Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways. . . but now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). It is His birth we are striving to remember in the midst of holiday hecticness. Jesus, the Son of God-let us cling to Him and never stop trusting (Hebrews 4:14).
Never stop trusting the gift described in Hebrews.
He is the. . .
· Reflector of God's glory 1:3
· Exact representation of God 1:3
· Cleanser of the stain of sin 1:3
· Occupier of the place of honor 1:3
· Right hand of the majestic 1:3
· One greater than angels 1:4
· Taster of death 2:9
· Bringer of others to glory 2:10
· Perfect leader 2:10
· Maker of holy ones 2:11
· Unashamed of his brothers 2:11
· Destroyer of the power of the devil 2:14
· Deliverer of those enslaved 2:15
· Partaker of humanity 2:17
· Merciful high priest 2:17
· Taker away of sin 2:17
· Helper of the tempted 2:18
· Messenger of God 3:1
· Deserver of more glory 3:3
· Confidence of our hope 3:6
· Faithful son 3:16
· Key to the place of rest 4:3
· Ascended one 4:14
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us as we need it.
To all who read these musings, may your worship of the Perfect Leader be rich and full this Christmas.
*All references based upon the NLT.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Getting the Gerunds Wrong
I have to admit that most of the time when I was in school academics was not a priority. So I could often get by with C's and B's based on my half hearted efforts at homework and tests, but because of my lack of commitment, focus and priority there were a number of holes of my own making in my educational background. Many of these would be exposed and require correction why I was in college.
For instance until I was in Greek, I had no idea what a gerund was and how it was different from an infinitive. Here's what I learned.
Gerunds are formed with ING: walking, talking, thinking, and listening
Infinitives are formed with TO: to walk, to talk, to think, to listen
Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs:
Both can be the subject of a sentence::
Writing in English is difficult.
To write in English is difficult.
Both can be the object of a verb::
I like writing in English. I like to write in English.
But...
Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition::
We are talking about writing in English.
Here is the big thing I learned about gerunds and infinitives.
Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed::
I stopped writing.
(The writing was real and happened until I stopped.)
Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future:
I stopped to write.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the writing had not happened yet.)
As believers we often get the gerunds wrong. I'm not talking about the syntax of a sentence. I'm talking about the theology of "praying and doing".
It is very easy to approach life, our work, our ministries, a project, a challenge and get the gerunds wrong. Let me illustrate.
Many of us approach life by doing everything we can to succeed, working hard, planning, theorizing, strategizing, organizing, pushing ourselves. If a problem arises we throw ourselves into it, working hard to fix it, seeking to control it, striving to overcome it. Occasionally we stop "doing" (gerund) "to pray" (infinitive).
Sound familiar?
Stopping "to pray" may be little more than a token acknowledgement that you want God to bless all you are "doing." Stopping "to pray" may be triggered by stress, burn out, overload, fear of failure or even just the guilt of having forgotten to pray. Sometimes stopping "to pray" is a desperate cry for help. We stop "believing it is all on us", we stop "depending on our gifts and skills", we stop "assuming we have the answers" and turn to God "to ask for a bail out plan."
Do you see the problem? It's in the use of the gerunds.
Too often we approach everything with the emphasis on "doing" and only occasionally do we stop "to pray." The use of the gerund on what we do and an infinitive on prayer reveals our dependency upon our works, our talents, our abilities. When we are doing we are not praying. We stop the one to start the other.
I'm convinced that is not the way a leader should lead. Look at Paul's advice he gave in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Always keep on praying. TLB
pray constantly, RSV
pray without ceasing; NAS
pray continually; NIV
pray all the time; MSG
Never stop praying. NLT
It's never been about stopping to pray. It's always been about "doing and praying." It may be that the hardest challenge for any naturally gifted leader is to believe that there is a big difference between "doing and praying" and just "stopping to pray".
What about you, do you tend to just stop to ask for a blessing? Or are you leading by "doing and praying?"
This next calendar year, this leader will be seeking to get the gerunds right.
For instance until I was in Greek, I had no idea what a gerund was and how it was different from an infinitive. Here's what I learned.
Gerunds are formed with ING: walking, talking, thinking, and listening
Infinitives are formed with TO: to walk, to talk, to think, to listen
Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs:
Both can be the subject of a sentence::
Writing in English is difficult.
To write in English is difficult.
Both can be the object of a verb::
I like writing in English. I like to write in English.
But...
Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition::
We are talking about writing in English.
Here is the big thing I learned about gerunds and infinitives.
Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed::
I stopped writing.
(The writing was real and happened until I stopped.)
Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future:
I stopped to write.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the writing had not happened yet.)
As believers we often get the gerunds wrong. I'm not talking about the syntax of a sentence. I'm talking about the theology of "praying and doing".
It is very easy to approach life, our work, our ministries, a project, a challenge and get the gerunds wrong. Let me illustrate.
Many of us approach life by doing everything we can to succeed, working hard, planning, theorizing, strategizing, organizing, pushing ourselves. If a problem arises we throw ourselves into it, working hard to fix it, seeking to control it, striving to overcome it. Occasionally we stop "doing" (gerund) "to pray" (infinitive).
Sound familiar?
Stopping "to pray" may be little more than a token acknowledgement that you want God to bless all you are "doing." Stopping "to pray" may be triggered by stress, burn out, overload, fear of failure or even just the guilt of having forgotten to pray. Sometimes stopping "to pray" is a desperate cry for help. We stop "believing it is all on us", we stop "depending on our gifts and skills", we stop "assuming we have the answers" and turn to God "to ask for a bail out plan."
Do you see the problem? It's in the use of the gerunds.
Too often we approach everything with the emphasis on "doing" and only occasionally do we stop "to pray." The use of the gerund on what we do and an infinitive on prayer reveals our dependency upon our works, our talents, our abilities. When we are doing we are not praying. We stop the one to start the other.
I'm convinced that is not the way a leader should lead. Look at Paul's advice he gave in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Always keep on praying. TLB
pray constantly, RSV
pray without ceasing; NAS
pray continually; NIV
pray all the time; MSG
Never stop praying. NLT
It's never been about stopping to pray. It's always been about "doing and praying." It may be that the hardest challenge for any naturally gifted leader is to believe that there is a big difference between "doing and praying" and just "stopping to pray".
What about you, do you tend to just stop to ask for a blessing? Or are you leading by "doing and praying?"
This next calendar year, this leader will be seeking to get the gerunds right.
Monday, December 7, 2009
An Identity with the Call
For over four years every Sunday morning worship service at Norwalk Alliance Church has begun with an introduction by the pastor, followed by an identity statement with the entire conversation responding.
"Good morning, I'm Pastor Bruce Rzengota, Lead pastor at Norwalk Alliance Church, and this is my wife, Cheryl. And we're the Norwalk Alliance Church and we're. . .
"Living the Call Together," responds the congregation.
Every Sunday. Without fail. Why? How we identify ourselves helps define our lives.
How the Apostle Paul identified himself defined his life. Look at 2 Timothy 1:1 in these translations[1]
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. NLT
I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. MSG
I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. He sent me to tell about the promise of life that is found in Christ Jesus. NIRV
From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. God sent me to tell about the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. NCV
No matter how you read it, what Paul claimed to be (identity) defined his mission.
I'm half Polish. That's enough Polish blood to claim that I am Polish, but other than having had to endure numerous Polack jokes as a kid growing up, there are not many ways that my Polish heritage defines my life. I guess you could say I've eaten haluski, guampki, perogi, keilbasi, but I am not defined by that claim I am Polish.
Does the title you claim (identity) define your life mission? How does claiming to be a Christian, a follower of the Forgiver, a pastor, an elder, a church leader, how do they define fine you? Does what you do flow from who you claim to be?
--The Man In the Window --
-- A Follower of the Forgiver --
-- A man seeking to lead others to him --
[1] NLT - New Living Translation, MSG - The Message, NIRV - New International Readers Version, NCV - New Century Version
"Good morning, I'm Pastor Bruce Rzengota, Lead pastor at Norwalk Alliance Church, and this is my wife, Cheryl. And we're the Norwalk Alliance Church and we're. . .
"Living the Call Together," responds the congregation.
Every Sunday. Without fail. Why? How we identify ourselves helps define our lives.
How the Apostle Paul identified himself defined his life. Look at 2 Timothy 1:1 in these translations[1]
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. NLT
I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. MSG
I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. He sent me to tell about the promise of life that is found in Christ Jesus. NIRV
From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. God sent me to tell about the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. NCV
No matter how you read it, what Paul claimed to be (identity) defined his mission.
I'm half Polish. That's enough Polish blood to claim that I am Polish, but other than having had to endure numerous Polack jokes as a kid growing up, there are not many ways that my Polish heritage defines my life. I guess you could say I've eaten haluski, guampki, perogi, keilbasi, but I am not defined by that claim I am Polish.
Does the title you claim (identity) define your life mission? How does claiming to be a Christian, a follower of the Forgiver, a pastor, an elder, a church leader, how do they define fine you? Does what you do flow from who you claim to be?
--The Man In the Window --
-- A Follower of the Forgiver --
-- A man seeking to lead others to him --
[1] NLT - New Living Translation, MSG - The Message, NIRV - New International Readers Version, NCV - New Century Version
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Confessions of a Jet-Ski rider
I saw a Waverunner for sale the other day. It brought back memories.
I owned a Waverunner for many years and loved the feeling of being on the water early on a calm clear day. Long before the other boats were out, when the lake Milton was just one huge mirror, I loved to throttle my Yamaha wide open and race across the surface.
Strange thing about running wide open it's only fun for so long before you get tired of it. Wide open makes every turn, every maneuver hazardous. The slightest swell is an obstacle. Splash boom. Splash boom. Wide open your body has to absorb every jarring splash as the boat skims over even the slightest waves. Wide open you can't enjoy the scenery, your eyes fixed on water ahead. Wide open you can't tow a skier, a wake boarder, a knee boarder. Wide open burns fuel at a ridiculously insane rate.
Wide open is no fun for those left behind in the wake as you speed by. It's frustrating to the other boaters, other skiers since they never know when you will turn and crash and burn. Wide open.
Wide open is all about the speed and never about beauty of the lake.
Wide open.
Wide open is too often how I want to do ministry, blazing ahead, throttle wide open, flying across the river of life. There's a rush about what comes with a wide open lifestyle, a wide open ministry philosophy. But strange thing about running wide open, you can only do it for so long, before the body tires of a hasty turn leads to a crash and burn.
Wide open.
How are you running as a leader? Have you been running wide open for too long?
Throttle back and enjoy the ride. You'll stay on the water longer.
I owned a Waverunner for many years and loved the feeling of being on the water early on a calm clear day. Long before the other boats were out, when the lake Milton was just one huge mirror, I loved to throttle my Yamaha wide open and race across the surface.
Strange thing about running wide open it's only fun for so long before you get tired of it. Wide open makes every turn, every maneuver hazardous. The slightest swell is an obstacle. Splash boom. Splash boom. Wide open your body has to absorb every jarring splash as the boat skims over even the slightest waves. Wide open you can't enjoy the scenery, your eyes fixed on water ahead. Wide open you can't tow a skier, a wake boarder, a knee boarder. Wide open burns fuel at a ridiculously insane rate.
Wide open is no fun for those left behind in the wake as you speed by. It's frustrating to the other boaters, other skiers since they never know when you will turn and crash and burn. Wide open.
Wide open is all about the speed and never about beauty of the lake.
Wide open.
Wide open is too often how I want to do ministry, blazing ahead, throttle wide open, flying across the river of life. There's a rush about what comes with a wide open lifestyle, a wide open ministry philosophy. But strange thing about running wide open, you can only do it for so long, before the body tires of a hasty turn leads to a crash and burn.
Wide open.
How are you running as a leader? Have you been running wide open for too long?
Throttle back and enjoy the ride. You'll stay on the water longer.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Answering the Call
I was reading in a military history journal [1] this last week and came across this amazing story. I was reminded of what leaders do.
January 15, 1777, in Fort Edward N.Y a tavern owner named Henry Francisco enlisted in the Continental Army. He went on to fight through the Saratoga campaign before he was discharged for medical reasons on April 20, 1778. Attached to Colonel Seth Warner's famed Green Mountain Boys regiment, Francisco saw action in the Battles of Hubbardton, Bennington, Freeman's Farm and ultimately at Bemis Heights. What was so unusual about this volunteer? He was 91 years old at the time of his enlistment.
The story is recorded that at the battle of Bennington a Captain Stafford sought to remove an old man of slender build with a slight stooped framed from the line before assaulting the redoubt [2]. Not desiring to be relegated to merely guarding the baggage, the old man came forward and addressed the captain and politely objected. "Not until I've had a shot at them first, Captain, if you please." His reply sparked a riotous cheer leading the Captain to send the men and the elderly warrior forward to the redoubt.
Francisco, an old warrior, refusing to be sidelined from the battle, inspired those around him when he answered the call.
Abraham was 100.
Moses was 80.
I'm turning 52.
As leaders, no matter what our age, may we answer the call in such a way, that our refusal to be sidelined spurs on those around us. Amen!
January 15, 1777, in Fort Edward N.Y a tavern owner named Henry Francisco enlisted in the Continental Army. He went on to fight through the Saratoga campaign before he was discharged for medical reasons on April 20, 1778. Attached to Colonel Seth Warner's famed Green Mountain Boys regiment, Francisco saw action in the Battles of Hubbardton, Bennington, Freeman's Farm and ultimately at Bemis Heights. What was so unusual about this volunteer? He was 91 years old at the time of his enlistment.
The story is recorded that at the battle of Bennington a Captain Stafford sought to remove an old man of slender build with a slight stooped framed from the line before assaulting the redoubt [2]. Not desiring to be relegated to merely guarding the baggage, the old man came forward and addressed the captain and politely objected. "Not until I've had a shot at them first, Captain, if you please." His reply sparked a riotous cheer leading the Captain to send the men and the elderly warrior forward to the redoubt.
Francisco, an old warrior, refusing to be sidelined from the battle, inspired those around him when he answered the call.
Abraham was 100.
Moses was 80.
I'm turning 52.
As leaders, no matter what our age, may we answer the call in such a way, that our refusal to be sidelined spurs on those around us. Amen!
Monday, October 26, 2009
What Does it Mean to be a Man of God?
Does it mean that I claim His name? Does it mean that my allegiance belongs to Him; that I bear the title Christ- follower, believer, Christian? What does it mean to be a man of God?
Does it mean that I rule my life in ways that avoid the moral pit falls and snares of this world? Does it mean that holiness is a battle I strive to win? Does it mean that I work at the development of "God" character, the fruit of the Spirit, in my life? What does it mean?
Does it mean that I force-feed my spirit the Word of God? Does it mean that I strive to make prayer happen interwoven into my busy schedule? What does it mean?
Does it mean that I labor intensely for the sake of the Kingdom? Relentlessly working, reaching out to the hurting, counseling the struggling, leading the willing, seeking the lost? What does it mean?
It may mean all of these things. In fact my life may often be defined by these things, but does it mean I'm a man of God?
Maybe,....
Or maybe a man of God is one who walks in grace so real, fellowship so close, communion so deep, spirit so broken, awe so inspiring, worship so lifted, that who we are becoming is like who God is.
Then the title becomes character.
Holiness a trait, not a goal.
The Word indwelt, not just studied.
Prayer a life stream, not a scheduled appointment.
Kingdom advancement an undeniable consequence, not just the focus of my striving.
What does it mean to be a man of God?
Lord, help me to be such a man.
Does it mean that I rule my life in ways that avoid the moral pit falls and snares of this world? Does it mean that holiness is a battle I strive to win? Does it mean that I work at the development of "God" character, the fruit of the Spirit, in my life? What does it mean?
Does it mean that I force-feed my spirit the Word of God? Does it mean that I strive to make prayer happen interwoven into my busy schedule? What does it mean?
Does it mean that I labor intensely for the sake of the Kingdom? Relentlessly working, reaching out to the hurting, counseling the struggling, leading the willing, seeking the lost? What does it mean?
It may mean all of these things. In fact my life may often be defined by these things, but does it mean I'm a man of God?
Maybe,....
Or maybe a man of God is one who walks in grace so real, fellowship so close, communion so deep, spirit so broken, awe so inspiring, worship so lifted, that who we are becoming is like who God is.
Then the title becomes character.
Holiness a trait, not a goal.
The Word indwelt, not just studied.
Prayer a life stream, not a scheduled appointment.
Kingdom advancement an undeniable consequence, not just the focus of my striving.
What does it mean to be a man of God?
Lord, help me to be such a man.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Chasing after other gods
I was reading in Hosea. It is always a fascinating book for me to read. Who names a girl Gomer? Who marries a prostitute and expects faithfulness? Who names their children "not my people," "no mercy", "no love"? I have often said, "thank you Lord you didn't call me to be Hosea."
In the midst of this book I was hammered by a statement, a charge God brings against the people of Israel. Hos 6:10 says, "My people have defiled themselves by chasing after other gods." Chasing after other gods-at first the statement just rolled by, then my brain tripped over the truth. It was very easy for me as a leader to chase after other gods. As I sat in the window in the coffee house, I saw clearly how easy it was for me to chase after gods.
There are no temples in my yard, no idols in my home, no false festivals on my calendar, yet I saw all the ways I so easily chased after false gods.
I saw how easy it is to replace "Christ in me the hope of Glory" for "hard work by me the hope of glory." And that was only the first of many false gods I could so easily chase. Others included "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" with "I can do all things"; "You shall have no other gods before me" with "you shall no other gods before me except for rest, recreation and pleasure";
"Meditate on my words day and night" with meditate on the words of Ed Young, George Barna, Crawford Loritts, Reggie McNeal and Andy Stanley"; "without faith it is impossible to please God" with "without faith in coaching, PowerPoint's, blackberry, social networking and websites it's impossible to please God."
It was so easy to chase after other things than Him.
In the same book Hosea wrote. "Oh that we might know the Lord. Let us press on to know Him."
What are you chasing after today? As a leader. As a man or woman of God. What are you chasing? Have other gods become more pressing than pressing on to know Him? Let it not be said of us that we "exchanged the Glory of God for the disgrace of idols[1]" even the modern ones.
In the midst of this book I was hammered by a statement, a charge God brings against the people of Israel. Hos 6:10 says, "My people have defiled themselves by chasing after other gods." Chasing after other gods-at first the statement just rolled by, then my brain tripped over the truth. It was very easy for me as a leader to chase after other gods. As I sat in the window in the coffee house, I saw clearly how easy it was for me to chase after gods.
There are no temples in my yard, no idols in my home, no false festivals on my calendar, yet I saw all the ways I so easily chased after false gods.
I saw how easy it is to replace "Christ in me the hope of Glory" for "hard work by me the hope of glory." And that was only the first of many false gods I could so easily chase. Others included "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" with "I can do all things"; "You shall have no other gods before me" with "you shall no other gods before me except for rest, recreation and pleasure";
"Meditate on my words day and night" with meditate on the words of Ed Young, George Barna, Crawford Loritts, Reggie McNeal and Andy Stanley"; "without faith it is impossible to please God" with "without faith in coaching, PowerPoint's, blackberry, social networking and websites it's impossible to please God."
It was so easy to chase after other things than Him.
In the same book Hosea wrote. "Oh that we might know the Lord. Let us press on to know Him."
What are you chasing after today? As a leader. As a man or woman of God. What are you chasing? Have other gods become more pressing than pressing on to know Him? Let it not be said of us that we "exchanged the Glory of God for the disgrace of idols[1]" even the modern ones.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sharp Edges
I love my landscaping and flower beds. I love how they look when they are neatly mulched, weeded and trimmed. But I have learned unless I maintain the edging on my beds they begin to look sloppy and loose their appeal. So on a semi-regular basis I have to focus on the edging. Whether it's a hand edger, spade, or edging attachment on a Mantis, edging takes work. It takes time and is tedious. Long before I'm finished with it, I'm tired of it. But when the work is done, the beds look so much better.
It hit me the other day how much my life was like a landscape bed. Sometimes when it is neatly trimmed, and well weeded, the fruit of the Spirit is very evident. But more often than I'd like to admit, the evidence of weeds, those fleshly fruit, have emerged. I'm testy here, a little lazy there, less than gentle, self control wavers. What I've discovered is that during those times, the edges of my life need tending. The lines that define who I am as a follower, as a leader become ragged. There is a real need to focus on the edging.
So I get back to the hard work of fasting, prayer, devotion. It feels tedious. Long before I'm finished I'm tempted to quit, but when the work is done, when the investment is made, the shape of my life looks so much better. How are the edges of your life as a leader? Are the lines that define you sharp and clean, or have they been neglected for awhile? Is it time for you dig in and focus on the basic things that define us as followers? If you are like me, from time to time it's a necessary discipline in keeping the edges clean.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Missing the Connection
Sometimes as a leader it can be easy to take in the details and miss the point of what is occurring.
I had a ticking sound in my left front wheel that accelerated when I accelerated and slowed when I slowed. Three different times I took the vehicle to a mechanic near the coffeehouse. They pulled the hub cap, the wheel, checked the seals, the bearings the brake and found nothing. They put everything back together and the next day the noise was back. Again the vehicle was dropped off for service and again everything was checked. Nothing was found.
This time the noise didn't return-for a few days. Then it was back. Tick tick tick tick .
A third time in the shop. A third look at all the details. Finally the connection is made! A small piece of plastic on the hubcap was broken. As the wheel had turned it would come loose and rattle in the wind.
Observed the detail, yet failed to see the implication. No connection made.
I was reading of just such an instance in John chapter 20 this morning. Peter and the "other disciple" raced to the empty tomb to see for themselves the evidence Mary Magdalene had reported to them. Entering in they saw the linen cloth lying there. The cloth that covered Jesus face was folded and set to the side. Then it says that at least John (the other disciple) makes the connection. It says "he saw and he believed-for until then they hadn't realized that the Scriptures said he would rise from the dead." (John 20:8b,9)
Looking back in hindsight John says that that was the moment he believed. I'm sure he did believe that Jesus was not there, that he was risen, but the connection hadn't been made yet. Why do I think this? Verse 10 says, "Then they went home." They have just seen evidence of the most incredible event since creation, the God-man was risen from the dead. The Forgiver was alive. So they went home.
Amazing some connection is made, but no change takes place. They just go home.
How receptive is your heart as a leader to the little ticks, the indications of His workings in your life? Are you recognizing His hand at work? Are you making the connections to the big things that He is doing in your midst, your ministry, your work, your heart. Or do you have a tendency to see Him at work and then just go home.
Godly leaders see the hand of God continually at work and are changed by it.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Remembering Where You Stand
I was reading a passage the other day that ended up challenging me as a leader. As a staff we read it together and discussed it at our weekly meeting. In Exodus 32, God is ready to slay the stiff necked, rebellious people of God who have been quick to forget His deliverance. Moses has been on the mountain with God, Aaron is the defacto leader, but the mob has begun to grumble and Aaron's solution leads to disaster.
Ex 32:1-5
32:1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him."
2 Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me."
3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron.
4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt."
5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, "Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD."
The affront to Yahweh the Deliverer is more than understandable. Look at his reply.
Ex 32:9-10
9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people.
10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."
It is the end of verse 10 that struck me as a leader this time. God offered Moses the equivalent of a new Abrahamic Promise. Moses, give me some time while I wipe out these people and I will start again with you.
Moses knew God's word was true. He had witnessed the power of God in the plagues. Seen His promises of deliverance fulfilled at the Red Sea. Moses knew this promise was his for the asking. He would be the new father of a multitude. Wow!
It is interesting where Moses' heart lies. Without hesitation it becomes clear where Moses stands, with the people he has been called to lead. Though he may have been tempted by the promise of a new beginning, his heart allegiance remains with the stiff-necked people. He intercedes for them.
Where do you stand? Is your allegiance firmly fixed on the people you are called to serve? Or could your heart easily be tempted away to other goals, other glories? When those you serve prove to be stiff-necked, unthankful, is your heart tempted to turn away?
In the worst moment of his tenure as leader of the flock of Israel, when those he leads cavort around the image of a calf his second chair leader, Aaron has created, Moses stood with his people. He was in the place every leader would find himself-standing as intercessor between God and those he serves.
Where do you stand?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Unlikely Proverbs
Proverbs. Sometimes they can be a little difficult to comprehend. I came across some unique proverbs recently. Here are a few from the African Continent:
As leaders we don't need to guess at what the Leader was expressing in these proverbs. They are transparent truths revealing the integrity of character in every leader.
The Pharisees scoffed at this (Luke 16:14). Do we? Do I?
- A man does not wander far from where his corn is roasting. (Nigeria)
- The hunter does not rub himself in oil and lie by the fire to sleep. (Nigeria)
- Even the mightiest eagle comes down to the tree tops to rest. (Uganda)
- A ripe melon falls by itself. (Zimbabwe)
- We're never too far from our roots.
- Using Common sense avoids tragedy.
- We're all alike in many ways.
- Good things come in time.
- Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.
- Whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
- If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
- If you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
- No servant can serve two masters.
As leaders we don't need to guess at what the Leader was expressing in these proverbs. They are transparent truths revealing the integrity of character in every leader.
- Trustworthy in little things
- Honest in the smallest matters
- Faithful t in financial matters
- Responsible with trusts
- Single-mindedly committed to God
The Pharisees scoffed at this (Luke 16:14). Do we? Do I?
Monday, August 31, 2009
God Follower
Sometimes the pictures of leadership appear in the most unlikely places. This last week I encountered a young teenage girl and she would remind me of one of those great leadership truths.
She was from a religiously active conservative family. She was raised to be a faithful God follower. But she found herself in a horrible situation. She was faced with an unwanted pregnancy. She was in a committed relationship with someone and she was certain the baby wasn’t his.
As you can imagine she was struggling with all the questions anyone in that circumstance would struggle with.
In the midst of this struggle she shares the most profound statement.
“I am a God follower, and I will accept whatever He wants in this.”
In the ugliest of situations every leader, every true leader knows two truths.
1. Who they are – “I am a God follower.”
2. What God expects – “I will accept whatever He wants.”
That’s who I aspire to be, a God follower willing to accept whatever He wants.
Want to hear the rest of this young woman’s story? Read it for yourself. It begins in Luke 1:26.
The Man in the Window
A God follower willing to accept whatever God wants.
She was from a religiously active conservative family. She was raised to be a faithful God follower. But she found herself in a horrible situation. She was faced with an unwanted pregnancy. She was in a committed relationship with someone and she was certain the baby wasn’t his.
As you can imagine she was struggling with all the questions anyone in that circumstance would struggle with.
- What would her parents say?
- What would they do?
- How would she tell the young man who she had committed her heart to?
- What would he do?
- Should she just run away?
- Should she seek a way to end the pregnancy?
- If she gave birth to the baby how would she care for the child?
In the midst of this struggle she shares the most profound statement.
“I am a God follower, and I will accept whatever He wants in this.”
In the ugliest of situations every leader, every true leader knows two truths.
1. Who they are – “I am a God follower.”
2. What God expects – “I will accept whatever He wants.”
That’s who I aspire to be, a God follower willing to accept whatever He wants.
Want to hear the rest of this young woman’s story? Read it for yourself. It begins in Luke 1:26.
The Man in the Window
A God follower willing to accept whatever God wants.
Monday, August 24, 2009
What are you living?
Monthly new titles are reviewed in Christianity Today. Leadership Journal promotes new must reads quarterly. E-newsletters promote others. Today's leader has no shortage of places to turn for insight and help concerning the role.
But today in my own devotional time I was overwhelmed with the description of a leader. During the day of the return from exile, the days of rebuilding, the days of busyness, during the days of challenge, Ezra is arrives on the scene in Jerusalem. He is described this way.
Ezra . . . the gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.
Ezra 7:8,10
Those were his qualifications; the cover letter introducing him as leader. This guy experiences the continual grace of God. He's cultivated it by studying the law inside and out, but he hasn't just studied it, it has become a part of him. He obeys it at every point. He is committed to teaching what he has learned to all the people.
I know that when I am with other leaders I often ask, what are you reading? Lorrits? McNeall? Maxwell? I am always looking for clues to what God is doing in their lives, their ministries.
Maybe the better question to ask is, what are you living?
But today in my own devotional time I was overwhelmed with the description of a leader. During the day of the return from exile, the days of rebuilding, the days of busyness, during the days of challenge, Ezra is arrives on the scene in Jerusalem. He is described this way.
Ezra . . . the gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.
Ezra 7:8,10
Those were his qualifications; the cover letter introducing him as leader. This guy experiences the continual grace of God. He's cultivated it by studying the law inside and out, but he hasn't just studied it, it has become a part of him. He obeys it at every point. He is committed to teaching what he has learned to all the people.
I know that when I am with other leaders I often ask, what are you reading? Lorrits? McNeall? Maxwell? I am always looking for clues to what God is doing in their lives, their ministries.
Maybe the better question to ask is, what are you living?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Jesus Chooses the Twelve
Mark 3:16-19
These are the names of the twelve he chose:
Simon (he renamed Peter),
James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "sons of Thunder),
Andrew,
Phillip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (Son of Alphaeus),
Thaddeaus,
Simon (the Zealot),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
It's just the list of names of the twelve. Wrong. Six of the twelve are differentiated by an annotation following their names. A footnote if you will to help us understand who they are. Some of the footnotes are helpful and gracious. Simon, the common man so profoundly remodeled by the Carpenter he gets a new name--Peter. He is different from Simon, the man who can never let it go. The man enthusiastically committed to everything it means to be a Jew. One of the footnotes is rather simple, just a family name added so he can't be confused with another--James, the Son of Alphaeus.
The list of names I have read many times before, but today the weight of two of the footnotes hit me. James and John are called not just the sons of Zebedee, but the "sons of thunder." Ouch! Sons of Thunder! Imagine being remembered as two men who were often quick to speak and maybe slow to think. Or perhaps it's a reference to all the times they stuck their foot in their mouths in one of Jesus discussions. Perhaps it is a reference to their untamed, unedified character--bulls in pottery shops throughout Galilee and Capernaum. What instance birthed the moniker? What personality traits led to the nickname? It's unclear, but it was true that they are remembered by the footnote.
Then there is Judas Iscariot. Did we really need the footnote? There is only one Judas? And we know his family name? Was it needed to include the parenthetical (who later betrayed him)?
Then it hit me, we have little control over the addition of footnotes. They will just be added to our lives. Some will be descriptive. Some will be kind. Some may be gracious. But we need to realize that some might be reminders of weak character, or our biggest failure.
Some footnotes could be infamous like:
OJ (the guy who likely killed his wife)
Mark McGuire (the guy who juiced his way into the record books)
Michael Vick (the guy who went to prison for Dog fighting)
Jimmy Swaggart (the televangelist who frequented hookers)
Some could be just as defeating:
John (the liar),
Bob (the loud one),
Bill (the immoral),
Jana (the one who walked away from God),
Carol (the pew sitter)
Tina (the judgmental)
Dave (the adulterer),
It got me thinking. What footnotes will be written to describe my life?
These are the names of the twelve he chose:
Simon (he renamed Peter),
James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "sons of Thunder),
Andrew,
Phillip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (Son of Alphaeus),
Thaddeaus,
Simon (the Zealot),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
It's just the list of names of the twelve. Wrong. Six of the twelve are differentiated by an annotation following their names. A footnote if you will to help us understand who they are. Some of the footnotes are helpful and gracious. Simon, the common man so profoundly remodeled by the Carpenter he gets a new name--Peter. He is different from Simon, the man who can never let it go. The man enthusiastically committed to everything it means to be a Jew. One of the footnotes is rather simple, just a family name added so he can't be confused with another--James, the Son of Alphaeus.
The list of names I have read many times before, but today the weight of two of the footnotes hit me. James and John are called not just the sons of Zebedee, but the "sons of thunder." Ouch! Sons of Thunder! Imagine being remembered as two men who were often quick to speak and maybe slow to think. Or perhaps it's a reference to all the times they stuck their foot in their mouths in one of Jesus discussions. Perhaps it is a reference to their untamed, unedified character--bulls in pottery shops throughout Galilee and Capernaum. What instance birthed the moniker? What personality traits led to the nickname? It's unclear, but it was true that they are remembered by the footnote.
Then there is Judas Iscariot. Did we really need the footnote? There is only one Judas? And we know his family name? Was it needed to include the parenthetical (who later betrayed him)?
Then it hit me, we have little control over the addition of footnotes. They will just be added to our lives. Some will be descriptive. Some will be kind. Some may be gracious. But we need to realize that some might be reminders of weak character, or our biggest failure.
Some footnotes could be infamous like:
OJ (the guy who likely killed his wife)
Mark McGuire (the guy who juiced his way into the record books)
Michael Vick (the guy who went to prison for Dog fighting)
Jimmy Swaggart (the televangelist who frequented hookers)
Some could be just as defeating:
John (the liar),
Bob (the loud one),
Bill (the immoral),
Jana (the one who walked away from God),
Carol (the pew sitter)
Tina (the judgmental)
Dave (the adulterer),
It got me thinking. What footnotes will be written to describe my life?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Before the Father's Throne
During a recent trip to the African continent, I had the great privilege of working alongside two international workers and their families in a medical clinic outreach to an unreached people group. The last room in our village clinic was set aside for prayer and scripture distribution. My partner introduced me as his ‘imam’ from ‘Amerik’ who had come all the way to give blessings on them in “issa’s’ name (Jesus). Of the 175 clinic patients, 169 agreed to receive the blessing.
Time and time again I found myself in the unique situation of praying for people by name, asking God to bless their lives, their homes, their families, but most importantly I prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring them dreams and visions of who Jesus was. On the second day two realities would strike a strong cord in my heart. Time and time again I found myself weeping as these two thoughts keep surfacing in my mind.
As I prayed I realized that many of the people were being mentioned by name before the Father’s throne in heaven for the first time. For some it may have been the one and only time that they would ever be interceded for by name. I also realized how much I took for granted that my name is so frequently mentioned before the Father’s throne. My family prays for me, my church, my friends, some of you likely even prayed for me. My name has been mentioned often in the Father’s presence. Yet here were Mamadu, Bah, Ibrahim, Hadiaitu, Alseny, Alpha Omar, Bubacar. Some would be prayed for only on this day.
This leader was challenged to change two things in his prayer life. First, I will forever mention more people by name before the father’s throne. Second, to never again take so lightly the fact that others pray for me.
Therefore, to all who have mentioned my name before his throne, thank you. Will you join me in praying for Mamadu and Mounsieur Bah. Pray for them right now that they might be followers of Issa’s way.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Right but Still Wrong
I was reading in 2 Chronicles when one sentence jumped of the page. It was one of those moments when the leadership principles the Great Leader has written upon our hearts became so clear.
King Joash, one of the great reformers has passed away. Most of his life was dedicated to the repairs of the temple and the renewing of true worship. For most of his life he was guided by the mentorship of the priest, Jehoiada. His son, Amaziah, becomes King at age 25. He would reign for 29 years in Jerusalem.
His entire reign is summed up in one sentence. "Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not wholeheartedly" 2 Chronicles 25:2. Wow! Consistently doing what was right, was not enough. God expected his leader to do what was right, not out of obligation, duty, or ritual, but out of a heart wholly committed. Amaziah looked good on the outside, but fell short on the inside.
The passage made me think. How many times in my life do I do the right things but not wholehearted. They are done out of duty, out of ritual, out of obligation.
Is prayer a duty or the reflection of a wholly committed heart?
Is my time in the word more than a daily habit or a checking off of something on my to-do list?
Is my outreach to my neighbors just a project or an act of the heart?
Is my service a job or a passion?
Is the pursuit of holiness a reflection of a devoted heart or a legalistic safeguard?
Amaziah did what was right, but he fell short because it was disconnected from a total heart surrender.
May God deliver me from the example of Amaziah.
May God deliver every leader from the mere outward performance of our calling. May our hearts' commitment be evident in the places we lead.
King Joash, one of the great reformers has passed away. Most of his life was dedicated to the repairs of the temple and the renewing of true worship. For most of his life he was guided by the mentorship of the priest, Jehoiada. His son, Amaziah, becomes King at age 25. He would reign for 29 years in Jerusalem.
His entire reign is summed up in one sentence. "Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not wholeheartedly" 2 Chronicles 25:2. Wow! Consistently doing what was right, was not enough. God expected his leader to do what was right, not out of obligation, duty, or ritual, but out of a heart wholly committed. Amaziah looked good on the outside, but fell short on the inside.
The passage made me think. How many times in my life do I do the right things but not wholehearted. They are done out of duty, out of ritual, out of obligation.
Is prayer a duty or the reflection of a wholly committed heart?
Is my time in the word more than a daily habit or a checking off of something on my to-do list?
Is my outreach to my neighbors just a project or an act of the heart?
Is my service a job or a passion?
Is the pursuit of holiness a reflection of a devoted heart or a legalistic safeguard?
Amaziah did what was right, but he fell short because it was disconnected from a total heart surrender.
May God deliver me from the example of Amaziah.
May God deliver every leader from the mere outward performance of our calling. May our hearts' commitment be evident in the places we lead.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Leader to Leader: It's All about the Inside Stuff
I was reading the end of First Chronicles today. I admit it is normally one of those Old Testament sections that I endure reading. It is the last days of David's life. His kingdom is being passed to his son Solomon. A detailed plan for the building of the Temple is being drawn up and entrusted to his heir. It's filled with list of instructions for the organization of musicians and gatekeepers. It recognizes leaders of the clans, appoints treasurers and Military Commanders. Much of it is filled with names I cannot pronounce, and detail which at best seems trivial.
In the midst of these chapters I discover a mentoring moment that stunned me. In Chapter 28 David has summoned all the leaders, commanders, overseers, officials, mighty men and warriors in his Kingdom. He shares with them his vision for seeing a temple erected to house the Ark of the Lord's covenant. He reminds them of God's favor which has rested on the line of Judah. He challenges all present to faithfully obey the commands of the Lord that they may forever possess the good land God has given them.
Then David speaks to his son, his heir, the new King. David shares with him the secret that he has learned. It is a leader to leader defining moment.
9 "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."
Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. The cultivation of intimacy with God is a character trait of all great leadership. Forget it, overlook it and suffer the consequences.
David to Solomon, leader to leader, it's all about the inside stuff with God.
Solomon would learn it. Will we?
In the midst of these chapters I discover a mentoring moment that stunned me. In Chapter 28 David has summoned all the leaders, commanders, overseers, officials, mighty men and warriors in his Kingdom. He shares with them his vision for seeing a temple erected to house the Ark of the Lord's covenant. He reminds them of God's favor which has rested on the line of Judah. He challenges all present to faithfully obey the commands of the Lord that they may forever possess the good land God has given them.
Then David speaks to his son, his heir, the new King. David shares with him the secret that he has learned. It is a leader to leader defining moment.
9 "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."
Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. The cultivation of intimacy with God is a character trait of all great leadership. Forget it, overlook it and suffer the consequences.
David to Solomon, leader to leader, it's all about the inside stuff with God.
Solomon would learn it. Will we?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Heart of a Humble Leader?
Okay let's admit it. We all know that a leader is supposed to be humble, but what is humility. Is it incompatible with strength? Does it offset aspiration? Can you be masculine and humble at the same time? What does humble confidence look like? Is it possible to be humbly self-assured?
Okay I know what every good Bible student would say. Jesus was humble, Jesus was strong, Jesus was masculine. Many of us would likely end up in Philippians 2, the kenosis. We have preached, taught, read that He emptied himself. He became nothing. We have been told that he was humble; we know that he is our example, but what does it look like.
For too many leaders we know humility is a part of the mix, a measure of the calling, an ingredient in the recipe of leadership development, but ask a leader what it looks like and we struggle to answer. I confess sometimes I don't know how to describe it, but I now think I know it when I see it.
David has become my example of humility. It is from him that I am learning the lesson. In 1 Chronicles 17, we get a glimpse of humility in David. He is now established as King in Jerusalem, and we are allowed into one of his private moments with God.
16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!
18 "What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like.
1 Chron 17:16-18, NLT
David reminds me that humility is found close to the heart of God, in communion with our Creator, our Lord. Humility is the honest self-assessment of our lives and our accomplishments in His presence. Who am I Lord that you have entrusted this calling, this assignment, this task to me? Who am I Lord that I am privileged to be treated as though I were something when you know what I am really like.
What is humility? In the light of his presence, knowing who we are and what we would be without him.
Let the man or woman of God be humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, . . . James 4:10
Okay I know what every good Bible student would say. Jesus was humble, Jesus was strong, Jesus was masculine. Many of us would likely end up in Philippians 2, the kenosis. We have preached, taught, read that He emptied himself. He became nothing. We have been told that he was humble; we know that he is our example, but what does it look like.
For too many leaders we know humility is a part of the mix, a measure of the calling, an ingredient in the recipe of leadership development, but ask a leader what it looks like and we struggle to answer. I confess sometimes I don't know how to describe it, but I now think I know it when I see it.
David has become my example of humility. It is from him that I am learning the lesson. In 1 Chronicles 17, we get a glimpse of humility in David. He is now established as King in Jerusalem, and we are allowed into one of his private moments with God.
16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!
18 "What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like.
1 Chron 17:16-18, NLT
David reminds me that humility is found close to the heart of God, in communion with our Creator, our Lord. Humility is the honest self-assessment of our lives and our accomplishments in His presence. Who am I Lord that you have entrusted this calling, this assignment, this task to me? Who am I Lord that I am privileged to be treated as though I were something when you know what I am really like.
What is humility? In the light of his presence, knowing who we are and what we would be without him.
Let the man or woman of God be humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, . . . James 4:10
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
David's Mighty Men
I've been reading in 1 Chronicles and spent some time pondering some of David's mighty men.
**Jashobeam, commander of the Three, once killed 300 men with his spear in one battle.
**Eleazar fought back to back with David when surrounded by the Philistines and beat them back.
**Shammah, one of the Three, took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the surrounding Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.
**Abishai foremost of the Three, killed 300 in a single battle.
The mighty men were being remembered not for their weaknesses but for their strengths.
Reggie McNeal states that we have inadvertently developed a culture where we are much more aware of our weaknesses than our strengths. That's certainly often true in my life. I can list out everything that I struggle with, where I fall short and what I'd like to change. I beat myself up over failures and setbacks.
But the mighty men, they were remembered for their strengths.
I have heard that the fastest and most prominent way to strengthen an organization is to strengthen the weakest element. If team building is weak, strengthen it. If moral is low, raise it. If image is poor, change it. If it's broke, fix it.
But the mighty men, they were remembered for their strengths.
Leaders need to remember this truth. We will always need to address weaknesses, but it is strengths that are celebrated. It is in the area of our strengths that our greatest impact happens.
Mighty men (and women) are remembered for their strengths. Go ahead lead with yours.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Different Window Same Man
My wife and I are in the midst of a week long personal retreat. More than a vacation, it's a time to rest and renew the two most important relationships in our lives. We're focusing on our individual spiritual journeys with the Forgiver and the journey of intimacy we share together.
On Wednesday afternoon we sat in a coffee house in Delafield, Wisconsin and I was editing a previous Man in the Window entry for distribution. As she finished proofing the draft for me she got up from the table, patted me on the shoulder and said, "Different coffee house, still the Man in the Window."
What a profound truth. Cheryl touched on one of the goals of my own spiritual journey. For a number of years now I have been cultivating my personal walk with God with the regular faithful exercise of spiritual disciplines believing that those disciplines would define my character as a follower of Jesus. Long ago I became fed up with being a different man in public and a different man at home. I grew tired of the façade, the mask of spirituality that was too easy to put on enroute to the church service, a study or the office. Like so many people, I wore different masks and my spirituality was just another mask I put on.
When I finally became dissatisfied with the masks, I sought to become a man defined by the habit of seeking the Forgiver's face in prolonged quiet times, in devotion, and study. And today it dawned on me just how true it was becoming. I am the Man in the Window, the man who now seeks God's presence as a priority, a man who feels lost when he allows the disciplines to become lax. No matter where I am, I am that man.
Here is a great question for every leader. Are the disciplines you practice shaping who you are becoming? The disciplines don't change us, but they keep putting us in a place where his grace can change us. Are your disciplines leading you toward who you're destined to be?
Different window, same man.
On Wednesday afternoon we sat in a coffee house in Delafield, Wisconsin and I was editing a previous Man in the Window entry for distribution. As she finished proofing the draft for me she got up from the table, patted me on the shoulder and said, "Different coffee house, still the Man in the Window."
What a profound truth. Cheryl touched on one of the goals of my own spiritual journey. For a number of years now I have been cultivating my personal walk with God with the regular faithful exercise of spiritual disciplines believing that those disciplines would define my character as a follower of Jesus. Long ago I became fed up with being a different man in public and a different man at home. I grew tired of the façade, the mask of spirituality that was too easy to put on enroute to the church service, a study or the office. Like so many people, I wore different masks and my spirituality was just another mask I put on.
When I finally became dissatisfied with the masks, I sought to become a man defined by the habit of seeking the Forgiver's face in prolonged quiet times, in devotion, and study. And today it dawned on me just how true it was becoming. I am the Man in the Window, the man who now seeks God's presence as a priority, a man who feels lost when he allows the disciplines to become lax. No matter where I am, I am that man.
Here is a great question for every leader. Are the disciplines you practice shaping who you are becoming? The disciplines don't change us, but they keep putting us in a place where his grace can change us. Are your disciplines leading you toward who you're destined to be?
Different window, same man.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Leading in the Caves
I was reading in 1 Samuel the other week and I was reminded of a truth that is often lost today. Leadership cannot be equated with glory.
David has been fleeing from Saul's fury and jealousy. Having hidden himself among the Philistines in Gath for a period of time, but facing the opposition of King Achish's men, David flees again. As chapter 22 opens David is hiding in the Cave of Adullam. His brothers and other relatives join him there. All those who were discontent, in trouble or in debt gathered there with him. It's a pretty ugly picture; one man fleeing for his life and a bunch of other malcontents hiding in a cave. Yet it is this group of broken, discouraged men that David assumes leadership over. Hiding in a cave a leader rises. It is here that the leader of mighty men emerges.
It is too easy to equate leadership and glory. It is too easy as a leader to expect accolades, too easy to long for recognition, too easy to self promote. It is too easy to long for the palaces, the people, the crowds. David emerges as a leader away from glory. Real leaders emerge in the trenches away from the limelight. It is there that their leadership is proven.
Lebron James gets a lot of credit as a great on-the-court leader for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is in the limelight every night he ties on his shoes, but when you listen to his teammates, you discover where his leadership was born. Lebron leads in the trenches of daily practices and weight room sessions.
Real leaders lead in the trenches, in the hard places often away from the glory.
David led in the cave. Where does your leadership shine?
Real leaders lead.
David has been fleeing from Saul's fury and jealousy. Having hidden himself among the Philistines in Gath for a period of time, but facing the opposition of King Achish's men, David flees again. As chapter 22 opens David is hiding in the Cave of Adullam. His brothers and other relatives join him there. All those who were discontent, in trouble or in debt gathered there with him. It's a pretty ugly picture; one man fleeing for his life and a bunch of other malcontents hiding in a cave. Yet it is this group of broken, discouraged men that David assumes leadership over. Hiding in a cave a leader rises. It is here that the leader of mighty men emerges.
It is too easy to equate leadership and glory. It is too easy as a leader to expect accolades, too easy to long for recognition, too easy to self promote. It is too easy to long for the palaces, the people, the crowds. David emerges as a leader away from glory. Real leaders emerge in the trenches away from the limelight. It is there that their leadership is proven.
Lebron James gets a lot of credit as a great on-the-court leader for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is in the limelight every night he ties on his shoes, but when you listen to his teammates, you discover where his leadership was born. Lebron leads in the trenches of daily practices and weight room sessions.
Real leaders lead in the trenches, in the hard places often away from the glory.
David led in the cave. Where does your leadership shine?
Real leaders lead.
Friday, April 24, 2009
When Being King isn't Enough
In I Samuel 18 Saul is confronted with a leadership challenge that most of us will have to face at some point. David had slain the giant Goliath and delivered Israel from a costly war. Samuel wrote, "When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang:
'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.'"
That is a pretty understandable response of the people. Thousands of lives had been saved, the terror of Philistine conquest had been eliminated. The people are celebrating and David is the hero of the Hour. But "Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. 'They have credited David with tens of thousands,' he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?' And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. " (1 Samuel 18:6-9)
Every leader battles this at one time or another
· His church has more numbers
· His business is more successful
· Her ministry is more acknowledged
· They got recognized
· They sang his praises and not mine
· He gets all the credit
· They have credited David with tens of thousands but me . . .
Saul was ensnared with jealousy. Interesting thing about jealousy, we're all susceptible to its entrapments. We become jealous when we believe that we've been short-changed. Saul is King. Israel is his to lead. No other man is more powerful in the land, yet Saul is jealous. Why? David's getting more praise.
Every leader becomes jealous when he confuses blessings for rights. Saul believed he deserved more praise rather than recognizing he was blessed to be King. But being king wasn't enough!
I just came back from our Church District Conference, an experience that sometimes left me very frustrated. I confess that early in ministry I viewed district gatherings as times when insecure pastors tried to one up themselves in the eyes of others. Earlier in ministry, pastoring a small church I would often return home struggling with questions of self-worth and often jealousy. It was easy to be jealous of those who had greater ministries, more recognition. I came home failing to see that I was blessed to know the Forgiver, to be entrusted with a place of ministry and leadership.
How about you? Is being leader over that which God has already entrusted you enough?
Leaders lead-and that is a blessing, not a right.
'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.'"
That is a pretty understandable response of the people. Thousands of lives had been saved, the terror of Philistine conquest had been eliminated. The people are celebrating and David is the hero of the Hour. But "Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. 'They have credited David with tens of thousands,' he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?' And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. " (1 Samuel 18:6-9)
Every leader battles this at one time or another
· His church has more numbers
· His business is more successful
· Her ministry is more acknowledged
· They got recognized
· They sang his praises and not mine
· He gets all the credit
· They have credited David with tens of thousands but me . . .
Saul was ensnared with jealousy. Interesting thing about jealousy, we're all susceptible to its entrapments. We become jealous when we believe that we've been short-changed. Saul is King. Israel is his to lead. No other man is more powerful in the land, yet Saul is jealous. Why? David's getting more praise.
Every leader becomes jealous when he confuses blessings for rights. Saul believed he deserved more praise rather than recognizing he was blessed to be King. But being king wasn't enough!
I just came back from our Church District Conference, an experience that sometimes left me very frustrated. I confess that early in ministry I viewed district gatherings as times when insecure pastors tried to one up themselves in the eyes of others. Earlier in ministry, pastoring a small church I would often return home struggling with questions of self-worth and often jealousy. It was easy to be jealous of those who had greater ministries, more recognition. I came home failing to see that I was blessed to know the Forgiver, to be entrusted with a place of ministry and leadership.
How about you? Is being leader over that which God has already entrusted you enough?
Leaders lead-and that is a blessing, not a right.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Day Approaches
The day approaches. The Leader draws near to His destiny. As we remember His ride into the city, the meal shared with those He loved, the night of prayer and agony, the moment of betrayal, the mockery of a trial, the hostility of the crowd, the via Dolorosa, the fall of the hammer, the jeers of gloaters, the tears, the fears of a few, the words spoken through pain filled lips... might we stand in awe of the Leader who leads us all.
Behold the Lamb of God comes.
Behold the Lamb of God comes.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Trusting Another Man's Armor
My daily time reading the word has brought me again to the saga of the early kings of Israel: Saul, David, Solomon. Rereading these stories every year I am never surprised about how many leadership lessons jump off the page at me. In my journal I penned at least 11 leadership truths that were being refreshed in my mind.
Leaders have always learned lessons from other leaders. It's why we read Hybels, Warren, Stanley, Swindoll, McMannus, McClaren, Bell, Eldridge, Evans and Ortberb. And I readily admit that I have gleaned numerous principles, ideas, strategies that have had significant impact upon my life and my ministries. But as I was reading I Samuel 17 recently, I was reminded of a principle that I had to learn in the early years of ministry.
Young David is stepping up to face Goliath, the giant of Philistia. All others have been frozen in their fear. None but this young man is willing to face the challenge. When he is brought before Saul, David speaks of his confidence in his staff, his club, his sling; the weapons with which he has protected his father's sheep. More importantly he speaks of an incredible confidence in God's ability to deliver. I can imagine the awe in Saul's eyes when David speaks, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:37)." Giving his blessing to David to fight Goliath, Saul offers him the king's own armor and sword.
The leadership lesson being refreshed was in how David responds. He turns down Saul's armor, opting for his staff, sling and five smooth stones. You see David knew that God works through the gifts and talents that he had already been given.
I didn't understand that as a young man, a young pastor. I copied every idea, every method that other leaders did. I not only wore another's man armor, I regularly rotated through a wardrobe of other leader's ideas, methods and programs. It's not that I was learning from them and applying the principles to my ministry. I was just copying what they did. What did I learn; you can't wear another man's armor. What worked in one place does not automatically work in another. While we may learn from each other, God works through each leader individually and distinctly, enabling him to meet the challenges he faces.
Have you ever fallen into the trap of trusting another man's armor, rather than the God who has gifted you uniquely for the challenges you face?
Leader's lead. Each of us uniquely gifted and equipped by the LEADER for the task.
Leaders have always learned lessons from other leaders. It's why we read Hybels, Warren, Stanley, Swindoll, McMannus, McClaren, Bell, Eldridge, Evans and Ortberb. And I readily admit that I have gleaned numerous principles, ideas, strategies that have had significant impact upon my life and my ministries. But as I was reading I Samuel 17 recently, I was reminded of a principle that I had to learn in the early years of ministry.
Young David is stepping up to face Goliath, the giant of Philistia. All others have been frozen in their fear. None but this young man is willing to face the challenge. When he is brought before Saul, David speaks of his confidence in his staff, his club, his sling; the weapons with which he has protected his father's sheep. More importantly he speaks of an incredible confidence in God's ability to deliver. I can imagine the awe in Saul's eyes when David speaks, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:37)." Giving his blessing to David to fight Goliath, Saul offers him the king's own armor and sword.
The leadership lesson being refreshed was in how David responds. He turns down Saul's armor, opting for his staff, sling and five smooth stones. You see David knew that God works through the gifts and talents that he had already been given.
I didn't understand that as a young man, a young pastor. I copied every idea, every method that other leaders did. I not only wore another's man armor, I regularly rotated through a wardrobe of other leader's ideas, methods and programs. It's not that I was learning from them and applying the principles to my ministry. I was just copying what they did. What did I learn; you can't wear another man's armor. What worked in one place does not automatically work in another. While we may learn from each other, God works through each leader individually and distinctly, enabling him to meet the challenges he faces.
Have you ever fallen into the trap of trusting another man's armor, rather than the God who has gifted you uniquely for the challenges you face?
Leader's lead. Each of us uniquely gifted and equipped by the LEADER for the task.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Patience with New Things.
We have just recently switched from a printed church newsletter to an e-newsletter. We were simply following a trend to try to go digital whenever possible. Board meetings, annual meetings had already gone to a paperless format so this last week I labored with the new software to create our first edition of a paperless newsletter.
Along the way I was reminded of numerous leadership principles that are so easy to take for granted. While I admit they are all elementary, I felt like I was back in leadership 101 learning them all over again.
The idea of an e-newsletter was easy. Finding the right software, the right publishing service, and the right e-newsletter management site was more difficult. Having done some research, I settled on resource and began the process of setting up an e-newsletter.
Writing the articles was easy. Learning how to enter pictures, text, formatting on the new software took time. Learning the intricacies of formatting the pages and imbedding hyperlinks took time.
Sending the newsletter was easy. Doing it well the first time was a challenge. After three drafts, and input from my chief editors (an office manager and an administrative assistant) I thought we were ready to move ahead and publish. I was eager to see the finished work (that tendency we all have to want change to be quick and easy). Thinking we had arrived at the place of perfection, I clicked the send button and promptly sent out a draft copy instead of a corrected copy. ARGH!! So two days later I found myself writing an explanation and encouragement for others to be patient with the change and forwarded a corrected copy of the newsletter.
So what was I learning again? Just the basic stuff of change.
- Change is never easy. It always requires hard work.
- Change won't happen without a few snags along the way. No matter how hard we try we will always fail to foresee every detail, we will always make mistakes along the way.
- Change will always challenge our patience. Leaders see where they want to go and they'd like to get there NOW. Patience in change begins with leaders.
- Change is a process. First attempts always lead to tweaking the system, adjusting the plan, editing the process. When things go wrong leaders don't blame others, they assess what's needed and continue to move forward.
Leaders lead. . . especially when it comes to change.
Along the way I was reminded of numerous leadership principles that are so easy to take for granted. While I admit they are all elementary, I felt like I was back in leadership 101 learning them all over again.
The idea of an e-newsletter was easy. Finding the right software, the right publishing service, and the right e-newsletter management site was more difficult. Having done some research, I settled on resource and began the process of setting up an e-newsletter.
Writing the articles was easy. Learning how to enter pictures, text, formatting on the new software took time. Learning the intricacies of formatting the pages and imbedding hyperlinks took time.
Sending the newsletter was easy. Doing it well the first time was a challenge. After three drafts, and input from my chief editors (an office manager and an administrative assistant) I thought we were ready to move ahead and publish. I was eager to see the finished work (that tendency we all have to want change to be quick and easy). Thinking we had arrived at the place of perfection, I clicked the send button and promptly sent out a draft copy instead of a corrected copy. ARGH!! So two days later I found myself writing an explanation and encouragement for others to be patient with the change and forwarded a corrected copy of the newsletter.
So what was I learning again? Just the basic stuff of change.
- Change is never easy. It always requires hard work.
- Change won't happen without a few snags along the way. No matter how hard we try we will always fail to foresee every detail, we will always make mistakes along the way.
- Change will always challenge our patience. Leaders see where they want to go and they'd like to get there NOW. Patience in change begins with leaders.
- Change is a process. First attempts always lead to tweaking the system, adjusting the plan, editing the process. When things go wrong leaders don't blame others, they assess what's needed and continue to move forward.
Leaders lead. . . especially when it comes to change.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Leaders lead....
I have been reading Joshua these last few days and I was struck by an incredible expectation Moses had for his protégée. Repeatedly Moses challenges Joshua to be strong and courageous. It is easy to understand why Joshua may be struggling with fears. Moses will soon be gone. He is the appointed leader. As leader he would have to lead the tribes to a place they had never been before, and getting there would be no easy task. He has seen how rebellious and difficult the Israelites could be. Walled city and giants wait in the land he is supposed to conquer. Sensing his angst, Moses repeatedly encourages him.
But just a few chapters later, Joshua gives the same exhortation to the Israelite tribes. Just a short time earlier he was the one struggling, he was the one in need of a good locker room speech. What happened? Why the change?
Did he suddenly become such a hero that he no longer faced any fears? Did he suddenly become indifferent to dangers they would face as they conquered the land? Was he no longer aware of the responsibility that rested on his shoulder. I don't think so. All the fearsome challenges still lay ahead.
Joshua had done what every leader must do. To take those he is leading to where they need to go, he must face the fears, face the challenges and move forward. Why? Because if the leader hesitates in the face of challenge, those who follow will stop.
Joshua has no idea what each of the battles ahead will look like. He only knows, he must face the battles in order to fulfill the vision--taking the land.
Leaders are not fearless, but they fearlessly face the struggles, the challenges, the battles to lead others to the fulfillment of the vision. Leaders lead… Even when faced with fearsome challenges.
But just a few chapters later, Joshua gives the same exhortation to the Israelite tribes. Just a short time earlier he was the one struggling, he was the one in need of a good locker room speech. What happened? Why the change?
Did he suddenly become such a hero that he no longer faced any fears? Did he suddenly become indifferent to dangers they would face as they conquered the land? Was he no longer aware of the responsibility that rested on his shoulder. I don't think so. All the fearsome challenges still lay ahead.
Joshua had done what every leader must do. To take those he is leading to where they need to go, he must face the fears, face the challenges and move forward. Why? Because if the leader hesitates in the face of challenge, those who follow will stop.
Joshua has no idea what each of the battles ahead will look like. He only knows, he must face the battles in order to fulfill the vision--taking the land.
Leaders are not fearless, but they fearlessly face the struggles, the challenges, the battles to lead others to the fulfillment of the vision. Leaders lead… Even when faced with fearsome challenges.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Reorganized by Grace
I’ve been reading from the Book of Exodus in recent days. A statement lifted off the page to a vibrant new significance. Just as God begins to reveal his plans to destroy the firstborn of Egypt and to “Passover” Israel, he makes an incredible declaration to Moses. “From now on this month will be the first month of the year for you.” Exodus 12:2 God was about to do something so significant that it was worthy of the entire Israelite people reorganizing their lives around it.
Leaders know that there are few things worthy of re-organizing our lives around.
#1 Our marriage to our spouses.
From the day we say I do, for the day the document is signed, from the moment when two become one, our lives are forever reorganized around that new oneness we are chasing.
#2 The birth of children.
From moment they come crying into the world, from the day they are brought home schedules are altered, future plans amended as our lives flow with these new currents.
#3 Never discovered by some, but leaders know it as truth.
From the moment we discover who and what we are meant to be everything changes. When we discover who we are – objects of the Forgivers great love, those who are destined to discover both grace and our role in the story of grace, everything changes.
Just as the Passover changed everything, the discovery of God’s grace and our purpose in Him changes everything.
Embrace the story of Grace, your story and let your life flow from its depths.
Leaders know that there are few things worthy of re-organizing our lives around.
#1 Our marriage to our spouses.
From the day we say I do, for the day the document is signed, from the moment when two become one, our lives are forever reorganized around that new oneness we are chasing.
#2 The birth of children.
From moment they come crying into the world, from the day they are brought home schedules are altered, future plans amended as our lives flow with these new currents.
#3 Never discovered by some, but leaders know it as truth.
From the moment we discover who and what we are meant to be everything changes. When we discover who we are – objects of the Forgivers great love, those who are destined to discover both grace and our role in the story of grace, everything changes.
Just as the Passover changed everything, the discovery of God’s grace and our purpose in Him changes everything.
Embrace the story of Grace, your story and let your life flow from its depths.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Daily Update
My computers all run the same antivirus software. It runs in the background protecting my work from all sorts of malware and problems. I tend to take it for granted.
Every morning when I start my computer the software begins its work scanning files I open, checking emails and keeping a wall of protection up as I sign on the web.
But every morning my software does another thing automatically; my antivirus software connects with the internet and updates itself. It never misses a day. Yesterdays updates may not be enough for today’s threats so day after day it updates.
Leaders are like that. They know the need to update daily with the great leader Jesus. They seek to connect with him uploading new definitions, new solutions, new management principles, new understanding. Leaders know the value of the daily update with God. Don’t take if for granted, be sure to connect for a daily update.
Every morning when I start my computer the software begins its work scanning files I open, checking emails and keeping a wall of protection up as I sign on the web.
But every morning my software does another thing automatically; my antivirus software connects with the internet and updates itself. It never misses a day. Yesterdays updates may not be enough for today’s threats so day after day it updates.
Leaders are like that. They know the need to update daily with the great leader Jesus. They seek to connect with him uploading new definitions, new solutions, new management principles, new understanding. Leaders know the value of the daily update with God. Don’t take if for granted, be sure to connect for a daily update.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Lesson From the Woods 3
I was deer hunting recently. On Tuesday afternoon of gun season I was sitting in a camp chair high atop hay bales overlooking a field. Winter clover was in abundance and I had laid out corn the previous week. Tracks revealed that the corn had been discovered and regularly visited.
At 20 minutes to 5:00pm a large doe and two yearlings began to make their way out of the woods. Ever cautious, they slowly walked the edge of the field coming my way. At 85 yards they stopped, the doe staring in my direction. Frozen in place, sighting down the scope, I waited. When she turned and showed her side I took the shot.
MISSED!
Missed? How did I shoot under that deer? I’m an experienced marksman, expert medals to prove it. I was sitting still, elbow propped on my knee, but I shot under the doe. I went home frustrated and perplexed.
Wednesday was warm and sunny so in the afternoon I took the shotgun to another field, set up a target and checked the sighting on the scope. At fifty yards I was dropping 3 inches. The night before at 85 yards I may have dropped as much as 5 inches.
Three clicks up on the scope. More shots, this time grouped around the center.
By 4:00pm I was back in the field, sitting in high brush under the outstretched arms of tree just 25’ from where I hunted the night before. Nothing to do but sit and wait.
4:40pm – a buck wanders out in an adjacent field.
4:45pm – three deer wander the far edge, close enough to be seen, no chance for a shot.
4:50pm – a huge doe leads five other deer out of the woods. They move my way. I’m uncertain if they will make it to my blind before sunsets at 5:10pm.
4:55pm – three of the deer including one big doe linger in the corner of the field.
4:58pm – The largest doe leads two others toward the corn. Safety off, I watch them through the scope.
5:00pm – The large doe stops in one of my shooting lanes. I squeeze the trigger. She’s hit just behind the front shoulder. Clean through the chest.
En route to the processor that night I’m struck once again by a leadership truth. Preparation and opportunity are not enough. Clear focus, vision, for the objective is essential. The only difference from Tuesday’s failure and Wednesday’s success was a refocused scope. Vision made the difference.
Leaders know success is a combination of preparation, opportunity and focus. Leaders lead – so lead.
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