A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a handmade vessel of silver.

The key word in this entire phrase is “fitly”.  We try on clothes so we can find the ones that fit us properly.  And the word “fit” does not just co-notate size, but also style.  What looks good on one person might not look so hot on another, and nothing is more uncomfortable and dysfunctional than clothes or shoes that don’t fit well or look good on us.  Life functions at its best when we put elements together that were meant to go together.

Gold and silver are two precious metals that go well together and are usually always mentioned in the same context of thought.  Throughout the entire history of the world they have opened the door to many a business transaction, and no two metals have been more readily used as hard currency with which to exchange goods and fuel economies than these. In this life money often makes things come together and fit.  However, life without their influence can be frustrating, and difficult to maneuver. 

Have you ever felt like you were struggling to fit in?  I certainly have, and nothing can be more debilitating and discouraging than the awkwardness we often encounter in these situations. There once was a man that I am sure felt just like this.  Paralyzed from the waist down, he daily sat at the temple door in Jerusalem to beg for money, the one thing that couldn’t do anything to fulfill the greatest need he had in life!  However, although his situation had to have felt incredibly humbling, he was in a good place for change!  He was at the door of the house of God!  All of a sudden two powerful elements come up to him at the door and address him directly.  Listen to the amazing dialogue that followed in Acts 3:4-8.

“And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us.  And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, I do not have any silver or gold; but what I have, that give I to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.  And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength.  And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”

Wow!!  How quickly did he move from awkward to awesome!!  He obviously got fitted that day with some pretty cool pants!!  Jesus Christ does that!  He removes the dysfunction of life and makes everything fit the way it should!!  How many times have we sought for answers in the wrong place, simply because in our frustration we were asking the wrong questions?  If life is awkward for us, we need to change the focus and direction of our search! 

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn

Don’t over-pursue a purpose in haste, striving.

             I am sure that all of us have heard the advice, “Don’t get ahead of yourself.  Take your time!”  Or maybe we heard it like this, “Take it one day at a time.”  All of this is great advice, and certainly life is a step by step process that is very similar to building a tall building.  We can’t skimp on the structural details of the first story, in order to hastily move on to the higher levels.  Higher levels of the structure simply can’t be built until the lower ones are fully complete and stable.  If you do, the weakness of the lower levels will not be able to withstand the weight of the upper structure and the building will eventually implode upon itself.

            Large commercial architectural projects possess intricate blueprints concerning every aspect of the building, and a skillful contractor is present to oversee and direct the entire process successfully.  Even our small personal projects; such as home entertainment systems, shelving and such are accompanied by comprehensive instructional manuals.  However, life building processes can be much more difficult that they might seem, and often it is not a matter of the presence of strife in our lives that gets us moving too fast, but the absence of knowledge.  We have all had our struggles in this area of knowing what to do and when to do it. 

            So, what do we do when the situation has no blueprint, and completing the task will require some form of creativity?  This is the way real life oftentimes comes at us, especially when we are moving forward in faith to create something that previously did not exist, like a business, an innovative idea, new relationships, or a paradigm for any life structure.  Basically, we must apply the exact same wisdom.  Don’t get hasty.  Don’t over pursue!  We need to keep everything in front of us.  When I say, “Keep things in front”, I am talking about the decision-making process.  Sometimes not making a decision is the best overall decision.  Once we make a move it can be easy for things to get behind us, or even worse, beyond us!  Also, don’t be tempted to take on the whole situation at once.  Take some time to simplify things by separating the singular issue into smaller sub-issues.  Then tackle one sub-issue at a time.  This can quickly turn any mountain into a mole hill, thus making it much easier to conquer!

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn

Do not put yourself in the presence of a leader, and do not stand not in the place of great men: For it is better that it be said to you, Come up here; than that you should be put lower in the presence of a leader ….

There is a very popular saying that my father used to always tell me, “Son, the cream comes to the top no matter how big the barrel!”  In other words cream does not have to exalt itself.  It just comes to the top of the milk through a process a natural order.  Leaders are what leaders are by nature.  If we find ourselves at the bottom of the barrel, we don’t need to strive to climb from where we are; we simply need to strive to change from what we are to something better.

God impressed upon my heart, even from my youth, this value of humility.  Here is a scripture that I have clung to from a very early age, and I think it will bless you as well.  1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;” This particular type of humility is not cowardice or weakness.  It simply is a strong trust.  Strife, on the other hand, reveals a real heart problem in our lives.  It proves our lack of faith in a merciful, loving, powerful, and sovereign God.  It is imperative that we understand that we really have no control over our own promotions.  However, we do have control over our own personal character and talent development. This work in itself is an incredible act of humility and faith.    

This brings me to my next point of the work of patient progress.  The Apostle Paul wrote this scripture in Romans 2:7, saying, “To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: but to them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation … tribulation and anguish will come upon every soul of man that practices this type of evil activity.”  Striving, divisive, and contentious people are folks whose lives are always full of problems.  We reap what we sow.  However, the man who knows that he needs to change is a man who patiently works at changing himself.  We can’t make ourselves rise, but we can make ourselves able to rise!  We can’t promote ourselves, but we can surely put ourselves into a position for promotion. 

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn

Take away the dross from the silver, and an excellent vessel shall come forth.  Take away bad influences from a leader, and his purpose will be established.

High quality metals, such as gold and silver, are almost always mixed with others of much lower quality and value when they are intially discovered in the ground.  It is not until they are submitted to a rigorous purification process that these elements are separated from their inferior counterparts and their true brilliance is able to shine forth.  The same is true with precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.  Their beauty cannot be revealed until a master cuts away the dull opaque edges and releases the light from within.  In this same manner we cannot aspire to excellence and hang on to a shape that will keep us from revealing our true potential!  In this race many times winning is losing, living is dying, connecting is separating, and getting is giving.  This is a process which works in the lives of those who strive for excellence, and those who willingly submit themselves to its process.  Every time we yield to the skilled hand of God, another dull edge is removed, a radiant one is added, and a greater brilliance shines forth from our lives.

In the latter part of this great proverb the writer relates this process to the creating of leadership and the purposes unto which they are called.  Many leaders arise, but few fulfill the full potential of their purpose.  Excellence is not a natural characteristic of life, but an acquired one.  Jesus speaks directly about this process in Matthew 22:14 by saying, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”  At some point or another certain leaders become obstinate and unwilling to change … unwilling to lose.  Ironically, not only do they lose their place in leadership, but they consequently also lose the purpose for which they were originally called.  The opposite is true for those who are able to somehow lose something of themselves in their pursuit of their God-given purpose!   Leaders who remain relevant are always looking to add another edge to their lives and purpose.  Great leaders obviously are like masterfully cut diamonds…the ones which possess the most brilliantly cut edges!

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn

The heaven is high, and the earth is deep, and so is the heart of great leadership.

In 2005 NASA had a budget of $16.2 billion.  This includes not only the human space-flight division, but also other engineering projects, and science funded by NASA.  The European Union’s budget for 2005 was 2.98 billion Euros (about 3.5 billion dollars), but many European countries also have their own space agencies which are independently funded, so it’s not strictly a fair comparison.  ESA and NASA are by far the highest funded agencies. However, the Russian space agency has an annual budget of $800 million dollars (and it’s about the same for India), Japan ~1.8 billion, China ~1.2 billion.  (Source: Cornell University: Astronomy Department Statistics: November 10, 2005 5:19:27 PM, Also CIA World Fact-book)

In the eyes of man what is higher than the heavens?  As Star Trek so eloquently quotes: “Space the final frontier!”  I love these unbelievable comparisons that these ancient proverbs display!  When I contemplate the sheer intelligence that has been invested in these programs, it is beyond my understanding.  But it is not only knowledge that has helped us accomplish these great feats of science.  You can teach knowledge, but you cannot teach heart!  The heart of great leaders is always looking and reaching forward for things higher than its own, things that might seem beyond its ability or knowledge, but not impossible to attain.  The greatest discoveries that God has ever allowed man to uncover have always been found in this realm of impossible!  Leaders reach higher, achieve more, believe more, and set forth goals that become standards for future generations to follow, because it is in their heart to do so!

What is deeper than the earth!  I have never been there, but folks have told me that one of the greatest wonders in God’s creation is the Grand Canyon.  Its depth is unbelievably breath-taking.  Sometimes the deepest secrets are not beyond us, but right near us; even in us.  The earth itself holds the greatest treasure troves still undiscovered, and so does the heart of man.  Proverbs 20:5 says, “Purpose in the heart of man is like deep, deep waters, but a wise man will draw it out.” There is an undiscovered canyon of potential that is just as breath-taking as any, one which God has created right inside each and every one of us, just waiting for us to discover its potential! 

So this is our work.  We must be reaching upward and looking inward on a constant basis, if we are to become the leaders that our Creator requires of us. Our success in this world of God’s invention is a light to the world around us by his grace and knowledge; else the world tends to digress into darkness!

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn

It is the glory of God to hide a thing: but the honor of leaders is to search it out. 

There are two main elements that the writer links together in this proverb; the one being glory, and the other being honor.  No two elements were ever so created by God to compliment one another more perfectly, or benefit mankind more completely.  How many times have you seen the words “Glory and Honor” together in a sentence, oftentimes describing the courage and bravery of soldiers, or the future recompense of some adventurous endeavor or discovery!  Where there is a hope for glory there is an honor awaiting the person who seeks to obtain its crown!

So let us begin with the first section of this proverb which deals with the glory of hidden things.  Some hidden things are superficial and somewhat easily uncovered, and yet others are deeply buried within the confines of some mysterious and complex matrix that God alone has created.  With this in mind we must understand that there is nothing that we can create or invent, but that all of the accomplishments of mankind and his greatest inventions are simply discoveries of what God has been hiding from us all along since the very beginning of time.  This is the work of God.  He has these gifts of discovery set out like hidden jewels deep beyond the margins of social change, scientific knowledge, theological understanding, technological advancement, and the discovery of various elements of wealth both above and beneath the earth’s surface. 

And speaking of discovery, discovery is where the crossroads of glory and honor come together.  God certainly conceals glory, but only for the expressed purpose that it be uncovered through victory in battle, study in science, innovation in business, and the courageous expansion of ministerial leadership around the world.  Honor is for leaders of life and leaders of life alone!  These are the ones who seek for that which no one else cares to seek, to go where no one else dares to trod, to see what others do not see, and have a mindset that others are not capable of possessing.  They are relentless in their pursuits.  They will turn a matter once, and yet turn it again, and again and again and again until they have searched out the answers that they alone in their spirit know is there!  It may take years, or even a lifetime to achieve one goal, but leaders are lifers!  Honors are not given at the beginning of any race, but rather at the end.  So let us strive to live a life of discovery, and therefore a life of honor!

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn Landry

I went by the field of a lazy man and by the vineyard of a fool; his field was all grown over …, and the stone wall of the vineyard that I observed was broken down.

If there is one thing in this world that irks me more than any other, it is a person who refuses to attend to his family, his business, or even his own life.  They care not that whatever work is left undone by one is made double work to another!  For some reason they have become spoiled and accustomed to someone else carrying their particular load of responsibility, and have been deceived into thinking that this will always continue. 

There are two separate references in this particular proverb that I think are important.  The first is to the field of the lazy.  It says that his field is all “grown over”; possibly indicating that the field might have been planted at some point in time, but for whatever reason now has been left unattended.  I personally love to garden.  However, gardening is a daily chore.  Sometimes there is nothing to do other than go out and simply examine the plants.  Other times, there are weeds to pull, or a need to water.  No matter what the case, gardens do not tend to themselves.  They do not water themselves, or feed themselves.  It is the same with all things in life. We must daily observe the well being of all our business and tend to it, especially when anything unhealthy invades its life. Otherwise, it is just left as this field, unattended and grown over with all types of thorns and activity that destroys life instead of facilitating it. 

Secondly, he speaks concerning the vineyard of the fool whose stone wall is broken down.  This makes me believe that this vineyard was not built by this man but simply inherited.  For no builder of such great things would simply leave them to spoil in disrepair.  These walls stood as sources of protection and boundaries of ownership, and usually were completed only after many years of arduous work.  Amazing! What can take a lifetime to build and preserve, can be broken in a matter of days.  It is important to note that a whole wall doesn’t have to be destroyed to render it ineffective, only one small breach left unrepaired. 

Let us do two things.  Let us always be busy about tending to the garden of life we have been so graciously given by God.  Secondly, let us take time to walk around and observe the walls of our lives to make sure that nothing has been broken down or breached in any way.  If so, stop and take time to repair it.

Blessings,

Pastor LaVaughn

Dear Friends & Supporters,

 First, I want to express a sincere thanks to you all who supported New Foundation Church and its ministry to this city of Albuquerque.  Your sacrifice made our time here so memorable and blessed.  I know that God will bless everyone who put forth an effort to bring the gospel to the people of this great city.  However, we are now entering a new chapter in our lives, and we want to invite you to be a part as we move forward into a new journey of both ministry and life. 

 THE NEXT CHAPTER

 After taking many months of thought and prayer, we have made the decision to move to Conway, Arkansas on June 30^th, 2010, so that we can be closer to family; have a wonderful home church to attend, like newlifechurch.tv; and such a lifelong dear friend, as Rick Bezet, to be our pastor.  I have known Rick and his family for over twenty years.  They are the best of the best!  He and his staff have showered us with love, and made this transition so easy.  We cannot wait to get to Conway, make it our new home, and see what God has planned for our lives from there.  Most importantly, we want to invite you to stay connected with us and our journey with God!

 INVITATION

One of the more difficult things that I do as a minister is to ask for help.  I don’t ever want to burden anyone!  However, as long as we continue to represent the business of God’s Kingdom, we do it with great joy, knowing that blessings come to those who support his work.  This move to Conway is going to take some resources, both to simply make the move and then to get settled there in a home and pay a few bills until we get on our feet.  Anything you can do, either short-term or long-term would be such a blessing!

 Please Continue to Send Support for the time being to:

New Foundation Church, P.O. Box 44577, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

We will send you our Conway Mailing Info in July.   

Blessings,  

Pastor LaVaughn Landry & Family

Do not say to yourself, I will do to him as he has done to me:

We all know what it feels like to have been wronged in one way or another.  It could be a simple snide remark, a rude comment, a lie spoken behind our back, or something even more malicious, like physical harm or personal loss.  The first natural reaction, of course, is anger, and it is important to note that this emotion in itself is not wrong.  Heck, even God gets angry.  However, we must not allow our feelings to corrupt us, because they certainly can.  It is ok to get angry, but it is not ok to become an angry person.  If we are not careful our reactions to the way that we are treated can keep us in a constant state of discontent, unhappiness, and bitterness, and thereby contaminate not only our lives, but those closest to us as well.  

So what must we do?  Primarily, we must let it go!  Get rid of it!  I remember this childhood game that we used to play called “hot potato”.  The key was that when the “hot potato” was passed to you, you were to get rid of it as quickly as possible before the buzzer went off.  This is the proper way to handle the potentially harmful emotions that we encounter.  Get rid of them as quickly as possible.  Don’t allow yourself to get caught with them stuck in your heart. 

Secondly, please stop talking about it.  Notice how the writer says, “Don’t talk to yourself about it.”  I have found that people, who allow these bitter roots to grow inside them, are the same people who cannot stop talking about them.  They obviously rehearse over and over again in their minds these events, thinking that by doing so they are condemning their enemy and somehow justifying themselves in their own actions.  However, the opposite is true.  Our words are very powerful elements!  The more we talk about something, the more life we give it.

Lastly, carry your grievances to the proper authorities.  Remember when you were a kid in school and a peer would poke you in class, and you poked back right at the very moment when the teacher just happened to be looking your way.  We end up carrying the blame for something we didn’t even start.  So, what should we do?  We should notify our authority.  I know that sounds like a cop out, but it isn’t.  There are authorities every where in life; at work, at home, in church, and within society as a whole.  This is the exact reason why God put them there.  Authority is where the “hot potato” stops, and there is no authority greater than that of God himself!  So give your grievances to him.  Let it go and he will take care of it!

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn

The ruler, who justifies evil doers, will be hated by society.

 Not that many years ago, the country of Columbia was reeling into chaos due to a war between a newly established government of reform, and the incumbent leadership of powerful drug cartels.  These cartels had gained a strangle hold of control over the entire nation by simply focusing on one area of attack… corrupting justice!  Consequently, at the height of this war in Columbia, a prominent reformation leader gave a very powerful speech, during which he spoke a single phrase that capsulated his entire message, by saying, “Many nations have survived mass epidemics, natural disasters, and economic collapse.  However, no nation has ever survived an absence of justice!”  

We are now seeing this same scenario beginning to unfold in Mexico, and spill over into U.S. borders.  This dynamic is having a profound affect on our neighborhoods, our schools, our economy, and even our individual quality of life.  The responsibility for this invasion certainly does not solely lie upon the shoulders of Mexico.  Rather, it is also fueled by a seemingly insatiable U.S. addiction to illegal drugs.  And it is important to note that there is only one way to facilitate such a massive business network of this sort throughout an entire nation, and that is upon a very powerful and intricate highway of injustice that crosses both sides of the border! 

“Sin will always take you further than you ever intended to go, keep you longer than you ever intended to stay, and charge you more than you ever intended to pay!”

This subversion of justice in Columbia did not occur overnight, but slowly over time.  Throughout its early history and during it modern formative years, Columbian leaders gave place to this evil by allowing it to take root in their country, and turning a blind eye to injustice.  At first it was only the cocaine drug traffic that was the focus of interest.  However, as time passed, both the general populace and its leaders began to compromise more and more of its control until nearly all was lost!  At last, it took an all out war and much bloodshed to restore this country back to some sort of stability and adequate justice system. 

 Whether we know it or not, we all confront this same battle in some way or another ever day in our own personal lives, and if we are to win in this fight, we must understand the tactic of our enemy. That tactic is deception.   His intention is to convince us to simply turn a blind eye to a particular evil that he wants to place in our lives, so that from that stronghold he can then wrestle from us all of it in its entirety!  

Live Wise,

Pastor LaVaughn