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When Others Shine

Every father waits with mixed emotion for the day when his son will beat him in a game of 1-on-1. On one hand, it’s quite a humbling eye opener to realize your not as young as you used to be. But, on the other hand, there is a swelling sense of pride that your son has just outshone you...that he has reached a level of ability beyond that which you possess.

The same can be true of an effective leader. You invest time and energy in people. You train them. You coach them. You give them opportunities to succeed and even opportunities to fail. You lift them up in their low times and hold them up in their high times.

Then, one day, it finally happens. They outshine you. At that point, you basically have two options. You can either let it hurt your pride or you can revel in the joy of seeing this person, in whom you have invested, come into his/her own. One of the greatest compliments to a good leader is when someone they lead surpasses them in ability. So, when that happens, and it will, take joy in the fact that it just means it’s time to find someone else to play ball with.

High Maintenance Hosting

Luke 10:38-42 NAS …Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."  But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

    Most people enjoy little get-togethers.  Some people enjoy hosting.  It appears Martha liked the serving part, while her sister preferred the social part.  As I read this passage, I wonder how many times between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve I am more focused on preparing sandwiches that no one ever ordered than on the people around me. 

    Slow down and take time to enjoy the people in your life. 

Wishin’ You a Weary Christmas?

Matthew 11:28-29 NAS “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

    Man, ‘tis the season to overbook!  Lately, my planner indicates that I am getting increasingly busy.  It can tend to make things that are important drop off our schedule.  I see several things that we all need that will be tempted to sacrifice:

· Time with the family – though all of our relationships differ, this is one thing that consistently fills my tank.

· Sleep – Yeah, I know I could drink more coffee.  If too many hours of sleep get missed, it is not just children that get a little cranky.

· Time with God – In a season that begins with a focus on Jesus, too often it ends with Him left out. 

As I see it, these are things that I could leave out. But if I do, “weariness and heaviness” without rest will leave me wishing the Christmas season would have passed me by.

O, the Places You'll Go!

My wife ordered this book for me not too long ago. Can you believe that? My wife gave me a kid's book! But is it really? She challenged me to read it in the context of vision. Here are a few "nuggets":

• You can steer yourself in ANY direction you choose
• Out there things can happen, and when they do you go right along, and YOU'LL start HAPPENING too!
• You'll see great sights, and soar to high heights
• Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best
• I'm sorry to say, bang-ups can happen to you &
• Un-slumping yourself is not easily done
• Sometimes you will find yourself in the "waiting place"
• Somehow you will escape & find the bright places
• You'll be READY for anything under the sky
• READY because you're that kinda guy!

God has great things in store for you! Don't be discouraged.

Don't stop, but GROW & then, O, the Places You'll Go!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. (Ephesians 3:20)

Open wide your eyes

We are making some final preparations for our trip to Liberia next Sunday! My wife & I are leading a small team to Monrovia (where my wife was born & lived until she was 17) next week to check on some organizations in which we are going to become more involved.

These organizations are making big changes in the lives of people who are really hurting: The hungry, the illiterate, those caught in human trafficking & former soldiers who were actually children!

There is such a temptation to become so involved in what is so close, we lose sight of what is out of sight. I think they call that a lack of vision. We are called by God to reach & touch all people, those near and those far away. I know for me, I become so intense in the here and the now, I forget about the "there." We cannot focus all on one, and forget the other, to do so is to live an "unbalanced" life.

So my challenge... look and give great passion to your "here" but do not close your eyes and forget about the "there." Open wide your eyes!
 

10 MUST HAVES for thanksgiving!

 

1. Sweet potato casserole with pecans (Lots!)
2. People that still come to church on Sunday
3. And bring all their "stuffed" family with them
4. All of the greatest "man movies" to play all weekend
5. At least one good football game (Clemson looses!)
6. During all the family time, make it family time
7. Have one on one time with all those who need "some love"
8. Being truthfully thankful, thats the way we enter His gates
9. Take time to run an extra mile Friday :)
10. And O yeah... World Peace!