the man in the window

Before the Father's Throne

2009-07-09T12:35:00.004-04:00

During a recent trip to the African continent, I had the great privilege of working alongside two international workers and their families in a medical clinic outreach to an unreached people group. The last room in our village clinic was set aside for prayer and scripture distribution. My partner introduced me as his ‘imam’ from ‘Amerik’ who had come all the way to give blessings on them in “issa’s’ name (Jesus). Of the 175 clinic patients, 169 agreed to receive the blessing.

Time and time again I found myself in the unique situation of praying for people by name, asking God to bless their lives, their homes, their families, but most importantly I prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring them dreams and visions of who Jesus was. On the second day two realities would strike a strong cord in my heart. Time and time again I found myself weeping as these two thoughts keep surfacing in my mind.

As I prayed I realized that many of the people were being mentioned by name before the Father’s throne in heaven for the first time. For some it may have been the one and only time that they would ever be interceded for by name. I also realized how much I took for granted that my name is so frequently mentioned before the Father’s throne. My family prays for me, my church, my friends, some of you likely even prayed for me. My name has been mentioned often in the Father’s presence. Yet here were Mamadu, Bah, Ibrahim, Hadiaitu, Alseny, Alpha Omar, Bubacar. Some would be prayed for only on this day.

This leader was challenged to change two things in his prayer life. First, I will forever mention more people by name before the father’s throne. Second, to never again take so lightly the fact that others pray for me.

Therefore, to all who have mentioned my name before his throne, thank you. Will you join me in praying for Mamadu and Mounsieur Bah. Pray for them right now that they might be followers of Issa’s way.

Right but Still Wrong

2009-06-26T14:06:00.000-04:00

I was reading in 2 Chronicles when one sentence jumped of the page. It was one of those moments when the leadership principles the Great Leader has written upon our hearts became so clear.

King Joash, one of the great reformers has passed away. Most of his life was dedicated to the repairs of the temple and the renewing of true worship. For most of his life he was guided by the mentorship of the priest, Jehoiada. His son, Amaziah, becomes King at age 25. He would reign for 29 years in Jerusalem.

His entire reign is summed up in one sentence. "Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not wholeheartedly" 2 Chronicles 25:2. Wow! Consistently doing what was right, was not enough. God expected his leader to do what was right, not out of obligation, duty, or ritual, but out of a heart wholly committed. Amaziah looked good on the outside, but fell short on the inside.

The passage made me think. How many times in my life do I do the right things but not wholehearted. They are done out of duty, out of ritual, out of obligation.

Is prayer a duty or the reflection of a wholly committed heart?
Is my time in the word more than a daily habit or a checking off of something on my to-do list?
Is my outreach to my neighbors just a project or an act of the heart?
Is my service a job or a passion?
Is the pursuit of holiness a reflection of a devoted heart or a legalistic safeguard?

Amaziah did what was right, but he fell short because it was disconnected from a total heart surrender.

May God deliver me from the example of Amaziah.

May God deliver every leader from the mere outward performance of our calling. May our hearts' commitment be evident in the places we lead.

Leader to Leader: It's All about the Inside Stuff

2009-06-16T12:11:00.000-04:00

I was reading the end of First Chronicles today. I admit it is normally one of those Old Testament sections that I endure reading. It is the last days of David's life. His kingdom is being passed to his son Solomon. A detailed plan for the building of the Temple is being drawn up and entrusted to his heir. It's filled with list of instructions for the organization of musicians and gatekeepers. It recognizes leaders of the clans, appoints treasurers and Military Commanders. Much of it is filled with names I cannot pronounce, and detail which at best seems trivial.

In the midst of these chapters I discover a mentoring moment that stunned me. In Chapter 28 David has summoned all the leaders, commanders, overseers, officials, mighty men and warriors in his Kingdom. He shares with them his vision for seeing a temple erected to house the Ark of the Lord's covenant. He reminds them of God's favor which has rested on the line of Judah. He challenges all present to faithfully obey the commands of the Lord that they may forever possess the good land God has given them.

Then David speaks to his son, his heir, the new King. David shares with him the secret that he has learned. It is a leader to leader defining moment.

9 "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."

Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. The cultivation of intimacy with God is a character trait of all great leadership. Forget it, overlook it and suffer the consequences.

David to Solomon, leader to leader, it's all about the inside stuff with God.

Solomon would learn it. Will we?

The Heart of a Humble Leader?

2009-06-09T15:48:00.001-04:00

Okay let's admit it. We all know that a leader is supposed to be humble, but what is humility. Is it incompatible with strength? Does it offset aspiration? Can you be masculine and humble at the same time? What does humble confidence look like? Is it possible to be humbly self-assured?

Okay I know what every good Bible student would say. Jesus was humble, Jesus was strong, Jesus was masculine. Many of us would likely end up in Philippians 2, the kenosis. We have preached, taught, read that He emptied himself. He became nothing. We have been told that he was humble; we know that he is our example, but what does it look like.

For too many leaders we know humility is a part of the mix, a measure of the calling, an ingredient in the recipe of leadership development, but ask a leader what it looks like and we struggle to answer. I confess sometimes I don't know how to describe it, but I now think I know it when I see it.

David has become my example of humility. It is from him that I am learning the lesson. In 1 Chronicles 17, we get a glimpse of humility in David. He is now established as King in Jerusalem, and we are allowed into one of his private moments with God.

16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!
18 "What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like.
1 Chron 17:16-18, NLT

David reminds me that humility is found close to the heart of God, in communion with our Creator, our Lord. Humility is the honest self-assessment of our lives and our accomplishments in His presence. Who am I Lord that you have entrusted this calling, this assignment, this task to me? Who am I Lord that I am privileged to be treated as though I were something when you know what I am really like.
What is humility? In the light of his presence, knowing who we are and what we would be without him.

Let the man or woman of God be humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, . . . James 4:10

David's Mighty Men

2009-06-02T16:00:00.000-04:00

I've been reading in 1 Chronicles and spent some time pondering some of David's mighty men.
**Jashobeam, commander of the Three, once killed 300 men with his spear in one battle.
**Eleazar fought back to back with David when surrounded by the Philistines and beat them back.
**Shammah, one of the Three, took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the surrounding Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.
**Abishai foremost of the Three, killed 300 in a single battle.

The mighty men were being remembered not for their weaknesses but for their strengths.

Reggie McNeal states that we have inadvertently developed a culture where we are much more aware of our weaknesses than our strengths. That's certainly often true in my life. I can list out everything that I struggle with, where I fall short and what I'd like to change. I beat myself up over failures and setbacks.

But the mighty men, they were remembered for their strengths.

I have heard that the fastest and most prominent way to strengthen an organization is to strengthen the weakest element. If team building is weak, strengthen it. If moral is low, raise it. If image is poor, change it. If it's broke, fix it.

But the mighty men, they were remembered for their strengths.

Leaders need to remember this truth. We will always need to address weaknesses, but it is strengths that are celebrated. It is in the area of our strengths that our greatest impact happens.

Mighty men (and women) are remembered for their strengths. Go ahead lead with yours.

Different Window Same Man

2009-05-15T09:01:00.002-04:00

My wife and I are in the midst of a week long personal retreat. More than a vacation, it's a time to rest and renew the two most important relationships in our lives. We're focusing on our individual spiritual journeys with the Forgiver and the journey of intimacy we share together.

On Wednesday afternoon we sat in a coffee house in Delafield, Wisconsin and I was editing a previous Man in the Window entry for distribution. As she finished proofing the draft for me she got up from the table, patted me on the shoulder and said, "Different coffee house, still the Man in the Window."

What a profound truth. Cheryl touched on one of the goals of my own spiritual journey. For a number of years now I have been cultivating my personal walk with God with the regular faithful exercise of spiritual disciplines believing that those disciplines would define my character as a follower of Jesus. Long ago I became fed up with being a different man in public and a different man at home. I grew tired of the façade, the mask of spirituality that was too easy to put on enroute to the church service, a study or the office. Like so many people, I wore different masks and my spirituality was just another mask I put on.

When I finally became dissatisfied with the masks, I sought to become a man defined by the habit of seeking the Forgiver's face in prolonged quiet times, in devotion, and study. And today it dawned on me just how true it was becoming. I am the Man in the Window, the man who now seeks God's presence as a priority, a man who feels lost when he allows the disciplines to become lax. No matter where I am, I am that man.

Here is a great question for every leader. Are the disciplines you practice shaping who you are becoming? The disciplines don't change us, but they keep putting us in a place where his grace can change us. Are your disciplines leading you toward who you're destined to be?

Different window, same man.

Leading in the Caves

2009-05-08T15:59:00.000-04:00

I was reading in 1 Samuel the other week and I was reminded of a truth that is often lost today. Leadership cannot be equated with glory.

David has been fleeing from Saul's fury and jealousy. Having hidden himself among the Philistines in Gath for a period of time, but facing the opposition of King Achish's men, David flees again. As chapter 22 opens David is hiding in the Cave of Adullam. His brothers and other relatives join him there. All those who were discontent, in trouble or in debt gathered there with him. It's a pretty ugly picture; one man fleeing for his life and a bunch of other malcontents hiding in a cave. Yet it is this group of broken, discouraged men that David assumes leadership over. Hiding in a cave a leader rises. It is here that the leader of mighty men emerges.

It is too easy to equate leadership and glory. It is too easy as a leader to expect accolades, too easy to long for recognition, too easy to self promote. It is too easy to long for the palaces, the people, the crowds. David emerges as a leader away from glory. Real leaders emerge in the trenches away from the limelight. It is there that their leadership is proven.

Lebron James gets a lot of credit as a great on-the-court leader for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is in the limelight every night he ties on his shoes, but when you listen to his teammates, you discover where his leadership was born. Lebron leads in the trenches of daily practices and weight room sessions.

Real leaders lead in the trenches, in the hard places often away from the glory.

David led in the cave. Where does your leadership shine?

Real leaders lead.

When Being King isn't Enough

2009-04-24T12:43:00.000-04:00

In I Samuel 18 Saul is confronted with a leadership challenge that most of us will have to face at some point. David had slain the giant Goliath and delivered Israel from a costly war. Samuel wrote, "When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang:

'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.'"

That is a pretty understandable response of the people. Thousands of lives had been saved, the terror of Philistine conquest had been eliminated. The people are celebrating and David is the hero of the Hour. But "Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. 'They have credited David with tens of thousands,' he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?' And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. " (1 Samuel 18:6-9)

Every leader battles this at one time or another
· His church has more numbers
· His business is more successful
· Her ministry is more acknowledged
· They got recognized
· They sang his praises and not mine
· He gets all the credit
· They have credited David with tens of thousands but me . . .

Saul was ensnared with jealousy. Interesting thing about jealousy, we're all susceptible to its entrapments. We become jealous when we believe that we've been short-changed. Saul is King. Israel is his to lead. No other man is more powerful in the land, yet Saul is jealous. Why? David's getting more praise.

Every leader becomes jealous when he confuses blessings for rights. Saul believed he deserved more praise rather than recognizing he was blessed to be King. But being king wasn't enough!

I just came back from our Church District Conference, an experience that sometimes left me very frustrated. I confess that early in ministry I viewed district gatherings as times when insecure pastors tried to one up themselves in the eyes of others. Earlier in ministry, pastoring a small church I would often return home struggling with questions of self-worth and often jealousy. It was easy to be jealous of those who had greater ministries, more recognition. I came home failing to see that I was blessed to know the Forgiver, to be entrusted with a place of ministry and leadership.

How about you? Is being leader over that which God has already entrusted you enough?

Leaders lead-and that is a blessing, not a right.

The Day Approaches

2009-04-09T15:25:00.000-04:00

The day approaches. The Leader draws near to His destiny. As we remember His ride into the city, the meal shared with those He loved, the night of prayer and agony, the moment of betrayal, the mockery of a trial, the hostility of the crowd, the via Dolorosa, the fall of the hammer, the jeers of gloaters, the tears, the fears of a few, the words spoken through pain filled lips... might we stand in awe of the Leader who leads us all.

Behold the Lamb of God comes.

Trusting Another Man's Armor

2009-04-01T12:01:00.000-04:00

My daily time reading the word has brought me again to the saga of the early kings of Israel: Saul, David, Solomon. Rereading these stories every year I am never surprised about how many leadership lessons jump off the page at me. In my journal I penned at least 11 leadership truths that were being refreshed in my mind.

Leaders have always learned lessons from other leaders. It's why we read Hybels, Warren, Stanley, Swindoll, McMannus, McClaren, Bell, Eldridge, Evans and Ortberb. And I readily admit that I have gleaned numerous principles, ideas, strategies that have had significant impact upon my life and my ministries. But as I was reading I Samuel 17 recently, I was reminded of a principle that I had to learn in the early years of ministry.

Young David is stepping up to face Goliath, the giant of Philistia. All others have been frozen in their fear. None but this young man is willing to face the challenge. When he is brought before Saul, David speaks of his confidence in his staff, his club, his sling; the weapons with which he has protected his father's sheep. More importantly he speaks of an incredible confidence in God's ability to deliver. I can imagine the awe in Saul's eyes when David speaks, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:37)." Giving his blessing to David to fight Goliath, Saul offers him the king's own armor and sword.

The leadership lesson being refreshed was in how David responds. He turns down Saul's armor, opting for his staff, sling and five smooth stones. You see David knew that God works through the gifts and talents that he had already been given.

I didn't understand that as a young man, a young pastor. I copied every idea, every method that other leaders did. I not only wore another's man armor, I regularly rotated through a wardrobe of other leader's ideas, methods and programs. It's not that I was learning from them and applying the principles to my ministry. I was just copying what they did. What did I learn; you can't wear another man's armor. What worked in one place does not automatically work in another. While we may learn from each other, God works through each leader individually and distinctly, enabling him to meet the challenges he faces.

Have you ever fallen into the trap of trusting another man's armor, rather than the God who has gifted you uniquely for the challenges you face?

Leader's lead. Each of us uniquely gifted and equipped by the LEADER for the task.

Patience with New Things.

2009-03-25T11:22:00.000-04:00

We have just recently switched from a printed church newsletter to an e-newsletter. We were simply following a trend to try to go digital whenever possible. Board meetings, annual meetings had already gone to a paperless format so this last week I labored with the new software to create our first edition of a paperless newsletter.
Along the way I was reminded of numerous leadership principles that are so easy to take for granted. While I admit they are all elementary, I felt like I was back in leadership 101 learning them all over again.

The idea of an e-newsletter was easy. Finding the right software, the right publishing service, and the right e-newsletter management site was more difficult. Having done some research, I settled on resource and began the process of setting up an e-newsletter.

Writing the articles was easy. Learning how to enter pictures, text, formatting on the new software took time. Learning the intricacies of formatting the pages and imbedding hyperlinks took time.

Sending the newsletter was easy. Doing it well the first time was a challenge. After three drafts, and input from my chief editors (an office manager and an administrative assistant) I thought we were ready to move ahead and publish. I was eager to see the finished work (that tendency we all have to want change to be quick and easy). Thinking we had arrived at the place of perfection, I clicked the send button and promptly sent out a draft copy instead of a corrected copy. ARGH!! So two days later I found myself writing an explanation and encouragement for others to be patient with the change and forwarded a corrected copy of the newsletter.

So what was I learning again? Just the basic stuff of change.

- Change is never easy. It always requires hard work.
- Change won't happen without a few snags along the way. No matter how hard we try we will always fail to foresee every detail, we will always make mistakes along the way.
- Change will always challenge our patience. Leaders see where they want to go and they'd like to get there NOW. Patience in change begins with leaders.
- Change is a process. First attempts always lead to tweaking the system, adjusting the plan, editing the process. When things go wrong leaders don't blame others, they assess what's needed and continue to move forward.

Leaders lead. . . especially when it comes to change.

Leaders lead....

2009-03-12T16:33:00.000-04:00

I have been reading Joshua these last few days and I was struck by an incredible expectation Moses had for his protégée. Repeatedly Moses challenges Joshua to be strong and courageous. It is easy to understand why Joshua may be struggling with fears. Moses will soon be gone. He is the appointed leader. As leader he would have to lead the tribes to a place they had never been before, and getting there would be no easy task. He has seen how rebellious and difficult the Israelites could be. Walled city and giants wait in the land he is supposed to conquer. Sensing his angst, Moses repeatedly encourages him.

But just a few chapters later, Joshua gives the same exhortation to the Israelite tribes. Just a short time earlier he was the one struggling, he was the one in need of a good locker room speech. What happened? Why the change?

Did he suddenly become such a hero that he no longer faced any fears? Did he suddenly become indifferent to dangers they would face as they conquered the land? Was he no longer aware of the responsibility that rested on his shoulder. I don't think so. All the fearsome challenges still lay ahead.

Joshua had done what every leader must do. To take those he is leading to where they need to go, he must face the fears, face the challenges and move forward. Why? Because if the leader hesitates in the face of challenge, those who follow will stop.

Joshua has no idea what each of the battles ahead will look like. He only knows, he must face the battles in order to fulfill the vision--taking the land.

Leaders are not fearless, but they fearlessly face the struggles, the challenges, the battles to lead others to the fulfillment of the vision. Leaders lead… Even when faced with fearsome challenges.

Reorganized by Grace

2009-02-26T12:22:00.000-05:00

I’ve been reading from the Book of Exodus in recent days. A statement lifted off the page to a vibrant new significance. Just as God begins to reveal his plans to destroy the firstborn of Egypt and to “Passover” Israel, he makes an incredible declaration to Moses. “From now on this month will be the first month of the year for you.” Exodus 12:2 God was about to do something so significant that it was worthy of the entire Israelite people reorganizing their lives around it.

Leaders know that there are few things worthy of re-organizing our lives around.

#1 Our marriage to our spouses.
From the day we say I do, for the day the document is signed, from the moment when two become one, our lives are forever reorganized around that new oneness we are chasing.
#2 The birth of children.
From moment they come crying into the world, from the day they are brought home schedules are altered, future plans amended as our lives flow with these new currents.
#3 Never discovered by some, but leaders know it as truth.
From the moment we discover who and what we are meant to be everything changes. When we discover who we are – objects of the Forgivers great love, those who are destined to discover both grace and our role in the story of grace, everything changes.

Just as the Passover changed everything, the discovery of God’s grace and our purpose in Him changes everything.

Embrace the story of Grace, your story and let your life flow from its depths.

Daily Update

2009-02-09T15:13:00.001-05:00

My computers all run the same antivirus software. It runs in the background protecting my work from all sorts of malware and problems. I tend to take it for granted.

Every morning when I start my computer the software begins its work scanning files I open, checking emails and keeping a wall of protection up as I sign on the web.

But every morning my software does another thing automatically; my antivirus software connects with the internet and updates itself. It never misses a day. Yesterdays updates may not be enough for today’s threats so day after day it updates.

Leaders are like that. They know the need to update daily with the great leader Jesus. They seek to connect with him uploading new definitions, new solutions, new management principles, new understanding. Leaders know the value of the daily update with God. Don’t take if for granted, be sure to connect for a daily update.

Lesson From the Woods 3

2009-01-15T10:48:00.003-05:00

I was deer hunting recently. On Tuesday afternoon of gun season I was sitting in a camp chair high atop hay bales overlooking a field. Winter clover was in abundance and I had laid out corn the previous week. Tracks revealed that the corn had been discovered and regularly visited.

At 20 minutes to 5:00pm a large doe and two yearlings began to make their way out of the woods. Ever cautious, they slowly walked the edge of the field coming my way. At 85 yards they stopped, the doe staring in my direction. Frozen in place, sighting down the scope, I waited. When she turned and showed her side I took the shot.

MISSED!

Missed? How did I shoot under that deer? I’m an experienced marksman, expert medals to prove it. I was sitting still, elbow propped on my knee, but I shot under the doe. I went home frustrated and perplexed.

Wednesday was warm and sunny so in the afternoon I took the shotgun to another field, set up a target and checked the sighting on the scope. At fifty yards I was dropping 3 inches. The night before at 85 yards I may have dropped as much as 5 inches.

Three clicks up on the scope. More shots, this time grouped around the center.

By 4:00pm I was back in the field, sitting in high brush under the outstretched arms of tree just 25’ from where I hunted the night before. Nothing to do but sit and wait.

4:40pm – a buck wanders out in an adjacent field.

4:45pm – three deer wander the far edge, close enough to be seen, no chance for a shot.

4:50pm – a huge doe leads five other deer out of the woods. They move my way. I’m uncertain if they will make it to my blind before sunsets at 5:10pm.

4:55pm – three of the deer including one big doe linger in the corner of the field.

4:58pm – The largest doe leads two others toward the corn. Safety off, I watch them through the scope.

5:00pm – The large doe stops in one of my shooting lanes. I squeeze the trigger. She’s hit just behind the front shoulder. Clean through the chest.

En route to the processor that night I’m struck once again by a leadership truth. Preparation and opportunity are not enough. Clear focus, vision, for the objective is essential. The only difference from Tuesday’s failure and Wednesday’s success was a refocused scope. Vision made the difference.

Leaders know success is a combination of preparation, opportunity and focus. Leaders lead – so lead.

Lessons From the Woods 2

2008-12-17T10:47:00.004-05:00

I sat a lot in the woods recently hunting deer. One interesting thing about deer hunting is that good preparation doesn’t equal success. It’s an element of success but it doesn’t equal success.

The Saturday before gun season a friend and I headed out to set up a hunting blind. Trekking across the field we jumped two bucks on the way into the sight. Traveling the edge of the field we saw track after track, scrapings and rubbings. Expecting great hunting we set a blind up overlooking the corner of the field and a well worn trail into the woods. Scattering apples down the shooting lanes we were satisfied we had done everything we could to be ready for opening light.

Early Monday morning we walked into the woods. Settled into the blind and waited out the predawn hour, each of us convinced we would soon take a deer.

6 hours later and still no deer.

I was being reminded that success is a mixture of many things not the least of which is opportunity. Preparation is critical, without it opportunities are missed. But preparation without opportunity is just as futile.

So what do leaders do when opportunity fails to come? The same thing hunters do.

Hunters--They stay prepared.
They return to the woods.
They patiently wait.

What do leaders do?

Leaders--They stay prepared.
They stay involved.
They wait patiently for the next opportunity.

Leaders lead.

Lessons From the Woods 1 - Cold Feet

2008-12-09T15:42:00.002-05:00

Sat in the woods a lot last week, enduring the cold waiting for a chance to take a deer. I know some people may be opposed to the idea of hunting, but the days in the woods reinforced some basic things that leaders know.

Leaders know preparation is critical.

Tuesday morning was bitter cold -- 25￮ with wind chills dropping into the teens. I donned liner pants, heavy jeans, three shirts, a sweatshirt, a fleece vest and my thermal coveralls. Add a warm fleece hat, a turtle fur neck warmer and a heavy duty pair of hunting mitts, and I thought I was ready for anything.

I left the house at 6:00 am, left the car at 6:15, and was set up in the woods on my camp chair by 6:30 am. Legal shooting time started at 7:07 am.

My feet were cold by 7:00 am. My winter boots were failing me. By 7:20 my feet were feeling stiff. By 8:00 am they hurt. By 8:30 I was walking out of the woods, defeated by the lack of the right boots.

I knew my boots were suspect. My feet had been cold on Monday, but I had hunted eight hours.

Tuesday, however, was a different day, different circumstances. I was unprepared for the cold. Failed due to a lack of preparation.

It’s a simple thing--preparing for the circumstances we are going to face. So simple. So easy to take for granted.

This leader was reminded again of what all leaders must learn.

Preparation is critical.

Leaders lead. How’s your preparation been?

Whatever

2008-11-14T13:37:00.001-05:00

The word rings derision and dismissal. Whatever! It’s often accompanied by eye-rolling arrogance and conceit. We’ve all seen it. The teen that flips it off at a parent. Whatever! The worker who uses it with a coworker. Whatever! The friend who cuts short a disagreement. Whatever!

Whatever

But the whatevers are important. There is no “whatever!” There is only whatever.

Whatever

To be a Christian is to throw yourself into whatever you do with passion and devotion because of whose you are.

Whatever

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Whatever

How are your whatevers this week?

May the Sons of Issachar Arise! Part 4

2008-10-31T12:41:00.001-04:00

So what is my prayer? So what is it about the Tribe of Issachar that makes them so needful? Why is that prayer vital to leadership?

In 1 Chronicles 12 is a listing of the army that gathered to support David’s battle to become king. Tribe by tribe they are listed.

Judah – 6,800 armed for battle
Simeon – 7,100 warriors
Levi – 4,600 troops
Benjamin – 3,000 warriors (relatives of King Saul)
Ephraim – 20,800 brave warriors – each famous in his own clan
half the tribe of Manasseh – 18,000 men
Zebulun – 50,000 skilled warriors
Naphtali – 1,000 officers and 37,000 men with shields and spears
Dan – 28,600 prepared for battle
Asher – 40,000 experienced soldiers
From east of the Jordan came Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 120,000 troops armed with every kind of weapon.

Nearly 370,000 warriors gathered with David’s mighty men to make him king.

Whom did the might of Issachar send? Perhaps the greatest contingent of all.

“From the tribe of Issachar there were 200 leaders of the tribe.”

Yes! They sent just 200. But look at what type of men they were..”all these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.” 1 Chron 12:23. Men who understood the times and knew how to respond!

May the tribe of Issachar arise!

What does the world need? Men committed to God. Who understand the temper of the times and know how to respond!

May the tribe of Issachar arise!

May the Tribe of Issachar arise! Part 3

2008-10-30T12:40:00.000-04:00

From his sons rose
Abimelech – Judge.

Two who would rise to claim the Throne of the Northern Tribes.
Baasha and his son Elan – Their line died off!

Though descendants of Issachar, they were not the sons I pray will arise.

Baasha – meaning “Boldness”. The bloody seizer of a throne, Usurper, murderer.
Elan – meaning oak. 4th King of Israel. Last of his line. Drunk asleep when Zimri, a chamberlain, murders him and his family.

Issarchar whose royal line began in murder and ended in murder. May his tribe arise? No, may a different type of sons of Issachar arise!

Men like those who answered the Call of David.

May those sons of Issachar arise!

May the Tribe of Issachar arise! Part 2

2008-10-29T12:39:00.000-04:00

I’m praying this for my church. I’m praying this for our nation as we approach elections.

May the Tribe of Issachar arise!

Issachar –
-9th son of Jacob.
-5th son born to Leah.
-Granted territory on the West Bank of the Jordan close to the Sea of Galilee.

Issachar –
-Whose name meant “hired workman” and who was seeming slighted in the blessings of Jacob at his deathbed.
-a rawboned donkey
-bending his shoulder
-submitting to the labor at hand. (Gen 49:14-15)

May the Tribe of Issachar arise!

May the Tribe of Issachar arise! Part 1

2008-10-28T10:23:00.001-04:00

May the Tribe of Issachar arise!

That’s it.

That’s my whole prayer for you as a leader.
It is the most profound prayer I can utter for you or any other leader.

May the Tribe of Issachar arise!

Looking for clue to the blessing?

Seeking understanding of this prayer?

Read 1 Chronicles!

May the Tribe of Issachar arise!

Time Turns

2008-10-17T09:31:00.000-04:00

Time Turns
 It’s just mid-October
 The staff has met in detailed planning about Christmas events.
 Monday night a men’s event was planned for January.
 Easter designs and ideas are moving from abstract to concrete.
 A summer mission adventure is forming.

Wow! Time Turns!

 Friday marks 28 years of marriage.
 Sunday begins my 4th year as Lead Pastor.
 In May my son graduates from college!

Wow! Time Turns!

 If I live to be 80 – just 10,950 days left.
 If I live to be 80, in less than 3 years I drop below 10,000
– a 4-digit midget.

Wow! Time Turns!

 What if it’s only 75 – that’s 9,125 days left.
 If it’s 70, then 7,300 days.
 I might already be a 4-digit midget.

Wow! Time Turns!

No wonder Paul said this, “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Eph 5:15-16

The Power of A Life Lived Well

2008-10-10T10:47:00.000-04:00

Fall arrived on Monday morning. It had me thinking of life and leaves. It seems that the power of a life is not lived in the moments for they pass like leaves falling to the ground. The impact of a life is found when those moments are seen together as a meaningful whole, like sitting in the shade of a towering elm. The shade is the result of the composite of each leaf on each branch.

Therefore, while the little choices I make today may seem inconsequential—like a leaf falling to the ground, each choice contributes to the composite, the whole. I hug my wife. I praise my daughter. I listen to the heartache of a friend. I pay a bill. I write a note. I do a chore. I worship the Creator. Little choices—leaves falling, passing, seemingly unnoticed.

I lie to a friend. I cheat on a time card. I lust for another. I entertain the racist joke. I berate my son. I flee from the challenges. I shun my wife. I give up hope. I embrace bitterness. I ignore the Creator. Little choices—leaves falling, passing. Leaves that point to a tree—a life lived well or poorly.

Fall arrived on Monday. It reminded me that a life lived well, tends the leaves.

If only my heart will yield.

2008-10-03T15:11:00.000-04:00

2 Corinthians 5:17 -- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! NIV

Yesterday has no power over me, it was broken at the cross, tomorrow has no power over me, it must yield. It must yield to the new man, the new creation. Nothing now looms over me, no ill fate, no dire circumstance that will not yield to the seed of righteousness sewn in my heart. Alive! Redeemed, bought back from death, bought back to life. Accounted righteous, purged in holiness, reflecting the invisible, image of the Justifier.

Everything will yield. Everything. If only my heart will yield.

If anyone is in Christ, he is new. Let the new come!