Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Christ Follower or "Christian"

I was catching up on Facebook this evening and ran across a post from an Associate Pastor of a United Methodist Church. His comment was "how sad" he was that the voters in Florida chose to limit marriage in the state to between only a man and a woman.

People, it is time to stand up and start to confront people like this! They are leading their flock to HELL by teaching false doctrine and picking and choosing what they wish to present as fact from the Bible.

I believe the WHOLE Bible from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation... every word... EVERY WORD is inspired by God. If I choose to throw out even one sentence, what gives me that right? If I pick and choose, why can't someone else? If we all did that, what good is the Bible to anyone?

Listen and listen up good. I'm angry and SICK AND TIRED of 'pastors' and 'ministers' that are tearing apart the Bible. Watch out for the label "Christian" as it means little in today's society. Lots and lots of churches have church members that use the term Christian very loosely yet have little interest in following Christ by believing the ENTIRE Bible.

If your church is not preaching the entire Bible from the pulpit, run away quickly! This sort of false teaching is rampant in our country and becoming more so by the day.

We are in the end times, time is short. Are you a Christ Follower or just a "Christian"?

Friday, October 31, 2008

Climbing Back Out of the Valley

This past week or so has personally been a rough one for me. There was not one event or thing that I can point my finger at but it has just been a spiritual valley.

The turning point though was what I heard from a message that I heard at church this past Wednesday evening.
  • No matter where I am, on top of the mountain or in the midst of a valley, seek God with ALL of my heart. Don't let off!
I found that indeed I had let off. I was having this internal pity party in my head and looking at myself instead of looking up. What I learned in my Bible study from Luke 7 is
  • My faith in God is what saves me. My faith is what should also guide me and protect me.
  • Just because I do not 'feel' God's presence, it dosen't me that He is not there.
  • Keep looking up, keep praising, keep pursuing God... NO MATTER HOW I FEEL.
I'm climbing back out of the valley. I see God's hand reaching down to me and I see the path before me. I walk forward today in faith.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Christians, Do You Have Your Eyes Open?

We are one week away from the most important Presidential election ever in the United States. This election has the potential to hasten our country towards insignificance and distruction or a path that may (and I do stress 'may') lead toward recovery.

No country in the history of man has ever lasted more than two hundred years where moral values have taken a back seat to personal wants and greed.

If Obama is elected as President a week from tomorrow and if he follows through on his promises to the American people, moral values will plunge. The killing of the unborn through legal abortions (presently at four thousand per day) will continue and be expanded. Restrictions in abortions that were signed into law by President's Clinton and Bush will be recalled. Homosexual 'marriage' will become the law of the land. Rights of free speech will be quelled in the name of tolerance.

Indeed if McCain becomes President, he must prove that he will not continue the distructive spending habits of the Bush administration. He will have a very hard term with what will probably be a Congress that is solidly controlled by the Democrats. We do have the opportunity to start moving back in the moral direction that God's Word speaks of.

So what will it be, those of you who label yourselves "Christian"? Is that just a label or are you true Christ Followers that seek to follow God first and foremost in your life? Do you have the guts to live dangerously by swimming against the flow of the immorality or are you more concerned about the economy and your wallet?

Please pray, fast, and seek God in this election. I love our country and I seek to honor our country by standing with our founding fathers in honoring our Creator.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G or Existing

I was reminded today of the need to be constantly stretching my relationship with God. If I am to live on the edge... to live dangerously for God and put my full trust in His ability, I must remove myself from my comfort zone.

How often do you go to church not really expecting to learn anything new that can be applied to your life. And of those times, how often are your expectations confirmed. I wish to challenge you (and me) to think outside of the box. Go with great expectation and KNOW that God will deliver direction and purpose!

Satan is alive and well and is lulling us into a sense of contentment and satisfaction going through the same old routine. Both my wife and I have an intense heart for missions, both local and worldwide. Even when we are working in our mission field, I have noticed that we must not become complacent. We must be ready for change. God will lead us in one direction for a season and then lead us in a different direction. I am working on being able to comprehend when God changes my direction. I must not become too burdened with 'stuff' that it is hard for me to change.

My wife is already in full-time missions. Will there come a time when He too will call me to that field? I feel that the answer is 'yes' and I must be ready.

What are you doing in your mission field? Is God stretching you to reach out in new areas or are you merely existing?

Monday, August 25, 2008

Get Up Off of Your Duff and DO Something!

Some call it an epiphany, I just call it waking up and smelling the coffee.

I got the message from God yesterday that I have been thinking too much of ME lately and not enough about Him and what I need to be doing for His Kingdom.

You see, I've been plagued with tension headaches for the past four weeks. They usually come in the late morning and little medication takes them away. It has been a cycle that has created an 'oh, woo is me' attitude that has placed my eyes on me instead of on God.

It is time that I change that. It is time that I lay these headaches at the cross and get back to God's business. Time is short and I have so much to do. OK, today I move forward and get off my duff!

I heard a great quote yesterday and it applies here. "We need to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death." (Mark Batterson Wild Goose Chase) As I sit here writing this morning, the sun is just about to rise above the horizon. My heart is beating and my lungs are breathing in and out, therefore God has given me purpose for today, He has a job for me to do.

What is your purpose of life? Is it to focus on yourself or to focus on others? Please take the time to reply and I would like to see your views.

Friday, August 8, 2008

God's Judgement on Jerusalem

I have been reading the book of Joshua in the Bible the last several days. What an incredible job that God gave Joshua to do. Jerusalem's impending doom and destruction was at hand. God basically told Joshua to phophecy to the people about the upcoming destruction. Yet, God also tells Joshua 'oh and by the way... they won't listen'. Wow, how is that for an encouraging word.

The bottom-line though is that Joshua is FAITHFUL to what God called him to do.

God judges the people of Jerusalem and they end up in captivity for 70 years after a 2 1/2 year siege on the city. Why? Because they have forsaken their first love. They have turned to idols for worship. The priests of the day told the church goers only what they wanted to hear. They included 'idol' worship even in the services. The people longed for debauchery, lust, greed and the like.

How might that compare to America today? What are we wanting to hear in a church service instead of the voice of God? Good music... the hymn played correctly? Words from the pulpit that underscore what we are doing and give credence to it? Or do we want to hear the WHOLE truth from the Word of God... the Bible?

What are we saying to others... are our ears itching to hear tidbits of tantalizing information about celebrities and friends, or do we want to hear God Himself?

What are our eyes longing for... more and more violence that we see on TV and in the movies? More and more bed-hopping and lust that is so common today? Or do we want to see Jesus face-to-face?

It is time to wake up and smell the coffee, folks. I envision that America is not long for this world in the path that we are presently on. We look A LOT like the citizens of Jerusalem in the days of Joshua. Will we as a nation wake up and REPENT (i.e. turn around)? Or will we continue down this path to destruction?

The day is near...

Friday, July 11, 2008

The Prophets are Speaking

I was reading from the book of Amos in the Bible this morning. A verse that really popped out to me was Amos 3:7. It says 'surely the Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets'.

I started thinking about that verse and how it relates to us today. Does God have prophets today that are 'revealing His plan' or were they all in Biblical times?

I do believe that He has as many prophets today as He had during Biblical times. There are men of God that have true insight of the spiritual realm of God and the spiritual warfare that is ensuing around us. Take some time to read the works of Chuck Smith, Mark Balmer, Skip Heitzing, Franklin Graham and Joel Rosenberg.

God is speaking to us today not only through His Word, the Bible. He is also speaking through modern day prophets.

Am I listening? God will guide my actions of the do so that I am most productive for Him if I am #1) listening, and #2) obedient.

Friday, July 4, 2008

The Blessings of Living in the United States

I sat this morning in awe of what is around me. I have a roof over my head. I live in a warm and muggy climate but I am comfortable. My wife was out in the yard with a friend. My daughter and a wonderful young lady were tossing some hoops with a basketball. I sit here knowing in my soul that my other daughter and her husband are safe in Botswana on a trip.

This all is incredible but what additionally is incredible is the peace that I have in my heart knowing that we are all safe, fed and clothed. I didn't have to go and look for a good source of water this morning. I didn't have to think about where my next meal is coming from. I didn't have to worry about others close by that are wanting to kill me.

I am at peace.

I can't help but think of the incredible large list of things that we take for granted living in the United States. Sure, there are some that are dealing with disasters due to the floods in the Midwest or the fires in California, but that is a small part of this nation's population.

Other countries around the world aren't so blessed... hunger, starvation, sickness, strife, nakedness, thirst, war, hate, and just a lack of hope for tomorrow. How can the people of this country just ignore their fellow man. How can we place our own desires, the environment or our own greed ahead of someone in another country that will not live through today without our help?

God placed me here for a purpose and I know for a fact that it is not to satisfy my own selfish desires. All I have is Gods... ALL of it. If He were to take it all today to help others to live or to give them hope, I pray that my attitude of giving will allow me to place it ALL in God's hands.

How can I do any less for my fellow man.

I pray that anyone who reads this will stop and think about how God wants to use YOU today.

Happy Independence Day...

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Devotions - Spiritual Hunger or Just Routine

OK... I'm all torqued out because I didn't do my devotions yesterday. I really meant too but I let the early morning get away from me and I just never got back to it.

You see, I'm a routine kind of guy (just ask my wife). I get up at 5:30 in the blessed AM and drag myself down to a cup of coffee that has already been brewed. I look at the weather (I'm also a weather nut) and then I do my devotions.

My devotions take place in three parts. I first look back at yesterday and write my down my thoughts of how I feel the day was spiritually. It takes discipline as don't want to just write what I did like a diary but instead look inward at the condition of my soul.

I then turn to the Bible. I'm reading through the Bible chronologically (you can get the schedule at http://eword.gospelcom.net/year/31/cjan01.htm). I add to that a chapter from Psalms and a chapter from Proverbs. I write notes as I read on what I'm seeing and application to my walk.

I then write down some prayers for today. Again looking at application and certain struggles that I'm facing.

So that's it. It is a good 'routine' but since I am a routine kind of guy, am I going through this process for the right reason? When I miss a day like yesterday, am I upset because I didn't spend time with God to start my day or am I upset because my routine was changed? I need to always strive for that hunger that is deep within my soul to be closer to God. Then just as our physical hunger drives us to eat, my spiritual hunger will drive me to communing with God.

What do you think?

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Answers in Prayer... Coincidence? I Don't Think So!

Last Sunday an old friend came to mind. He was my very best friend through most of High School and my first year in college. We were like Mutt and Jeff, we were just always doing things together. Our college years separated us and for the last 20+ years, I have not heard from him. I made several attempts to find him but failed each time.

This past Sunday something different happened though. You see I have been putting a lot of study in to prayer (the TWO-way conversation between myself and God Almighty). I've known about talking TO God for a long time... all of my life really; but it only recently that I have come to know about seeing how God 'talks' to me.

Back to my friend. I lifted up a prayer for him last Sunday. I didn't know where he was, or even if he was living. I just felt the need to pray for him so I did. On Tuesday evening I got an email on my Blackberry from my friend! He simply said that he found my email address with a Google search on the Internet and he was wanting to say 'hi'!

He is completely on the other side of the country and now married with a young daughter. Since that first email on Tuesday, I have now seen pictures of his daughter and have spoken to him for close to an hour. What a wonderful conversation it was! I look forward to others and hopefully to once again rekindling a friendship that had long gone cold.

There are so many that would say that this was just coincidence... I thought of him and he emailed me. I am truly coming to understand the incredible power of God though. He wants and desires to have a two-way relationship with us. Yet so many times we treat Him as if He were a genie in a bottle. When we want something, we go and ask and plead with Him for it.

No, this wasn't coincidence. Yes, it was answered prayer but answered prayer sometimes is 'no' also. If we are in a right relationship with God, He indeed answers all our prayers. What I'm trying to relay to you today is that you focus first on your relationship with God and following Him wholeheartedly throughout each day. Secondly... look for the multitude of ways that God speaks to you. It may actually be audible. It may be a thought in your mind. It may come as advice from another. It may even come through a donkey speaking to you (see Numbers 22:27-31. This is a riot. I can only imagine what Balaam was thinking)!

Don't limit God in your mind and in your heart. He is without bounds or limits. His ways are not our ways and its 'OK' to not understand or find reason to the ways that He speaks to us. Just enjoy the conversation with your Creator.

Carpe Diem!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Definition of Integrity

I am reading from Psalm 78 this morning in my devotions. It speaks of God's incredible compassion. The compassion that He had for the Israelites as He walked them out of captivity in Egypt and through the desert to the promised land that He had set aside for them. The whole while they are complaining and forgetting the incredible miracles that He was doing to keep them alive. It is even this compassion that causes Him to turn away (verse 65) and allow them to once again go into captivity.

What really spoke to me though was the very last verse of Psalm 78. "And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them." (emphasis my own)

'Integrity of heart'... Indeed the heart is the source of integrity. I cannot buy it, I can not learn it, I can not create it. It is something that is within that only God can create. Webster's dictionary defines integrity this way.

in·teg·ri·ty
Pronunciation:
\in-ˈte-grə-tē\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire
Date:
14th century
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility 2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness 3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness
synonyms see honesty

Firm adherence..., Unpaired..., Undivided...

It is interesting how this compares to the definition that is put forth in Wikipedia

Integrity is the basing of one's actions on an internally consistent framework of principles. Depth of principles and adherence of each level to the next are key factors. One is said to have integrity to the extent that everything one does is derived from the same core set of values. While those values may change, it is their consistency with each other and with the person's actions that determine the person's integrity.

Now keep in mind that Wikipedia is a 'work in progress'. In other words, the information is never complete and is always evolving depending on input by millions of users. Do you see that in Wikipedia's definition above?

Back to David in Psalm 78. David shepherded the Israelites "with integrity of heart". I do not believe that this integrity ever had 'values that change'. David fell short in so many areas of his life. This is a really cool thing about the Bible. God doesn't make anyone out to be a super hero. They all fall short; hence the need for a Savior. Although David has many shortcomings throughout his life, one thing stands firm. He has 'integrity of heart'. His moral code never changes. After the times that he falls, he sees the er of his ways and comes back to the moral code that is steadfast in his heart.

Integrity is of the heart. Look deep within and pull out what God has created. Cultivate this integrity through spending time in the Holy Bible so that you will have a 'firm adherence to a code' as described by Webster. The only firm foundation is one created by God. All others are as shifting sand.

Integrity...

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Listening to God

I have been focusing on 'listening to God' in the past several weeks. I have been seeking His path for my life and wanting to be in His will for me. More and more I sense that I need to hear Him in the various ways that He chooses to speak to me.

Certainly reading His Word and being in deliberate prayer daily is foundational. I say 'deliberate prayer' as that is time carved out of my day just for that purpose. I try to be in constant prayer with God throughout the day but when I'm driving down the road, I know that God does not have my entire focus.

I also picked up a book last week and have been cruising through it. Hearing God by James W. Goll is an interesting book on honing your skills to hear God more consistently. Some tools that he recommends from chapter six:
  1. Don't make it complicated. Submit to His lordship, resist the enemy, ask questions and expect God to answer!
  2. Allow God to speak however He chooses. This is an area that I'm really focusing on. Sometimes it is that inner voice but it can be through His written Word, through another person, through dreams, etc.
  3. Confess any known sins. Psalm 66:18 states "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear."
  4. Obey the last thing God said. This is interesting when the last thing God said, I may not particularly want to do! Why would God give me new marching orders when I haven't obeyed the last one that He gave me?
  5. Get your own leading. God wants to talk to us personally. He may use others as noted in number two to reach us but He wants to talk to us individually also. Don't be codependent on others to hear God.
  6. Don't talk about your word too soon. Pride, presumption, missed timing, and confusion will step in when we are not completely within God's will. God tells us something as a trusted friend. We need to ask His permission to 'spread the word'.
  7. Know that God will confirm what He's telling you. This confirmation may be through His word or other means.
  8. Beware of counterfeits. Satan is crafty and is the great deceiver. Don't think that you will be ignored by satan. The closer you get to God, the greater the threat you are to satan.
  9. Practice hearing God's voice. When you think that God is speaking to you, REALLY listen. Get to know His voice.
  10. Cultivate an intimate relationship. God wants us to draw close to Him. Really work on this in your daily devotion time.

I look forward to working on these ten steps from Goll's book and recommend the book to others.

Well, gotta go now... God is on the phone! :)

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Prayer Warrior - My Purpose for Today

Like many Christ followers, I am asking God for direction and purpose. Are the things that are in my mind and on my schedule for today... are those the things that God wants me to be accomplishing?

Many works in the mission field are on my mind today. Kay (my bride of 27 years) is at a Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child missions conference in Georgia. Our daughter and son-in-law are in Albania serving several villages in the missions field this week. I also spoke with a dear friend yesterday in Mexico (YWAM/Mazatlan - see websites I view often). They have been under some spiritual attack and are boldly hanging on to the promises of God.

Where is all of this telling me that God wants on my schedule today? I believe to be a prayer warrior. That term is bounced around a lot in Christian circles and it is basically someone who devotes themselves to prayer. To spend solid time in study and prayer each day an then to be mindful to God throughout the day. In other words, to be in continual prayer... a continual conversation with God.

In some of my study this morning, I was reading from Proverbs 2:1-5.
'My son if you accept my words,
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.' (emphasis my own)

Then on down in verse 11 it says,
'Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.'

What do I see from these verses? Accepting 'my' (God's) word and storing up His commands is study. Turning and applying are an actual turning away from unwise thoughts and actions. Then calling out for insight and crying aloud for understanding are prayer. Doing these things will provide for me what is in verse 11 where I will have discretion and I will know the right decision every time.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I do know who will guide me towards tomorrow and when tomorrow comes, He will be there. Jesus Christ, my Savior, my King, my Lord is guiding me through His Word to be a prayer warrior today. To pray for mission work in Mexico, Albania, Georgia and even here in Indian River County, Florida.

My purpose today is to pray. It is not the first thing that I will do and it will not be the last thing that I do today. All of my day today will be a day of prayer.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

We Are Only Promised Today

I had an eye opening experience yesterday in my little protected world here in the United States. I was eating at an Arby's during the lunch hour in West Palm Beach when only three blocks away, a shooter came out of the restroom at a Wendy's and randomly shot at the people eating lunch. As I went by the Wendy's minutes prior, I decided to not eat there because the last time I was there I had poor service.

Ok, ok I know that we all have our lives at risk daily. Multitudes die on the highways daily. Our law enforcement officers (I know several) put themselves on the line daily. My best friend from college is serving our Country in the war zone of the Middle East as I write. Certainly they experience these 'eye opening' brushes with the end of life almost on a daily basis... but I don't. I didn't... until yesterday.

It reminds me though that God has only promised us today. We in this Country plan for tomorrow in so many ways. We save money, we climb the corporate ladder, we set goals, we make reservations for vacations. As I look at other countries, other societies though, this is such a luxury. They only can look to today... finding enough food for their family today. Keeping themselves safe from the elements today. Fighting the battle of disease and ill health today.

This safe zone that I live in is a GIFT. How should I use this wonderful gift today? God has made it known that He doesn't want one... even one to perish by spending eternity in hell. Yet we all will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. God has also made it known that we cannot be good enough to earn a place in heaven. The Bible states that we all fall short of the glory of God.

In His love for us though, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ who put His life at risk and died on the cross for you and for me. He took our sins upon Himself because of His love for us.

You have today... you are not promised tomorrow. How will you spend today. Will you come to the point that you alone cannot be good enough for heaven and repent (turn away) from your worldly lifestyle and start to live for God by accepting His Son as your Savior? Or will you decide to wait until tomorrow or the next day.

We are only promised today...

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Are You Watching? Do You Notice?

I just spent the first 30 minutes of my day the way that I do every morning. I have set up RSS feeds to scan newspapers across the United States and around the world. I like to review the news this way as it keeps me on focus and I'm not bogged down by articles that just really don't make a difference in the long run.

One of my RSS feeds happens to be Joel Rosenberg's blog (joelrosenberg.blogspot.com). He mentioned that since the summer of 2005, 4200 rockets, missles and mortars have been fired at Israel! All while the U.S. and other countries do basically nothing! What would we be doing if it were Canada firing into Chicago or western New York? This is just amazing to me and is spoken so much of in the end-time prophecy of Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation... No one comes to the aid of the Jewish State.

I also read of Putin's progressively aggressive stance to the countries that used to be under control of the USSR. His retoric is also aimed at the European countries and the U.S. All the while, Putin has had very cozy relations with Iran.

All of this is ratcheding up in real-time. Are you watching? Do you notice? Most importantly... are you in prayer?

Time is short and there are SO many who are not Christ followers. I don't mean 'Christian' either, I mean 'Christ followers'. The term Christian means close to nothing in the United States except that the person professing that they are a Christian know that God exists and that someone walked around several thousand years ago by the name of Jesus who called Himself 'Christ'.

Time is short and we have do not have time to 'play' Christian. Spiritual warfare is running rampant and we must be diligent and solid in our stand for Christ. I am a Christ Follower. Please join me in prayer for salvation for unbelievers as well as fortitude and strengh for Christ followers as they stand solidly and firmly on the Rock of Salvation for what they believe.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Step Back and Listen to God

Today I am brought to my knees thinking of the awesomeness of our Creator. I start each morning with a quick review of what is going on in the world around us through various news feeds that I have set up. I then go into Bible study to receive guidance for the day and for my spiritual life in general. I was reading from the book of Exodus about the plagues that engulfed the Egyptians because the Paraoah would not let the enslaved Israelites leave. The Israelites were in Egypt for approximately 430 years and in that time went from 70 people to over 2 million in number.

Feeling threatened by the number of Israelites in the land, the Paraoah enslaved God's people and treated them harshly. God, hearing the plea of His people, came to their rescue although it should be noted that He never left them. He lead Moses to speak to Paraoah on behalf of the Israelites to 'let His people go'. Only after ten plagues ending with a killing of the first born of all the Egyptians and their livestock were the Israelites allowed to leave.

I am sitting here trying to place myself in the sandles of the Israelites. What was it like to be enslaved, treated bitterly... each day seemingly without hope? I wonder how many heard God the way that Moses did. Were they able to step back and listen to God ... hearing His comforting words that He is in control?

Today is upon me. The sun has just risen above the eastern horizon. God's word is within my heart from the time spent reading. What will I do with that knowledge? I pray that the awesomeness of my Creator will overwhelm me so that I can hear His direction for my life today. God, I step back right now and open my ears to you. Help me to focus on your purpose for me today. God, I'm praying for revival. May it start in my heart and then spread to those within my influence.

I step back and my heart is listening for your voice...

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Questioning God's Work in Me

I have been reading through Genesis this week and have come upon one of my very favorite characters in the Bible. Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Judah (Israel) is a man of integrity and a great role model. He gets 'the shaft' often in his life as his brothers don't care for him even to the point of selling him to some travelers that were on their way to Egypt. Joseph's upright walk was just too much for them to handle.

Joseph arrives in Egypt and God places him in a place of power taking care of the household of Potiphar, Pharaoh's Captain of the Guard. While Potiphar is away, his wife continually tries to seduce Joseph (probably over some time) and after some time of remaining faithful to God, she accuses him of rape and Potiphar has him thrown in prison. He remains there many years only to be freed by Pharaoh himself and placed second in command of all of Egypt. The story is remarkable and I recommend that you read it in Genesis 38 - 45.

All this to say that I so often question God's work in me. There are days when I say "it just doesn't 'feel' like I'm in God's will. Surely I should be doing full-time ministry in the missions field." Yet, God is working through me right where I am today just as He was working through Joesph's life each day that Joseph sat in a prison cell in Egypt. I wonder how many times Joseph questioned his actions while he had PLENTY of time to think in prison. No doubt, that Joseph thought more than once that "I must have gone away from the will of God or I would not be in this situation."

In reality, he was completely within God's will for his life. Did he have the opportunity to minister to the other prisoners and the guards? Reading the account indeed informs us that he did just that. He took advantage of the opportunities set before him.

Am I doing that today? This very day will I walk with solid integrity no matter what? Will my thoughts be on eternal things and not on my earthly comforts, needs and desires? Will I trust God THAT much? I pray that I will.

The sun is peering over the clouds on the eastern horizon. I awoke today because God has something for me to do for Him. My prayers are that I will seize the day for God. I will be like Joseph and will walk with integrity with my heart, mind and soul set steadfastly on the only secure foundation... the will of God. I will not let my earthly circumstances dictate my success following God's will. So often like in the life of Joseph, His ways are not our ways. God, help me to see and follow YOUR way alone.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Leadership in the Work Place Starts at Home

I just arrived back home from a Leadership Institute that my employer has asked me to attend. It was most interesting with 20+ people from all aspects of life (varied ages, varied careers, varied goals and varied perceptions on life).

What I found interesting is that no one in the many small group breakout sessions spoke of a foundation to their leadership. When leadership examples were given, the only credit given to others was co-workers and this was rare.

I just think of leadership differently I guess. I can say that "yes, I'm a leader, follow my example" but what or where is my leadership based? What makes me a 'leader'? Just success in my career area? That is great but it is ... well, temporal.

I brought up in one of the breakout groups that my definition of leadership starts in the home as being a spiritual leader for my family (i.e. the foundation to the leadership that I'm striving for uses the text of the Bible for its foundation). To me that is the most important job that I can have. The looks that I got you would have thought that I have three eyes. Why is that? One hundred or two hundred years ago if the great leaders of that time would have said that to a group of peers would they get the same response? Why is leadership in the home not seen as important as leadership in the workplace today... and why is spiritual leadership so foreign to so many of us?

Historical leaders... Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and so many others when speaking of leadership point not to themselves but to to God and to the Bible for which they build their foundation for leadership. Over and over again we read in their speeches of the their reliance on God for the strengh of their success in leadership. (By the way, when reading their speeches; do not read 'snippets' in textbooks, read them in whole --- one book that I recommend is Great American Speeches.

On what is your leadership based? Why have you chosen that basis?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Prayers for My Bride

My precious bride of 27 years is now traveling to a Sustainable Agriculture conference. We have 20 acres and grow crops on 7 of those acres. The rest is mostly in pasture and we are looking for ways to utilize the pasture to the greatest extent.

Now this sounds like a business decision and it certainly is but it is much more than that. It is also a movement of faith. We have been learning over the past several years how important it is to seek God's direction in all that we do. I have family members that say that making decisions like that is weak as 'God gives us a mind to make our own decisions'. Yes, He does that is true but He honors those that seek to follow Him and make decisions that are in keeping with His will for our lives. It is those decisions that will be considered worthy to Him. In all that we think, say, and do; we want to bring our Lord glory.

We have been praying for direction for our farm and ask that you join us. Pray also for my life mate that she travels safely and feels God's presence all around her as she is away.

Blessings to you all.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Consistency

The word 'consistency' is on my mind this morning. You see, I've been reading from the book of Job in the Bible. Job is a great example of consistency. His walk with God was blameless yet he had trials and tribulations like few others in history. Through it all, he shows some confusion and bewilderment as to why these trials have come upon him but he continues to trust in God and look to Him for strength and answers. I look back at the minuscule trials that I have had in comparison and the number of times that I turned away from God during those times. Job does not turn away but instead worships God! Incredible.

As I move in to 2008, I want the word 'consistency' to be on my mind continually. My walk with my Savior, Jesus must be consistent. My conversation with God (prayer) must be consistent. My spiritual leadership to my wife and family must be consistent. In all that I think, say and do... I want to be a steadfast rock... consistently depending on the Word of God for my knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

If you are reading this, let us make a promise together to walk consistently with God today.