Tired of where you’ve been? Not sure where you’re headed? Here are four practical tips to help you refocus your life so that in 2007 you can move in the direction you want.
1. Assume responsibility for your life. No one can make you a victim and no one will make you a victor. It’s your choice. Why not make a good one? Don’t blame others. Don’t make excuses for yourself. After all, failure is just a synonym for education.
2. Believe you can change. Quit saying, “I can’t”; start saying “I can.” Better yet, say, “I will.” That will lead to “I am”, and be followed by “I did.” You always do what you truly believe.
3. Clarify what’s important. Determine your values and value what you determine. You don’t deserve second-best, hand-me-downs, or leftovers. God gave his best so you could have his best. Don’t insult him by settling for less.
4. Do it now. You can’t change yesterday, but you can change tomorrow—today. Forget your past failures; God did.
Give God what you have, and like the loaves and fishes used to feed 5000, that will be enough—in God’s hands. He will bless whatever you give him.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Lost & Found
Al Gore didn’t invent it, but the Internet is a wonderful tool. And with the help of some of the search engines used on the web, I found my brother.
It’s not that he was lost, but we’d lost touch with each other—for more than a decade. As life turns out, we’ve both escaped death and we’ve both enjoyed some amazing success. We’ve also both experienced our share of tragedy. And both of us have come home to God.
I’ve often seen myself in the role of the prodigal, and while I am older than my brother, I want to avoid becoming the elder brother in the familiar story that Jesus told about two brothers and their father.
In what many people consider to be a parable, but I believe is a true story, the elder brother reacts to the good news of his brother’s return with disdain. We never see him overcome his reaction though the father pleads with him to join the celebration in honor of his sibling. Instead, he charges his father with playing favorites and never giving him what he deserves.
I know better than to make that claim. Indeed, I never want God to give me what I deserve; I always want him to bestow what cannot be earned.
Regarding my brother, it seems we both identify with the prodigal son and we both love our heavenly father. I hope neither of us ever sees the other in the role of the ungrateful brother. Rather, it seems we both want to celebrate our mutual good fortune and rejoice with each other.
We were lost, but now we’re found.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
It’s not that he was lost, but we’d lost touch with each other—for more than a decade. As life turns out, we’ve both escaped death and we’ve both enjoyed some amazing success. We’ve also both experienced our share of tragedy. And both of us have come home to God.
I’ve often seen myself in the role of the prodigal, and while I am older than my brother, I want to avoid becoming the elder brother in the familiar story that Jesus told about two brothers and their father.
In what many people consider to be a parable, but I believe is a true story, the elder brother reacts to the good news of his brother’s return with disdain. We never see him overcome his reaction though the father pleads with him to join the celebration in honor of his sibling. Instead, he charges his father with playing favorites and never giving him what he deserves.
I know better than to make that claim. Indeed, I never want God to give me what I deserve; I always want him to bestow what cannot be earned.
Regarding my brother, it seems we both identify with the prodigal son and we both love our heavenly father. I hope neither of us ever sees the other in the role of the ungrateful brother. Rather, it seems we both want to celebrate our mutual good fortune and rejoice with each other.
We were lost, but now we’re found.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Priceless
Your dumpster is full. You’ve already run out of batteries. You managed to extricate various toys and accessories from adult-proof packaging. And maybe, just maybe, you paid cash for what may be broken or forgotten within the next few weeks or months. So, what value do you put on presents?
Cashmere sweaters, $258.
Parkas, $418.
Skis, $1598.
Vacation for two, $2936.
The famous MasterCard® commercials put a price tag on most products but recognize that some things—friends, family, memories, being together for the holidays—are priceless.
That doesn’t mean such gifts are without cost. But for those of us lucky enough to have such wonderful things, they are worth whatever we pay.
Unfortunately, not everyone has such blessings and others lose what is most precious when they should be enjoying them most. And too often many of us don’t appreciate what we have while we have it.
Life is shorter than we think and may change or end abruptly. Sudden unexpected tragedy can strike any of us at any time. When that happens regret and remorse sometimes become our companions rather than unwelcome visitors.
Because I know several families who are heartbroken over recent events, I’m mindful more than ever that I should act now. So here’s one of my resolutions for 2007—and the rest of my life: Become familiar with the word no.
I want to say no frequently until it becomes a word I speak on a regular basis, with ease. When people ask me if I can help them, I want to evaluate whether or not someone else could do so or if they should help themselves. I want to carefully and prayerfully consider their requests rather than saying yes in haste because I like being needed. I want to calculate the price I will pay and the cost my family will incur, before I become indebted and indenture them. As with credit cards, it’s too easy to sign your life away only to realize later that what must be sacrificed is of far greater value than what is received, by anyone.
Starting now, I encourage you to think before you speak and realize that saying no to some things means you say yes to others. And if the latter is what you value most, then no matter what the cost, some gifts—love, joy, peace, forgiveness, kindness—become priceless.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
Cashmere sweaters, $258.
Parkas, $418.
Skis, $1598.
Vacation for two, $2936.
The famous MasterCard® commercials put a price tag on most products but recognize that some things—friends, family, memories, being together for the holidays—are priceless.
That doesn’t mean such gifts are without cost. But for those of us lucky enough to have such wonderful things, they are worth whatever we pay.
Unfortunately, not everyone has such blessings and others lose what is most precious when they should be enjoying them most. And too often many of us don’t appreciate what we have while we have it.
Life is shorter than we think and may change or end abruptly. Sudden unexpected tragedy can strike any of us at any time. When that happens regret and remorse sometimes become our companions rather than unwelcome visitors.
Because I know several families who are heartbroken over recent events, I’m mindful more than ever that I should act now. So here’s one of my resolutions for 2007—and the rest of my life: Become familiar with the word no.
I want to say no frequently until it becomes a word I speak on a regular basis, with ease. When people ask me if I can help them, I want to evaluate whether or not someone else could do so or if they should help themselves. I want to carefully and prayerfully consider their requests rather than saying yes in haste because I like being needed. I want to calculate the price I will pay and the cost my family will incur, before I become indebted and indenture them. As with credit cards, it’s too easy to sign your life away only to realize later that what must be sacrificed is of far greater value than what is received, by anyone.
Starting now, I encourage you to think before you speak and realize that saying no to some things means you say yes to others. And if the latter is what you value most, then no matter what the cost, some gifts—love, joy, peace, forgiveness, kindness—become priceless.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Unwrapped Presents
What if Jesus had never been born? How would our world be different?
In “It’s a Wonderful Life” George Bailey learned how friends and family would have suffered without him. His brother would have drowned. His wife, mother, and many others would have experienced a different world. Indeed the town would have borne the name Pottersville, after the greedy man who would have owned the community and fashioned it in his image.
In much the same way, if Jesus hadn’t been born we’d live in a different world. Hitler might have succeeded. Communism might never have collapsed. Liberty might have all but disappeared, because it only exists where the Lord’s spirit reigns triumphant.
In fact, if Jesus hadn’t died to redeem us from sin’s grasp, we’d still be its captives. Or at best, we’d be under the Law, the first covenant. There would be no atoning sacrifice to satisfy God’s wrath so the guilty could be declared innocent.
Without Christmas, the world and our lives would be very different. Thankfully, we’ll never know what that might have been like. Then again, maybe some do.
There are those who for a variety of reasons—pride mostly—have not accepted God’s gift. And because they have not, it’s as if the greatest present ever given remains unwrapped and unused.
Until we receive a gift, it’s of no value—at least to us. An inheritance uncollected makes the heir no richer. A check uncashed is of no benefit to the payee. In the same way, if we don’t appropriate God’s salvation it is of no value to us.
Salvation will benefit others who accept God’s grace. But for those who reject Christ—and that is what we do as long as we cling to our ability to do reimburse God—grace and mercy remain unopened gifts.
This year, make it a point to open all of God’s gifts. After all, you wouldn’t leave any presents still wrapped under the Christmas tree.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
In “It’s a Wonderful Life” George Bailey learned how friends and family would have suffered without him. His brother would have drowned. His wife, mother, and many others would have experienced a different world. Indeed the town would have borne the name Pottersville, after the greedy man who would have owned the community and fashioned it in his image.
In much the same way, if Jesus hadn’t been born we’d live in a different world. Hitler might have succeeded. Communism might never have collapsed. Liberty might have all but disappeared, because it only exists where the Lord’s spirit reigns triumphant.
In fact, if Jesus hadn’t died to redeem us from sin’s grasp, we’d still be its captives. Or at best, we’d be under the Law, the first covenant. There would be no atoning sacrifice to satisfy God’s wrath so the guilty could be declared innocent.
Without Christmas, the world and our lives would be very different. Thankfully, we’ll never know what that might have been like. Then again, maybe some do.
There are those who for a variety of reasons—pride mostly—have not accepted God’s gift. And because they have not, it’s as if the greatest present ever given remains unwrapped and unused.
Until we receive a gift, it’s of no value—at least to us. An inheritance uncollected makes the heir no richer. A check uncashed is of no benefit to the payee. In the same way, if we don’t appropriate God’s salvation it is of no value to us.
Salvation will benefit others who accept God’s grace. But for those who reject Christ—and that is what we do as long as we cling to our ability to do reimburse God—grace and mercy remain unopened gifts.
This year, make it a point to open all of God’s gifts. After all, you wouldn’t leave any presents still wrapped under the Christmas tree.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
How To Lose Friends Without Really Trying
If hindsight is 20/20, perhaps it’s easier to learn how not to do something.
Case in point: relationships. It’s easier to neglect friendships than it is to maintain them. And don’t think anyone is immune to destructive behavior. A pastor, perhaps suffering from compassion fatigue, once boasted that if his church got too large, he could “whittle it down in one or two services.”
Oddly enough, he’s still a pastor, though it’s doubtful his church or his people will ever grow to maturity. Because he’s chosen a pattern of behavior that is self-destructive. The problem is that what he does affects others. The same is true with each of us.
So here are a few tips on how to destroy relationships wherever they may be found—home, work, church, and throughout everyday life.
1. Sweat the small stuff; everything is important—and urgent—to you.
2. Insist on being right at all times, about everything.
3. Discount, if not disregard, the opinions and ideas and feelings of others.
4. Be inflexible, intolerant, insensitive, and inconsiderate.
5. Be steadfast, immovable, and implacable regarding your opinions.
6. Remember, rehearse, and recite your past pain.
7. Refuse to change who you are and how you act.
8. Always blame others; never accept personal responsibility.
Do these things and you will succeed in alienating people and losing friends. In the process, you will ensure that your life will remain insignificant.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
Case in point: relationships. It’s easier to neglect friendships than it is to maintain them. And don’t think anyone is immune to destructive behavior. A pastor, perhaps suffering from compassion fatigue, once boasted that if his church got too large, he could “whittle it down in one or two services.”
Oddly enough, he’s still a pastor, though it’s doubtful his church or his people will ever grow to maturity. Because he’s chosen a pattern of behavior that is self-destructive. The problem is that what he does affects others. The same is true with each of us.
So here are a few tips on how to destroy relationships wherever they may be found—home, work, church, and throughout everyday life.
1. Sweat the small stuff; everything is important—and urgent—to you.
2. Insist on being right at all times, about everything.
3. Discount, if not disregard, the opinions and ideas and feelings of others.
4. Be inflexible, intolerant, insensitive, and inconsiderate.
5. Be steadfast, immovable, and implacable regarding your opinions.
6. Remember, rehearse, and recite your past pain.
7. Refuse to change who you are and how you act.
8. Always blame others; never accept personal responsibility.
Do these things and you will succeed in alienating people and losing friends. In the process, you will ensure that your life will remain insignificant.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
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