Grandmama's Cooking and Gods Provision

 Now that we are living in her house I think about Grandmama every time we have a meal. My Grandmama loved to cook, and she was good at it! She cooked in the old school southern style. A lot of what we had was fried, and even the vegetables had meat in them. The breakfasts were bacon, sausage, or country ham with eggs, grits, and homemade biscuits. What it lacked in healthiness it more than made up for in taste. It was certainly comfort food!

Another feature of Grandmama's cooking is that it never ran out. Whether she cooked for just for me, or for our entire extended family, we always had enough. Truthfully, we always had more than enough. Like so many of the "greatest generation' my Grandmama's early life was shaped by the desperate times of the Great Depression. There was practically no wastefulness in her way of life. To look in her refrigerator and see a plastic butter container did not mean there was butter in it. It likely contained the leftovers from the night before. Due to growing up in hard times, my Grandmama was always grateful for every meal, and for every one of God's blessings.

I thought of her cooking and her gratitude this morning when in my daily Bible reading I came across this verse:  Exodus 3:21 And I will give these people such favor with the Egyptians that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. (CSB) Here God is explaining to Moses that not only will God lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but He will provide all they need for the journey. One of my favorite "preacher phrases" is "where God leads He feeds, where God guides He provides". I have found it so true in this new season of ministry. God has provided everything my family needs to make the transition to planting a new church. He has also made great provision for our new church. I am reminded daily of Ephesians 3:20  Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.(CSB) Today let us all pause for a moment and thank God for His gracious provision.

Big win for the Viking Baseball Team

 There was great excitement in Butler GA last night when a ground ball to second base ended a back and forth 8-7 victory for the Vikings baseball team. Our foe was the back to back defending state champion Lanier County Bulldogs. Both teams showed tremendous heart and determination. It was truly one of the better high school baseball games I have ever watched. I am sure our team learned a lot about their capacity to compete at the highest level what stood out to me was that this team is made up of strong leaders.

The leadership culture for Vikings baseball begins with the coaching staff. Head coach Clae Mathis has done a tremendous job after returning home of building our Viking baseball team into a winning program. There is constantly excitement in the stands, and the belief that we can beat anyone grows with each big win. He has assembled a great staff that care about the students and are making them better in every facet of the game. 

While I am proud of the coaches, last night what stood out was the leadership of the players. Momentum is everything in high school sports, and our young men dealt well with the highs and lows of a back and forth game. A box score would do better to highlight the different individuals that made key plays, but from my place behind the backstop last night, the entire squad never seemed to waver. The belief that they could win that game became a reality. No doubt this victory will propel them toward a great season.

One of the reasons I love sports is that it teaches leadership. Pastor Ronnie Floyd once stated "Leadership is rallying people toward a better future." Even players that do not participate in the game can influence others to do better. Obviously leadership does not pertain only to athletics. We follow leaders in every aspect of life, and are often put in positions where we are called to lead. Many refuse to describe themselves as leaders, but as John Maxwell is found of saying, "leadership is influence." If you have influence over someone you are a leader. Some lead at their job, some lead at their home. Some lead thousands, others dozens, for some its one other person. We will lead best when we see our leadership opportunities as assignments from God, and to further His Kingdom. 

Today let us be inspired by our young Viking baseball team! Let us lead with a confidence that if God calls us to it, He we get us through it! Leaders can change a workplace, a team, a church, and a home. Let us be leaders today!

This Sunday I will preach at sermon at Butler Community Church titled "Leadership Matters". We meet at the old High School Cafeteria at 10:30am. We could love to have you join us in this study!