Think About It

In one way or another I have been involved in leadership for the last several decades.   I would like to think that I am getting better at it, but sometimes I wonder if I am making much progress.   The other day I sat down and thought about some of the things that I have learned through the years – in particular those things that tend to diminish my ability to lead.   Here are a few things I need to make sure I am doing: 1).   Listening :   Maybe the thing that is most misunderstood about leadership is that effective leaders tell people what they need do.   In all honesty, my best times in leadership have been when I am willing to listen to people.   Sometimes, what people need the most is just someone to listen to them and acknowledge them for where they are and who they are. 2).   Communicating :    Leaders tend to have more trouble when we don’t say anything than when we are transparent.   People are much more willing to giv...

When we envision Jesus, what comes to mind?   Many of us who grew up when Bibles came with zippers (if you are old enough, you will know what that means) are familiar with the image of Jesus as the frail, pale, long-haired figure in one of the artist’s renditions found in the middle of our Bibles.   Others of us might have been influenced by the phrase of the “suffering servant”.   Some might reflect upon the battered and beaten image of the humble Man on the cross.   While there might be merit in these images, I heard a song the other day that brought another image to mind.   The chorus of the song stated, “The Lamb became the Lion and the Lion became the King!”.   I really like that!   All of a sudden, the image of Jesus changes from being helpless to being matchless! Sometimes the Book of Revelation can be a challenge, but there is one thing for certain – Good Wins!   As the Apostle John relates his vision he mentions an interesting occurren...

Are we serious about our Christianity?   Back when people were first called “Christians”, not only did it have a very specific meaning, it also carried with it some potentially serious consequences.   Those who called themselves Christians did so with an understanding that this description might cause them to be castigated by their families or disciplined by their religious or secular communities.   Christianity in today’s world is not as narrowly defined nor does the name carry the same consequences.   In our land of free religion, Christianity has become more of a category than a commitment.   Yet, the truth is that there is a responsibility that comes with the name.   Those who casually accept the moniker of “Christian”, then don’t follow through with the expectations, create some serious issues: 1.   First, they lose their own integrity .   People expect a certain lifestyle from Christians, so when it isn’t followed, their reputation is tai...

          You know what is more aggravating than obnoxious people who criticize what we do and are mistaken?   While these folks tend to irritate me, I think I get more flustered by obnoxious people who criticize me and are right!   It is tough to be corrected by people who are able to finesse us and encourage us while delivering the bad news, but accurately being told we are wrong by unrefined people is a double-whammy!           I believe that there are encouraging ways to admonish people – but, I also believe that we need to be willing to accept the truth no matter how it is presented.   We live in a time and place where it appears that truth is a matter of perspective.   Most of us have no trouble believing that truth is truth when it is presented by those we like or those who do so in a positive manner; but when it is delivered by people we don’t like or in a way we don...

          Have you noticed how much we are willing to trust people?   There is a “practical side to human faith”.   We don’t seem to give a second thought to matters of faith when it is convenient for us.   We are more than willing to have faith that the people coming at us at 70 miles an hour in the on-coming lane of traffic will stay on their side of the road.   We have so much faith in the guy who inspected the airplane we are about to board that we are willing to risk our lives by defying gravity at 30,000 feet AND doing so by purchasing a non-refundable ticket!   We trust that the person who is about to fix our food doesn’t have a contagious disease or the one working on our computer isn’t so far in debt that they are about to clone our information and steal us blind!           Folks, by definition faith doesn’t make sense.   It is illogical, it is unexplainab...

         I had one of those “Aha” moments the other day.  I was thinking about how busy my life was and got to thinking how fortunate God is that I could make time for Him.  Then it dawned on me ... I am busy doing what:  Watching the latest episodes of my favorite shows – working overtime at the job that He gave me – shuttling my children (or grandchildren) to their latest appointment – catching up on the latest news or gossip from a society that has left Him out of their lives – mowing grass that will become dormant in the next couple of months – cleaning the stove I will use to cook the food He gave me – rearranging the shed filled possessions that I haven’t seen since the last time I moved?  I am really all that busy?           Sometimes, when we ask the Lord to indulge us as we make excuses for being busy, I wonder if He doesn’t just roll His eyes.  He has the control of the whole worl...

Up until a few years ago I looked forward to this time of year.   I have been a fan of football most of my life.   I was never a good player, but I was a world-class watcher!   It was exciting to see my teams coming out of summer practices and thinking about the potential for the year, but beyond that, it was just fun to watch the games.   I have to admit that during the last few years I have lost much of my excitement in football.   Whether it is at the college level or in the NFL I have become disenfranchised – not as much with the game itself as with those producing it.   Things like politics; the accusations of cheating; the “me, me, me” attitudes and conflicts over the safety of the game have made it harder to enjoy.   I just don’t know if it is worth the effort. As I thought about football, my thoughts drifted off to the church and our worship.   Shouldn’t being a part of a church (and worshipping with a bunch of like minded believers) be...