In his book 9 Simple Things You Must Do To Succeed in Life and Love Henry Cloud shares the ant principle.  He discovered the principle when he was trying to decide to pursue a doctorate degree.  After several months of procrastination a friend sent him an ant farm.  Henry put it together not knowing why his friend had sent it.  He watched the ants for a while and then went on to do other things.  The next day his friend called to tell him to go look at the ant farm.  The little ants had built an underground city.  His friend shared that in order to build the city each ant had to pick up on grain of sand to move at a time.  The cumulative effort resulted in the city.

He then challenged Henry to consider that while he could not get a doctorate degree in one day he could pick up on grain of sand in that process and if he did that enough days he would achieve his goal.  So that day Henry got on line to begin getting information on schools.  The end result is that today he is Dr. Henry Cloud.

There once was a man who did not like his 60 hour a week job.  He wanted to be a writer but he just did not have time to write a book.  Applying the ant principle, he got up 30 minutes early each morning to write.  After three years he had finished his first novel.  Today John Grisham is one of the most famous authors in the world.

I try to apply the ant principle to many areas of my life including reading.  I very seldom read more than 10 minutes at a time.  I do however read consistently virtually everyday.  Let me just say the ant principle works.

So what is that dream or goal you have been putting off for so long now.  You can’t achieve it today but you can pick up that one grain of sand and if you do it enough times you will have achieved your goal!

Concentric Circles of Concern by Oscar Thompson changed my life.  I read this book almost 30 years ago (there is a new version out) in one afternoon.  My life has never been the same.  It is a simple practical look at loving people and reaching them with the good news of God’s love.

Dr. Oscar Thompson was a professor of evangelism at Southwestern Theological Seminary in the 1980’s.  He died of cancer.  I heard his last public sermon when he spoke at First Baptist Church of Euless, Texas.  I look forward to getting to heaven and letting him know how he impacted my life.

More than any other book I have ever read other than the Bible this book inspired me to want to reach others with the gospel.  I can’t say this about many books but I can about this one –every Christian should read it.  I have read it at least 6 times.

I will be speaking again this Sunday at Fellowship of the Parks in Keller.  This will be three weeks in a row due to Doug Walker’s (our pastor) minor surgery and recovery.  We will conclude the series Battle of the Sexes and the title of this message is simply Sex. 

As I prepared for the message, it occurred to me that tragically this will be the first time I have ever delivered a message specifically on this topic.  It is tragic because people can get information about sex from almost any source today including the internet, television, magazines, books and on and on.  The one place that has been silent on the subject is the one place that has access to the truth regarding this subject and that is the church.  At most some churches have addressed the youth regarding God’s word and sex but few have been bold enough to help their adults learn Godly principles about sex.

I firmly believe that we are seeing lives transformed weekly at FOTP as a result of God working through our leadership to help others understand how God’s word applies to every area of their lives in a very practical way.  It is such a blessing to be a part of it all.

On a lighter note I heared about a little girl who asked her dad what sex meant.  Even though she was young, the dad decided it was time for "the talk".  After a long involved discussion, he asked her what prompted the question.  She said,  "I asked mom when dinner would be ready and she said in few secs."

Always remember that laughter is life's greatest shock absorber.

In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day – How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars by Mark Batterson is a book that encourages us to get out on a limb with God.  He uses an obscure character from the Old Testament, Benaiah as an example of someone who was willing to attempt something courageous knowing that God could grant him success.  In fact, there are only few verses in the Bible about Benaiah, one of which informs us that he killed a lion in pit on a snowy day.

Mark Batterson is great communicator.  I enjoy reading his evotionals at www.theaterchurch.com  This is one of those book reminded me of a quote that I read elsewhere – “My greatest fear should not be that I might murder someone or commit some great sin but my greatest fear should be that I might be a nice, decent, moral, mediocre Christian.”

I loved the title of this chapter – “Playing It Safe Is Risky”.

This is great book especially for men who are Christ followers and ready to take things to the next level.

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson is a very practical book that is applicable for business as well family relationships.  I have used the information in this book to help families learn how to discuss challenging issues and I have used it in training people in the corporate world as well.

This book is not written from a spiritual perspective. However, I believe that there are solid Biblical principles that are the foundation for the reasons why what is taught in this books works.  Learning how to stay in the “safe zone” during crucial conversations is absolutely a life skill that everyone needs to master. 

Boiling Point – Understanding Men and Anger by Stephen Arterburn takes a hard look at the roots, realities, and results of masculine anger.  He gives constructive steps that will help a man learn to cope with his anger as well as practical steps for a wife to help her husband on this journey.

This is the best book I have read on this subject.  It not only has given me insight to help others, it was very insightful as far as my own life is concerned.

Today Pat, Caroline and I went to Belton to watch the Faith Christian School boy’s soccer team play for the state championship.  The day included bright sunshine, two great soccer teams battling it out, lots of friends and parents in the stands and a FCS victory 2-1.

After the game, the teams stood in a circle for a time of prayer.  As I stood by one of our parents he told me how we got a soccer team in the first place.  For the first several years of the schools existence, we did not have a soccer team.  Four of the boys who were seniors on this years team dressed in suits and made a presentation and appeal to our athletic director three years ago.  He allowed them to have a team and today they are state champs.

Everyday when I look at the newspaper I am reminded of all the things that are wrong with our country – from sports scandals to countless acts of violence. As I stood watching the team made up of some of the finest young men you could ever know hold up their trophy while surrounded by friends and family I thought, “This is what is right about America.”

Donald McCullough in his book The Trivialization of God states, “Visit an average congregation on a Sunday morning and you will likely find a congregation comfortably relating to a deity who fits nicely within the precise doctrinal positions, or who lends almighty support to social crusades, or conforms to individual experiences.  But you will not likely find much awe.”

We want FOTP Grapevine to be a place where we are constantly in awe of God’s life transforming power.

After speaking at FOTP on February 17, several people wanted to know more about “the most unromantic marriage proposal ever.”  Unfortunately as I confessed that day I was the main character in this sad and somewhat tragic event.  It is painful to discuss because of the shame and embarrassment but I have made a vow to reveal the details the next time I speak at FOTP on Sunday, March 2.

We will be concluding our series Battle of the Sexes and the topic that day is Sex.  Our pastor Doug Walker chose me to share the message that day for one simple reason – he didn’t want to do it.  Regardless, it has provided a much needed outlet for me to come clean about proposing to Pat.  All I can say is women bring lots of tissue and men be prepared to protect me in case the crowd (led by the women) should turn on me at some point.

We had a meeting this morning concerning our potential location in Grapevine.  We still are working out the details and not in a position to make our location known publicly yet.  We should be at that point in another couple of weeks.

 In the meantime, our core group continues to grow as God raises up others with a like heart.  All of us look forward to being a part of a church that follows the path of FOTP Keller which has been growing by 20% a year for the last several years including this one.  As I analyzed why this growth is taking place I was reminded of quote from Frederick Buechner in his book Wishful Thinking - “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” 

I pray that like our parent church, FOTP Grapevine will be a place where God calls people to serve and the lost to be saved.  In the process it will become a place where the deep gladness of those called to serve will meet with the hunger of those who need to know Christ.  To God be the glory.