Monday, February 28, 2011

Your Daily Bread

1.The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2.When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
3.A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4.Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
5.Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6.Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
7.He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8.He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
9.If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.
10.He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11.A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.
12.When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.
13.He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14.Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15.Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.
16.A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.
17.A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him.
18.He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.
19.He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20.A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21.To show partiality is not good -- yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22.A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.
23.He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
24.He who robs his father or mother and says, "It's not wrong"-- he is partner to him who destroys.
25.A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26.He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27.He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
28.When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

This week

Hello men, this is the ministry update for the week of 2/27/11.

Wildmen
This week, we are on lesson 7, "Sex", in the Love and War series from the Eldredge's. This is a major topic for us all so do not miss this one! Read Ch. 11 in the book to help you prepare for the teaching. Dinner is at 7PM on Tuesday. The band is back this week so praise time will be off the charts as we celebrate our God.

REAL Men
We have discontinued the Power Lunch time but the morning session continues from 6:20-7:30AM in the Forum. James A. Smith will lead us this week and that is always a big treat.

IRONMEN
We had the initial meeting of IRONMEN last Thursday in the old Auditorium at Sarasota Baptist's Proctor Road campus. We had 25+ men attend and the launch was apparently well received. We are so thankful for your prayers for this new ministry and still would treasure having you visit in these early times to help build the momentum for the new men. We meet every Thursday from 7-9 with a similar format to Wildmen. We are starting the Epic series by John Eldredge.

Boot Camp
Remember to sign up for the Boot Camp scheduled for 9/22-25 At Dayspring in Ellenton. The cost is only $225 if paid before 5/6 and the price includes room and board of 9 meals. You can give me a check or go the Wildmen site to register.


God bless, Billy

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Daily Bread

Proverbs 24

1 Don't envy bad people; don't even want to be around them. 2 All they think about is causing a disturbance; all they talk about is making trouble. 3 It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; 4 It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies. 5 It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. 6 Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. 7 Wise conversation is way over the head of fools; in a serious discussion they haven't a clue. 8 The person who's always cooking up some evil soon gets a reputation as prince of rogues. 9 Fools incubate sin; cynics desecrate beauty. Rescue the Perishing 10 If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place. 11 Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. 12 If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know - Someone not impressed with weak excuses. 13 Eat honey, dear child - it's good for you - and delicacies that melt in your mouth. 14 Likewise knowledge, and wisdom for your soul - Get that and your future's secured, your hope is on solid rock. 15 Don't interfere with good people's lives; don't try to get the best of them. 16 No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don't stay down long; Soon they're up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces. 17 Don't laugh when your enemy falls; don't crow over his collapse. 18 God might see, and become very provoked, and then take pity on his plight. 19 Don't bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked. 20 Those people have no future at all; they're headed down a dead-end street. 21 Fear God, dear child - respect your leaders; don't be defiant or mutinous. 22 Without warning your life can turn upside-down, and who knows how or when it might happen? 23 It's wrong, very wrong, to go along with injustice. 24 Whoever whitewashes the wicked gets a black mark in the history books, 25 But whoever exposes the wicked will be thanked and rewarded. 26 An honest answer is like a warm hug. 27 First plant your fields; then build your barn. 28 Don't talk about your neighbors behind their backs - no slander or gossip, please. 29 Don't say to anyone, "I'll get back at you for what you did to me. I'll make you pay for what you did!" 30 One day I walked by the field of an old lazybones, and then passed the vineyard of a lout; 31 They were overgrown with weeds, thick with thistles, all the fences broken down. 32 I took a long look and pondered what I saw; the fields preached me a sermon and I listened: 33 "A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy - do you know what comes next? 34 Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, with poverty as your permanent houseguest!"

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Enjoy Life it has an Expiration date

This is worth the 5 minutes it may take you to read it.


This is a story of an aging couple told by their son Michael Gartner, editor of newspapers large and small and president of NBC News. In 1997, he won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. It is well worth reading, and a few good chuckles are guaranteed. Here goes...


My father never drove a car. Well, that's not quite right. I should say I never saw him drive a car.

He quit driving in 1927, when he was 25 years old, and the last car he drove was a 1926 Whippet.

"In those days," he told me when he was in his 90s, "to drive a car you had to do things with your hands, and do things with your feet, and look every which way, and I decided you could walk through life and enjoy it or drive through life and miss it."

At which point my mother, a sometimes salty Irishwoman, chimed in:
"Oh, bull shit!" she said. "He hit a horse."

"Well," my father said, "there was that, too."

So my brother and I grew up in a household without a car. The neighbors all had cars -- the Kollingses next door had a green 1941Dodge, the VanLaninghams across the street a gray 1936 Plymouth, the Hopsons two doors down a black 1941 Ford -- but we had none.

My father, a newspaperman in Des Moines , would take the streetcar to work and, often as not, walk the 3 miles home. If he took the streetcar home, my mother and brother and I would walk the three blocks to the streetcar stop, meet him and walk home together.

My brother, David, was born in 1935, and I was born in 1938, and sometimes, at dinner, we'd ask how come all the neighbors had cars but we had none. "No one in the family drives," my mother would explain, and that was that.

But, sometimes, my father would say, "But as soon as one of you boys turns 16, we'll get one." It was as if he wasn't sure which one of us would turn 16 first.

But, sure enough , my brother turned 16 before I did, so in 1951 my parents bought a used 1950 Chevrolet from a friend who ran the parts department at a Chevy dealership downtown.

It was a four-door, white model, stick shift, fender skirts, loaded with everything, and, since my parents didn't drive, it more or less became my brother's car.

Having a car but not being able to drive didn't bother my father, but it didn't make sense to my mother.

So in 1952, when she was 43 years old, she asked a friend to teach her to drive. She learned in a nearby cemetery, the place where I learned to drive the following year and where, a generation later, I took my two sons to practice driving. The cemetery probably was my father's idea. "Who can your mother hurt in the cemetery?" I remember him saying more than once.

For the next 45 years or so, until she was 90, my mother was the driver in the family. Neither she nor my father had any sense of direction, but he loaded up on maps -- though they seldom left the city limits -- and appointed himself navigator. It seemed to work.

Still, they both continued to walk a lot. My mother was a devout Catholic, and my father an equally devout agnostic, an arrangement that didn't seem to bother either of them through their 75 years of marriage.

(Yes, 75 years, and they were deeply in love the entire time.)

He retired when he was 70, and nearly every morning for the next 20 years or so, he would walk with her the mile to St. Augustan Church.
She would walk down and sit in the front pew, and he would wait in the back until he saw which of the parish's two priests was on duty that morning. If it was the pastor, my father then would go out and take a 2-mile walk, meeting my mother at the end of the service and walking her home.

If it was the assistant pastor, he'd take just a 1-mile walk and then head back to the church. He called the priests "Father Fast" and "Father Slow."

After he retired, my father almost always accompanied my mother whenever she drove anywhere, even if he had no reason to go along. If she were going to the beauty parlor, he'd sit in the car and read, or go take a stroll or, if it was summer, have her keep the engine running so he could listen to the Cubs game on the radio. In the evening, then, when I'd stop by, he'd explain: "The Cubs lost again. The millionaire on second base made a bad throw to the millionaire on first base, so the multimillionaire on third base scored."

If she were going to the grocery store, he would go along to carry the bags out -- and to make sure she loaded up on ice cream. As I said, he was always the navigator, and once, when he was 95 and she was 88 and still driving, he said to me, "Do you want to know the secret of a long life?"

"I guess so," I said, knowing it probably would be something bizarre.

"No left turns," he said.|
"What?" I asked

"No left turns," he repeated. "Several years ago, your mother and I read an article that said most accidents that old people are in happen when they turn left in front of oncoming traffic.

As you get older, your eyesight worsens, and you can lose your depth perception, it said. So your mother and I decided never again to make a left turn."

"What?" I said again.
"No left turns," he said. "Think about it.. Three rights are the same as a left, and that's a lot safer. So we always make three rights."

"You're kidding!" I said, and I turned to my mother for support.

"No," she said, "your father is right. We make three rights. It works."
But then she added: "Except when your father loses count."

I was driving at the time, and I almost drove off the road as I started laughing.

"Loses count?" I asked.
"Yes," my father admitted, "that sometimes happens. But it's not a problem. You just make seven rights, and you're okay again."
I couldn't resist. "Do you ever go for 11?" I asked.

"No," he said " If we miss it at seven, we just come home and call it a bad day.
Besides, nothing in life is so important it can't be put off another day or another week."
My mother was never in an accident, but one evening she handed me her car keys and said she had decided to quit driving.
That was in 1999, when she was 90.

She lived four more years, until 2003.. My father died the next year, at 102.

They both died in the bungalow they had moved into in 1937 and bought a few years later for $3,000. (Sixty years later, my brother and I paid $8,000 to have a shower put in the tiny bathroom -- the house had never had one. My father would have died then and there if he knew the shower cost nearly three times what he paid for the house.)

He continued to walk daily -- he had me get him a treadmill when he was 101 because he was afraid he'd fall on the icy sidewalks but wanted to keep exercising -- and he was of sound mind and sound body until the moment he died.

One September afternoon in 2004, he and my son went with me when I had to give a talk in a neighboring town, and it was clear to all three of us that he was wearing out, though we had the usual wide-ranging conversation about politics and newspapers and things in the news.

A few weeks earlier, he had told my son, "You know, Mike, the first hundred years are a lot easier than the second hundred."

At one point in our drive that Saturday, he said, "You know, I'm probably not going to live much longer."

"You're probably right," I said.|

"Why would you say that?" He countered, somewhat irritated.

"Because you're 102 years old," I said..

"Yes," he said, "you're right." He stayed in bed all the next day.

That night, I suggested to my son and daughter that we sit up with him through the night.

He appreciated it, he said, though at one point, apparently seeing us look gloomy, he said:

"I would like to make an announcement. No one in this room is dead yet"

An hour or so later, he spoke his last words:

"I want you to know," he said, clearly and lucidly, "that I am in no pain. I am very comfortable. And I have had as happy a life as anyone on this earth could ever have."

A short time later, he died.

I miss him a lot, and I think about him a lot. I've wondered now and then how it was that my family and I were so lucky that he lived so long.

I can't figure out if it was because he walked through life,
Or because he quit taking left turns. "

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

So love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance, take it & if it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."


ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!

Monday, February 14, 2011

upcoming events

Hello men, this is the men's ministry update for the week of 2/13/11.

Wildmen Boot Camp
The next Boot Camp is scheduled for 9/22-25 at Dayspring. This will be a life lifting, God affirming, soul renewing time for all of us. If you attended the last Boot Camp, there will be much new for you to process and experience. Bring men with you that you want to have the same charge you received at the previous camp. If you have never been to a Boot Camp, you are are in for a treat of a lifetime. The cost for registration prior to 5/6/11 is $225 (includes 12 meals and lodging). After 5/6, the price goes to $275. You can register at www.wildmenministry.com using paypal, give a check to any Wildmen leader made out to Wildmen Ministry or mail to Wildmen Ministry, POB 450, Clearwater, FL 33779.

Wildmen
This week is very special with Tuesday night being Ladies Night. That's right! We are inviting the ladies of our lives into the man cave to experience Wildmen up close and personally. We are in the 5th week of "Love and War" by John and Stasi Eldredge. This week's topic - "The Enemy is not Your Spouse". We will have special music from Troy and the phenomenal band he leads, decorations and food and the special table time with our ladies involved. We start at 7PM so do not miss this! If you are single, please come. Each of us want you to meet our special lady and for them to meet you. Come and help set up and serve -just come!

REAL Men
Frank Frye is continuing to guide us on the topic of Discipling or mentoring others on Thursday from 6:30-7:30AM in the Forum. I will be leading the Power Lunch which meets from 11:45-1:00PM at the New China Buffet on the NE corner of Lockwood Ridge and Univ Pkwy.

BEAST FEAST
The Beast Feast is this Sat from 2:30-7:30. Go to thebeastfeast.com to buy tickets for just $10. You get a great a lot of fun with outdoor lovers seeing and learning much. There will be prizes, a great dinner, wild game appetizers, and a professional speaker who will also give a gospel message. Invite your outdoor loving friends who need to receive Christ and His salvation.

God bless, Billy

Tomorrow special event in Sarasota

Wildmen

Tomorrow night will be a special night with your wives. We are going to have a special dinner and event for the wives. Be sure to be there at 7:00PM it will be a night to remember.

We are opening up the Man Cave and cleaning it up to let the wives see what we do every Tuesday Night. They know that we have changes or are in the process of changing and now they can see how God is impacting our lives first hand.

One of the greatest encouragements that I get is when a wildman tells me that his wife makes him come on Tuesday night. That tell me that they are seeing a change from the inside out. It is amazing what happens when we put our pride on the shelf and invite God into our heart..... The change is evident to all we encounter. I thank God every day for what he has done in my life and the opportunity to share life with my Band of Brothers.

Monday Motivational

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habits.

Watch your habits, they become character.

Watch your character, it becomes your destiny

Friday, February 11, 2011

When Grace Goes Deep

When Grace Goes Deep
by Max Lucado

The prodigal son trudges up the path. His pig stink makes passersby walk wide circles around him, but he doesn't notice. With eyes on the ground, he rehearses his speech: "Father"—his voice barely audible—"I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son." He rehashes the phrases, wondering if he should say more, less, or make a U-turn to the barnyard. After all, he cashed in the trust fund and trashed the family name. Over the last year, he'd awakened with more parched throats, headaches, women, and tattoos than a rock star. How could his father forgive him?Maybe I could offer to pay off the credit cards. He's so focused on penance planning that he fails to hear the sound of his father...running!

The dad embraces the mud-layered boy as if he were a returning war hero. He commands the servants to bring a robe, ring, and sandals, as if to say, "No boy of mine is going to look like a pigpen peasant. Fire up the grill. Bring on the drinks. It's time for a party!"

Big brother meanwhile stands on the porch and sulks. "No one ever gave me a party," he mumbles, arms crossed.

The father tries to explain, but the jealous son won't listen. He huffs and shrugs and grumbles something about cheap grace, saddles his high horse, and rides off. But you knew that. You've read the parable of the gracious father and the hostile brother (see Luke 15:11-32).

But have you heard what happened next? Have you read the second chapter? It's a page-turner. The older brother resolves to rain on the forgiveness parade. If Dad won't exact justice on the boy, I will.

"Nice robe there, little brother," he tells him one day. "Better keep it clean. One spot and Dad will send you to the cleaners with it."

The younger waves him away, but the next time he sees his father, he quickly checks his robe for stains.

A few days later big brother warns about the ring. "Quite a piece of jewelry Dad gave you. He prefers that you wear it on the thumb."
"The thumb? He didn't tell me that."
"Some things we're just supposed to know."
"But it won't fit my thumb."

"What's your goal—pleasing our father or your own personal comfort?" the spirituality monitor gibes, walking away.

Big brother isn't finished. With the pleasantness of a dyspeptic IRS auditor, he taunts, "If Dad sees you with loose laces, he'll take the sandals back."

"He will not. They were a gift. He wouldn't...would he?" The ex-prodigal then leans over to snug the strings. As he does, he spots a smudge on his robe. Trying to rub it off, he realizes the ring is on a finger, not his thumb. That's when he hears his father's voice. "Hello, Son."

There the boy sits, wearing a spotted robe, loose laces, and a misplaced ring. Overcome with fear, he reacts with a "Sorry, Dad" and turns and runs.

Too many tasks. Keeping the robe spotless, the ring positioned, the sandals snug—who could meet such standards? Gift preservation begins to wear on the young man. He avoids the father he feels he can't please. He quits wearing the gifts he can't maintain. And he even begins longing for the simpler days of the pigpen. "No one hounded me there."

That's the rest of the story. Wondering where I found it? On page 1,892 of my Bible, in the book of Galatians. Thanks to some legalistic big brothers, Paul's readers had gone from grace receiving to law keeping.

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.... (Gal. 1:6-7)

Joy snatchers infiltrated the Roman church as well. Paul had to remind them, "But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work" (Rom. 4:5).

Philippian Christians heard the same foolishness. Big brothers weren't telling them to wear a ring on their thumb, but they were insisting "you must be circumcised to be saved" (Phil. 3:2).

Even the Jerusalem church, the flagship congregation, heard the solemn monotones of the Quality Control Board. Non-Jewish believers were being told, "You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us" (Acts 15:1 NCV)

The churches suffered from the same malady: grace blockage. The Father might let you in the gate, but you have to earn your place at the table. God makes the down payment on your redemption, but you pay the monthly installments. Heaven gives the boat, but you have to row it if you ever want to see the other shore.

Your deeds don't save you. And your deeds don't keep you saved. Grace does. The next time big brother starts dispensing more snarls than twin Dobermans, loosen your sandals, set your ring on your finger, and quote the apostle of grace who said, "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10 NKJV)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

TGIF today

Precious Deaths
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, February 10 2011

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." - Psalm 116:15

The Bible often speaks of death as a requirement of living a life in Christ. This death is not a physical death, but a spiritual death. It is a death of the old so the new can be raised. It is the life of Christ that is raised in us. However, this death can be painful if we do not choose to willingly allow this "circumcision of heart" to have its way. If we are not circumcised of heart, we do not enter into God's promises. Moses was called to deliver a people from slavery. But when he was about to return to Egypt to begin what God called Him to do, God almost killed him. He had failed to take care of the details of obedience. In this case, it was that all the males in his family were to be circumcised. This oversight on Moses' part almost cost him his life. Imagine that - God prepared a man 40 years, and yet, he was almost disqualified because of an oversight. "At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it..." (Ex. 4:24).

None of us will ever enter the Promised Land of full blessing with God unless we have this same circumcision of heart. The psalmist above accurately describes the process of circumcising the heart.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have freed me from my chains (Psalm 116:15-16).

We cannot be free to be God's servant until this death takes place in each of us. When this death takes place, we become free - free from the chains of sin that held us back from becoming completely His. Oh, what freedom there is when this death takes place. No longer are we held to the sin of materialism, fear, self-effort, or anxiety, for we are dead to these things.

The Bible speaks of the seed that must die in order for it to spring up and give new life.

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:24-25).

Each of us must ask the Lord if our seed has died. Is it in the ground now, yielding the fruit of brokenness before Him? This is the great paradox of a life in Christ - the circumcision of heart and the death process. Ask God to free you to become all that He wants you to be today.

good thought for the day

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord." Psalm 96:11-13

Daily Bread

Proverbs 9
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2.She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3.She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.
4."Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.
5."Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
6.Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
7."Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
8.Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
9.Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
10"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
12.If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."
13.The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
14.She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15.calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way.
16."Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.
17."Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious! "
18.But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Courage, Convictions and Commitment

Zig Ziglar
Those are the very words you could use to describe Truett Cathy and the success of his Chick-fil-A restaurant chain. It took Truett 21 years from the time he opened his first Dwarf House Restaurant and perfected his Chick-fil-A sandwich to open his first Chick-fil-A restaurant in a shopping mall.

It was difficult for Truett Cathy to arrange his first shopping mall lease for his Chick-fil-A restaurant. Cathy, a man of strong religious convictions, was determined never to open one of his restaurants on Sunday. Most shopping malls would not make that kind of agreement. Finally, one did and Chick-fil-A was an almost-immediate hit. As of February, 2011, the chain has 1,539 locations in 39 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. In 2010 sales were $3.5 billion.

It took a considerable amount of courage, backed by convictions, to refuse to let his restaurants open on Sunday. Mr. Cathy’s faith, however, was such that he never really considered the issue. He was determined to open six days a week and serve the best product he could possibly produce. He resolved to give good service and a genuine business opportunity to the people with whom he worked.

Sticking to his principles has benefitted not only Truett Cathy, but many others as well. He has awarded his college student employees over $26 million in scholarships. WinShape Foundation was founded more than 20 years ago by Jeannette and Truett Cathy. Under the WinShape Foundation umbrella, there are several programs, including WinShape Homes®, which currently operates 11 foster care homes in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. The WinShape College Program℠ at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, is a co-op program offering joint four-year scholarship funding to incoming freshmen of up to $32,000. WinShape Camps℠ offer boys and girls summer programs at the college, which will be attended by more than 13,000 campers in 2011.

That’s the American way. That’s the Truett Cathy way. Think about it and be inspired by Truett Cathy’s story. Search your heart for something you can do for those who cannot do for themselves, and I’ll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

upcoming events

Wildmen
On Tuesday, we will have the 4th in the series, "Love and War", by John and Staci Eldredge. Read Chs 5 & 7 for this week. This is so relevant and helpful in this day of seemingly disposable relationships. This will help you regardless of whether you are married or not. We meet for dinner at 7PM and will have great food, praise, teaching and fellowship.

REAL Men
REAL Men meets on Thursday with the morning session from 6:20-7:30 AM in the Forum. The discussions are always lively and inspirational as God uses our various experiences and understandings to guide and encourage each other in the journey of faith and meaning. The lunch session meets from 11:45-1:00PM at the New China Buffet on the NE corner of Lockwood Ridge and University Pkwy. Bob Cook will lead this week's session.

Men's Retreat Date
The next men's retreat date is 9/22-25 and it will be held at the Daypsring Conference Center in Parrish. This event is sure to be a sellout so be planning and saving your money for the soon to be announced ticket program.

Beast Feast
The Beast Feast will be held Sarasota Baptist on Proctor Road next week on 2/19 from 2:30-7:30. Go to thebeastfeast.com to buy advance tickets for $10. A day of fun, a great meal, and a superb speaker! What a deal The gospel will be presented so bring friends and family to hear the story of Jesus's love and redemption.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Wayne Huizenga, Jr. Event

Wayne Huizenga, Jr. will be in town and if you would like to attend his event contact:

Frank Frye
Priority Associates
24051 Jennings Road
Myakka City, Florida 34251
941-322-2931(H) 941-725-4982(C)
Re-define The Bottom Line for Life - Spiritual/Personal
Family, Business

Monday Motivational

The Value of a Smile

It costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business and is the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, Sunshine to the sad and nature’s best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen for it is something that is no earthly good to anyone till it is given away!




May God Richly Bless You……

Living Word Christian Store

SAVE 20% OFF ANY ONE Non-Sale Item.
In store coupon only. Valid only on in-stock items. Not valid on special orders. Not valid on previous purchases. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one coupon per customer per day. Not valid on Cafe purchases. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Some other restrictions may apply - see store for details.
Valid at: Living Word Christian Store (941) 225-4050
Sarasota Crossings Shopping Plaza
Coupon Offer Expires: February 13, 2011

Joe Gibbs

We know what kind of violent insults can be hurled at coaches whose teams miss the playoffs for a second season in a row. We hear of even college players—nineteen and twenty year-olds, remember—getting death threats after throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.


But in their own way, any unfair complaints you may be enduring on the job right now are just as damaging and hurtful as these. Perhaps your upper level management is making it nearly impossible for you to succeed. Maybe a coworker or employee with an axe to grind is bad-mouthing you every chance he gets. A customer whose order was delayed—just this one time—is talking you down to those who could take you down.


People can misunderstand. They can take things out of context. They can see something they don't like about you and never leave the door open for a second impression, no matter how hard you try to please them. "Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets" (Psalm 55:11).


But as for you, keep showing up for work on time with all your personal skills in playing shape. Do your best to treat others fairly, learn from criticism, control your anger. Then just "cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall" (Psalm 55:22). You don't have to beat them. You just need to know where your true victory lies.


Pray this prayer: Lord, I've really been under attack lately, and I'm getting tired of it. But you certainly know—much better than I do—how it feels to be mistreated. Help me learn how to handle this well.