by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 25, 2012 | regular
Fifteen years ago the Lord blessed Shauntai and I with our second son, Joshua. Today’s his fifteenth birthday & I pause to reflect and share wisdom that’ll live with him forever. Unlike material things, our words have the ability to create worlds – gateways to a better tomorrow.
If there’s a single word you should live your life by, it should be this: Love Should Be Your Rule. It might sound lame, I know … but trust me, there’s no better rule in life.
Some would live by the rule of success. Their lives will be stressful, unhappy and shallow.
Others would live by the rule of selfishness — putting their needs above those of others. They will live lonely lives, and will also be unhappy.
Still others will live by the rule of righteousness — trying to show the right path, and admonishing anyone who doesn’t live by that path. They are concerned with others, but in a negative way, and in the end will only have their own righteousness to live with, and that’s a horrible companion.
Live your life by the rule of love. Love your future wife, your parents, and your friends with all of your heart. Give to them what they need, and show them not cruelty nor disapproval nor coldness nor disappointment, but only love. Open your soul to them.
Love not only your loved ones, but your neighbors … your coworkers … strangers … your brothers and sisters in humanity. Offer anyone you meet a smile, a kind word, a kind gesture, a helping hand.
Love not only neighbors and strangers … but your enemy. The person who is cruelest to you, who has been unkind to you … love him. He is a tortured soul, and most in need of your love.
And most of all, love yourself. While others may criticize you, learn not to be so hard on yourself, to think that you’re ugly or dumb or unworthy of love … but to think instead that you are a wonderful human being, worthy of happiness and love … and learn to love yourself for who you are.
Finally, know that I love you and always will. You are starting out on a weird, scary, daunting, but ultimately incredibly wonderful journey, and I will be there for you when I can.
Happy Birthday Son!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 20, 2012 | regular
I started blogging “unofficially” on MySpace (y’all remember them) as a hobby. Now it’s a vital part of my ministry portfolio. I plan to use it to supplement my weekend messages.
Don’t you wish Blogger or Typepad had been around 2,000 years ago. I wonder if Jesus would have blogged? What an RSS feed that would have been!
I thought I would hit the pause button and share the top ten reasons why I decided to “professionally” blog:
- I want to be a good steward of God’s ideas. God has given me so much…He has taught me so much…I would be wrong not to pass along what I’ve learned that might be able to help others. My blog is one way I “take my thoughts captive“—II Corinthians 10:5.
- Too often we remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. My blog helps me remember what God doesn’t want me to forget.
- Blogging is therapeutic. Ithelps me process thoughts and emotions. I believe blogging will make me a better leader. It will make me accountable. It will keep me humble. Just as preaching keeps the preacher always learning, I believe blogging will keep me on the learning edge of leadership.
- Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write down the revelation.” Blogging is one way I write down what God is revealing to me.
- Blogging is a form of digital discipleship. I can’t disciple a thousand people one-on-one or face-to-face. Blogging is asynchronous discipleship. It’s e-vangelism.
- Blogging is marking my trail with breadcrumbs like Hansel and Gretel. Jeremiah 31:21 says, “Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Mark well the path by which you came.”
- I blog for my children’s children. Mygrand kids will know what I was doing and thinking on February 19, 2008. They’ll be able to know my heart and read my mind.
- Blogging is a form of autobiography. It helps me understand God’s story-line for my life.
- Blogging makes Mars Hill Baptist Church an open-source church. For better or for worse, my blog is the way I share what we’re doing at MHBC.
- I enjoy blogging. I don’t think it comes natural to everyone. However, since I’ve always wanted to journal, blogging fits the rhythm of my life and ministry.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 18, 2012 | regular
Do Clothes Really Matter? How important is what we wear? Can people look through all the superficial fluff of fashion and see the real us?
The answer? Usually not.
Researchers have come up with scientific evidence to prove that what you wear actually does make a difference in how you influence the world around you.
Let’s face it: First impressions make lasting impressions. As I continue to age gracefully, I’m even more conscious of my appearance and attire. Gone are the days when we can roll out of bed, throw on a jogging suit, and jumpstart your day.
Behavioral scientists tell us that the effect of a first impression is a strong one. The process of sizing you up is something that goes on almost subconsciously. Your evaluation by a stranger takes 30 seconds or less. It can be so strong that it could take as long as five years to erase.
Honestly, I take my style cues from President Barack Obama, bankers, lawyers, and CEO’s. Why? “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” -Will Rogers
Here’s My Top 20 list of style cues:
- The fit of clothing is the most notable thing about your wardrobe; you can buy the most expensive attire but if it is not the right size or does not fit your body proportions correctly it will look sloppy.
- Buy the best that you can afford within your budget; quality will not only look better but will last longer.
- Black shoes black belt; brown shoes brown belt.
- No socks with sandals. PERIOD!
- If the suit does not fit in the shoulders, don’t buy it; shoulders cannot be altered.
- The sleeve of a dress shirt should show from beneath the sleeve of your suit coat, anywhere from 1/4 to 1/ 2 inch.
- Invest in quality well-made leather dress shoes – and take care of them; use shoe trees and clean, wax and polish them regularly and they will easily last you a lifetime.
- If you wear any kind of sandal, clean your feet, cut your toenails, and make them presentable.
- Trim your eyebrows, pluck ear hairs and clip nose hairs, nobody wants to be whispering sweet nothings to you only to see ear hairs blowing in the wind.
- Don’t dump half a bottle of cologne on, your scent should only be detectable up close and personal.
- Wear clothing that is appropriate not only for the occasion but appropriate for your age.
- True athletic shoes should be worn while doing something athletic.
- Socks should match the pants.
- Black actually does go with everything, as does grey.
- Every guy should own at least one suit for occasions such as weddings, funerals, job interviews; a navy blue or charcoal grey two-button single-breasted one will serve you well.
- A light colored suit is not appropriate for evening functions; it may be wise to invest in a tuxedo.
- Brown leather dress shoes do indeed go with navy blue and grey suits and dress pants.
- Pocket squares should compliment the outfit and not match identically to your shirt or tie or anything else.
- Go bald gracefully, cut your hair short and don’t worry about it.
- A man of style will treat others in the same manner that he’d like to be treated in return.
Why not take advantage of the research on human nature and utilize the knowledge to enhance and control how you are accepted? Since apparel covers about 90 percent of our bodies, the clothing you choose makes a significant impact. This is such a critical area, and one in which you can effect the greatest impression.
What did I miss? What would you add to the list?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 13, 2012 | regular
Can someone please explain to me what’s wrong with Nicki Minaj?
First, she arrived on the red carpet supposedly channeling her “Roman Zolanski” alter ego. That required a custom-made Versace outfit consisting of a blood-red, nun-inspired satin robe. Her “date” was an older man dressed to resemble the pope. I’m not Catholic, but I’m outraged at her blatant disrespect of the church.
If you haven’t seen the video, you can view it HERE.
(KEVIN MAZUR/WIREIMAGE)
Next, Her “performance” consisted of an onstage exorcism, seemingly on herself, complete with levitations, fire, lighting and gibberish. As a white-hooded, goth-like church choir sang a chilling rendition of “Come All Ye Faithful,” (Source: Fox News).
Can someone please tell Nicki that Madonna did that “Catholic Thing” more than 20 years ago? And Lady Gaga pulled it of just recently?
“This was not a stage performance; it was a satanic platform” according to my friend Pastor Darron Edwards. I agree wholeheartedly! In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we’re reminded “The god of this age (satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that the cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Moreover, in Ephesians 2:2, “satan is the prince of the power of the air. He is still in the office of control over this world and its affairs insofar as God allows him to exercise that control.”
To say, for example, that Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” is to signify that in some way he rules over the world and the people in it.
This is not to say that he rules the world completely; only God does this. But, it does mean that God, in His infinite wisdom, has allowed Satan to operate in this world (within the boundaries God has set for him) and has allowed Satan to operate with an agenda.
What makes Nicki’s Performance So Dangerous?
Adults and children have a natural minds that are in tune with the devil’s wavelength (Eph. 2:2). It picks up satan’s attitudes as expressed by selfishness, criticism, envy, unhappiness, etc., etc. Satan transmits to humanity that attitude of mind and heart which travels the way of sin. Satan does not need help in transmitting attitudes of selfishness, envy, lust, unhappiness etc. He can spiritually transmit these attitudes directly at us – and he does!
Thanks Nicki for making our jobs more difficult!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 8, 2012 | regular
In Part 1, I shared my experiences regarding change and transition. If you missed it, you can read it HERE.
In 2011 we experienced many exciting changes at Mars Hill Baptist Church. Regardless of how exciting the vision of the building was, we know now that in the process, we left some people behind.
In Part 1, we learned how BUILDINGS HOUSE MEMORIES – DON’T ERASE THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.
Here’s SECOND humbling lesson learned:
CHANGE HAPPENS QUICKLY BUT TRANSITION OFTEN FOLLOWS MORE SLOWLY
We also assumed that most people would be able to accept the changes as easily as we did. We were only looking ahead of us. We were not looking around. What we did not realize is that while change happens instantly, transition follows more slowly.
Different personalities adapt to change in different ways, and in their own time. For most people, change is difficult. For others change is downright scary. As leaders, we should have invested additional time in building individual relationships. This may help people understand and accept the transition.
To go back to the lake fishing example mentioned in Part 1: If the leaders had stayed on the shore instead of going ahead in their boat, they could have helped and encouraged those that were uncertain about going fishing. Sometimes there is more serving involved in leadership than leading.
What are your thoughts regarding change and transition?
Which do you find most difficult?
