Saturday, May 31, 2008

Life Journal - May 31,2008

How to Succeed

(S) Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

(O) When we are doing what God wants and commands then we will succeed in His eyes. This might not be success as defined by our society but is will be success as defined by God.

(A) In my life I have done the wrong thing in the right way and have done the right thing in the wrong way. Both lead to trouble. What does it mean to "commit to the Lord whatever you do"? It does not just mean to be sincere for we can be sincerely wrong. I think it is like "praying in Jesus name," praying as Jesus would pray. In this passage we are to do what God would do. We are living our lives as God would have us live and that at times is in direct contrast to what our society does and honors. I must square my actions with God's Word first and then live them out.

(P) Lord, so often I just go out and do what I want to do. Help me to pause at the start and seek your guidance, will and way. I most want to follow and please you. I will let you deal with the success. Keep me focused on You. Amen

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Why Crouch's Corner

Crouch's Corner is a very dear place to me. It is the resident director's house at the West Virginia Baptist Camp in Cowen, WV. My Uncle Jim, known to many as "Spike" was the director for years and lived in the house during the summer camping season. His wife, Gloria, travelled all over selling her crafts and taught classes to others in their home. Her craft store was called, you guessed it, Crouch's Corner. To use this title for my blog is a tribute to their impact on my life. From my earliest memories they have always been my favorite. As a pastor Uncle Jim has been a mentor and inspiration to me in my ministry. They modeled what a great marriage should be and can be. I am forever in their debt for the example they set for me. Uncle Jim continues to inspire me. Aunt Gloria died a little over two years ago. I was honored to be asked to speak at her funeral. Her quiet spirit and strength of character continue to impact my life and ministry.

It was at Camp Cowen that I began to understand God's call in my life to pastoral ministry. I have many great memories of the weeks I spent at Cowen as a camper and later as a director and camp pastor and Bible study leader. I have sat on the porch of Crouch's Corner and talked about many things with my Aunt, Uncle and many friends. That is what I hope this blog will be - a place where we will discuss many things and grow in our relationship with Jesus together. So let me say, "Welcome to Crouch's Corner."