When I was growing up in South Carolina, I had no idea how my childhood would affect other people's lives. I was the preacher's baby boy - the singing little boy that became the organ playing, singing choir director. But so often people in that position can create a lot of damage within a church. When you are young you have no concept of the future and how the things you do and say will mold the lives of the people around you.

But I am so humbled as I hear from people that I haven't heard from in years who are telling me about how the things that I did as a child helped to usher them into their ministries today.

I heard from a young man in North Carolina who reminded me of how I took him as my brother as we were growing up and how I prayed with him at the altar when he received the Holy Spirit. He is an awesome preacher today.

I heard from another young man in Georgia who is in the studio recording his own Gospel project. He told me how my music ministry inspired him to begin playing the keyboards and organ - which eventually led him into this leg of him music ministry.

I've heard from several other friends and classmates who remember my life as a child and how it influenced them to walk with the Lord.

But, how do you take credit for just living and growing up and being a kid in church? How do you pop your collar when you hear things like this? I was just a short little boy who loved God and wanted to make music to praise Him. So, I guess the answer is - you don't take credit for it. I was just serving God's purpose. God is always at work, putting people in strategic places so that they can influence others according to His plan.

Just like the "good" preacher's kid (PK) influences people, so does the "bad" PK. I've been around the PKs who did lots and lots of dirt in their parents churches. I wasn't all good either. I did my share. But I saw enough of the "bad" to realize how ugly it would be if I became the drinking, smoking, foul-mouthed, sex-aholic PK that runs people away from the church.

Even more importantly, at some point I developed a serious relationship with God that steered my life. Because of that relationship, I didn't want to hurt or harm God's people nor His churches. I wanted to help. So I tried.

I guess on some level, I succeeded.

While God doesn't expect perfection from us - knowing that we are imperfect beings, I do believe that He expects us to try our hardest to follow the instructions He gave us in the bible and live lives that will point people in His direction. You don't have to be perfect to lead people to Jesus - you just have to show that you love Jesus.

Have you ever noticed that when you demonstrate that you are in love with a person, that person becomes more interesting to other people that never gave that person a thought. Suddenly they start asking you 101 questions about that person - where is she from? Where does he work? How much does she make? What kind of car does he drive? Does she have any kids? People are the same way when they see that you love Jesus - they want to know more about Him.

So, for the record - I AM IN LOVE WITH JESUS! If you don't believe it, just hang out with me and you'll notice it.

You are more than welcome to comment on my ranting. You no longer have to open a blogger account - I fixed that problem. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Just click on comments below and type away!