Leadership

Leadership is not an easy task. I know a lot of people who look at those who are self-employed with envy. They say, "I wish I could be my own boss" or "I wish I was the supervisor". Unbeknownst to them, those jobs are typically very demanding and require a special gifting that not everyone has.

James 3:1 tells us, "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly." Obviously, teaching is a leadership position.

Leaders tends to take all of the criticism, as well. They are the folks who are willing to take a risk for the betterment of the organization. Risks can involve pain. 

In the church, that pain goes even deeper. It can cause some to misunderstand motive and, subsequently, leave the body of Christ.

Biblical leadership involves love and gentleness. It involves the reining in of our prideful tendencies. 

Blessed are the meek, Jesus said.

Lord, help me to be meek and yet lead like Jesus led. 

Life to the fullest

Almost done with our men's Bible study. Tonight's discussion was the best yet. Topic- Life to the Fullest.
It was Jesus' intent for us to live life to the fullest, but what does that mean? Does it mean that Jesus wanted me to have fun at everything and be on the go so that I could do and be it all? I doubt it. My reasoning? We have to mesh that statement from Jesus in John 10 with what James writes. James said that we would grow through adversity, not fun.
So, I led the guys in a discussion about that. Times of personal growth, here's what a few said:
"when my income went from $200,000 to zero following a heart attack"
"when I was electrocuted and nearly killed and couldn't care for myself"
"when I had a wreck and was paralyzed" (spoken from his wheel chair)
"when my wife was diagnosed with cancer"
"when I served people in a 3rd world country and recently in Nashville"
Nobody grew closer to God when they graduated or got a new job or bought a new car or new house or got married.
Strange. Seems backwards to me.
Oh wait, I forgot. The Kingdom of God IS backwards to the world.
I guess the real question is am I willing to grow?


If I say yes, there are some cool things that the Lord has done for me. Some scripture comes to mind: 
James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 

Ecclesiastes 4:11-13 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? ¹² Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 


When we persevere, we are strong TOGETHER and He is with us.


If I say no, only one scripture comes to mind:
Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.


Growth is good ;)

The Flood

Working with the flood victims in Nashville reminded me of the hurricanes and the damage they caused when we lived in Florida.
It's heart wrenching. We met a man and his teen son and helped them for a couple hours, they were moved nearly to tears because we helped them. We completely gutted an older, crippled man's house and there were so many things in there that I'm sure were meaningful to him that ended up in the trash heap. I was glad that he wasn't there to see it. It also helped keep our pride factor from swelling, purified our motives. We did it to be Jesus' hands and feet to hurting people. 
When the hurricanes ravaged Florida, people had insurance. So many of those affected by the flood didn't. David and I chatted as we drove home and I mentioned a potential threat to those uninsured flood victims- suicide.
There are so many people who have placed their hope in treasures of this world and a catastrophe is more than they can bear. I guess that's the fuel for my passion to go. Hope for hopeless people. The church being their in Jesus' stead, open-armed and willing. I am so grateful for people to serve alongside that encourage me and create the "cord of 3 strands" that is not easily broken. 
Sometimes I think a weak church is only strengthened through these "acts of God" as they are referred to by insurance companies. 
The flood, a weird kind of blessing or perhaps I should call it opportunity...