“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Philip. 2:2
If you listen carefully in most organizations,the biggest problem is clearly “They”:
“Look what ‘they’ve' done now!”
“Isn’t it time that ‘they’ do a little work?”
“‘They’ should have known better!”
It’s certainly true that "they" -shorthand for "other people" or "that other department"- are not perfect. But one of your toughest jobs as a leader is thinking beyond yourself and your own group and about the organization as a whole.
Try playing the pronoun game and encourage your team to do the same. Instead of focusing on what "they" do, look for your own responsibility in situations. For example: “They’ve got problems with the project we’re doing with them. Let’s look at our procedures – are we helping or hindering?”
After all, the best way to handle responsibility is to reach out and share it – to turn “them” into "us."
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
To Hear The Unheard
“Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds.” Proverbs 27:23
A king sent his son to a wise monk to be trained as a leader. Yet the monk immediately sent the boy into the woods alone, for a year, to learn the sound of the forest.
At first the boy heard only what he was used to, birds, wind, insects. But in time, he heard the sounds ‘behind’ those sounds - the flowers opening, the earth expanding.
When he returned to the monk and reported this, the monk was pleased. He said that only a ruler who hears the unexpressed feelings, pains, and complaints of the people can lead correctly.
It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives we forget those who are around us. Ask God to give you a heart not only to meet people, but the wisdom and grace to ‘know’ them and to read between the lines.
A king sent his son to a wise monk to be trained as a leader. Yet the monk immediately sent the boy into the woods alone, for a year, to learn the sound of the forest.
At first the boy heard only what he was used to, birds, wind, insects. But in time, he heard the sounds ‘behind’ those sounds - the flowers opening, the earth expanding.
When he returned to the monk and reported this, the monk was pleased. He said that only a ruler who hears the unexpressed feelings, pains, and complaints of the people can lead correctly.
It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives we forget those who are around us. Ask God to give you a heart not only to meet people, but the wisdom and grace to ‘know’ them and to read between the lines.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thanking God for...
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you...in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now." Phil 1:3,5
One of the paradoxes of your life as a leader is that the people you lead are the people you most depend on. They're the ones who give you support, encouragement, and sometimes more. Jim Belasco, a college professor and management consultant, tells a story that shows just how far that dependence can go.
On a mission during the war in Vietnam, a US Navy pilot's jet was hit by enemy fire. He ejected himself from the fatally stricken plane, pulled the rip cord on his chute, and waited those interminable seconds until it opened. It did. He landed safely, only to be captured and spend five years in a POW camp until the end of the war. He never gave that parachute another thought.
Years later, a man approached him in a hotel lobby, introducing himself as a former sailor who had been on the same carrier as the pilot. The sailor, it turned out, had packed pilots' parachutes. After reminiscing, the men went their separate ways.
Only later, did the pilot realize that the man he had just met had probably packed the chute that saved his life. Then he realized how many other "chute-packers" there had been in his life, both military and civilian - people who had done their jobs, however dull, extremely well, and enabled him to do his...and survive.
From that moment, the pilot vowed to know who was "packing his chute" in his work and his life, and to acknowledge and thank them. It's a great lesson for all of us who know, yet sometimes forget, that we depend on others every day of our lives.
And to each one of you, thank you for the part you play in Kingdom work. Have a great week!
One of the paradoxes of your life as a leader is that the people you lead are the people you most depend on. They're the ones who give you support, encouragement, and sometimes more. Jim Belasco, a college professor and management consultant, tells a story that shows just how far that dependence can go.
On a mission during the war in Vietnam, a US Navy pilot's jet was hit by enemy fire. He ejected himself from the fatally stricken plane, pulled the rip cord on his chute, and waited those interminable seconds until it opened. It did. He landed safely, only to be captured and spend five years in a POW camp until the end of the war. He never gave that parachute another thought.
Years later, a man approached him in a hotel lobby, introducing himself as a former sailor who had been on the same carrier as the pilot. The sailor, it turned out, had packed pilots' parachutes. After reminiscing, the men went their separate ways.
Only later, did the pilot realize that the man he had just met had probably packed the chute that saved his life. Then he realized how many other "chute-packers" there had been in his life, both military and civilian - people who had done their jobs, however dull, extremely well, and enabled him to do his...and survive.
From that moment, the pilot vowed to know who was "packing his chute" in his work and his life, and to acknowledge and thank them. It's a great lesson for all of us who know, yet sometimes forget, that we depend on others every day of our lives.
And to each one of you, thank you for the part you play in Kingdom work. Have a great week!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Learn to Listen
"A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind." Prov 18:2
One of the great lost arts today is listening. Too many folks want to talk, not many want to listen. And yet, you would be amazed what you could learn if you would just listen.
A consultant helped an executive with a report by listening, questioning, and offering suggestions. After completing the report, the executive thanked the consultant. The consultant asked which suggestions had been most useful.
"Well," said the executive, "I didn't use any of them." It was the listening and probing that had helped.
Psm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God."
Sometimes it is just good to be quite, and listen.
When you pray who is doing most of the talking?
One of the great lost arts today is listening. Too many folks want to talk, not many want to listen. And yet, you would be amazed what you could learn if you would just listen.
A consultant helped an executive with a report by listening, questioning, and offering suggestions. After completing the report, the executive thanked the consultant. The consultant asked which suggestions had been most useful.
"Well," said the executive, "I didn't use any of them." It was the listening and probing that had helped.
Psm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God."
Sometimes it is just good to be quite, and listen.
When you pray who is doing most of the talking?
Friday, April 25, 2008
God Will Provide
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philip 4:19
Rebecca St. James is a well known Christian songwriter and vocalist who understands God’s provision. Her father, David Smallbone, was a Christian concert promoter in Australia who went bankrupt on a national tour. Ticket sales fell far short of the needed revenue so he ended up taking a $250,000 personal loss. This resulted in losing their house and all they had.
His only hope was a job in America where an artist asked him to become his manager. So in the fall of 1991, the family moved to Nashville and lived in a motel until they could afford an unfurnished rental house. Smallbone’s wife, Helen, slept on the only mattress they owned, the rest of the family slept on the floor. Within a few brief months, he was told the position was no longer available. He was so devastated, he literally could not get out of bed.
But as the family began to pray, God’s provisions started becoming evident. Groceries showed up at the door, Sunday School classes donated furniture, and a Nashville songwriter gave them a Toyota Previa car that was just three months old. The family took on odd jobs with Rebecca, the oldest, helping her mother clean houses, baby-sit, and work with her two brothers mowing lawns and raking leaves.
Along the way, Forefront Records heard a demo tape of Rebecca and offered her a recording contract at the age of fifteen. She took on an old family name, Saint James, recorded her first album, and made plans for a concert tour.
The same man who gave them the van, Jon Mohr, knew they would need bigger transportation, so he traded in the Previa van and bought them a 15-passenger van. David Smallbone was so overwhelmed by Mohr’s generosity, he offered to give John fifty-percent of the royalties from Rebecca’s songs. to serve in the Ukraine. Twice a year, the Mohr’s receive royalty checks from the Smallbone’s that help support their ministry. Isn’t it amazing how God provides.
Rebecca St. James is a well known Christian songwriter and vocalist who understands God’s provision. Her father, David Smallbone, was a Christian concert promoter in Australia who went bankrupt on a national tour. Ticket sales fell far short of the needed revenue so he ended up taking a $250,000 personal loss. This resulted in losing their house and all they had.
His only hope was a job in America where an artist asked him to become his manager. So in the fall of 1991, the family moved to Nashville and lived in a motel until they could afford an unfurnished rental house. Smallbone’s wife, Helen, slept on the only mattress they owned, the rest of the family slept on the floor. Within a few brief months, he was told the position was no longer available. He was so devastated, he literally could not get out of bed.
But as the family began to pray, God’s provisions started becoming evident. Groceries showed up at the door, Sunday School classes donated furniture, and a Nashville songwriter gave them a Toyota Previa car that was just three months old. The family took on odd jobs with Rebecca, the oldest, helping her mother clean houses, baby-sit, and work with her two brothers mowing lawns and raking leaves.
Along the way, Forefront Records heard a demo tape of Rebecca and offered her a recording contract at the age of fifteen. She took on an old family name, Saint James, recorded her first album, and made plans for a concert tour.
The same man who gave them the van, Jon Mohr, knew they would need bigger transportation, so he traded in the Previa van and bought them a 15-passenger van. David Smallbone was so overwhelmed by Mohr’s generosity, he offered to give John fifty-percent of the royalties from Rebecca’s songs. to serve in the Ukraine. Twice a year, the Mohr’s receive royalty checks from the Smallbone’s that help support their ministry. Isn’t it amazing how God provides.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Doing Time
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Cor 5:21
On December 24, 2003 Governor Jeb Bush dedicated the nation’s first faith-based prison in Lawtey, Florida. If it turns out like a noted prison in Brazil, skeptics will be speechless.
In the 1980's, the Brazilian government gave two Christians a prison near Sao Jose dos Campos. These two believers were convinced the prison could be transformed through the implementation of Christian principles. They were right! The inmates do all of the work, and they are each adopted by families outside of the prison who work with them during and after their sentence.
When Chuck Colson visited Humaita, he was deeply impacted by what he saw. The walls were decorated with Scripture from Psalms and Proverbs, and the prisoners were smiling, peaceful, well-kept, and industrious. He was particularly intrigued by the countenance of the murderer who unlocked the gates and let him in.
On his tour of the prison, Colon’s guide led him to the solitary confinement cell that had once been used for notorious brutality and torture. While walking down the long concrete corridor, the guide told Colson there was only one inmate in there now. As he put the key in the lock of that single cell, he asked, “Are you sure you want to go in?” Colson rather impatiently replied, “Of course. I’ve been in isolation cells all over the world.”
Even though the leader of Prison Fellowship had seen all types of prison dynamics, he was caught off guard by what he saw in the cell. Behind the massive door was a beautiful crucifix that had been carved by the inmates. As they both looked at the depiction of Christ’s sacrificial death, the guide softly said, “He’s doing time for the rest of us.”
That is the simple yet profound message of redemption.
On December 24, 2003 Governor Jeb Bush dedicated the nation’s first faith-based prison in Lawtey, Florida. If it turns out like a noted prison in Brazil, skeptics will be speechless.
In the 1980's, the Brazilian government gave two Christians a prison near Sao Jose dos Campos. These two believers were convinced the prison could be transformed through the implementation of Christian principles. They were right! The inmates do all of the work, and they are each adopted by families outside of the prison who work with them during and after their sentence.
When Chuck Colson visited Humaita, he was deeply impacted by what he saw. The walls were decorated with Scripture from Psalms and Proverbs, and the prisoners were smiling, peaceful, well-kept, and industrious. He was particularly intrigued by the countenance of the murderer who unlocked the gates and let him in.
On his tour of the prison, Colon’s guide led him to the solitary confinement cell that had once been used for notorious brutality and torture. While walking down the long concrete corridor, the guide told Colson there was only one inmate in there now. As he put the key in the lock of that single cell, he asked, “Are you sure you want to go in?” Colson rather impatiently replied, “Of course. I’ve been in isolation cells all over the world.”
Even though the leader of Prison Fellowship had seen all types of prison dynamics, he was caught off guard by what he saw in the cell. Behind the massive door was a beautiful crucifix that had been carved by the inmates. As they both looked at the depiction of Christ’s sacrificial death, the guide softly said, “He’s doing time for the rest of us.”
That is the simple yet profound message of redemption.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Ultimate Question
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Matt 7:23
In March of 2003, the University of Georgia did not renew Jim Harrick’s contract as assistant men’s basketball coach. The decision was based upon allegations against the school for NCAA violations involving Harrick.
Harrick taught a class called “Coaching Principles and Strategies of Basketball” during the fall of 2001. All the students in the class, including three basketball players, received an ‘A’ after taking only one test which was a twenty-question multiple choice final exam.
The test asked simple questions like: “How many goals are on a basketball court? How many quarters are in a high school basketball game? How many points does a 3-point field goal account for?”
It would be tough to fail Mr. Harrick’s exam, and many people believe God’s final judgement will be equally easy. According to the Bible, we will be judged upon one true or false question: “Did you receive the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ?”
It’s a pass or fail test that will dictate our eternal destiny.
Many people will fail the test because they never really knew Jesus. There is a tremendous difference between knowing Jesus with your head and knowing Jesus with your heart. When Jesus says, “I never knew you,” that word means intimately.
Remember this: While God is everyone’s Creator, He is not everyone’s Father. For God to be your Father, you must be adopted into His family, and that comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So here’s the question, not 'do you know about Jesus,' but 'do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord?'
In March of 2003, the University of Georgia did not renew Jim Harrick’s contract as assistant men’s basketball coach. The decision was based upon allegations against the school for NCAA violations involving Harrick.
Harrick taught a class called “Coaching Principles and Strategies of Basketball” during the fall of 2001. All the students in the class, including three basketball players, received an ‘A’ after taking only one test which was a twenty-question multiple choice final exam.
The test asked simple questions like: “How many goals are on a basketball court? How many quarters are in a high school basketball game? How many points does a 3-point field goal account for?”
It would be tough to fail Mr. Harrick’s exam, and many people believe God’s final judgement will be equally easy. According to the Bible, we will be judged upon one true or false question: “Did you receive the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ?”
It’s a pass or fail test that will dictate our eternal destiny.
Many people will fail the test because they never really knew Jesus. There is a tremendous difference between knowing Jesus with your head and knowing Jesus with your heart. When Jesus says, “I never knew you,” that word means intimately.
Remember this: While God is everyone’s Creator, He is not everyone’s Father. For God to be your Father, you must be adopted into His family, and that comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So here’s the question, not 'do you know about Jesus,' but 'do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord?'
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
There Is Justice
"...be sure your sin will find you out." Num 33:2
Paul Broft and Brendan Gibbins are devoted New England Patriot fans. Even though they didn't have tickets to watch their team defeat the North Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, they flew to Houston anyway in hopes of getting into the game. Their spirits lifted when they ran into Bruce Smith who sold them two scalped tickets for the bargain price of just $1400 each.
Unfortunately, the tickets turned out to be two of the eighty-four counterfeit tickets confiscated at the turnstiles by security officials. Broft and Gibbins had no recourse, so they stood in the parking lot of Reliant Stadium and simply listened to the crowd on February 1, 2004.
The next day, with long faces and lighter wallets, the two waited for their flight home at Bush Intercontinental Airport. To their utter surprise and joy, Bruce Smith was there waiting for the same flight back to Boston. The police were quickly notified and Smith was arrested. Three weeks later, Judge Jeannine Barr sentenced Smith to two year's probation and ordered a $2,800 refund on the tickets.
Obviously, not every situation ends so justly, but we can rest assured that God's ultimate justice will eventually occur.
Paul Broft and Brendan Gibbins are devoted New England Patriot fans. Even though they didn't have tickets to watch their team defeat the North Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, they flew to Houston anyway in hopes of getting into the game. Their spirits lifted when they ran into Bruce Smith who sold them two scalped tickets for the bargain price of just $1400 each.
Unfortunately, the tickets turned out to be two of the eighty-four counterfeit tickets confiscated at the turnstiles by security officials. Broft and Gibbins had no recourse, so they stood in the parking lot of Reliant Stadium and simply listened to the crowd on February 1, 2004.
The next day, with long faces and lighter wallets, the two waited for their flight home at Bush Intercontinental Airport. To their utter surprise and joy, Bruce Smith was there waiting for the same flight back to Boston. The police were quickly notified and Smith was arrested. Three weeks later, Judge Jeannine Barr sentenced Smith to two year's probation and ordered a $2,800 refund on the tickets.
Obviously, not every situation ends so justly, but we can rest assured that God's ultimate justice will eventually occur.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Pride
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Proverbs 16:18
Patricia Heaton is known best for her role as Debra Barone on the TV series, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond.’ Heaton has taken strong moral stances in the Hollywood culture and is vocal about her faith in Christ. When speaking of her four children, she said, “More than anything, I want my children to have a personal daily relationship with the Lord.”
In 2003, she played the lead part of Paula in a network remake of Neil Simon’s ‘The Goodbye Girl.’ While shooting the film in Vancouver, she visited a small Presbyterian church down the street from her hotel and received a strong message about ‘pride.’ She noticed most of the people were elderly, the choir had about six people who couldn’t sing, and the service seemed disjointed.
She found herself thinking, “This is ridiculous. Do they think this is accomplishing anything?” At that point God broke through and she became acutely aware of her condemnatory attitude. She then thought, “It’s amazing how much you can sin just sitting in a pew in church.”
It caused her to think more deeply about human depravity. She said, “I just thought, we really are hopeless. There’s nothing in us that’s righteous at any given moment. Even if you have some kind of pure motive on one hand, just give yourself five seconds.”
Pride is usually closer than we think.
Patricia Heaton is known best for her role as Debra Barone on the TV series, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond.’ Heaton has taken strong moral stances in the Hollywood culture and is vocal about her faith in Christ. When speaking of her four children, she said, “More than anything, I want my children to have a personal daily relationship with the Lord.”
In 2003, she played the lead part of Paula in a network remake of Neil Simon’s ‘The Goodbye Girl.’ While shooting the film in Vancouver, she visited a small Presbyterian church down the street from her hotel and received a strong message about ‘pride.’ She noticed most of the people were elderly, the choir had about six people who couldn’t sing, and the service seemed disjointed.
She found herself thinking, “This is ridiculous. Do they think this is accomplishing anything?” At that point God broke through and she became acutely aware of her condemnatory attitude. She then thought, “It’s amazing how much you can sin just sitting in a pew in church.”
It caused her to think more deeply about human depravity. She said, “I just thought, we really are hopeless. There’s nothing in us that’s righteous at any given moment. Even if you have some kind of pure motive on one hand, just give yourself five seconds.”
Pride is usually closer than we think.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Nones
“...The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37-38
Pollsters have identified a relatively new sector of American culture called “Nones.” This name comes from their response to the survey question: “What is you religion, if any?”
This group would be the fastest growing religious group in the United States if they were an organized religion. They represent nearly thirty million Americans and one in three “Nones” is less than thirty years of age.
“Nones” comprise a conglomerate of beliefs ranging from spiritualists to atheists. Nearly half “agreed strongly” that God exists, yet many don’t share that conviction. In reference to eternal life, one female said, “I just don’t see the point of planning for something I don’t know exists.”
Although “Nones” reflect an alarming trend of spiritual disconnectedness in America, one analyst noted a positive spin as churches seek to reach them. Ariela Keysar, study director of the American Religious Identification Survey said, “It is more accurate to describe them as unaffiliated than as non-believers.”
Could it be that many of these have not rejected Jesus, but those who say they represent Him?
People aren’t looking for religion, but a personal relationship with God, and that only comes through knowing Christ. There are “Nones” all around you, who not show them the love of Christ and invite them to come to church with you?
Pollsters have identified a relatively new sector of American culture called “Nones.” This name comes from their response to the survey question: “What is you religion, if any?”
This group would be the fastest growing religious group in the United States if they were an organized religion. They represent nearly thirty million Americans and one in three “Nones” is less than thirty years of age.
“Nones” comprise a conglomerate of beliefs ranging from spiritualists to atheists. Nearly half “agreed strongly” that God exists, yet many don’t share that conviction. In reference to eternal life, one female said, “I just don’t see the point of planning for something I don’t know exists.”
Although “Nones” reflect an alarming trend of spiritual disconnectedness in America, one analyst noted a positive spin as churches seek to reach them. Ariela Keysar, study director of the American Religious Identification Survey said, “It is more accurate to describe them as unaffiliated than as non-believers.”
Could it be that many of these have not rejected Jesus, but those who say they represent Him?
People aren’t looking for religion, but a personal relationship with God, and that only comes through knowing Christ. There are “Nones” all around you, who not show them the love of Christ and invite them to come to church with you?
Friday, April 18, 2008
Extra Effort
"And whomever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two." Matt 5:41
Southwest Airlines knows the value of giving a customer their very best effort. A women, traveling on business during the Christmas season several years ago, left her purse on a Southwest plane.
This left her with no cash, no credit cards, and no form of identification. She filled out a report on the lost purse and kicked herself for being so careless. The place she was on, eventually stopped at Phoenix and her purse was found by the cleaning crew. Her purse arrived the next morning on a flight and she was thrilled to have not lost her valuables.
When she opened up the billfold, she noticed the $40 in cash was gone. She wrote it off as the price for forgetting her purse and rummaged through it to make sure nothing else was missing. To her surprise, she found a $41 check from Southwest Airlines with a memo that read, "to replace cash found in lost purse."
Rather than risk losing the cash along the way, authorities made sure the cash was replaced with a check for $1 more than what was found.
It was their extra effort during the busy Christmas season that secured a customer for life. As we move through the normal experiences of life, even when things are busy, it's important to remember that normal effort is expected, and extra effort is appreciated.
The Bible calls it the second mile and it's a great route to travel, and it's not that hard. Look today for someone you can bless - put forth the extra effort - and see if God doesn't bless you in return.
Southwest Airlines knows the value of giving a customer their very best effort. A women, traveling on business during the Christmas season several years ago, left her purse on a Southwest plane.
This left her with no cash, no credit cards, and no form of identification. She filled out a report on the lost purse and kicked herself for being so careless. The place she was on, eventually stopped at Phoenix and her purse was found by the cleaning crew. Her purse arrived the next morning on a flight and she was thrilled to have not lost her valuables.
When she opened up the billfold, she noticed the $40 in cash was gone. She wrote it off as the price for forgetting her purse and rummaged through it to make sure nothing else was missing. To her surprise, she found a $41 check from Southwest Airlines with a memo that read, "to replace cash found in lost purse."
Rather than risk losing the cash along the way, authorities made sure the cash was replaced with a check for $1 more than what was found.
It was their extra effort during the busy Christmas season that secured a customer for life. As we move through the normal experiences of life, even when things are busy, it's important to remember that normal effort is expected, and extra effort is appreciated.
The Bible calls it the second mile and it's a great route to travel, and it's not that hard. Look today for someone you can bless - put forth the extra effort - and see if God doesn't bless you in return.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Determination
“Desire realized is sweet to the soul...” Prov 13:19
Some people called her “Crazy Maisie” and after hearing her story you might understand why.
Maisie collected ninety tons of aluminum cans over a thirty-year span so her hometown of Eskridge, Kansas could have a city pool. She rummaged though trash bins and went up and down roads looking for cans. She then hauled them thirty-five miles to the recycling center in Topeka.
After thirty years, she had amassed $100,000. The government rewarded her determination with a $73,000 grant and the pool became a reality on July 14, 2001. At eighty-one years of age, Maisie made the first splash in her town of six hundred people. In 2003, she received the Jefferson Award and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for extraordinary public service.
When asked about her efforts, Maisie simply said, “Sure, it was a lot of work, but what do you accomplish if you don’t work?”
At the age of 84, Maisie was still collecting cans because the town needed to pay for the upkeep of the pool and for life guards.
How much more should we be determined to do they things of God? May God give each of us the desires of our heart and may our desires be to please Him with our lives!
Some people called her “Crazy Maisie” and after hearing her story you might understand why.
Maisie collected ninety tons of aluminum cans over a thirty-year span so her hometown of Eskridge, Kansas could have a city pool. She rummaged though trash bins and went up and down roads looking for cans. She then hauled them thirty-five miles to the recycling center in Topeka.
After thirty years, she had amassed $100,000. The government rewarded her determination with a $73,000 grant and the pool became a reality on July 14, 2001. At eighty-one years of age, Maisie made the first splash in her town of six hundred people. In 2003, she received the Jefferson Award and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for extraordinary public service.
When asked about her efforts, Maisie simply said, “Sure, it was a lot of work, but what do you accomplish if you don’t work?”
At the age of 84, Maisie was still collecting cans because the town needed to pay for the upkeep of the pool and for life guards.
How much more should we be determined to do they things of God? May God give each of us the desires of our heart and may our desires be to please Him with our lives!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Cell Phone vs. Bible
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2
On February 18, 2008 at 4:43p.m., James Dye wrote:
"I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?"
This is something to make you go hmmmm, "Where is my Bible?"
So remember this- You’ll never have dropped calls, and unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
But most important of all...you’ll never have to ask Him, “Can you hear me now?” Makes you stop and think, Where are my priorities?"
On February 18, 2008 at 4:43p.m., James Dye wrote:
"I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?"
This is something to make you go hmmmm, "Where is my Bible?"
So remember this- You’ll never have dropped calls, and unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
But most important of all...you’ll never have to ask Him, “Can you hear me now?” Makes you stop and think, Where are my priorities?"
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
How do you Prove you are a Christian?
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith...” II Cor 13:5
A recent article in The New York Times discussed the difficulty facing American-born Jews, now living in Israel, to prove the authenticity of their heritage. One young woman went with her fiancé to the Tel Aviv Rabbinate to register to marry. This governmental court asked her to prove she was Jewish.
If a court of law asked you to prove you were a Christian, how would you do it? Some might answer, “I’m a member of a church.” The court could rightly ask, “How difficult is it for a non-Christian to join a church?”
There are some churches so anxious for someone to join that after a “three minute drill” during the invitation, a person can be welcomed into full fellowship. They are voted in and everything!
If being a member of a church proves you are a Christian, then why are so few church members choosing to worship Christ regularly?
Others appearing before the court might answer, “I’ve been baptized.” Really? If you’ve been around a Christian church for any length of time, you can pick up enough church lingo to answer the questions correctly.
Is baptism proof of Christianity or merely proof you got wet? Unless one lives in a non-Christian culture, baptism can become a rite of passage instead of a radical declaration of a commitment to Christ.
Then there’s the genetic answer, “My parents were Christians so I must be one.” The Bible says you become a Christian through personal acceptance of the Gospel, not by your parents’ acceptance of the Gospel.
So where is the proof? How could I prove to a court that I am a Christian?
The Bible’s criteria of proof are your love for God and your love for others. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
A person once challenged Jesus to identify the greatest commandment. Jesus answered in summary fashion by saying, "Love God and your neighbor."
The proof to the world of your Christianity is your unwavering love for God. Despite circumstances or trials, you love and trust God. When you don’t see the 'big picture,' you must trust God is guiding you to the glimmer of light at the end of an immense tunnel. Your love for Jesus changes the Bible from a rule book to a love letter. It turns worship from a noun into a verb, a day into a week.
When you surrender your life to Jesus, you begin to love others. You see the needs of others as more than physical and emotional, but spiritual. Then your love constrains you to meet that need.
An authentic walk with Christ allows you to look deep inside, to the Jesus in other people. Jesus said, “When you see someone hungry, thirsty, or in need of clothes and you take care of the need, you take care of me.”
If a court ever called on you to prove the authenticity of your faith, I think you should point the judge to the faithful hymn that says, “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll all know we are Christians by our love.”
A recent article in The New York Times discussed the difficulty facing American-born Jews, now living in Israel, to prove the authenticity of their heritage. One young woman went with her fiancé to the Tel Aviv Rabbinate to register to marry. This governmental court asked her to prove she was Jewish.
If a court of law asked you to prove you were a Christian, how would you do it? Some might answer, “I’m a member of a church.” The court could rightly ask, “How difficult is it for a non-Christian to join a church?”
There are some churches so anxious for someone to join that after a “three minute drill” during the invitation, a person can be welcomed into full fellowship. They are voted in and everything!
If being a member of a church proves you are a Christian, then why are so few church members choosing to worship Christ regularly?
Others appearing before the court might answer, “I’ve been baptized.” Really? If you’ve been around a Christian church for any length of time, you can pick up enough church lingo to answer the questions correctly.
Is baptism proof of Christianity or merely proof you got wet? Unless one lives in a non-Christian culture, baptism can become a rite of passage instead of a radical declaration of a commitment to Christ.
Then there’s the genetic answer, “My parents were Christians so I must be one.” The Bible says you become a Christian through personal acceptance of the Gospel, not by your parents’ acceptance of the Gospel.
So where is the proof? How could I prove to a court that I am a Christian?
The Bible’s criteria of proof are your love for God and your love for others. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
A person once challenged Jesus to identify the greatest commandment. Jesus answered in summary fashion by saying, "Love God and your neighbor."
The proof to the world of your Christianity is your unwavering love for God. Despite circumstances or trials, you love and trust God. When you don’t see the 'big picture,' you must trust God is guiding you to the glimmer of light at the end of an immense tunnel. Your love for Jesus changes the Bible from a rule book to a love letter. It turns worship from a noun into a verb, a day into a week.
When you surrender your life to Jesus, you begin to love others. You see the needs of others as more than physical and emotional, but spiritual. Then your love constrains you to meet that need.
An authentic walk with Christ allows you to look deep inside, to the Jesus in other people. Jesus said, “When you see someone hungry, thirsty, or in need of clothes and you take care of the need, you take care of me.”
If a court ever called on you to prove the authenticity of your faith, I think you should point the judge to the faithful hymn that says, “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll all know we are Christians by our love.”
Monday, April 14, 2008
A Mere Human?
“Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified.” Matthew 27:26
The deity of Jesus Christ was affirmed in Mel Gibson’s film The Passion, both on screen and behind the scenes. The on-screen affirmation is obvious, but a small incident behind the scenes reminds us that only the Son of God could endure such treatment and never sin.
While filming the scourging sequence, a piece of plywood was used to absorb the blows to the actor’s back. With the artistry of Hollywood, it appeared as though Jim Caviezel was actually being hit. In reality, he was only hit twice by accident, but his response is telling. Gibson stopped the filming and redirected the two actors with whips to use an overhand errant shot and hit Caviezel in the back. He said, “It just extended over the board and hit me with such a velocity that I couldn’t breathe. It’s like getting the wind knocked out of you. The stinging is so horrific that you can’t get air.”
Although he is a Christian and handled his role with austere reverence, his reaction to that single blow affirmed that a mere human could not handle the scourging like Christ.
Caviezel said, “I turned around and looked at the guy, and I tell you, I may be playing Jesus, but I felt like Satan at that moment. I turned to him, and a couple of expletives came out of my mouth.” He endured one more accidental blow that left a 14-inch gash in his back, but his response was not noted. Jim Caviezel said, “I didn’t want people to see 'me'. I just wanted them to see the 'Christ.'”
With the knowledge of what happened behind the scourging scene, this brave actor has done just that by uniquely reaffirming the deity of Jesus Christ.
The deity of Jesus Christ was affirmed in Mel Gibson’s film The Passion, both on screen and behind the scenes. The on-screen affirmation is obvious, but a small incident behind the scenes reminds us that only the Son of God could endure such treatment and never sin.
While filming the scourging sequence, a piece of plywood was used to absorb the blows to the actor’s back. With the artistry of Hollywood, it appeared as though Jim Caviezel was actually being hit. In reality, he was only hit twice by accident, but his response is telling. Gibson stopped the filming and redirected the two actors with whips to use an overhand errant shot and hit Caviezel in the back. He said, “It just extended over the board and hit me with such a velocity that I couldn’t breathe. It’s like getting the wind knocked out of you. The stinging is so horrific that you can’t get air.”
Although he is a Christian and handled his role with austere reverence, his reaction to that single blow affirmed that a mere human could not handle the scourging like Christ.
Caviezel said, “I turned around and looked at the guy, and I tell you, I may be playing Jesus, but I felt like Satan at that moment. I turned to him, and a couple of expletives came out of my mouth.” He endured one more accidental blow that left a 14-inch gash in his back, but his response was not noted. Jim Caviezel said, “I didn’t want people to see 'me'. I just wanted them to see the 'Christ.'”
With the knowledge of what happened behind the scourging scene, this brave actor has done just that by uniquely reaffirming the deity of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Victory
“And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.’” Job 1:21
Alexander the Great was able to conquer the known world, yet he understood his conquest was temporal. Introspection led him to believe he couldn’t take anything with him when he died, so he left a mandate for the officers who buried him.
Alexander the Great insisted that his bare hand was to hang out of the casket as a statement that death doesn’t permit humanity to keep the possessions they work so hard to acquire. The Bible clearly confirms this reality as it states everyone enters this world empty handed, and leaves it the same way.
However, if you have Jesus in your heart, you gain heaven and win the victory over death. Rejoice and have a great day!
Alexander the Great was able to conquer the known world, yet he understood his conquest was temporal. Introspection led him to believe he couldn’t take anything with him when he died, so he left a mandate for the officers who buried him.
Alexander the Great insisted that his bare hand was to hang out of the casket as a statement that death doesn’t permit humanity to keep the possessions they work so hard to acquire. The Bible clearly confirms this reality as it states everyone enters this world empty handed, and leaves it the same way.
However, if you have Jesus in your heart, you gain heaven and win the victory over death. Rejoice and have a great day!
Friday, April 11, 2008
A Stumbling Block
“...but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness.” I Corinthians 1:23
In 1982, Vice President George Bush represented the United States at Leonid Brezhnev’s funeral. The Russian leader epitomized the atheistic culture he guided, yet something deeply spiritual happened that day at the Kremlin.
Just before his casket was closed, Brezhnev’s widow stared motionless at the remains of her husband. Then as the soldiers touched the coffin to close it, she reached in and made the signs of the cross on his chest. It was both a courageous and desperate gesture. The woman who stood by her husband as he continued the long initiative against Christianity, was at that final moment hoping he was wrong.
In one of the most profound acts of civil disobedience ever committed, she acknowledged not only a belief in eternal life, but that Christ was the only One who could provide it.
The Cross of Christ is a stumbling block to those who reject it, and salvation to those who embrace it. Romans 9:33
In 1982, Vice President George Bush represented the United States at Leonid Brezhnev’s funeral. The Russian leader epitomized the atheistic culture he guided, yet something deeply spiritual happened that day at the Kremlin.
Just before his casket was closed, Brezhnev’s widow stared motionless at the remains of her husband. Then as the soldiers touched the coffin to close it, she reached in and made the signs of the cross on his chest. It was both a courageous and desperate gesture. The woman who stood by her husband as he continued the long initiative against Christianity, was at that final moment hoping he was wrong.
In one of the most profound acts of civil disobedience ever committed, she acknowledged not only a belief in eternal life, but that Christ was the only One who could provide it.
The Cross of Christ is a stumbling block to those who reject it, and salvation to those who embrace it. Romans 9:33
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Bitterness
“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15
With the research of ten thousand patients, Drs. Frank Minirth and Paul Meier have diagnosed the top three reasons for burnout, and the results will probably surprise you. Most would speculate that stressful over-extension is the number one reason people burnout, but the leaders of the famed Minirth-Meier Clinic say ‘burning the candle at both ends’ actually comes in third place.
The second leading cause of burnout stems from a hard-charging, workaholic, Type-A personality that tends to be compulsive and perfectionistic.
Surprisingly, the most dominant cause of burnout is bitterness. The unwillingness to forgive, either others or ourselves, is the number one reason for burnout.
Amazingly, the human psyche can handle over-exertion better than a bitter spirit. Bitterness is a smoldering fire that will literally destroy us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The cure? Forgiveness. Don’t be bitter - Forgive, let go, and enjoy life. It really is to short to hold bitterness in your heart.
With the research of ten thousand patients, Drs. Frank Minirth and Paul Meier have diagnosed the top three reasons for burnout, and the results will probably surprise you. Most would speculate that stressful over-extension is the number one reason people burnout, but the leaders of the famed Minirth-Meier Clinic say ‘burning the candle at both ends’ actually comes in third place.
The second leading cause of burnout stems from a hard-charging, workaholic, Type-A personality that tends to be compulsive and perfectionistic.
Surprisingly, the most dominant cause of burnout is bitterness. The unwillingness to forgive, either others or ourselves, is the number one reason for burnout.
Amazingly, the human psyche can handle over-exertion better than a bitter spirit. Bitterness is a smoldering fire that will literally destroy us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The cure? Forgiveness. Don’t be bitter - Forgive, let go, and enjoy life. It really is to short to hold bitterness in your heart.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The Ability to Comfort
“...who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians 1:4
Al Haynes was the pilot of United Airlines Flight 232 when it made a crash landing in Sioux City, Iowa on July 19, 1989. The aircraft lost an engine and its hydraulic system so it was deemed miraculous that the plane was able to land at all. Of the 296 people aboard, 184 survived.
Many attribute Haynes’ calm leadership for the prevention of a total loss. In 2004, Al Haynes was once again facing serious adversity. His daughter, Laurie Arguello, was in need of a bone marrow transplant and he was raising $256,000 needed for the procedure and subsequent care.
When his letter of appeal went out, contributions started pouring in. Survivors of that fated flight responded with a rather interesting perspective. They noted their desire to help was not based upon what Haynes did to help save their lives, but because of the support he provided since the tragedy.
Jerry Schemmel, a radio announcer for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, noted, “I’ve become more impressed with the man that he has become since the crash than the man he was in the cockpit that day.”
The beauty of adversity is that we can indeed become better because of the pain we’ve experienced.
Al Haynes was the pilot of United Airlines Flight 232 when it made a crash landing in Sioux City, Iowa on July 19, 1989. The aircraft lost an engine and its hydraulic system so it was deemed miraculous that the plane was able to land at all. Of the 296 people aboard, 184 survived.
Many attribute Haynes’ calm leadership for the prevention of a total loss. In 2004, Al Haynes was once again facing serious adversity. His daughter, Laurie Arguello, was in need of a bone marrow transplant and he was raising $256,000 needed for the procedure and subsequent care.
When his letter of appeal went out, contributions started pouring in. Survivors of that fated flight responded with a rather interesting perspective. They noted their desire to help was not based upon what Haynes did to help save their lives, but because of the support he provided since the tragedy.
Jerry Schemmel, a radio announcer for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, noted, “I’ve become more impressed with the man that he has become since the crash than the man he was in the cockpit that day.”
The beauty of adversity is that we can indeed become better because of the pain we’ve experienced.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Trophy or Trash
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8
Long before Dr. James Dobson emerged as America’s icon for pro-family advocacy, his sights were set on another goal. As a freshman at Pasadena College in California, he was determined to secure his name on the school’s perpetual tennis trophy. It bore the names of every college champion since 1947. Upon viewing this trophy in the administration building, he established that pursuit as his passion for life. Dr. Dobson wrote, “As strange as it may seem today, becoming our college tennis champ was my highest goal in living at that time.” He went on to letter in tennis all four years, was captain of the team his senior year, and had his name inscribed on the trophy twice during his last two seasons.
About fifteen years later, a close friend found the trophy among some other trash while throwing away some debris. Dr. Wil Spaite, one of Dobson’s former teammates, recognized the once significant relic and retrieved it from the garbage. He took it home, cleaned it up, and made necessary repairs before presenting it to the two-time college tennis champion.
Dr. Dobson now has the trophy on display in his office as a vivid reminder that, “If you live long enough, life will trash your trophies.”
Be very selective of your pursuits because many, if not most, will ultimately end up in the trash.
Long before Dr. James Dobson emerged as America’s icon for pro-family advocacy, his sights were set on another goal. As a freshman at Pasadena College in California, he was determined to secure his name on the school’s perpetual tennis trophy. It bore the names of every college champion since 1947. Upon viewing this trophy in the administration building, he established that pursuit as his passion for life. Dr. Dobson wrote, “As strange as it may seem today, becoming our college tennis champ was my highest goal in living at that time.” He went on to letter in tennis all four years, was captain of the team his senior year, and had his name inscribed on the trophy twice during his last two seasons.
About fifteen years later, a close friend found the trophy among some other trash while throwing away some debris. Dr. Wil Spaite, one of Dobson’s former teammates, recognized the once significant relic and retrieved it from the garbage. He took it home, cleaned it up, and made necessary repairs before presenting it to the two-time college tennis champion.
Dr. Dobson now has the trophy on display in his office as a vivid reminder that, “If you live long enough, life will trash your trophies.”
Be very selective of your pursuits because many, if not most, will ultimately end up in the trash.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Turn From the World’s Riches
“ ..considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt...” Hebrews 11:26
Moses considered “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” 11:26He preferred to identify with God. Every believer is anointed and set apart for God. We have to be willing to turn our backs on the world’s plenty. Psalm 37:16 says, “Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.”
Moses had few worldly possessions for the rest of his life. He walked away from Egypt and wandered into the desert of Midian as a shepherd on the hillsides, caring for the sheep of his father-in-law, Jethro, for forty years. Then he had to stumble around the desert for forty more years with the complaining Hebrews. He gave up everything because he saw that the plan of God for his life demanded a commitment. That doesn’t mean God wants to make you poor. But you have to choose righteousness, and then let God decide whether you will be rich or poor.
What made Moses choose the reproach of Christ? He was looking ahead to a better reward He turned down the world’s plenty for heavenly glory. Did he make the right choice? Consider this: All that the Pharaohs ever had is in the ground, and they are dead. However, Moses is still enjoying the riches that God gives to His righteous ones when they leave this world.
It isn’t easy to choose against the world. We make that choice first when we come to Christ and choose to follow Him and abide by His principles. Then we need to make that choice a practical, everyday reality and avoid the temptations of Satan. The man or woman of God chooses God’s way and is blessed.
Moses considered “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” 11:26He preferred to identify with God. Every believer is anointed and set apart for God. We have to be willing to turn our backs on the world’s plenty. Psalm 37:16 says, “Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.”
Moses had few worldly possessions for the rest of his life. He walked away from Egypt and wandered into the desert of Midian as a shepherd on the hillsides, caring for the sheep of his father-in-law, Jethro, for forty years. Then he had to stumble around the desert for forty more years with the complaining Hebrews. He gave up everything because he saw that the plan of God for his life demanded a commitment. That doesn’t mean God wants to make you poor. But you have to choose righteousness, and then let God decide whether you will be rich or poor.
What made Moses choose the reproach of Christ? He was looking ahead to a better reward He turned down the world’s plenty for heavenly glory. Did he make the right choice? Consider this: All that the Pharaohs ever had is in the ground, and they are dead. However, Moses is still enjoying the riches that God gives to His righteous ones when they leave this world.
It isn’t easy to choose against the world. We make that choice first when we come to Christ and choose to follow Him and abide by His principles. Then we need to make that choice a practical, everyday reality and avoid the temptations of Satan. The man or woman of God chooses God’s way and is blessed.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Turn From the World’s Pleasures
“...choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” Hebrews 11:25
Moses’ choice led him to turn his back on the pleasures of the world, “choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” 11:25 Did you know Scripture acknowledges that sin is fun? Sin is fun - but only for a season. Job 20:5 says, “The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless momentary.” The enjoyment of sin does not last.
God calls us to holiness. Moses chose holiness. What will you choose? Don’t sacrifice the blessings of eternity for the sake of the world’s passing prestige and pleasure. And don’t let the devil tell you that you can make that choice later...“you got time...enjoy yourself while you’re young.” Listen, the devil is a liar, and he wants to destroy you. The pleasures of the world can trap you and then trap you again, until they become more important than the things of God. I cannot tell you how many people I have known over the years who wanted to tell me they could handle what they were delving into. You play with fire, you will get burned. It’s just not worth it.
What little temptation are you taking lightly now? Remember this, the devil never pays what He promises.
Moses’ choice led him to turn his back on the pleasures of the world, “choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” 11:25 Did you know Scripture acknowledges that sin is fun? Sin is fun - but only for a season. Job 20:5 says, “The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless momentary.” The enjoyment of sin does not last.
God calls us to holiness. Moses chose holiness. What will you choose? Don’t sacrifice the blessings of eternity for the sake of the world’s passing prestige and pleasure. And don’t let the devil tell you that you can make that choice later...“you got time...enjoy yourself while you’re young.” Listen, the devil is a liar, and he wants to destroy you. The pleasures of the world can trap you and then trap you again, until they become more important than the things of God. I cannot tell you how many people I have known over the years who wanted to tell me they could handle what they were delving into. You play with fire, you will get burned. It’s just not worth it.
What little temptation are you taking lightly now? Remember this, the devil never pays what He promises.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Turn From the World’s Prestige
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.” Hebrews 11:24
Moses’ choice involved casting off the prestige of the world. Hidden in the reeds by his mother, Moses was found by the Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the royal family. He attained tremendous status and rose to the heights of Egyptian society. He had the power of the Pharaoh’s house. The prestige and the wealth of the world was at his grasp.
Furthermore, in the providence of God, he was raised by his own mother, who was hired by Pharaoh’s daughter to be his nurse. Doubtless from her he learned about the principles of righteousness and goodness, and learned of he lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
The next time we hear about Moses, he was forty years old and a prince. During all those years, Moses had been trained in the wisdom of Egypt. He had power, prestige, and fame. It was in that context that he made his choice. “When he had gown up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” 11:24
God wanted Moses to lead His people Israel out of Egypt, but He wasn’t going to force him. Moses needed to make a choice. He chose to rebel against all the prestige of Egypt and took his place with the Hebrew slaves. He identified with the oppressed and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
There are basically four things that contribute to worldly prestige: family, money, education, and position. Moses had all of those. He was in Pharaoh’s family, he had all the money of Egypt, he had all the education that Egypt had to offer, and he was a prince. Yet in no way did he consider that prestige, equal to the call of God in his life.
Any Christian who is going to be worth anything to God and make a difference in the world is going to have to make that same choice. If you are looking for the accolades of the world’s systems, you are not going to get God’s work done.
Likewise, if you are going to get God’s work done, you are going to alienate the world. Don’t think so...know so! People will think you’re crazy, but I believe if you follow God’s call, you will be alot better off.
Moses’ choice involved casting off the prestige of the world. Hidden in the reeds by his mother, Moses was found by the Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the royal family. He attained tremendous status and rose to the heights of Egyptian society. He had the power of the Pharaoh’s house. The prestige and the wealth of the world was at his grasp.
Furthermore, in the providence of God, he was raised by his own mother, who was hired by Pharaoh’s daughter to be his nurse. Doubtless from her he learned about the principles of righteousness and goodness, and learned of he lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
The next time we hear about Moses, he was forty years old and a prince. During all those years, Moses had been trained in the wisdom of Egypt. He had power, prestige, and fame. It was in that context that he made his choice. “When he had gown up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” 11:24
God wanted Moses to lead His people Israel out of Egypt, but He wasn’t going to force him. Moses needed to make a choice. He chose to rebel against all the prestige of Egypt and took his place with the Hebrew slaves. He identified with the oppressed and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
There are basically four things that contribute to worldly prestige: family, money, education, and position. Moses had all of those. He was in Pharaoh’s family, he had all the money of Egypt, he had all the education that Egypt had to offer, and he was a prince. Yet in no way did he consider that prestige, equal to the call of God in his life.
Any Christian who is going to be worth anything to God and make a difference in the world is going to have to make that same choice. If you are looking for the accolades of the world’s systems, you are not going to get God’s work done.
Likewise, if you are going to get God’s work done, you are going to alienate the world. Don’t think so...know so! People will think you’re crazy, but I believe if you follow God’s call, you will be alot better off.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Right Choice
“...for he was looking to the reward.” Hebrews 11:26
Life is a series of choices - some important, some trivial, and some that might seem insignificant, but have the potential to change the course of an entire life. Scripture is full of examples of men and women whose choices for right or wrong shaped their characters and determined their destinies. Think of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, David, the prophets, the apostles and on and on. Where would we be today if those before us had not made the right choice?
Moses made one dramatic choice midway through his life that set the course for him and ultimately for the entire Hebrew nation. Hebrews 11:24-26 describes that choice: “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt for he was looking to the reward.”
The last phrase is the key to understanding Moses’ perspective. He was “looking to the reward.” That is, he was viewing things with the eyes of faith, looking beyond what is superficial and seeing what is unseen to the eyes of the natural man.
He chose the things of God over the things of the world. He made the right choice and so must we. He chose God over prestige, pleasure, and the world’s riches. A hard choice, but the right one. Pray for God to give you the grace and wisdom to make the right choice.
Life is a series of choices - some important, some trivial, and some that might seem insignificant, but have the potential to change the course of an entire life. Scripture is full of examples of men and women whose choices for right or wrong shaped their characters and determined their destinies. Think of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, David, the prophets, the apostles and on and on. Where would we be today if those before us had not made the right choice?
Moses made one dramatic choice midway through his life that set the course for him and ultimately for the entire Hebrew nation. Hebrews 11:24-26 describes that choice: “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt for he was looking to the reward.”
The last phrase is the key to understanding Moses’ perspective. He was “looking to the reward.” That is, he was viewing things with the eyes of faith, looking beyond what is superficial and seeing what is unseen to the eyes of the natural man.
He chose the things of God over the things of the world. He made the right choice and so must we. He chose God over prestige, pleasure, and the world’s riches. A hard choice, but the right one. Pray for God to give you the grace and wisdom to make the right choice.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Our Responsibility
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” I Cor 12:26
The third of Paul's major principles - Importance belongs to the entire body. All members, the total body, suffer when one member becomes injured or diseased. A broken wrist bone or a lung full of cancer affects the entire person, not just that one part of the body.
All members rejoice when one member is isolated for recognition. A crown is given to the person for having the most beautiful eyes. In the Olympics, the gold medal is placed around the neck of the fastest athlete, not over his feet.
We are accountable to each other, therefore, we are to understand that we are accountable to God:
▸ God chose the members.
▸ God established the order of the members.
It is God who bestows the gifts and assigns the offices. He has a perfect plan, not only for the church as a whole, but also for each local congregation. God gives to each congregation just the gifts it needs when they are needed.
Paul pointed out that there is a “priority list” for the gifts - that some have more significance than others. But this fact does not contradict the lesson already shared, that each gift is important and each individual believer is important. Even in the human body there are some parts that we can do without, even though their absence might handicap us a bit.
▸ God determines who will receive them.
God does not intend for everyone to have the same gift, and He does not intend for everyone to have gifts that are out front and noticed. He distributes the offices and the gifts according to His sovereign purpose, "just as He wills.” I Cor 12:11
The responsibility of believers is to accept the ministries they are given with gratitude and to use them with faithfulness. It is interesting that the two gifts mentioned in verse 28 that are not mentioned in verses 29-30 are helps and administrations - probably the ones least prized by the Corinthians, but clearly the ones of which they had the greatest need.
The greatest need Corinth had was to be mature, to grow up, which Paul addresses in Chapter 13.
The third of Paul's major principles - Importance belongs to the entire body. All members, the total body, suffer when one member becomes injured or diseased. A broken wrist bone or a lung full of cancer affects the entire person, not just that one part of the body.
All members rejoice when one member is isolated for recognition. A crown is given to the person for having the most beautiful eyes. In the Olympics, the gold medal is placed around the neck of the fastest athlete, not over his feet.
We are accountable to each other, therefore, we are to understand that we are accountable to God:
▸ God chose the members.
▸ God established the order of the members.
It is God who bestows the gifts and assigns the offices. He has a perfect plan, not only for the church as a whole, but also for each local congregation. God gives to each congregation just the gifts it needs when they are needed.
Paul pointed out that there is a “priority list” for the gifts - that some have more significance than others. But this fact does not contradict the lesson already shared, that each gift is important and each individual believer is important. Even in the human body there are some parts that we can do without, even though their absence might handicap us a bit.
▸ God determines who will receive them.
God does not intend for everyone to have the same gift, and He does not intend for everyone to have gifts that are out front and noticed. He distributes the offices and the gifts according to His sovereign purpose, "just as He wills.” I Cor 12:11
The responsibility of believers is to accept the ministries they are given with gratitude and to use them with faithfulness. It is interesting that the two gifts mentioned in verse 28 that are not mentioned in verses 29-30 are helps and administrations - probably the ones least prized by the Corinthians, but clearly the ones of which they had the greatest need.
The greatest need Corinth had was to be mature, to grow up, which Paul addresses in Chapter 13.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Atheist Holiday
"The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." Psalm. 14:1
If you haven't read or heard this story yet then enjoy - if you have then enjoy it again and rejoice in the Lord.
In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation of Easter and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays, while atheists had no holiday to celebrate.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the long passionate presentation by the lawyer, the Judge banged his gavel and declared, 'Case dismissed!'
The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, 'Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah...yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!'
The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said, 'Obviously your client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate, his own atheists' holiday!'
The lawyer pompously said, 'Your Honor, we are unaware of any such holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?'
The judge said, 'Well it comes every year on exactly the same date - April 1st ! Since our calendar sets April 1st as 'April Fools Day,' consider that Psalm 14:1 states, "The fool says in his heart, there is no God."
Thus in my opinion, if your client says there is no God, then by scripture, he is a fool, and April 1st is his holiday! Now have a good day and get out of my courtroom!
If you haven't read or heard this story yet then enjoy - if you have then enjoy it again and rejoice in the Lord.
In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation of Easter and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays, while atheists had no holiday to celebrate.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the long passionate presentation by the lawyer, the Judge banged his gavel and declared, 'Case dismissed!'
The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, 'Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah...yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!'
The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said, 'Obviously your client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate, his own atheists' holiday!'
The lawyer pompously said, 'Your Honor, we are unaware of any such holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?'
The judge said, 'Well it comes every year on exactly the same date - April 1st ! Since our calendar sets April 1st as 'April Fools Day,' consider that Psalm 14:1 states, "The fool says in his heart, there is no God."
Thus in my opinion, if your client says there is no God, then by scripture, he is a fool, and April 1st is his holiday! Now have a good day and get out of my courtroom!
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