What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do

Some people seem to have all of the answers... or so it seems. Sometimes I feel like I have had a lot of experience in life and can pretty well figure out the best course of action in most situations. But, you know what? There are and have been a lot of times when I just simply did not know what to do.

I served as a Pastor for over 34 years and I have to admit that there have been times couples have set in my office with problems so complex that I simply had to tell them... "I don't know what to do." Hey, if you empathize with me, we are not the first to not know what to do. Listen to the Word of God...

2Chronicles 20:12 "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon thee."

Here are three things to do when you don't know what to do.

1. Just go tell Jesus and leave it with Him right there on the altar and don't do anything else. In Hezekiah 37, when the great empire of Babylon was threatening King Hezekiah and sent him a devastating sounding letter, with his superior armies surrounding the city... Hezekiah had no answer but to take the letter and spread it out before the Lord and leave it there! 

Then God said, "I have heard his threats and his big talk, but rest assured its no longer your problem, but my problem. I will put a hook in his jaw and he will go back where he came from and not enter this city and you will not have to do ONE THING!" Now, I am paraphrasing a bit, but that night Hezekiah slept like a baby because he had placed it on the altar and left it.  Watch what happened while he slept ...

One...get this... just one angel of the Lord slipped down into the camp of the Assyrians that night and all by himself slew 185,000 Assyrians. When the survivors awoke the next morning and saw the slaughter, they packed their duds and headed back where they came from as fast as they could.

2. Here's another one that I like. It was the occasion of the scripture I put first... numerous armies had come up against Jehoshaphat and he did not know what to do. But, he did know to call a fast and prayer and God heard him and said this to him.

2Chronicles 20:17 "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you."

The next day, Jehoshaphat appointed himself some musicians and singers. They just went out like God said; praised and worshiped. The Word says that the Lord set ambushments against the enemy and they destroyed each other so that all Judah had to do was gather up the spoils that had been left behind.

3. Finally, in my last example it will be a bit different. In both previous examples they had to do nothing and God did it all. King David had smitten the Philistines once, but they were a resilient bunch and spread themselves before David for battle again. This time God said, "Don't go out and fight them as before, but slip over to the grove of Mulberry trees and just hide out and wait there. But when you hear the sound of a going in the tops of the Mulberry trees, you go out to battle and the Lord will fight for you and give you the victory." 

This time they were going to have to engage in the battle, but they were not going to just do it half-cocked when they got ready... there was going to have to be a sign from the Lord in the tops of the Mulberry trees before they took any action at all. (God's timing) When God gave the sign... they went forth and won the victory.

So when you don't know what to do... don't do anything until you have taken it to the Lord. 

In each case, after those involved in their dilemmas took it before the Lord, there was a Word from the Lord that told them what to do. 

• Sometimes they did nothing but stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, 
• Sometimes they sang and praised their way to victory and ... 
• When they did have to take physical action themselves... it was only after God gave them a very sure and definite sign that He had told them to look for.

What to do when you don't know what to do? Put it before the King of Kings and don't do a thing until you hear a Word from Him. Lately, my favorite song has been the song by Mercy Me... "Word of God Speak."

Choose To Be Happy and Grateful Daily

I am happy and grateful today because...

Can you fill in the blanks?

Being happy and thankful are keys to finding true success in any endeavor and life in particular.

We can be "happy and grateful" when we understand three things:

1. God loves Me 
2. God has a great plan and purpose for Me 
3. Everything that happens works toward God's wonderful plan for My life

The Eternal Creator (Jesus Christ) made You with loving care and has Your very best interests at heart in his plan for You. No matter the circumstances You may currently be in ... He is not finished with You yet and You will one day, perhaps look back and see what He was perfecting in You.

Donna and I Wish You a Merry Christmas

Happiness is not a by-product of your circumstances or of what you possess. Happiness is a by-product of our thought processes and believe it or not, you and only you have control over your thought processes. You get to choose everyday what you are going to "think about."

Now, we live in a media and communication age where we are bombarded minute by minute with input that can certainly affect our thinking. Therefore we must make more of a conscious effort to train our minds to think properly. Nothing is so important as "being thankful."

I challenge You to find 5 things that You are thankful for on a daily basis. Perhaps You could start a "Grateful Journal" and write five things in it each day that You are thankful for.

It would change your life!

"In everything ... Give Thanks!"

Have a blessed day. 

Gary

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I had to Re-Post This Today ... First Anniversary of His Passing From This Life

There he sits in his favorite chair ... one arm cocked behind his head that sports a full shock of gray hair. The other hand holds a cup of coffee and by his side is his loyal friend, Frosty. His legs covered in a pair of western-style pants are crossed and one can see his ever-present cowboy boots. He's wearing his broad suspenders that keep his pants just below his famous bulging belly and there is that gregarious smile of satisfaction on his handsome, weathered face. What is he doing ...
The man in the picture is my father and he is sitting back watching as his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gather in and busy themselves visiting and preparing food for another special family gathering. There may be as many as 50 or more depending on who was able to make it from out of town. The number always included a few others that were not off-spring but were a part just the same. 

This was his glory ... his family. Six children evenly split with three sons and three daughters, 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and all of the in-laws who were never viewed as anything but more of the children. This was his glory ... this was his SUCCESS!

Staying Connected in Today's Super Connected Communication Age

We are living in a time when communication is at an all-time high. There was a time when one would take pen, ink and parchment; carefully script out a letter; roll it, bind it and deliver it to the post. After sorting, it would be given to a person with a fast horse who would then mount and ride as fast as they could to the ultimate destination of the letter. As you might imagine, many days would go by before that letter was read by its recipient -- if they got it at all.

Email and cell phones make it easy to stay in contact with others. One can bang out an instant message on the computer and bingo, two are chatting back and forth. Global businesses use video and web conferencing to conduct business around the world, spanning every time zone.  Then, there is my teenage daughter who will sit in her room and send me text after text (it takes me forever to respond) until finally I'll just call her and get the conversation completed. 

Facebook, in my opinion, has been an excellent means of connecting with friends around the world and yet, it seems to me that people are more "dis-connected" than ever before. How much real communication gets done?

When I first struggled with MS, it become extremely difficult for me to walk. I would get around with the use of a cane (I was stubborn about the wheelchair or scooter idea). It was a long and laborious project for me to get out of the car and all the way inside of a restaurant or other place of business. The result was that I tended to stay in and work on the computer rather than getting out as much as before. My connections and relationships suffered as a result. I found it important however, to force my self to stay in touch. To keep up relationships with old friends and business associates.

It is now the final dregs of summer and not yet a good time to be talking about campfires and fireplaces, but here I go anyway. Have you ever noticed how quickly a burning log dies out when it gets separated from the pile? Take a poker and move it over closer to the others and it rekindles into flame again.

You get the message. Don't go it alone. On the job, in family situations, times when you find yourself struggling; there are more people than you think willing to reach out and help. It is good to belong to some kind of network just for the connections, and feedback, and relationships you will develop.

In the Bible it says, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17. Finally, don't forget the spiritual side of it. You are essentially a spiritual being that needs that spiritual connection with your creator. Take the time daily to connect with God and you will be a far more productive person the rest of the day.

Kidz Harbor ... A Place For Homeless Kids Needs Your Vote

I personally know the founders and operators of Kidz Harbor. Please watch this video and then VOTE!!  It costs you nothing!!

Disappointed? Discouraged? Don't Stop ... His Time is Not Your Time!

Raised in a King's palace for 40 years ... prepared to lead spiritually by his true Mother ... to lead physically by his royal environment.  Moses thinks its time to take action ... TRAGIC results ...

Another 40 years ... no palace comforts ... searing heat and rugged terrain take their toll leading sheep on the backside of the desert.  Eighty years is a long time.  This wasn't how it was supposed to be!

With sun-dried face and burning eyes he peers across the desert scape looking for a watering place for the sheep or anything green for them to eat.  Dust devils are dancing and the heat can be seen rising from the parched ground ... but what's that?  For an indeterminable time the weary shepherd stares at it ... the heat is so severe a bush has combusted spontaneously.  Not that unusual ... but this one continues to blaze ... unconsumed.


Breaking from the norm this would-be king reduced to a wilderness shepherd turns aside to see this phenomenon.  "I'll just check this out," he says to himself ... "and then I better get these sheep to an oasis."

Suddenly out of the midst of the unconsumed shrub a booming voice is heard ... "Take off your shoes Moses.  You are standing on Holy Ground!"  A Divine interruption, encounter ... Divine call!  Everything changes ... the one-time loser becomes the greatest figure in the history of his nation!!  ~ God's timing in his LIFE!!

Your time ... God's time for YOU may be just over the next hill ... DON'T MISS IT !!

Rebuilding ... It CAN be Done ... It Ain't Over 'till Its Over !!

Just Moving In

Jim McIngvale, better known in Houston as "Mattress Mack" has been an inspiration to me for many years. He came to Houston back in the '80s with a small amount of money and purchased a former model home site on the North Freeway. From those old model homes, he launched Gallery Furniture and through his innovative and personal advertising Mattress Mack and his store have become Houston icons.

Recently, I listened to a speech he gave entitled "Bringing the Bright Sunny Future Into the Present," where he told the story of the arson fire set in Gallery Furniture's warehouse on May 21, 2009 and his determination to rebuild and reopen by July 4, 2009. Along with his loyal team, they DID IT! Reopened ... bigger and better than ever!

Donna Working In Her New Kitchen

It reminded me of events in my own life. After an eight year physical decline due to undiagnosed MS, I resigned my position as pastor and my family moved out of the church owned house ... physically broken, emotionally wounded, and mentally confused. I could not walk, dress myself or get out of the bed on my own. My wife, daughter and I moved into my gracious Sister and Brother-in-law's office in their home. I did not know whether I would live ... how or where I would live if I did.

Beautiful Before Decorating

My 35-year career appeared over and my future looked very bleak ... but God was not done! Two years later ... I am recovering and thriving and just moved into a BEAUTIFUL home ... the best home we have ever owned!

You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.

Isaiah 58:11 (The Message)

No matter what has been broken or broken down ... With God it can be rebuilt. And remember the last is always BETTER than the first!

Just Thinking ... Timing is So Important !!

How sordid was the Samaritan woman's life ... she slipped to the well thinking no one else would be there ... she could avoid the stares and insults. She could not have known this would be the day ... Jesus showed up ... her life FOREVER changed !! God's timing in YOUR life.

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It must have been so lonely ... night after night counting the stars as he watched his father's sheep ... fending off lions and bears ... staying faithful ... does anyone know, does anyone care? Then Samuel says, "Don't you have another son?" ... the anointing flows upon David's head ... God's TIMING in our lives!!

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Day after day ... sitting outside the gate ... begging for a few alms ... not 40 days, but 40 YEARS he sat there. Watching ... wishing ... something needed to change. Two men approach ... they reach in their pockets but their hands come out empty ... he was expecting to receive but now ... "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, RISE UP AND WALK!" (Acts 3) Life CHANGED! God's TIMING in his life!!

True SUCCESS ... What is It?

There he sits in his favorite chair ... one arm cocked behind his head that sports a full shock of gray hair. The other hand holds a cup of coffee and by his side is his loyal friend, Frosty. His legs covered in a pair of western-style pants are crossed and one can see his ever-present cowboy boots. He's wearing his broad suspenders that keep his pants just below his famous bulging belly and there is that gregarious smile of satisfaction on his handsome, weathered face. What is he doing ...

The man in the picture is my father and he is sitting back watching as his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gather in and busy themselves visiting and preparing food for another special family gathering. There may be as many as 50 or more depending on who was able to make it from out of town. The number always included a few others that were not off-spring but were a part just the same.

This was his glory ... his family. Six children evenly split with three sons and three daughters, 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and all of the in-laws who were never viewed as anything but more of the children. This was his glory ... this was his SUCCESS!

The Books You Read and The People You Meet

Charlie Tremendous Jones said, "The difference in where you are now and where you will be in five years is the books you read and the people you meet."

When I look at my life, I am very thankful for the books I have read and the people I have met. As just a boy, my late grandfather, I.D. Thompson took me into another room in his home and in his secretive way whispered, "I want to show you something that has been my secret to success." PawPaw had worked his way up and retired from Hughes Tool Co., buying scores of rental properties along the way, and we all considered him to be rich. I remember being very interested in this secret to success.

My grandfather handed me the classic "Think and Grow Rich," by Napoleon Hill when I was somewhere around 13 years old. From that time to the present, I have known the value of reading good books. Of course, the best of the best is the Bible which contains not only secrets for success in this life, but also the one to come.

Through our years of travel in ministry, Donna and I were blessed to personally meet and know some of the most powerful ministers of our day. I will never forget as a boy, having the late Andrew Urshan lay his hands on me and pray. It was only a few days before his death and his legacy in the Pentecostal movement was legendary ... receiving the gospel in Persia, coming to America, and taking the gospel throughout Russia just before it fell in the grip of communism. After the wall came down, our missionaries found many in Russia who had survived the reign of communism and called themselves "Urshanites."

I will post again about powerful books. Right now, I have been praying for God to give me favor with the right people, because the books you read and the people you meet make a huge difference in your life.

Purpose ... Do You Know Your's?

From my childhood, I prepared myself to be a preacher ... evangelist / pastor. I knew that God had called me to this special calling and I prepared myself for it and entered the ministry after attending Texas Bible College out of high school.

My ensuing career as an evangelist / pastor led me to several years as an evangelist, the founding of two churches, pastoring two other churches and ultimately pastor in Crosby, TX for eight years. It was in Crosby that I began to struggle unknowingly with MS which eventually disabled me and resulted in my resigning as pastor and entering a very difficult period in our life as a family ... not knowing what the future held and how we would survive given my physical state at the time.

As always, God's hand was at work and I was brought into contact with Dr. Erica Simpson-Green who finally diagnosed me and began treatment which I responded to very quickly. Though, still in a power chair, I began teaching high school sciences at Life Christian Academy and poured myself into study and preparation. Having only attended Theology school, I reentered college determined to be the best high school science teacher possible.

However, there was an internal struggle going on which is finally the purpose of this post ... PURPOSE - Do You Know Yours? I had spent my lifetime preparing for something that seemingly had been jerked out from under me and now I was wrestling with all my might to retrain myself for a new career ... determined to provide for my family. It was at this time that I began to search deep within myself in prayer and meditation to discover what my purpose in life really was.

I believed, if I found "my purpose" my career, my situation, my condition ... none of these would matter ... I could still fulfill "my purpose." Then it came to me as clear as the sound of a striking hammer on a crisp morning ... my PURPOSE was to "inspire others to reach higher, go farther, and do more than they ever thought possible!" Wow! Finally I got it! Many questions were answered. Understanding my PURPOSE was liberating!

I no longer had to be anything ... do a certain thing ... be called by a particular title ... just fulfill my PURPOSE! Inspire others ... to reach higher, go farther, and do more than they ever thought possible. I could do that! It's really what I had been trying to do all along anyway while thinking I had to BE something.

My advice to you is to discover YOUR PURPOSE. Why did God put you on this planet? When you discover that answer you will discover a new-found freedom. It will not matter what changes occur in life ... you cannot control life ... but you can remain dedicated to your PURPOSE!

Today is a New Day!

Wow, my blog access was taken over several years ago and I had moved on from this blog site ... thinking no sense worrying about it.

Today is a new day! Stumbled back onto it when trying to follow another blog (Mattress Mack) and miracle of miracles, I was able to log right in, change my profile back to me rather than the other person and here I am with a lot of updating to do.

It will take some time ... so be patient with me. A lot has happened in the past several years and I can't share it all in one post and your attention span wouldn't bear it anyway ... so I'll just start with this ...

I am NOT suffering from Post-Polio Syndrome as I had previously been told ... long, yet to be told story here. I was diagnosed by one of the top neurologists at Methodist Hospital in Houston as suffering from secondary progressive MS after 8 years of physician futility. Never would have thought I would be happy to hear the words, "You have MS," but at least I now knew what I was fighting. Thank God for Dr. Erica Simpson - Green and her team who did in two days what doctors had been unable to do in 8 years!

Gonna stop right here for today ... lot's of exciting things to share. Stay tuned!