Devotions

  “I think it was Tolstoy who said something like, “If you feel pain, you’re alive, and if you feel the pain of others, it means you’re human.”   If you’ve got a platform and have experienced great pain, you should share about it.  

Proverbs 25 for Dec. 25   Ground-Truthing: Don’t repeat it until you’ve seen it with your own two eyes. ”What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ …

  Everything rises and falls on relationships. -John Maxwell It’s all about relationships. It’s all about connecting.   Dr. Erik Bailey once told me, “My Aunt Dru always said, “Baby, even if our hands don’t touch, our hearts always do.” That’s relationships. They can be in proximity. Or they can be separated by miles. But never separated in hearts. Everything …

  Psalm 50:20: The cattle on a thousand hills 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. God owns it all: every head of cattle; every dollar bill.   We are simply stewards. He owns it …

      Trade-Offs: “When Two Fools Meet”                        “There are two things you should never sell: a dog or a gun.” Life is full of decisions, and each one you make is a trade-off. You’ll gain some things while losing others. There’s no shortcut. You’ll gain something as you trade off something else. Seldom in life is any decision …

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” There is nothing weak about a gentle answer. Rather, it is a sign of inner strength. A person who can lower the temperature is to be admired.   www.creekbank.net

Proverbs 14 for August 14 keep your eyes on the path. The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬     https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.14.8.NLT

Proverbs 11 for August 11: Humility “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ How to prevent pride? Realize with gratitude that everything you have comes from God. How to develop humility:  “Lord, you’ve given me so much. I ask for one more thing: a sense of gratitude.” www.creekbank.net   sign up for …

t“You have no friends. You have no enemies. You only have teachers.” “The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.” ‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ ”LLL”  Be a LifeLong Learner   Proverbs 10 for August 10     https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.10.8.NLT

A cup of coffee . . . and sandwich with Paul I hope you’re enjoying our thoughts on the short book of Philemon.  I ask for your comments and insights.  That is how we learn best! In verse 1, Paul identifies himself as a “prisoner of Christ Jesus.” This humble term identifies Paul and is the first floorboard in building …

  On Leadership   As I begin my 68th year on Planet Earth, I can sum up what I’ve learned about leadership in one sentence: “I want to thank you ahead of time for doing this, and I know you won’t disappoint me.” I’ve been a youth leader, parent, coach, teacher, principal, camp manager, missionary, and now a grandfather. That …

Audio Podcast of “Professor Cavanaugh’s Best Lecture. ”   A word from Curt Teacher. There’s no higher calling. Few professions can influence as much as a dedicated teacher. The best teacher I ever met was Charles Cavanaugh. This is his story. “Yes, God’s will—most often—is simply doing the best we can, right where we are.” Professor Charles J. Cavanaugh and …

Buying Truth “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23   Today’s takeaway: The lifelong learner puts effort, time, and money into the pursuit of growth and knowledge.   I’ve always believed that everyone, especially leaders, should be lifelong learners. I call it “L.L.L.” Life Long Learner You don’t need to head a large …

This is a story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a famous person from Galveston, Texas. The plaque mentioned is at sidewalk level atop the sea wall. A Good Epitaph to Have     Have you ever thought about what epitaph you’d like to have? Recently as I walked Galveston’s seawall, I read a plaque: In …