God is...able, faithful and cares for you

Pastor Steven Furtik recently preached a powerful sermon on anxiety. It was almost like the sermon was written just for me, at just this time. I encourage you to listen to the message by clicking here.

Pastor Steven states that the dysfunction of anxiety reveals what I truly believe about God . In his words, "when you are scrambling like God doesn't know your situation, that's sin." Ouch!

God is NOT...

1. incompetent
2. forgetful
3. indifferent

He used the examples of Abraham (Genesis 15:1-4) and Hannah (I Samuel 1:10-11) from the Bible. They both had the same desire - they wanted a son. They each had a different response. One trusted God fully to meet the need, the other had doubts. In the end, God has the power to change...remembers...and cares...about our circumstances. He gave both Abraham and Hannah a son, as promised.

Do you truly believe that God is able, faithful and cares for you?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

hidden airline fees

If you are a regular reader of this blog then you know that I travel often. A benefit of all that travel is racking up the frequent fligher miles (although the last thing I want to do on my time off is get on an airplane!). In December, I cashed in some frequent flyer miles to visit Kenyon's family and our friends in Kansas City. At that time it cost 25,000 miles with a $5 tax to get a round trip ticket. Kenyon and I are going to visit family for the fourth of July holiday so I cashed in some airmiles. This time it cost 40,000 miles and a $10 tax. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining that I just got a round trip plane ticket to New Mexico for $10. What I am surprised at is the price inflation in a few short months.

Have you noticed the price of other things inching their way up? Maybe gas prices or the price of bread?

(spiritual) leadership application

Months before reading Spiritual Leadership I had done a study on the Holy Spirit through a little booklet produced by Campus Crusade for Christ on living the Spirit-filled life. Here are some of the highlights of that study.

You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. ~Acts 1:8

This scripture is often brought up in relation to missions work, I believe it is because of the "remotest parts of the earth" line. What struck me in reading it recently is the first part. You shall receive power. Wow! What a promise! It doesn't say might, or can, or should - it says you shall receive power. When? When the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

What does that look like? According to Bill Bright a spirit-filled life is one that is centered on Christ. Christ is in the life and on the throne. Self is yeilded to Christ. Personal interests (career, relationsips, how you spend your time) are directed by Christ. Resulting in harmony of God's plan.

The author states that walking in the spirit moment by moment will result in:

• a life that demonstrates more and more of the fruit of the spirit and will be conformed to the image of Christ (Galatians 5:22,23; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
• meaningful prayer life and study of God's word
• prepared for spiritual conflict against the world, the flesh and against Satan (I John 2:15-17; Galatians 5:16,17; I Peter 5:7-9; Ephesians 6:10-13)
• experience his power to resist temptation and sin (I Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:19-23; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 6:1-16)

I mentioned this earlier, but eventhough the way may be clear it certainly isn't easy. Is it worth it? Absolutely! If I want to reach Convergence, and I do, then it is essential.

Do you believe the Holy Spirit has a role in your daily life and in guiding your future? If not, what directs your path?

(spiritual) leadership development

In chapter three of Spiritual Leadership, the authors point to a different book titled The Making of a Leader by author Robert Clinton. Clinton offers a six stage model of how God develops leaders.

Phase One: Sovereign Foundations
God's activity during life's formative years. Parental love, birth order, childhood illness, prosperity or poverty, loss of loved ones, stability versus upheaval are factors over which children have no control...the way emerging leaders respond to these factors determines much of their leadership potential.

Phase Two: Inner Life Growth
The period in which people develop their character as well as their spiritual life - no longer subject to whims of fate but are in a position where they can systematically be transformed to think and act like Christ. Leaders without the Holy Spirit are much more subject to their pasts than those whose characters are shaped by the Holy Spirit working within them.

Phase Three: Ministry Maturity
This is when people make their earliest attempts at Spiritual leadership, perhaps volunteering in some capacity in their church. What leaders learn from these early experiences will largely determine how they advance in leadership ability.

Phase Four: Life Maturing
When spiritual leaders begin to focus on their strengths and find leadership opportunities in which they can be most effective - God moves from working in the leader to working through the leader.

Phase Five: Convergence
When people's ministry experiences and their life experiences meet in a specific job or responsibility wherein they draw on all they have learned in order to enjoy maximum effectiveness. This will be the job or role for which they are best known and in which they experience their greatest fulfillment.

Unfortunately, many never reach convergence. Some leaders never find jobs or challenges that bring to fruition all that has gone before in their lives. When leaders neglect the Holy Spirit's role in their lives, they never reach their full potential.

Phase Six: Afterglow or Celebration
This is a level of leadership few achieve. It comes after one has successfully led others for a significant period of time. A time for teaching the next generation. These leaders have nothing to prove. Others respect them not because of their position of influence, or even because they are continuing to lead, but because of who they are and what they represent.

What an impressive trajectory! What makes the difference between those who complete the phases and those who don't? According to the authors, it is reliance on the Holy Spirit's promptings. I believe I have passed through phases 1-4. I hope and pray for convergence. I long to find the right opportunity that utilizes my experiences in a God honoring way. I want to reach that culmination of effort. God has led me to this place, which exceeds my wildest dreams, I trust he will lead me on.

Which phase are you in? Is that where you would like to be?

(spiritual) leadership

I am currently working my way through the Spiritual Leadership:Interactive Study. The book is written by Henry T. & Richard Blackaby. It has been a challenging read, not just because of the content, but also because of our current circumstances.

The basic premise of the book is that people are more than just physical beings - they have a soul, a spiritual component. I think that is why people want their work to be rewarding, fulfilling and part of something greater.

Which leads to the second premise, work is not just about producing results, but it is part of a divine purpose whether you are placed in ministry or the marketplace.

Thus, leaders don't just achieve goals, they point people toward God and Kingdom purposes. Talk about responsibility!

Since my early days of leadership I have wanted to be a leader worth following, not just someone who holds a position and wields power. To me that was about developing character and integrity. After reading this book, I am realizing how little leadership has to do with me. I am not placed in a position of leadership for my own purposes, but for Kingdom purposes. My ambition should not be to garner recognition and praise, but rather to build up those who are entrusted to me under my leadership. The most encouraging thing about all of this, is my only responsibility is to be obedient to God. That's it. If I am faithful in that, He will take care of the rest. Not that it is always easy, but at least the way is clear.

My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. ~Psalm 62:7