We Oughta Get Our Ducks in a Row!! Part 5 – Our Job

May 7, 2015May 7, 2015 / Andy R Taylor / Leave a comment

Getting our ‘ducks in a row’….AKA, setting our priorities in order! 1) Our Spiritual Life; 2) Our Marriage; 3) Parenting; 4) Relationships. Number 5 on my list of priorities is “Our Job”. #5 ….you say!!!? That low?? Yep, that’s right, #5. As important as our jobs may be they’re never more important than those four listed above. It’s important that we don’t let these important things get out of order. Life is simpler….and better if we’ll keep them rightly aligned.

We spend a huge chunk of our lives at work, that’s just the way it is. A few people I know are able to be working in their ‘dream job’. But most people I know are just trying to work toward that. It could happen; I wouldn’t give up the dream for that if I were you! As ‘kingdom’ people we should handle our jobs with the greatest degree of integrity. We should show up for work early….or at the very worst, on time. We should take care of the property and equipment of the company/people we’re working for. We should be diligent to do a good job and do more than is expected of us. We should do our best to promote harmony among other employees. The bible says, “Whatever we find to do with our hands, we should do it with all our might”.

There is a real tangible feeling of self-esteem that comes from giving it ‘our best’ on the job. It’s one of those things that, I believe, also brings glory and honor to the Father. In getting your ducks in a row don’t forget to give your job the attention it deserves.

If You Love Someone….You Should Tell Them!

April 29, 2015July 23, 2020 / Andy R Taylor / 10 Comments

I’ve had the amazing good fortune to have grown up in a household where the term, “I love you”, was a very regular happening. Cliff and Charlene Taylor never let an opportunity to say it, go by. I think I’d be safe in saying that Monty (my brother) and I heard “I love you” from them most every day of our young lives. I’ve never had to go a single day in my 61 years wondering if I was loved by them. They’re now in their ’80’s and live just a few blocks from me. I see them several times a week and talk to them on the phone almost every day, and every single time, without exception, we tell one another, “I love you”! I think it makes a difference.

We have a ‘built-in’ need to be loved, and hearing it from those around us goes a long ways in meeting that need. Of course, to say it and not show it with our actions doesn’t do much good. It really, really needs to be both! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened in my office to men and women, some younger, some older than me, who agonize over the fact that their dad never told them that he loved them. I don’t think I’ve ever heard even one of them say that their mom never told them that she loved them. Maybe moms are better at it…..and maybe it’s the validation of a father that we so desperately need. In most cases, it isn’t a situation where the dad didn’t love them….I think it’s more of an issue that they, maybe, weren’t told that themselves. And, in our culture,….as wrong as it may be, men saying “I love you” just isn’t cool.

I’m on a lifelong crusade to encourage you, whoever you are, to tell the people in your life that you love them! I’ve seen quite a few by now that didn’t grow up in an “I love you’ culture, who have broken the pattern. It has changed everything for the better….they all agree! If you love someone, by all means, show them by your actions. But don’t forget to tell them too!

How Gunner Payne Changed the World

April 28, 2015October 2, 2021 / Andy R Taylor / 6 Comments

You’ve heard of Gunner Payne, right?? Just kidding…..I’d almost be willing to bet the whole ranch that you’ve never heard of him. But Gunner Payne changed the world in an extremely profound way. Gunner was a Quaker; You actually have heard of the Quakers, but if you’re like me you don’t know much about them.

Gunner had a regular Bible study, in the early ’60s, in his hometown of Yorba Linda, California. It was in ’62 that Dick Heying, a professional drummer, took his bandleader and his wife to Gunner’s Bible study. Not too long after that (early ’63) both were saved. They became very faithful as Gunner took them ‘under his wing’ as a mentor and father in the Lord. It wasn’t long before John and Carol were winning people to the Lord themselves. John, a professional musician, was the person who put The Righteous Brothers together. Over the next few years, literally, hundreds came to know Jesus in a personal way. John later said that he just mimicked Gunner’s behavior and attitude.

Gunner’s life wasn’t without some major obstacles; his little 4-year-old daughter was kidnapped by a migrant farm worker from a neighboring community who raped and murdered her. The incident brought about a lot of national media attention that went on for months. It was obviously a tragedy of epic proportions. The fascinating part of the story to me is what happened next; Gunner Payne went to the prison where the murderer was incarcerated at least once a month….until he finally won his little girl’s killer to the Lord!

Oh….and that John and Carol we were talking about…..that’s the Wimber’s. And while John Wimber didn’t initiate the Vineyard Movement, he’s the one that the Lord used to bring it to worldwide prominence and influence. (Now over 1500 churches worldwide) And, if you’re in church today and not singing from a denominational hymnal…..you’re singing songs that were directly influenced by Wimber and the Vineyard Movement. It brought a new style of worship to the forefront, worldwide, and spawned great worship leaders across the globe. John was a huge proponent of ‘signs and wonders’ and his ministry was marked with miracles of every kind. Hundreds of thousands have come to know the Lord because of the ministry of John Wimber.

You just never know what might happen with the people that you’re willing to invest in!

And that’s how Gunner Payne changed the world!

A Challenge: Let’s, You and Me, Take The High Road

April 20, 2015April 20, 2015 / Andy R Taylor / 7 Comments

I’m normally a pretty positive, upbeat kind of guy….generally speaking. I think I have a pretty healthy sense of humor and I like to laugh and make others laugh, too. It just makes life a lot more bearable, and enjoyable, if you ask me. But, I’ve noticed something in me that’s not a very desirable personality trait at all. I can get negative about things in a hurry if I don’t watch myself. Not making an excuse here but I think it’s partly because I deal with a lot of hard issues. I’ve jokingly made the statement a few times that, “in the ministry, people aren’t necessarily lined up to tell you good news”. If you’re continually bombarded with bad, depressing and discouraging news it can really do a number on you in terms of your overall attitude. And that very thing has happened to me more than I’d like to admit.

So I issued a challenge to myself today; I’m going to try to go a week without saying anything negative. I expect I may flunk the challenge a time or two in the process but I intend to re-focus and go at it again. I’d like to develop a habit of never saying anything negative. I think it’s do-able. It’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of adjusting….and a whole lot of thinking before I speak. I’m thinking if I can do it a week….well then, why not do it from now on? Why don’t you join me in the challenge?!

Think of how much better we’ll feel at the end of the day by not going negative on something or someone. And besides, it’ll help to make the world a whole lot better place to live!

Are you in??

Last Week’s Posts

April 12, 2015April 12, 2015 / Andy R Taylor / Leave a comment

Here’s last week’s “The Way I See It” Posts! Check ’em out, you might find some that’ll bless you! If you do, “Share” them. Thanks for joining me on the journey!

*Click the link:

“Who Owns Who?”

Extraordinary People

“Thank You, Mother Teresa!”

VIP #3 – Ronnie Chadwick

April 10, 2015March 1, 2020 / Andy R Taylor / 11 Comments

In writing about VIP’s I’ve considered those who had some kind of influence or impact on my life…or who were just very interesting people to me. When I think of those who have had a profound spiritual influence on me there’s not many I would think of before Ronnie Chadwick.

In 1984 my life made an abrupt turn…..in a good way. I had a lot of things that needed to be fixed in my life but, generally speaking, I was headed in the right direction. I didn’t take a chance on going to church until sometime in 1985. When I did, I went to the First Baptist Church in little Allison, Texas, my hometown. We were a ranch family and none of us went to church at all. My dad would give the preacher in town a half a beef once or twice a year and as far as I was concerned we were ‘good’ with the Lord! So, the only contact I had with any preacher was when I’d deliver the beef to Ronnie Chadwick’s house.

I remember vividly the first time I went to the FBC in Allison….but that’s another story I’ll tell at another time. My life was changing in a positive way; I was trusting in the Lord although I knew nothing about it…..I was just in a desperate place and, blindly, I put my trust in Him. Julie and I decided that we needed to start going to church. So, the Baptist Church seemed to be the logical choice. Although I didn’t know it at the time, It turned out to be the sovereign will of the Father.

Ronnie Chadwick was the pastor there. He took me ‘under his wing’ so to speak, and the things I learned from him have turned out to be some of the most valuable things for me today. He taught me to have a love for the Word of God. I remember many times I’d ask him a question and his reply would be, “Well, let’s see what the Word says.” I still do that today. He taught me the importance of prayer and my life has been forever changed by what he taught me. I saw him not back down from the pressure of people trying to intimidate him, and I’ve had to do that many times in the last 26 years. He taught me to hear the Lord for myself, and I’ve done that and taught hundreds of others to do it as well.

I remember well the day I felt the Lord calling me into the ministry. I drove the 10 miles from the ranch to his house in town to tell him. I’ll never, ever forget the conversation as long as I live. I told him, “Preacher (which is what I’ve always called him, even to this day), I think the Lord’s calling me to preach.” His reply in his big deep, booming voice, “Andy, just forget it”. It took me by surprise; I asked, “What do you mean, forget it?!” He said, “Cause if you can forget it, it ain’t the Lord!” Great advice….and I couldn’t forget it!

He launched me into the ministry and coached me every step of the way, early on. He’s the only Pastor I’ve ever really had….and he was a dang good ‘un! Ronnie Chadwick is definitely a VIP!

“Known”

March 26, 2015April 13, 2020 / Andy R Taylor / 6 Comments

One of the things that frequently comes my way as a pastor is the performing of funerals. It’s kinda amazing what the Lord has done; when I was a young man I’d avoid going to them at all because of the feeling that it left me with. But soon after I was in the ministry I got my first request to do one. I immediately thought, “There’s no way!” Even though I said yes, I wasn’t sure I could do it. But I found that the Lord had given me grace to do it and I made it through the first one. Since that time I’ve done right at 350 more funerals. It’s always an honor to be asked to do a service but it carries with it a good size load of stress. But I figure, compared to the grieving family….I’ve got the easy part.

I recently got a call from the funeral home to do a service. I didn’t recognize the name of the woman but I said yes, anyway. I was sure that I’d know someone in the family but after reading the obituary I, again, didn’t recognize anyone. I met with the family the next day to plan the service and I was sure I’d know at least one of them. Nope, didn’t know any of them, either. It was apparent that the family didn’t have many resources; the cardboard casket was just more evidence of that. On the day of the funeral, I asked the funeral director if he knew this family, to which he said, “No”. I told him that I didn’t know them either, to which he replied, “Well, they know you!” and “They specifically asked for you!”

I can’t explain in words how that made me feel. It’s one thing to be ‘known’ in the company of the ‘elite’, and I guess I have a few acquaintances in that small crowd. But it’s a totally different thing to be ‘known’ in the community of the downtrodden! I can’t remember when anything left me feeling more honored than that!

“I Yub Oo Too Daddy”

March 5, 2015April 7, 2015 / Andy R Taylor / Leave a comment

I’ve learned so much from my kids about my relationship with the Father but this one is priceless! Saying “I love you” has been a regular, consistent and heartfelt thing around our house since Julie and I were married 38 years ago, …and it still is today. We were only married a year when Clint was born and our lives have been rich, as parents of 5 phenomenal kids.

I’ve found that God is faithful to instruct us in whatever situations we find ourselves in. But being a parent offers, maybe, the best scenario of being in the ‘school of life’ and for learning from Him.

When one of my little boys (I’ll withhold his name so as not to risk any chance of embarrassment) was just beginning to learn to talk I’d catch myself 10-15 times a day telling him “I love you”, to which he’d reply, “I yub oo too, Daddy”. First off, I do love him….but the Lord got me to thinking about it. And it became apparent that the thing that I enjoyed the most about it was that I loved to hear him tell me in his unique little way that he loved me too.

The Lord showed me that my little boy had absolutely no idea, whatsoever, what the word ‘love’ meant. And that for you and I and our understanding of love compared with God’s concept of love is exactly the same. Although we’re learning…there’s still a great distance between our understanding of love…and what love means to Him! He doesn’t just ‘have’ love….He is love!!

Here’s what I learned;

1) When you tell someone that you love them….it means to them what love means to them!

2) So when my little toddler said, “I yub oo too, Daddy”, it meant to me what love means to me! *That’s why I loved hearing it as much as I did. We have a need to be loved….and hearing it is important.

3) So, (It gets better!) when you tell the Father that you love Him…….it means to Him what love means to Him!!

4) So, as our understanding of love grows, and even if there’s a vast difference in our concept and His….keep telling the Father you love Him because I believe He really likes to hear it!!

“Be Present!”

March 4, 2015April 7, 2015 / Andy R Taylor / 5 Comments

I first heard Ben Fike, a great friend of mine, talk about being present. I wasn’t exactly sure what he was talking about when he first mentioned, ‘being present’, in one of our conversations. So I questioned him about it. He went on to say that being present in a conversation meant that our mind is given to the moment and not preoccupied with something else. That’s just one example…there are many more.

I was made aware by our little conversation that I’m not present in a lot of conversations, meetings, etc. I’m there….but my mind is elsewhere. My life is no different in a lot of ways than anyone else’s. We’re all very busy, probably too busy I’m convinced. And it’s not that we’re always preoccupied with trivial things; a lot of those things are very important. I’m learning that my being present means that I’m ‘given’ to the moment whether it’s a one-on-one conversation or it’s a meeting with other people. Being present in a conversation says to the other person, “I respect you!”. I think our culture and the busy-ness of our lives lead us all into varied states of not being present. Cell phones are a great tool but they’re also one of the main contributors to ‘not’ being present. Playing games, FaceBooking, reading emails while our minds should be ‘in the now’ has risen to epidemic proportions. I’m all for multi-tasking but when our other task distracts us from the moment….we should seize! It’s a bad habit and we should do something about it!

Well, there’s the problem….where’s the solution? For me it has to start with a commitment to ‘give’ myself to the moment. By that I mean that I should deal with and forget the distractions as best I can and get my mind focused on the conversation/situation at hand. I’m finding that at the first it’s a real challenge, mainly because of my bad habit of ‘not’ doing it so often before. So, it may take a day or two of working at it!!

*Get your mind on the moment, and Be Present! (You, and everybody else, will be glad you did!)

“Be Who You Are!”

February 25, 2015April 7, 2015 / Andy R Taylor / Leave a comment

This one’s critical, and it can be extremely elusive. We’re created in the image of God; that’s pretty amazing if you think about it! And of all the people on the planet…there’s no two of us alike. The problem is that everything, and everyone, around us is trying to get us to conform to certain behavior patterns and expectations. All these things have the potential to skew and alter our true identity. But the Father has created us to be exquisitely unique…..and to lose our true identity, I believe, is a serious thing in His eyes.

God told Abraham to, “Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house.” I doubt those things were bad, in and of themselves, but God wanted Abraham alone with Him so He could reveal to him his true identity. Your environment, your family and your generational way of thinking has formed you and shaped you, much like Abraham. God began to say things to Abraham that would re-shape him into the man that God had destined him to be. He wants to do the exact same thing with you and I.

The secret to our true identity is hidden in the Lord and we’ll never know ‘who’ we really are until we start to relate to Him as Father and engage with Him relationally. The things that God says to you forms you and shapes you into who you’re supposed to be. If you don’t ‘know’ the Father….you’ll never know ‘who’ you are!

Why is your true identity such an important thing? If you don’t know who you are….chances are great that you won’t be doing with your life what you’re supposed to be doing! Be who you are!!