A minister visiting a church I attended back in the day attempted to legitimize the practice of Christians drinking by saying “In Paris, it is the custom to drink wine with every meal.” Well, let’s all move to France, right?

Scripture would appear to be split on the issue. The Apostle Paul said “If it offends my brother to eat meat, I won't eat it,” meaning if somebody else trips or is offended by my practice, I will refrain from it. Then Paul says, “I became as all men that I might win some.” On one hand scripture says “A little wine for the stomach's sake,” while on the other hand it says “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and he who's fooled by it is unwise.” Jesus was called a "wine bibber," remember?

We recently attended an event sponsored by Christians where drinks were being served. My wife has never had a drink in her life. I would never open Pandora's box  by encouraging my wife to drink just because it’s “okay” for Christians to do. Not knowing how it might affect her, I would be opening a door I might not be able to close.

As a Christian, I choose not to drink alcohol, not because of it's rightness or wrongness, but as a sacrifice of ‘close-to-the-edge’ indulgences. I believe the greater my sacrifice, the greater my reward.

Right or wrong, sinful or not, when it comes to drinking, and every other carnal pursuit, let's not reduce God to some sort of spiritual crossing guard blowing a whistle, holding up His hand for us to stop, and waving His hand for us to go. Let every man examine himself. That’s what you’re going to give an account for anyway.

Most believers see the concept of chance, as a part of their walk with God, as “iffy” and non-biblical. In most religious sectors, chance is viewed as a roll of the dice or a gamble, as in playing the lotto or going to the casino. Nothing could be further from the truth. King Solomon, the wisest man in biblical history, said in Ecclesiastes 9:11, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and CHANCE happeneth to them all."

Chance is an opportunistic possibility brought about by a confluence of related circumstances. Chance caused Paul Crouch to watch TBN while Bishop T.D. Jakes preached at the Azuza Conference. Jakes preached "Behind Closed Doors," while Crouch was struggling to finish his book, "I Had No Father But God." That 7-minute snippet touched Crouch, he invited Jakes to TBN - and the rest is history.

Chance caused Mahalia Jackson to let her paper boy hang around the house while she did hair. She heard him sing and invited him to join her background singers. When too hoarse to keep an engagement, she sent him in her stead. His name was James Cleveland - and the rest is history.

Chance found me standing behind Pastor Marvin Winans in an offering taken during The Clark Sisters "Bringing It Back Home" recording session. Winans said he'd been looking for me to produce a gospel radio show. I accepted, and for two years we worked together, until he birthed Detroit's Perfecting Church. He left me with this charge, "I shook the tree - you make the jelly." I turned the 2 hour radio show into a $5 million purchase and historic birth of Detroit's first 24 hour all black gospel radio station - and the rest is history.

Preparation is the due diligence one applies within a chosen field of endeavor. College, OTJ experience, vocational school, volunteerism, internships, self-directed study, serving the ministry where you worship, being faithful over menial tasks, or doing whatsoever your hands find to do become the proving ground making you ready to step into the spotlight when opportunities manifest.

Whatever your passion is, prepare, be diligent, and be ready. Then trust God to provide you with the chance to step in to your destiny.

Children are such marvelous gifts from God. Look at and study them carefully, and you'll gain an insight into yourself. The three year old my wife cares for is both bright and skillful, with a rapid fire mind. Most times when asked a question, or given a direct instruction, her first response is “Huh?” This reply requires Cozette to repeat herself. Well, after noticing the pattern, and the fact that compliance was contingent upon having to repeat herself, Cozette brought to the child’s attention the need to listen, and she complied.

Children are intent on getting their needs, desires, wants and issues met. Since their focus is their agenda, they seldom hear anything else the first time. Also, the non-responsive “Huh?” gives them a little more time to think, especially in areas where they’ve been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, so to speak.

    * Does the fact that I listen to God in one area mean that He has my complete attention in every area? No.

    * Is my love for God measured by my receptivity and responsiveness to His Voice? Yes.

    * Does my agenda scream so loudly until I can’t hear God? Often. When He speaks, how many times have I said, “Huh?” Many more times than I count. And yet God, like a patient caregiver, does not count it against me – He just keeps loving me.

John the Disciple was so blown away by this love until he wrote, and I paraphrase, “What kind of love is this that God has poured upon us, that we should even be considered, much less called, the sons of God?"

My personal goal is to walk so close to Jesus Christ until I hear His Voice above my will. I call it The Ministry of Hearing. The roar of my personal agenda and life stuff can easily drown out the whisper of the spirit. When caught up in the rat race, it's easy to forget that He's right there in the midst of our own personal rush hour.

I shudder to think of the number of times I have failed Him in this area - too many to count, but not enough for Him to ever leave or forsake me, thank God. Neither helpless or hopeless, I strive to master The Ministry of Hearing, in every trial, test, or calamity. Just knowing He is there to calm every storm of life with a “Peace, be still” gives me the reassurance to trust Him all the more. Know this. He is God, whether you hear Him or not. His consistency is not determined by your attention span. His response to your needs is not triggered just because you respond to His call. His Love for you is an ever-living choice made once and for all. He is unchangeable, faithful forever. Listen, and you'll hear Him speaking ... even now.