How many times do we miss opportunities in life?  Perhaps the better questions is, "How many times do we fail to see the opportunities in life?"  I remember a friend I use to work with who was dismissed from the organization.  Obviously an unexpected event.  Art had always been a passion in this individuals life, however it wasn't until a door was shut in her life that God opened up another door which launched them into a whole new dimension of living their passion and dream.  She is a tremendous artist whom I have had the privilege of studying under.  Some people believe that everything that happens in life is orchestrated by God.  I do not happen to be a proponent of this philosophy, however I do believe that everything that happens is an opportunity for greater things to happen.  You see when it comes to art, God is a master at taking the things in life that are meant to destroy us and turn them into something good.  How does he do it?  Well one thing is for sure he doesn't do it independently of us.  It takes us being willing to accept what is, and move forward with the attitude that if God is for us who can be against us.  I am convinced today that what appears as a failure is simply an opportunity to succeed.  Someone once said that problems are stepping stones to greater opportunities.  I, like you, have had my share of disappointments, but this one thing I know, I am not looking back.  I am pressing forward toward the tremendous opportunities that await me.  I am going through the door with faith and hope in a God who is able to take everything and make it work for good.  Seize the Moment!!!

I know some are wondering what I am doing?  What kind of business are you starting?  The name of my new company is Sureway Transportation. In short it is a truck brokerage business.  I am very excited about this new venture in life and look forward to building a successful business.  I don't think for one minute that God has called be to be a truck broker.  I do believe it is time for me to step away from full-time ministry, at least for a season.  It is certainly clear that I have a responsibility to provide for my family.  This business is simply an avenue for me to do that.   My identical twin is here this week helping me set everything up.  He has been in this business four years and God has blessed his endeavors.  Watch out Malvern there are two of us in town this week.  By the way if you see me around town and I don't speak to you, it probably wasn't me.  My office is located in the Edward Jones building downtown. Someone asked me the other day if God would be mad at them regarding a decision they had to make if they made the wrong one.  My immediate response was absolutely not.  It is sad to me that as children of God we gravitate toward a Father who is looking for a chance to be mad at us. I believe that when we are endeavoring with everything in us to please God, He blesses whatever we set our hand to do.  I think the weighter things like love, kindness, giving, and service are so much more important to God than whether we make a right decision or not. When our lives are built around Christ we please Him, even when we make mistakes.  I know for me right now this is right, and what else can any of us do, but to do our best to follow God.  It takes faith to step out in a new venture, but I truly believe that God will take care of us. At men's breakfast the other day Floyd Parker pointed out a cute little rubber duckie on one of the tables and how it made him smile.  By the way, let me make something very clear, we normally don't have rubber duckies as our table setting for mens breakfast.  The ladies had set up the fellowship hall for a baby shower.  I love that story because I believe God smiles at us, and that makes us smile.  On the contrary God is not mad at you. I know He smiles on me, and that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...

Proverbs 10:19 says, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”  I don’t know about you, but I love to talk, in fact at times a can really control the conversation especially after a good “Espresso” Here's a verse that will step on your toes!  Where words are many, sin is not absent.  What's that all about? What kind of words? Words that are empty and void of substance...words that are full of anger, bitterness and resentment...words that are full of pride, ego and "it's all about me"… words that are arrogant rants, selfish tantrums, opinionated outbursts...words that are insensitive, hurtful, critical, damaging...words that are out of place, inappropriate, lacking in judgment...How do you avoid talking too much? It’s really easy, well maybe not…. be slow to speak and quick to listen. The old saying is true, “what goes around comes around.”  If you think your words don’t come around full circle, you are sadly mistaken. If you think the person you are sharing gossip with is not telling someone else until the person you are talking about hears it, you are wrong. What was it that kept the children of Israel out of the promised land?  It was their words – they murmured and complained.  The second time around God said, this is not going to happen again.  To put His words in our language God said, “Shut-up and march.”  Are people running from you? Not answering your calls? Avoiding contact? Could be a "words" problem.  Be sensible and turn off the flow!