In a constant effort to grow and learn, I am continually reading articles and books, listening to podcasts, lectures, sermons, and speaking with older pastors.   We must pour fresh things into our minds and lives on a regular basis to avoid becoming stagnant.  Here is something I learned this past week.

I will start off with a quote from a meeting I attended last Tuesday night.  The meeting was held at Vision Baptist Church and is called “Brother’s Name” and you can check out the website for the conference here.

Brother Wayne Cofield said “You can’t give out of emptiness.” This is very true.  You can’t run a car on empty, and I’ve seen and met pastors while I have been on deputation that seem to be doing exactly this.  I have found out that I am no good to anybody if I am feeling drained.  We must fill ourselves.

This leads me to a breakfast I shared with Pastor Micky Oliver.  Pastor Oliver gave me this advice last Tuesday morning.  This is my recollection and a paraphrase.

“Read, and read a lot. As a young man when you read, you are digging a well for yourself that you will, later on, come back and drink from.”

That is some good advice from two men who have been in the ministry for quite some time.