TAG Colby Your It!

October is Pastor Appreciation month and as I was walking the dogs this morning I began to think about the church staff at North Mt. Zion Church of God (NMZCOG) where we attend.  The Senior Pastor, Raburne Wilson, has been there 20 years along with his family which all serve in the church.  Pastor Ryan Wilson, his son, is our Associate Pastor and Minister of Music and Pastor Scott Eller and his wife Ann are the children's Pastor's, BUT they are not who I want to talk about today.

Colby Pendrey is our Choir Director and Children's Minister of Music. When we first began coming to NMZCOG in early 2013, I noticed right away that Colby had T.A.G.! What is TAG; Talent, Abilities and Gifts.  Lets take a quick look at each.

Talent: A natural aptitude or skill. The Bible tells us not to "bury" or hide our "Talents" but to use them, exercise and grow them.  Although Biblical Talents revolve around money, the analogy is still the same.
Daniel 1:17a  As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom;

Ability: Possession of means or knowledge, proficiency in a particular area.  Our natural of fleshly ability is nothing without God as the giver.  God fills those called by Him with skill, knowledge and ability (Exodus 35:30-35).
Exodus 35:31  and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, 

Gifts: A thing given willingly to someone without payment.  God gives us many gifts - Life for one, however, God gives all who are His, different Gifts for different purposes to ultimately accomplish His will.

Romans 12:6a  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:

Colby has all and is all of these things.  He is the Choir Director who leads, sings and plays many instruments.  He is a Minister of the Gospel that can not only preach but teach.  Colby is a fourth grade teacher in Gainesville Ga. and was nominated as Teacher of The year!  This man does it all with EXCELLENCE, and it shows.

So TAG Colby, you are IT Brother!

Blessings

ernie

Two Things I Know

Your probably are saying; Ernie, I knew it.  You would only know two things.  Before you beat me up any further, let me just say that if anyone including myself could master these two things, that person would be considered great among all people and very popular too?

When this Blog came to mind a few days ago, I immediately thought of two friends whom I will not mention their names out of respect for their privacy.  I will make this short and sweet I hope.  Lets take a look.

The Two Things are:
1.)  I know I don't have to be right;  This is a big one for me.  I grew up with a father who is always right (and really is 90% of the time).  What I have found is that it is better to "defer rightness" to others and be rich in relationships than be right and be poor with friends.

Deuteronomy 12:8b NKJV  —every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes—
Proverbs 14:12 NKJV  There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

As we can see, every man or women think they are right, even to the point of death?  Although these verses have a more spiritual implication where death is denying God, I do believe it has a more physical application in regards to earthly relationships and not just our Heavenly relationship with The Father.

I have a friend (he no longer calls me one) whom accused me several years ago of something that I did not do.  I could have proved myself "right" at the cost of hurting at least four other people not including myself, however, I knew it was better that my friend think himself right and lose his friendship than possibly damage the other relationships to the point of irreconcilability.  Those other relationships were more important than mine and his.  To this day he will not talk to me.  I had hoped time would soften his heart towards me but it has not yet - still hopeful!

2.)  I know that encouragement is better than criticism:  Now let me say two things before I go further; 
1.  This is directly related to the first "I Know" and,
2.  I SUCK AT THIS (or in the Queens English "sucketh at this").  Remember, knowing and doing are two different things!?



As a former Law Enforcement Instructor/Trainer it was important to be able to properly critique the students and correct any problems to help increase competency.  My two training mentor's Rick Myers and Jack Strenges had two different approaches for me.  Rick told me; People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care! and Jack would tell me to say; This is not a point of criticism but a point of interest!  (that is a cool statement huh)


Ephesians 4:29 NLT  Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.


With Rick, I learned to care and I really did.  I loved my brothers and sisters in the badge and cared very much for there safety.  I didn't want them to just survive, I wanted them to win and be mentally healthy as well.

With Jack, I learned that a teaspoon of sugar helps the medicine go down.  He would tell me that if I was going to help them mentally, I had to build them up and not just tear them down.

Since I don't need to be right all the time, I don't have to tell people how wrong they are and I find it easier to give encouragement than before.  I am continuing to work on this with my wife's help.

Blessings
ernie

What Tie Are You Holding On To?

I only own two suits, however I have several ties.  Some are like me - conservative, but several are

very colorful.  The bright ones are from my Bride.  I was thinking about the ties in my closet this morning as I was getting dressed.  Those ties led me to think about the ties I have with my family, friends and former coworkers.

As I posted on Facebook, this mornings prayer from Dale Gentry, I began to think of the "ties" I have with the people whom I am "fb" friends with.  I am tied to some through birth, youth, school, marriage, work, and church.  Several I don't really know, though we have shared a similar service or calling (my Law Enforcement career).  Several "friends" are maintained because of our like mindedness.  I am glad to say that I am friends with people whom have completely different views, beliefs and values than myself - but we still call each other Friend.

Of all of the "ties" I share with those called friends, One is set apart from the rest.   Yes, the others are important but not preeminent.  This One tie is so strong and lasting it is eternal.  This One tie allows us to share life everlasting (for better or worse as some are thinking).  This particular tie is worth more than all the other ties put together.  In the big-picture of things, it is the only One worth holding onto.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds | John Fawcett

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne,

We pour our ardent prayers;

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

Our comforts, and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,

Our mutual burdens bear;

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,

It gives us inward pain;

But we shall still be joined in heart,

And hope to meet again!

(Proverbs 6:21 KJV)  Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

This Proverb is talking about a Wisdom which only comes from The Lord.  You find this wisdom by finding Him!

(Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT)  Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.  Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.  Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them.  Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. 

Blessings

ernie