Category Archives: Prayer

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Pride before the fall

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrischabot/

I threw Pride out of the window

I met a profound man, his name is Charlie. He approached me by inquiring about the type of business that I run. I told that I primarily recycled wooden pallets and he said he was familiar with the business and had even dabbled in it himself. Now, he was driving an ATV and hauling a garbage bin. He asked me if my business was healthy and I replied” thank God that this business is still open”. This set Charlie into story telling mode.

He explained that he worked for a company that had recently downsized from 120 employees to 20 employees. This pull back demoted him from a Foreman who maintained a crew of many workers to the solo act I met. He went on to recall the glory days and how he rode around in a big new truck with air conditioning and his most difficult assignment was to retrieve supplies for his crew. He is a family man who loves the Lord and he knew he had the admiration of his family and church members. He worked his way to the top in this company for almost two decades. He gave me a glimpse into the day of his demotion and said the boss told him he could keep his job if he was willing to drive this trash pickup route. Humbly, he accepted the position for he was one of the lucky ones that maintained his position. For his loyalty he was even awarded the same salary. Over the course of the next few months Charlie said he had to fight back depression because the once mighty man now was pulling garbage behind the buildings. There were no more men to command and no more supplies to retrieve. The only recognition he received was the obligatory “see you tomorrow” from the kitchen help. He told me his wife believed he would seek another opportunity. He recollected telling her that now he thinks he likes his job and plans to stick with it. She was happy and said that she admired him. Then he looked at me with the eyes of experience and humility and said, “I threw pride out of the window” that’s what got me through.
I identified with Charlie because this was my situation also, I had the pleasure of meeting him at the trash dumpster. My big fancy truck is gone and my crew is non-existent but my joy is full. Following are two Bible verses that applied to both of our situation to some degree.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall

So if you find yourself in any situation that seems to be a set back here are three things to keep in mind.
1. Be thankful that you are alive
You are still alive for a reason and one of them is to be a testimony to others who may believe that they are at the end of their ropes. Being alive means that there is a chance for a successful finish. Like me and Charlie realize that there are people less fortunate than you and you can thrive.
2. Worldly possessions and human accolades are not the true prize
Enjoy the fruit of your labor but do not idolize it. The positions that hard work and faith afford you are just rewards but they do not define who you are. Your character and values define you.
3. Throw pride out of the window
The preceding verses explain the destruction that follows when we are prideful. Haughty is not a word used in our common speech but it gives an accurate description of the actions of many who believe they have “made it”. We are given talents and favor to help mankind. So get rid of any pride that may be lingering around looking to destroy you.

How are you going to throw pride out of the window?

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What to do while you wait

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The following is an opening for a chapter in my upcoming book, let me know what you think. The statement, “Occupy until I come,” is taken directly from the bible. The quote from Luke 19, verse 12 and 13, is “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Patient ability describes what to do while obtaining patience. This chapter gives examples of human nature while pursuing dominance. The entire passage from Luke is used to demonstrate the rewards of occupying (performing transactions repeatedly) while gaining Patient Ability. This principle contains examples and vivid illustrations of patience. Most motivational books are “rah-rah” cheering books; there are certain aspects of upbeat encouragement throughout this principle. The main premise of Patient Ability is to demonstrate that in any worthwhile journey, there are aspects of continued endurance that propel you to success. This principle gives practical advice for lasting victory. Separate phases are outlined for gaining ability while building a crescendo to dominating life.
Patient Ability is the principle in which we must take a self test and determine our valuable attributes. One must honestly dig deep into what makes himself tick. This is the point where we take off the gloves. You must pull back the veil. There are plenty of things you may be good at doing; however, in order to reach your ultimate goals, you must uncover your true, great talent and develop it. You must determine your limitations. What should you do while being patient? We all want to hunt; however, knowing how to gather is a very important aspect of increasing your ability. The real impact makers know how to gather people, resources, and energy.

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The Prayer

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My prayer: God please order my steps in Your word.

His Answer: For I know the thoughts that I think towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

God has good thoughts toward us. We have to aspire to change our minds to reach these thoughts. To change our mind we must change the things that we listen to daily. We must change the programs we watch. Enhance the people we are around. And finally, to change our thought pattern, we must change the things we read. So remember that there is always someone in your corner. This Someone is God and He desires peace and prosperity for as your end result.

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Peace of mind that surpasses everything

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One of my friends called me and said he was losing his mind and thought that his life was over. I told him to say ” I have the peace that passes all understanding”. His response was, what does that mean? This was funny to me because I made an assumption that all Christians knew the meaning of this statement. So after a few seconds of silence I had to admit that I knew the peace part but, I had to search to give full meaning to the statement. Here is what I discovered. This is a bible verse that has some contingencies however, they are easy to follow.

Philippians 4 verses 6-7
6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You must do 3 things to receive this peace.

1. Have no care or cast all your care on God
2. Pray and give thanks to God
3. Make your request known to God

These actions will give you peace that others around you can’t understand. Peace that stops you from screaming. Peace that keeps your heart rate normal in chaotic situations. Peace that gives you a stable mind so that you will not lose your mind ” Up in Here”. So the next time you think you are going to “Lose It” say three times.

I have the peace that passes all understanding.

Leave a comment about how peace has kept you in trying situations.

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Walking on Rose Petals

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I wrote this post a while back but it seems fitting for this occasion. Today is a beautiful site here in Alabama, the sky is the perfect shade of blue and there is a smattering of powder clouds wafting across the heavens. The cool undulating breeze announces Fall but recognizes Spring and Summer desiring to capture the moment. My wife suggests we sit outside, I tell her that I must blow the leaves first. She says, “That’s the problem with the world. We always want rose petals to walk on and God provides them for us on a daily basis.”

Well, I first thought,” why is she talking about rose petals when I am talking about leaves, doesn’t she know her rose bushes are in the front and we are planning to relax in the back?” The roses that are in the front of the house are red, yellow, pink and white and for weeks on end there is a fresh path daily to walk upon due to the different seasons that they bloom. So for awhile I focused on the rest of the beauty that is on earth and how it continues to produce and perform tricks for all to enjoy. Amazing feats are displayed like flickering ever visible stars to allowing a moon that can light the entire night sky without disturbing a soul.

In life as with our environment we think that leaves and petals are problems that must be blown away but, if we will stop and enjoy them we can understand that there are blessings from Heaven that surrounds us. High grass crunches in Fall beneath your feet, pine needles, pine cones, acorns, pecans, walnuts and muscadines all emerge for the pleasure of the person who stops and enjoys the moment. So the next time you feel no one understands you or ever does anything nice for you, go outside and take in the majesty laid out for you. And if you walk near arose garden then maybe, just maybe God will throw a few rose petals under you feet.

PS. Even the rain clears away impurities!