Sunday, April 17, 2016
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
All Inked Up
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Is quoted as saying,
"We are all tattooed in our cradles with the beliefs of our tribe..."
Our family tribe, in many instances, are the first two Ink us psychologically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually with rejection. God does just the opposite of of our tribe. He says behold I have engraved you in the palm of my hand. The word in engrave in the Hebrew, is where we get the word tattoo. God says essentially, while others have tattoo you with rejection I have tattooed you with acceptance in the palm of my hand...He says, I have been willing to go through severe pain to tat myself with your name.
So, who will you believe, your tribe or He who treasures you?
www.apministries.me
"We are all tattooed in our cradles with the beliefs of our tribe..."
Our family tribe, in many instances, are the first two Ink us psychologically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually with rejection. God does just the opposite of of our tribe. He says behold I have engraved you in the palm of my hand. The word in engrave in the Hebrew, is where we get the word tattoo. God says essentially, while others have tattoo you with rejection I have tattooed you with acceptance in the palm of my hand...He says, I have been willing to go through severe pain to tat myself with your name.
So, who will you believe, your tribe or He who treasures you?
www.apministries.me
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Who's On Second
Those that know me, will tell you that I am big on leadership. I believe leadership is fundamental to business, community, home and the church. "Everything rises and falls on leadership,” is a basic principle that I live by and a principle that is applicable across every spectrum of life. However, leadership in the church is tricky business. It is a tight rope walk. It was not designed to be that way, but the human factor has to be taken into consideration in every case and on every level in the church; particularly within the pulpit. As a pastor, I learned how to be number two long before I became number one. I shaped my leadership skills under Pastor Jesse White and refined them under Pastor Ternae Jordan. I have learned to keep my desires and dreams in check as I served the senior pastor. I did this not because my anointing or calling was less, but because it wasn't my time and God still had a lot for me to learn.
Recently, I went on vacation and I turned everything over to my Assistant Pastor, Kim Curry. Kim has the anointing and calling to be a number one – a senior pastor. However, he has served faithfully as a number two. In the sixteen years that he has been a member and subsequently pastor; I haven't had one problem from him. Now, there have been times where we haven't agreed on some things, but he always voiced his concerned in a respectable, intelligent and private manner; where on many occasions he was right. He has been and continues to be my right hand. He is one of the leading successes I have in my seventeen years of
Every pastor desires and deserves a faithful second. However, in many instances the congregation doesn't have that same view. They only see the senior pastor as the leader. When this is done it weakens the church. Paul had Timothy, Titus and Luke. The church moved forward in a mighty way, because of the depth of the leadership bench. The people followed and there wasn't a spirit of competition, but rather one of cooperation.
Why? They realized that it wasn't any one individual's church. It has and shall always be Christ's church – His bride. This is Kim's view and as a result he has made his bones in the trenches of everyday ministry and not just Sunday morning preaching; and there lies the rub. Many of today’s young ministers master in preaching and not participation. They stand in the mirror and rehearse sermons, but they flunk Service 101. This is particularly true in the African American church.
White pastors go on six month sabbaticals and the church moves forward. However, I have known African American pastors that have had their cars driven to the church, in their absence, so that people would continue to come and give. That devalues the senior pastor's leadership and all of the leadership of any given church. We are to come, give and worship, because God is still in the house and we have a Christ salvation not a pastoral salvation; which is no salvation at all.
Getting young minsters and congregations to understand this vital leadership principle is key to the health of the Africa American Church; particularly any church in general. Senior pastors must create an environment that contains a bench full of leaders who are prepared and that starts with the senior pastor’s second. It is the responsibility of the senior pastor and congregation to insure the continuity of the church’s leadership through the development of the next generation’s leaders. We must mentor them, the church must accept them and they must be willing to be taught. Young aspiring pastors must recognize that submitting to a senior pastor doesn't subjugate their anointing or calling, but strengthens it. You are not being asked to give up something, but placed on a path to grow up, and thus, become profitable for the ministry.
I thank God for Kim Curry and his faithfulness to God, myself and Come As You Are Community Church. Great is his reward in this life and the life to come. His service has been second to none and that is not only in my absence, but also in my presence. He knows my heart, he has my back and he still has his own anointing. Our church family must continue to learn to love and appreciate this gift from God. We are blessed to have him on second.
Anthony
Recently, I went on vacation and I turned everything over to my Assistant Pastor, Kim Curry. Kim has the anointing and calling to be a number one – a senior pastor. However, he has served faithfully as a number two. In the sixteen years that he has been a member and subsequently pastor; I haven't had one problem from him. Now, there have been times where we haven't agreed on some things, but he always voiced his concerned in a respectable, intelligent and private manner; where on many occasions he was right. He has been and continues to be my right hand. He is one of the leading successes I have in my seventeen years of
Every pastor desires and deserves a faithful second. However, in many instances the congregation doesn't have that same view. They only see the senior pastor as the leader. When this is done it weakens the church. Paul had Timothy, Titus and Luke. The church moved forward in a mighty way, because of the depth of the leadership bench. The people followed and there wasn't a spirit of competition, but rather one of cooperation.
Why? They realized that it wasn't any one individual's church. It has and shall always be Christ's church – His bride. This is Kim's view and as a result he has made his bones in the trenches of everyday ministry and not just Sunday morning preaching; and there lies the rub. Many of today’s young ministers master in preaching and not participation. They stand in the mirror and rehearse sermons, but they flunk Service 101. This is particularly true in the African American church.
White pastors go on six month sabbaticals and the church moves forward. However, I have known African American pastors that have had their cars driven to the church, in their absence, so that people would continue to come and give. That devalues the senior pastor's leadership and all of the leadership of any given church. We are to come, give and worship, because God is still in the house and we have a Christ salvation not a pastoral salvation; which is no salvation at all.
Getting young minsters and congregations to understand this vital leadership principle is key to the health of the Africa American Church; particularly any church in general. Senior pastors must create an environment that contains a bench full of leaders who are prepared and that starts with the senior pastor’s second. It is the responsibility of the senior pastor and congregation to insure the continuity of the church’s leadership through the development of the next generation’s leaders. We must mentor them, the church must accept them and they must be willing to be taught. Young aspiring pastors must recognize that submitting to a senior pastor doesn't subjugate their anointing or calling, but strengthens it. You are not being asked to give up something, but placed on a path to grow up, and thus, become profitable for the ministry.
I thank God for Kim Curry and his faithfulness to God, myself and Come As You Are Community Church. Great is his reward in this life and the life to come. His service has been second to none and that is not only in my absence, but also in my presence. He knows my heart, he has my back and he still has his own anointing. Our church family must continue to learn to love and appreciate this gift from God. We are blessed to have him on second.
Anthony
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Road Rules
This "Road Rules" series dealt with the need to Dream Boldly, Map Out Destiny Prayerfully, Plan Meticulously and Cultivate Your Gift Passionately. Sunday we will ease on down the road to "Stretching Yourself Strategically.
I believe that this is a season of "Stretching Yourself Strategically." Not just any kind of stretching, but strategic stretching. God's plan always stretches us. It pushes us beyond our comfort zone. It forces us to take a long look in the mirror and deal with the man in the mirror. It's never about making destiny fit us, it's always about us fitting destiny.
Many of us have settled for the limits that others have set for us and even sadder; the ones that we have set for ourselves. Its time to push back! Its time to make ourself fit the plan of God and stop trying to make God fit our plan. Our community needs those that will stretch themselves strategically. Those that are bold dreamers...Those that will tell the divil "Not on my watch!"
Join us as we learn the Road Rules of destiny! Where: Come As You Are Community Church 7910 South Anthony Blvd. Ft. Wayne IN. Need a ride? Call us at 260-4476036.
We are designed to boldly go where no man has gone before, but we must know the Road Rules.
Anthony
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
15 Habits Of Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30
By Brian Dodd On Leadership
“We trust in him. We believe in him. And we’ll follow him to the end of the earth.” – Richard Shermon on teammate Russell Wilson July 29, 2013
I have the privilege of interacting with many great pastors and leaders under the age of 30. Their passion and desire for excellence challenges a seasoned leader like me to get better. Too often, many of my fellow experienced leaders marginalize or discount the value young leaders can bring. This is a mistake.
One place young leadership is not only valued but celebrated is the National Football League. Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, is one such leader. He is widely regarded as one of the game’s top stars and a primary reason why the Seahawks are considered Super Bowl favorites.
Recently, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King interviewed Wilson on leadership and the direction the game is headed. Wilson’s comments provided a wonderful template for the 15 Habits Of Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30. You can read the full interview by clicking here.
Now onto the leadership lessons gleaned from Wilson’s interview that all leaders can learn from:
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Respect Older Adults – When you watch the interview, you will notice the first thing Wilson did was shake Peter King’s hand and give him a hug. There is obvious respect there.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Have High Expectations For Themselves – Young leaders do not view their age as a limitation. Wilson said, ”I have high expectations for myself and I’ve always believed in myself.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Recognize Obstacles To Their Success - Wilson is not naive. He is aware the coaches and defensive coordinators in the NFL are developing strategies on how to neutralize his unique skill set.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Know Their Limitations – Speaking of the game’s 300 lb. defensive players, Wilson noted, ”I don’t want to run against these guys.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Focus On Team Success – Wilson realizes his job is ”just protect the football team.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Are Self-Aware - Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft, not much was expected from Wilson.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Recognize Opportunity – Upon entering training camp as a rookie, Wilson said, ”All I ever asked for was a chance.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Do Their Job – The fastest way for young leaders to gain respect is to do a great job. Wilson said, “I was going to work every single day whether I was a starting quarterback or not.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Earn The Right To Lead – Wilson realizes, “The question of how I became a leader on this football team was a guy who worked hard every single day. Was here early. Left late.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Respect The Industry They Are In – Young leaders can lose credibility if others perceive they view their job as a stepping stone. Not Wilson who “Was dedicated to his craft. Was a guy who took tons of notes. I believe in what I did. This was my job.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Love Their Work – “This was something I loved to do. I got the best job in the world to be the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks”, said Wilson.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Are Not Limited By The Opinions Of Others – Young leaders respect others but do not let others define them. He says, “As long as you can lead there is no certain variable. The only variable it takes is to be a great leader.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Have Attention To Detail – Many young leaders are very passionate. Within this passion young leaders cannot get sloppy. Wilson states, “(I) Have a great attention to detail.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Are Competitors – Experienced leaders want young leaders to bring their best and own the results together. Wilson gains respect by being “a relentless competitor.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Inspire Others – Wilson proclaims, ”A quarterback has to lift the other 10 guys in the huddle up and make them believe that’s the play that’s going to the end zone.”
Wilson is not just a great young leader. He is a GREAT leader. As he stated on his Twitter account earlier this week, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV). Something tells me Wilson will be rewarded greatly this year.
Anthony
“We trust in him. We believe in him. And we’ll follow him to the end of the earth.” – Richard Shermon on teammate Russell Wilson July 29, 2013
I have the privilege of interacting with many great pastors and leaders under the age of 30. Their passion and desire for excellence challenges a seasoned leader like me to get better. Too often, many of my fellow experienced leaders marginalize or discount the value young leaders can bring. This is a mistake.
One place young leadership is not only valued but celebrated is the National Football League. Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, is one such leader. He is widely regarded as one of the game’s top stars and a primary reason why the Seahawks are considered Super Bowl favorites.
Recently, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King interviewed Wilson on leadership and the direction the game is headed. Wilson’s comments provided a wonderful template for the 15 Habits Of Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30. You can read the full interview by clicking here.
Now onto the leadership lessons gleaned from Wilson’s interview that all leaders can learn from:
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Respect Older Adults – When you watch the interview, you will notice the first thing Wilson did was shake Peter King’s hand and give him a hug. There is obvious respect there.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Have High Expectations For Themselves – Young leaders do not view their age as a limitation. Wilson said, ”I have high expectations for myself and I’ve always believed in myself.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Recognize Obstacles To Their Success - Wilson is not naive. He is aware the coaches and defensive coordinators in the NFL are developing strategies on how to neutralize his unique skill set.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Know Their Limitations – Speaking of the game’s 300 lb. defensive players, Wilson noted, ”I don’t want to run against these guys.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Focus On Team Success – Wilson realizes his job is ”just protect the football team.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Are Self-Aware - Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft, not much was expected from Wilson.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Recognize Opportunity – Upon entering training camp as a rookie, Wilson said, ”All I ever asked for was a chance.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Do Their Job – The fastest way for young leaders to gain respect is to do a great job. Wilson said, “I was going to work every single day whether I was a starting quarterback or not.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Earn The Right To Lead – Wilson realizes, “The question of how I became a leader on this football team was a guy who worked hard every single day. Was here early. Left late.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Respect The Industry They Are In – Young leaders can lose credibility if others perceive they view their job as a stepping stone. Not Wilson who “Was dedicated to his craft. Was a guy who took tons of notes. I believe in what I did. This was my job.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Love Their Work – “This was something I loved to do. I got the best job in the world to be the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks”, said Wilson.
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Are Not Limited By The Opinions Of Others – Young leaders respect others but do not let others define them. He says, “As long as you can lead there is no certain variable. The only variable it takes is to be a great leader.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Have Attention To Detail – Many young leaders are very passionate. Within this passion young leaders cannot get sloppy. Wilson states, “(I) Have a great attention to detail.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Are Competitors – Experienced leaders want young leaders to bring their best and own the results together. Wilson gains respect by being “a relentless competitor.”
Highly Effective Leaders Under The Age Of 30 Inspire Others – Wilson proclaims, ”A quarterback has to lift the other 10 guys in the huddle up and make them believe that’s the play that’s going to the end zone.”
Wilson is not just a great young leader. He is a GREAT leader. As he stated on his Twitter account earlier this week, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV). Something tells me Wilson will be rewarded greatly this year.
Anthony
Friday, July 26, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
The Other Day
The other day I walked into one of my favorite stores. There, one of the owners was amening a comment that Rush Limbaugh made. Before I knew it, I opened my mouth and said, "if Rush Limbaugh was black. poor white or Hispanic he was still be in prison for forging prescriptions.
He asked me was I angry (short for angry black man), to which I respond no, my name just isn't Clarence Thomas.
-Anthony Payton
He asked me was I angry (short for angry black man), to which I respond no, my name just isn't Clarence Thomas.
-Anthony Payton
Monday, June 24, 2013
The Successful
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." - David Brinkley
-Anthony Payton
-Anthony Payton
Friday, March 1, 2013
"Success has made failures of many men." Cindy Adams
"Success has made failures of many men." Cindy Adams
During the latter quarter of 2012—as I do the latter quarter of every year, I started reflecting on my wins and loses for that year. The things I did really well, not so well and the things I just totally flunked in.
Now, since I spend much of my time either preaching, or in sermon preparation, and for the last two years, sermon series planning, and promoting, I naturally started grading myself in these areas. I gave myself an "A" in Sermon Preparation and Delivery, an "C+" in Series Planning and Promoting(that was up from a "D" the previous year). Felling good about my grades, I sat back with a smile on my face, and Just when I was feeling really good about my success, the The Holy Spirit began to deal with me concerning my over all grade in discipleship.
It didn't take but a couple of minutes for me to sit up in my chair and hang my head low, because I realized that I had flunked discipleship! I had allowed myself to define my success by the Sunday morning delivery (and everything that I did in preparation for it), rather than my daily efforts to make disciples.
I repented and ask God to show me some men that I could start pouring my life into more directly. He did and I did. The attention to the details of discipleship have revived me. It has helped me to clarify the success of my pastorate and the success and future of the church I lead, by the glow on the faces and the growth of the men I am discipling.
Jesus looked into the faces of his disciples and said, "greater works shall you do." This was a major part of how He defined His success. Getting those twelve men ready for his departure was a three year strategic plan. These men turned the world upside down because they had all of Him in all of them. This strategy was so important that Christ didn't return to heaven until his disciples totally understood that they were to do for others what He had done for them; "Make disciples."
When I look back on the grades that I gave myself in preaching, sermon series preparation and promoting, the words of Cindy Adams rush in like a flood: "Success has made failures of many men."
My role as a leader is not defined or determined by the sermons I preach, but by the servants I develop. Delivering powerful messages without deliberately developing powerful messengers is a waste of time. The bravado of a sermon in and of itself, is not enough to build disciples.
So, are you passing or flunking discipleship. If you are Flunking, let me be the first to say to you, "There is a 'Rising From The Dust' to a better grade."
Anthony
During the latter quarter of 2012—as I do the latter quarter of every year, I started reflecting on my wins and loses for that year. The things I did really well, not so well and the things I just totally flunked in.
Now, since I spend much of my time either preaching, or in sermon preparation, and for the last two years, sermon series planning, and promoting, I naturally started grading myself in these areas. I gave myself an "A" in Sermon Preparation and Delivery, an "C+" in Series Planning and Promoting(that was up from a "D" the previous year). Felling good about my grades, I sat back with a smile on my face, and Just when I was feeling really good about my success, the The Holy Spirit began to deal with me concerning my over all grade in discipleship.
It didn't take but a couple of minutes for me to sit up in my chair and hang my head low, because I realized that I had flunked discipleship! I had allowed myself to define my success by the Sunday morning delivery (and everything that I did in preparation for it), rather than my daily efforts to make disciples.
I repented and ask God to show me some men that I could start pouring my life into more directly. He did and I did. The attention to the details of discipleship have revived me. It has helped me to clarify the success of my pastorate and the success and future of the church I lead, by the glow on the faces and the growth of the men I am discipling.
Jesus looked into the faces of his disciples and said, "greater works shall you do." This was a major part of how He defined His success. Getting those twelve men ready for his departure was a three year strategic plan. These men turned the world upside down because they had all of Him in all of them. This strategy was so important that Christ didn't return to heaven until his disciples totally understood that they were to do for others what He had done for them; "Make disciples."
When I look back on the grades that I gave myself in preaching, sermon series preparation and promoting, the words of Cindy Adams rush in like a flood: "Success has made failures of many men."
My role as a leader is not defined or determined by the sermons I preach, but by the servants I develop. Delivering powerful messages without deliberately developing powerful messengers is a waste of time. The bravado of a sermon in and of itself, is not enough to build disciples.
So, are you passing or flunking discipleship. If you are Flunking, let me be the first to say to you, "There is a 'Rising From The Dust' to a better grade."
Anthony
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Rumba Young Man Rumba
Albert Pike is quoted as saying, "He who endeavors to serve, to benefit, and improve the world, is like a swimmer, who struggles against a rapid current, in a river lashed into angry waves by the winds. Often they roar over his head, often they beat him back and baffle him." The Apostle Paul puts its this way, "We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:8-12 The Voice)
Leadership is a fight. Those of us that find ourselves thrust into leadership are often struggling against a rapid current. We are cracked and chipped by a myriad of afflictions. Leadership is no walk in the park. It is often more like a cat on a hot tin roof. Nevertheless, we are called to make a difference in this world. In the words of that old African American song, we "have a charge to keep and a God to glorify."
So how do we accomplish this? Never loose sight of the significance of your role in divine change. There is value in the role you play in God's divine plan. He knows the plans He has for you. You are here to impact time for eternity. Please remember, there is always a "Rising From The Dust" for all of us. Therefore, "Rumba Young Man (woman) Rumba."
Anthony
Leadership is a fight. Those of us that find ourselves thrust into leadership are often struggling against a rapid current. We are cracked and chipped by a myriad of afflictions. Leadership is no walk in the park. It is often more like a cat on a hot tin roof. Nevertheless, we are called to make a difference in this world. In the words of that old African American song, we "have a charge to keep and a God to glorify."
So how do we accomplish this? Never loose sight of the significance of your role in divine change. There is value in the role you play in God's divine plan. He knows the plans He has for you. You are here to impact time for eternity. Please remember, there is always a "Rising From The Dust" for all of us. Therefore, "Rumba Young Man (woman) Rumba."
Anthony
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
7 Habits Of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs
In Casey Graham, I have the privilege of working for one of the great entrepreneurs in the Christian community. His desire to serve pastors and church leaders by simplifying their lives is why he founded The Rocket Company.
This organization helps churches increase weekly giving and pastors preach better sermons. To read why I now work for this organization, please click here. It is a privilege to join Casey and his team in their efforts.
Leaders can learn much from great entrepreneurs like Casey. In the March edition of Inc magazine, seven of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs share their most important lessons learned when just starting out.
As I read the article, I gleaned seven habits of these highly successful entrepreneurs:
Flexibility – Cosmetics mogul Bobbi Brown says, “When you come from another country by yourself, you’re naturally entrepreneurial. You’re used to figuring it out as you go.”
Willing Partnerships – Smart leaders work with those who want to work with them. Daymond John, CEO of FUBU says, “It’s always better to do business with people who respect you. When you go around begging for favors, it doesn’t get you far.”
Admit Mistakes – Getting started can be messy. Robin Chase, Founder of Zipcar, faced a crisis with pricing early in the company’s history. She says, “As an entrepreneur, you are constantly in sales mode – you are selling to customers, investors, the people who work for you. But you have to be honest when things aren’t going right, and you have to fix them as quickly as you can. These were key issues for us that we had to solve or die.”
Determination - The legendary Richard Branson says, “If you have a good idea, 99% of people will tell you why it’s no good or how it’s been done before or why else you’re going to fall flat on your face…If you fail, pick yourself up and try another one. If you have enough determination, you will succeed more likely than not because of all you learned those times you didn’t.”
Self-Evaluation – Music executive Clive Davis says, “I realized there comes a time when you have to evaluate what you, personally, simply cannot do. It’s not delegating. It’s realizing you really need someone else to strengthen your organization and help you foresee trends you might overlook.”
Exercise Wisdom – Sandy Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems, has had some negative experiences with investors. She wisely warns, “I don’t believe all VC’s are adversarial, but the first thing I tell everyone is: Get your own lawyer. Don’t buy lines like, ‘You guys are busy: we’ll just have someone draw up some papers, and it will be very pro forma.’ Yeah, right.”
Focus – Tony Hawk, skateboarding legend and CEO of Tony Hawk Inc, says, “It’s easy to lose focus. Don’t…I could finally do what was best for skaters again…These days it’s easier for me to turn down opportunities that don’t fit the brand. I have the confidence to say no.”
Flexibility, Willing Partnerships, Admit Mistakes, Determination, Self-Evaluate, Exercise Wisdom, and Focus. If you practice these seven habits, you too may be a successful entrepreneur.
What is one thing on this list that you can do today to improve your leadership?
http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/
This organization helps churches increase weekly giving and pastors preach better sermons. To read why I now work for this organization, please click here. It is a privilege to join Casey and his team in their efforts.
Leaders can learn much from great entrepreneurs like Casey. In the March edition of Inc magazine, seven of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs share their most important lessons learned when just starting out.
As I read the article, I gleaned seven habits of these highly successful entrepreneurs:
Flexibility – Cosmetics mogul Bobbi Brown says, “When you come from another country by yourself, you’re naturally entrepreneurial. You’re used to figuring it out as you go.”
Willing Partnerships – Smart leaders work with those who want to work with them. Daymond John, CEO of FUBU says, “It’s always better to do business with people who respect you. When you go around begging for favors, it doesn’t get you far.”
Admit Mistakes – Getting started can be messy. Robin Chase, Founder of Zipcar, faced a crisis with pricing early in the company’s history. She says, “As an entrepreneur, you are constantly in sales mode – you are selling to customers, investors, the people who work for you. But you have to be honest when things aren’t going right, and you have to fix them as quickly as you can. These were key issues for us that we had to solve or die.”
Determination - The legendary Richard Branson says, “If you have a good idea, 99% of people will tell you why it’s no good or how it’s been done before or why else you’re going to fall flat on your face…If you fail, pick yourself up and try another one. If you have enough determination, you will succeed more likely than not because of all you learned those times you didn’t.”
Self-Evaluation – Music executive Clive Davis says, “I realized there comes a time when you have to evaluate what you, personally, simply cannot do. It’s not delegating. It’s realizing you really need someone else to strengthen your organization and help you foresee trends you might overlook.”
Exercise Wisdom – Sandy Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems, has had some negative experiences with investors. She wisely warns, “I don’t believe all VC’s are adversarial, but the first thing I tell everyone is: Get your own lawyer. Don’t buy lines like, ‘You guys are busy: we’ll just have someone draw up some papers, and it will be very pro forma.’ Yeah, right.”
Focus – Tony Hawk, skateboarding legend and CEO of Tony Hawk Inc, says, “It’s easy to lose focus. Don’t…I could finally do what was best for skaters again…These days it’s easier for me to turn down opportunities that don’t fit the brand. I have the confidence to say no.”
Flexibility, Willing Partnerships, Admit Mistakes, Determination, Self-Evaluate, Exercise Wisdom, and Focus. If you practice these seven habits, you too may be a successful entrepreneur.
What is one thing on this list that you can do today to improve your leadership?
http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/
Location:http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Who Needs Strategy
Roger Martin, dean of Rotman School of Management, says, “The heart of strategy is defining where you’re going to play and how you’re going to win...”
This is a principle too often missed by those of use in leadership, particular those of use in Christian leadership. We take Paul's words "...become all things to all men," to mean do all things, and his comforting words "all things work together for the good," to mean throw caution into the wind.
Now, you may quickly reject my assessment, and may even be offended by it. However, how do you select what you will take part in? Is it because every body else is doing it? Popularity? And once you have chosen--even if it is divinely instructed or peer inspired, what's your plan to win! God told me to do it, is great theology, but when God calls a man, he has plan for the man and that is call strategy.
Strategy has almost become a four-letter word in church leadership. Those that apply it, are told they are trying to bring business principles into the church..."Just let the Holy Spirit lead," we are told. However, to read the bible and not see God as a Master Strategist, is to read Shakespeare without noticing the "thee", "thou" and "tis" of the text.
Time is not recyclable, and for a believer to live and lead Without a strategy, is to live and lead by a strategy, however it's called chance.
Let's make good use of our time, have a strategy and play to win.
Anthony
This is a principle too often missed by those of use in leadership, particular those of use in Christian leadership. We take Paul's words "...become all things to all men," to mean do all things, and his comforting words "all things work together for the good," to mean throw caution into the wind.
Now, you may quickly reject my assessment, and may even be offended by it. However, how do you select what you will take part in? Is it because every body else is doing it? Popularity? And once you have chosen--even if it is divinely instructed or peer inspired, what's your plan to win! God told me to do it, is great theology, but when God calls a man, he has plan for the man and that is call strategy.
Strategy has almost become a four-letter word in church leadership. Those that apply it, are told they are trying to bring business principles into the church..."Just let the Holy Spirit lead," we are told. However, to read the bible and not see God as a Master Strategist, is to read Shakespeare without noticing the "thee", "thou" and "tis" of the text.
Time is not recyclable, and for a believer to live and lead Without a strategy, is to live and lead by a strategy, however it's called chance.
Let's make good use of our time, have a strategy and play to win.
Anthony
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Shelf-Life
I just listen to Daniel Day Lewis being interviewed on 60 minutes. He talked about how difficult it was for him to come out of the character Abraham Lincoln and how he missed that character.
It is both convicting and challenging to think; as leaders we can lead, and inspired people in such a way, that if God would allow anyone to portray us in the future, long after He has taken us home, they too would miss us.
It is a sad reality, that not much of that which passes for leadership today has a shelf-life. It's more about the moment then the next millennium. As believers and leaders we are to impact time for eternity. Visionary leadership helps us to embrace today with the prospective of tomorrow.
God forgive me for the days passed and the days to come, when I have and shall take my leadership so casually. For, I want to be missed.
Anthony
It is both convicting and challenging to think; as leaders we can lead, and inspired people in such a way, that if God would allow anyone to portray us in the future, long after He has taken us home, they too would miss us.
It is a sad reality, that not much of that which passes for leadership today has a shelf-life. It's more about the moment then the next millennium. As believers and leaders we are to impact time for eternity. Visionary leadership helps us to embrace today with the prospective of tomorrow.
God forgive me for the days passed and the days to come, when I have and shall take my leadership so casually. For, I want to be missed.
Anthony
Thursday, February 7, 2013
10 Warning Signs You Might be Glorifying Yourself
by Paul Tripp
It is important to recognize the harvest of self-glory in you and in your ministry. May God use this list to give you diagnostic wisdom. May he use it to expose your heart and to redirect your ministry.
Self-glory will cause you to:
1. Parade in public what should be kept in private.
The Pharisees live for us as a primary example. Because they saw their lives as glorious, they were quick to parade that glory before watching eyes.
The more you think you've arrived and the less you see yourself as daily needing rescuing grace, the more you will tend to be self-referencing and self-congratulating. Because you are attentive to self-glory, you will work to get greater glory even when you aren't aware that you're doing it. You will tend to tell personal stories that make you the hero.
You will find ways, in public settings, of talking about private acts of faith. Because you think you're worthy of acclaim, you will seek the acclaim of others by finding ways to present yourself as "godly."
I know most pastors reading this column will think they would never do this. But I am convinced there is a whole lot more "righteousness parading" in pastoral ministry than we would tend to think.
It is one of the reasons I find pastors' conferences, presbytery meetings, general assemblies, ministeriums and church-planting gatherings uncomfortable at times. Around the table after a session, these gatherings can degenerate into a pastoral ministry "spitting contest" where we are tempted to be less than honest about what's really going on in our hearts and ministries.
After celebrating the glory of the grace of the Gospel, there is way too much self-congratulatory glory-taking by people who seem to need more acclaim than they deserve.
2. Be way too self-referencing.
We all know it, we've all seen it, we've all been uncomfortable with it and we've all done it.
Proud people tend to talk about themselves a lot. Proud people tend to like their opinions more than the opinions of others. Proud people think their stories are more interesting and engaging than others.
Proud people think they know and understand more than others. Proud people think they've earned the right to be heard. Proud people, because they are basically proud of what they know and what they've done, talk a lot about both. Proud people don't reference weakness. Proud people don't talk about failure. Proud people don't confess sin.
So proud people are better at putting the spotlight on themselves than they are at shining the light of their stories and opinions on God's glorious and utterly undeserved grace.
3. Talk when you should be quiet.
When you think you've arrived, you are quite proud of and confident in your opinions. You trust your opinions, so you are not as interested in the opinions of others as you should be.
You will tend to want your thoughts, perspectives and viewpoints to win the day in any given meeting or conversation. This means you will be way more comfortable than you should be with dominating a gathering with your talk. You will fail to see that in a multitude of counsel there is wisdom. You will fail to see the essential ministry of the body of Christ in your life.
You will fail to recognize your bias and spiritual blindness. So you won't come to meetings formal or informal with a personal sense of need for what others have to offer, and you will control the talk more than you should.
4. Be quiet when you should speak.
Self-glory can go the other way as well. Leaders who are too self-confident, who unwittingly attribute to themselves what could only have been accomplished by grace, often see meetings as a waste of time.
Because they are proud, they are too independent, so meetings tend to be viewed as an irritating and unhelpful interruption of an already overburdened ministry schedule. Because of this they will either blow meetings off or tolerate the gathering, attempting to bring it to a close as quickly as possible.
So they don't throw their ideas out for consideration and evaluation because, frankly, they don't think they need it. And when their ideas are on the table and being debated, they don't jump into the fray, because they think what they have opined or proposed simply doesn't need to be defended.
Self-glory will cause you to speak too much when you should listen and to feel no need to speak when you surely should.
5. Care too much about what people think about you.
When you have fallen into thinking you're something, you want people to recognize the something. Again, you see this in the Pharisees: Personal assessments of self-glory always lead to glory-seeking behavior.
People who think they have arrived can become all too aware of how others respond to them. Because you're hyper-vigilant, watching the way the people in your ministry respond, you probably don't even realize how you do things for self-acclaim.
Sadly, we often minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of our own glory, not for the glory of Christ or the redemption of the people under our care. I have done this. I have thought during the preparation for a sermon that a certain point, put a certain way, would win a detractor, and I have watched for certain people's reactions as I have preached.
In these moments, in the preaching and preparation of a sermon, I had forsaken my calling as the ambassador of the eternal glory of another for the purpose of my acquiring the temporary praise of men.
6. Care too little about what people think about you.
If you think you've arrived, you are so self-assured you simply don't think others should evaluate your thoughts, ideas, actions, words, plans, goals, attitudes or initiatives.
You really don't think you need help. You do alone what should be done in a group. And if you work with a group, you will tend to surround yourself with people who are all too impressed with you, all too excited to be included by you and who will find it hard to say anything but "yes" to you.
You have forgotten who you are and what your Savior says you daily need. You live in a place of both personal and also ministry danger.
7. Resist facing and admitting your sins, weaknesses and failures.
Why do any of us get upset or tense when we are being confronted? Why do any of us activate our inner lawyer and rise to our defense? Why do any of us turn the tables and remind the other person we are not the only sinner in the room? Why do we argue about the facts or dispute the other person's interpretation?
We do all of these things because we are convinced we are more righteous than the other person. Proud people don't welcome loving warning, rebuke, confrontation, criticism or accountability. And when they fail, they are very good at erecting plausible reasons for what they said or did given the stresses of the situation or relationship.
Are you quick to admit weakness? Are you ready to own your failures before God and others? Are you ready to face your weaknesses with humility?
Remember, if the eyes or ears of a ministry partner ever see or hear your sin, weakness or failure, it is never a hassle, never a ministry interruption, and it should never be viewed as an affront. It is always grace. God loves you, he has put you in this community of faith and he will reveal your spiritual needs to those around you so they may be his tools of conviction, rescue and transformation.
8. Struggle with the blessings of others.
Self-glory is always at the base of envy. You envy others' blessings because you see them as less deserving than you. And because you see yourself as more deserving, it is hard for you not to be mad they get what you deserve, and it is nearly impossible for you not to crave and covet what they wrongfully enjoy.
In your envious self-glory, you are actually charging God with being unjust and unfair. In ways you may not be aware, you begin to be comfortable with doubting God's wisdom, justice and goodness. You don't think he has been kind to you in the way you deserve. This begins to rob you of motivation to do what is right, because it doesn't seem to make any difference.
It is important to recognize there is a short step between envy and bitterness. That's why envious Asaph cries in Psalm 73:13, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." He's saying, "I've obeyed, and this is what I get?" Then he writes, "When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast before you." What a word picture—a bitter beast!
I have met many bitter pastors; men convinced they have endured hardships they really didn't deserve. I have met many bitter pastors, envious of others' ministries, who have lost their motivation and joy. I have met many pastors who have come to doubt the goodness of God. And you don't tend to run for help, in your time of need, to someone you have come to doubt.
9. Be more position-oriented than submission-oriented.
Self-glory will always make you more oriented to place, power and position than in submission to the will of the King. You see this in the lives of the disciples. Jesus hadn't called them to himself to make their little kingdom purposes come true, but to welcome them as recipients and instruments of a better kingdom. Yet in their pride, they missed the whole point. They were all too oriented to the question of who would be greatest in the kingdom.
You can never fulfill your ambassadorial calling and want the power and position of a king. Position orientation will cause you to be political when you should be pastoral. It will cause you to require service when you should be willing to serve. It will cause you to demand of others what you wouldn't be willing to do yourself. It will cause you to ask for privilege when you should be willing to give up your rights.
It will cause you to think too much about how things will affect you, rather than thinking of how things will reflect on Christ. It will cause you to want to set the agenda, rather than finding joy in submitting to the agenda of Another. Self-glory turns those who have been chosen and called to be ambassadors into self-appointed kings.
10. Control ministry rather than delegate ministry.
When you are full of yourself, when you are too self-assured, you will tend to think you're the most capable person in the circle of your ministry. You will find it hard to recognize and esteem the God-given gifts of others, and because you do, you will find it hard to make ministry a community process. Thinking of yourself more highly than you ought always leads to looking down on others.
Personal humility and neediness will cause you to seek out and esteem the gifts and contributions of others.
Pastors who think they have arrived tend to see delegation as a waste of time. In their hearts they think, Why should I give to another what I could do better myself? Pastoral pride will crush shared ministry and the essential ministry of the body of Christ.
Personal Grief and Remorse
It is important for me to say I have written these cautions with personal grief and remorse. In shocking self-glory I have fallen, at some time in my ministry, into all of these traps. I have dominated when I should have listened. I have controlled what I should have given to others. I have been defensive when I desperately needed rebuke. I have resisted help when I should have been crying out for it. I have been too full of my own opinions and too dismissive of the perspective of others.
I am saddened as I reflect on my many years of ministry, but I am not depressed.
Because in all my weakness, the God of amazing grace has rescued and restored me again and again. He has progressively delivered me from me (a work that is ongoing). And in being torn between the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God, he has miraculously used me in the lives of many others. In love, he has worked to dent and deface my glory so his glory would be my delight.
He has plundered my kingdom so his kingdom would be my joy. And he has crushed my crown under his feet so I would quest to be an ambassador and not crave to be a king.
In this violent mercy there is hope for everyone. Your Lord is not just after the success of your ministry; he is working to dethrone you as well. Only when his throne is more important than yours will you find joy in the hard and humbling task of Gospel ministry. And his grace will not relent until our hearts have been fully captured by his glory. That's good news!
Don't Miss:
www.apministries.me
It is important to recognize the harvest of self-glory in you and in your ministry. May God use this list to give you diagnostic wisdom. May he use it to expose your heart and to redirect your ministry.
Self-glory will cause you to:
1. Parade in public what should be kept in private.
The Pharisees live for us as a primary example. Because they saw their lives as glorious, they were quick to parade that glory before watching eyes.
The more you think you've arrived and the less you see yourself as daily needing rescuing grace, the more you will tend to be self-referencing and self-congratulating. Because you are attentive to self-glory, you will work to get greater glory even when you aren't aware that you're doing it. You will tend to tell personal stories that make you the hero.
You will find ways, in public settings, of talking about private acts of faith. Because you think you're worthy of acclaim, you will seek the acclaim of others by finding ways to present yourself as "godly."
I know most pastors reading this column will think they would never do this. But I am convinced there is a whole lot more "righteousness parading" in pastoral ministry than we would tend to think.
It is one of the reasons I find pastors' conferences, presbytery meetings, general assemblies, ministeriums and church-planting gatherings uncomfortable at times. Around the table after a session, these gatherings can degenerate into a pastoral ministry "spitting contest" where we are tempted to be less than honest about what's really going on in our hearts and ministries.
After celebrating the glory of the grace of the Gospel, there is way too much self-congratulatory glory-taking by people who seem to need more acclaim than they deserve.
2. Be way too self-referencing.
We all know it, we've all seen it, we've all been uncomfortable with it and we've all done it.
Proud people tend to talk about themselves a lot. Proud people tend to like their opinions more than the opinions of others. Proud people think their stories are more interesting and engaging than others.
Proud people think they know and understand more than others. Proud people think they've earned the right to be heard. Proud people, because they are basically proud of what they know and what they've done, talk a lot about both. Proud people don't reference weakness. Proud people don't talk about failure. Proud people don't confess sin.
So proud people are better at putting the spotlight on themselves than they are at shining the light of their stories and opinions on God's glorious and utterly undeserved grace.
3. Talk when you should be quiet.
When you think you've arrived, you are quite proud of and confident in your opinions. You trust your opinions, so you are not as interested in the opinions of others as you should be.
You will tend to want your thoughts, perspectives and viewpoints to win the day in any given meeting or conversation. This means you will be way more comfortable than you should be with dominating a gathering with your talk. You will fail to see that in a multitude of counsel there is wisdom. You will fail to see the essential ministry of the body of Christ in your life.
You will fail to recognize your bias and spiritual blindness. So you won't come to meetings formal or informal with a personal sense of need for what others have to offer, and you will control the talk more than you should.
4. Be quiet when you should speak.
Self-glory can go the other way as well. Leaders who are too self-confident, who unwittingly attribute to themselves what could only have been accomplished by grace, often see meetings as a waste of time.
Because they are proud, they are too independent, so meetings tend to be viewed as an irritating and unhelpful interruption of an already overburdened ministry schedule. Because of this they will either blow meetings off or tolerate the gathering, attempting to bring it to a close as quickly as possible.
So they don't throw their ideas out for consideration and evaluation because, frankly, they don't think they need it. And when their ideas are on the table and being debated, they don't jump into the fray, because they think what they have opined or proposed simply doesn't need to be defended.
Self-glory will cause you to speak too much when you should listen and to feel no need to speak when you surely should.
5. Care too much about what people think about you.
When you have fallen into thinking you're something, you want people to recognize the something. Again, you see this in the Pharisees: Personal assessments of self-glory always lead to glory-seeking behavior.
People who think they have arrived can become all too aware of how others respond to them. Because you're hyper-vigilant, watching the way the people in your ministry respond, you probably don't even realize how you do things for self-acclaim.
Sadly, we often minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of our own glory, not for the glory of Christ or the redemption of the people under our care. I have done this. I have thought during the preparation for a sermon that a certain point, put a certain way, would win a detractor, and I have watched for certain people's reactions as I have preached.
In these moments, in the preaching and preparation of a sermon, I had forsaken my calling as the ambassador of the eternal glory of another for the purpose of my acquiring the temporary praise of men.
6. Care too little about what people think about you.
If you think you've arrived, you are so self-assured you simply don't think others should evaluate your thoughts, ideas, actions, words, plans, goals, attitudes or initiatives.
You really don't think you need help. You do alone what should be done in a group. And if you work with a group, you will tend to surround yourself with people who are all too impressed with you, all too excited to be included by you and who will find it hard to say anything but "yes" to you.
You have forgotten who you are and what your Savior says you daily need. You live in a place of both personal and also ministry danger.
7. Resist facing and admitting your sins, weaknesses and failures.
Why do any of us get upset or tense when we are being confronted? Why do any of us activate our inner lawyer and rise to our defense? Why do any of us turn the tables and remind the other person we are not the only sinner in the room? Why do we argue about the facts or dispute the other person's interpretation?
We do all of these things because we are convinced we are more righteous than the other person. Proud people don't welcome loving warning, rebuke, confrontation, criticism or accountability. And when they fail, they are very good at erecting plausible reasons for what they said or did given the stresses of the situation or relationship.
Are you quick to admit weakness? Are you ready to own your failures before God and others? Are you ready to face your weaknesses with humility?
Remember, if the eyes or ears of a ministry partner ever see or hear your sin, weakness or failure, it is never a hassle, never a ministry interruption, and it should never be viewed as an affront. It is always grace. God loves you, he has put you in this community of faith and he will reveal your spiritual needs to those around you so they may be his tools of conviction, rescue and transformation.
8. Struggle with the blessings of others.
Self-glory is always at the base of envy. You envy others' blessings because you see them as less deserving than you. And because you see yourself as more deserving, it is hard for you not to be mad they get what you deserve, and it is nearly impossible for you not to crave and covet what they wrongfully enjoy.
In your envious self-glory, you are actually charging God with being unjust and unfair. In ways you may not be aware, you begin to be comfortable with doubting God's wisdom, justice and goodness. You don't think he has been kind to you in the way you deserve. This begins to rob you of motivation to do what is right, because it doesn't seem to make any difference.
It is important to recognize there is a short step between envy and bitterness. That's why envious Asaph cries in Psalm 73:13, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." He's saying, "I've obeyed, and this is what I get?" Then he writes, "When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast before you." What a word picture—a bitter beast!
I have met many bitter pastors; men convinced they have endured hardships they really didn't deserve. I have met many bitter pastors, envious of others' ministries, who have lost their motivation and joy. I have met many pastors who have come to doubt the goodness of God. And you don't tend to run for help, in your time of need, to someone you have come to doubt.
9. Be more position-oriented than submission-oriented.
Self-glory will always make you more oriented to place, power and position than in submission to the will of the King. You see this in the lives of the disciples. Jesus hadn't called them to himself to make their little kingdom purposes come true, but to welcome them as recipients and instruments of a better kingdom. Yet in their pride, they missed the whole point. They were all too oriented to the question of who would be greatest in the kingdom.
You can never fulfill your ambassadorial calling and want the power and position of a king. Position orientation will cause you to be political when you should be pastoral. It will cause you to require service when you should be willing to serve. It will cause you to demand of others what you wouldn't be willing to do yourself. It will cause you to ask for privilege when you should be willing to give up your rights.
It will cause you to think too much about how things will affect you, rather than thinking of how things will reflect on Christ. It will cause you to want to set the agenda, rather than finding joy in submitting to the agenda of Another. Self-glory turns those who have been chosen and called to be ambassadors into self-appointed kings.
10. Control ministry rather than delegate ministry.
When you are full of yourself, when you are too self-assured, you will tend to think you're the most capable person in the circle of your ministry. You will find it hard to recognize and esteem the God-given gifts of others, and because you do, you will find it hard to make ministry a community process. Thinking of yourself more highly than you ought always leads to looking down on others.
Personal humility and neediness will cause you to seek out and esteem the gifts and contributions of others.
Pastors who think they have arrived tend to see delegation as a waste of time. In their hearts they think, Why should I give to another what I could do better myself? Pastoral pride will crush shared ministry and the essential ministry of the body of Christ.
Personal Grief and Remorse
It is important for me to say I have written these cautions with personal grief and remorse. In shocking self-glory I have fallen, at some time in my ministry, into all of these traps. I have dominated when I should have listened. I have controlled what I should have given to others. I have been defensive when I desperately needed rebuke. I have resisted help when I should have been crying out for it. I have been too full of my own opinions and too dismissive of the perspective of others.
I am saddened as I reflect on my many years of ministry, but I am not depressed.
Because in all my weakness, the God of amazing grace has rescued and restored me again and again. He has progressively delivered me from me (a work that is ongoing). And in being torn between the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God, he has miraculously used me in the lives of many others. In love, he has worked to dent and deface my glory so his glory would be my delight.
He has plundered my kingdom so his kingdom would be my joy. And he has crushed my crown under his feet so I would quest to be an ambassador and not crave to be a king.
In this violent mercy there is hope for everyone. Your Lord is not just after the success of your ministry; he is working to dethrone you as well. Only when his throne is more important than yours will you find joy in the hard and humbling task of Gospel ministry. And his grace will not relent until our hearts have been fully captured by his glory. That's good news!
Don't Miss:
www.apministries.me
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