Patience

Krista and I lived near the church where we ministered, Friendship AG Church, Richmond, TX...in Y2K. It took me about 5 minutes to get to the office every day. However, it took Krista almost an hour and a half to get to her work every day...one way. I remember picking her up from work one day and driving from the Galleria area back down to Richmond. After 3 minutes of that route I finally fully understood road rage. I could have rammed cars & shot out windows very easily! I still remember sitting helplessly in the traffic, moving by the inch every 30 seconds or so. I was maxed out. Sometimes our walk with God is just like that. It feels like we're moving by the inch when we want to be cruising down the highway. After I thought about it for a while I realized I had wasted my time that day. I was with my wife Krista; we had over an hour of time to talk, reflect, talk about the day, etc. However, I could only focus on what frustrated me instead of who I was with. We could have at least planned a vacation or talked about the weekend coming up; something to entertain us, but I was too pre-occupied with the external circumstance I could do nothing about. I hope you're beating me to the point. Point is: look at the good, keep our eyes on the positive, stay focused on energizing yourself with good thoughts, healthy conversation and being still and knowing that God is the author of your life. In other words, every part of our life is orchestrated by God. Instead of looking around at the many things we can't control, why not look to our God and have a conversation that will be uplifting and productive so that when we're finally out of the traffic jam, we have a good idea of where we're going with God.

Richmond, TX

Krista and I relocated to Richmond, TX in '99. I hired on as the youth pastor for Friendship Assembly of God Church. These next few years would set the foundation for my ministry years to come. They were good solid years of ministry. Friendship is a great church and Pastor Frazier was a good leader and teacher to me. The most lasting impression he left on me was to always give others the benefit of the doubt. It's imperative and of course Biblical to be objective when "problem solving" of any kind when in church leadership.

1) Lead with grace and 2) Mercy triumphs judgment.

Chess

League City, 1998 - I remember my good friend Mike T. who taught me the basic moves of playing chess while we lived in League City. He attended our church and we lived in the same apartment complex. I still remember coming home most everyday and thinking only about playing chess! Within a few days the game of chess had consumed my mind and I still remember sitting on Mike's porch learning the moves and trying to beat him for the first time. I still think about chess all the time! Matter of fact, I play it on facebook most everyday. I make one or two moves a day against my opponents in games that sometimes last for months! Just saying...I sort of enjoy chess!

Christianity should be something that consumes our mind. We should constantly be asking God how we can learn more about Him & best serve Him. If we ask; "How can I better serve my family, my friends, my church?" that's one sign that we're heading in the right direction. Serving God is serving each other. Jesus said if you serve the least of those around you then you have served Him. Matthew 25:31-40. Most new Christians are so excited to serve God it's all they think about; pleasing God begins to consume them. The Apostle Paul says that living a life of Christ is a marathon, not a sprint. Therefore, let's take our faith walk with God in stride, don't burn out, keep on moving forward, even if it's in small steps. Hold steady to the truth of God's promises so that you will finish with the eternal prize of Heaven. 2 Timothy 4:7,8 and 1 Corinthians 9:24.