From the Back Porch…
Tired Of Trying To Be Perfect?
So many people I come in contact with, yes, even church going people, are their worst enemies. They seem to continually berate, castigate and put themselves down for not being a good enough person or good enough christian. They can go on and on about all their faults, flaws, and sins. They are more conscious of how bad they are rather than how good God is. When will we ever learn that we cannot be perfect or good enough on our own to please our self or God? God is fully aware of our imperfections and that’s the reason He sent Jesus into the world; to perfect us, not to make us perfect, but to make us His. He is not wanting to change us from the outside in, but the inside out. He doesn’t require of us perfection. He simply wants our life to be totally committed to Him. He will do the rest. We need to stop striving for something that is impossible; our perfection. Rather we need to start believing and cooperating with Him. Don’t forget… “all things are possible only with God.”
Are You Really Happy?
I mean really happy! Not the kind of happiness the world or even much of the church is talking about. I’m not talking about a bigger house, a bigger car, or a bigger income. I’m not talking about a perfect job, a perfect family or even a perfect you. I’m not talking about things or even circumstances that can make one elated or happy. I’m talking about a happy you with nothing more than you and your Maker.
A man by the name of Paul once said, “I have learned (please note learned) in whatever my present state (situation or circumstances) to be content.” This same man went on to say that being morally upright with contentment was great gain, especially since we brought nothing into this world and for certain will carry nothing out.
So be the best you that you can be. Provide for your family the best you can. But while doing so, love God, love yourself, and love others around you as well. A lover of God by the name David once said, “Happy is the people whose God is the Lord.” This is true happiness.
Unreasonable People…
Do you know any unreasonable people? We all at times can be unreasonable people, and we will meet unreasonable people at times. This seems to be just a part of life. One person said unreasonable people are like heavenly sandpaper. They irritate the rough edges of your life. What does an unreasonable person look like? They often criticize much more than they encourage. They seem to always want to get you involved in arguments. It seems like you can never just have a discussion with this person, it’s always an argument. They tend to major on minors and they keep you from focusing on what’s really important. They are often filled with selfishness. Does that remind you of anyone? Some of you have so many rough edges in your life that God has seen to it, that you’re married to your heavenly sandpaper! Who’s words do you remember more, the encourager or the critic? The critic. That shows the power of the unreasonable person in our life. God has allowed these people into your life to build into your life a sense of His power.
My wife just looked over my shoulder to read what I was writing, so let me say I was joking a moment ago about you being married to your heavenly sandpaper. The truth of the matter is you can’t be that close to somebody without them irritating you or you them every once in a while. Isn’t that true? You just can’t. I don’t understand how in the world I can go so quickly from wanting to spend the rest of my life with my wife to “I can’t stand it when you do that thing!” But it happens. Sometimes that’s the person God is using. God has sent these people into your life to develop a sense of His power. What is the correct response we can have that can develop that? Patience. Again and again the Bible encourages us to be patient with unreasonable people. When you love the unlovely you’re acting most like God. Jesus said to love your enemies so that you can be just like your Father who is in heaven. Ephesians 4:2 “Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” So let’s make some allowances.
Frustrated?
Tired, frustrated, ready to give up? Please don’t! I know at times we may feel like it, but allow me to encourage you to hang in there a little longer. Over the hill or around the next curve the answer or strength you need will appear. Remember the bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to make the turn, or you just throw up your hands and give up. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
See You Soon…
For the past several months Preacher’s Wife and I have been simplifying our lives. We downsized our home, sold my motorcycle as well as a couple of RV’s that we were not making the most use of. Now we are settled into our new little home and I realized while I was making our life more simple I was possibly making it more complicated for my social network. I consolidated all my blogs, personal, travels and ministry to one website (www.roncorzine.com). This would be very simple for me, but not for my few followers who were only interested in Preacher’s Wife and my daily antics. So we are bringing www.sonofapreacher.com back to the old format. Hope you enjoy. Son of a Preacher
Home at last…
I realize it has been a couple of weeks since I’ve added a post. If you follow this blog then you know we have been very busy downsizing and moving into our half the square footage new home across town. Yes it’s a nice feeling living in a new home, but it’s even a better feeling getting rid of a lot of crap (pardon the expression). We were able to give away another whole house full of furniture that would not fit. We now are like a newly wed couple just getting started in our new life.
Ron Corzine
Better known as Son of a Preacher, Ron started the first Christian Fellowship Church in Harlingen, Texas in 1982 and presently serves as a counselor, consultant and apostolic overseer to multiple churches and ministries. He travels nationally and internationally motivating and challenging people to be effective in their call and ministry to their local church, their community, and the marketplace.
Ron and his wife Anne were married in 1968. They have three children, seven grandchildren and presently reside in San Antonio, Texas.
Ron is the founder and president of Christian Fellowship International. Click to email Ron.
Philip Corzine 
Philip serves Christian Fellowship International by helping oversee the network of CFI churches, as well as pastoring Christian Fellowship Church McAllen, Texas. He graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas in 1991, and then served in the Army for three years. Philip is a very gifted musician, worship leader and communicator of the Word. He and his wife Trish have two daughters, Lauren and Lenzy. Click to email Philip.
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by Ron Corzine
'Lessons For Abundant Living'
