So, You Want to Lead?

Remember Recess? Ah, that short period of time during our elementary school days, spent playing kickball, freeze tag, red rover and various other games. Fun stuff! I remember one game, in particular, in which everyone that wanted to play had to follow the lead of one particular person - doing whatever he/she did, well, to the best of our ability. It was called 'Follow the Leader". It was never as fun as the other games. It wasn't long before someone would get tired of following and declare their desire to be the leader. Typically, this was followed by either a verbal exchange or a fight. The leader wanted to keep his/her position and the followers wanted some say in the course of the game. Kids!

But what if this is more than just a "kid" problem? What then? Has this problem found its way into our homes and churches? Sadly, I believe it has.

I remember, a few years back, an acquaintance of mine named Earl Creps wrote a blog post entitled "Leading From the Middle." I was instantly intrigued. The post went completely against the flow of everything I was seeing, reading and experiencing around me at that time.

You see, leadership is far more than just a title on a card, plaque, sign or letterhead. It involves a great many responsibilities and the first responsibility on the list is being a servant. Jesus himself said it...

"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
Mark 9:35 NIV


In our churches, the pastor is a leader. I like how the Bible uses the analogy of a shepherd and sheep to relate to a pastor and the church.

Years ago, I used to deliver feed to farms. One day, I delivered several ton of sheep feed to a particular farm. While unloading the feed I asked the farmer if the sheep knew his voice and followed him. To my amazement he just looked at me and laughed. He went on to explain that to guide sheep one has to walk beside them, tapping them gently with the rod. The only time a farmer will get in front of sheep is when he wants them to go away from him. That lesson has stuck with me.

If a leader wants to lead the people entrusted to him, he/she must walk with them, know them and be a part of them. If a leader is too far out front, he/she will not be in touch with the people who, really do want to learn from and be equipped by him/her.

By positioning oneself within the group of people that one leads, every person in that group has the opportunity to “see the leader's heart". I used the word “see” because most often, leadership isn't verbal. Don't you think the disciples might have been a little incredulous as to the importance of being a servant if Jesus would have merely told them to wash someones feet?

So, you want to lead? Please realize that our leadership ability is vastly determined by our willingness to be, first and foremost, a servant. Knowing that, we realize that our purpose is far greater than our position.

Kamikaze Crappies

Many moons ago, I used to guide on the local reservoirs - taking clients out fishing for bass, walleye, crappie (pronounced crop-eee) and muskie. On one particular day we were trolling for walleye and doing very well as we had close to the day's limit of 18 to 22-inch walleye on ice in the cooler. My client that day, was thrilled with his catch but he, still, had one desire - to catch a big walleye.

Always being one who would strive to please customers, I changed our technique in order to target larger fish. There is an old adage within the sport of fishing that says, "If you want to catch larger fish, use larger bait."
That's exactly what I did. Within minutes of changing to larger lures, my client was reeling in a fish.

This fish was different; however, as there was no bend in the rod. This fish made no last-ditch effort to head for the lake bottom as it neared the boat. Within a minute the fish was flopping on the floor at the rear of the boat. What kind of fish was it? A crappie, with proportions of about the same size of the lure, had decided to attempt the impossible and attack the lure kamikaze-style. This scenario repeated itself several times before we abandoned the effort and headed to the dock.

Now, years later, I am remembering this and, immediately, I was quickened to write down an analogous lesson from that day.

Those crappie, like all fish, have to eat to survive. They were just doing what comes natural - eating. But within the pea-sized and rudimentary brains of those particular crappie, was a "Yeah, I can eat that",impulse which never considered the realities of size and proportion. They saw an opportunity and they went for it!

Think about the many opportunities that God gives us in life and, when we see it, our first impulse is, "Oh, I can't do that." Maybe we think the opportunity looks to big, maybe we think it is intimidating or we think that the opportunity is beyond our capability. When a fish sees some food and is hungry, they do not think! Are we thinking to much?

The Apostle Paul writes...

"For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need."
Phil 4:13 NLT

Paul did not say, I think I can, he said, "I can..."

What is God asking you to do, that you have been reluctant to do because of your thinking? Paul said, "I can" because he knew that he could in Christ! His faith enabled a boldness in him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

With faith and action comes risk. Paul payed a high cost, he risked his own life and sometimes ended up on a hook. But, look at the results!

You have to eat in order to grow. In the Spiritual realm one grows by excercising their faith - no matter how small.

What about You? Step out in faith, saying, "In Christ, I can do it!"

Those crappies may have ended up on a hook, but their story ended up in this devotion...

10 + 10 = 3,000

I was studying for one of my classes today and heard Dr. Larry Hestor mention that in the book of Acts, chapters 1 and 2, there were 10 days between the time of Christ's ascension and the day of Pentecost. I immediately grabbed my Bible and read through these chapters. What were the disciples doing for those 10 days?

They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:14 NLT (emphasis mine)

Whoa! They were praying for 10 days! Then the Holy Spirit came. So on that 10th day - the day of Pentecost, Peter stands up, being full of the Holy Spirit, and preaches a sermon- it's recorded portion in Acts 2 only lasts about 10 minutes and 3,000 people get saved. In chapter 2, verse 40, Luke writes that Peter used, "many other words", but the whole basis of the sermon was probably over rather quickly.

Flash-forward 2000+ years. How often do we pray for 10 minutes, preach or listen to a 20-30 minute sermon, and expect God's Holy Spirit to move on the hearts of some if not all attending the service? The years have brought a great reversal to the church. Perhaps a new approach should be, pray more, preach less and let the Holy Spirit do his thing.

Prayerfully advancing...

Got It!

Some of you may know that I have been wanting to write a book for some time. I have various pieces in the works but haven't had any direction on any of them in particular. Yesterday, I was thinking about it and I asked God what he would have me write. One word immediately popped into my mind. A word which brought back a flood of memories.

Now that I have the title and some direction, I can begin, prayerfully, planning and writing. This is exciting...

It Is A God-Thing!

The other day, my Facebook status said that the day would have to be a "God-Thing". We were only half way through the month and we were. quite honestly, out of money. We had very little gas, no money in the bank account and we were frustrated about having to buy our gas on our debit/credit card in order to get to the church office.
"God, it has to be you now" That is what I prayed that day. I knew I had done all that I could.

Later that day, we were working in the church office when someone came in and presented Robin and I with a card. Written inside of the card was an account of this couples' prayer time earlier in the week. During their individual prayers, God spoke our names to them and prompted them to help us. Also inside the card was two $50.00 bills. That was more than double what we had just charged on our card at the gas station.

When we are faithful, He is always more than faithful!

Yep, It's a God-Thing!

I'm Glad God is God

I was reading in Genesis today about God's conversations ( how cool is that in itself) with Abram/Abraham. I was fascinated by the patience God showed him and his wife. In the account of Abraham's life, we see him saying and doing much of the same things we would say and do. What? Why? How? When? All of these are either verbalized or inferred in those passages in Genesis.

What if God moved quicker - caved in to Abraham's desires and Abraham's timetable? Wow, what a mess that would be. We read a little of that with the whole Hagar thing. Now that would be a touchy camp - "Awkward"

God is patient for a reason. He can see what we can't. I'm glad for his guidance and when you tend to be impatient like me, I'm thankful for his patience.

COME OUT! Show Your Scars

"Everyone goes in - everyone gets hurt, everyone enters a time of pain - relational, emotional, physical and spiritual. But not everyone comes out."
-Dave Roever

When you are hurt, how will you come out? What can God do in you and through you as a result of your pain?
We tend to be such a private people. Your scars are a testimony to both a wound and healing. Maybe someone needs to see them.

The Greatestt "I"

"Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name." Rev 3:12-13 NIV (emphasis mine)

I've written extensively about "I". Usually, it's in a negative connotation - referring to selfishness, being self-centered and ego centrism. However, today, I'm writing to convey something that I'm learning more about everyday. For years I have struggled with feelings of inferiority. I would allow those feelings to dominate my life. I would lay awake at night and think, "If I only could do that." Or, "If I only had that."

In addition, I would tell myself that I wasn't good enough. Because I was calculating my worth based on what I could or could not do. "I can't be a speaker, I have a social phobia." I can't be a marriage counselor, I come from a long history of dysfunction" And, the big one, "I can't be a pastor, I fail everyday."

Everything I believed, everything I thought I knew was wrong. Actually, what I thought was inferiority, was pride. I really thought that I had the ability to change my heart, my habits and my life. Ugh- the arrogance!

This year one of my resolutions was to stop trying so hard. Why? Because I can't make the changes or make the progress I want to make on my own. That is something that God alone has to do. I really feel that the greatest growth occurs in my life when I simply get out of the way.

God says in his Word I will make you into pillars. We simply have to let him. After all he is the great "I" AM!

Declare Your Dependence

Matt 5:3 NLT
God blesses those who realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

We are on a journey. I am glad for your company as, together, we learn some things from God’s Word that will strengthen and encourage our marriages and enrich our lives.

Our first stop on the journey towards true happiness is foundational for the miles that lie ahead. Last week, I wrote about how fleeting human happiness can be and the lengths we go to achieve it. We can amass great wealth, great fame and even build a great family and still be relatively void of happiness – true happiness.

True happiness is not momentary, nor is it found in things, or even, our relationships here in this world. True happiness comes from God – more importantly, our need of Him. We get so wrapped up in trying - Trying to be the best husband/wife, trying to be the best father/mother, trying to be a good worker, pastor, teacher or church member. Simply, trying to be a good Christian can become heavy at times.

There is something liberating in saying, “I can’t do this without you, God.” Once that prayer is uttered, something happens. Something within us breaks and there is a joy that fills our hearts.

Suppose you were assigned a task – let’s say you were given the responsibility of, umm… - peeling several hundred pounds of potatoes (hey, I am an X-Navy guy). One could assume that peeling several hundred pounds of potatoes would be a daunting task. However, how would you feel if someone brought you a peeler machine? Sure, you would still have to move the bags of potatoes, load and empty the machine, dispose of the peels and wash the freshly peeled potatoes, but the task would become much less daunting.

It is the same when we acknowledge our need for God. We still have to make an effort but the heavy parts of our lives are now placed on His broad shoulders. He lightens our load.

Are you struggling to find happiness in your life?

“Cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

Are you struggling to find happiness in your marriage? Jesus said…

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)

Do not let your struggle for happiness rob you of enjoying the source of joy. Declare your dependence, your marriage’s dependence and your family’s dependence on God. God wants you to realize your need of him in every aspect of your life.

The journey continues…

Resolutions Revisited

I knew better. I caution others never to say this word. I should not have used this word. However, worse than saying it, I wrote it.

Listed in my 2010 resolutions was a statement that, well, stated that I wouldn't go on another all-veggie diet again -"ever". OK. So I'm not really on a diet, but my lead pastor has called as many that are able and willing to another 21-day Daniel Fast. But my "diet" - the foods I can eat are all of the non-animal, non-dairy etc. variety.

It's no secret that God has much left to do in me and through me. Perhaps this fast is to bring me into alignment with what he is already wanting to do with me.

Prayerfully advancing...