Leadership is more than proclamation.

Leadership is taking responsibility for yourself, the situation, your words and actions.

Our first few days of school have been pleasant.  We have been free from the rushing, fussing, and hurry that have plagued us in the past.  The difference…

I have realized that it is easier to accept the responsiblity of leading my family toward this goal rather than by pushing them to take on this responsiblity.

Over the last 5 years I have witnessed the spiritual lives of students become bankrupted by their level of activity.  I have watched parents make decisions about sports and extracurricular activites that result in their child having “no time” for church, bible study, camps, mission trips.  All the while wanting their child to have a close relationship with Christ.  The agonizing aspect of all this is that most of those students, after graduating, are not even involved in the activities that took them away from spiritual growth opportunities.  Sadly, they are hardly involved in church after graduating either. 

The interesting thing is that I am being confronted with this same issue as a parent as my own children are getting older.  So, it is important to ask some questions:

1.  Why is my child involved in this activity, sport, club, etc…?

2.  Do they have a passion for it?

3.  Do they have the talent, ability, desire to take this to the next level?

4.  What is more important, their relationship with God or the activity?

Much of the life of our families are being sacrificed for things that serve only to complicate our lives.  They are not necessary.  

If we take the time for evaluation we will see it for what it really is….busyness.

BUT, we were supposed to do something a little different.  The plan changed within 4 days of our team arriving.  This caused stress, anxiety, frustration, worry and concern.

All of those emotions appear justified given the circumstances.

BUT, God isn’t limited by circumstances.  He works even when we can’t understand what is happening.  He works even when it doesn’t make sense.

“Be anxious for nothing…” Philippians 4:6

Don’t forget, God Knows!

I have noticed that many believers, myself included, approach their spiritual lives the same way they approach their yard.  We want a growing and real spiritual life.  The problem is we have to maintain it.

If we let our yard go without maintenance, it becomes overgrown and an eyesore.  It seems easier to sit back and let it go.  However, sitting back makes it harder for us in the long run.  We are usually motivated to do something about our yard when it becomes a “crisis”.

Our relationship with God must be maintained.  It is vital for us to honestly examine and evaluate our lives that we claim to live for Christ.  The regular maintenance may seem monotonous at times, but it certainly keeps us focused on allowing Christ to live through us.  We don’t have to run to God in desperation because of a “crisis”.  We may also avoid many of those ”crisis” situations because we have been diligent about our lives with Christ.

I have conversations with teenagers regularly.  They do have struggles that are unique to their present life situation.  I also listen to what is being said about teenagers by those who are in their lives as well as by those who have little to no interaction with them.  I see the disconnect.

Teenagers are not a stereotype.  They are people who need honest, wise guidance and Godly instruction for life.  As long as we treat them like a stereotype they will probably continue to try to live up to that stereotype….Just a thought.

Whew!!!!!! 

How can such a beautiful song get so messed up?

How can such a wonderful event like the birth of Jesus get so messed up?

I challenged our student’s to see the reality of Christ’s birth last night. 

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Christmas is not about celebrating a birthday.  It is about the great God and Creator impacting the condition and history of the world.

Candles on a cake and a sweet song don’t come close to touching the reality of Salvation. 

We can claim that our Christmas celebration is about Jesus, but the reality of the celebration speaks to something totally different.

Jesus’ birth was an announcement that we are loved.  We have the opportunity to know our Creator, to live with peace and joy in our hearts, and to be free from sin that destroys us. 

That is much, much bigger than me wanting a new pair of expensive shoes.

Our students really enjoyed this wonderful video last night (as they laughed).  

Why did I show it?

I have been thinking about what I am teaching my kids about being thankful. 

I have noticed that our thankfulness focuses so much on what God does for US.  The benefits WE have in our lives.  The “blessings” that WE receive.

But what if WE didn’t have those things in our lives?  Would WE be thankful? 

So my questions is,”Are we really thankful if we are only thankful when times are good?” 

I know that God is so much bigger than that!

Should it not be enough that he died for us?

Be thankful…no strings attached.

The experiment?

How many would say thank you for a free gift that required nothing of them except to come and get it?

The result:  None of them said a word.

Psalms 92:1-2 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to your name, O Most High;  To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night.”

We don’t live our lives with a mindset of thankfulness.  We live with a mindset of expectation and self-satisfaction.

Live a life focused on thankfulness to God.  It will change a lot about your life.

“How many of you would like for me to give you $50?”  All the hands went up.

“But to get the $50 you have to sincerely, honestly, with all your strength, punch me in the face?”  MOST hands went down.

“And I won’t guarantee that I won’t hit you back or that you will not get in trouble.” Some more hands went down and the remaining few began to rationalize why they should not get in trouble or be hit back for something I paid them to do.

Fortunately I did not have $50 so I don’t know if I would have really gotten hit.  I planned it that way just in case.

THE POINT?

We are all faced with things in life that tempt us. ($50)

The book of James tells us, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

When we allow our desire, or lusts, to rule and govern our lives, we are killing ourselves.  We kill ourselves spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally. 

It is vital for people to have a relationship with God that is real enough to help them think about their choices and motivations before they act.