Yesterday was a unique day in several ways. Why was it unique? The reasons are plentiful.

1. We raised our final two crosses at Pinnacle Hills. We raised the 160′ cross at dawn. We raised the 175′ cross at a huge and hot outdoor worship service on the property. It was an outstanding day of seeing vision come into reality. I am very grateful for the day. Please visit: www.churchph.com or www.fbcs.net in order to witness several wonderful shots taken by Brian Armas, our web designer, and his wife, Kara. He did an outstanding job getting this online for us. Encourage others to visit one of these two websites.
2. We gave blessing to Buster and Martha Pray as they completed their tenure with us after almost 18 years. It was a day of reflection in so many ways, but also a day of great rejoicing over God’s future plan for them. He will make a major impact on the churches across the world in his new ministry called, PureChurch. I want to encourage Pastors and Church Leaders who may read my blog to give him a call and use him in your church.
3. We kept Peyton, our grandson, Friday-Sunday, following our exhaustive Staff Retreat that Jeana and I led together. I tell you, Peyton is a dude! He will keep you going 24/7 and my prayers for every young preschool parent just multiplied! We enjoyed it thoroughly. How blessed we are with him in our lives. Jeana had “extra duty” with him, but made both campuses and the luncheon we had for the Prays. She is to be commended! Great job Jeana!

NOW WHAT?

Please join me daily in praying for God’s man to assist me in leading our Springdale Campus in worship. This is a major need that we must be praying for diligently. I need you to agree with me in prayer for God to meet this need.

Until then, Josh Stanbery from our Pinnacle Hills campus will lead our worship services at Springdale. He and Chris Emert will work together and lead that staff team towards the future.

Have a blessed day.

Eighteen years ago at this time, I began prayerful discussions with Buster Pray about joining our staff team. He joined us in September, 1988. I am very grateful for the partnership in ministry over these years. It is rare that a Pastor and an associate have the privilege to serve almost 18 years together.Our church believes in the future of Buster and Martha and we are blessing their future together in this new ministry. This ministry will be called, PureChurch. As Buster uses his giftedness and skills to invest in the lives of church leaders and churches across America, it is a great privilege to be able to recommend him 100% to bring assistance to any church. Whether they have need for someone to assist them in focus, technology, worship, direction, multi-campuses, or leadership development, I am confident God can use him at whatever the size of church. We send him forth as an ambassador into America to help us reach this country for Jesus Christ.

I pray that on this day, you will honor Buster Pray with me. Why is this important?

1. God honors faithfulness and so should we. Buster has been faithful to the call through the years here, even when other ministries have desired his leadership.
2. God honors men of God and so should we. Buster has been a man of God.  He walks with Christ, in the midst of his humanity, striving to achieve depths with the Lord, and being a receiver of God’s great anointing.
3. God honors men who build his own family and so should we. Buster and Martha have demonstrated great commitment to each other all of these years. Their children, Andrew and Mandi, have lived for Jesus, been engaged in church ministries, and are Great Commission Christians.  Andrew and Courtney and their family will follow, as well as Mandi and her God-chosen mate-to-be that I am confident she is waiting eagerly to know in God’s timing.  The bottom line:  Buster has done family very well. Other than a man walking with Jesus intimately and in the flow of the Holy Spirit, is this not the ultimate measure of success in life? I would think it is hot on the heart of God for family to be done well, very well.
4. God honors risk-takers and so should we. I believe what Buster is about to do, even though different from the norm, is the way he has led our worship ministry through the years at our Springdale Campus. He is about to take a huge risk in the eyes of man, but he knows God has called him and that is what living for Jesus is all about. What men see as risk, God sees as faith. God, bless his faith beyond his own imagination.

Buster and Martha, Jeana and I love you dearly. What a privilege it has been to raise our children together, participate in life together, and do ministry together for these almost 18 years. We will miss you personally and I know our church will miss you.

We release Buster Pray to God’s new call and we embrace God’s new man he is preparing to bring to us at our Springdale Campus. I can promise you, Buster wants our church to get God’s man, His perfect man, to build upon the great foundation and beyond what he has laid, and take us into new encounters and moments with our Savior.

Join me in praying for the Prays in their new calling from God. 1,000 Thank Yous to Buster and Martha Pray. Also, remember to pray for our Pinnacle Hills campus as they raise the final two crosses on Sunday, July 30. This will be another great time of celebration!

I have found in my personal life that nothing has brought me greater peace than to know that the Lord is always with me.  We’ve all heard preachers remind us that at the very moment you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior that He took up residence in your life through the Person of the Holy Spirit.  It has been good to know through the years since that time in my life that He has never left me alone. 

I really hope that you will take this simple outline and spend time with God and allow Him to bring these verses to life, as He has done for me.  I realize that it is often easy to write down an outline, but again let me encourage you to take this as a special assigned project:

1. God is with you in your pursuit of Him (2 Chronicles 15:1-2).  The Lord will always honor the man or woman who pursues Him by walking with them in their pursuit.
2. God is with you through war (2 Chronicles 35:21, 2 Chronicles 20:17).  God not only raises up leaders who go to war, but will fight our wars for us many times.
3. God is with you to provide victory (Isaiah 45:14).  The Lord had raised up Cyrus, king of Persia, and yet God’s people had the ultimate victory.  Zephaniah 3:17 was a reminder that the Lord would save His people.
4. God is with you in His will (Joshua 1:9).
5. God is with you in giving you vision (Joshua 14:12).  God was with Caleb in Joshua 14:12, God was with David in 1 Chronicles 17:2, God was with Habakkuk in Habakkuk 3:1-3, and God will be with you as well as you respond to His vision for your life.
6. God is with you as you do ministry (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18).
7. God is with you in doing the miraculous (John 3:2).
8. God is with you in personal attacks (Jeremiah 20:11, Psalm 118:6-7).
9. God will be with you at all times (Genesis 21:22, 1 Corinthians 7:24).

This simple truth has been evident to me and really to all of us over these past few years.  As we continue to fulfill the mission of Reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the World for Jesus Christ, I cannot help but be reminded of God’s power and promise stated in Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Just about the time you think your life is out of control, God reminds you that HE is in control.  Quickly today, let me just run some ways by you that God is in control:

1. God is in control of the events in this world.  Of course, we, like many of you, have been glued to the events taking place around the world, especially in the Middle East in these last few weeks.  I was reminded that no matter what my eyes see that God is in control upon the earth.  Take some time today to look up Genesis 1:1 and Psalms 24:1-2 and remember that God is in control.
2. God is in control of kings and presidents.  Each President and King serves at the will and pleasure of God, not just the will of the people.   If you don’t believe this, go back and re-visit the life of Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel.
3. God is in control of His church.  There are three ways God reminds us of this fact:
   • In Matthew 16:18-19 we are reminded that God builds the church and Satan and hell have no power against her.
   • Acts 2:47 shows us that God alone draws people to His church.
   • In Colossians 1:18 we are reminded the Jesus is the Head of the Church. Just about the time when there are those in the world who would like to forget the Church or alter it to fit their own concept of what Church should be, it is good to know that the Church belongs to Jesus, is controlled by Jesus, and therefore, will be blessed by Jesus.
4. God is in control of your personal trials.  There are two passages of Scripture that remind us of this simple fact.
   • In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul clearly states that God is faithful through the trials and will not put any more on you than you are able to bear.
   • James 1:2-5 encourages us to go to God during trials for understanding and wisdom and strength.  Remember, God permits personal trials to teach you and to prove to you His faithfulness and power.
5. God is in control of blessing and favor.

I want to remind you this morning, that God blesses whom He wills and whatever happens in your life and in all of the world for that matter, God is still in control and He is still working His will in your life.  Be blessed today.

For the past couple of weeks during this time of rest and reflection, I have addressed my blog in a little different way by identifying some important areas for all of our lives. It never ceases to amaze me when I set aside specific time with Him, that He directs my heart and mind on areas that continue to provide strength and encouragement to my life.  I have encouraged you countless times of the importance of spending time alone with God so that you may also know personally of God’s fresh word and direction for your life.

This week I want to reflect once again on something God has brought back to my attention–simply stated, the Great Promises of God.  No matter in what station you find yourself there is always a need to be reminded that God can do anything.  I realize that is somewhat well worn, but powerfully significant as it relates to each of our lives.

1. In Genesis 12:1-3, the promise for the people of God had been given to Abram.  The persons who would be blessed would be Abram and Sarai.  Later in Genesis 18:9-15 Abraham and Sarah, who had now gone beyond child-bearing years (and for that matter child-raising years) would provide both the people of their time and the people of today clear proof that God really can do anything.  The question resounds through the ages, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”  The answer, “Absolutely not.  God can do anything.” 
2. Jeremiah was a prophet of God, proclaiming that the Babylonians were coming to destroy Jerusalem.  Even though the people of God would be exiled, God told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 32:17, that he was to buy a field so that he might possess that land after they returned from exile.  God had promised the people that they would return and possess the land.  Once again, the question rings loud and clear, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”  The answer, “Absolutely not.  God can do anything.”
3. In Luke 1:34-38 Mary, unlike any woman before or since, faced a physical impossibility.  The physical impossibility paled by comparison in that she was also to give birth to the Son of God.  During that conversation, we find not only for Mary but also for our lives the simple statement, “For with God, nothing will be impossible.”  And another time the question proclaims, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”  The answer, “Absolutely not.  God can do anything.”

Even the apostle Paul with all the trials, problems, and dangers knew that God could do anything.  He would step into our lives again this morning and with powerful proof proclaim to us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but my prayer is that these are more than just refreshing reflections, but rather words of life for your every situation.  May you find yourself running TO HIM today, not running from Him.

I look forward to being back on July 30.  That morning we will honor and thank Buster Pray for his years of ministry and pray for he and Martha as they launch in the new direction which God has for them.  Also on that day, we will be raising the two final crosses at The Church at Pinnacle Hills, as well as celebrating the Lord’s Supper at both campuses. I am praying for you.  Please continue to pray for us.

It is not hard to tell if you are around me any time at all that this week I have directed my blog toward a subject that is very near and dear to my heart:  How to make people and business people successful.  I have listed several characteristics that I believe must be present to be successful both personally and professionally.

My entire time today I want to highlight one of my favorite characteristics, which is Passion.  Passion is zeal, intense desire, and fire in your heart about something.  I have often been amazed by people who seem to be ordinary in every way and yet who accomplish great things in life.  The answer:  Passion.

Vince Lombardi said it this way, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of the will.”  The person who has the will to succeed is only as good as his or her passion.

What can Passion do?

1. Passion creates passion.  Remember, Passion is like a thermostat in the room.  It sets the climate for your personal life as well as your business.
2. Passion enlarges vision.  When you communicate a vision about something, that entire vision can be taken to another level if you communicate with passion.
3. Passion attracts others.  Passion is contagious.
4. Passion maintains focus.  Passion keeps the entire organization, its goals, its dreams, and its mission in strategic focus.  Winston Churchill said this, “A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.”
   
5. Passion makes the impossible possible.

When Passion is absent:

1. Direction is lost.
2. Vision dies.
3. Mediocrity occurs.
4. People stray.
5. Emotion diminishes.

What are you passionate about?  What do you allow in your life that diminishes your passion?  Let me close today by quoting the words of Lech Walesa, “There’s a fire burning inside all of us.”  I personally believe this with all my heart.  Now, go find out what is burning in your heart and do it.

This morning I have been reflecting on the exciting days that lay ahead for The First Baptist Church of Springdale and The Church at Pinnacle Hills.  The new year for both campuses begins August 20, which means not only new Connection Groups and a new Worship Hour for First Baptist, but also the celebration of the 5^th Anniversary for Pinnacle Hills.  Can you believe it?  All that God has done on both campuses in these last five years?  This reminder makes it all the more important for me to continue my reflection on the characteristics that are not only vital to successful businesses, but vital in building successful people.

So far we have talked about honesty, integrity, leadership, loyalty, cooperation, and courage.  Today let’s direct our thoughts toward two additional characteristics:

1. The characteristic of commitment.  This is a pledge or a promise that you make to someone.  There are many who hesitate to make commitments today, but it is a part of life and nothing really great in life occurs without commitment.  It involves me giving my life and my word to something and to someone.  If a business team is going to reach any goal, it will take commitment.  There is a basic law in business that says, “If you are not committed to do what you are asking others to do, then they will not believe in you and join you.”  Commitment means something different to everyone.  Take an egg.  It involves commitment from the chicken and the chicken would testify of its commitment.  Take a piece of ham.  It involves commitment from the hog, a greater commitment than from the chicken.  Both see themselves as committed, but obviously each had a varying commitment!  No matter what you may interpret as commitment, without it you will fail to achieve your goals personally and professionally.
2. The characteristic of accountability.  This means that you are responsible.  Each of us must be responsible and accountable to someone in order to make our business successful.

There are a couple of observations I want to make here.  First, you are as effective as you are willing to make people accountable for their responsibilities.  Second, people are only as responsible as they sense their accountability.  Three, mature people want to be held accountable.  Four, accountable relationships produce high success.

Accountability will bring greater respect, greater relationships, greater confidence, and greater success.  There is never a day that goes by that I do not realize that God holds me accountable for that which He has entrusted into my life.  We do not have to be afraid of being accountable to God because in all honesty, that accountability drives us to depend upon Him for every area of our life.

All of my life I’ve had people who have invested their lives in mine. I guess as a result of that, I am constantly aware of my need to help build the lives of others. Therefore, it really is my goal to help build people and to help build people by helping to build their business. The best way to help people build their business is to instruct them on how to build the lives of those who work for or with them.

In light of that, I started yesterday to review some key characteristics that must be found in the lives of people who want to be successful not only in business, but in every area of their lives. We began with honesty, integrity, and leadership. Let me take just a moment today to look at three additional characteristics:

1. The characteristic of loyalty. This means to be faithful and to have allegiance. I think you will find that loyalty does not occur for an organization like it did some ten or even twenty years ago. Loyalty does occur toward people. Loyalty occurs because people have bought in to you and in to your vision. It is important because it brings consistency, efficiency, security, and opportunity.
2. The characteristic of cooperation. People in the business world today talk about being on the “team,” but the team cannot occur without cooperation. It is the spirit and action of working together toward a common goal.  Henry Ford said, “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” Another buzzword in the business world today is “networking.” But, there is no networking without cooperation. Remember this, cooperation with others is what wins hearts. Hearts that are won will lead to success, unity, and progress.
3. The characteristic of courage. Courage is that which enables you to face danger, trouble, and difficulty with the spirit of fearlessness. Andrew Jackson was elected President in 1828 after being a war hero in the war of 1812. He said, “One man with courage makes a majority.” Billy Graham adds, “Courage is contagious.” People respond to courageous leadership.
   

As I am reviewing these characteristics, I am not only reminded of biblical personalities that exemplify these, but also people that God has placed in my life today. You might want to do the same and go ahead and thank God for their influence upon your life.

God only knows how many lives Dr. Avery Willis has touched, in reference to not only evangelism, but also in the area of spiritual growth. Yesterday our church was blessed by having this man of God challenge us once again to take the gospel to the world and specifically the unreached people groups of the world.

Even though Jeana and I are not physically in Northwest Arkansas this morning, I remain intensely aware and alert to the business world throughout our entire region. In a matter of days Rogers will see the new John Q Hammons Convention Center open, the Pinnacle Promenade is well on its way, Fayetteville continues to deal with issues of business growth as well as the continued impact of the University of Arkansas, and it looks like Springdale is going into the business of minor league baseball. Now in conjunction with all of these major headlines, there are a vast number of smaller businesses springing up throughout all of Northwest Arkansas. With this dynamic growth in our area, God reminds me that everyone doing business in Northwest Arkansas wants to be a success. The only way to be a success is to have certain qualities in your life.

Over the next few days I want to review several qualities that each of us need to have and to develop continually in order to reach our highest success in the business world. These qualities are not necessarily ranked in order of importance, but I wanted to bring them to light.

1. The characteristic of honesty. This means to be genuine, fair, truthful and respectful. Thomas Jefferson said, “Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.” Let me say this to you, there is no right way to do something wrong.  Honesty is still the best policy.
2. The characteristic of integrity. This is honesty in action. Someone has said that honesty is an inward quality while integrity is the fruit of it. Don’t ever forget that your reputation is what others think about you. While your integrity is what God knows about you.  Let’s face it, no matter what area of life you choose, character does matter and at the heart of character is your integrity.
3. The character of leadership. This is one of the greatest necessities of the 21^st century business world. No matter where you are throughout the entire organization, every business from top to bottom needs honest, true leadership. Never forget that leadership is influence and that everyone one, no matter the station in life, has an influence upon another.

Whether you are in the church world like I am, or in the business world, these three characteristics are vital to the success of your personal influence in the lives of others. You may need to ask yourself today, not only “Who am I leading?”, but “What kind of influence am I leaving upon their lives?” The answer to those questions more often than not, can be realized by answering another question, “Who am I following?” In view of the growth and changes of the corporate world in Northwest Arkansas and the many advancements we are experiencing, we know that success and growth bring people to our region. Don’t forget, people continue to arrive in Northwest Arkansas, many of whom still have a deep need to know Christ. We need to pray for one another that we will be successful in the “business” and influence of people.

BY THE WAY, speaking of success, you may or may not have heard that our own Shiloh Saints won the 7 on 7 Northwest Arkansas Elite football tournament this weekend! They worked over Fayetteville, Harding, Har-Ber, West Fork, Springdale, and Siloam Springs to play Siloam Springs in the Semi-finals and overcame Fayetteville in the finals for the title. Congratulations, team. We look forward to your continued success.

One final note…many have asked and everyone who follows Shiloh football closely will be interested to know that unfortunately, my grandson Peyton will not be participating in the two-a-day practices in preparation for the upcoming season. No doubt, his presence will be felt as he inspires the team on to victory! Next year’s participation is still up for question. Go, Saints!
  

I am reminded early this morning of God’s everlasting presence in our lives as His children.  With the sound the world waking up in the cool breeze, I am reminded that God’s mercies really are new every morning.  And just think, take deep breath, can you smell it?  It won’t be long – there is football in the air!  God is good.  Finally, this morning let me take us back to this issue of forgiveness.  I honestly have been refreshed in my spirit having been reminded of these truths in these last several days.  

Maintaining proper attitudes in all relationships at times is difficult and can be an opportunity for sin to creep into our lives.  The sin of unforgiveness is a very real problem which we must deal with as often as it appears in our lives. 

As you deal with God and allow God to deal with you, there must be a time to go to others you have sinned against, hurt, or offended.  Make no mistake, the following practical steps are necessary if you are to experience a real sense of forgiveness and release in your own heart.  The basis for our reminder today is found in Proverbs 28:13.

1. You must address everyone involved.  Here is a rule to live by:  “If the sin is a private sin, then deal with it privately.  If it is a public sin, then deal with it publicly.”  By being public, I mean that it has had an affect on others in some way.
2. You must avoid using the words “if, but, and maybe.”  Repentance never has room for personal excuses.
3. You must admit specifically.  Remember, retail forgiveness comes when retail confession is used.  Otherwise nothing happens.  So, let me encourage you to be very specific.
4. You must apologize.  Never struggle with simply saying, “I am wrong.  I have sinned.  Please forgive me.”
5. You must accept the consequences.  Remember, you are the one who sinned.  You must accept the consequences of that sin.  Stop trying to alter the consequences because after all you do deserve them.  Let God even in this have His perfect way.
6. You must alter your behavior.  True repentance means true change.  Allow God to help you change your behavior.
7. You must ask for forgiveness. Ask the person:  “Knowing I have sinned against you, I ask you, will you forgive me for the sin I committed against you?”

If you have offended others, you have no other choice but to go to them.  Under God, you cannot conceal your sin and prosper.  You will only find compassion when you confess and repent to the person.  So, I strongly encourage you to release others and release yourself by the power of forgiveness.