Take Dead Aim....

If you happen to be a golf fan such as I, then you love to see the "pros" working on their games on the driving range...and the one thing they ALL work on consistently is their aim, their direction ...their "towards" as I like to call it when working with my students.

As a former PGA club professional, I have given a multitude of golf lessons to all sizes, shapes and swings of men, women, boys and girls...and one thing evident in EVERYONE'S swing is that they are not lined up to their target like they think they are...in simple terms, THEIR AIM IS OFF!!!

Often, that is what has lead them to take a lesson in the first place; they seem to be swinging the club well, but the ball is not going where they are aimed...and as I mentioned, their problem is usually their aim and not their swing.

The same can often be said for the way things are going in our Christian walk. We are doing all the right things...reading our Bible, praying when we can and making it a point to show up for church functions and Sunday services...but life just doesn't seem to be falling into place like we think it should. If that's the case for you, then your problem is probably the same as my golf students...YOUR AIM IS OFF!!!!

The apostle Paul addressed this problem for the Philippians who were struggling to find joy and harmony in their new Christian walk as they left behind the sin and shame of their former lives and began this new journey....their walk with Christ. So Paul pinned the following, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

Paul knew all too well the high cost of following Christ. He knew it was not an easy road that led to the Kingdom; and he knew that he had not yet attained the full measure of the life he sought in Christ Jesus...so he did what he needed to do to make sure he was on the right path to living for God as God willed for his life....HE TOOK DEAD AIM AT THE TARGET...THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD FOR HIS LIFE.

You see, if your life is not going the way you think it should, it may have to do with where your aim is focused. If you are trying to live a "good life" rather than a "godly" life...YOUR AIM IS OFF! If what matters to God doesn't matter to you, YOUR AIM IS OFF! If your more interested in your comfort over godly conviction, YOUR AIM IS OFF! If you're living to impress others rather than hear the words from the Father, "Well done, my good and faithful servant"...then you need an aiming lesson....You need to take to heart the words of Paul and aim for the mark...the true calling that God has placed on your life...and mine!

In this time in our culture, God has called each of us into the battlefield to stand up and be counted as faithful followers of the one true God...to take dead aim at sin, evil and the folly of mankind and to call it what it is...and then to live a Godly life in front of our family, our friends and our neighbors so that they may see a difference in us and how we live in this corrupt and lost world. But that can only happen when we zero in on our target to be the man or woman God has called out for such a time as this.

Are you ready for such a challenge or are you content to just maintain the status quo and limp along in your Christian walk; always hoping for something better but not willing to make the sacrifices needed to be the person God has called you to be.

It is your decision...so decide to TAKE DEAD AIM at the mark...and be all that God wants you to be and then life will be sweeter...you have my guarantee; but more than that, you have God's promise of an abundant life far greater than you could possible imagine.

Taking aim...hitting the mark for Him,

WPQ

Thought for the day...

You may attempt to persuade another

 to change their point of view...

But nothing speaks more plainly than

what Christ has done in you.

So if another’s lifestyle

you are hoping to rearrange,

Just testify how the Father’s love

can make an everlasting change.

Are you a BMG?

I remember our pastor in Greenville  preached a wonderful sermon a few years back that dealt with the “ministers of the devil” that exist within the body of Christ, His Church. The first one he brought to our attention was the BIG MOUTH GOSSIP.

It is so sad that the people of God have nothing better to do with their time than to talk about anything and everyone.  Of course, we often dress our gossip up in the pretense of “prayer requests” when we spout off titillating information regarding someone’s situation or precarious position in life. We tell others what someone else told us and pass it along “so that everyone will know how to pray intelligently for our dear brother or sister.”

BOULDERDASH!!!!! 

Let’s be real….we talk and talk and talk about others with little regard for fact or fiction…and we often do it to make ourselves seem more righteous or better off than the person we denigrate. James, the brother of Christ, said it best in the third chapter of his book, “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and our Father, and with it we curse people made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!” James 3:6, 8-9

I believe James got it right….these things ought not to happen, especially within the church and the body of believers. We should speak the truth, the whole truth …but not all the time. Where is it written that we have to spill our guts every time we know something about someone else? (I need chapter and verse if you disagree.)

When you know or have heard that someone is struggling with a problem or an addiction, by all means pray for them. You may even want to solicit others to pray…but before you do, talk with the person with the problem and share your heartfelt concerns. Ask them if they would like to have others involved in prayer. Then do as they ask….share if they request; keep your mouth closed and your tongue bridled, if not.

We alone cannot tame our tongue; but as the Holy Spirit indwells within us, He will give us the desire and the ability to monitor what we say and to whom we say it.

I picked up a great philosophy regarding the spreading of gossip many years ago while watching the Disney animation of Bambi with my then 3 year-old daughter, Alyson. Thumper’s mom asked him to remember what his Dad said….” IF YOU CAN’T SAY ANYTHING NICE, DON’T SAY NOTHING AT ALL! Though the grammar might have been incorrect, the message was dead on the money.

So, today, make it a point to guard your heart, keep a clear head and when necessary, bite your tongue. Your heart will keep you from wrecking someone else’s reputation when you think of the irreparable harm gossip causes….a clear head will allow you to “see, hear and paint a visual picture” of what your words will do to that person…and if all else fails, BITE YOUR TONGUE….better you suffer harm than inflict another because you have little self-control.

Taming the tongue requires a constant vigil on our thoughts and emotions….and a heart that seeks to do the Father’s will. Why not be a Thumper today rather than a BMG….the world and those in it will thank you ….and your Heavenly Father will be well pleased.

Taming the tongue one thought at a time,

WPQ

Poem for the day:

The planted seeds of gossip

Will soon begin to sprout

And flowery words of encouragement

Will wither and die out.

So plant your seeds so carefully

With God’s instruction from above;

Then your garden will be a canopy

Of praise for those you love.

WPQ@1998

Singing in the Midst of Trials...

We all know that life is fraught with trials, tribulations and "bad days"....days that make you want to pull your hair out or at least shed a tear or two.

Paul, that great apostle and follower of Jesus Christ, had more than his fair share of those kind of days. In fact in Scripture, he recounts all his "bad days" and the many misfortunes, beatings and near-death experiences that have beset him in the course of his relationship with His Lord and Savior. But the one that always brings a smile to my face in found in Acts 16: 24-28.

As life for Paul goes, he and his ministry partner, Silas, have been thrown into prison and the jailer has made sure that they are not going anywhere by placing them in the inner prison with their feet and hands securely fastened in the stocks. As the midnight hour approaches, Paul and Silas do what any intelligent men in a situation like this would do...they pray and they SING...you heard me correctly; THEY SING SO THAT ALL THE PRISONERS CAN HEAR THEM!

And then God shows up....there is a "great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed."  The jailer is awakened by all the clamor and realizing that all the doors of the prison are open and that the prisoners have probably escaped, prepares to take his own life. Paul calls out and tells him not to harm himself  for everyone is still there...in the same miserable condition as before except for one thing...GOD STEPPED IN WHEN THEY SANG PRAISES TO HIM.

And that makes for a great lesson for you and me...whenever we find ourselves imprisoned by the trials and tribulations of life, know this... that is not the time to wallow in self-pity and self-reliance...that is the time to PRAISE the Lord and sing of His power and might. It is in those times that our OUTLOOK on our situation needs to change and become an UPLOOK to God's sustaining mercy and grace.

Maybe God has placed you in a terrible situation so that you might learn a new lesson regarding His ability to make "all things new" ...or to be a witness to others of His great love and power as He releases you from the "chains" of your fears and inadequacies (remember the other prisoners heard the singing of Paul and Silas)...or just maybe, God is preparing you for a greater ministry that will require you to be more dependent on Him than ever before.

Whatever the reason, one thing should be crystal clear regarding our "bad days"....God is SOVEREIGN, still on His throne and He alone knows the outcome....it is you and I that need the earthquake to be reminded that He is at work.

So next time you find yourself beset with a particular trial that is getting the best of you...DON'T SWEAT IT ....SING ABOUT IT! Lift your voice in praise to the ONE true God who loves you and gave His Son for you....and as we say down South..."If that don't make you sing, your heart's been broke!"

Tested in the trials of Life....Singing to the Savior,

WPQ

Do You Yearn for the Urn?

Does the question posed above strike at the heart of where you are in your life? For many people in our culture today, they find themselves “scraping the bottom of the barrel” or at “the end of their rope’……Hapless…Helpless…Hopeless. Many truly believe that life is not worth living…. they often feel they would be better off if Death escorted them from this planet.

But for those of us who follow Christ, we find ourselves caught in the conundrum of a different nature ….living joyfully in this world, yet longing for the world to come. The apostle Paul went to great lengths to help the Corinthians understand this new “feeling” that seemed to overwhelm them as they began to walk ever closer with their Savior, Jesus Christ.

He wrote in I Corinthians 5:1-6, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal is swallowed up in life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us his Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in this body, we are away from the Lord.”

Let that scripture sink in …let it permeate the core of your being and bubble up in your deepest soul….YOU WERE MADE TO BE WITH GOD….anything else will leave you feeling desperate, diminished, despondent; even downright depressed…..but God has made a Deposit in you to guarantee what is to come….His Holy Spirit indwells….living in you so that you can live in and through His power.

Yes, this world is NOT our home! Our very spirit groans to be with Jesus; to be at home in Heaven, resting peacefully in His loving arms. Paul tells us that our mind should be set on Him…that we should long to leave this world to be with Jesus….but what about our earthly feelings to love those God has given us; to enjoy the beauty of His creation; to rise above our circumstance to serve our Savior? The rest of this passage gives us the insight we need to live as God intended in these last days.

“WE LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”

What are you doing to please the Lord? How are you living in the light of the trials, tribulations and circumstances that confront and compound you on every side? What message of hope do you offer in the way that you live…do others truly see the light and hope of Jesus in your life? Each of these questions begs to be answered by a Christian witness…sold out to Jesus….living within the confines of this world, but confident in the world that awaits each and every believer in Christ.

Yes, we as His children want to, long for and anxiously await the day that we leave this body to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ….we yearn for the urn; but until that day comes, we are to be working, not just waiting; watching, not just wishing; pleasing Him, not pouting about our problems.

Our anthem should mirror the words of Christian songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman, who wrote….

We are not home yet…we are not home yet;

Keep on looking ahead; let your heart not forget,

WE ARE NOT HOME YET……

Until then, remember….A Tisket, A Tasket; you should long for your casket…..

For it is better to be absent from the body so that you might be at home with the Lord…..

Longing to leave….praying to please my Savior,

WPQ

WHEN I MEET YOU IN THE MORNING

When I meet you in the morning, I begin the day anew

And morning’s light is filtered through the mist of morning dew.

When I meet you in the morning and take the time to stop and pray;

I know that you will walk with me…. every step throughout my day.

When I meet you in the morning, I take your word and there I read;

A message you’ve meant just for me…. or a lesson I should heed.

When I meet you in the morning and I listen to hear your voice;

My spirit is encouraged, Lord, and my soul seeks to rejoice….

My thoughts are set on you dear, Lord, at dawn’s first early light;

And heaven’s gates are flung open wide as my spirit soars in flight.

I’m gathered at the Throne Room’s door and there I’m ushered in

To a quiet time with the one I love…My Savior and My Friend.

Oh, how I love our quiet time when morning breaks anew;

For you are there to hold me close in this special time with you….

May I never take for granted, Lord, this blessed time you spend with me;

For the glimpse of heaven’s glory and all the wonders that I see.

As I meet you every morning, Lord, and open your Holy word;

I ask that you will help me hear the message you want heard…..

I ask that you will grant me, Lord; a willing heart, each day anew;

So others who may see my life will know I belong to you.

For when I meet you every morning, Lord, on this promise I shall depend;

One day you’ll call me home to glory… where the mornings never end.

W. Patrick Queen

November  2008

Writer's Tools

Each artist has different mediums or venues in which they like to work. For some, it's the acrylics and oils that bring out their true talents; while others prefer watercolors or charcoal etchings to best display their eye for the visual side of life. Whatever their choice, they are most comfortable and complete when they are using their talents and expressing themselves with the medium that best allows them to share their vision with the world.

The same is true for the written word, although the different "mediums" may not be as numerous. As one who likes to paint his version of the world as he sees it ....using the written word.... I have always felt most comfortable and complete when writing poetry. It must be something in the rhythm and rhyme that moves me and releases my inner self in expression. Whatever it is, I have found little reason to question it, but prefer to get lost in the thoughts that have been laid on my heart and in letting those thoughts take flight.

I have probably written over 2,000 poems of all types, versions, kinds, subjects and sizes in my lifetime and I hope and pray that I still have something to say through this "medium". It is for that reason that I have penned this introduction to what will quite often be my thought for the day....A POEM TO DWELL UPON.

I trust that you will be Blessed and in believing, you will know Him better, you will seek His face and you will walk in His way.

A POEM TO DWELL UPON….

ONE SOLITARY LIFE

He came to earth by a Virgin's birth,

Born in a cattle stall; but on that tree at Calvary,

He sacrificed it all.

His life was spent as he preached "repent";

He never had home nor wife.

For He sought the thrill to do the Father's will…

In a Solitary Life.

He walked around from town to town,

No property could He claim.

But when you believe, His grace receive…

When you call upon Jesus name.

So, don't regret the life you get;

Though it's filled with pain and strife.

For He died for you to give life anew

through

His Solitary Life.

W. Patrick Queen @2000

Using My Gifts in Living for His Glory!

As a former PGA golf professional, I understand and have a deep appreciation (some might say passion) for the “SWEET SPOT” of the golf club. The sweet spot is that center-most position of the club’s face that when properly applied to the rear and lowest spot on the golf ball will produce the desired, even exquisite, results.

It is also common knowledge that when the sweet spot of the golf club is expertly applied time and time again, the face will soon exhibit a lasting impression of well-worn application ….much to the joy and gratitude of the golfer that has welded the instrument…in other words, one happy and complete golfer who takes great pride in playing the game of golf at its highest and best level.

The same can be applied to each of us and our own individual “sweet spot.” Take for instance, the master builder Bezalel and what the Holy Scripture has to say regarding his “sweet spot.”

“See I have chosen Bezalel, son of Uri of the tribe of Judah. I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God. I have given him great skill, ability and knowledge to do all kinds of work. He is highly capable as an artistic designer of pieces made from gold, silver and bronze. He is able to cut precious jewels and mount them in metal. And, he is a master carver of all kinds of wood.” Exodus 31:2-5 (TLB)

God created this man and gifted him with all the talents and abilities he would need to become a master artisan …a highly skilled craftsman that would use his God-given talents to design and create the meeting tent, the Ark of the Covenant and all the items there within. He gifted him with a “sweet spot” that made him unique…one of a kind in the eyes and favor of the Lord…and God has done the same for each of us.

You and I are unique in the eyes of our Creator; gifted with a “sweet spot” that we alone possess…for the glory and edification of our Lord.

What is your “Sweet Spot”….what talent or gift drives you, completes you and extols you to be all that God has created you to be….are you a gifted musician or talented singer that brings joy and encouragement to those that hear your music? Are you a teacher that thrives on sharing ideas and seeing growth in your students? Do you manage people well or are you the one that sits in the President’s chair and makes all the tough decisions? Does the summer sky inspire you to draw or paint in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and to share that vision with those around you….or do you drive a school bus and safely and patiently deliver your precious cargo to their appointed destination?

Whatever your “sweet spot”…..true fulfillment in life, even life itself, is about finding and doing what God has called you to do. Yes, the true joy in life is finding what you were meant to do…. and then doing it as often and as much as possible!!!!!

So go on…MAKE GOD HAPPY!!!!!!  Find your “sweet spot” and do that which makes you unique and brings God honor and glory over and over and over again….and just like the face of my golf club, you will make a lasting impression by the well-worn application of a life well-lived….

Living in the SWEET SPOT ….Giving God the Praise,

WPQ

Thought for the Day....

Living in this world make bring you great acclaim;but

What really matters most is what's done in Jesus name.

So plant your tiny seed of faith in the Father's Holy sod

And your life will be revered for your service to our God.