Hi blog friends-
I have launched a new blog at a new web address. Please visit me at www.timblevins.com.
God bless,
Me
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Loyalty
I read a definition of loyalty that I really appreciated. It said loyalty is the willingness to make an investment or personal sacrifice to strengthen a relationship.
Why is loyalty important? Loyalty is the determining factor between true friends and acquaintances. Loyalty is a foundational trait in a marriage, in a friendship and even between covenant relationships in church.
What is loyalty? When I lived in Waynesville, NC there was a little restaurant that was just across the railroad tracks from my office. I could walk to it in a matter of 20 seconds. I regularly visited the restaurant. Someone might have assumed that I was loyal customer of that restaurant because I often ate there for lunch. But I wasn’t. I never recommended it to anyone because the food was rather poor, I would tell my friends the food was lousy. And if ever there had been another restaurant opened up near it, I would have never gone back to the other one. I wasn’t loyal, it was just convenient.
I was thinking that it would be dangerous to place convenience as a foundational trait in our most important relationships and if we do then they are doomed for trouble. Why? Assuming you are a married man, what if an attractive woman shows interest in you? What if your friend disappoints you? What if a new church opens up? Loyalty stays the course while convenience jumps ship.
How do you develop loyalty? Simple, you invest in the relationship. People always stay interested in their investments. I learned this when I invested some money in the stock market. Suddenly, my interest in watching a particular stock grew quickly all because I now had an investment in it.
It may be time for you to look at your most important relationships and decide if you are really investing in them in a way that develops loyalty.
Why is loyalty important? Loyalty is the determining factor between true friends and acquaintances. Loyalty is a foundational trait in a marriage, in a friendship and even between covenant relationships in church.
What is loyalty? When I lived in Waynesville, NC there was a little restaurant that was just across the railroad tracks from my office. I could walk to it in a matter of 20 seconds. I regularly visited the restaurant. Someone might have assumed that I was loyal customer of that restaurant because I often ate there for lunch. But I wasn’t. I never recommended it to anyone because the food was rather poor, I would tell my friends the food was lousy. And if ever there had been another restaurant opened up near it, I would have never gone back to the other one. I wasn’t loyal, it was just convenient.
I was thinking that it would be dangerous to place convenience as a foundational trait in our most important relationships and if we do then they are doomed for trouble. Why? Assuming you are a married man, what if an attractive woman shows interest in you? What if your friend disappoints you? What if a new church opens up? Loyalty stays the course while convenience jumps ship.
How do you develop loyalty? Simple, you invest in the relationship. People always stay interested in their investments. I learned this when I invested some money in the stock market. Suddenly, my interest in watching a particular stock grew quickly all because I now had an investment in it.
It may be time for you to look at your most important relationships and decide if you are really investing in them in a way that develops loyalty.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Faithfulness
What does faithfulness mean to you? In a marriage it certainly means purity but it means more than that. It means arriving home when you said you would. It means taking responsibility for helping with household duties and being active in the life of your children. It means setting a spiritual tone for your family. Faithfulness means "you can count on me to do the right thing for you and I will do it all with a great attitude because I love you."
2 Timothy 2:1-3You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. NKJV
In church leadership we should seek out faithful men and women to help with ministry. The key is to find faithful people. Faithfulness in church leadership isn't quite as committal as in a marriage but there are some similarities in the attitude concerning serving. In order to be faithful in church leadership we must carry the same attitude which is "you can count on me to do the right thing for this church and I will do it with a great attitude because I love the Lord."
Challenge yourself today to become faithful.
2 Timothy 2:1-3You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. NKJV
In church leadership we should seek out faithful men and women to help with ministry. The key is to find faithful people. Faithfulness in church leadership isn't quite as committal as in a marriage but there are some similarities in the attitude concerning serving. In order to be faithful in church leadership we must carry the same attitude which is "you can count on me to do the right thing for this church and I will do it with a great attitude because I love the Lord."
Challenge yourself today to become faithful.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lucky or Good
I heard a story the other day about a golfer named Gary Player. I may have a few of the details messed up but the point is still good. The story goes like this. Gary Player is a professional golfer who was smaller than the other elite golfers but he was able to compete and win against the other players. One day he hit a hole in one and the reporter said to Gary, " boy that was a lucky shot." Gary said back to him, "It seems like the harder I practice the luckier I get."
Gary was able to beat his competition because he worked hard and tirelessly practiced to become his best. He was an excellent golfer. People who are excellent tend to be in the right place at the right time, they tend to see opportunities, they make the contacts and so on.
Is it lucky or good? I think it is good effort, being your best, living with excellence and doing it all to glorify God. People who live like this will gravitate to the top.
Colossians 3:23 "whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (NKJV)
The verse says to do what you are going to do, heartily. In other words, whatever it is you are going to do, as long as it glorifies God then do it with excellence. Put your heart into it.
If you and I will do this then we might hear people say, "You're really lucky, good things just seem to come your way." Inside, you will know it wasn't luck.
Gary was able to beat his competition because he worked hard and tirelessly practiced to become his best. He was an excellent golfer. People who are excellent tend to be in the right place at the right time, they tend to see opportunities, they make the contacts and so on.
Is it lucky or good? I think it is good effort, being your best, living with excellence and doing it all to glorify God. People who live like this will gravitate to the top.
Colossians 3:23 "whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (NKJV)
The verse says to do what you are going to do, heartily. In other words, whatever it is you are going to do, as long as it glorifies God then do it with excellence. Put your heart into it.
If you and I will do this then we might hear people say, "You're really lucky, good things just seem to come your way." Inside, you will know it wasn't luck.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
God Heals
Thank you to all that have prayed for me this week.
James 5:16-17 (New Living Translation)
The earnest (or serious) prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.
God strengthened me to be able to preach today as well as hold a baptism service at Wrightsville Beach. Can you beleive that on Oct. 21 the water was still warm? I love Wilmington, NC!
Are you going through something that you would like prayer. Post your prayer request on this bolg this week and I and others will pray for you. God bless.
James 5:16-17 (New Living Translation)
The earnest (or serious) prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.
God strengthened me to be able to preach today as well as hold a baptism service at Wrightsville Beach. Can you beleive that on Oct. 21 the water was still warm? I love Wilmington, NC!
Are you going through something that you would like prayer. Post your prayer request on this bolg this week and I and others will pray for you. God bless.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Sickness Stinks
At church I have been preaching about a Greek word "Soozoo." Soozoo means salvation from sin, sickness, destruction and bondages.
Matthew 1:21She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save (soozoo) his people from their sins."
What a wonderful God we serve. All right, I have been preaching that as Christians we have been given so much, including supernatural healing of our bodies. Everyone has been excited as we have been praying for people to be healed but wait… this week I get sick! Sickness stinks! I haven’t been sick for over 10 or 15 years and now I am laid out on a couch for four days. I went to the doctor and he told me it wasn’t anything major. I began reminding God of my sermon and asking for Him to heal me. Well four days later I’m still sick. So what’s the deal?
Matthew 1:21She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save (soozoo) his people from their sins."
What a wonderful God we serve. All right, I have been preaching that as Christians we have been given so much, including supernatural healing of our bodies. Everyone has been excited as we have been praying for people to be healed but wait… this week I get sick! Sickness stinks! I haven’t been sick for over 10 or 15 years and now I am laid out on a couch for four days. I went to the doctor and he told me it wasn’t anything major. I began reminding God of my sermon and asking for Him to heal me. Well four days later I’m still sick. So what’s the deal?
- First of all, we live in a fallen world and in a fallen world it includes sickness.
- The fact is, I am getting better and as the doctor said, “No major stuff is wrong with me.” That’s a God thing!
- God is still God regardless of how He chooses to heal me. I will continually believe that He is the one that gives me health.
- The enemy wants to discourage me from a timely message. It won’t work. I will press on in faith!
Do you feel like your prayers are not getting answered? Here is a key worth remembering. Don’t give up! Persevere, press on, and keep the faith.
In closing, I would appreciate your prayers tonight. My healing is on the way.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Good Advice
This is some good advice from Will Rogers.
1. Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman…neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
8. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
9. If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.
10. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’ it back.
11. AND FINALLY – After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him….The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut!
1. Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman…neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
8. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
9. If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.
10. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’ it back.
11. AND FINALLY – After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him….The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut!
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