Recently I had the great privilege to do a training session for a group of people who will be volunteering in a prayer-line phone bank. A great church in our area, Sagemont Church, Houston, TX, is adding a television broadcast to their ministry outreach. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning!
Now maybe at first you might be thinking that Saturday is a better day to sleep in or get outside during great weather. Yet how much better it is to be in the company of people whose hearts and minds are setting God first. These folks have all the regular demands on their schedules we all share. But they made the time to come out and prepare to help others. Volunteers are a special group of people to start with. However, when they set their hearts and minds to seek God's will to help others its really special.
They came and spent what felt like a tiny moment yet in fact was two hours of training. They listened; they interacted and asked great questions. It's exciting to think how God will use this team to minister to total strangers who call out for someone who will care enough to pray and intercede on their behalf. It is always a special blessing to be used of God and have a small part in seeing others grow and stretch. Please pray these and the many others who give their time to help others. And of course, remember there are always opportunities to serve for those who are willing!
God bless and have a great Lord's Day!
Copyright 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Great Time in Brenham
A few weeks ago I was blessed to spend some time in the town of Brenham, Texas. If you are not familiar with the place you need to spend some time there. Peaceful, fun and very relaxing. My reason for the trip was to help my mom celebrate her 92 birthday!
We had a great time and it is especially at such moments that I am thankful for her relatively good health. At 92 she is still able to get out and loves to travel. I recall on one occasion during a routine check up she asked her doctor what she should expect as far as her activity level. His answer was that it was up to her, after all at her age she could set the standard.
I have since given that statement more thought and realized the wisdom that was in it. True, statistically, not many of us live to be over 90. So when you achieve that age you can set the standard. However, I find myself now asking why I should settle for other people's expectations for my life now? Of the many things I have learned from my mother over the years, setting high standards for yourself and living up to what you know is right regardless has always been high on the list of lessons learned. I believe that when any of us lower our expectations to match what the world would settle for we have done us and the world an injustice.
So as I continue on this adventure we call life, I chose to set a higher standard. I chose to seek higher hills and mountain top moments. Most of all, I realize that to get to the mountains means crossing some valleys and a lot of climbing. So I encourage you as well to find out what mountain you want to take on and count the cost. Let each of us commit to setting our own higher standards and settle only for the best that God through us can and will accomplish. I don't want to arrive in my 90's and wish I could have accomplished more. I want to reach every age and know that I am doing more.
Have a blessed day!
Copyright 2007
We had a great time and it is especially at such moments that I am thankful for her relatively good health. At 92 she is still able to get out and loves to travel. I recall on one occasion during a routine check up she asked her doctor what she should expect as far as her activity level. His answer was that it was up to her, after all at her age she could set the standard.
I have since given that statement more thought and realized the wisdom that was in it. True, statistically, not many of us live to be over 90. So when you achieve that age you can set the standard. However, I find myself now asking why I should settle for other people's expectations for my life now? Of the many things I have learned from my mother over the years, setting high standards for yourself and living up to what you know is right regardless has always been high on the list of lessons learned. I believe that when any of us lower our expectations to match what the world would settle for we have done us and the world an injustice.
So as I continue on this adventure we call life, I chose to set a higher standard. I chose to seek higher hills and mountain top moments. Most of all, I realize that to get to the mountains means crossing some valleys and a lot of climbing. So I encourage you as well to find out what mountain you want to take on and count the cost. Let each of us commit to setting our own higher standards and settle only for the best that God through us can and will accomplish. I don't want to arrive in my 90's and wish I could have accomplished more. I want to reach every age and know that I am doing more.
Have a blessed day!
Copyright 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Traveling to a Place You Could Call Home…
Last week I had the pleasure of traveling back to Mississippi for a quick visit. One of the pleasures of writing is to not only get published but to spend some time getting the word out about the book. In doing this you meet some of the most interesting people and places.
A wonderful and unusual town just inside the Stateline entering Mississippi is the city of Picayune. It is a small town that has grown in the past year or so not because of commerce but because of the heart of the people. Picayune, in the eyes of economists and statisticians would be a small southern town. However, if you have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that can be touched you will find pleasure in Picayune.
The growth that took place in Picayune stemmed from the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. When the storm came through there was massive damage surrounding the area around Picayune. In Picayune there was a loss of power and water and even some building damage. Numerous trees were fallen or at least limbs were down. But the power of Picayune was not in the power company or any other utility, it was and remains in the hearts and faith of the people and churches.
Since the time of Katrina Picayune has doubled in size as many of those from New Orleans to the Mississippi Gulf Coast moved to the safety of this previously small town. Yes it has doubled in size during that time. Yet the heart of the people of Picayune has remained the same, enormous! Their love, compassion and Christian action can be seen in the way so many have been assimilated into the community. From the Shoney's who initially stopped using their menus and served only from a buffet so they could serve more faster to the First Baptist Church who moved services to the park across the street to meet the needs of the people faster, love has been demonstrated like a giant welcome mat spread from Ocean Springs, Mississippi to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Picayune has always been a special place. The people are genuine and full of those values that make America and perhaps especially the South, a place you want to call home.
Copyright 2007
A wonderful and unusual town just inside the Stateline entering Mississippi is the city of Picayune. It is a small town that has grown in the past year or so not because of commerce but because of the heart of the people. Picayune, in the eyes of economists and statisticians would be a small southern town. However, if you have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that can be touched you will find pleasure in Picayune.
The growth that took place in Picayune stemmed from the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. When the storm came through there was massive damage surrounding the area around Picayune. In Picayune there was a loss of power and water and even some building damage. Numerous trees were fallen or at least limbs were down. But the power of Picayune was not in the power company or any other utility, it was and remains in the hearts and faith of the people and churches.
Since the time of Katrina Picayune has doubled in size as many of those from New Orleans to the Mississippi Gulf Coast moved to the safety of this previously small town. Yes it has doubled in size during that time. Yet the heart of the people of Picayune has remained the same, enormous! Their love, compassion and Christian action can be seen in the way so many have been assimilated into the community. From the Shoney's who initially stopped using their menus and served only from a buffet so they could serve more faster to the First Baptist Church who moved services to the park across the street to meet the needs of the people faster, love has been demonstrated like a giant welcome mat spread from Ocean Springs, Mississippi to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Picayune has always been a special place. The people are genuine and full of those values that make America and perhaps especially the South, a place you want to call home.
Copyright 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Streams of Light and Tuff Decisions...
Pulling back the curtains, streams of sunlight poured in as I gazed at the ocean front view. Staying in a resort hotel, even in the off-season should be a pleasant experience. But how pleasant can it be if you are wondering if you just lost your job? Great way to make a first impression, by challenging your new boss on an ethical issue. Not a big issue to anyone else at the meeting of managers and management officials. Yet it was a big issue for me that could not be crossed.
That moment of my life was almost 20 years ago and yet whenever I think of it I can remember the smell of the ocean, the darkness of my emotions that spoiled the sunset and the look on my manager’s face. The confrontation was not bad or brisk. Yet it was somber to realize that it was a make or break moment in my career. The reason I relive it from time to time, as many of us do with life impacting moments, is because it said a lot about who I was and what I stood for. I have never regretted the decision and ironically that decision energized my career rather than hurt it.
Standing up for what you believe in is one of those things I consider a non-choice. There are people who wrestle with moral dilemmas and issues every time they are confronted with one. However, I believe that when you make firm in your mind what your values are everything else comes a bit easier. I never had to debate my decision those 20 years ago and I still don’t. Faced with major choices I know some things are never up for debate. I don’t have to wonder what I would do with a choice that would compromise what I believe; the answer is no compromise of who I am.
The tuff choices really aren’t that tuff when you decide up front that you believe and stand for what the Bible teaches. Not just about eternal life and salvation, but about eternal principles and values. Make a decision to stand for something this day and everyday and you will discover two things. First, you won’t feel crowded, a lot of people that you thought were close to you won’t be. Second, those who are still around in your life, when you look into their faces you will feel good about it, especially that person in the mirror!
Copyright 2007 © Charles Lyons
That moment of my life was almost 20 years ago and yet whenever I think of it I can remember the smell of the ocean, the darkness of my emotions that spoiled the sunset and the look on my manager’s face. The confrontation was not bad or brisk. Yet it was somber to realize that it was a make or break moment in my career. The reason I relive it from time to time, as many of us do with life impacting moments, is because it said a lot about who I was and what I stood for. I have never regretted the decision and ironically that decision energized my career rather than hurt it.
Standing up for what you believe in is one of those things I consider a non-choice. There are people who wrestle with moral dilemmas and issues every time they are confronted with one. However, I believe that when you make firm in your mind what your values are everything else comes a bit easier. I never had to debate my decision those 20 years ago and I still don’t. Faced with major choices I know some things are never up for debate. I don’t have to wonder what I would do with a choice that would compromise what I believe; the answer is no compromise of who I am.
The tuff choices really aren’t that tuff when you decide up front that you believe and stand for what the Bible teaches. Not just about eternal life and salvation, but about eternal principles and values. Make a decision to stand for something this day and everyday and you will discover two things. First, you won’t feel crowded, a lot of people that you thought were close to you won’t be. Second, those who are still around in your life, when you look into their faces you will feel good about it, especially that person in the mirror!
Copyright 2007 © Charles Lyons
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Plan on Your Prayers, Not Your Despair…
I am always amazed at people’s prayers. Too often they pray as though there was no connection between them and God. I recall the old story of the minister that called the people of a farming community to come to the church for a prayer meeting. Their purpose was to pray for God to send rain to end the long term drought they were experiencing. The preacher went to the platform and announced he was canceling the prayer meeting. When asked why, he explained that the congregation was not serious about praying for rain. After all no one had brought an umbrella.
In many ways that lack of trust in God is still going on. God says through Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Yet, often people pray for an answer to paying a debt, or strength through an illness or joy in a relationship and then continue on as though nothing has or will happen. Why pray if you don’t believe in prayer, or worse, if you don’t believe in the one you are praying to?
I believe in God, better still, I believe He gets personally involved in our lives. I don’t always get the answer I asked for. However, I always get an answer. Sometimes yes, other times no, and often wait. That’s ok. I learned some time ago an important lesson, not only is God smarter than me, He loves me with a perfect love.
When someone loves you with a perfect love they don’t do everything you ask. They do everything that is in their power to help you grow, be comforted, and be more than you ever dreamed possible. God loves His children that much. That’s why the best description of how much He loves us is still found in John 3:16, “God so loved…”
Plan on God answering your prayers. Move forward knowing His best is the best. Remember that you don’t have reason to be in despair when your Father is the God who cares.
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” II Corinthians 4:8,9
Copyright 2007 © Charles Lyons
In many ways that lack of trust in God is still going on. God says through Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Yet, often people pray for an answer to paying a debt, or strength through an illness or joy in a relationship and then continue on as though nothing has or will happen. Why pray if you don’t believe in prayer, or worse, if you don’t believe in the one you are praying to?
I believe in God, better still, I believe He gets personally involved in our lives. I don’t always get the answer I asked for. However, I always get an answer. Sometimes yes, other times no, and often wait. That’s ok. I learned some time ago an important lesson, not only is God smarter than me, He loves me with a perfect love.
When someone loves you with a perfect love they don’t do everything you ask. They do everything that is in their power to help you grow, be comforted, and be more than you ever dreamed possible. God loves His children that much. That’s why the best description of how much He loves us is still found in John 3:16, “God so loved…”
Plan on God answering your prayers. Move forward knowing His best is the best. Remember that you don’t have reason to be in despair when your Father is the God who cares.
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” II Corinthians 4:8,9
Copyright 2007 © Charles Lyons
Monday, March 12, 2007
There is Sunshine Above The Clouds…
The day began with a phone call from a friend who was concerned for my safety. They had heard the reports on the weather channel of tornado warnings, severe rain and lightning in my area. In contrast I was oversleeping lulled by the gentle calming sound of rain coming down. OK, so one person’s storm is another person’s reason to oversleep.
The truth is we often cannot afford the luxury of sleeping in, yet we can always afford to trust in the protecting hand of our heavenly Father. Psalm 20:6-7 state that:
“Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
In my case this morning I was resting because of the soothing sound of the gentle rain unaware of the surrounding storms. However, for the child of God who leans on their LORD, we can be calm. We can be fully aware of the storms and still be fully at peace. We take safety precautions and use common sense, but that is not what we trust in. We trust in God knowing that regardless of the outcome, we are in His care, His provision and in His arms of love.
It really doesn’t matter how many storm clouds there are or how dark they turn. Just above the clouds the sun can still shine. Believing and trusting in Jesus Christ means the storms clouds can still come, but He will be with us regardless. Let others trust in chariots, horses and weather forecasts, but I chose to remember and trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Copyright 2007 © Charles Lyons
The truth is we often cannot afford the luxury of sleeping in, yet we can always afford to trust in the protecting hand of our heavenly Father. Psalm 20:6-7 state that:
“Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
In my case this morning I was resting because of the soothing sound of the gentle rain unaware of the surrounding storms. However, for the child of God who leans on their LORD, we can be calm. We can be fully aware of the storms and still be fully at peace. We take safety precautions and use common sense, but that is not what we trust in. We trust in God knowing that regardless of the outcome, we are in His care, His provision and in His arms of love.
It really doesn’t matter how many storm clouds there are or how dark they turn. Just above the clouds the sun can still shine. Believing and trusting in Jesus Christ means the storms clouds can still come, but He will be with us regardless. Let others trust in chariots, horses and weather forecasts, but I chose to remember and trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Copyright 2007 © Charles Lyons
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