disguise!

(This blog referenced comments from Ira Schoffel's article on Tallahassee.com called "Hopkins comforted by verse, teammates") Great article Ira!

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? (Pt. 2)

Why do bad things happen to good people? It is a question that people have been asking for many generations. In twenty years of studying religions and their worldviews, I have found that only a Biblical worldview gives a redemptive purpose to suffering, hardship and trials. Ultimately, this can be seen in the life of the Holy Bible’s central figure: Jesus Christ. Jesus suffered by dying on a cross to reconcile sinners to God. The death Jesus suffered was redemptive in that it brought life to all who choose to put their faith in Him.

In this blog I want to give you the three main redemptive purposes of suffering, hardship and trials.

1. Enduring hardships produce the character (righteousness and peace) of God in our life.

I have a great relationship with my father. In fact, I consider him my best friend. My father did many things to demonstrate his love for me. He spent time with me, fed me and he bought me good things. He also disciplined me when I needed it. Now that I am a father, I realize how important my father’s discipline was for my character development.

The Bible teaches us that like a good father, God uses hardships in life to discipline us. Without discipline, we will never possess the character we need to act righteously.

Hebrews 12:7, 11 says: (7) Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

(11) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

2. Trials help us develop perseverance in our life.

If we want to accomplish something great in life, we need to possess the ability to persevere. Sooner or later, we are going to face opposition and difficult times. Without perseverance, we will give up when the going gets tough. Therefore, perseverance is one of the most vital character traits we need to develop.

James 1:2-4 says: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

As we go through trials and learn how to endure, the suffering we face during these times is redemptive because it matures us and makes us complete. As mature men and women, we can now rejoice during our trials because we know our faith is being perfected during our most trying moments.

3. The crown of glory is attained on the road of suffering.

Before taking over Every Nation Tallahassee Church as Senior Pastor, I worked at Florida State University as a strength and conditioning coach. During the glory years of Florida State football in the 1990’s I observed an interesting phenomenon during meal times after practice.

There was a certain time of the year when the football team would be extremely loud during dinner. This time of the year was preseason conditioning which included early morning matt drills. It was impossible to not notice that they were bonding in a special and unique way. This time of bonding always happened during their worst season of suffering. Florida State football attained more glory than any other collegiate football team during the 1990’s because they embraced suffering together as a team. Almost all of the players attributed their unprecedented success to the hardships they experienced during matt drills.

1 Peter 5:10 says: And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

There is no glory in life without first going through some sort of suffering!

Next time you are going through a difficult time in life, remember God is using this moment to develop in you Godly character. With Godly character, you will be able to preserve during your trials. Also, you will mature and become complete while persevering. Finally, God’s glory will be manifested through your life as you handle trials with character and perseverance.

Why do bad things happen to good people? They happen because our heavenly Father loves us and is committed to us becoming people who reflect His glory on planet earth.

How do you handle your hardships?

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? (Pt. 1)

In these tough economic times it seems more and more people are finding themselves in difficult and unfortunate scenarios. After receiving some unfavorable news, one of my Facebook friends recently updated their status by asking the question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” I will make a humble attempt to answer this very important and inquisitive question.

In order to answer this question correctly, I need to use the best selling book of all time as a reference—the Holy Bible. In regards to this question, the Bible gives us illumination on two essential facts: (1) All people will experience trouble in life, and (2) all people are sinners.

The Bible teaches us that trouble is an inevitable part of life. In John 16:33 Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Jesus also taught that everybody experiences storms sooner or later. Therefore, those who are wise build on His teachings in order to prevent their house from collapsing when the inclement weather of life arrives at their doorstep. Those who are foolish don’t build their lives on Jesus’ teaching, and as a result, are not prepared when the storms arrive.

24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Jesus in Matthew 7:24-27)

Those who are wise and possess a Biblical worldview actually expect bad things to happen in life. The difference with these people is the storms of life do not destroy them because they build their lives with a strong foundation on the Rock of Christ.

Before I fully answer my Facebook friend’s question that many people ponder, and give the redemptive purpose of suffering, I must first address the presupposition that people are good. According to Romans 3:23, every person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. How many times does a person have to sin to be a sinner? One! We have all sinned at least once; therefore, we all are sinners. An honest inspection of every person’s life would reveal much more than just one sin.

Please allow me to reiterate this point. The Bible teaches that people are not inherently good. When Adam and Eve sinned, all who were born after them were tainted with a sinful nature. Every night every news station reminds us of this fact as they report on the dirty laundry of humanity. That is why Jesus descended from heaven to die on a cross for the sins of humanity. All who put their faith in Him can receive His grace and be “born again” with a new righteous nature (Romans 5:12-20 and Romans 6).

Possessing the knowledge that goodness is not an innate human trait, and trouble is an inevitable part of our existence, will aid us in better understanding how to deal with trials and properly process them. It also helps us better appreciate the common grace God gives to us all as we experience the good things in life. Finally, it humbles us to seek the redemptive grace we all need from Jesus Christ to change our sinful nature.

Stayed tuned for Part 2!

The Amazing Rescue

At Camp Hope at a San Jose Mine in Chile, 33 miners were trapped more than a half-kilometer underground after a mine collapse on August 5. They were not discovered alive until more than two weeks later. They survived underground longer than anyone on record and were rescued last Wednesday when workers lowered a specially built narrow cage down a newly drilled shaft and pulled the miners to safety one by one.

The drama was watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world. It is interesting to note that the whole world seemed to unite behind such a worthy cause.

In Luke 15 the Pharisees and teachers of the law were muttering because Jesus spent His time ministering to sinners. Jesus used this moment as an opportunity to remind them that people who don’t know Him are lost and destined for eternal destruction.

While watching the amazing miner rescue, I could not stop thinking about this teaching of Jesus in Luke 15. In this chapter of Scripture, Jesus responded to their muttering by teaching that a sheep, a coin, and a son were missing. A great celebration broke out after each one was found.

The point Jesus was teaching in Luke 15 is that no mission is more important than finding the lost, especially when it involves saving lives. When something valuable is lost, finding it becomes top priority. A human life is valuable, but a soul is even more precious because it lasts forever while our physical bodies eventually pass away.

Yes, it is crucial to find a lost sheep, coin, son or miner. Finding that which is lost results in wonderful celebrations. Similarly, saving souls is so vital that all of heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents and receives Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior. Jesus said in Luke 15:7: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

As we celebrate the successful recovery of the 33 Chilean miners, lets remember that Jesus descended from heaven, the ultimate Camp Hope headquarters, to seek and save those who are lost on planet earth. Just as we witnessed during the miner rescue, this is a mission that can unite the world.

Jesus has called us and commissioned us to join Him in the most amazing rescue in the history of the world: the salvation of souls! This must be our top priority!

The Amazing Race

The Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams. Contestants strive to arrive first at "pit stops” at the end of each leg of the race to win prizes and to avoid coming in last, which carries the possibility of elimination or a significant disadvantage in the following leg (segment).

This past weekend our church, Every Nation Tallahassee (ENT), hosted our annual Fall Festival at the Florida State University Reservation. We ate great food and had a wonderful time of fellowship and fun. One of the games that made our Fall Festival such a blast was our own version of The Amazing Race. Congratulations to our first place winners Jonathan and Lauren Arias. They are fortunate that I chose not to compete!

While I was watching my fellow members of ENT compete in The Amazing Race, I started to think about Apostle Paul's description of what it is like to live out the Christian faith. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 says:

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

I’ve heard many preachers compare Christianity to a marathon, but I think it is more like The Amazing Race. Christianity is about living in obedience to Jesus as you walk with Him and pass the tests of life at each “pit stop” along the way. There is no better person than Jesus to help us win this race because He has already won the most amazing race of all time.

Let’s do a recap on Jesus’ major “pit stops” during His amazing race on earth:

1. The virgin Mary gives birth to Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
2. Joseph is warned by an angel in a dream that King Herod is going to try to kill the baby Jesus. They successfully escape to Egypt.
3. Jesus does not yield to the temptations of the devil in the desert after forty days and forty night of fasting.
4. Jesus lives a sinless life while living and ministering on planet earth.
5. Jesus, in obedience to God the Father’s will, dies on a cross for the sins of humanity.
6. On the third day, Jesus is resurrected from the grave proving He is the Son of God.

Apostle Paul had a life changing experience when he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He went from being a chief persecutor of Christianity to one of the greatest church planting apostles in history. Facing certain death in prison for his faith, he had confidence that he was going to receive the reward for finishing strong in his amazing race. In 2 Timothy 4:6-8 he writes:

6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

We can face eternity with expectation and hope when we live our life on earth in obedience to Jesus Christ. He will give us the grace, wisdom and perseverance we need to run our amazing race in life well. With Christ leading the way, we can pass the test at each “pit stop” and receive an award that has eternal significance, glory and honor. Run well my friends!

Love Is Expressive and It Is Costly!

12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends". Jesus Christ in John 15:12-13

When you truly love someone, you express that love with nothing less than a wholehearted commitment. When Jesus wanted to demonstrate his love for humanity, He did it by suffering an excruciating death on a cross. He laid down his life to set us free from our sins. His love was expressive and it was costly!

Why do I love Jesus Christ so much? I love Him because He first loved me and He proved his love for me like no other person in history. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us". Wow! It’s not like I was a nice guy when Jesus died for me. No, I was a sinner! However, He loved me so much He still chose to painfully demonstrate his love for me. Love is expressive and it is costly!

When I was ready to ask Cindy to marry me, I wanted to verify how much I was in love with her. I knew I couldn’t ask her to marry me without giving her a ring to put on her finger. So, I began my search for the perfect ring. During my search, I never once thought about going to the grocery store gumball machine in hopes that my quarter would reward me with a candy ring to give to my future wife. Instead, I took most of my life savings to an expensive jeweler in town and purchased a beautiful diamond ring. I could not ask her to marry me empty handed. Love is expressive and it is costly!

After putting the ring on her finger, I told Cindy how much I loved her and how I was making a commitment to give her my best for the rest of our lives. I would have never given her the ring and told her these words if I did not know for certain that she was wholeheartedly committed to me.

A wholehearted commitment to love demands an equal response in return. Just as I expected Cindy to love me back in return for loving her, Jesus expects us to love Him the same way He loves us. That is why He gave us the Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37. It says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Love is expressive and it is costly!

Since Jesus fully demonstrated his unwavering love for us on the cross, He can require the same love in return from all those who desire to be in relationship with Him. Instructing people to obey the Great Commandment would not only be disingenuous, but also unjust if Jesus didn’t first prove His love for us.

True love gives everything and requires everything in return. Nobody has ever made this more evident than Jesus Christ, and nobody deserves the best of our love more than Him. His love for us is expressive and it is costly! Our love for Him should also be expressive and it should be costly!

I Love Being the Water Boy!

Water Boy: a person who carries a canteen or bucket of drinking water to those too occupied to fetch it, as to soldiers, laborers, or football players.

In order for a family, church, team, business or government organization to be great each individual must do his or her part well. Apostle Paul taught this principle to the church at Ephesus. In Ephesians 4:16 he writes: “From him the whole body (church), joined and held together by every supporting ligament (relationship), grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

This season two of my sons are playing on Pop Warner football teams. So, I spend most of my week trying to juggle my time between their two different practice and game times. On Ethan’s team, I am an official assistant coach. I even have a Pop Warner identification card with my picture to prove it. On Josiah’s team, I do not hold an official position.

As the season has progressed, I have found myself occupying one common position on both of their teams during the games. I have gladly taken the role of the water boy. Traditionally, the water boy is the guy who was not good enough to make the team. He is usually the one who gets picked on or mocked as he carries out his duties. It is the position occupied by the “average Joe”.

Now, keep in mind, I have ten years of major college coaching experience. I am more qualified to be head coach than the majority of the fathers who serve as Pop Warner coaches. So, why would I be the one to fill the water boy position?

I never realized how important the water boy is until it was my responsibility to fulfill the hydrating duties. When the temperature is in the mid to high nineties at game time, the water boy’s assignments are some of most indispensable on the team. Failure to properly hydrate the players means they do not perform well on the field. Failure to perform well on the field will lead to a certain defeat. Therefore, the water boy is just as important as any other member on the team. To be successful, each person on the team must do his or her assignment with excellence.

Both of my sons’ teams have not lost a game this year. They are not necessarily the most talented teams. However, they are the most unified teams. Each coach and every player works together and takes care of their responsibilities. After two of our games, the officials have commented on how disciplined and how well our teams play together.

As Lord of lords and King of kings, Jesus did not come to earth to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:18). He humbled himself even to the point of death on a cross, and took on the very nature of a servant to save his people and set them free from their sins (Philippians 2:7-8). In other words, He was God’s “water boy” for us. Jesus took the least desirable role to do the most significant act in history.

After each game this year I have left the field with a great sense of satisfaction having just watched my sons’ teams achieve victories. I didn’t call a play, make an important game situation decision, and I wasn’t the most visible guy on the field. However, I faithfully kept each and every one of the players hydrated and ready to compete. I did my part to help our teams win.

Gosh, I love being the water boy!

Stop Waiting on the World to Change!

Now we see everything that's going wrong
With the world and those who lead it
We just feel like we don't have the means
To rise above and beat it

So we keep waiting
Waiting on the world to change
We keep on waiting
Waiting on the world to change (John Mayer)

It seems everybody wants the world to change, but nobody knows where to begin! Wait a minute; I just made an incorrect statement. There is somebody who knows where to begin the process of changing the world. His name is Jesus Christ!

Jesus taught his followers how to participate in changing the world. In Matthew 7:3-5 he said:

3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

In the parable of the log and speck, Jesus drew attention to how quick most people point out the mistakes of others while ignoring their own shortcomings. He taught that we should first deal with our own faults before dealing with the faults of others.

Everyone thinks about changing the world, but no one thinks about changing himself or herself. According to Jesus, the first person we should work on is the one looking back at us in the mirror.

Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if we applied this instruction from Jesus?

Even though it seems he didn’t apply it very well, Michael Jackson agreed with this teaching of Jesus. In his song Man in the Mirror, he wrote:

I'm starting with the man in the mirror,
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change



One of the unique doctrines of the Christian faith is that we can know God in a personal manner through His Son Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, I have noticed that many religious people want what Christ offers, but don’t necessarily want a relationship with Him. Therefore, they don’t allow Jesus to personally deal with their sin issues. Instead, they cover up their sins with good deeds and religious activity.

While on earth, Jesus worked as a carpenter before beginning His itinerant ministry. As a carpenter, Jesus does major renovation work in our lives when we receive Him as Lord and Savior. So many people don’t let Him get close because they know He will use His toolbox to “remove the log from their eye”.

When we live with a “log in our eye”, we are blinded to our own sin. This blindness produces a self-righteous attitude that is very judgmental of others. Therefore, we become more worried about how other people act instead of examining our own behavior. The pride of our self-righteousness is what always leads to our own destruction.

Too many people wait until the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of making the necessary changes in their lives. The danger with this approach is that we make ourselves susceptible to permanent damage when we wait too late to change.

There is a wiser step to take in regards to dealing with our own sin. It begins with recognizing and admitting that we all need to change. This method includes repentance for our transgressions, and putting faith in Jesus Christ. As we open our hearts to Christ, He will come in and do the necessary renovations in our lives. We all are in need of personal remodeling!

Stop waiting for the world to change by beginning to make the necessary changes in your life! Thinking about changing the world can be quite overwhelming, but changing yourself is very realistic. Start with the person in the mirror and do your part in making the world a better place!

The God of Endurance and Encouragement

Last Saturday, during my son’s Pop Warner football game, he was in need of some serious endurance and encouragement. In order to play in the game, he had to lose two pounds to make weight for his Mighty Mite team. Therefore, he spent extra time during the week training, and he also had to deny himself some of his favorite foods. The players weigh in before the games, so my son was not able to eat before his 11am game. His hard work and dedication paid off. He made the weight!

By the end of the game, I knew my son would be exhausted because of the heat, the lack of pre-game nutrition, and the demand of playing on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. With about 3 minutes to go in the game, his team was leading 8-7 while the opposing team was driving down the field. My son was very lethargic at his middle linebacker position, and was having trouble catching his breath. He was in desperate need of some serious endurance and encouragement.

So, as a loving father, I stood right on the sideline screaming words of endurance and encouragement to him. Each time the position of the ball moved, I would realign myself on the sideline so he could see me clapping, and hear me cheering. With about 40 seconds to go in the game, the other team was in scoring position at our 5 yard line.

Instantly, I began to yell even more passionately my words of endurance and encouragement. The quarterback took the snap and ran towards the right side of the field trying to get into the end zone for a touchdown. My son and his teammates chased him down and caused him to fumble the ball, which was recovered by our team. Even though he was physically drained, my son endured and helped his team secure the victory.

The next day in church during Communion, as I was remembering the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins, I began to think about the significance of this sacrificial act of love. As we gaze upon Christ on the cross, we see a Messiah who positioned Himself in a way to reconcile us to God. 2 Corinthians 5:19 states: “God reconciled the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” Through Christ, God now looks favorably on His people. Our God, the Eternal Father, is our greatest source of endurance and encouragement!

Just as I was laboring to position myself on the sideline, so my son could see and hear my words of endurance and encouragement during the final minutes of his game, Jesus Christ positioned Himself on the cross for all of eternity to encourage us and help us endure with His love.

Encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence. Our God fills us with His Spirit so we can be courageous as a witness for Him. It is impossible to endure in any mission when we are not encouraged. It takes both encouragement and endurance to win a football game, and it takes both encouragement and endurance to serve Christ well.

Romans 15:4-6 states, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly in need of some serious endurance and encouragement as I try to faithfully fulfill my duties in life. Romans 8:31-32 states: “31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Yes, our God graciously gives us the endurance and encouragement we need to serve Him well.

Remember, when times get tough, He is right there clapping and cheering you on!

Read Your Notes!

One of the services offered to student athletes on scholarship at a university is academic tutoring. When I attended Florida State University on a basketball scholarship, my teammates and I took advantage of the tutoring program. Usually, the academic advisor and the athlete would meet to ascertain if there was a match before tutoring began. If the athlete didn’t like the tutor, they could request to meet with another one.

One of the determining factors of whether or not we liked the tutors was based upon their ability to give us privileged information concerning the tests. Many of the tutors were teaching assistants, so we knew they had insight into what was going to be on our exams. If we felt they didn’t have enough information, we would request another tutor. Never once did a tutor give us answers to the test.

My favorite tutor, who became a good friend, was a guy who had excellent notes from the class he was helping us to prepare for. Every session, my teammates and I would hound him for the answers to the test. We were being lazy and did not want to read the notes he had given us. The first fifteen minutes of our tutoring sessions would consist of us belittling him for not telling us the answers to the upcoming exam. We would offer him front row seats to our games, threaten to replace him with another tutor, and try to bribe him with Golden Girl (FSU dancing girls) introductions.

All of our conniving was in vain. He would not budge or give in. After ever attempt to get him to relinquish the cherished information, he would say to us in a loud voice: “Read Your Notes”! Every time we read the notes he gave us, we did well on our exams.

Dustin Johnson, a professional golfer, missed the playoffs of the 2010 PGA golf tournament because he failed to “read his notes”. Johnson grounded his club in what was deemed to be a bunker before his second shot, leading to a 2-stroke penalty. That knocked him out of a potential playoff won by Martin Kaymer over Bubba Watson.

The area had been trampled down by spectators and was well outside where traditional fairway bunkers would reside. But Whistling Straits is anything but a traditional course. Bunkers dot the property, hence the rule that was posted in the locker room and handed to every player prior to the tournament.

"I just thought I was on a piece of dirt that the crowd had trampled down," a despondent Johnson said in the locker room afterward. "I never thought I was in a sand trap. It never once crossed my mind that I was in a bunker.

"Obviously I know the rules of golf and I can't ground my club in a bunker, but that was just one situation I guess. Maybe I should have looked to the rule sheet a little harder.”


God has given us a book of notes, and He expects us to read it, and be prepared to face our day of judgment with good standing. This book of notes is called the Holy Bible, and it contains special revelation of who God is and what He expects from His creation. It answers the major questions of life: (1) Who are we?, (2) Where did we come from and where are we going?, (3) What I am supposed to do with my life?, (4) What happens to me when I die?, (5) What’s wrong with the world?, and (6) How do we fix the problems in the world?

One of the great deceptions of philosophical thought is: Ignorance is bliss. Ignorance is not bliss; it is costly with devastating outcomes. Ignorance will cause you to fail a test, lose a tournament, and more importantly, keep you from knowing God’s will for your life. Failure to know God’s purpose and plan for your life has eternal consequences!

Let’s learn from my academic tutor, and Dustin Johnson, that a wise person is one who has set aside the time to “read their notes”. If there is a God, then nothing is more important than knowing how to live according to His purpose and plan. It is possible to know God’s will for your life, but you have to open the Holy Bible and “read your notes”!

Joining With Others is Much Better Than Being a Lonely Seal

Smart people who are serious about accomplishing their goals in life look beyond themselves for help. No person can maximize their potential without assistance from other people. I am reminded of this fact over and over again.

After taking many months off from golf while trying to repair his marriage and image, Tiger Woods and his golf coach Hank Haney parted ways. It seemed that Tiger was determined to get back to championship level play with himself as his swing coach. That plan did not work out to well. It only took a couple of poor performances before Tiger was working with another swing coach.

Smart people who are serious about accomplishing their goals in life always partner with other people to help them succeed.

While exhorting the church at Philippi to press on towards the goal of knowing Christ and making him known, Apostle Paul instructed them to join with others in order to make this goal a reality. In Philippians 3:17 he writes, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Apostle Paul knew that if they were going to passionately live for Christ and stand firm against the deception of false teachers, they would have to do it as a church family.

No person committed to accomplishing a goal as lofty as living for Christ as a strong witness can do it by himself or herself. When we operate alone we become easy objects for defeat. In other words, our isolation makes us more susceptible to be devoured by our enemies.

While watching Shark Week with my three boys, I was reminded of this fact once again. Great White sharks congregate off the coast of South Africa because of the high volume of seals located in that area. The seals learn at a very early age that the key to their survival against these fierce predators is joining together. As they leave Seal Island to feed, the smarts ones travel in pods. If one seal lingers behind, or travels out on his own, he becomes a prime target for dinner. The Great White sharks lurk at the bottom and breach with jaws wide open on a loner seal.

Apostle Peter reminded the saints that just like a hungry lion, the devil, looks for people to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” During a hunt, a lion will go after the chosen prey that has wandered from the pack.

When we operate alone, we end up defeated or devoured. It seems our Creator has revealed this truth to us in His creation.

Are you serious about serving God faithfully? Do you want to be all that God has destined you to be for His glory? If so, you cannot do it alone. Only those who join with others as members of a church community will successfully press on towards the goal of knowing Christ and making Him known. The rest are just ringing the dinner bell!

The One Thing

It's the one thing
You are my thing (INXS)

When I was a young boy, there were so many things I thought I was going to do in life. I wanted to jog the whole state of Florida. I wanted to make an Olympic team and play for my country. I wanted to learn another language. I wanted to sing like David Lee Roth and play the piano like Billy Joel. I wanted to start my own business. I wanted to make two professional sports teams in the same year. I wanted to get a full basketball scholarship to Florida State University.

Out of all the things I wanted to do, I only ended up doing one thing. I went to Florida State University on a basketball scholarship. As I reflect back on my accomplishment, it struck me that it took all of my focus and energy to earn a full basketball scholarship to a major university in the Atlantic Coast Conference. As I matured, I realized I would be more successful if I focused on one thing.

Life begins to make sense when you can narrow it down to the one thing you should live for.

Facing the end of his life while in prison, the mature Apostle Paul had discovered the secret to living life well. Apostle Paul was content in any circumstance, and rejoiced in the Lord no matter what he was going through because he lived for the one thing: to know Christ and make Him known. In a letter of thanksgiving and exhortation to the church at Philippi, he writes, "13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

During his presidential campaign, Governor Mike Huckabee's top assistant was asked a question about the demands of her job. To the surprise of the reporters, she responded by commenting on how her job was not difficult. One confused reporter asked her how her job could be an easy one. She responded by saying, "All I have to do is please one person and that is Governor Huckabee."

Living life is much easier when we live for the one thing.

In this faced paced busy world we live in today that leaves so many of us stressed out and on the edge, take some time to reevaluate your life to determine if you are living for the one thing. Maybe you need to stop doing so many things and focus on the one thing. I know this can be quite a challenge, but it will be well worth making any necessary changes.

Are you living for the one thing?

Remember, life is joyful, fulfilling, easier and makes more sense when we learn to live for the one thing: Christ Jesus!

The Pursuit of Happiness

Every person on the planet is in pursuit of something. College students are pursuing an education. The unemployed are hoping to get hired by some company. Single people are trying to find the right mate. Athletes are trying to win a championship. I have discovered that the reason most people pursue things is because they think once they attain or accomplish them, it will bring them happiness. So, I believe we can narrow all of our pursuits down to one thing: the pursuit of happiness.

It is often preached in America, that if you give your life to the Lord, you will live a happy life. Therefore, after making a commitment to the Lord, many people expect God to do in their lives whatever they think will make them happy. The result of this belief is that it leads people to perform certain activities in an attempt to manipulate the Lord. In other words, since we do things for God, He should do the “expected” things for us.

However, God’s main concern for our lives is not our happiness. He is more concerned about us knowing Him and becoming more like Him. Apostle Paul, suffering in prison, wrote what is known as the epistle of joy to the church at Philippi. How could a man in chains facing certain death rejoice in the Lord? He could rejoice because he had learned to make his pursuit in life about knowing Christ and making Him known.

In Philippians 3:7-8, 10 he writes, "7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."

When we understand that the main goal of knowing Jesus is loving Him and doing His will, and not our personal happiness, we can process the difficult moments in our life with a more accurate Biblical worldview.

God does allow undesirable events to take place in our lives. When we stay in the center of His will, these events become the refining times that mold us and shape us into His image. As we go through them, we can rejoice because Christ is being formed in our lives, and being glorified through our lives.

Glorifying Jesus in every moment of our life…now that’s a happy thought!

Slow Down!

After checking in at the front desk of the gym the other day, an elderly lady came up to me and asked me if I drive a white truck. Politely, and with a big smile, I told her I did drive a white truck. Impolitely, and without a smile, she began yelling at me to slow down while driving through the parking lot. Then, she told me I almost hit her with my truck while continuing to yell at me. As she kept yelling at me, I must admit that I did have visions of running her over.

After repenting in my mind for my negative thoughts, I looked her directly in the eyes and told her I was sorry. After our conversation, I went into the locker room and changed into my workout clothes and went upstairs to ride on the stationary bike while reading my Bible. About five minutes later, one of the personal trainers at the gym came up to me and told me that I do need to slow down while driving through the parking lot.

I go to the gym to get stay physically fit, relieve stress, read my Bible, pray, gather my thoughts for the day, and chat with my friends. I definitely don’t go to the gym to get a double rebuke for my driving habits. While receiving instructions from the personal trainer on how to drive through the gym parking lot, I began to think maybe I should run her over also. After repenting in my mind for my negative thoughts, I looked her in the eyes and told her thank you.

After she walked away, the Scripture Proverbs 9:8 jumped into my mind. It says: Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Although it never feels good, if I want to be wise, I must love to receive a rebuke. Help me Lord!

After my encounter with the lady and the personal trainer, all throughout that day, I kept asking the Lord if there was a deeper meaning to my morning experience. Was the Lord trying to tell me something through these two people? As I continued to seek the Lord, I finally received my answer. The Lord was telling me to slow down!

I am convinced that our busyness is one of the major obstacles keeping us from building intimacy with our Lord. The reason I drive fast through the gym parking lot is because I am always rushing to my next appointment. I have allowed myself to get caught up in the Matrix. It is real you know!

Our challenge in the 21st century is workdays are no longer from 9am to 5pm. Sundays have become just another day of the week full of activities. Consequently, many of those activities cause people to miss church. In our rush to get everything done on our schedules, we often leave out the One who should get the best of our time. Living like this leaves us tired, stressed out and keeps us from functioning at our best. It also makes us think that work is our enemy instead of our divine calling.

Why is it so important that we learn how to slow down? Slowing down helps us evaluate, reorganize and rightly order our lives. This will aid us in accomplishing twice as much in a reasonable working schedule. I am convinced God blesses our labor when we properly prioritize our schedule and responsibilities.

If you feel you need to slow down, I recommend the following:

1. Designate one day a week to have a Sabbath.
2. Calendar your activities giving God and family your best time.
3. Establish a consistent time to worship, read your Bible and pray.
4. Put boundaries on your work schedule.
5. Simplify your life. Remember, possessions don’t ultimately bring joy and contentment.
6. Put down the cell phone. Find a nice resting place for it when you arrive at home.
7. Take family vacations.

I hope this blog has made you stop and think about how you are living your life. Do you feel like you are constantly running on the treadmill of life? If so, take control by making whatever necessary changes apply to you. These changes can keep you from getting a double rebuke, and running someone over in a parking lot you frequent. Take it from a man who knows what he is talking about.

Slow down!

Close the Door!

Last week I finished another regular season of baseball. Once again, it was a great joy to coach my son and his teammates. We lost our first game of the season 19-4, and won our last game 24-3. Needless to say, we made a huge improvement as a team by the end of the year. However, it took what seemed like forever to get our first win. Our tendency throughout the year was to get ahead early in the game and then lose in the last inning. After our third final inning defeat in a row, our exasperated head coach looked at me as we were walking off the field and said, “Dude, we can’t close the door.” In other words, no matter how we started, we could not finish well.

One of the keys to success in life is learning how to finish well. In order to finish strong, you have to make the necessary adjustments as you learn from your mistakes in the past. Once you have learned your lesson, it is important to not let your past transgressions torment you. If you live in the fear of the past, you will be more likely to make the same mistakes over and over again. This was the characteristic of our baseball team until we got our first breakthrough win. We could not close the door. After our first win, we were never the same again.

The person I most admire for his ability to shut the door on the past is Jesus Christ. While hanging on the cross for our sins, he breathed his last breath uttering the words, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Once and for all, by the sacrifice of his body and the shedding of his blood, he removed the sins of our past as far as the east is from the west. There is nothing left to do to cleanse us from our past sins, give us a new nature and illuminate us with the will of God as we are filled with His Spirit. Now, all who call upon the name of Jesus become a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.”

After an encounter with Jesus Christ, Saul had a life changing experience. As Saul of Tarsus, he was one of the most feared persecutors of the Christian church. After receiving Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he became the Apostle Paul, one the greatest Christian church planters in history. Apostle Paul was a man who learned to “close the door” on his past and finish well in life. While facing death in prison for testifying about his Lord, he writes in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Remember, when you face temptation, or when you hear that little voice in your head trying to remind you of your past sins, be strong and courageous and let the peace of Christ rule in your heart because Jesus has forever “closed the door” to your old way of living. Stand secure being convinced that Jesus has made a way for you to live a victorious life, and has a reward waiting for all who serve Him well.

Don’t let your past keep you from embracing God’s future for your life!

Close the door and finish strong!

Gone Fishing!

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

After returning from a very productive day on the lake, I began to think about Jesus’ statement that he would turn his devoted followers into fishers of people. I find it interesting that Jesus used the occupation of fishing to illustrate how he wanted his ministry to manifest on earth through his people.

As an avid fisherman, it is easy for me to comprehend what Jesus was communicating to his disciples about fishing for people. Every time I go fishing, I remember that three things are crucial to being a successful fisherman.

The first is that you have to keep your line in the water. My nine-year-old son will often get frustrated when he is not catching fish. As he sits in the boat watching me catch fish with his line out of the water complaining that the fish aren’t biting, I remind him sternly that you can’t catch fish unless you have your line in the water. Similarly, you can’t reach people for Jesus unless you engage them in conversation and build a relationship with them. You have to be intentional about relationship building so you can communicate the truth of the gospel of Christ to people.

Second, a good fisherman has to be patient. I have fished for hours without catching a fish. Then, all of a sudden, the fish start biting ferociously. When fishing for people, you can’t expect them to get converted in an instant. It takes time to build a friendship and establish trust, which is vital when sharing Christ with others.

The last key to being a good fisherman is changing baits until you find out what the fish are biting. Sometimes they bite flukes, sometimes they bite crank baits, sometimes they bite top water lures, and sometimes they bite worms. Being familiar with the lake is essential to possessing a better understanding of what the fish like to bite. Similarly, when fishing for people you must continue to pray for them and communicate to them in order to find out more about them. Once you establish common ground with a person, then you can tell them something they know to be true while relating it in a gospel of Christ context.

As you obey the call and command of Jesus to fish for people, take it from a pastor who loves to fish and remember to keep your line in the water (engage people and build a relationship with them), be patient (embrace God’s timing to convert people), and change your bait (keep communicating and praying for people) until you find out what they are biting.

Let’s go fishing!

A Mission With Eternal Significance

Discipleship is a call with eternal significance.

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4

Telling others how they can have eternal life is the greatest thing we can do for them. If a neighbor had cancer or AIDS and you knew the cure, it would be criminal to withhold that lifesaving information. We have the greatest news in the world, and sharing it is the greatest kindness we can show to anyone.

Our mission of telling others about Jesus has eternal significance. It will impact the eternal destiny of people, so it’s more important than any job, achievement, or goal you will reach during your lifetime on earth. The consequences of our mission will last forever; the consequences of our jobs will not. Nothing else we will do will ever matter as much as helping people establish an eternal relationship with God.

We will have all of eternity to celebrate with those we have brought to Jesus, but we will only have our lifetime to reach them. This does not mean we should quit your job to become a full time evangelist. God wants us to share the gospel of Jesus Christ where you are employed. Our mission gives our life meaning. The best use of our life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.

The Parent Cry

5"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:5-6

Almost two generations of American young people have grown up without stable fatherly leadership. More than 17 years ago a Time magazine article stated: “Fatherhood in America is being crushed in the collision between private needs and public pressures. More children will go to sleep tonight in a fatherless home than ever in our nations history.” An article entitled “Parent Cry” in Ministry Today magazine in the January/February edition reports that almost two decades later trends continue to worsen: 60 percent of American young people are now raised without a father in the home, and in some communities children only have a one in five chance of growing to age 16 with the same two parents in their home.

One of the great challenges of being a pastor in an intergenerational church is embracing the emerging generations while not abandoning older ones. According to the “Parent Cry” article, more than 500 leaders from 54 nations addressed this challenge as they met for 15 separate events on five continents. One of the most prevalent trends that emerged from their conversations was the desire of new generations for spiritual fathers and mothers they can trust. They also discovered that there is a growing desire among leaders to provide mentorship to this generation.

In many ways, the prophetic promise of Malachi 4:5-6 is being emphasized by the Holy Spirit in the 21st century as the hearts of the fathers and children turn toward each other. This is certainly what God spoke to my heart ten years ago when I sought him in prayer to reveal how He wanted to build Every Nation Tallahassee (ENT) Church. I was encouraged after reading this article in Ministry Today to know that ENT is aligned with God the Father’s heart and will in the 21st century.

Why is intergenerational building so important? One reason is the older generation needs the zeal of the younger generation, while the younger generation needs the wisdom of the older generation. Both zeal and wisdom are vital components to fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus to make disciples of all nations. It takes zeal to do missions, pioneer a church plant, or start a new outreach. However, it also takes wisdom to avoid unnecessary mistakes and embrace the process of seeing a new work come to fruition.

Today, churches must discover and replicate new models of spiritual parenting. The churches that take advantage of this unique opportunity to bring the new generations into relationship with God the Father will experience great success.

I do believe, according to Malachi’s prophetic promise, that when the hearts of the generations turn toward one another we can anticipate a supernatural blessing on our nation. I also believe that we can expect to experience another great awakening as a new generation in partnership with the older ones is launched to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. The article concludes by asking the question: What does this “parent cry” mean? It could mean that we are about to witness a fresh release of Holy Spirit power upon the 21st church.

Let is be so Lord!!!

Jesus and Bowling

Recently, I began to go bowling more frequently. Three events led to my new fascination with bowling. They are: (1) getting whipped on a staff bowling night by our media director Chris Tavalare, (2) my three boys love to bowl, and (3) Every Nation has a bowling competition every year between the different regions.

With the motive of improving my bowling score, last week I purchased my first bowling ball. While getting fitted for my bowling bowl, I had a revelation of how much the right bowling ball relates to my need for Jesus. There are three reasons why every person should purchase their own bowling ball and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

1. The Perfect Design

New bowling balls are perfectly designed with one goal in mind and that is to knock down pins. With names like Hammer and Storm it is obvious that pin destruction is the intent behind the creation of these bowling balls.

Jesus is the one perfectly created with one goal in mind and that is to save his people from their sins. With names like Lord and Savior it is obvious that sin elimination is the intent of the Son of God.

2. The Perfect Fit

Purchasing your own bowling ball allows you to get perfectly fitted according to your hand size. Bowling with a perfectly fitted bowling ball is a key to improving your score. No other bowling ball can fit your had like the one designed for you.

Jesus is the only one who can perfectly meet our needs for redemption. Receiving this perfect Lord enables us to improve our lifestyles by living righteously. No other religious figure can specifically meet our needs like Jesus.

3. The Perfect Release

A perfectly fitted bowling ball allows you to correctly release the bowling ball from your hand. The thumb slips out first enabling you to guide the ball with your fingertips. Without this perfect fit, most people grip the ball too tightly. A perfect release is essential to maintaining the control you need to hit the pins correctly.

Knowing Jesus is our perfect Lord and Savior encourages us to release things into God’s hands. Life usually spins out of control when we grip too tightly to our own agendas. Perfectly releasing things to God allows us to gain control and live the way God desires.

I hope my new bowling ball and the revelation I received about Jesus while purchasing it will help you trust our perfect God. Remember, the perfect design, the perfect fit and the perfect release are vital components both for Christ-followers and successful bowlers.

See you in church and at the alley. Happy Easter!