I'm Not a Servant to Crisis

It's true that if you can't actively see something other than your present circumstance all you'll ever get is what you see. Some people say, "Well, I have to think about my circumstances. I have to think my way out of them!" And I would say yes, you have a point there. We have to be strategic when we're thinking about the problems of life. However, when that thought process gives way to worry then you've just stepped over into thinking about something you can't do anything about. There's a fine balance.

When I start playing the servant to worry in any form I've just become a workhorse. Thoughts are options, they're not mandates. I don't have to think on everything that comes through my mind. In fact, I make it a job to stand like a soldier and actively choose the positive. Why? Because I don't work for circumstances. Circumstances work for me. They're there to purify me, clarify my walk, and teach me a thing or two about who I am. Not who I think I am, who I truly am. Circumstances are only an opportunity to grow or give up. What's it gonna be?

Our responses to crisis and worry define us in a way that is integral to our making headway in this life. And if there's one thing I know about life, it doesn't often stay exactly the same. There's always something new to tackle. Always something new to learn. And, if I can encourage you to do one thing today I'll say, don't think about things that make you feel insecure. It takes the praise right out of you and there's just no need for that. I love you! Tune into TOP for our live services and get this Word first-hand!

Is It All About You?

Have you ever noticed that when you internalize you become very self-centered? How can you help it? You're the only one you're listening to! I know how that feels. It's the result of only looking at where you're at. That simple habit and an unwillingness to break it, can be devastating to a life.

Over the last few days I've been so encouraged by the people who have signed on to my Facebook Fan Page and posted their thoughts. They're telling me about what they're looking at and how far they can see. It reminds me that the human spirit is amazingly resilient. We can track and survive like a stealth animal. But we have a weakness we need to be aware of. If we have enough rope on a bad day, a bad month, a bad year filled with some discouragement, some hopelessness, we can lose our way. How much time have we lost? We have to look up, and look out. Because when you get down to it, it's really our only choice. Why? Because my question to a person that's stuck in a circular mindset is always gonna be, "Why get upset behind something you can't change." Look up. Look out. And change your perspective. That's the first step.

What Are You Looking At?

I've gotten a lot of great response from people about what I preached on Sunday. Well, in all truth, it was a continuation of what I started on Wednesday night. I hope you caught it. I pointed out our options as believers and more than a few of you were listening.

Every day we make a decision to either stay right where we're at, or to move forward. And the decision we make usually depends on what we're looking at. Are we focused on the lack in front of us, or the supply just beyond us? Because in truth, that supply is not so far beyond us that we can't get to it. Supply is often just far enough that we have to reach for it. Reaching is a good thing, if we'll only get the courage to do it.

Some of us want quite a bit out of life but we aren't convinced we'll get it. To engage in more than the status quo, you have to keep a positive mindset that engages in new things purely for the sake of determination. To remain useful to ourselves and others it takes that kind of ongoing effort. It takes a mindset that says, "Where I'm at is not where I'm staying. I refuse to stay here." Do you say that to yourself? In what small and very active way do you encourage yourself to see more for your life? King David said he encouraged himself in the Lord. To me that says that He saw something beyond his current circumstances. I think he was onto something...

Bishop! Wow!

Hey everybody! What a whirlwind two weeks we've had! It's official, I've been consecrated a Bishop. A part of me wondered if this time would actually come. Not because I sought it out, waited for it, wished for it. In fact, it was quite the opposite. For a long time I wasn't sure I wanted this responsibility. To pastor a group of believers is one thing, to witness to unbelievers everywhere I go is a joy, but to carry the title of a Bishop is another thing entirely. To be honest, I thought of it as an honor I wasn't sure I was up to. I thought, "Is this something I can really handle?" Obviously it is, it's here and for a week now, I've walked in it. I'm astounded at how people are responding to me in a different way. I've heard from so many all over this country with new interest in my ministry. Favor has come to TOP. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts. We're doing the best we can with this new dimension of ministry. Let me know how you're feeling about our transition. I really love to hear from all of you!

Let's Talk Real Talk!

I started thinking about how the church can become more relevant in the world we live in. I thought, "What can I do today to be more relevant?" That's when I thought of this blog. I'd love for this to be a forum where we can discuss pressing issues in society, the church and humanity at large. Will you do that with me? Will you post your thoughts and feelings and let others talk to you about them? Ask yourself if you're willing to view the world from different perspectives. Personally, I think it's the only way to stay relevant.

So, let me get the ball rolling! What are your thoughts about religion? What does that word or, that idea mean to you personally?

Write me!!! Get involved!!!

What an incredible time we had at the Focus Conference in Atlanta! Bishop Eddie L. Long hosted pastors and their support staff from all around the country for three powerful days of instruction. As you can see, my staff is smiling just as big as I am. Pictured with me from left to right is Shannon Butler, Walter Freeman, Sherma Felix, Hayden Oliver, Charlotte Hall, and David Luckey. This is the staff that I recently ordained as lead ministers at TOP. They're beaming for a reason! We had just celebrated Walter's birthday and had fun doing it, too. It was great to be together.

I feel so refreshed in my spirit! Without a doubt we were invigorated with a fresh Word about reaching the world with greater intention than ever before. It's time to get out of our box in every area of life and push toward a new challenge. How can we call ourselves the church and not reach out to people who are in need? And when I say need, I don't just mean spiritual need, I mean daily physical and very practical need. I encourage you to start reaching out to those who need something as simple as a meal. It all starts in our own backyard. Ask yourself what practical things you can do to affect someone's life today. It's through our consistent and practical actions that people will listen to our message of Christ's love. The Bible says that it's God's goodness that draws us to Him. Be good to someone today, practically.

Business

Why doesn't the work dwindle if I'm busy all day every day? Have you ever noticed that the more you do, the more you need to do? What is that? Sometimes I call it being productive. Other times I call it tiring. But there's one thing I always call it - it's an honor! Remember the days when you didn't know what you were gonna do next? Or maybe, that's the spot you're in now! If you are, just put one foot in front of the other and do everything you can in the moment you're in! You'll get the benefits if you don't give up.

After a busy week dealing with TOP issues, issues on my new book that's due to be released next year, and issues with my new album, I'm all three! I'm productive and tired and honored all at the same time. You all keep me in mind as I preach four times over the next three days. Tonight I'll be at a church nearby, tomorrow night I'll preach at TOP's Arlington location, and then I'll preach in two services on Sunday! After I finish it's off to Atlanta for Bishop Long's Focus Conference. I'm looking forward to the next few busy days! Keep me in your prayers that I'll be rested enough to bring a powerful word of encouragement everywhere I go! Be well and know I'm thinking of you too!