Proverbs 22:29, When a Man's Ways Please the Lord

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men."

A friend of mine and I were discussing this verse yesterday.

We had flown out to Beverly Hills L.A. to meet with some business associates and developing friends, which in itself was an adventure I find... indescribable...wonderful and difficult to put into words, and were now mid-flight in Phoenix on our way back to St.Louis.

(If my associate and developing friend out of Beverly Hills [George] wasn't the private man that I believe he is, I'd tell you more of that meeting. More than likely, over time, you'll know more anyway. God's opening doors I could never open on my own.) But...

Here's the reason for our discussion...

On the flight from L.A. to Phoenix, I found myself sitting next to and building a working/Christian relationship with a man I had never meet in my life. We hadn't even bothered to talk throughout the duration of the flight. In fact, it wasn't until the closing moments of the flight that we made our introductions. I was on my way home. He was flying to Phoenix to meet a friend and client of his to attend the Arizona Cardinal / Washington Redskin NFL pre-season game. His friend? Kurt Warner.After we discussed my story and he found out that I had grown up a life long Chicago Bears, Cubs and Bulls fan, I found out I was sitting next to Michael Jordan's financial agent and the Chairman and Founder of the Celebrity Fight Night Foundation.

We exchanged information and discussed some issues. After our plane landed and right before we parted, he took me to the side and prayed over me and encouraged me in Christ.

I was overwhelmed. How could I not be? I couldn't hold back my tears. How could I? God has been so good to me. I could say that without blinking when I was still incarcerated. Now I'm free, justified, justified in Christ, financially stable, drawing interest from a powerful and generous man in Beverly Hills and ..... it seems like its never gonna stop. Amazing! My life, to date, has resembled a magic carpet ride.

I don't know where my path leads. George and I are building a relationship and I'm learning the business in the process. This other gentleman could also help. Don't know. Only God knows. The things is...I trust God. In the end, whether this new fellow or George or another 5 to 10 men come and go with contacts and offers, my heart and faith remain in Christ. In that way, I have long stood and kneel'd before The King and my success has long been established.

Long before my life became amazing in the recent developments, it was as amazing as amazing can be in God's grace and forever will be.

God's hand has been present...without question.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10

"When a man's ways please the Lord..." Proverbs 16:7