Prayer In Arizona

History was made on Tuesday, August 28, 11:00am - 1:00pm, as 95 pastors, ministry leaders, and high-ranked legislators from all over Arizona met for worship and prayer at the historic "Old Senate" chamber and "Constitution Hall" of the original Arizona Capitol.

Hosted by Arizona Call to Prayer and the legislative chaplains, and with worship led by Daniel Brymer and team, we gathered first and foremost to honor God at the historic heart of our state government. Many prayers were given for our government officials and for our state, including for our top government officials in the Arizona House of Representatives, Speaker James Weiers, and in the Arizona Senate, President Tim Bee, who were both present. Pastors and ministry leaders came from as far as Flagstaff, Kingman, Safford, Sierra Vista, and Tucson. We know of no other time that such a large and representative gathering of the Arizona Christian leadership community has assembled for the purpose of worshiping God and interceding for our state at the original Capitol.

Another key component of the event was the connection with the prayers of the first chaplain recorded at the Constitutional Convention for Arizona Statehood in 1910. The Chaplain Seaborn Crutchfield was known for his powerful prayers for Arizona, and many of these were highlighted by various pastors in the very chamber they were originally voiced 97 years ago. All 50 of Chaplain Crutchfield's original prayers of the Constitutional Convention of 1910 have been compiled in one section of the new book by Guy Chadwick, God in the Foundations of Arizona Government.

God is clearly leading us to connect with the foundations He has laid for our state. An important part of our call is to assemble together in simple godly unity to worship and pray for things bigger than ourselves-- for all of Arizona, our land, and our nation. It is very significant, and a great joy, to see so many pastors and leaders respond to the "inconvenient" call to convene at our original Arizona Capitol. Perhaps this is another way in which Arizona is "taking the point" for our nation.

A Response

Several have asked if I plan to respond to the comments written on Mother's Day regarding my "A Dark Cloud" posting that I wrote on April 22. At the time, I decided not to respond because I didn't want to seem like I was stooping to their level of antics, however, now that time has passed, I will give brief responses to both comments made.

First, let me say that what was said leads me to believe that both of these were written by people in leadership roles at the church my posting was referring to. Unfortunately, I can't use names because both writers were too cowardly to reveal who they truly are.

COMMENT 1

Maybe instead of dwelling on people imperfections you should analyze your bitterness. I do not think it is right to talk about anyone but do not forget the fact that we are all sinners in need of salvation. I think instead of the focus being on peoples sins that we already know we all have you should in turn look at praying to surrender your bitterness that you are carrying. By your notes it is obvious that it has become your whole life.

I'm not sure what bitterness he's referring to. If he actually took the time to read my posting, he would see that I gave a factual account of the event that took place in the waiting room at the church as well as other times he had publicly lied and bad-mouthed certain members of the congregation. This story led into what I see as an epidemic in this nation of sins that are occurring even at the top levels of the church. I understand that everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23) but the problem comes when that person doesn't believe he is sinning and shows no sign of repentance. The Bible says to bring it out into the open in Matthew 18:17 after dealing with in private (which I tried on several occasions to do while attending that church). As for this becoming my whole life, he obviously doesn't understand this blog nor does he care to. It is very little of my life and when I write about this past, I grieve for those still in denial and pray that they would repent of their sins and that great things could come from them. I write from past and present experiences. I want Christians to learn how to live out God's Word and just as the entire Bible is written from experiences (God-anointed), I do the same to help give examples of what to look for, things to avoid, and how to live life for the fullest glory of God Almighty.

COMMENT 2

Hey $#%#, quit talking $#%# about my pastor and using your "Living Life" column to bash the people of God and His Bride the church.

Q. What church do you attend?
A. NONE, your not an active member anywhere.

Q. How many times have you sang at a church in the last year?
A.NONE.

Dude.....quit talking trash or im gonna throw you in a pool of water.

I had to edit out the bad language this person used in his comment just to use it in my post! He asks two questions and then proceeds to answer them. I doubt he has ever met me and he wouldn’t know anything about what I’m doing in regards to these questions unless he’s stalking me which is a crime. Both answers are lies that he chose to write. This is called libel. I do attend church regularly. I choose not to disclose which church on this blog because of people like this writer. I don’t know the exact number of times I’ve sung at a church. I’ve been blessed to do concerts and events and in turn have been told what a blessing I have been to them. He could not find where I’ve ministered in concert on my web site because once again, I chose not to post the places for fear that a person like this would come and disturb or harm the people who have come to enjoy a time of music. I have not done concerts in the past few months because I’m working on two new CD projects, a new web site, and gearing up for the 2008 tour as well as several other behind-the-scenes projects. Finally, I don’t really like having my life border-line threatened. However, after thinking about it, it is hot outside so maybe a splash in a pool would be cool and refreshing.

------------------------------------------

As you can see, these two have no grounds for the comments they posted. Unfortunately, when you let the truth be known that others want hidden, you end up with some haters and hateful comments. The person who wrote Comment 2 shows the type of person coming out of this church and how they treat others, speak using profane language, and use threats. I’ve also seen from this person's bio that it appears he puts his pastor on a higher level than even God. That is truly scary. Please pray for these two that they would truly come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and their lives would be changed and used to bring others to Christ. I love to see lives changed and people draw closer to Jesus!

In His Grip!

National Ice Cream Day!

Hey Everyone!

It's National Ice Cream Day! Read more info below...


In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The International Ice Cream Association (IICA) encourages retailers and consumers to celebrate July as National Ice Cream Month. In 2007, National Ice Cream Day will be Sunday, July 15.

The U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens. About 9% of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, contributing significantly to the economic well-being of the nation's dairy industry.

Founded in 1900, IICA is the trade association for manufacturers and distributors of ice cream and other frozen dessert products. The association's activities range from legislative and regulatory advocacy to market research, education and training. Its 80 member companies manufacture and distribute an estimated 85% of the ice cream and frozen dessert products consumed in the United States. IICA, as a constituent organization of the International Dairy Foods Association, can be found online at www.idfa.org.

Happy Independence Day 2007!

I wanted to wish everyone of you a Happy Independence Day! I've had the opportunity in my life to travel through many of the 50 states. I've seen landscapes, monuments, buildings, and all kinds of Americans still reminding me of the absolute fact that this is the greatest country in the world.

I did a YouTube search on patriotic songs and found two by one of my favorite groups, the Gaither Vocal Band. I've put them below. Enjoy the music and our freedom!

Nathan

God Loves You!

Hey Everyone!

The weekend is over (at least it will be in an hour and a half). Has this year been going by fast for you? It sure has for me. It's also gotten hot! I was watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play the San Franciso Giants this weekend. Everyone there was wearing jackets and gloves! We're here in shorts with the fans on high and the air conditioning humming.

Tomorrow, we go back to work. But remember, we have a holiday on Wednesday. I'll write more on that later this week. Just remember, God made every day and He has a plan for you for every minute of that day. We may not like what we're facing from time to time this week, but it could be something that God wants to help you get through.

Let's all thank God each day this coming week for the good times and the bad times and those times when we just don't seem to care.

Just wanted to remind everyone reading this: God loves you!

In His Grip!

Web Sites Down For Repairs

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that maackministries.com and deserthorizonmedia.net are both down for repairs the next few days.

I'll write another post about the web sites when they're up and running.

Have a great Father's Day and weekend!

In His Grip!

Nathan

Focus On Jesus

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

The words to this familiar chorus have gone through my mind for many years. A simple truth that defies every logic society tells to follow today. It gives hope to a person hurting and a reminder of the truth found in God's Word.

Today, we're told to focus on ourselves. We're told to have the most money, have a job with a prominent title, and lie and cheat to get someone out of the way that you no longer feel is adding to the quality of your life.

The Bible tells us just the opposite. It tells us to give to the poor and needy, become less instead of greater, and turn the other cheek when someone is causing harm to you.

The main focus that God's Word tells us we're to have is on Jesus. Once we get saved, our attention should be on Jesus. Everything we do, say, and think should be to glorify Jesus. Look what he did for us! Have you died for anyone's wrongdoings lately? Jesus did! For you! Colossians 3:17 says "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Our focus on living life is to be on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A pastor I knew lost focus on Jesus as he gained total control over every decision made at the church. At first, it seemed harmless but upon further examination, the decisions made were not formed on biblical truths nor were they to bring focus and glory on Jesus. Everything became about getting the most expensive items to highlight in different rooms. Much of the talk when really looked at was the pastor trying to find the best ways to make himself look the best he could in front of his congregation. It became his church. Many of his followers, I believe, would defend him more than they would Jesus. He lost what his focus should have been on and in turn, the church lost focus. It doesn't take much. That's why we're to diligently study the Bible and faithfully pray so that God can remind us of our mission on earth and to help us not become focused on the things of this world but on Jesus and the heavenly things we have coming.

If you want to have joy and peace in your life like I do, focus on Jesus. The trials and problems that you're facing today will not seem so big. Jesus has been where you are and He is ready to take you through anything that comes in the path that you and He are on together.

Christ's glory and grace will absolutely make the things of this earth seem small and insignificant when you turn your eyes on the One who saved you and protects you.

Living life to the fullest is focusing on the One who is everything, Jesus!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers out there. I hope you had a great day!

I had a wonderful day. We had a great time with family and friends who came together to celebrate our mothers and grandmother (for us grandkids). I was honored today to provide music and share what God has done through Maack Ministries. We also got an update on my cousin’s missions plans.

Blessings just continue to pour down and I’m glad I have a mother who cares for me and prays for me as I go out and spread the gospel of Jesus through music!

In His Grip!

A Dark Cloud

As I sat just outside his office in the waiting area, I could sense a change in the direction of his discussion. My mother had been talking with him about life in general and some about the church. He looked at the desk now empty for the day as the secretary had left for home. It was his next few sentences that made me squirm in my seat and made me want to cover my ears for not wanting to hear what was coming.

“It’s like there’s a dark cloud over the place when she’s here,” he said. He was talking about the church’s secretary. He was the church’s pastor. I don’t know how many times I had heard him praise her to her face when she was in the office telling her she was doing a great job and was an encouragement. To my mother’s and my face, he told of firing her and looking for a new secretary. He went on to explain how when his aunt filled in for a week, she would even dust and vacuum his office – why wouldn’t his real secretary do that, he pondered out loud.

This week I began to think about that again. How could someone pretend in front of so many people. How could he just blatantly bad-mouth members of his congregation, Christians dedicated to the Lord. I don’t know if he’s still pastor there or not but with the immorality and unbiblical behavior I personally saw of him many times, I would guess he is not.

That dark cloud I believe has enveloped over the United States like a bad storm waiting to strike anyone it can. This one week alone, we witnessed a horrible event at Virginia Tech, the anniversaries of the Columbine High School shooting and the Oklahoma City bombing, a hostage taken at NASA and killed along with a suicide, and schools and buildings evacuated because of bomb threats.

Satan is beginning to run this country and Christians are letting him! We’re going along with his guises of how things could be done. We’re witnessing worship services being watered down with songs filled with meaningless diatribe, pastors watering down their sermons or going so long the people lose interest. Deacons and trustees of churches caring more about numbers in pews and the latest and greatest building designs than they do about people’s hearts, and pastors who care more about how much money a person makes than what their dedication is to the church.

We as Christians need to turn from our wicked ways and turn back to God and God alone. We need to ask for forgiveness or our nation is going to fall deaf from hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ! The Bible clearly says that any nation who wants to return to the power of God must first have those who are followers of God confess, repent, and forgive. Until that time, what we saw this week may only get worse.

I pray that it does not. I pray that we will begin to truly see the examples we’re giving the world of Christianity. Let’s begin to remove those dark clouds over the churches of America so we can begin to see the sun once again shine through. Let’s look to Jesus Christ!

In His Grip!

Happy Easter!!

In a world full of sin and bad news, there's one story that brings hope and joy. Jesus Christ rose from the dead to save you and me from this world of sin and to take us home to heaven one day.

Let's celebrate this victory over evil and rejoice in the love that God has for each of us.

Happy Easter!

Thank You Roger!

My favorite pianist and one of my heroes, Roger Bennett, left this earth Saturday morning for his true home in heaven after a decade-plus long battle with leukemia. I watched the funeral live online as songs were sung, stories told, and tears shed.

I first heard Roger play with the Cathedral Quartet when I was about three years old. I was hooked on Southern Gospel music from that day on. I wanted to sing in a gospel quartet and I wanted to play the piano just like Roger. I would listen to him play a line and work hard at getting it to sound just like he played it. When I decided to get a refresher course and took some piano lessons again in high school, the first lesson I had I brought in the sheet music to Roger’s arrangement of “Goodbye, World Goodbye” and told my instructor that I want to learn this song. I’ve played that arrangement all across the Southwest now proud to be playing a song that Roger played. His piano skills were still far superior to mine but I’m practicing hard and will continue to learn from Roger as I become better at my piano playing.

As I said, Roger was diagnosed with leukemia about 12 years ago. From the start, he wasn’t about to shy away from telling the stories that went along with treatments including the highs and lows. He wrote some of the most powerful songs during these years of his life. I followed every update reading his weblog daily. I prayed just like thousands of others around the world for him. He was one of the most optimistic people I knew and His faith was strong. Truthfully, when I had days that were not exactly great, I would remember Roger and how if he could go through his hard times trusting God, so can I. He really is a hero to me. After chemotherapy, radiation, three bone-marrow transplants, dialysis, and other medications, his body was just too weak to continue. He went home peacefully at age 48 and though I’m sad to no longer have this mentor, pianist, singer, humorist, and songwriter around, I thank God that he is home, free from pain and cancer and hospitals.

Roger, thank you for the inspiration. Thank you for the laughter and tears. Thank you for helping me truly see how we are always in God’s grip! Thank you for the songs. Thank you for your time with the Cathedrals and Legacy Five. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me after the concerts you performed at. Most of all, thank you for loving Jesus and sharing His message so freely. As the song you loved to sing says, “At the ultimate healing, you are home free!”

I'm Dreaming Of A...

...White Christmas! Well, white January! Did you see the reports on television over the weekend? Snow in the Phoenix area! It rarely happens but this past weekend, it did. Golf courses were covered, front yards turned into a white winterland.

Now If God can make it snow in the middle of the desert (the same desert that gets to 115 degrees every summer), think what He can do with your life if you let Him. What an exciting thought. The Bible says that our sins can be washed as white as snow (Psalm 51:7). Once we're that white and found clean and holy in God's eyes, He can rain down (uh, I mean - snow down) blessings even in the dry desert-like times of our lives. Let Him do this great work in you today!

Link to more pictures of snow in the Phoenix, Arizona area

In His Grip!

Nathan

Is It Getting Cold?

Have you been outside this week? It’s cold out there! The wind is blowing through the cold air and everyone here in the Phoenix area is wearing long pants and at least one jacket. I saw on the news that we even had ice on the roads here in the Valley of the Sun!

I’ve been watching the national news seeing frigid temperatures and ice storms in the Midwest. It’s amazing how cold can affect lives. There were even ice and power outages in Oklahoma City over the weekend. Just two years ago I traveled through that city in August and it was over 100 degrees with about 160 percent humidity.

Let’s remember to pray for all those affected across the country with these freezing temperatures. I believe that prayer can see dramatic changes even in those lives where the people don’t even know they are being prayed for.

One final note – I once again learned this weekend after about a year or two what a fireplace looked like!

Keep warm!!

Merry Christmas!!

The first to see Jesus here on earth were animals. Those lonely barn animals didn’t know the excitement they would witness that night. The very creator who saw them into the world was now with them in the world. Next came the angels. With them a new star that shown down from above the manger. As they directed the shepherds along that grassy path into town, the lowest of the working-class made their way to see not just a tiny baby, but God Himself. Wise men entered the scene at some point refusing not to see this new King. They brought gifts knowing that they were about to see the Glorious Impossible.

And today, you and I can see this nativity scene through the words God has given in the Bible. We can imagine what the scene must have looked like as the angels were singing “Glory to God in the highest!” We can see the visitors bowing down before a baby boy not quite understanding the impact that this child would have on the world but still in awe of what was taking place.

We can sing “Glory to God in the highest” along with the angels. We can bow before His throne thanking God for this gift of eternity that He granted to us. And unlike our friends who were in the stable, we can see the end. We see that Jesus grew up, performed miracles, died a cruel death, rose from that real death, and now resides in heaven preparing a place for those who believe in Him. Jesus said that those who have not seen but who believe are blessed. Friends, we are blessed! Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

From all of us at Maack Ministries, we wish you the greatest Merry Christmas!

One Year Ago

It was one year ago today that I began writing this thing called a BLOG. It's been a lot of fun writing and I hope you have enjoyed reading the posts.

I looked back at all the posts this last week and noticed there were only 27 of them. I know there's a lot more to living life than 27 topics! So, I'm going to try and cover every single topic this next year...well, maybe not. I'd like to be able to live life a little while writing about it!

Many of the postings this last year were about accountability for Christian leaders in our churches and also for Christians serving in different places such as work, school, church, or an organization. It's very important that we live life biblically in front of people and in secret. I'll have a few more posts about accountability this coming year.

I'll also be writing some fun things. I know you'll enjoy this coming year and I'm looking forward to continue reading the many comments that come in. Keep them coming!

Until next time, keep praying and reading God's Word!

In His Grip!

Near and Nearer

Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from Your law. Yet You are near, O Lord, and all Your commands are true.

Psalm 119:150-151

The psalmist doesn't claim that God makes probelm people disappear. He merely points out that while they are near, so is God. Big problems gain a different perspective when we remember the nearness of a bigger God.

Are You Playing Games?

An interesting question, don’t you think? Not too long ago I received a voicemail from a man who claimed to be a Christian and who thought he was living in a way pleasing to God. He was a leader in his church. The voicemail began with the phrase (paraphrasing), “It appears that you’re playing games with me.” I knew it had to be a lie because the only games I was playing at the time were Solitaire and FreeCell on my computer. The message went on with threats and more nonsense. I have it stored in my media archives right now ready to make available to the public sometime.

A few weeks ago I was playing a game with some friends (don’t panic! Just a board game) and got to thinking about that message. How a person who obviously had no idea what he was talking about would start making accusations and threats with no facts, no evidence, no anything. To me, it showed a lack of spiritual maturity that needed to be worked on in his life. As I began to think more about that, I got to thinking about all of the people who call themselves Christians but in fact, do not live as a Christian should.

Which brings me back to the title question, Are you playing games? A more detailed question would be, Are you playing games with God?

You see, in today’s society, a church-going born-again Christian can get away with a lot. You can use profane language, you can smoke (even on a church campus), you can make threats toward people, you can even say you’re a Christian but go the opposite direction on your morals and values as made popular today. As you do these things (known as sins), you use excuses to yourself that make what you’re doing against God and others just fine.

But God knows everything and He won’t let you get away with anything. Do you remember Psalm 139? It’s one of the best chapters in the Bible revealing how intimate God knows you and me. For a Christian who follows God’s Word, it’s one of the greatest comforts we’re given. To one who is adapting God’s Word to their sinful actions, it’s a nightmare. Part of the chapter reads, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” Guess what, no where! The Bible here even says that God knows what we’re going to say before we even say it! This means that God knows when you’re playing games with Him before you even do it.

The lesson here is simple. Stop playing games in life. Live how the Bible says to live. Love how the Bible says to love. David (Old Testament) several times in His life played games with God, sinned, and regretted it. However, God knew that David was seeking Him and He heard David repent and admit his failings and sins toward God and man. Because of this, God even called David a man after His own heart.

Isn’t that what we should be striving for? A person after God’s own heart? Start today. Forget the talking the talk – it’s cheap. Begin walking the walk, weekly, daily, every minute whether awake or asleep.

When you begin doing this, your guilt will be erased, the excuses you make trying to fit the Bible into your thinking will melt away, and one day when you see Jesus face to face, you’ll hear the words we all long to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

In His Grip!

Remembering 9/11

Five years ago today, everything changed. I had set the alarm on my television to wake me up for college and the first images I saw were a plane hitting the World Trade Center. Not being very awake, I thought it was a commercial for some new movie. I quickly realized that it was much more than a movie; it was real life in its worst form. Not much later, I watched as both towers fell on themselves and 3,000 plus people died because of terrorists. Our country was now at war.

I remember getting out of the car at college and making the long walk to the classroom looking up into the sky and not seeing a single plane pass by. Our instructor cancelled class that day and I went into the school library where I saw the news on their televisions. Another student passed by me who had not heard what had happened. I tried to explain to him but it was hard to get the words out.

I watched the news almost constantly for weeks after that. Everything had changed. Television, the airports, people going to churches, the Congress all standing together singing “God Bless America.”

A sign was draped over a nearby building days after the attack in New York that read “We Will Never Forget.” And I haven’t. I’ll never forget the planes crashing into the towers, watching as they crumbled to the ground, seeing people running in blackness to get away from the huge wall of dust, hearing that the Pentagon had been hit, and later finding out that heroes (the first of the War of Terror) had crashed a plane into the ground in Pennsylvania.

I was walking outside after church a few years ago and a lady stopped me to speak. She said that she had purchased one of my CD’s at a concert I had done and she and her husband were driving across the country back to Arizona on September 11, 2001. They had seen the pictures and heard the stories and were deeply hit by the reports as we all were. She said they put in one of my CD’s and listened to the songs for encouragement that day to know we still serve a heavenly Father who is watching over us and taking care of us. She was in tears as she related how the music helped them through the long journey back home.

You see, my ministry is not about me. It’s not even about this blog or the website or the music. It’s about serving a Savior that we can all turn to in our best days and worst. It’s about encouragement for the hurting soul and joy for worshiping the Lord.

I don’t care if you’re a Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, or some other denomination. What matters is that you know that you’ve asked Jesus Christ into your heart and life and that you are living life through Him and His Word, the Bible.

No one knows when we’re going to die. But I have heard the statistics show that one out of every one person now dies! Let 9/11 be a reminder to give your entire life over to Christ; not to a church or a group or pastor, but to the only One who knows when you’ll be leaving this earth for the eternal portion of your life.

If you’re not sure if you’ve called upon Jesus’ name to be saved or you want to know more, I encourage you to go the link below and to get saved. It will the best decision you will ever make. The only ETERNAL decision. And remember that those who are born-again Christians are always

In His Grip!

How To Get Saved - www.maackministries.com/saved.php

An Ugly Church

I was on my way home traveling down the freeway and noticed what had to be the ugliest church I have ever seen. It was mostly brick and looked like it had a brick wall around the parking lot. The color of everything had a bright orange-mustard color to it which could easily make a person sick. There was a steeple on top of a tall part of the church that obviously did not belong there. It was some archaic looking pole that was barely noticeable. Actually, I heard someone else that I know doesn’t go to church actually say about this building that it is “disrespectful” to God.

Whoever chose the color and the steeple obviously had no idea what they were doing. I’m guessing the person who gave the “yes” on the bright orange-mustard was color-blind.

I write this not just to criticize the outside of a building but to show the lack of respect some churches and their leadership have for God and Christianity today. No reasonable person who saw the paint job would stop and check out the church. This look with the awful color and mini steeple represents the lack of interest the church has in its people, services, professionalism, and the worship of the Lord. If they care that little for the outside look, they will care even less for what they do as a church and the amount of love they have for one another.

Remember that as Christians, we are constantly being looked at by the world and they are always looking to point out a fault or mistake. Who we are on the inside is very important. It’s what God says He looks at. What we are on the outside is a representation of how we live and conduct ourselves as Christians. If we show ourselves as ugly with parts of our lives (or buildings) obviously not fitting in with the overall theme, we can easily point people away from Jesus instead of leading souls to Christ and ultimately to heaven. May all the glory go to God!

In His Grip!

For The Glory Of God

As I sat week after week in the middle on the left side of the church and listened to Pastor M.C. speak, I could sense there was something amiss. Many times I would hear the words of a bitter man who gave up his multi-level dream house and a very large income to come be a pastor of a tiny church in Phoenix. He would go on and on about how much money he was making between him and his current wife; how he was known to so many and had power and friends in high places.

In private he would speak of the couple who attended the church, a banker and his wife, and how they had tons of money and wished they would give more to the church. He discussed what other pastors in the community were making for income. He wondered aloud how much better his life would be if certain people at the church would leave and not come back.

One Sunday he began telling of what he had done while preaching the Wednesday before. He became excited telling how he jumped over the front-row pew as he was preaching. Walking back and forth, pounding on the pulpit and shouting were his trademarks.

As I read through the book “It’s Not About Me” by Max Lucado, my mind went back to those days and to this pastor. As the months went on, it became obvious that this man was in it for himself. Everything he did was to reflect on who he was and what he did even taking credit for many things he had no part in.

Lucado points out that the way we live our lives is a reflection on God. Nothing we do here on earth is for you or for me. It’s all for the glory of God. Constantly talking about the large size of a house or how much money someone brings in is pointing people to a person. Wondering aloud how his life would be better is pointing back at the person. Jumping over pews, pounding on a pulpit, or constantly moving distracts people from what the message should be about.

As we live our lives, whether in front of people on a stage or waiting in line to buy groceries, let’s remember that people are watching us and we should be reflecting the glory of God just as if we are a mirror. As John the Baptist said, we are to become less and God is to become greater.

In His Grip!