When we open our eyes to the beauty of the earth around us, we can start to get a glimpse of the possibility of our own potential.

To many times people and circumstances loudly yell at us that we are so flawed that the best we can hope for is hanging on to life to get the best we can from the ride of life rather than developing our potential. Parents, friends, teachers and strangers may not have noticed our potential, yet God has deposited so much raw potential for us and others to develop. Satan wants us to believe we will never amount to much. Unfortunately many have been drinking from his lies instead of drinking from the waters of life in Christ.

John 4:10 (NLTSE)Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

Philippians 1:6 says, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Try as he might, my son couldn’t force enough air from his full lung capacity to blow up the little red balloon he was trying to inflate. Dizzy from the strain, he collapsed into a chair in frustration, just as his father walked by and held out his hand. He took the balloon and started to work.

After four or five stretches of the latex material, he pressed the opening to his lips and gave it several strong blows, then cinched it between two fingers and handed the partially filled balloon back. Our son looked confused.”

“You’re not going to finish it? I’ve already tried and can’t do it.”

“You can now because I got it started. You can take care of the rest.”

It is so easy to be persuaded that what we desire is worth believing for, but what if what you believe is wrong or the way you are believing is wrong? What then?

Everyone has faith, but what you have faith in makes all the difference in the world. So many are believing in luck more than anything substantial.

Some have faith in science and trust anything these people say and do. If these people have a degree in science they must be right – right? Funny how each generation claims the same thing only to have more “Truth” added which changes their truth. Unfortunately, kids going to college listen to their boasting about knowing the truth and get these students really messed up from the experience.

I’m reading a new book that many of you will find beneficial and just might save you from a lot of pain.

The book is “Killing Kryptonite” by John Bevere.
John says – “As Christians, there is a “kryptonite” that neutralizes our God-given power and character.”

This morning I got up early…I couldn’t sleep anyway, and went out for breakfast. I thought about cooking at home, but then I knew I would turn on the news.

My habit for years has been to leave the house early, and grab a coffee and bagel, to head down to my church office. I would meet God and life was better for it. Today I have no church office living in Charlotte and often get caught up in turning on the news rather than seeking God first. 😥

You see, I tend to be a news junky, and it’s had for me “Not” to know what is going on in the world. The problem is too much information without reinforcing my faith and trust in God just makes me like all the other crazy people in the world. Can you relate? 🤓

While at a Starbucks, at 6:30 this morning, I find a reminder of a discipline I have mastered and lost so many times. “Solitude & Quietness”

Part of my time lately has been to reread A. W. Tozer. In my early days as a new Christian, I would read his words during my 15 minute breaks when working as a mechanic, and then go back to the shop floor and meditate on his words for the next 2 hours of work. It was some of the richest times of my life. God was rebuilding my life from the ruins of my own choices.

For the last few days, I have been thinking of one captivating concept, motivated by a picture of my daughter-in-law’s & son’s baby. Let me explain.

Dusti took this picture of Shepherd as she was greeting him because she delights in the fact that Shepherd lights up like a Christmas tree every time he sees her now. It is a learned response and not automatic.

The Lord spoke to my heart the moment I saw the picture:

This is the second day of our pastors school with Jimmy Evans in Texas, and I am so blessed to be in this conference. Two hundred pastors are leaning from some of the best teaching in the country, and Pastor Glenn, John and myself are getting filled and challenged is a special way.

I have discovered over the years, that if you want to grow in Christ, there is a price you will need to pay to do so. Sometimes it’s just making time to receive, and sometimes it may cost you a great deal in time and resources. The point being is that God provides many opportunity for us, but attached to that opportunity are certain requirements that motivate us to be partners with God in our development.

As we begin our Pastors School with Jimmy Evans, my heart is full as I consider the two men I am here with. They are the delight of my heart as a spiritual dad, and I am blessed to experience this conference with them.

The Apostle Paul so wanted the church and it’s leaders to build healthy relationships as part of the foundation for a healthy church. As he wrote to the Philippians about the importance of working towards building unity amongst leaders and the church in Philippi, I wanted to share the scripture I was reading this morning to encourage you all to work at building your own unity amongst other believers. Remember Jesus said it was through our “Love For One Another” that the world would be able to see the nature and character of God. May that happen in us today!

Sitting this morning at the Charlotte airport, I’m reading and considering the study of the “soul” and how it operates in man. I’ve been investigating this subject now for a number of years, ever since reading and meditating on King David’s words in the Psalms.

More recently, I have been stirred by John Ortberg’s book “Soul Nurture”, and Larry Crabb’s book, “Soul Talk”. Both these books reveal how much the average Christian has neglected the subject, and the church has failed by in large to adequately explain.