22 May 2011
Memorial Day Plans
May/27/11
What are your Memorial Day plans? I plan to watch my 3 grandsons play Rugby and go to a parade. What’s not to love about a parade? Fire trucks, flying candy, scout troops, flags. And always the trolley with WWII veterans.
Well, not always. In less than 10 years there may be no one to represent that war.
We can learn from these heros. I’ve discovered that they don’t want to talk about what they did. They have an admirable quiet shyness. Big accomplishment, no bragging. Big sacrifice, not asking for any thanks. Education interrupted, they still went on to work hard, show up, support families, and lead companies.
I have a plan, will you join me? When they appear in the parade, lets rise from the curb, our lawn chairs and shout ‘Thank you!’ They deserve it.
Podcast
Well, not always. In less than 10 years there may be no one to represent that war.
We can learn from these heros. I’ve discovered that they don’t want to talk about what they did. They have an admirable quiet shyness. Big accomplishment, no bragging. Big sacrifice, not asking for any thanks. Education interrupted, they still went on to work hard, show up, support families, and lead companies.
I have a plan, will you join me? When they appear in the parade, lets rise from the curb, our lawn chairs and shout ‘Thank you!’ They deserve it.
Podcast
Getting Over It
May/26/11
I listened today to a young man talk of his Dad. At the age of 10 he died in a plane accident coming home from a fishing trip. He began to weep (not a common happening for men around other women). “You never get over it,” he quietly said after regaining his composure. Today he’s father to a ten year old and two other youngsters.
I don’t know your loss, but I know, you’ll never get over it. Yes, time softens griefs pangs. But we are forever changed by our crisis. There will be moments your memory box flies open unexpectedly and you are back to that day, or that season of time.
It’s very likely you’ll have a new compassion and strength you did not have before. And thats a good reason to never get over it.
Podcast
I don’t know your loss, but I know, you’ll never get over it. Yes, time softens griefs pangs. But we are forever changed by our crisis. There will be moments your memory box flies open unexpectedly and you are back to that day, or that season of time.
It’s very likely you’ll have a new compassion and strength you did not have before. And thats a good reason to never get over it.
Podcast
Minority
May/25/11
Skin color matters. I walked thorough an African village. I was the only white person. My African American friend traveled to Ghana with a group of white folks. They went shopping in the Mall. “How did it feel to be in the minority,” she asked? An insightful discussion followed. This summer I’ll take my grandsons to Kenya. For the first time, they’ll be surrounded by people who look like them.
Friends, lets start practicing here for heaven. Revelation 5:9 tells us that Jesus’ blood purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. We’ll all be together there--no minority status for anybody. Just brothers and sisters cherishing each other, singing in harmony, and focusing on the same thing: praising God for His son, our source of real unity.
Podcast
Friends, lets start practicing here for heaven. Revelation 5:9 tells us that Jesus’ blood purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. We’ll all be together there--no minority status for anybody. Just brothers and sisters cherishing each other, singing in harmony, and focusing on the same thing: praising God for His son, our source of real unity.
Podcast
Snake Facts
May/24/11
My fishing friends had a great catch in their fishing basket. Ending a great day on Table Rock Lake they they were stunned to look at their fishing basket floating next to their boat. A huge black snake, contorted in shape from swallowing most of their fish, was trapped in their basket and could not get out. He had slithered in at one size, devoured their catch, and was now too big to escape.
How like the great serpent of Scripture, the evil one. He can slither into our lives, devour every good possibility of today and tomorrow. Looks like he won! Not really. His day will come when the great Fisher of Men will claim us. And the great serpent will not be able to escape what he’s got coming.
Podcast
How like the great serpent of Scripture, the evil one. He can slither into our lives, devour every good possibility of today and tomorrow. Looks like he won! Not really. His day will come when the great Fisher of Men will claim us. And the great serpent will not be able to escape what he’s got coming.
Podcast
Spiritual Leadership
May/23/11
There’s no shortage of leadership summits, training seminars, and classes these days. Prestigious business schools are adding ethics classes. Small and mega churches are focusing on training to lead. I have become a student, again, since I now lead a fledgling organization. I highly recommend reading or rereading, ‘Spiritual Leadership’ by J. Oswald Sanders. Be prepared to be confronted with truths that contradict popular leadership training models. I quote:
“Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created. . . . God alone makes them.”
“True greatness , true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.”
“ We must aim to put more into life than we take out.” End quote
Leadership training following the world’s model will lead to Spiritual bankruptcy.
Podcast
“Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created. . . . God alone makes them.”
“True greatness , true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.”
“ We must aim to put more into life than we take out.” End quote
Leadership training following the world’s model will lead to Spiritual bankruptcy.
Podcast