Praise God or Praise Me? What am I looking for people to do?

Pride is a killer. Pride precedes a fall, causes contention, it is a killer. I read the following passage in Proverbs and it deserves a lot of thought...

Proverbs 27:21

As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

The bottom line is, the praise we receive from others is a test for our heart to see whether we will respond in humility or pride.

I believe that every person enjoys sincere praise but what I do with it past an initial "thank you" will help determine my future. I don't want to be a people pleaser but yet I am in the people business. What do I do? Walk around with an offensive disposition and act like I don't care if people like what I do or more importantly who I am?

My heart is what is lifted up in pride or not. It doesn't have to do with my response to the praise in the way of words. I have seen people say all the right things when praised but their attitude later was one of pure pride.

One of my leaders interviewed in a church not too long ago and was actually told that if they were hired they were not to make eye contact when coming into a room with the pastor of the church. They were also not to speak to them unless spoken to first. Thankfully I can say that this leader was led elsewhere for ministry...Thank God!

I wouldn't give you five grimy cents for a prideful leader who thinks of themselves to be that important. Too important to speak when spoken to. Too important to acknowledge a fellow staff member because they are on some higher plane. God deliver me from that kind of ridiculous lunacy!

Keep me pure Lord Jesus! Let me never be too busy or too preoccupied with my own world that I cannot see the needs of others. God never let me believe my press clippings. I thank you for every kind word spoken to me Lord, but I want to walk in humility with you. I am nothing without you....period.

Grace & Hard Work

Just wanted write you a quick note…

I ran across the speech from Babe Ruth as he was bidding farewell to the game of baseball.

I was struck by the fact when he told the audience that you couldn’t become a superior athlete, one that ended up on top of the game, by beginning to play baseball at age 15 or 16. He said you must start when you are a young boy…then if you work hard enough…etc… you can be on top.

Just as success in the game of baseball doesn’t happen overnight, the same can be said of success in your ministry. Spiritual results and growth come about as a result of doing the right things, spiritual disciplines if you will, growth disciplines, etc… with repetition. Lasting growth does not happen instantaneously regardless of the subject.

Our organization’s strength or success should always be prefaced with the knowledge of God’s favor, but we must also remember that it can also be attributed to the disciplines learned through experience and hard work. We learn to hit the ball out of the park by taking batting practice every single day…stay in the batting cage long enough and by the grace of God you will be successful in the real batter’s box.

Covenant Promises

When God makes a promise he is able to keep and perform his word. Isn't that what it means when we say that a person is a man of his word? That person says they are going to do something and then they do it. That is a God-like characteristic. I want to be that kind of a man at all times. I don't want to break promises when they are inconvenient or sacrificial to fullfill. I want to be a man of my word.

God made a covenant with Noah and has never destroyed the Earth by water again. Don't you think he has had reason to?

God showed his love and ability to keep covenants when instructed Hosea to marry Gomer and continue to love her no matter how many times he had to get her off of the street corner. Have we been unfaithful to God? Many times I have blown it and failed God miserably, but he has never broken his covenant with me...I have eternal life tonight because He has kept his promises and covenant to me. "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

DYDaddy

Take Another Bite Out of Life

There is no doubt that in life, we can sometimes bite off a little more than we can chew. Maybe it's personal unrealistic expectations but I seem to have taken more than my share of big bites and I have enjoyed every swallow.

I have never gotten anywhere in life by sitting in the bleachers or on the sidelines. I have always received the fullfillment of a life enjoyed by participating in it with all my might. I am a dreamer, I have unrealistic expectations of myself and everyone around me, I admit it. I don't know how to stop. Sometimes I fail to realize my dreams and goals but I will never stop believing.

I still believe the impossible can be achieved. I still believe the blessings of the one true God are mine to be grasped. I believe I am limitless in my ability to the incredible and I cannot fail because I will not quit believing. Never will I quit believing because the Bible in Mark 9:23 says that "all things are possible to him who believes."

I will always believe...because I believe in God. God who lives in me is more than enough!

I think I'll have another bite.

DYDaddy

Sometimes the Answer is No

They say that the hardest words to say are "I am sorry." I think they (whoever "they" are) are probably correct. In thinking about hard words to say, I have begun to think about "hard" words to hear.

I think one of the hardest words for people to hear is the word "no." "NO"body wants to hear it, read it, endure it, or whatever...because it causes us to stop and redirect what we are doing or what we want to do. We think we need "it", we definitely desire "it", but sometimes "it" may not be good for us and maybe even killing us. Kids want more candy, over weight people want more food, body builders want more muscle mass, runners want more speed, sinners want more sin...I could go on but I won't, and we usually will move heaven and earth to get "it."

The end of of "it" all is that there sometimes has to be an ending to "it" ...and that ending usually starts with the word "No." I need to learn to live with "no"...but It is definitely not a word that I or anyone else is ever going to enjoy unless we see the benefits of "no." Teeth, health, Heaven...Do I really have to go on. "No" more work...I am going home to my family.

DYDaddy

I'll Be There

I say it all the time...I'll be here or there. We make an appointment and say "I'll be there" at such and such time.

How do you or I know that we will be there? I really don't and neither do you. How many times have you missed a wreck by a few minutes just because you were late getting away for your appointment. If you had left on time you probably wouldn't have "been there."

Only God himself knows if we will truly "be there" or not. I know I am playing on words here but I don't ever want to lose a sense of God and the realization that He orders my steps. I won't stop making commitments but I just want you to know they are faith commitments...by faith I will continue to be there for you and all others who may need me...as long as God wants me there and orders my steps to be there.

DyDaddy

Timenology

I thought computer technology was supposed to save time and make life easier. I really believe it does but it just doesn't seem like it. We really haven't saved any time...we may have made it easier to do more things in the same amount of time but we really aren't saving any time if we think of 10 more things to do while at the screen.

There are so many little features to explore and navigate that peak our interest that it is easy to lose track of time spent. Some are profitable or useful but they all take time to learn and use. Don't we all really get it. There are still only 24 hours in a single day.

I am talking to myself...I am turning the thing off! At least for a little while.

DYDaddy

Greatest Family

I have the greatest family a husband and father could ever ask for! They live out loud for God, family, and ministry. Thank you Lord for my undeserved blessings.