The information coming out is still very sketchy, but a pastor in Waco, Texas was electrocuted during baptism yesterday morning. It was a very freak event and matters were carried out normally. Pastor Kyle Lake of the University Baptist Community Church of Waco, leaves behind a wife, a 5 year-old daughter, and two 3 year-old sons, according to a press release posted just after midnight.

Due to Homecoming Weekend at Baylor University, the crowd was larger than normal at the church. What was to be an event of celebration wrapping up a weekend of festivities, concluded suddenly and tragically. Oh my, what an unforseen event.

As evangelical Christians, our hearts are saddened by the loss of this young 33 year-old pastor. My heart is grieved even more for his sweetheart and children. What a loss. What questions must abound in that church and on that campus today.

Those questions of "why?," "what is the purpose of this?," and "how could this ever be good?" have no answers. All we know is that we must "anchor deep," as an associate of mine, Jeff Young, signs his notes and letters.

We must anchor deep in the Bible, God’s Word. Any clarity that is needed for matters like these and even things not as tragic going on in our lives today, will only come from God’s Word. We must anchor deep in the God who is Sovereign and WILL work all things, even things like this, to His good. How? I do not know. I am so glad today that I am not God! We must anchor deep together as God’s people at a season like this. No, I have never met this pastor or his wife. I have never been to his church, even though I have heard of it. However, I have heard some of God’s people meeting there around the power of God’s word, Jesus’ message of salvation, resulting in true community. Therefore, I throw down my anchor with them today in prayer and thought. Join me, will you?

You never know what a day will bring. Some bring happiness and some bring sorrow. Life changes more than the seasons of the year. Be prepared today, it may change on you…it usually does so without notice. This is why we must anchor deep.

One of the greatest disciplines I have ever established in my life is taking a day off every week. Certainly there are days it becomes violated, but if able, I just do not let that occur hardly ever. Why? Because the people I work with and the people I serve all need a day away from me and my stuff and leadership. I need it physically, emotionally, socially, professionally, and spiritually.

There are times when it cannot occur due to an extreme circumstance at the church. If so, that is okay and I embrace the challenge. All I know is, I feel it later in those days and it disqualifies me from operating at my best.

My day away is Friday, and I spend it with Jeana. It has enriched our marriage and both of our lives. We spend it together at home, shopping, at a movie, or a ball game. Yes, it is our time.

You see, by Saturday noon, after a couple of hours of study on a Saturday morning, I am getting my "game face on for Sunday."  I use the word "game" not as it being a game, but I am becoming mentally and spiritually ready to stand in front of thousands of people, mostly God himself, and proclaim His Word. Therefore, I am already in the mode of work and final preparation. You may see me somewhere physically on Saturday, but I am only one-half there.

Find a day. Chill. Everyone around you needs you to do that, especially you. God made you this way.

Last night I used my time very wisely as I met with one of the Small Groups from our Springdale Location. This group of younger professionals are led by two great men. Their mentorship and encouragement to these younger couples is energizing to me. Jeana and I mingled with them socially for a time and then we sat down and were asked many questions; it was very enjoyable and moving to us.

You see, after a very long day, an entire day of mettings, and leaving from a three-hour meeting of our leadership, I made a choice of discipline. I have not been home one night this week. My flesh was weak, but my spirit was willing…to be disciplined. We agreed upon doing this engagement and we fulfilled it joyfully. Why?

The Discipline of Time…the power to make decisions about your time based off of priority in life, rather than preference. Priority always calls me to evaluate and ask: What is really important? This was an easy question for me to answer. The two leaders of this Small Group had engaged me in a luncheon months ago. I went away impressed and encouraged, enriched by their vision. I knew that last night would be effective. Why? The power of priority with time based off of strong leadership and a powerful relationship.

Today, your day will be filled with choices about time: Remember, people matter most to God. Be willing to give yourself away daily due to this great priority. We have no choice. Since people matter to God, they should matter to us.

Make a difference with your time today…redeem the time.

I believe the most revolutionary spiritual principle I have experienced through the years is the discipline of having a daily quiet time. Each day, the first thing I do is spend time with God. Do you? Before newspapers, email, clean-up, and yes, CNN, I spend time with God. Nothing has impacted my life any more than this. The issue is not whether you are an early riser or not, the issue is: begin your day with God, whatever time you begin it.

What do I do in this quiet time with God? This is a very good question. First, I pray. I present myself to God for the day. I praise Him and thank Him for who He is and what He does. I pray for various people, matters of importance, and for God to direct my reading in the Word of God. Second, I read God’s Word. I have read it through completely on an annual basis since 1990. This is powerful because it is very important that you listen to God more than talk to God. Do you? Third, I journal a one-page prayer to God which articulates my greatest concerns of the day or days to come. I have done this each day since 1990. It is powerful as I transfer to writing the issues of my life, family, and ministry.

The benefits of this time with God are innumerable. However, I will list just a few:

• Prepares me for the day spiritually and practically.
• Sets matters in order for the day.
• Focuses me for the day.
• Prepares me to hear what God wants to say to me about sharing His message with His people at various speaking venues.
• Helps me deal with people throughout the day.
• Helps me to respond to the uncertainties of the day without losing my testimony.

Have a quiet time. It will change your life. Yes, it will take discipline.

Discipline is a Latin word that means, "a process by which one learns a way of life and lives it." Discipline is often so misunderstood. Yet, it is discipline that can set you apart, take you to another level, and help you realize your dreams, even beyond those dreams. Discipline can have a powerful impact in life.

I believe that discipline has given me the power to multi-task without letting anything under-achieve. I learned discipline throughout life, but it was exclaimed dramaticatically when I drove 60 miles to seminary four days a wekk, pastored a church full-time, and averaged taking 15 hours a semester, never taking summers off. This 94 hours of divinity studies I had to receive to accomplish the Master of Divinity degree would have never been achieved in 3 years if I had not learned the impact of discipline. These lessons in discipline reinforced me to complete the Doctoral degree as well while pastoring full-time, becoming a dad, and dealing with the challenges of life.

Discipline enables me to do what I do today. Otherwise, it would not be possible. Over the next few days, I am going to be blogging about various areas in life where discipline needs to reign.

Whether you want more out of life than you have today, you have multiple tasks to achieve, dreams you want to reach, or weight you want to lose…it all takes discipline.

Stay tuned this week…and inform your friends.

Our reading in the book of Habakkuk this morning was awesome. God raises up evil persons, carnal persons, all persons for His purposes. He raised up the Babylonians to execute judgment against God’s people. The Babylonians were the most evil people of their day. God was using them for His purposes…judgment.

The result: the times were dry and barren both in crops and spiritually. Yet, Habakkuk writes: "I will rejoice in God!" He was rejoicing that God was working, even though it seemed He was silent. God may be silent to your ears and blind to your eyes spiritually, but God is working! Never forget that. Even when people are in places you question and the things they touch are leading to times of barrenness; God is working and we are to rejoice that He is fulfilling His plan.

As we watch and look for His working: We are to write down the vision He gives us in life. We are to write it down and articulate it with clarity. Even though the Lord may not move immediately towards the vision’s fulfillment, we are to wait…it will come to pass.

What kind of vision is God giving you? If you want others to run to it and embrace it, then they must see it with clarity and hear it completely. This is an outstanding challenge. I am looking for God to give me some clarity on some of the vision He has put in my heart. I am looking for Him to give me new vision! Pray for me and I will pray for each person who reads this today, that God will make His vision clear to each of us; that we will articulate it to others clearly; that we will be patient to see it come to pass; and even though others may distort it from our perspective, God is using them for His purposes.

Oh God, help us to see the BIG PICTURE OF WHAT YOU SEE! Yes, what a word!

Hey, did you think I died? I was in Dallas for a couple of days conduction television interviews on our ministry and my newest book, "Finding The Favor of God." I stayed in Plano with Nick and Meredith on Monday and Tuesday nights, and spent the days traveling throughout the metroplex for interviews.

On top of that time crunch, Nick’s internet went down on Monday night, so I was out of touch big-time for two days! I have to admit, it was a little refreshing, but you cannot believe how many emails I had to respond to last night and this morning…I am so behind!

The interviews went great with DayStar International Network and the FamilyNet National Network. There was great interest in the subject and the book from these groups. I was asked to minister "straight on camera" at DayStar, beyond the book interview, to minister to the viewership around the world. That was a blessing.

I really wish we had the DayStar International Network on our COX CABLE outlet in Northwest Arkansas…in fact, call and request it! This is one classy ministry that is committed to excellence. Recently in a "share-a-thon" they had, they received gifts from over 100 countries of the world. We are on their broadcast on Thursday evenings. They are balanced and have much broader appeal than many other Christman networks, and this is why they are exploding world-wide. They are living in the zone of the favor of God.

Nick and Meredith are busy, busy, but God is blessing them greatly. Meredith is under major pressure from her job and its challenges in the financial field, but is making it with grace and favor. God is using Nick and seems to be abounding in his ministry with God’s favor and even in seminary classes –thanks Lord! They are two great and godly young adults.

Pray for Nick…he begins a major Bible Study class for singles aged 22-25 this Sunday morning…a new class from nothing! They are excited about it and I believe God will use he and Meredith greatly. I pray it grows and grows due to the incredible need in Dallas and beyond. Please pray for him.

Wow, did I miss on my two predictions on Friday: The Hogs got defeated soundly and the Irish almost pulled one out! I had better not quit my day job! Well, maybe I would be ok; these guys in the guessing game of sports always pick the safe route and I did not!

My picks were good examples of wanting something to happen badly; however, wanting it does not defy the logic of it. The bottom line on both of these picks: Auburn and USC are probably better teams than Arkansas and Notre Dame respectively. However, the Trojans got lucky! And yes, great teams always have an element of luck.

I trust that God moved profoundly in your life yesterday. I know that our people engaged in the Lord God by worshipping Him personally and collectively. I think God used yesterday in the lives of our people. We pray so and believe so and look forward to seeing how God verifies His Word among us.

For those in Northwest Arkansas: SAVE THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 6. Be here on this special day: It is Body of Christ Day in our church. It will be meaningful and special.

Yesterday, I reflected on how 34 years ago I trusted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Through the ministry of my home church, even though very small, God used it to lead me to faith in Christ. Yes, October 16 is my spiritual birthday. I thanked God for His amazing grace that is poured upon me continually. Thank you Lord! Pause today and join me in priase.

Yesterday was such a special day. I spent all day with Spencer Tillman, lead analyst of CBS SPORTS COLLEGE GAME DAY. He was here to speak at our Summit Business Persons’ Luncheon…500 business people were in attendance. He also spoke to the football teams at Bentonville, Springdale, and Shiloh Christian High Schools, and the University of Arkansas.

Spencer is a dynamic Christian, has a powerful ability with the English language and an incredible charisma with people. He is truly a man of God, devoted husband and father of four girls. I am going to have him back one day and give him a Sunday to speak to our people.

I am pulling for a weekend of upsets in two areas: Arkansas over Auburn and the University of Notre Dame over the University of Southern California. It could happen on both games and I hope it does. I hope I have made all of my sweet "Irish fans" happy.

Our Sunday evening service will have a specialized emphasis for different groups over the next three weeks. Men, Women, Students, and Children will meet separately for the next three weeks. The ladies will be treated to some great women speakers, including my wife, Jeana. I will be teaching the men on "The 12 Convictions of a Believable Man of Faith." I am excited about what I believe God wants me to share and I know the others are also. We will worship the Lord with music, testimony, and the teachings of the Word of God. Do not miss our 6:00 services Sunday night!

Have a great weekend!

One of the NFL’s greatest, Spencer Tillman, is in town today to speak at our Summit Business Persons’ Luncheon. He will also be encouraging and uplifting several groups of students and coaches. I have the privilege of taking Spencer to three area high schools and the University of Arkansas to meet with their football teams and coaching staff. What a great honor! 

Take a look at my grandson! Peyton is three weeks old today, and gets bigger each day. He is definitely on his way to being a linebacker. Josh, Kate, and Peyton are all doing well and we are proud of them. I just can’t get enough of this little guy.