03 April 2011
Ambassador in chains
Apr/08/11
Do your circumstances today just not make sense? Your goals and what you want to accomplish don’t match the mundane restrictions of your real life today? The apostle Paul had the same problem. In Ephesians 6: 20 he describes himself as an ‘ambassador in chains.‘ Wait a minute. Ambassadors are people who travel. They ‘represent’ in different locations. And they live in lovely places. Ambassador residences I’ve seen around the world are usually beautiful, protected, and divine.
Paul was in chains--going nowhere. He was likely in a dungeon or if on house arrest, not in the most specious of places. “Ambassador in chains.”
But he was effective exactly in those circumstances. He wrote 24% of the New Testament there.
Take heart, my friend. Do what you can where you are.
Podcast
Paul was in chains--going nowhere. He was likely in a dungeon or if on house arrest, not in the most specious of places. “Ambassador in chains.”
But he was effective exactly in those circumstances. He wrote 24% of the New Testament there.
Take heart, my friend. Do what you can where you are.
Podcast
2 death certificates
Apr/07/11
I met her in Burkina Faso, a beautiful young widow with 3 little boys to raise. Her husband asked his doctor to write two death certificates: one for his wife that stated he died of cancer, and one that stated the truth, that he died of AIDS. Facts are stubborn things (John Adams quote). The truth is not always comforting. She had a right to the facts as she faced forward. I met her again two years later. Thankfully she is healthy, and has a job at a mission school. Her teen age sons are in that school. God has smiled on her and she shows it.
Its human to try to cover or sins, errors, and just mistakes. Then we needn’t ask forgiveness or make restitution. But thats not God’s way.
Podcast
Its human to try to cover or sins, errors, and just mistakes. Then we needn’t ask forgiveness or make restitution. But thats not God’s way.
Podcast
Challenged leaders 2
Apr/06/11
Manuals for leaders outline what they need for success in their organization. Example: ‘stick to the knitting,’ in other words focus on your core mission.
‘Don’t get too far in front of the army. You’ll be mistaken for the enemy.’ In other words keep your people loyally near you, engaged in the process of getting things done.
It may be said, but its seldom followed that leaders need to listen. Not just to their inner circle of likeminded people, but that person whose back is to you on the elevator, that person who uses the product you are offering, that person who needs the ministry you’re putting out there.
For specific examples, read how Jesus interacted with people. Usually he started with a question. And then He listened.
Podcast
‘Don’t get too far in front of the army. You’ll be mistaken for the enemy.’ In other words keep your people loyally near you, engaged in the process of getting things done.
It may be said, but its seldom followed that leaders need to listen. Not just to their inner circle of likeminded people, but that person whose back is to you on the elevator, that person who uses the product you are offering, that person who needs the ministry you’re putting out there.
For specific examples, read how Jesus interacted with people. Usually he started with a question. And then He listened.
Podcast
Challenged leaders
Apr/05/11
Leaders have special challenges. I know. I was married to one. I watched him--a big picture man with vision who still saw that details didn’t mess up the vision. Many gifted leaders start strong in the Spirit, as Galatians describes them, and then move on in the flesh. We have all seen those leaders. What trips them up? The very gifts God gave them to enable them to lead become their downfall. They begin to think its all about THEM. Their communication skills, their power to influence, their creative ideas. They forget. They neither earned, deserved, nor crafted their gift. God did.
They may be a success on the outside, or they may tumble. Bob Neff lead as a servant hearted visionary leader. I’m thankful to have had a front row seat.
Podcast
They may be a success on the outside, or they may tumble. Bob Neff lead as a servant hearted visionary leader. I’m thankful to have had a front row seat.
Podcast
Faith needs a face 2
Apr/04/11
Wouldn’t you love to live like the giants of faith in Hebrews 11? I read of Abraham, Rahab, Joseph, and Noah. They raise the bar. They believed and acted without seeing. Moved not knowing where they were going, welcomed spies that could have meant death, talked of freedom while a slave, built a boat on dry ground. That’s ‘confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’
Thankfully, God is fully of mercy and grace. He knew on our weak days our faith would need a face. Jesus was God’s answer--human--compassionate facing tax collectors, prostitutes, impulsive friends, even the thief dying next to him. God said to care for widows. Jesus showed us how providing for his widowed Mom when he was in death’s throws himself.
Podcast
Thankfully, God is fully of mercy and grace. He knew on our weak days our faith would need a face. Jesus was God’s answer--human--compassionate facing tax collectors, prostitutes, impulsive friends, even the thief dying next to him. God said to care for widows. Jesus showed us how providing for his widowed Mom when he was in death’s throws himself.
Podcast