Success Looks Like Tony Putman!

Tony Putman recently invited me to speak at the Louisiana Young Ministers' Institute. He assigned me the topic, "What Success in Ministry Looks Like." The funny thing is... I ended up telling the students that success looks something like "Tony Putman."

You see, Tony was in our very first youth group in 1992, and I'm proud to say that I taught him his very first guitar cords! Today, Tony is an amazing Youth Pastor and worship leader. In my opinion, I think Tony is a far better youth pastor than I ever was, and without a doubt, a better guitar player than I ever hoped to be!

For me, success is found in helping people fulfill their calling and potential in Christ! So many people, with so much potential, just need someone to believe in them! When you empower people to live out their calling and purpose, you can't help but be successful!

If you're interested, here's the podcast. Thanks, Tony!

Don't Give Up, Mom & Dad!

I've been thinking about parents and their children. One of my friends told me that losing fights to children were "losses of attrition." In other words, over time, the kids wear you down!

I tried to remember if my mom lost fights to me. I'm sure there were times she wanted to give up! (I was a pretty hard-headed kid!) But ultimately, I'm fairly certain my mom always ended up winning our fights. (She's pretty hard-headed too!)

Then I got to thinking... When a parent wins a battle with their child, it's really a victory for the child's future! Each fight a parent wins is really for the character of their child!

You and I have both been around children that are, shall we say, "excessively active." It's not pleasant to be around children like that. And then you and I have both been around well-behaved and respectful children. Those children are a joy to be around!

Parents, I know you want your children to have a full and productive future. Much of that will depend upon how they are able to relate to and interact with other people--if they understand boundaries and responsibility--if people enjoy working with them, and if people want to help them succeed.

Therefore, allow me to encourage you, mom and dad... "Don't give up the fight!" Your kids, and their futures, are worth the time and trouble. So wisely pick your battles, and make sure you win!

Galatians 6:9 says: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."