Life Can Be Crazy!

Consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24-25a

Life can be chaotic and crazy at times. And when it is, it's easy for us to become hyper-focused on ourselves. We convince ourselves that we simply don't have time to be concerned about other people or their needs. "After all," we think, "look at everything I have to deal with!"

But by living with an "it's all about me" mindset, we're actually more susceptible to negativity. And that can generate a bitter and lonely lifestyle that distracts us from fulfilling God's purpose.

God created all of us to be social beings. So the next time you feel overwhelmed with the schedule of your calendar or the pace of life, don't shut people out. Instead, consider others. Look for ways to reach out to others. Find a way to encourage someone else by meeting a need they have.

As you do this, you will discover that by encouraging someone else, God will bring others to encourage you. And that is one of the best ways to keep negativity out of your life.

We know we can not change much about what goes on - on the outside, but can we change what goes on inside of us? Tell me what you think.

Challenged and Inspired!

Too many people are moaning about the lack of commitment and discipline in todays church as we respond to polls taken by various organizations. I don’t put a lot of stock in polls. I try to listen to the people I am
talking to and ministering to every day.

So here is what I’ve learned. As leaders, we often whine and gripe way too much about what people won’t do or haven’t done. We fail to understand that most Christians in America who aren't what we would call fully-devoted followers of Jesus don’t have a problem with commitment - They want to be challenged.

Where is the challenge going to church week after week, hearing an irrelevant message and singing songs that have no connection emotionally or spiritually? Where is the challenge when they hear sermons berating them as well as their sins from people who are asking so much from them to the point that they feel judged and demoralized?

Here is my point. We ask way too little of people. But we demand way too much. Here is the difference: a command, or to be demanding is to try to manipulate people into a response. It’s telling people to do something without showing them the reason or the benefit. We ask way too little!

Asking someone to do something in a way that gets them to respond positively puts the burden back on me. It means I have to be inspiring. I have to show the reason why this is important and why they should use their valuable time and give their tithe and offering to support it. Basically it means I have to challenge them. And we know through surveys that people in American churches want to be challenged. I talk to people every day who are going to churches where they are under-challenged and over-stimulated. America goes to church week after week, and come away fired up, with little application for the real world.

So let’s stop demanding and let’s start asking. Let’s stop hanging people over the lake of fire if they don’t come to church every week and tithe and serve. Let’s challenge them. Let’s show the benefit of tithing, of church attendance, and of serving. Let’s inspire them, move them, and motivate them.

You can’t demand anything anyway. Try to demand it of your children and see what happens. Men, demand that your wife submit and see what happens to you. But asking, challenging, inspiring; that’s where it really is. And that’s what everyone wants - to be challenged and inspired!

That’s what Jesus did. Jesus told stories that challenged and inspired His listeners. These stories got people excited and involved.

Let's do a poll right now. Would you rather:

Leave a church service feeling judged and condemned for not being perfect?

or

Leave a church service inspired and motivated to be what Christ created you to become?

Looking in!

Who Will You See Today?

If you’re like me, each and every day, countless numbers of people come in and out of your sight-path. I see lots of people. But today, stop and ask yourself this question: What do you see when you really see the people around you?

Do you see a husband who’s lost his wife to cancer, or a man deep in the throes of shame over an affair?

Do you see a young single mother struggling to raise her child on restaurant wages? Do you see that executive worried that his name will be the last one mentioned in the next round of lay-offs?

Here’s one of the amazing things about Jesus. When Jesus saw people, he saw into them. He didn’t stop at the outward, he looked into their eyes. And while you aren’t Jesus and neither am I, you’d be amazed at what you can tell about a person if you look into their eyes, their facial expression. You can see people who are hurting, or wounded; who are tired and troubled on the inside. And today maybe it’s your turn to go just beyond what you see, down deep into what you really see – the hurt, or the pain. Maybe you’re the person to give a word of kindness and encouragement to lift that person up.

I am a Christian and as a follower of Jesus, I am interested in this worldwide movement to turn the entire world into Jesus followers. But really, let’s be honest. God can do all that without us. He was doing fine before we got here, and He’ll be doing great when we’re gone.

The question is this: What am I supposed to be doing today that only I can do? Answer? Be in the moment and truly see into the hearts of those around you.

Grow...Worship...Serve

"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. (check this part out) But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry."
Jonah 3:10-4:1

Selfishness is not a trait that we have to learn. As a child, the word 'mine' usually comes right after learning the word 'no.' But selfishness doesn't end with childhood.

In fact, our selfishness tends to grow with us!

For example, you and a coworker are up for the same promotion. You've worked there longer and have a squeaky clean record. Your competition, however, had a shaky start and hasn't been there long. You think you have it in the bag. But then the other person gets the promotion. What is your response?

We know in our heads that God provides mercy to those that give their lives to him. We give thanks and celebrate God's grace when we are the recipient. But what happens when the Lord's compassion is given to others that do not serve Him as Savior?

If you are faced with a situation where you feel selfishness welling up, remember that God may have a different plan in mind. And his plan includes forgiveness and compassion — for everyone! Don't become displeased and angry. Instead, thank God for his grace and mercy and forgiveness toward you. And do what you can to extend that to others.

There are many other ways we can grow, worship, and serve and never forget, we only have one life. How will you be remembered?

Is Your Leadership Role Dragging You Down?

7 Signs You’re Not a Leader

With all the titles given these days that promise leadership, there seems to be too few leaders. And the question is, are you a leader? Here are the seven signs you might not be a leader, and if you’re not a leader, why you’re so miserable trying to lead.

The seven signs are:
1. You’re not a leader if you’re lazy. Leadership is hard work. It takes a lot of energy. It is definitely not a nine-to-five job. If you like to put in the minimum and get home to your hobbies or other distractions, you’re definitely not a leader.

2. You’re not a leader if you don’t like to read. I love the old saying that leaders are readers. Leaders constantly have to grow. Their skill sets are constantly improved by the latest information, and latest insights. They are constantly reading books, either on their iPod, hard copies, or their Kindle. Leaders are readers.

3. You’re not a leader if you don’t like people. Leadership is not a position. It’s not a corner office or a salary. It’s about people. It’s about interacting with people. It’s about trying to get selfish, self-centered, hurting, broken, wounded people to work together for a cause, for a goal, for a purpose. It’s the challenge to get them to set aside their own agendas and adopt a single agenda. To do this it means you must like people. People make things happen. They are the reason we do what we do. And if you fundamentally don’t like to work with people, you’re never going to be able to lead them.

4. You’re not a leader if you have a thin address book. By that I mean, leaders are people who collect people to connect to people. We love meeting people, exchanging business cards and knowing what makes them tick. We love putting people together in order to help them be successful. We collect large address books with connections. If your address book isn’t growing by a factor of 200-300 a year, you might not be a leader.

5. You’re not a leader if you avoid confrontation. I didn’t say that leaders like confrontation; the only people who like confrontation are bullies. Leaders don’t like confrontation. Good people, compassionate people, people who like people, who have something worth offering are uncomfortable with confrontation. But it doesn’t mean they avoid it. They realize that confrontation is a frontline skill-set for any leader. When you avoid confrontation, disease sets in to any organization no matter how long it has been established.

6. You’re not a leader if you hate change. Enough said.

7. You’re not a leader if you’re debilitated by criticism. I’ve heard it often said that praise and criticism is like chewing gum. It’s great to chew on it but you never swallow it. If you’re going to be a leader, you’re going to be criticized. Your motives, your practices, your policies are going to be held up for scrutiny. People are going to talk about you behind your back. And if that debilitates you, I didn’t say you have to like it; no one does. But if that debilitates you, you’re probably not a leader.

After reading these seven signs, one of the best things that you might do for yourself is to recognize that you’re not a leader. You need to go to the people you work with and tell them, “Give me a great task to do and I’ll do it to the best of my ability. But the leading thing is not for me.”

If you are a leader, lead! If you are not, then be the best follower you can be! It takes both.

Look up!

Diseases start with one germ that spreads quickly to infect an entire body. It's true in the medical world; it's also true in the relational world. One negative person can spread a virus of negativity in the workplace, around the dinner table or throughout an entire social circle.

When we keep our heads down, we can easily get consumed with "earthly things" — finances, family quarrels, office disputes and even those negative people. It's then that the virus, which started with one negative germ, begins to take over. Soon, negativity becomes part of who we are. And without even knowing it, we begin to spread the epidemic.

But we don't have to become infected just because we've been exposed to it. We have a vaccine. And it's as simple as looking up.

When we focus on God and the "things above," we combat the negativity of the world that tries to pull us down.

So when you are faced with negativity, don't contribute to the problem. Instead, be part of the cure. Make 'looking up' a part of your daily routine and discover how God can prevent the spread of the disease.

Success

Consider this verse.
"...Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Matthew 10:19b-20

Success is defined in many ways. But regardless of how we define it, we want a reminder, something to show for that success. In business, it's framing that first dollar of profit. When fishing, it's the picture of that trophy catch displayed on the wall. And spiritually, it's the memory of that first person we are able to lead to Christ.

We can dream about success all day long, but we've got to take action in order to achieve it. The entrepreneur can have the most genius business plan in the world. But if no action is taken to work that plan, it'll never be a success.

The fisherman can have the best boat, the most up-to-date tracking devices, and the most tricked out lures and baits. But if he never casts his line, he'll never make that trophy catch.

The same is true in our spiritual journey. We have the greatest Spokesperson in the world on our side, ready to speak through us to people who need to know Christ. But if we never open our mouths to tell our story, we won't be able to experience the ultimate joy of seeing them step over the line of faith.

Don't worry. You don't have to say the perfect words. And it doesn't matter if you can't quote Scripture verbatim or deliver a mini-sermon on the spot. You only need to trust that when the opportunity presents itself, God will be true to his promise and use your vocal cords to speak through you.