About Rick Upchurch

Married in 1976, with three grown children. Have served as Pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for 18 years and still hold ordination credentials in the Church of the Nazarene. Led and taught in Adult Degree Completion programs in Christian Higher Education since 1998. Published four books available on Amazon: Discipleship with James, Guidebook for Curriculum Development and Assessment, Spiritual Warfare, and The Principles of Life.

Don’t Sell Yourself Short

I’ve just started distributing an expanded version of these Proverbs through my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulling Life which can be found wherever you get your podcasts – enjoy!

Have you ever noticed that throughout history it is the right person, at the right time, in the right place which has made all the difference? It is true! Not only is the Bible full of examples like that, e.g. Noah, Moses, David, Paul, and many, many others, not the least of which was Esther. In fact she was at a key point in the history of the Jewish people that was literally life and death for the entire Jewish race across the known world. Her uncle, Mordecai told her “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

For more on this check out the short video below:

Bad Company Corrupts

I’ve just started distributing an expanded version of these Proverbs through my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulling Life which can be found wherever you get your podcasts – enjoy!

Paul writes in the book of 1 Corinthians “Bad Company corrupts good character.” (15:33) Another saying goes, “one bad apple spoils the whole barrel.” Both of these sayings are experiential proverbs that point to the direct connection between who we associate with, and how they influence our behavior. To be more explicit: Your friends are going to have a powerful influence on your own character and behavior.

For more on this check out the short video below:

Garbage in / Garbage out

I’ve just started distributing an expanded version of these Proverbs through my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulling Life which can be found wherever you get your podcasts – enjoy!

Garbage in/Garbage out is an older phrase introduced in the early days of computer programming. It meant that if your programming was bad, garbage in, then your output would also be bad, garbage out. This phrase has also been applied to people, as well. Health-wise the phrase “you are what you eat” reflects the same awareness that our diet affects our overall health and physical well-being. The concept also finds a parallel in how we think.

For more on this check out the short video below:

 

 

 

Saying No

I’ve just started distributing an expanded version of these Proverbs through my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulling Life which can be found wherever you get your podcasts – enjoy!

In 2014 CVS Pharmacy said NO to carrying tobacco products. Their announcement included this sentence: “The sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose – helping people on their path to better health.” Their decision was definitely controversial and cost the company $2 billion a year in direct sales. Having the guts to say NO to anything can be difficult, saying no to $2 billion dollars requires a laser-like focus on your core principles. Saying NO, and meaning it, comes more easily to some than others, but it can be easier for anyone if they know their core values and place them before any other consideration.

For more on this check out the short video below:

Content

Paul, the Apostle, states, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any situation…” (Phil. 4:11-12) The secret to being content to which he is referring is a complete faith in Jesus Christ; absolute trust that God is at work for the best. Not much of a secret, but definitely a significant commitment. We each exist in a reality that probably isn’t how we imagined or hoped it would be.

For more on this, check out the short video below:

General, Practical Proverbs

Here are some statements you might want to refrain from saying or asking:  NEVER say anything bad about your old boss or previous significant other. NEVER ask a woman that you don’t know for sure is pregnant when she is due, or how is the pregnancy going. NEVER call your coworkers, employees, or children stupid. NEVER use humor to disguise an insult directed at your supervisor, spouse, or anyone else. ALWAYS believe that any negative complaint you make regarding your boss or coworkers will be repeated.

For more on this check out the short video below:

Do You Really Need a Policy?

Sometimes a policy is exactly what you need. Policies can provide valuable guidelines for corporate behavior that help keep everyone on the same page, and moving in the same direction. Of course, having a policy but not enforcing it can be worse than not having a policy at all. But, not all situations require or are best served by having a policy. There is a tendency, especially among new leaders, to try to manage by policy.

For more on this check out the short video below:

 

What are You Waiting For?

It has been said that if you put a frog into a large pot of water, and slowly bring it to a boil, the frog will make no effort to escape, eventually dying even though escape was readily available. Actual empirical evidence indicates this story is not true; but it makes a great leadership example about how easy it is for us humans to remain in our ruts, that is, our patterns of behavior, even when they are detrimental to our stated goals or health, and even when we could change our behavior and improve our situation.

For more on this check out the short video below:

 

Handling the Flood

Handling the flood of information that comes at you on any given day can be challenging, or even overwhelming. You receive an email or file attachment you want to keep, but then forget where you have saved it. You place an important document or object in a “safe” place only to forget where that is. It is not just you; it is all of us. It isn’t because we are getting old and forgetful, although that may be true, but more likely because there is simply more to remember and keep track of in our lives than ever before in history. This isn’t likely to change, so we need to accept this as the new norm.

For more on this check out the video below.