The Flashing--Fleeting Smile

Excellence in Kindness—All the Time

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

I was not on her cool list but once a year she flashed me a smile and called me by name. “Hi, Margie!”

And with that I was supposed—to vote for her. And with such recognition I should be honored by her condescension to my low estate—and

vote for her.

What’s your verdict? Do you think I voted for her and valued her brief moment of kindness? What would be your response? Would you label her—excellent? Perhaps you know someone like this. Now he may be cool on the campus but heaven has a totally different story.

“Child, my value system is not like the things you see in the winner's

circle. My standard of coolness and excellence is not found in popularity contests or Peoples Magazine. My eyes don’t focus on the number of your twitter followers, (I had twelve! Once I had a ton more but they all defriended Me.)  I look on the heart.”

“Well, Lord, what pleases you?”

 “So glad you asked! Here’s some on my list:

·         A friend who loves—all the time

·         One who is friendly with others—all the time

·         One who is humble and loves what is right—all the time

·         One who loves Me—all the time—and all the time—turns to Me when he makes a mistake.

That is excellence and greatness. That’s how I call it. I'm God... I don’t change… I’m always the same!

And I  love YOU—all the time--no matter what!”

Dear Lord,

Please show me how much you love me—all the time. Please Show me how to be a friend—all the time.

I--Can be Excellent?

I—Can be Excellent?

The young man receiving his wedding boutonniere has no idea the wonderful plan God has for his life. Today, he only knows he is marrying the most wonderful girl in the world. Who’s the lucky girl? Why it is I, the author of this post on excellence.  Ha Ha!

This young man is going to traverse valleys and mountains, defeats and victories. He will experience monumental challenges He will humble himself before God asking for help.

This young man knows that God and only God will make him excellent.
He will sit in the trenches and face the enemy. He will lift his eyes to his only Sustainer—Jesus Christ—and tears will fall. But all the while he will allow the Spirit of God to make him excellent. This will not be easy!

Joseph endured betrayal more than once and God took this teenager and made him a ruler. Joseph kept looking at God. Joseph kept striving for excellence.

For seventeen years David, a teenaged boy, was chased by a mad-man king who wanted to kill him. Before the crown was placed upon David’s head God had made him a man of excellence.

You are the precious son or daughter of the Most High. God has great plans for you. He longs to make you excellent, make you great. He’s calling your name.
 Rise up for I see in you a girl, a boy like the young man, like David, like Joseph. 

                                            You are God’s masterpiece!
                                          Created anew in Christ Jesus
                       So that you can do the good things he planned for you long ago!
                                                         Ephesians 2:10

Know this—I write that you may know God loves you. I write because I know God has chosen you to turn this world upside down! He really has!

Dear Lord,
I give my life to you. Please  make me excellent that I may fulfill your purpose. Thank you!

The Young Man - Award Winning Professor