In the previous post, we looked at some of the kinds of problems that go past hangnails and headaches. Drawing from the experience of Jehoshaphat, Judah’s godly king, we explored some parallels of our own:
- Unprovoked hostility
- Overwhelming odds
- Unresolved fear
- Unfulfilled promises (of God)
- Absolute weakness
- Unclear direction
There are plenty of others, of course. But that’s a healthy list to remind us that faith doesn’t mean you never have problems. Believing God doesn’t mean you’re never afraid, or that you never face impossible situations. And in spite of the way some “believers” act, faith doesn’t mean you have all the answers. In one of my favorite verses in the Bible, this godly man says to God, “We don’t know what to do. But our eyes are on you.”
So when your back is to the wall and the Ammonites are coming, when you’re way past anxious and have no answers or direction, how does faith respond? Let me suggest five ways: [click to continue…]
I want to take you to a place where, frankly, we aren’t invited. For just a minute, let’s be one of “those” people we often gripe about – those rubberneckers on the highway, who seem fascinated with somebody else’s messes.
In this case, we’re creeping up to a closed bedroom door, where on the other side, we can hear muffled sobs.
A man’s sobs.
A few days ago, somebody from home had rocked his world. The news was bad, and every ounce of optimism he once had was crushed.
You should have been here yesterday. He was really blubbering then. And he will be again tomorrow. Fasting, too. And praying. Lots of praying.
But as he cries and prays and cries and fasts and cries some more, something happens. [click to continue…]
Stage 1: Allocate your resources.
Stage 2: Explore the possibilities.
Stage 3: Follow your passion.
Stage 4: Execute Your Plan
“Okay, people, settle down. This meeting will now come to order! You guys in the back, keep a lookout for tax collectors and terrorists.
“We’ve called you out today because we have a new arrival in town. This young man says he’s come from Persia, from the King’s palace. Says he’s one of us, but has an important message. Sir, you have the floor.”
“New governor, you say? I never knew we had an old one. No disrespect, sir, but you look a bit young to be a governor. How much government experience do you have?”
“Okay, so let me get this straight. You’ve never held public office. You’ve never been a governor, mayor, or even a public defender. You’ve never commanded an army or even seen a fight. Your one job has been to serve up wine to the king.”
“Well, okay, I’m impressed. It seems as if the Lord’s been opening up some pretty impressive doors. But again, with all due respect, sir, this dump ain’t Persia. Heck, we’re not even a city. And I appreciate the fact that you’ve been doing some crying and praying for us. But you’re not the first guy to try to rebuild this wall. We’ve been trying this for 40 years. So why don’t you scurry on off back to your cushy job? I’m sure the king’s a bit thirsty by now.”
“Wow. You’re serious about this, aren’t you? I’ve never seen anybody stand up to the entrenched politicians like that.
“You really believe, don’t you? I’ve never seen anybody with that kind of confidence in God, except ole’ Ezra, the priest.
“You’re going to actually do this, aren’t you? I’ve never seen anybody hold a weapon in one hand, and a building block in another.
“Governor, could you hand me one of those bricks? I’m in.” [click to continue…]
It’s not enough to be a team player. To get things done, to be a leader, you’ll have to be a team builder. Together has great power, and an isolated Christian has a fool for a companion.
A Stanford Business School study bears that out. Researchers examined the qualities that companies look for in promoting young managers toward senior executive positions. The study concluded that one of the most important qualities required for great success in leadership is the ability to put together a team and function as a good team player. Since all work is ultimately done by teams, and the managers’ output is the output of the team, the ability to select team members, set objectives, delegate responsibility and get the job done, was central to success in management.
That’s bad news for all the Lone Ranger types. But hey, even he had Tonto!
Together has power in four dimensions:
1. Synergy.
Synergy is the concept that one plus one equals three. You can do the work of one, and so can I. But together, we can do the work of many times more. That flies in the face of conventional wisdom. Maybe you can do it better by yourself in the immediate circumstances, but in the long run, it’s always more productive to go together.
You’re probably not going to hear this at church Sunday, so let me go ahead and tell you now: [click to continue…]
This Sunday Tom Brady will lead the New England Patriots toward the pinnacle of NFL success – a fourth Super Bowl win, riding the wave of an unprecedented undefeated season. He is one of the most adored and admired players in football history. On top of that, he has been heralded as America’s Most Eligible Bachelor by “Entertianment Tonight” and a host of others who know this kind of thing.
And he’s anything but satisfied.
In a December 2007 interview on “60 Minutes”, Brady got honest and vulnerable. Take a look. If you are a Christian, your temptation will be to preach to Tom Brady. Before you give in to that urge, I suggest you let Tom Brady preach to you.
[click to continue…]
In the previous post, we looked at some of the kinds of problems that go past hangnails and headaches. Drawing from the experience of Jehoshaphat, Judah’s godly king, we explored some parallels of our own: