If I could have one Christmas wish, it would be that I could go back in my life to before our children were born and establish a foundation for being a better parent. My pursuit of ministry success caused me to neglect my children, especially the two oldest. I am guilty of having put the church before family for many, many years. It is my greatest regret in life.
Since I cannot redo the past, I must make do with the present. Over 2500 miles separate me from my oldest daughter, her husband, and my only grandchild. I missed too many years of her life when she was growing up. She is very successful in her career and I am proud of her and my son-in-law. Now, when I am more in tune with what is important, I cannot be there for them. I ache every time we skype. I miss seeing my grandson grow up and being there to help my daughter with him. I don't like the fact that I am not going to see him open the train set we sent him for Christmas. In spite of the miles, I treasure them dearly. I only wish we were closer.
I am thrilled that my son and I have been able to find healing in our relationship. I am grateful that he lives so close and that he will be home for Christmas. But beyond that, I am pleased to say that he is my friend and that I really enjoy spending time with him. I always look forward to seeing his truck roll into the driveway. It means that we can spend a few hours together. I'm proud of how he has carved out a life for himself. He has a good career and is very gifted at what he does. With all that he has going on, he still makes time for his parents. I am blessed.
My youngest daughter has benefited from my wake-up call the most. She is still in high school, and I make it a point to be as involved in her life as she will allow me to be. We've done soccer and softball together for many years. She is now involved in volleyball and is having great success. She is an excellent student. But more than anything, I love her tender heart. She has become a sweet young lady. I'm probably too much of a meddling parent and overly protective for her liking. I'm just trying to be a better dad.
My wish for this Christmas is to always strive to be a better dad. With God's help, it is possible.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
What Would You Do?
A few evenings ago, our son Jon was home for a visit. While he was there, a discussion came up about something he had posted on his Facebook page. Jon's posting was very thought provoking. It went something like this: If you could go back and relive any day of your life, would you chose a really good day and enjoy the experience again, or would you chose a horrible day (due to personal choices) and try to change the circumstances?
On the one hand, some might desire to relive that really good day - to recapture what it felt like. Perhaps current circumstances are difficult and to go back in the past to a favorite moment might raise the spirit and provide some much needed encouragement. Maybe a return to former glory would serve as an escape from the present.
On the other hand, to return to a bad day and change it would indeed be challenging. It might require owning one's poor choices. It might entail hard decisions and even harder work. Would it be worth the effort? Would it re-shape things so that today would be different?
If you were given that choice, which would you choose?
On the one hand, some might desire to relive that really good day - to recapture what it felt like. Perhaps current circumstances are difficult and to go back in the past to a favorite moment might raise the spirit and provide some much needed encouragement. Maybe a return to former glory would serve as an escape from the present.
On the other hand, to return to a bad day and change it would indeed be challenging. It might require owning one's poor choices. It might entail hard decisions and even harder work. Would it be worth the effort? Would it re-shape things so that today would be different?
If you were given that choice, which would you choose?
Monday, November 12, 2012
Revolution
Yesterday in our worship service I challenged our people to start a revolution - a revolution of one. It only takes one person to impact the life of a people group, a nation, and yes, even the world. History is littered with examples of revolutionaries that brought about incredible change.
The revolution I am speaking of is spiritual in nature. Each of us who claims to be a follower of Christ must really take up the cross of discipleship. We need to take our follower-ship seriously. We need to be devoted to Christ and to walk in utter obedience to Him. We must devote ourselves to the same things the earliest Christ-followers devoted themselves to: the apostle's teaching (the Word), the fellowship (the Church), the breaking of bread (the sacraments) and prayer (direct communication with God). See Acts 2:42.
Then we must be about the business of being leaders. The best definition of leadership is one word: influence. We must make it our aim to influence those who don't know Jesus to come to faith in Him. We must live like Christians ("little Christs") and always be ready to share with others the internal hope we possess (see 1 Peter 3:15).
Let's turn our corner of the world upside-down for Christ! Let's decrease the potential population of hell by sharing a vision of heaven with those who need it most. Will you join me?
If you read this, what does the word "disciple" mean to you? I'd love to hear from you.
The revolution I am speaking of is spiritual in nature. Each of us who claims to be a follower of Christ must really take up the cross of discipleship. We need to take our follower-ship seriously. We need to be devoted to Christ and to walk in utter obedience to Him. We must devote ourselves to the same things the earliest Christ-followers devoted themselves to: the apostle's teaching (the Word), the fellowship (the Church), the breaking of bread (the sacraments) and prayer (direct communication with God). See Acts 2:42.
Then we must be about the business of being leaders. The best definition of leadership is one word: influence. We must make it our aim to influence those who don't know Jesus to come to faith in Him. We must live like Christians ("little Christs") and always be ready to share with others the internal hope we possess (see 1 Peter 3:15).
Let's turn our corner of the world upside-down for Christ! Let's decrease the potential population of hell by sharing a vision of heaven with those who need it most. Will you join me?
If you read this, what does the word "disciple" mean to you? I'd love to hear from you.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Challenging Days Ahead
I know that there will be those who will disagree with what I am writing today. However, I'm allowed to have my point of view as much as they do, so here I go.
I am disappointed in the results of the national election. The political agenda that has been embraced at both the national and state levels is one that takes us away from God. There are forces at work that have been waiting for this election to begin the onslaught against our civil liberties. There are lawyers that have been working behind the scenes to prepare an attack on Christian churches and organizations, eliminating our 501(c)3 status in an attempt to force churches to pay taxes while at the same time forcing nationalized health care on our institutions. If such action is legalized, then many churches will be forced out of existence. The financial burden will be too great. And when that happens, the programs and charities that currently meet the needs of many people will be eliminated, forcing people to become more and more dependent on the federal government. The new world order that our current political leaders are calling for will become a reality, paving the way for a world government and a world leader. This sounds eerily like the prophecies of Scripture.
However, I am not a fatalist. I still believe in prayer and the power of God! The Church must rise up! I am not espousing a political agenda or that the Church become another PAC. No, the Church must rise up and be the Church. We must get back to fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. We must be soul winners. We must disciple those we lead to Christ. We must teach people the Truth.
My friends, there is no answer but Jesus! There is no power that can change a life but His! We must change our world one person at a time! But we must engage our culture with the message of hope and salvation. We can't wait for them to come to us. We must go to them! Those without Jesus are lost and dying and headed for a Christ-less hell. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (see John 14:6). As Josh McDowell once wrote, Jesus Christ is either Lord, lunatic, or liar. I believe He is Lord. Do you?
I am disappointed in the results of the national election. The political agenda that has been embraced at both the national and state levels is one that takes us away from God. There are forces at work that have been waiting for this election to begin the onslaught against our civil liberties. There are lawyers that have been working behind the scenes to prepare an attack on Christian churches and organizations, eliminating our 501(c)3 status in an attempt to force churches to pay taxes while at the same time forcing nationalized health care on our institutions. If such action is legalized, then many churches will be forced out of existence. The financial burden will be too great. And when that happens, the programs and charities that currently meet the needs of many people will be eliminated, forcing people to become more and more dependent on the federal government. The new world order that our current political leaders are calling for will become a reality, paving the way for a world government and a world leader. This sounds eerily like the prophecies of Scripture.
However, I am not a fatalist. I still believe in prayer and the power of God! The Church must rise up! I am not espousing a political agenda or that the Church become another PAC. No, the Church must rise up and be the Church. We must get back to fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. We must be soul winners. We must disciple those we lead to Christ. We must teach people the Truth.
My friends, there is no answer but Jesus! There is no power that can change a life but His! We must change our world one person at a time! But we must engage our culture with the message of hope and salvation. We can't wait for them to come to us. We must go to them! Those without Jesus are lost and dying and headed for a Christ-less hell. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (see John 14:6). As Josh McDowell once wrote, Jesus Christ is either Lord, lunatic, or liar. I believe He is Lord. Do you?
Monday, November 5, 2012
Election Day
I've been sickened (again) this political season with all of the misleading campaign ads filled with lies and misdirection. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as it takes place every election cycle. I think what frustrates me even more is the number of people who can't seem to differentiate between truth and misinformation. Like mindless sheep headed for slaughter, people are headed for the polls tomorrow (or have already done so via absentee or early balloting) to cast their vote for a godless agenda that will condemn America to ruin.
But there is hope! No matter who is elected as the president, senator, congressman, etc, we who know the Lord have the inner realization that we have a future. There is hope for America! You see, our hope is not in the ways of man nor in the functions of a bureaucracy. No individual is going to save us from ourselves. We must turn to our Founding Father, and lift our voices to Him, and seek His ways. And when we do, we have hope!
When Solomon was dedicating the Temple in Jerusalem, God appeared to him and said, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land" (2 Chronicles 7:12-14 NLT).
It's really up to us - the Church! God restores when we are right with Him. I agree with Bill Hybels when he says, "The hope of the world is the local church." When the local church is walking with Jesus, that statement is true. When we are walking with Jesus, then there will be a prevailing church against which the powers of hell cannot conquer (see Matthew 16:18).
But there is hope! No matter who is elected as the president, senator, congressman, etc, we who know the Lord have the inner realization that we have a future. There is hope for America! You see, our hope is not in the ways of man nor in the functions of a bureaucracy. No individual is going to save us from ourselves. We must turn to our Founding Father, and lift our voices to Him, and seek His ways. And when we do, we have hope!
When Solomon was dedicating the Temple in Jerusalem, God appeared to him and said, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land" (2 Chronicles 7:12-14 NLT).
It's really up to us - the Church! God restores when we are right with Him. I agree with Bill Hybels when he says, "The hope of the world is the local church." When the local church is walking with Jesus, that statement is true. When we are walking with Jesus, then there will be a prevailing church against which the powers of hell cannot conquer (see Matthew 16:18).
Monday, October 29, 2012
Leading Edge
I've been a student of leadership for many years. As I look back over my life, I've been in leadership nearly all of it. As a teenager, I was the senior patrol leader of my boy scout troop at the age of 14. I served on the board of my home church at age 16. Throughout my college years I was involved on several leadership ventures. In my 31 years of ministry, I've led churches, boards, and committees, and served on denominational task forces and various district offices. I've been blessed with a wide range of experience.
Now my confession: I'm still learning about leadership. I am constantly reading books on the subject, attend the occasional leadership conference, listen to leaders on cd, and glean from leaders I respect. I'm constantly soaking up leadership principles to improve my interaction with people and to take my organization to the next level. I am hungry to learn more.
I also desire to share what I am learning and practicing with others. I've come to that stage in life where I know that I need to invest more in others in this particular area. I'm currently developing a program for systematic leadership training in my local church. I'm co-leading a small group of pastors in my district where our focus is on leadership development. I'm being certified as a coach in the Wesleyan Coaching Network in order to be able to enter into formal coaching agreements with those who desire to be better leaders.
Leadership is influence. I've not always been the best leader, but I'm working at it. I'm at the stage in life where I am determined to leave a legacy of developing others.
What are you doing to invest in others? I'd like to learn from you.
Now my confession: I'm still learning about leadership. I am constantly reading books on the subject, attend the occasional leadership conference, listen to leaders on cd, and glean from leaders I respect. I'm constantly soaking up leadership principles to improve my interaction with people and to take my organization to the next level. I am hungry to learn more.
I also desire to share what I am learning and practicing with others. I've come to that stage in life where I know that I need to invest more in others in this particular area. I'm currently developing a program for systematic leadership training in my local church. I'm co-leading a small group of pastors in my district where our focus is on leadership development. I'm being certified as a coach in the Wesleyan Coaching Network in order to be able to enter into formal coaching agreements with those who desire to be better leaders.
Leadership is influence. I've not always been the best leader, but I'm working at it. I'm at the stage in life where I am determined to leave a legacy of developing others.
What are you doing to invest in others? I'd like to learn from you.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Efforting
Efforting. It's an interesting term. It's used in broadcast journalism when support staff is attempting to secure a guest for a show - "We're efforting that."
It's also a good way to describe what happens in sports. Players that are really putting everything into the game are known for their efforting - giving their total energies to the game. My daughter Bekah and her friend, Morgan, are great at efforting in their volleyball games. Some of their teammates - not so much.
Let's move the discussion over to spiritual development. Are you "efforting" in your growth? Are you putting in the effort necessary to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus? Do you settle for simply being on the team when you could be contributing in the game? Are you contributing in such a way that adds value to your team and teammates, or are you actually being a drain on their efforts?
I know these are hard questions for some who may read this blog. But we are all responsible to be good stewards of what God has given us. Being a good steward is not keeping what we have, but investing it so that it grows. When one person isn't efforting, it impacts the whole team - and the whole church.
So what do you think? And are you efforting?
It's also a good way to describe what happens in sports. Players that are really putting everything into the game are known for their efforting - giving their total energies to the game. My daughter Bekah and her friend, Morgan, are great at efforting in their volleyball games. Some of their teammates - not so much.
Let's move the discussion over to spiritual development. Are you "efforting" in your growth? Are you putting in the effort necessary to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus? Do you settle for simply being on the team when you could be contributing in the game? Are you contributing in such a way that adds value to your team and teammates, or are you actually being a drain on their efforts?
I know these are hard questions for some who may read this blog. But we are all responsible to be good stewards of what God has given us. Being a good steward is not keeping what we have, but investing it so that it grows. When one person isn't efforting, it impacts the whole team - and the whole church.
So what do you think? And are you efforting?
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