Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

The last two weeks have been extremely busy, stressful, tiring, exciting, up, down, frustrating, exhilarating, confusing, etc…. If you can say a prayer for our house, I would appreciate it. I’ve always worked hard but I haven’t worked two or more jobs in a while. When we planted our church in Atlanta I did work a 2nd job as a corporate chaplain but it fit in perfectly with my pastoral position.

Working full-time at a church (doing 5 different jobs) and learning a new job in the coffee industry has been challenging to say the least. It is always hard to be the new person at any place of employment.  My new co-workers have been extremely helpful. In fact, I’m very impressed with this company.  They throughly train you and I’ve learned a great deal about coffee.  The manager said I’m a quick learner and I will be in management myself real soon.  Yesterday I actually made lattes, espressos, etc…  It is fun and stressful.  Our store is in a mall area of the largest bank in America so we are crowded almost all day long. Being the newby is tough but I’m taking the jabs and giving them back.

I don’t know if anyone has figured out who I am or what other job I do unless the manager has told them. He and I have had some interesting spiritual conversations.  Right now I’m just working hard and trying to be productive.  My prayer is God will just use me and when I’m given opportunities to share my faith I will.

If I seem to not to be around at much it is because I’m not. I working 2 full-time jobs so we can minister at a mission church and pay our bills.  But God has given me another ministry for now in Uptown Charlotte. Thanks for your prayers. 

Have you ever wondered why some people are more successful than others?  I believe has to do with the way they treat people.  Now I know there are some tyrants who become successful but I have very rarely met any that enjoy long term success because they can never keep staff.  I believe those who make it far in life are those who help other people be successful.

I’ve been trying for over a year to market my book. I have asked everyone I know for pointers and help.  As many of you know I review a lot of books for publishers.  I usually ask the author or the their publicist what do I need to do to get published.  I often get a little pat on the head answer–in other words “don’t bother me.” 

Yet there are people like Gwen Smith who gave me a direct line to her agent.  She bent over backwards to help me.  It didn’t work out but I’m grateful for her friendship and am excited about what God is going to do with her book.  Last week Kitty Foth-Regner asked me to review her book Heaven Without Her. After I read her book I asked her if she had an suggestions on how I could get my book published.  Not only did she give suggestions but she put me in touch with her literary agent.  She even guided me with the wording of my email to him.  It worked!  

Now I have 3 weeks to put together my proposal for my book.  This agent is really good too.  He sent me a detailed template to work with so he can approach the different publishers.  Finally I’m getting the help I’ve needed.  One of the things I have to do is get endorsements.  I asked some pretty famous people who I’ve met in various venues to endorse my book.  So far 5 people have agreed to do so.  I’m not going to print their names out of respect, but I’m so grateful.  One of them who had only met me once recommended me for a church back in January and he pastors 20,000+ people.  I another national speaker recommend me to several churches and called me several times to check on me.  Why, I’m nobody. 

This gets back to my title.  Why are some people more successful than others?  I believe it is how they treat people.  There are certain people I would fight for because they have been my friends or helped me in the past. I want to return the favor. Rick Warren wrote me a hand written not years ago.  Surely he had better things to do then to write a church planter and say “Go for it.”  But I will always think highly of him because he cared.

I ran into former NFL football player Craig James when I was skiing with my youth group in Aspen, CO several years ago.  He began talking to me about my Alabama cap.  He talked for 30 minutes.  Forever he will be my favorite sportscaster–why?  He took time and cared?

Man, people like Marty Duren helped me out  when he had never seen me in person. We since have done many things together.  Last winter he offered for my family to come heal at his church near Atlanta.  It was tempting.  Camey Gravely began sending my family emails praying for us about 9 months ago.  I don’t know how she could have known what was going on in my life because we have never met in person.  I’ve got friends from college (20+ years ago) like Rob Jackson and John Herring who I can call for advice and they always help.  

There are many other examples I could share but I don’t want people calling and emailing these people for unsolicited help.  But successful people like people.

Yesterday I had someone who I’ve never met asking me for advice.  I get that about every week or so.  I don’t take it for granted.  People have helped me along my path and I will do whatever I can to help others. Although I don’t know how successful I’ve been. But I am blessed.

What do you think?