Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics was not the fastest, the tallest or the most coordinated player on a basketball court, but for years this "white man who couldn't jump" dominated the game all because he knew the value of staying behind.
You see when the rest of the players would head in to the locker room after yet another long boring practice session, Bird would stay behind and shoot another 3,000 shots in order to perfect his craft.
Tiger Woods will go down in golf history as the greatest player who ever picked up a golf club all because he understood the value of staying behind.
You see when all the other boys were out on in the neighborhood riding bikes and chasing girls, Tiger was out on the driving range hitting thousands of balls with his dad. Staying behind has payed off for Tiger Woods. He's now a household name.
There was also a biblical character who became a household name in the shadow of the man whom he served. Joshua also understood the value of staying behind. You see when Moses forfeited his opportunity to take God's people over the river into the promised land, it was Joshua who was ready all because he knew the value of staying behind.
Ex 33:11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. NASU
There is something about a person that marks them when they are willing to forego the crowd and stay behind, you know, go the extra mile. It affords them opportunities to make an impact in their sphere of influence.
When was the last time you decided to stay a little longer in the "tent of meeting?" Would you decide today that like Joshua, you will tarry in God's presence a little longer than the crowd?
As for me, "I'm going to hang back in the tent for a while. No, you go on ahead, I'll catch up with you later. I'm just going to stay in His presence a bit longer."
In the Tent,
Jimmy
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Shift Happens... On Purpose!
Shift Happens... On Purpose!
Current mood: Alive and Well!
Category: Life
When I was a mere 14 years of age my dad got the bright idea that he was going to teach me to drive his 1974 F150 Custom pick up. It was a three-on-the-tree standard... a frightening endeavor to say the least!
It's interesting to me how that experience mirrors my own spiritual journey, especially when it comes to going to new levels and growing in my faith.
For example to grow spiritually and get to the next level you need these things: Guidance, Timing, Power, and Experience.
Guidance. Isn't funny how we think we can somehow do it alone? We pride ourselves on our independence... our ability to go it alone. It's a good thing Dad was sitting in the passenger seat the first time I popped the clutch on that truck! In the same way, we need those who have gone before us to "show us the ropes" in this walk of faith.
Timing. You can't just start out in third gear! Trust me. I know... I tried! You have to go through the gears in the proper sequence. In the same way we can't skip any steps on the road to spiritual maturity. Are you trying to skip some steps in your faith experience right now? Go back to the proper gear! That may be why you're stalling out!
Power. You have to constantly be accelerating in order to shift to the next gear. When you are stagnant spiritually, you can't shift to the next gear without stalling your spiritual motor! I remember Dad saying, "Give it more gas!" Perhaps our Heavenly Dad is saying the same thing! So step on it! LOL!
Experience. Theory is great... to a degree! But at some point you have to get behind the wheel, turn the key and give it your best shot. So many Christians read endless books, go to conferences and listen to teaching tapes and CD's and yet they never get behind the wheel and step on the gas! They are stagnant, stalled out and set back.
So, let's get behind the wheel and take this baby for a spin! Yes, you might lurch and stall a bit, but keep trying, you'll get the hang of it!
Enjoying the Drive,Jimmy aka Pastor JMSCC AbileneLoving God - Loving People - Loving the World!
Current mood: Alive and Well!
Category: Life
When I was a mere 14 years of age my dad got the bright idea that he was going to teach me to drive his 1974 F150 Custom pick up. It was a three-on-the-tree standard... a frightening endeavor to say the least!
It's interesting to me how that experience mirrors my own spiritual journey, especially when it comes to going to new levels and growing in my faith.
For example to grow spiritually and get to the next level you need these things: Guidance, Timing, Power, and Experience.
Guidance. Isn't funny how we think we can somehow do it alone? We pride ourselves on our independence... our ability to go it alone. It's a good thing Dad was sitting in the passenger seat the first time I popped the clutch on that truck! In the same way, we need those who have gone before us to "show us the ropes" in this walk of faith.
Timing. You can't just start out in third gear! Trust me. I know... I tried! You have to go through the gears in the proper sequence. In the same way we can't skip any steps on the road to spiritual maturity. Are you trying to skip some steps in your faith experience right now? Go back to the proper gear! That may be why you're stalling out!
Power. You have to constantly be accelerating in order to shift to the next gear. When you are stagnant spiritually, you can't shift to the next gear without stalling your spiritual motor! I remember Dad saying, "Give it more gas!" Perhaps our Heavenly Dad is saying the same thing! So step on it! LOL!
Experience. Theory is great... to a degree! But at some point you have to get behind the wheel, turn the key and give it your best shot. So many Christians read endless books, go to conferences and listen to teaching tapes and CD's and yet they never get behind the wheel and step on the gas! They are stagnant, stalled out and set back.
So, let's get behind the wheel and take this baby for a spin! Yes, you might lurch and stall a bit, but keep trying, you'll get the hang of it!
Enjoying the Drive,Jimmy aka Pastor JMSCC AbileneLoving God - Loving People - Loving the World!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
New Every Morning!
New Every Morning! Current mood: Expectant! Category: Life
I love the fact that every morning I get a clean slate! No matter what the day before has brought my way, no matter how bad I have blown it and no matter what I thought, did or said, today is a new day! His grace is truly amazing!
I have spent a lot of time meeting with people through the years, most of whom are plagued by echoes of their past. Tapes that play the same old recordings of how ugly they are and how bad they messed up and how God could never really love them like He loves others.
What most believers have not come to understand is that every day is literally a NEW DAY! That's right! His mercies are new every morning according to Lam 3:23! Yes, new EVERY morning! When you woke up this morning, you got a fresh start and a clean slate as though He removed your mistakes (iniquity) as far as the East is from the West! That's pretty far! LOL!
So enjoy your brand new day, your brand new life and your brand new faith!
Contending for You!Jimmy aka Pastor J
I love the fact that every morning I get a clean slate! No matter what the day before has brought my way, no matter how bad I have blown it and no matter what I thought, did or said, today is a new day! His grace is truly amazing!
I have spent a lot of time meeting with people through the years, most of whom are plagued by echoes of their past. Tapes that play the same old recordings of how ugly they are and how bad they messed up and how God could never really love them like He loves others.
What most believers have not come to understand is that every day is literally a NEW DAY! That's right! His mercies are new every morning according to Lam 3:23! Yes, new EVERY morning! When you woke up this morning, you got a fresh start and a clean slate as though He removed your mistakes (iniquity) as far as the East is from the West! That's pretty far! LOL!
So enjoy your brand new day, your brand new life and your brand new faith!
Contending for You!Jimmy aka Pastor J
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