A STILL SMALL VOICE

Recently our Pre-K grandson, Gibson, came in from kindergarten and said "I tried to get a girlfriend today." "You did? Well, what happened?" I replied. He said "She didn't hear me, but I'm gonna say it louder tomorrow!" I got a huge belly laugh out of that one. He's a bit timid and I can just about see him saying -- kind of under his breath -- "You wanna be my girlfriend?"

It's frustrating when we try to communicate with people who either don't hear us, aren't listening or simply aren't interested in what we have to say. One out-o-tune husband said, "My wife says I never listen to her -- at least I THINK that's what she said!" That's only funny as a joke.

Ever thought about how God might feel when He is trying to talk to us? In a hundred different ways He's speaking to us, but so often we're simply not listening. Without even being conscious of it, we blow God off. We hear ever other insignificant voice while we let the voice of The Preeminent One go unheard, unnoticed and without any response from our end.

It's a real bummer when you're trying to join a conversation but can't get a word in edge wise. You've been there haven't you -- only the ones who shout the loudest ever get the floor. God rarely shouts, if ever. Do you want to hear His voice? Silence all the other loud mouths. Get quiet--still and alone with Him. I promise He'll say something worth hearing.

We've Got Friends Comin' Over!

It's getting exciting! June 3, 4 and 5 are the dates for the Destiny Ministries "This Is My Destiny 2010" Conference to be held here at Christ Church West Monroe. It's gonna be a great time spiritually, relationally -- in every way. Billy Hornsby of the ARC (Association of Related Churches) will be speaking to us. Scott Jones, Moderator of Global Christian Ministries will be here -- John Ragsdale leading worship -- can't wait to celebrate with my friends all that God is doing in the earth! Trina and I, along with our church family consider it a huge honor to be able to host this event for 2010. We're making preparations to welcome great friends to West Monroe and to "This Is My Destiny 2010." Hope you'll be here for a wonderful time of refreshing and reconnecting with friends -- old and new. Come on over. We've got room for you!

Take That, Devil!!

Unity! It's the stuff that brings the blessing of God upon our families, our churches and our communities. I for one, consider it a real privilege to live in an area where such a high level of unity exists among Christian leaders -- unity that crosses denominational lines, political ideologies and cultural boundaries. Each month people from virtually every sector of society gather for early prayer -- regardless of race, age, doctrinal differences -- men and women gather to celebrate the power that is in the Cross of Jesus Christ and to cry out to God for the spiritual, social and economic renewal in the Northeast Louisiana sector of our state. How pleasing to the heart of the Father, "...for there the Lord commanded the blessing of eternal life" (Ps.133:3). I love the unity as we all walk together -- to sense the camaraderie among us.

Over and over the scriptures highlight the human body as evidence that the spiritual body of Christ must work together in synergy if in fact, we are to become all that Christ designed us to be (See 1 Cor. 12:12). The combined efforts of the few will always outpace the lone efforts of the isolated. There is power in unity! I love this quote; Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there. ~ Virginia Burden The Process of Intuition.

Last evening more than 82 churches from the Monroe/West Monroe/Ouachita Parish region were represented by their pastors and congregants as they gathered in the Monroe Civic Arena for one purpose -- to glorify God! Heaven rejoiced -- hell trembled! All I can say this morning is "Devil got a shiner!!"

Ever So Close

"The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart -- that is, the word of faith which we preach" Romans 10:9.

In the 1800's a prospector went to California in search of his fortune. He spent his entire life scouring the mountains for gold, only to die as a pauper. When they were digging the grave behind his house to bury him ... do I really need to finish this story?

It's kind of a sad story, isn't it? To think that our lives could literally be wasted in search of some illusive something--that one thing we dream would make us happy. We tell ourselves . . . "I must be near it now -- surely I'll find it soon, I know I'm close." So goes life by the shovel full.

Dare we squander all the precious moments God has sprinkled into our lives while we frantically search for an even better moment? Have we become ungrateful for all the present good, because we are still searching for the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? And have we so concentrated our hearts on the "Big Find" that we find no reason to be thankful for food, shelter and clothing?

Sometimes the "gold" we're searching for is located in our own backyard. We need only to open our eyes to see. Rather than fret over the relationships we don't have, why not strengthen and concentrate on the relationships we do have. Instead of living a discontented life, why not learn contentment. We don't need to search the world over to find happiness. Stick a spade in the dirt. You're probably rich and don't even know it!

Bambinos or Bamboos?

Oh, the joys of raising kids -- a "hair-raising" experience, don't you think? It's kind of like riding one of those really bad roller-coasters, like the Texas Cyclone. I've mustered the courage to get on that particular roller-coaster a couple of times in my adult life, and I came off reeling from the experience -- "What was that? What did I just do? That was insane!"

That's pretty much the way it is while you're raising your kids. When you're in the middle of it -- there is simply no end in sight. It seems it will last forever, that you're making no headway and that your instruction and guidance goes completely unheeded. But finally the end does come -- you get your feet back on the ground -- the kids aren't complete imbeciles and you realize that you survived the whole ordeal (some people actually get back in line to do it all again, if you know what I mean)!

The terrible two's and the atrocious teens will nearly suck the life out of a person if you don't understand that all your efforts will one day pay off. Sometime it feels like you're dropping handfuls of quarters into a piggy bank with no bottom. Frustrating, trying, nerve-wracking, dreadful, revolting -- words are simply inadequate to describe the feelings we sometimes experience as parents. But our efforts do pay off!

In the Far East the people plant a tree called the Chinese bamboo. During the first four years they water and fertilize the plant with seemingly little or no results. Then the fifth year they again apply water and fertilizer – and in five weeks’ time the tree grows ninety feet in height! The obvious question is: did the Chinese bamboo tree grow ninety feet in five weeks, or did it grow ninety feet in five years? The answer is: it grew ninety feet in five years. Because if at any time during those five years the people had stopped watering and fertilizing the tree, it would have died!

Keep feeding your bambinos and keep watering your bamboos! Ultimately, all your efforts will pay off!

P.S. Click the link below and take a look at the Texas Cyclone!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/376719/point_of_view_texas_cyclone_roller_coaster_six_flags_astroworld/

Got a Need for Speed?

I've got a friend who is a speed-addict! I mean, he's got this need for speed that is off the charts -- at least when compared to anyone else I know! All week long he flies a private jet around the country -- hauling execs where ever they need to go. What's a lear jet do, maybe 600 mph? Then for personal recreation, he rides a crotch rocket! His personal admission proves his addiction. He has taken that flimsy piece of machinery -- up to speeds of 170 mph. Blows my mind. I've never ridden with him in his truck, but I don't believe I want to. You blame me?

In a lot of ways, we've all got a "need for speed." We're in a constant rush -- no time for family, no time for friends and sadly, often we've no time for God. I've asked myself the question so many times -- "What's the big rush?" In the words of the country artist, You gotta stop and smell the roses. In the words of so many instructors -- You've got to prioritize your life! Pinpoint the non-negotiables in your life. Build a fortress around them. Don't allow the screams and the cries of the urgent to rob you of the most important and necessary things in your life.

I think we'd all agree that our communion with Christ must be on a plane above the fray. Neglect in this arena means the undoing of everything else that matters. Our relationship with God is the glue that makes life joyful and worthwhile. Without that, family relationships struggle -- friendships disintegrate. Ultimately we become unraveled!

Here's a question for us all. What are the absolute most important things in life and what are we doing to protect them? Paul instructs us in Romans 12:2 "...don't let the world squeeze you into it's mold!" (Phillips). Put the brakes on and nail down a time and place for daily communion with the Lord!

You've Got to "Keep it!"

Relationships are tricky, aren't they? I mean, as long as you are "dis-connected" there can never be any assaults against a relationship that simply doesn't' exist. But the moment you begin to make real and valid connections -- the moment a relationship has begun, there are a myriad of attempts to destroy the ties. Many come from outside influences -- some from circumstances beyond our control, still others come from simple misunderstandings that could have easily been avoided. But perhaps the biggest deterrent to strong and lasting relationships is the deadly poison of complacency.

For a relationship to remain strong and viable, we must be intentional. A one-time encounter will never be sufficient to forever secure a lasting, fruitful friendship. No matter how great the original attraction -- whatever might have first initiated the bond, be assured of this; a complacent attitude will be the undoing of any relationship.

Friendships cannot thrive where complacency exists. In a marriage, in a group or fraternity of any kind, a haphazard response to a friend will mean the death of the relationship.

The obvious truth is before us. Our ongoing fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ necessitates -- demands that there be more than a one time encounter -- more than a momentary "feel-good" experience with God. We cannot be "bump and run" Christians if we anticipate a deep and abiding -- in tact connection with the Lord.

Back burner relationships always grow cold and stale. What relationships in your life need attention today? If you want to keep it -- you've got to "Keep" it! You've got to tend it, nourish it, give great attention to it! Now that you've been reminded -- go do it!