Be Planted

I wanted to share one of the hardest things I have found in the ministry so far. Hopefully it does not get harder than this but I am ready for whatever God wants me to do. I have a genuine love for our congregation and one of the most painful things I see on a continual ongoing basis is someone who leaves our church for the wrong reasons.

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 92:13,

“Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God”

Did you catch that? You will flourish in the house!! When we are planted in the local church we will flourish in life. Also notice that the psalmist did not say, “those who attend the house of the Lord.” You can’t attend a church and not be planted. Being planted means that is where you lay your life down to serve God. It is there you tithe, serve and obey the leadership. We are planted in the local church, just as the tree values the ground from which it receives life.

Way too many times I have seen people leave the church for the completely wrong reasons. Most of the times offended and with hurt feelings. There is nothing in scripture that says if you get your feelings hurt or someone in leadership offends you, to leave the church. If you are seeking God and hearing from him, he will never tell you to leave the church for these reasons.

I felt God sharing with me there are really only 3 reasons to leave a church.

• Number one if the pastor is not teaching biblical truths, for example the doctrine is off—against the trinity, etc.

• Number two if the pastor is living in open sin and not repenting, check out what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

• Finally and number three is if you get planted or released from the church.

If you are planted in a church, you will value your church leader’s words. You will not take lightly what they ask of you. You will then fear God, and in fearing God you will honor His appointed leaders. In honoring His appointed leaders you will receive the full reward God has in store for you.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 12

Week 12 December 27th

Spiritual— Start out goals for 2010

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Physical— Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine

Diet- Balance to 5-6 smaller meals a day
Body-Continue work out plan work out at least 5 times this week with 3 extra cardio workouts
Family- Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.


Parenting- Family Devotional Friday Night, Start preparing the kids to come up with 2010 goals
Marriage- Date Night Wednesday Night
Financial- Deuteronomy 28:6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out

Ministry- Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;

Honoring When It Is Hard

I wanted to share some teachings I have been learning about from John Bevere’s book Honors Reward.

1 Peter 2:18 says, Servants (employees, students, civilians, church members, etc.) be submissive to your master (employers, bosses, teachers, church leaders, civil authorities) with all fear, not only the good and gentle but also the harsh.

The word harsh here comes from the Greek word skolios, which means “crooked, perverse, wicked, unfair.” There are many benefits to honoring and serving our authorities. First if we are treated unfairly, our obedience to submit puts our case in the hands of God who will judge justly. If we take matters into our hands, God steps back and we are on our own. Most often when it deals with authority, we will end up on the short end of the stick.

Romans 13:1 says, “The authorities that exist are appointed by God”

When we are mistreated and continue to be a good worker, student, civilian, this is honor at its highest. It takes the fear of the Lord in our hearts to continue to treat as valuable who have mistreated us.

Willing and Obedient

It says in Isaiah 1:19, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”

Way too many times we might be obedient in what we are doing but not willing in our heart. There has been time in my past where I was obedient to do something but not willing in my heart. If you are not both then you will not eat the good of the land. In other words you might not receive any type of blessing from God if you are not willing.

Obedience deals with your actions; willingness deals with your attitude. John Bevere
You have to realize how important your heart attitude is.

Wait Brad, what if my boss, my pastor, my leader over me is mean and does not ask me in a nice way? Do it, be willing and obedient.

Wait, what if they hurt my feelings and did not ask me nicely? Do it be willing and obedient.

But they offended me and still want me to do something for them? Do it, be willing and obedient.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 11

Week 11 December 20th
Spiritual— Start out goals for 2010
Habakkuk 2:2 “Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
Physical—1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come
• Diet- Continue to watch food and limit sugars this week. Limit caffeine intake this week
• Body-Continue the work out plan and get in 3 extra cardio workouts on top of the 6 days of p90x
Family- Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
• Parenting- Family Devotional Wednesday Night, Start preparing the kids to come up with 2010 goals. Have them write them down by the end of this year.
• Marriage- Focus on helping out more around the house, picking up after self and kids and helping with laundry
Financial- Deuteronomy 28:3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
Ministry- Ephesians 4:12 “Prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”

Welcome Team VIP 12/20/09

My goal is every Sunday? Can anyone guess it? It is kind of funny and weird. But it is to say Hello to everyone in the church. I know it is weird but sometimes I am doing so much that it is just that a Hi. You need to realize that you are direct reflection of me, Pastor Mike and more importantly Christ on the welcome team. Make sure every Sunday to make one of your goals to say hello with a smile to every person that walks in that door. Make sure to always say hi to the husband and wife and the kids. Just a simple hello and a smile will go a long way in the church. We want to be known as the church that was overwhelmingly welcoming but not overwhelmingly pushy.
Make sure we are honoring our guests as they walk in, honoring our leaders, and honoring our members and volunteers. Honoring people gives you huge rewards in heaven and helps to minister the Holy Spirit in this atmosphere.

Be Life Giving

Recently I came to a huge revelation when giving encouragement. The author of Hebrews writes in 3:13 to “encourage one another daily”. I have always done my best to encourage those around me. However I have found recently that sometimes for some reason when encouraging some people like in the past my employees or my kids I add a “however” or a “but” after a “great job” or “job well done.” I think I have done this because I didn’t want to build someone up too much and cause an arrogance or a pride issue.

In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 and Luke 19, the master replied

“'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

I really feel like this is the one of the best examples of true encouragement. There was not a well done, good and faithful servant however you could have done better, or well done but you could have at least cleaned up your room before I came home. No he finished with a come and share in your master’s happiness.

Anytime we are encouraging someone we need to make sure we are being completely life giving because when you throw in the “however” or the “but” it can cancel out anything you said before that.

Today share in someone’s success and encourage them in something they did!

Evaluate

The definition of Evaluate is to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study.

I felt God challenging me to evaluate my life. He said to ask yourself these questions.

Am I improving as a husband?

Am I improving as a father?

Am I improving as a believer?

Am I improving as a servant?

You need to always evaluate where you were and where you are, to determine where you will be. Look at your life one year ago and ask yourself based on today these questions, do you see any change? If not then what are some things you can do to make a difference in these areas.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God has plans for you and wants you to prosper.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 10

Week 10 December 13th

Spiritual— This week listen to 2 sermons during the week.

Romans 10:17 Faith comes from hearing the word of God.

Physical— Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is your strength

• Diet- Continue to watch food and limit sugars this week. Limit caffeine intake this week
• Body-Continue the work out plan and try to get in 2 extra cardio workouts on top of the 6 days of p90x

Family- Titus 1:8 Be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

• Parenting- Continue family devotional time with kids. Continue their memory verses daily. Start preparing the kids to come up with 2010 goals. Have them write them down by the end of this year.
• Marriage- Date Night with Stacey on Wednesday

Financial- Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Ministry- 2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

A Father's Struggle

(I got my son’s approval prior to sharing this)

I was recently reminded of a struggle I went through in the past as a father. My daughter was born first and then 2 years later I had a son. My daughter was one who always wanted to wear dresses, play barbies, and with dolls. She had no boy at all in her. She was a girly girl. My son came a long and completely looked up to her. Everything she did was awesome. He would play with her, wear dresses with her around the house, and do anything she did. My son would ask for barbies and dolls for Christmas rather than GI Joes or footballs. I struggled with that as a father. We would go places and people would always make comments about how pretty his Barbie was he was playing with. We would deal with all the sarcastic comments towards him, everyone telling him that he needed to be playing with action figures and not dolls. (He asked me also if I do write this, to ask those who make fun of him to stop; he still gets teased about this). It was and has been very hard on him as well. He even got that a lot from me and my wife. We thought it was a phase he would grow out of. We discouraged it and got nowhere.

As he grew older I had a sit down talk with him that it was time to get rid of all the dolls and barbies. I asked him to pray to God about if he should play with those toys or not. God told him to ask me to pray about it. So I did, I got alone with God and prayed. God clearly told me to accept him for who he is and not to make any more comments and to stand up for him even if he was playing with dolls. So I did just that, I stopped making the comments, stopped giving him the looks and accepted him for who he is.

Quickly after we accepted him playing with the dolls and barbies, he began to lack interest in them. He began to start liking to play with other toys and not the dolls. My relationship with him grew even stronger and stronger.
Sometimes we try to fit our kids in a box that society wants to have them in. Today I want to encourage those parents to accept your children for who they are. Affirm them with words, encourage them, tell them how you unconditionally love them and then show them with your actions, words and behaviors how you love them. Trust me you will gain a ton of ground in your continued relationship with them just like my son and I have.

Be Confident in Yourself

I was in the hallway of my kid’s school the other day and remembered myself in elementary school. Then I thought about growing up and then even being in high school where I started attempted drugs and drink alcohol and smoke. I wondered why I would ever do something like that? Why did I not have a relationship with God? Why did I do those things?

I came to a realization that I did those things because of my lack of confidence in myself. My lack of feeling like I fit in. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.

In going in to lunch with my son, I started to affirm him with words to build him up so he grows up confident in whom he is. I started saying that I was proud that he was my son; he is a wonderful kid, a great brother and just really encourage him and make sure that he hears those things so he does not struggle with confidence as he grows up like I did and start doing things I am not proud of.

Today be confident in who you are and if you have children, make sure to affirm them with words and start building them up so when they grow older they are confident in who they are.

Week 9 Renewal of our Life

Week 9 December 6th
Spiritual— Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Physical— Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
• Diet- Continue to watch food and limit sugars this week.
• Body-Seriously after taking 2 weeks off the work out it is time to get back on it and stay on it, starting Monday.
Family— Titus 2:7-8 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
• Parenting- Continue family devotional time with kids. Continue their memory verses daily. Spend some one on one time with Madylaine this week. Have lunch with Madylaine this week.
• Marriage- Date Night with Stacey on Wednesday
Financial- John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Ministry- Continue to be knowledgeable in all areas of you ministry/business.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.

Welcome Team VIP this Past Sunday

This is the story I shared with our Welcome Team this past Sunday at Turning Point Church.

So I have an issue with my tires on the Suburban and need to get them checked out, so I went to a place where I have been before to get my oil changed. I walked in and the guy sitting behind the computer did not even acknowledge me until after standing there for a few minutes. Then it was a “how can I help you” with no smile on his face or anything. I asked him a few questions and after a few small sarcastic answers I decided to leave and go to another place my friend had told me about. I did not have much time to get this done in.

I drove to the other place where there were a few other people ahead of me, but immediately the manager acknowledged me and said it would be just a minute. Once it was my turn I asked him the same questions and without belittling me or making me feel ignorant, he said let go check it out.

He immediately came out to help me, adjusted all the air in my tires, reset my electronic register of the tire pressure and did not charge me a penny. Now in a small town like McDonough, who do you think I am going to refer people to get new tires?? You guessed it the second place. Discount Tires in front of Wal mart off 20/81

Let’s remember that today when greeting people, directing them to their parking spots, checking in their kids, greeting/ushering them into the sanctuary. We want people to leave this place feeling like they want to recommend our church because of its welcome team to all their friends and family.

Slow Down

In my time with God I felt Him telling me to "Slow Down," to listen, see and feel what He is doing in your life. I was feeling that too many times I try to rush through things without giving the proper attention to all the details. It is in the details where you can feel, hear and see God moving. If we rush through things we might not feel God working, and then we get too dependent on our skills and abilities to push God out...that is a whole nutha blog.

This can work in every area of you life. In a blink of an eye my oldest daughter is 11, my middle son is 9 and my youngest is 3...WOW. Time flies, right? How many times have you said that in your life?

So today I wanted to share with you not to get too rushed by the daily activities in life that can keep you from feeling, seeing and hearing God moving in your life.

Press On, Press In and Press UP!

Week 8 Renewal of Our Life

Week 8 November 29th
Spiritual- Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you will prosper.
Physical- 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live in righteousness, by his wounds you have been healed.
• Diet- This week focus on cleansing and loosing the weight gained from the thanksgiving holiday.
• Body-Continue work out program=P90x
Family— 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.
• Parenting- Continue family devotional time with kids. Continue their memory verses daily. Spend one on one time with Solomon this Saturday at the Home Depot Workshop on Saturday Morning.
• Marriage- Have a date night Monday
Financial- Proverbs 24:3,4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established, through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures
Ministry- Proverbs 27:23 Be sure to know the condition of you flocks, give careful attention to your herds.

Week 7 Renewal of our Life

Spiritual- Romans 4:17 Call those things that are not as though they were
Physical- Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
• Diet- Watch your portion size, focus on eating 2 healthy meals a day and healthy snacks
• Body-Continue work out program—amp up your cardio this week
Family— Malachi 4:6 He will convince parents to look after their children and children to look up to their parents.
• Parenting- Continue family devotional time with kids. Continue their memory verses daily.
• Marriage- Spend time during drive to pray, intercede, vision cast and prepare for future
Financial- Psalm 34:10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing
Ministry- Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Go Above and Beyond

Today I wanted to share with you something I learned from a recent disagreement with my wife. After a great date night, we came home and the house was pretty much a mess. I had stayed home to work from home while my youngest son was playing. Stacey was running errands all day. After I finished working, I worked out and worked with the kids on their homework. The thing I did not do was pick up the many toys my youngest son got out throughout the day. In turn causing a disagreement about me being home all day and not even picking up, pretty much ruining our date night. Even if I think to myself, yes I was working, yes I did do several loads of laundry, but I did not pick up the little things, even though I might have stepped over them many times.

God shared with me to make sure I am going above and beyond in all I do. When I am at church if I see a piece of trash or something out of place, I pick it up and put it where it goes. Why can’t I do that at my own house as well. God wants us to be excellent and that take me going above and beyond.

We need to be faithful of the small things if we want to get more. So God wants us to be excellent and go above and beyond.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 6

Week 6 November 15th
Spiritual- Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
Physical- Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
• Diet- Continue 21 Day Daniel Fast, do a 3 day liquid fast this week
• Body-Continue work out program and waking up at 6am 4 days a week and going to bed by 10:30pm
Family— Make sure we have discipline in our daily lives as well as discipline in our children’s behavior and attitudes.
Proverbs 13:24 A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.
• Parenting- Continue family devotional time with kids. Continue their memory verses daily. Plan out family devotional time next 2 weeks
• Marriage- pray together every night before we go to bed.
Financial- Plan out finances for next 2 weeks, have finance meeting and budget for any upcoming vacations. Making sure we continue our unity in this area.
Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Ministry- Brad to evaluate small groups and prepare for upcoming semesters, develop a leadership track, meet with small group and other meetings. Develop small group leader training.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Family Time

Five Works God Shared With Me About Family Time
1) Plan: Plan out devotional time with your kids, plan outings with your kids, plan date days or nights with your kids individually, plan family nights, etc.
Proverbs 14:22b says “those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness”
2) Prepare: Prepare your kids to do my work, show them how to serve, show them that you serve, prepare them for the enemies’ attacks and how to overcome them, prepare them for the life they will live when they are gone. Proverbs 22:6 says, “train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.”
2 Timothy 2:21b says, “Prepared to do any good work”
3) Perseverance: Raising kids is not a onetime thing, it takes perseverance and patience.
Hebrews 12:1 “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
4) Prayer: Teach your children how to pray and use God’s word in their prayer.
1 Corinthians 7:5, “You may devote yourselves to prayer.”
5) Power: Teach the kids that they have the power over the enemy and they can overcome his temptations.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power.”
Questions to ask the kids:
What are some things we can plan as a family that will foster love and faithfulness?
What are some ways we can prepare ourselves to do Gods works?
How can we use increase our prayer time?

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 5

I will praise You daily

Spiritual—Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Physical- 1 Corinthians 6:19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.
• Diet- Continue 21 Day Daniel Fast, reduce coffee intake
• Body-Continue work out program and waking up at 6am 4 days a week and going to bed by 10:30pm

Family— Ephesians 4:31 “Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.” (we are repeating this one)
• Parenting- Continue family devotional time with kids. Continue their memory verses daily.
• Marriage- Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Financial- Luke 6:38 Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Ministry- Romans 8:37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

God Wants Us To Forgive

Matthew 6:14
“Yes if you forgive others for the things they do wrong, then your Father in heaven will also forgive you for the things you do wrong”

14-15"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part. (The Message)

The Bible tells us this: When other people do things that are wrong, we should forgive them. God’s word also tells us that when we’re willing to forgive others, God is quick to forgive us for the mistakes that we make.

Have you ever made a mistake?

Has somebody done something that makes you angry or hurt your feelings? What was it and have you forgiven them?

Harboring unforgiveness can hold us back from receiving communication and blessings from God. God has a purpose for us He has a hope and a future and wants to make sure we are operating out of love.

Some things you can do, is ask God in prayer if there is anyone you have not forgiven and ask Him to reveal it to you. Then it says in Psalm 51:10 says, to “create in me a pure heart, and renew a right spirit within you.” You want to have a clean heart when you come before him. Don’t allow anything to keep you from fulfilling your ultimate purpose in your life.

“Learning how to forgive and forget is one of the secrets of a happy Christian life.” Warren Wiersbe

Let’s pray this prayer together:

“Dear Lord, you have forgiven me. Now, it’s my turn to forgive others. Help me fill my heart with kind thoughts, and help me fill each day with good deeds. Thank you, Lord for Your love, and Your forgiveness, and Your Son Jesus.”

Be Careful For What You Ask For

I have to admit that sometimes I can get completely overwhelmed on things. When I have several tasks at hand I tend to rush through them and not do my best job in order to get them done. I have been working on this and God has really been directing me on this. For instance, I get a little overwhelmed when coming back from the grocery store after bringing in all the bags and then having to sort through them and put them up. I am kind of frustrated and want to get it done fast so I can feel a sense of peace and accomplishment. Is anyone else like that?

I felt God sharing with me a few scriptures for any of those people who might deal with this. I have pleaded with God, give me more, I want to serve you and do more for Your Kingdom. He clearly told me “slow down and focus on what you have to do. I can’t give you more until you can be faithful in the small things.”

I was reminded of the Parable of the Talents where Jesus said;

Matthew 25:21, 23
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

The ones who were faithful with a few things were given more. Also in Luke 12:48;

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

So be careful because if you want God to give you more, you have to prove to Him that you can handle what you have, just like the servants in charge of the talents. They had to prove to their master they were faithful in the small things. If you are not He will take away what you have and give it to the one who is faithful in the small things, like He did in Matthew 25:26.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 4

Week 4 November 1st
Spiritual— Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”
Physical— Proverbs 6:10-11 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit.
• Diet- Start a 21 Day Daniel Fast
• Body-Continue work out program and waking up at 6am 4 days a week and going to bed by 10:30pm

Family— Ephesians 4:31 “Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”
• Parenting- Continue family devotional time with kids. Continue their memory verses daily.
• Marriage- Date Night outing Friday
Financial- Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Ministry- Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

Keep Our Attitudes In Check

For the last 4 weeks during our 40 Week Renewal Of Our Life, I have been writing weekly devotionals to go over with my kids and wanted to share this past weeks with you.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” NIV

NCV says, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.”

Message says, “Your Heart is where life starts”

If life starts in the heart then don’t you think it is important to make sure we are keeping our heart in check?—our heart can be our attitudes. It is important for us to keep our attitudes of our hearts in completely aligned with God. We can let way too many things get in our way of this like; offense, hurt feelings, bad attitudes and dislike towards someone and the devil can really gain some footholds here. Footholds are pathways to our hearts. As we learn to focus on the promises of God instead of the problems of life, the attitudes of our hearts begin to line up with all God wants and has for us.

Galatians 5:22-23 talks about the fruits of the spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”NIV

“But what happens when we life God’s way? He brings gifts in our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life and serenity.” The Message

These fruits reveal what our heart-attitudes should be. Every day we should ask God to help us to produce the fruits of the Spirit in all the relationships and responsibilities of our lives.

Who do we have relationships with where we can demonstrate these fruits?

How are some ways this week we can use these fruits? Possibly on our brother or sister?

Ephesians 4:31 “Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”

How are some ways we can make sure we do not get mad?

What are some of the reasons we get mad or angry?

Call him OUT!

I wanted to continue to encourage you to know that we have authority over the enemy and we can call him out. Know that he will come at you daily and a lot of the time when you least expect it.

1 Peter 5:9 says, “The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

You see in the jungle there are a lot of animals that can actually out run the lion, however his greatest attack is the element of surprise, while he is crouching down under the tall grass and sneaking up on his prey. This is just what the enemy likes to do in our lives. When we least expect it there he is throwing arrows of discouragement, doubt, fear, and his many other weapons he uses against the believer.

I felt God sharing with me to CALL HIM OUT!

Call out that lion when he attacks you and use the word to come back at it, just like Jesus did in Matthew 4. Isaiah 54:17 says, “May no weapon formed against me prosper.” And James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” I want you to start using his weapons in these verses and call him out. May no sickness formed against me prosper, may no doubt, fear, discouragement formed against me prosper. I resist you sickness, doubt, fear and now you must flee from me. The devil does not like being called out. The more you use God’s word the more you will wear the devil out and he WILL not succeed in his attacks against you.

The Enemies Greatest Weapon

Ephesians 6:12 says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

You need to know that the devil has your number. Recognize that he works against you. In reading Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin, I came across this teaching I wanted to share. Picture the devil calling a board meeting with his chief demons, “What is our greatest weapon against this person?” Some of the demons suggested lust or greed or the usual things. And then one of them said, “Our greatest weapon against the believer is discouragement.” And that’s what he uses to make you quit, especially right before you’re about to run through the finish line.
Next time you feel discouraged, don’t quit.

All it means is that the devil is so desperate to stop you that he sent his most powerful weapon against you. You should stand up and start praising God for discouragement. Say, “Thank You, Jesus! Thank You God! I must really bothering the devil, and I must be getting close to something—because I am so discouraged!”

The devil doesn’t know what to do with a child of God who talks like that. You just took hold of the very thing he tried to mess you up with, and you turned it around. You just get encouraged about your discouragement.

Week 3 Renewal Of Our Life

Week 3 October 26th

Spiritual— I am not overwhelmed

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you

Physical—

3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

* Diet-No partially hydrogenated oil (mainly found in chips)
* Body-Wake up at 6am 4 days a week Monday thru Thursday, continue work out program. Evaluate getting the right hours of sleep.



Family—

* Parenting- Continue devotional time with the kids, schedule Wednesday date night with daughter.

Proverbs 22:6 Train my child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not turn from it.

* Marriage- Plan a date day or date night with my wife this week and make everything a surprise.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

Financial- Set time this week and going forward weekly to review finances together as husband and wife. This will cause us to both be good stewards of our money and create unity in our finances.

Deuteronomy 28:8, 11 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.

Ministry-

Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.

Grow

God wants every one of us to grow in His wisdom and knowledge. I have been doing just a little something each day so I can change and grow. There are many things you can do, but” Just Do It” like Nike says.

We really need to be making sure we are changing our environment if we want to change our future. What I mean by that is your thoughts and words can control where you will be in a year. I have heard it said, review what you read, the people you hang around with, and the places you go and you can see where you will be in five years.

In Psalm 90:12 it says, “Teach me to make the most of my time so I may grow in wisdom”

You have to also be hungry for knowledge in order to grow. You want to have the hunger to see God do the extraordinary as demonstrated by humility, sacrifice, and perseverance. I was challenged recently to make sure that I continue to have the hunger to grow.

Rick Warren’s said; “the greatest detriment to today’s success is yesterday’s success.” Whatever you do today, do it better tomorrow.

Ask yourself these questions:

1) When was the last time you did something for the first time?

2) What have you learned and applied this month?

3) What do you do daily to facilitate your growth?

4) Are you teaching others what you are learning?

Final statement is as rewarding as it is to grow personally, it’s even better when you take the journey with others.

I want to thanks Joshua Canizaro for sharing these challenges with me.

Reactions

Often times we react based out of emotion rather than a factual or spiritual basis. In prayer I felt God say there are several things I can to, on how to improve my reactions. Sometimes I would just react emotionally and my reaction was completely out of line. Have you ever reacted to something you did not have all the facts on?

There are 4 things I felt God sharing with me.

Pause—The first thing we need to do is pause for a moment. Ask yourself these questions: What else can this mean? Is there something I am missing here? Am I responding more based on my insecurity?

Pray— Way to many times we try to respond in certain cases based on past experience and knowledge but sometimes we really need to pray for the answer.

Prepare and Plan—Sometimes we need to be a little more strategic, intentional and specific in our response. We need to feel secure in the way we respond based on prayer, facts, research and experience.

Phone—After we have done the first 3 steps then we can react.

I am sharing this more based on how I want to make sure I respond in the way God wants me too.

**The small disclaimer to this is sometimes if from our experience we already know the response and based on common knowledge you might be able to skip the steps.

***Next disclaimer is we need to be in prayer at all times like Paul said, “pray without ceasing” so if we are in prayer then the response time would be a lot quicker.

Please share any thought you have on reactions?

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 2

Week 2 October 19th
Spiritual— I don’t have enough
Philippians 4:19 and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Physical—
• Diet No Soda
• Body continue P90x
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine, I have understanding and power
Family— Continue Weekly Devotional and Prayer time with the kids.
• Parenting-
Proverbs 24:3-4 by wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
• Marriage
Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart
Financial- Philippians 4:19 and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Ministry- Deuteronomy 28:1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth

I Can

Henry Ford, one of the greatest innovators and mentors of our history, made this famous statement “think you can or think you can’t, either way you will be right”

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks so is he”

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.”

Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

God shared with me this past week that He was the one in control.

There are 3 things I want you to share with you today.

1. Say to yourself “I declare I can do all things through Jesus Christ who Strengthens me” Philippians 4:13

The power of life and death are in the tongue Proverbs 18:21 so when you declare things over your life you will make things happen.

1. Eliminate “can’t” from your vocabulary

When you say the word cant you are limiting God from being able to do things in you that you are not able to do—but God can

Ephesians 3:20 “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all things more than you can ask or think according to the power that is at work within us”

So don’t limit God to what he can do in your life.

Just think Biblically if Noah said no I can’t build an ark, Moses no I can’t free your people from Egypt, Joshua said no I can’t overtake Jericho

1. Submit your thinking to the Word of God and your whole life will be changed.

Once I submitted my will to God and to the word of God my entire life changed.

Do you remember the little engine that could? Over 50 years ago, the book called The little engine that could, spoke to a generation of children. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can and it did!

40 Week Renewal of Our Life

My wife and I are starting a 40 week renewal of our life. We don't really want to call it a fast but rather a new way of thinking. We have broken it down into 5 areas of our life. We have spiritual, physical (diet and body), family (parenting and marriage), financial and ministry. We are coming up with scriptures to claim over ourselves every day and start with changing certain things we think about, certain ways we eat and any bad habits we might have. This is going to be an ongoing process so we don't do it all at the same time. We have found in the past that when we do a certain diet--we are heavy for a week or so then we fall back into our routines. This way we are going to make some gradual changes over a 40 week program and build on each one of the areas.

Below are the scriptures for week 1.

Spiritual—I Can

Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Physical—

* Diet- no aspartame
* Body-

Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough too much of it, and you will vomit

Family—

* Parenting-

Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD

* Marriage

Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD

Financial- Deuteronomy 8:18, But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Ministry- Deuteronomy 28:7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

Don't Do It In Your Strength

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I have to admit that sometimes I need to see the plan laid out, the steps, the instructions or just any type of system or process to get a task done. I feel at ease when I know that if something I am doing is not turning out like I thought it would or like it looks in the pictures then I can look back at the directions. I mean come on, I am a guy—I am going to try to put it together without the directions first right? Ever done that?

Lately God has really been dealing with me to trust Him, and I cannot do it in my strength but He is the one who is going to give me the strength.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.”

Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

God shared with me this past week that He was the one in control. He was in charge of my life and as long as I was walking in an active relationship with Him and seeking His council on decisions such as financial, parenting, ministry and marital decisions, He was going to be the one to guide me.

The very center of the Bible Psalm 118:8 says; “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”

So today anything you are facing, anything you are having to deal with, I ask you to put your faith in God and he will guide and direct you.

Elijah's Victory

Today I wanted to share with you a story from 1 Kings 18 and 19. I will paraphrase the story. Elijah was instructed by the Lord to present himself to Ahab the king. When Elijah met up with the king, he rejected him calling Elijah a troubler of Israel. Elijah challenged the king to bring 450 of his prophets who were worshiping the Baals. Elijah challenged the 450 prophets to see if they would call upon Baal and see if he would set fire to their sacrifice. The 450 prophets accepted the challenge and set up the altar for the sacrifice and cried out to Baal. Of course nothing happened. Then Elijah set up his altar and God poured down fire on it. Elijah then seized and killed all the false prophets. This was a huge victory. However in chapter 19 Elijah flees out of being scared because of Jezebels threats against his life.

This is where I thought to myself even after this powerful man of God overcame a huge victory he still can doubt and fear?? It says Elijah fled and that was where God spoke to him again and gave him more instruction where he ultimately found his successor Elisha.

Have you ever overcame a huge victory only to get attacked by the enemy the next day? Have you ever had to overcome diversity in the midst of a storm? Be encouraged today and know that even strong men in the Bible like Elijah was discouraged after a huge victory but he still stayed the course and obeyed God.

Sunday Morning VIP

I wanted to share my VIP that I shared with our Welcome Team today at Turning Point Church. I got this from a blog from Steven Furtick of Elevation Church.

…He overlaid (the ark) with pure gold, both inside and out, …
-Exodus 37:1-2

The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. It served as the storage center for the Ten Commandments, and was Israel’s most sacred possession. It makes perfect sense to overlay the ark with gold on the outside. Everybody’s going to see that part every time it makes a public appearance. Obviously, we want to do everything we can to make God look good, and to represent him well in front of others. Like new bark, a clean building, creative messages, honoring our guests, dynamic children’s ministry and awesome praise and worship

But why bother overlaying the inside of the ark with gold? Wouldn’t silver suffice? Is that really necessary? Isn’t it a bit Extravagant? Wasteful? Secondary? Unproductive? Not for a purpose as important as the presence of God. Only the best is acceptable.

Let’s make it more personal. Do I overlay the inside parts of my personal life with gold? Do I speak well of others at all times? Am I a loving, kind, thoughtful husband and father everyday of the week?

It’s important to give our best to the seen and unseen places in our lives and ministries.
When we honor God in the places no one sees
He will honor us in the places everyone sees.

Excellence is an inside job.

Come Out of Your Shell

I was reading in the book of Romans the message version in chapter 12 verses 1-2 where it says:

“So here’s what I want to do, God helping you. Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God wants to bring the best out of your, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

I can tell you that lately I have been stretched way out of my comfort zone. For the past several months I have been getting out in the community and attending meetings, outreaches, community events and get togethers. I can tell you that I can put on a front but truly down deep inside I am shy and a little intimidated walking into an even where I only know about 2 people. However I quickly realize that that is where God wants me to be, among people and stretching the fear of any type of embarrassment out of me. You see that is why I am shy, it is because the fear of embarrassment, ever felt that way?

At church I lead our welcome team where at any given time I am to walk up to people start a conversation with them even if I don’t know them. I am welcoming in new guests and don’t even know them from anywhere and I can tell you in my position I can’t do it in my strength but with God I can. Just like the Paul says in Romans God wants to bring the best out of you.

Today I want to challenge you to allow God to pull out that shyness in you! Say hello to someone you don’t even know, weather out to eat, pumping up gas, in the line at the grocery store, but do something to break out of your shell. Then please share what you did. You can email me at bradpost@turn4good, write on my Facebook wall, or Twitter me.

Hope Atlanta

We had a group from Turning Point go up to Atlanta this past Saturday to help with an group that needs your help. Shaun King and his team at Courageous Church are heading up an outreach to help the flood victims in Atlanta. Hope Atlanta was formed to bring hope by helping Atlanta’s Flood victims.

Early estimates showed at least 5,000 families have lost everything due to the flood. Damages are in the 250+millions and only maybe 10% of those people had flood insurance.

I want to encourage you that there are four ways you can help. Check out http://www.hopeatl.com to find out more about this effort.

You can help by 1. Volunteering your time, 2. Donations, 3. Cash and gift cards 4. Spreading the word.
Check it out and get involved.

Overcome

Last week God gave me some insight that I wanted to share with you today and pray that this message will radically impact and change some of your struggles that you might deal with on a daily basis. I wanted to open up to you today and share that last week, I was being attacked hard by the enemy and he was hitting me with depression, discouragement, and doubt. I was down and not up to my normal self. I could hold it together but the enemy was really working on me and I started feeling it not only mentally but also physically.

In prayer God gave me James 4:7, where it says “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

So while driving in my car to work I started saying and then shouting over and over again the following;

“I resist you depression and now you must flee from me!”

“I resist you doubt and now you must flee from me!”

“I resist you discouragement and not you must flee from me!”

What you can do is INSERT what you are dealing with in this verse and then just say it out loud, shout it if you need to over and over. You might be dealing with depression, lust, addictions, fear, doubt, sickness or whatever, but with His word you will overcome. As I kept saying that I could feel that I was spiritually making some breakthrough in my life however it was not instant. I did not really feel the entire impact of it until the next day when I woke up and felt much better.

I was also reminded in Matthew chapter 4:1-11 that the way Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil was he quoted the word. “It is written….man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God…do not put the Lord your God to the test…Away from me Satan…worship the Lord your God only and serve Him only!!!”

Today resist the enemy and he will flee from you. I would be honored if you shared any insight or thoughts on this subject.

#TheLast100days

Last Night I challenged my small group to read through the entire New Testament in the next 100 days. I have broken it down to make it easier below. This was from a challenge I found on Twitter for the #thelast100days to develop us into making daily habits of reading our bible. I also feel this will catapult us into 2010 and continue a daily habit of reading the Word. I will also be sending out and updating questions of our daily readings that I want to challenge you also to answer.
9-22 Matthew 1-4
9-23 Matthew 5-6
9-24 Matthew 7-8
9-25 Matthew 9-10
9-26 Matthew 11-12
9-27 Matthew 13-14
9-28 Matthew 15-17
9-29 Matthew 18-19
9-30 Matthew 20-21
10-1 Matthew 22-23
10-2 Matthew 24-25
10-3 Matthew 26
10-4 Matthew 27-28
10-5 Mark 1-3
10-6 Mark 4-5
10-7 Mark 6-7
10-8 Mark 8-9
10-9 Mark 10-11
10-10 Mark 12-13
10-11 Mark 14
10-12 Mark 15-16
10-13 Luke 1
10-14 Luke 2-3
10-15 Luke 4-5
10-16 Luke 6-7
10-17 Luke 8-9
10-18 Luke 10-11
10-19 Luke 12-13
10-20 Luke 14-16
10-21 Luke 17-18

10-22 Luke 19-20
10-23 Luke 21-22
10-24 Luke 23-24
10-25 John 1-2
10-26 John 3-4
10-27 John 5-6
10-28 John 7-8
10-29 John 9-10
10-30 John 11-12
10-31 John 13-15
11-1 John 16-18
11-2 John 19-21
11-3 Acts 1-3
11-4 Acts 4-6
11-5 Acts 7-8
11-6 Acts 9-10
11-7 Acts 11-13
11-8 Acts 14-15
11-9 Acts 16-17
11-10 Acts 18-20
11-12 Acts 21-23
11-13 Acts 24-26
11-14 Acts 27-28
11-15 Romans 1-3
11-16 Romans 4-7
11-17 Romans 8-10
11-18 Romans 11-13
11-19 Romans 14-16
11-20 1 Corinthians 1-4
11-21 1 Corinthians 5-8

11-22 1 Corinthians 9-11
11-23 1 Corinthians 12-14
11-24 1 Corinthians 15-16
11-25 2 Corinthians 1-4
11-26 2 Corinthians 5-9
11-27 2 Corinthians 10-13
11-28 Galatians 1-3
11-29 Galatians 4-6
11-30 Ephesians 1-3
12-1 Ephesians 4-6
12-2 Philippians
12-3 Colossians
12-4 1 Thessalonians
12-5 2 Thessalonians
12-6 1 Timothy
12-7 2 Timothy
12-8 Titus-Philemon
12-9 Hebrews 1-6
12-10 Hebrews 7-10
12-11 Hebrews 11-13
12-12 James
12-13 1 Peter
12-14 2 Peter
12-15 1 John
12-16 2 John-Jude
12-17 Revelation 1-3
12-18 Revelation 4-8
12-19 Revelation 9-12
12-20 Revelation 13-16
12-21 Revelation 17-19
12-22 Revelation 20-22
Day 1 Matthew 1-4
1. Chapter 1 is sometimes known as the "begat chapter." Why do you think it is important for Matthew to include this genealogy?
2. What do you notice about Matthew's Christmas story that is different from what you are used to hearing?
3. What prompted Jesus to go into the wilderness following his baptism?

Always In His Presence

Psalm 139:1-10 (The Message)

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
then up ahead and you’re there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can’t take it all in!
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!

Today as I write to you, I want to encourage you to know that anything you do, God is with you. He knows your thoughts, your prayers, your hurts, your pains, your success, and your future. Be in prayer today and remember the words of David in this Psalm and know that you are Always in His Presence.

Welcome vs Honor

I shared this with our Welcome Team this morning from Turning Point Church at our VIP meeting which was inspired from a conversation I had earlier this week with Larry Brey from Elevation Church from a blog he posted. It covers the difference between welcoming someone and honoring them. This would relate to anyone in church, in business and at the house.

There is a huge difference when we welcome someone into our house, church or business and honor them. Welcoming is great and people feel a sense of security but honoring someone is totally different.

The difference in our Welcome Team:

• For our Greeters: is not just handing them a bulletin and saying welcome but if it is their first time and they have children walk them to the children’s check in, talk with them during the process.

• For our Parking Team: it is a difference from just waving at them and actually opening the door with them.

• For our Ushers and Sanctuary Greeters: it is a difference in saying showing them where the coffee is and making it for them or showing them an open seat and actually taking them to it.

Try this phrase when you see a client, friend or co-worker this week, “It is an honor to see you today.” There is such a greater impact than saying anything else. I used this a few times this Sunday and had a few people look at me like “wow” or they were just looking at me like I was crazy..one of the two.

What Leadership Means to Me? Guest Writer Mark Galey

Guest Writer: Mark Galey

“…for many are called, but few chosen”. I think Leadership is a choice.

I’m sure we’ve all heard, ‘he/she is a natural born leader’.
Yes, it seems there are some people who are better wired for leadership and at varying degrees.
I think we decide how far we will go, for how long and we each have our own ‘why’.

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”
Am I up for this? What price are you willing to pay?

From my experience leaders are trained and groomed. It says…
‘Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth’
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.

We are all hungry for knowledge about something and I’m guessing by you reading this blog your interested in becoming a better Leader, so here is my prayer for you;
Father I pray wisdom, patience, understanding, compassion, assertiveness, clarity, purpose, confidence, articulation, strength and most of all love for this Leader Reader. I don’t know all their needs but I know you do!! So Father reveal to them what they are seeking so they can better serve. Make them whole, Bless them and their families for their sacrifices, keep them in health and may that gut burning desire they have never be distinguished but rather always be a warm welcoming glow. Amen!!

Connect with Mark Galey Here on Facebook, Here on Twitter or check out his websites @ http://www.magnetconstruction.com, http://www.projectmcdonough.com, http://www.atlantafullercenter.org

What Leadership Means To Me? Guest Writer Jeremy Martin

Guest Writer: Jeremy Martin

First, I want to thank Brad for the opportunity that he gave to me to be a guest blogger. This was the first time I had been asked to do so by anyone and I was honored to do so. With that being said, let us dig right in.

One of the most important aspects of Leadership to me is serving others. Did I lose some of you? I know that in our society oftentimes when one thinks of being a leader hey think of having all the power, delegating responsibilities, and having others serve you. Is that really what it is all about though? I think not.

I believe part of the foundation of Christ's teachings was caring for others and being compassionate servants to those that not only need our support, but to those that need our leadership. (Matthew 20:26-28) I think as believers we would all agree that Jesus was the ultimate leader throughout history and he served and eventually even died for us all. (John 10:11)

Another very important part of leadership while serving others is to remain transparent. It can be discouraging for those that follow you to see how "great" your life is; free of struggles, sorrow, and pain. By being transparent and even allowing there to be vulnerability by sharing your struggles with others it will allow them to see that they are not alone in their struggles.

I think all too often new believers come along (or even those that do not believe that are watching us) and they see strength, power, joy, etc. Then when they see others struggling with life it opens the door of the enemy to fill them with lies about how they are not "good enough" to be a leader themselves.

I sincerely and passionately believe, if we serve those around us and remain vulnerable and honest about the struggles we encounter in life that we can change the perception of a generation. Thus allowing them to see the true gospel. Once this is accomplished then we can lead more to salvation which in turn leads to inner healing and moves on to preparing those same individuals for discipleship to go out and spread the gospel and minster to others. You may be the President of a division in your company or the barista at your local Starbucks...either way you ARE a leader and should work hard every day to be the best leader you can be. As we continue to surrender to His will; He will continue to do works in us that will allow us to become the leader he has specifically and uniquely designed us all to be!

You can connect with Jeremy Here on Facebook, or on twitter Here and you can read his blogs @ http://imnobetterthanu.blogspot.com

What Leadership Means To You? Guest Writer Beau Kelley

Guest Writer: Beau Kelley

A "leader" is a number of things. He or she can be someone that delegates, motivates, gathers followers, or evokes authority. A leader can be an administrator or manager. A leader can also simply be someone with a title like "president" or "governor."

But I like to think about what makes an effective leader. I think of a famous quote (that I have always loved) from President John Quincy Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." Inspiration is the key.

When we motivate, we serve ourselves first; when we inspire, we serve others first. Inspiring leaders appeal to the heart and soul by engaging, exciting, and nourishing the spirit. A true leader gives people more than just a reason to work - they give them a passion for work.

To me, merely telling people what to do (to motivate them) does not really accomplish much in the long term. Of course, we admire leaders who motivate us. But the ones we love and respect are what most people would call a servant-leader: someone whose true leadership emerges first and foremost from a deep desire within to help others or to better their community.

A true leader is not in it for themselves; they are in it for others. In this respect, we can all be leaders.

You can connect with Beau Kelley through Facebook Here or find online at these websites; http://www.abetterhenry.com, http://www.yphenry.com, http://www.buddykelleyproperties.com, or at http://www.greygardensonline.com.

What Leadership Means To You? Guest Writer Vince Farrell

Guest Writer: Vince Farrell

It’s been well said, “A leader is one who has followers.” I’ve keep this saying at the forefront of my thoughts as I minister; because if you think you’re a leader and no one is following, then you’re just taking a walk.

As a follower of Christ, I believe he gives us the greatest example of leadership. He had and continues to have followers. I believe His life reflects what we as leaders should strive to accomplish; that is, “leaders are servants.”

The King, Rehaboam, was told if he would serve the people, they would follow him all his days. He did not and his reign was not a good one, to say the least.

Jesus washed the feet of those who followed him. He set a standard for all of us that uncover God’s structure of Kingdom leadership. “If you want to be first, then be last.”

A leader who serves with, no other motive than, to serve the people; will accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God because he is a leader worth following.

Find Vince online @ http://vincefarrell.com and Facebook Here and on Twitter Here.

What Leadership Means To You? Guest Writer Brian Miller

Guest Writer: Brian Miller

My sister holds the Guinness Book record for the most rest rooms visited over a 311 miles trip. That’s how long it took us to get from Roanoke, VA to Topsail Beach for vacation. Just when you would start to feel the rhythm of rubber on asphalt, her little head would pop up and she needed to go again.

Often I wondered if I would hit puberty before we ever saw the waves, because for me it was about getting from here to there as quick as possible to be able to enjoy it there. It’s an easy trap to fall into as a leader. Leadership is about more than moving from point A to point B.

I used to believe that way, the problem was, when I got to point B, I could look back and retrace my steps by all the bodies I left laying in the dust by the side of the road. All sacrificed on the altar of ego.

Leadership is a delicate balance between people and progress. When the progress becomes more important than the people, the bodies tend to stack up and leadership becomes a lonely place. When the people become more important than progress, you have a bunch of happy people that never go anywhere.

After hitting enough rest stops, I have learned their value as well. It gives you an opportunity to look back and see where you have come, reorient to where you are heading and make sure you arrive together.

Follow Brian’s Blog @ http://www.waystationone.com, find Brian’s Facebook Here or follow Brian’s Twitter Here

What Leadership Means To You?

This week I have the amazing privileged to share with some guest bloggers who will be writing about “What Leadership Means to them”? I have picked a few people who I have reached out to and they said they would love to share in on this opportunity to share with my readers.

Throughout the week I will be copy and pasting these guest writers and sharing their information with you so you can check out their work and writings. I am extremely encouraged about this and hope you look forward to reading this week.

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 5

Accountability

Coming from the corporate world this word "accountability" is probably one of the most common words used, especially in our economy. If you can't perform your duties and responsibilities there are consequences in turn requiring the leadership team to hold you accountable. Being a leader you will have to have those difficult conversations with those who are not performing.

During my role as leader, I would have those difficult conversations but I would always have some direction for them to follow to increase their performance. I would also require them to come up with some ideas and some new things they could do to increase their performance. Many times it worked and their performance increased but many times it did not. Which created another conversation on whether they really were cut out for that type of work or not.

Being a christian was sometimes difficult because there were some people who were just not able to physically, mentally and socially meet their job responsibilities. But I had to speak the truth in love and explain to them that there is something else out there for them.

Accountablilty also comes down to discipline on the persons part and also the leaders part. You loose credibility as a leader if you don't follow up on the areas and discussions you had with that person about their responsibilities. If you are unable to confront those who are struggling in areas then you might not be the right person for leadership.

Again, remember to speak the truth in love when holding someone accountable.

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 4

Staying Positive

Too many times when things get tough and things are not going your way the leader needs to make sure they are staying positive. In leading my team I make sure that I am always positive. Being an encourager, a motivator and inspire those under me. Your attitude determines your altitude as John Maxwell said.

When I first started out I remember telling myself that some people are motivated by intimidation but I was always motivated by positive affirmations. So when leading a team I motivated by staying positive. I would say affirmations, scriptures, and incantations to motivate myself and then in turn motivating others.

I was 24 years old leading a team who were twice my age I had to be different. My positive attitude was just that. After having success a lot of people asked me what was my key. After telling them it was by always staying positive I heard things like "that will never work at my office" but those that actually changed their minds and starting being positive showed success and had much higher employee moral.

People want you to lead them in a positive manner. That does not always mean that you don't have to sit them down and correct them in areas they are struggling in but there is a positive way you can discuss it with them. Praise in public and correct in private. Tomorrow we will be talking about accountability.

Let me know your thoughts on what motivates you?

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 3

Adjusting to different types of people.

On my honeymoon 12 years ago Stacey and I purchased a program from a guy named Marshal Sylver who was a motivational speaker and on his infomercial for some reason we just wanted to purchase his program. We listened to those tapes over and over again.

He taught a principle called "Mirroring and Matching" this is also tied into another principle I learned in the corporate world for sales and leadership called "Adjusting your personal style." Basically what this means is to make sure that when talking to someone who might be either slow or fast in their speech then you would do the same.

I am a "just give me the facts" guy not a "give me all the details" guy, so when communicating with me I prefer people who cut through all the stuff to get to the real facts.

This works for both sales and leadership. When leading someone who needs all the details then you can give it to them, if they are a fast talker then in most cases you might want to speed up you speech to keep their attention. Some people look you in the eye the entire time they are speaking and some don't. I have even heard of some cultures where looking them in the eye is insulting.

However if they feel like you are copying them and their speech it can also seem like you are mocking them. There are also some people who are extremely as they say "thick skinned" and some you have to be a little more gentle to when giving correction or direction. Has this ever happened to you?

What are your thoughts?

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 2

Leadership calls for decisions.

In my years in the corporate world there were many people calling me asking me questions expecting me to answer ever one of them. Most of the time I trained my team when coming to me with a problem to come with a few solutions to the problem. Now of course in the corporate world we still had our policies and procedures and we always had a manual we could go through, but on the gray area questions that did not fit within the guidelines set out called for someone to make a decision.

In my corporate career I was given approval limits to approve lending money to customers. It called for decisions and based on your decision that would determine if a loan would be profitable or for it to go delinquent and cause you to have to personally call and collect. What I am saying here is there are obviously consequences for all your decisions.

Also every day in my decision making I would constantly be in prayer about the decisions but make sure that once I made the decision I was confident with that decision. I learned to make sure that strong leaders when giving a decision would not hesitate even if they were not completely confident in that decision. When making a decision be confident in making it.

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership

Influence is Not about A Position

Many people have the assumption that you need to have a title in order to be a leader. Early in my career I thought that once I reached a manager, or an area training director or a district manager then people would listen to me. I quickly realized that this is not the case at all. Leadership is all about influence. In my many years of managing numerous different types of people I now understand that to get people to do what you ask them to do does not always come down to you being the boss. It more comes down to influencing them why they need to do something. It does not always consist of if they don't do what you ask they might loose their job. But again the WHY they need to do it. The why is the whole factor in the influence.

If a person can see the benefit in why they are doing it then the leader should be able to count on it getting done. Now sometime yes time can be of the essence and if they have trust in the person leading them then the leader would not have to go into full detail on the why.

This week I felt led to share some leadership principles I have learned in my many years in the corporate world and now the transfer into ministry. I will go over five leadership principles this week:

Part 1 Influence is not about position

Part 2 Leadership calls for decisions

Part 3 Adjusting to different types of people

Part 4 Staying Positive

Part 5 Accountability

Take this journey this week with me and let me know your thoughts by commenting in my Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress or Blogspot. Thanks.

is able to update my twitter, linkedin, facebook, blogger and wordpress all not through http://www.ping.fm thanks @jawar

Success out of Failure Part 2

Abraham Lincoln had many failures prior to him becoming our President of the United States in 1860. Lets go over some of his failures,

1832 He lost his job and was defeated for State Legislature

1833 His business failed

1835 His sweetheart died

1836 He had a nervous breakdown

1838 He was defeated for speaker

1843 He was defeated for nomination for Congress

1848 He lost renomination for Congress

1849 He was rejected for a land offer

1854 and 1858 He was defeated for US Senate

1856 He was defeated for nomination to Vice President

Just think if any of those times he would have given up. Paul said to press on towards the goal, to have perseverance. Today don't let any setbacks or failures you have had keep you from your goal and destiny. Press On!!

Success out of Failure

I was reading this past week and wanted to share something with you today. There has been many stories that you can track peoples success back to failures they had to go through.

Abraham Lincoln failed many times before he became our president.

I recently read about Truett Cathy owner of Chick-fil-A where when he first started he couldn't put three words together verbally without stumbling over himself. Three weeks after he opened his first store, it burned to the ground. When he finally got his second store built, his brothers, who were his partners, were all killed in an airplane crash.

Too many times people would give up after that. What's the use, why keep trying? Many peoples failures were handicap them in their pursuit for greatness. But not too many people now a days are born into greatness they become great.

Are You Making Excuses?

I wanted to ask the question today "Are you making excuses?" As I was reading I was reminded of Paul and what excuses he could have made. In 2 Corinthians 11: he was not moved by beatings, stoning, or any kind of hardship and angers. Paul was not deterred by the fact that he was not tall and handsome, like me…just kidding, or that he had a great personality. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:10 that they said his letters were weighty and forceful, but in person he was un impressive and his speaking amounts to nothing. He pressed on past all these things and continued to write 2/3’s of the New Testament. He did not make excuses.

For a long time I always told myself based on some experiences I had in school that I was not good at reading, comprehending, writing or spelling. I did not really excel in any class. I was not athletic like my awesome older brother Brian—Love You man!! I was just Brad. I did not have a ton of friends, but I did have a few close ones. I was not outgoing and for years I was afraid to even wear shorts because my legs were too skinny. The enemy was at work until I finally left those excuses behind and did what Paul did and pressed forward.

Now I am not where I want to be but I am sure not where I was. I have made many excuses in my life that have held be back from the plan God has for me. And I will admit I might make more excuses however I wanted to remind myself and you today that even though we might make excuses we must press forward!!

Be Men of Courage

The reason most messages for men ultimately fail is simply that they ignore what is most deep and true to a man’s heart, and simply try to produce external changes through various forms of pressure. “This is the man you ought to be. This is what a good husband, father, Christian, churchgoer ought to do.” Think about your life, your world. What is being asked of you? What do you feel the pressure to be...?

God made us in His image, as men. He set within every one of us a masculine heart. If we are ever going to find the life we were meant to live, we’ve got to get that heart back.

“Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Have Passion To Make A Difference

I have been reading in Jentzen Franklin’s book “Believe That You Can” which is a great book. But I wanted to share a quote from the book about some of the disciples who were passionate to make a difference---even unto death.

Matthew was martyred in Ethiopia. He was slain with an axe. Philip was scourged, imprisoned, and crucified. Thaddaeus died on a cross at Odessa. James the Lesser was stoned and beaten to death with a fuller’s club. Thomas was speared because he enraged a pagan priest. John the Beloved was forced into a pot of boiling oil. He miraculously escaped and was exiled to Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Peter was slain by Nero upside down on a cross, and his wife was crucified with him. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Nathanael was tortured and crucified with his head facing downward.

These men made a huge difference but ended up paying the ultimate cost which was death. We need to live everyday with the same passion to be so sold out to make a difference that we are willing to die for it.

In prayer recently God and I had a conversation and I was sharing with him that I am only one man, how big of a difference can I make. He said to me, “Yes, you are one man and any type of a difference starts in the hearts of one person. So stay the course and don’t look back.” I am committed to making a difference in my children, in my wife and in my life.

How committed to making a difference are you? Let's join together to make a difference.

Project McDonough

This past Saturday we had an awesome opportunity to help serve in our community with a group called The Fuller Center on Project McDonough. We had a team from Turning Point and other teams out at Mrs. Miller’s house on 185 Old Griffin Rd in McDonough where we were helping fix up a house. I consider The Fuller Center kind of a Habitat For Humanity meets Extreme Makeover. They are such an amazing group of people to work with. We worked closely with Mark Galey and Shane Persaud the two men who have been heading up this project. They are completely remodeling this house and by only volunteer work and work highly off donations to fund this entire project.

The entire experience itself was very well organized, with specific instructions coming from Mark and Shane so everyone knew exactly what needed to be done. And again the awesome thing is it was all volunteers doing the work. What is so amazing is that when someone gets a vision in their mind to help someone they have to cast that vision to others and get their buy in to participate. That is exactly what Mark and Shane have done in this project. They have been in the local news, the local newspapers and local magazines here in Henry County.

Upcoming for Project McDonough:

September 5th is the big day when they are dedicating the house back to Mrs. Miller and we only have one more Saturday to get this done. So I want to ask all folks in the Henry County area if you want to make a difference and participate in something completely awesome. Come out this Saturday at 8am or when you can make it and do what you can. I know I will be there again and will have another group from Turning Point participating in this event.

Soil

My prayer today is for Turning Point Church to continue to be the “good soil.” We have seen some awesome things happening here and we are heading into an amazing season in our church.

Psalm 1:3 says,

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf do not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 says,

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.”

Matthew 13:3-8 says,

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop-a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

I pray this today that we will all be the good soil and we will be like the tree planted by the streams of water.

Three Words (I AM HE) Part 2

This is continued from “I AM HE” post from yesterday. It talks about after Jesus said this in John 18:7 He asks again;

“Who is it you want?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

You see they came to take Him and arrest Him but He had some of His disciples with Him and I believe that in verse 4, 6 and verse 8 , He was emphasizing that Jesus cared for the disciples even as He was going to His death. Twice he made them say plainly that He was the one they wanted.

And then to continue in Verse 8:

“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

I AM HE

I wanted to share a few verses that really stood out to me and we discussed them in our small group tonight. The night that Jesus was getting arrested in John Chapter 18 it says that Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place that Jesus had often met with his disciples. So Judas came in the grove, guiding a DETACHMENT OF SOLDIERS and SOME OFFICIALS from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were all carrying TORCHES and WEAPONS.

And of course Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen, went out and asked, “Who is it you want?”

"Jesus of Nazareth", they replied.

“I AM HE” Jesus said. And it says in verse 6, that when He said that THEY DREW BACK AND FELL TO THE GROUND!!!

Seriously how powerful is that. They literally drew back and fell to the ground from the three words Jesus spoke. They came to arrest a meek peasant and instead were met in a dim light by a majestic and powerful person.

I was encouraging out awesome welcome team at Turning Point Church this past Sunday. I was reading this past week in 1 Samuel when Samuel anoints David in chapter 16 in verse 7, The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” And then David goes on to take on Goliath but before he does he meets with Saul and in 1 Samuel 17:33, Saul says to David, “you are only a boy, and he has been fighting man from his youth.”

It is very true that God does not look at our outward appearance however what I was taking out of these verses might be a little controversial in saying that man does look at the outward appearance. So as the church and the volunteers in the church we need to make sure we are keeping things clean, if you see a piece of trash in the parking lot, or on the floor let’s make sure to pick it up. If there is water on the sink in the bathroom lets wipe it down.

The true fact is that yes God does see our heart but on Sundays when we are seeing anywhere from 10-30 visitors seeing our church for the first time we need to make a good impression. It is said that people make a decision in the first five minutes of their church experience whether they will come back or not. So let’s make a good impression.

By Faith

Inspired by Hebrews chapter 11

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.

By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings.

By faith Enoch was taken from his life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found dead, because God had taken him away

And without faith it is impossible to please God.

By faith Abraham when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith Abraham even though past age and Sarah was barren was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. By faith Abraham when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

By faith Jacob when he was dying blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

By faith Moses parents hid him for three months after he was born. By faith Moses, when he had grown up refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

By faith Rahab, because she was welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Run Fatboy Run

I watched a movie last night called “Run Fatboy Run” where a guy named Denis leaves his fiancée at the altar running away and spends the next five years trying to get her back. He decides to run in a marathon to prove to her that he can finish something. But unfortunately he is out of shape and he has only 3 weeks to train. Another guy is trying to scare him and tells him about the wall that a lot of runners might run into where you hit a point in the race whether it is 5 miles in or 25 miles in and you can’t breathe, can’t move and can’t think.

Ever ran into a wall in your life? This reminded me of Paul in Philippians 3:14 where he says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul is reminding us that we have to press on and not let the “Walls” in life set us back. Your wall might be limited thinking, lack of money, lack of knowledge, or something holding you back to doing something significant in your life.

God has called each of us to “Do Something Significant” in our lives and it needs to start today. I have never talked to anyone who has done something significant in their lives that did not run into a the “Walls” of life that set them back.
We are called to do something significant.

Never Stop Exploring

We had our small group meet tonight where we had men around the table and discussed a few things inspired from our readings:

The Core of a mans heart is undomesticated and that is good. “I am not alive in an office” as one Northface ad has it “I am not alive in a taxi cab, I am not alive on a sidewalk.” Their conclusion is never stop exploring.

Proverbs 20:5 says “The heart of a man is like deep water”..and Deep in a mans heart is some fundamental questions that simply cannot be answered at a kitchen table…Who am I? What am I made of? What am I destined to? A man is called out called up into something bigger than he ever imagined.

Ever taken a step that was even bigger than you? Explain how and where? Maybe a marriage, maybe a new job, maybe a new house..etc

The Harvest

Isaiah 9:3
“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy, they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest.”

We are entering a time where I really feel like we are going to see a harvest of souls in the church. We all need to be in prayer during these times that we continue as the Body of Christ to enlarge the nations, enlarge the territory, and enlarge the harvest for His glory. We have been very intentional here at Turning Point Church to make sure we are focused on the harvest. We have recently started a new season of our small groups, started a new growth track for spiritual growth and have been creative in presenting the message of hope for Jesus Christ during our morning worship services.

I will ask you to continue to keep us all lifted up in your prayers and keep the Body of Christ (other churches) lifted up in prayer. We have to remember that we as the church are not in competition with each other but furthering His Kingdom for His Glory!!

Bathtub...Monsoo

So my wife and I go on a date day on Friday and after dropping the kids off at school and going to Starbucks for a coffee and breakfast, I take her to get pedicures. We get right in and we are able to sit next to each other on those amazing chairs that massage you the entire time you are getting a pedicure. I really think that the chair alone is worth the $15 dollars it cost for the pedicure. I start reading my book called “Believe that you can” by Jentzen Franklin and Stacey starts looking at her IKEA catalog. The women doing our pedicures are extremely nice however don’t speak too much English. The girl doing Stacey’s pedicure whispers to her is he—pointing to me—a pastor? And Stacey briefly explains yes he is a connections pastor for our church.

So they continue to talk to all the other women in the shop in Vietnamese kind of making us feel a little awkward, if you know what I mean? But anyway we don’t mind because it is a Christian environment and all the women there are Christians. They even give a discount for those in the full time ministry.

So she finishes my pedicure and as I get up she says to me in broken English, “Bathtub” in Vietnamese is “Mon-soo.” I am thinking WHAT? I look back at Stacey like can you translate and she just nods not helping at all. She says it again “Bathtub” and now you say it in Vietnamese “Mon-soo.” I once look back at Stacey with a “do I really have to say this look” and she again just nods and gives me the ok. I say yes “Bathtub…Monsoo”. Just thinking like maybe she was just saying the thing I just put my feet in was a Bathtub. I awkwardly try to dismiss myself up to the front of the store exiting from the conversation while she finishes up Stacey.

2 hours later in the car---Stacey said, I think she was saying….”Pastor” not bathtub? I start cracking up and going OK that makes more sense. So even if you don’t know what is being said to you, you might want to do a little more digging into find out exactly what you are being told.

I learned from this lesson—If I don’t understand what they are saying, then just ask until you find out. Don’t be embarrassed to ask.

Have you ever had something like this happen to you?