My intentions were sincere and noble – but my follow-through was terrible – in fact, it did not exist.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t even aware of my failure. . . until last night.

Well over a year ago I met Paul (not his real name, but the one I’ll use in sharing this story) whose spirit, intelligence, and passion impressed me greatly. When he briefly shared his ministry dream with me, I committed to make a financial investment in his ministry. 

Last evening Paul e-mailed me that he was allowing his Assemblies of God ministerial credentials to lapse. He went on to share how leaders have disappointed him.  As he was writing about one specific leader’s failure to follow through with a promise, I was thinking, “I can’t believe a Spirit-filled leader would do that.”  Then. . . he wrote, “On a smaller scale the same thing happened with you. . . You wrote down your phone number and email in my day timer, and told me in the airport, ‘I’d like to help you.’  I followed up.  You told me that you and your wife would like to donate a small gift. I gave you my AG missionary information and I never heard from you again. . .” 

I honestly wanted to make an investment in Paul’s ministry. I had every intention of doing so – but I didn’t.  I forgot – until he reminded me last night – well over a year later.

In the meanwhile, for these and perhaps other reasons, Paul has chosen not to be associated with the Assemblies of God at this time as a credentialed minister.

Of course, I feel terrible for my mistake. Immediately I hit the “reply” tab on the e-mail and carefully crafted a sincere apology, using every word I could to express my disappointment in myself for failing to follow through with my promise.

I wrote in part, “I am very sorry for disappointing you. . . I am sorry I failed to keep my word.  I obviously forgot and did not follow through.  Please forgive me.  I feel terrible — feeling like I have been a stumbling block to you. . .”  Within minutes he responded kindly, assuring me of his forgiveness and acknowledging, “We all fall short.”

Have you ever made a promise and forgot to follow through?  You didn’t consciously say, “I’m not going to do that.” You just didn’t do it.  It happens to many of us.

What can we do to minimize and/or eliminate this problem – what can we do to consistently follow through on our promises?

Here’s my plan: 

• Make sure that I only promise what I can actually deliver.

• Record my commitment on paper and in my computer in a file called, “Commitments.”

• Follow through on the promise/commitment as soon as possible, so there is less likelihood of forgetting to do it.

• Ask the person to whom I made the promise to remind me in a few weeks if I haven’t done what I said I was going to do.

• Contact that person if something unforeseen is keeping me from fulfilling my promise in a timely manner.

I’m very appreciative of Paul’s letter. It’s the kind of hurt that helps. His letter reminds me that people judge us by our actions, not our intentions. As someone has rightly said, “We may have a heart of gold – but so does a hard-boiled egg.”

I’m not a hard-boiled egg. I’m a leader and a man of God and I intend to follow through on my promises. That’s another way to make sure I finish strong.

What thoughts do you have on this subject?

jmp

Two weeks ago (January 27, 2008), after preaching at Gateway Church, an exciting church pastored by my friend, Ben Vegh, I was to fly to Phoenix for ministry there on Monday and Tuesday.

After lengthy delays in Muskegon, our plane landed in Detroit Metro. Walking as fast as possible to gate A15, I arrived fifteen minutes before the plane was to take off, only to discover the gate agent had given my first-class upgrade seat to another traveler.  She thought I was going to miss the flight due to the delay of my inbound flight.

You would have been proud of me!  Smiling and speaking calmly, I asked about my options.  The gate agent said, “You could take a flight tomorrow morning.”  I had this incredible peace, sensing that God was at work, ordering my schedule, although I didn’t relish the thought of overnighting in bitterly cold Detroit.

Within minutes the gate agent returned saying, “We have it worked out. You’ll be flying on this flight, but not in your originally assigned seat. You’re in 4D.”  All right – I’m on the flight!

My traveling partner in 4C was Jennifer, the national sales director for Cadillac, one of the Super Bowl’s lead advertisers.  This was going to be a very busy week as she directed various events leading up to the big day.  One of those special events was a golf clinic at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale on Monday morning with one of America’s noted golf teachers, David Leadbetter.

Then she added, “We’re doing something really special this year.  We have invited a celebrity football player to be part of the clinic – Kurt Warner.” 

“Kurt Warner!” I exclaimed.  “I was his pastor for several years in Des Moines, Iowa.”

Flabbergasted and almost unbelieving, she replied laughingly, “You’re kidding!”

It is true.  Kurt and Brenda, and their two oldest of seven children, attended First Assembly faithfully. We got to know them as they were active in our Newcomers Class and often sat with my wife, Debbie, on the second row. We ministered to them when Brenda’s parents were killed in an Arkansas tornado.

I had not seen them since they left Des Moines to play for the St. Louis Rams.  This is so unbelievable! I almost didn’t get on the flight – and had I gotten on the flight with my original seat, I would not have met Jennifer.  As my friend, Don George, likes to say, “Our steps and our stops are ordered by the Lord.”

Long story short – she invited me to participate in Monday morning’s golf clinic and see Kurt Warner.  Another amazing circumstance – my ministry commitments began on Monday afternoon, not Monday morning.

The bad news is that after nearly three hours of instruction on every aspect of golfing, my game is as poor as before.  The instructors are very good – the student struggles.  

The good news is, I had the privilege of having lunch with Kurt and several other guests of Jennifer.  For nearly an hour we chatted, catching up on what has been happening since 1997, when the Warners had moved from Des Moines.

Kurt’s football stardom has not changed him. Being a Super Bowl MVP has not gone to his head.  He is still approachable and humble.  It was exciting for me to hear about Kurt and Brenda’s dreams beyond football.  God is using the Warner family to affect a lot of people in a very positive way for Christ.

Occasionally, in the last eleven years, as I have watched Kurt masterfully direct his football team down the field for a winning touchdown, I have reflected with gratitude on how God gave us the privilege of having a small part in his spiritual rebirth and growth.

As we exchanged e-mails after lunch, we committed to stay in touch. I am excited to see how our ministries may cross paths and connect in the years to come. 

Here’s the point of this story – in any given day our schedules are disrupted. We are often disappointed when things don’t go according to our plan.  If we will commit our “steps and stops” to the Lord at the beginning of each day, God will perfectly direct us. We will be where we are to be – meet the people we are to meet – and experience all God intends for us every single day.  God has a way of using those unwelcomed disruptions and uncomfortable delays to position us for a big blessing.

I’m committed to finishing strong – to trust God with the details of my life, and seeing what neat surprises God brings my way as I rest in Him and relax in His plan for me today. 

I’d love to hear your story of how God used a delay or disruption to introduce a blessing into your life.

jmp

“Five pounds and healthy!  Spread the word!”  That was the text message I received from our son-in-law, Jeremy, yesterday (Thursday, January 31, 2008) at 3:00 p.m, within moments of Grant Andrew Baker entering our world in
Memphis, Tennessee.

I confess – though I was part of a conference call (which thankfully I wasn’t leading) – I did spread the word, texting several friends and family members.  Jonathan’s text to me read, “Way to go Grandpa Palmer. You da man.”

Five pounds and healthy!  What a difference from April 10, 2007, when we received a phone call from Jeremy telling us Amy had delivered a son – stillborn.  We were stunned – shocked – saddened – grief stricken.  Baby Andrew went to heaven before he cried.

Jeremy and Amy told me this morning, “We are incredibly grateful to God. . . thankful that our baby is pink and not blue.”  Just to hear Grant cry brought tears to Jeremy’s eyes. They are thanking God for every sign of health, including a messy diaper. 

Great-grandma Audrey Clay is beside herself with joy and pride. She said, “I am so excited I can hardly stand it.”  When Amy was born, Audrey stepped outside her house and screamed as loudly as she could, “I am a grandmother.”  Because of the excruciating cold weather, she didn’t step outside yesterday, but she screamed inside. She told me, “If I had a helicopter, I would have flown it down to Memphis and landed it on the roof of the hospital, and not even ask for permission.”

“Spread the word,” Jeremy told me.  That’s why I’m writing this blog.

Spread the word!  That’s what the Scriptures call us to do. The little boy who was born in
Bethlehem to a carpenter and his young wife is now the resurrected Lord. He is our Savior, our Healer, our Baptizer in the Spirit, and our soon coming King.  We tell everyone, by our words and actions, about the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  We’re spreading the word!

I’m spreading the word tonight at the National Men’s Convention in Branson – then Bethany and I are off to Memphis to join up with Grandma Debbie Palmer. Tomorrow, the Lord willing, I get to hold “five pounds and healthy Grant.”

God has blessed our family yet again!  The spiritual heritage Debbie and I have received is incredibly rich – second to none.  With Grant’s birth, this heritage has begun to be passed to down to yet another generation. 

Grant is one more great reason for me to finish strong!  By God’s grace, I will!

I’ve been to many hundreds of weddings – officiated at most of them! 

Most of the time the bride’s dress is white and the groom’s tux or suit is black.  Which reminds me – A young girl was attending her first wedding.  As the bride and groom were exchanging vows, she whispered to her mother, “How come the bride’s dress is white?” 

“Because,” answered her mother, “White is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day in the bride’s life.”

“How come then,” the astute girl asked, “is the groom’s suit black?”

Last Saturday, January 19, was a very happy day for my nephew, Brad Leach and his fiancée, Leah Edwards.

After waiting patiently for God to provide the perfect “help-mate” for each of them, Brad and Leah tied the knot with hundreds of family and friends supporting them.

Everything about the wedding was stunning. The energy was high. Laughter abounded.  The preachers connected with the couple and the guests. The food was exquisitely delicious. The high point for me was when Brad and Leah shared their vows with each other.  With their permission I share them with you.

Brad to Leah:  You look so amazing!  I don’t know if I can remember to say anything else.  I feel so grateful to be able to choose you today and I want you to know that I am going to do my best to make you laugh as often as I can, to hold you when you cry.  I want to work to create memories for our family, to plan and embrace the kinds of moments that will allow us in our lives to live an adventurous and memorable life together.  I want to bless you to pursue your dreams.  I believe in you.  I recognize the outstanding gifts that are in your life and my goal is to make sacrifices to make room for your gifts to continue to blossom.

 I commit to do my best to choose my words carefully.  I want to speak into your life words that are affirming, words that are sensitive, words that are inspiring and life-giving and I want to work to love you unconditionally, to make our marriage a safe one so that you will never have to perform to earn my love.  You will have it, when you are tired, when you are sick, when you are celebrating, when you are at your best and most importantly when you are not.  Most of all I want to love you best by loving Jesus first and serving you as he serves me.  I am so happy that He helped me to wait for you…every minute was worth it…all 15 million of them!

Leah to Brad:  Brad, I have been praying for you long before I ever knew your name and to see the man that God brought here today you are so much more than I could ever have asked or imagined.  And my prayer is that God would teach me how to be your wife, the woman that He has created me to be and by His grace.

 I promise to love you as Jesus loves you.  I promise to put your needs and your desires before my own.  I promise to honor you, to respect you and to be your biggest champion.  I promise to take care of you when you are sick, physically, or mentally, or emotionally.  I promise to hold your arms up when you are too tired to stand.  I promise to support your passions and to submit to your leadership in our family.  I promise to dream big dreams with you even if it’s thinking that this might be the big year for the Lions.  I promise to choose to love you when I feel like it and even when I don’t, and I promise to give my whole self to you completely with reckless abandon knowing that you are going to love me just as our Father does.  These things I promise to you Brad Leach for as long as we both shall live.  I love you more than words can express and I think this is going to be so much fun!

What great promises they’ve made!  What maturity and insight! What a great start for a life-long marriage!  I’m confident that through the grace of God, Brad and Leah will finish strong, just as they have begun.

Congratulations, Brad and Leah!  We love you!