Quote M.A.Pryor on 03 Jul 2008
Quoted: S. Truett Cathy
“HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A CHILD NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT? IF HE OR SHE IS BREATHING” ~ S. Truett Cathy - founder of Chic-fil-A
Church and Faith and Leadership and Vision M.A.Pryor on 02 Jul 2008
FACTS vs. FAITH
Heb. 11:1,6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Have you ever noticed that facts never match faith…but then if it did. it wouldn’t be faith. Faith is spelled R-I-S-K! Facts are sure, steadfast, safe…but faith often feels unsure, unsteady and uncomfortable. However, God honors faith!
We often get in trouble by trying to get our facts to match our faith. Moses sent spies into the promise land on a fact finding expedition, they returned with a negative (the Bible calls it ‘evil’) report. When you try to line the facts up with your faith expect to get discouraged, disheartened and disillusioned…because your facts will never match your faith, they actually war against each other. I have found that the times my facts has matched my faith, I was suffering from a diminished vision…my vision was too small, God wanted to do something much greater!
I’m not saying we ignore the facts, but when we get done looking at them we remember that “we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Cor. 5:7 When I think about the greatness of God, why would I live in the restriction, confinement of facts…I have a God who responds to faith and can change the facts?
Eph. 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Church and Vision M.A.Pryor on 01 Jul 2008
Every Promise Land…
I was replying to a comment on the post July Has Been Set Aside For Vision Casting and after I finished it thought I would share it as a post. 
“Every promised land has it’s negative spies that try to convince you that it’s impossible to possess what the Lord has already told you that you can have and giants that try to intimidate you from crossing over to the next level. Ah, but we shall overcome in the Name of Jesus!!!“
Church and Vision M.A.Pryor on 30 Jun 2008
July Has Been Set Aside For Vision Casting
A few weeks ago we started a series entitled “VINTAGE” which is all about the foundational, fundamental doctrines of the Pentecostal church. Why, a series on basic doctrines? Well, there are many reasons and benefits that come from doing such a series in any church…but a growing church must make certain that it’s foundation is solid lest at a later point it begins to crack and crumble. You do not build a tower on a foundation designed for a one room shack…
We are not interested in building shacks, we want to build a tower of truth where the Name of Jesus will be exalted and proclaimed across Orange County!
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? - there is always a cost involved in building a tower, but for some there is no option. The cost of not doing something for God is too great. There is always a higher price tag on low cost, low commitment living.
When the spies came back to report after scouting the Promise Land, only two came back with real faith and vision and so because the majority were speaking out of fear and faithlessness they found themselves in 40 years of wilderness wanderings. Now granted what they had worked for them while they were in the wilderness (shoes, clothes didn’t wear out, etc.) but they did not have what they could have had. I refuse to be a wilderness wanderer…satisfied with what is, because I refuse to dare to dream, believe for the Promise Land!!!
At P.O.C. we have set aside July as a month of vision because we refuse to be wilderness wanderers settling for less than God’s best. The cost of not having vision is too great. We are going to the next level!!!
Golf M.A.Pryor on 29 Jun 2008
Golf: Lake Forest Golf & Practice Center
Yesterday was enjoyable…I had a seminar/meeting to attend on multicultural evangelism to attend in the morning, a birthday party in the afternoon and golf in the evening.
I did leave with a couple of “carry aways” from the meeting in morning, had a good time hanging out at Kevin and Madison Dunn’s birthday party and then went and played the shortest golf course I have ever seen. Honestly, I think this course was created for ladies and children…the majority of the holes are 60-95 yards so a 9,PW and putter will do the job nicely.
Looking forward to great services today with Evang. Shules and Brooke Hersh.
Leadership M.A.Pryor on 26 Jun 2008
The BLESSING And The BREAKING
Matt. 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Matt. 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Here we have two accounts of Jesus blessing and breaking bread. We see a principle established here that every person who desires to live in and enjoy the blessings of God must understand, there is always a breaking that accompanies the blessing.
Note that the bread was just as much in the hands of the Master when it was being broken as it was when it was being blessed. Often times when we are being broke we feel like crying out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” Psa. 22:1 But don’t forget that you, like the bread, are still in the hands of the Master Blesser…
The blessing and the breaking must take place in order for the bread to fulfill it’s purpose of being given to others to take care of their hunger. What does that mean to you and I? It means that if we desire to fulfill our purpose and be a blessing to others, we must allow God to bless us and brake us in His holy hands!!!
Books and Leadership and Quote M.A.Pryor on 25 Jun 2008
Quoted: Dale Carnegie
The secret of influencing people lies not so much in being a good talker as in being a good listener. Most people trying to win others to their way of thinking do too much talking themselves. Let the other peopletalk themselves out. Listen patiently and with an open mind. Be sincere about it. Encourage them to express their ideas fully. They will never forget it. And you will learn a thing or two. Nobody is more persuasive than a good listener. ~ Dale Carnegie
Music and Video M.A.Pryor on 24 Jun 2008
I’m Going Home With Jesus
I’ve got heaven on my mind…so enjoy a little something from the McGruders “I’m Going Home With Jesus”
Marriage and Quote and Scripture M.A.Pryor on 24 Jun 2008
I am BLESSED!!!
It has been said that, “There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage.”
It has also been said in Prov. 18:22 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”
I am BLESSED!!!
Music and Video M.A.Pryor on 23 Jun 2008
Ain’t No Grave
Watching some old music clips…good memories…how about a little Russ Taff?