by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 28, 2014 | Empowerment, Encouragement, Motivation, Success, Thanksgiving, Vision
Why do so many people reach success and then fail?
“One of the big reasons is, we think success is a one-way street. So we do everything that leads up to success, but then we get there. We figure we’ve made it, we sit back in our comfort zone, and we actually stop doing everything that made us successful,” according to Richard St. John.
In this TED talk, Richard St. John reminds us that success is not a one-way street, but a constant journey. He uses the story of his business’ rise and fall to illustrate a valuable lesson — when we stop trying, we fail. Check it out!
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by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 26, 2012 | Christmas, Current Affairs, Mind Dump, Thanksgiving
Last week I noticed something deeply disturbing. As long as I’ve been living, Thanksgiving was a day to relax with family, friends, football, while enjoying great food. It is the day when we express our gratitude and show appreciation. What’s disturbing is how greed & excess invaded and took over the ethos of Thanksgiving.
It is sad, but 2012 will be remembered as the year, where last semblance of a boundary between the actual day of Thanksgiving and the formal commencement of the holiday shopping season finally collapsed. It wasn’t just the decision by some of the biggest retailers to move their opening hours earlier than ever before. For many customers, the exact time when the doors were unlocked was irrelevant, because Thanksgiving had already become completely subsumed in shopping mania. What difference does it make if the doors open at 8 p.m. or midnight, if you were already in line days earlier. Something is wrong with this picture. (more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 21, 2012 | Mars Hill Baptist Church, Success, Thanksgiving
In a few days we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Historically, It is a day set aside to show how thankful we are. Families and friends will gather to eat, reminiscence, and watch football. It is the one-day we set aside to show our appreciation for all we have been given. I love Thanksgiving, but it should not be limited to one day. We should have an attitude of gratitude everyday.
The older I get, the more I realize the importance of the little things that are right in front of me to appreciate all year long. With that in mind, I decided to use my blog as a platform to express my gratitude. So, once again, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, this uniquely American holiday, here is the list of blessings for which I am thankful in 2012.
I’m Thankful For The Mars Hill Baptist Church of Chicago
The enemy always tempts us to look at the glass as half-empty. Rather, it is a good discipline to consider how that cup is actually overflowing. Every pastor has the temptation to get discouraged or frustrated working with people… just as every congregation has the temptation to get discouraged or frustrated working with their pastor. However, the joy of pastoring far outweigh the frustrations.
Here’s why I’m thankful:
- I’m thankful for the local church and still believe that it’s the hope of the world.
- I’m thankful that my church hangs around and talks long after the worship service is over.
- I’m thankful that my church expects & anticipates Scripture to be opened and explained.
- I’m thankful that my church members have developed friendship that extends well-beyond Sunday morning.
- I’m thankful for the way I’ve seen God work, in my life and the lives of others – in big ways and small.
- I’m thankful for the worship team who lead us into worship each week, not for a big performance or to focus attention on their own musical talents, but to give glory to God and help us do the same
- I’m thankful that God planned all of this – that He brought a small, faithful group to plant this church 49 years ago
That’s my list (or at least part of the list…there are so many more). What about you? What are you thankful for?
