Look With Your Eyes

"Dad! No! Look with your eyes!"

Well what would you look with? Your ears? My daughter makes this statement when she is doing something that she wants me to see and she doesn't think I see it. The thing with that, is that she is ALWAYS doing something that she wants me to see. And I've gotten used to it. She's already showed me the jumping jack once. I've seen her hop on one foot a hundred times. Spinning around until she is dizzy is nothing new. Rolling Over? She's been doing that since she was 6 months old. BUT she still wants me to see it. So she says "Dad! Look at this!"

Me - "Uh huh! Yea that's cool baby!" (Never looking up from what I'm doing.)

She realizes I'm NOT REALLY looking and reminds me that if I want to see her...I have to look with my eyes. Crazy concept right. If you want to see something you have to look with your eyes. Monumental! But how much in life do we miss out on because we are not actually looking with our eyes or listening with our ears? How many small, mundane things do we get used to? Lots! By not looking with our eyes and listening with our ears, we disconnect from our heart and miss the importance in the small mundane. Maybe we we even miss that "last, last" time we get to see or hear something, because we never look or listen up. If you don't you'll miss a moment...worse still loose that moment forever.

Jesus knew this and reminded others this...

Mark 4:22-24 (New Living Translation)

²² For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. ²³ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

²⁴ Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.

Don't miss something that's right in front of you. Be intentional. Look with your eyes. Listen with your ears. Open your heart.

A Leader (pt 3).... is Humble

Because of the Power and Authority that had been given to Paul, he warned us.

"Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourself, measuring yourself by the faith that God has given you."

Two men were at an altar praying one night. One caught a glimpse of the other who looked beaten down, disturbed, and bothered. In fact he even recognized him.

"I know him, I know his story. WOW! Can't believe he's here. God thank you, that I am not as bad as that guy. I pray daily, fast weekly, follow all of your commands to a T, and give exactly ten percent of everything."

The other young man in his shame, would barely lift his head in prayer. Uttering only a few humble words.

"Oh God! Please have mercy on me a sinner!"

How many times do we think ourselves better than we should. In my last post I stated that leaders sometime seek an entitlement for what we think we deserve. We hold ourselves to OUR OWN standards in comparison to others instead of holding ourselves up to HIS standards. Obviously we know that we can never fully meet the Perfect Holy standard that our God sets, we know that. Yet at the same time we place ourselves in categories above others, because we meet our criteria for Holy. At the end of this parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus quotes,

"Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus uses another great teaching moment at a party to illustrate this point in choosing humility over recognition.

Luke 14:7-11
⁷ When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: ⁸ “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? ⁹ The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

¹⁰ “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. ¹¹ For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

That is probably one of the worst, if not the worst, feelings in the world. To think you are the man, people noticing you, getting attention and recognition, everything is going as planned.

BAMM!

Someone walks in and bursts that bubble. OUCH! Embarrassing right?, Not only that, but as a leader, those that you serve will begin to think that the motive for doing what you do is only to move up a seat at the table. When that happens you loose respect and influence. In reality you are actually moving down a seat or two at the Leadership Round Table.

A balloon deflated by the one who inflated it, is not as loud and noticeable as someone else bursting it. Let a little air out of your balloon before someone pops it.

Because of what you said

I've been thinking, bothered, disturbed (in a good way) over the last couple of days and have been wanting to put this up here, but haven't had the time.

I've been thinking about most Christians struggle in sharing The Good News of Jesus Christ. To be honest, at times, when I'm not holding a microphone, I have a hard time sharing it too. I was reading the story of the conversation Jesus had with the woman at the well. He told her things about her life that she knew that no one else could know. He offered her refreshments that only He could give and a promised life that only He could fulfill.

Verse 39 states that after the talk she goes back into the village and that many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman said, "He told me everything I ever did." They left the village to meet Jesus themselves, a 2 day revival began within the town and many came to be believers in Him. WATCH THIS. In verse 42 the crowd informs the Samaritan woman, whose story had started it all, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world."

Everyone who meets Jesus has a story. That story is powerful and has potential to impact someone else's life. The story will stir the curiosity in others to want to see for themselves. What is your story? How many people have been impacted, how many have come to believe in Jesus because of what He has done in your life. How many have been stirred to curiousity to check it out for themselves and now believe because of thier own experience.

If your not sharing your story, If I'm not sharing my story; and what He is doing in my life. I am keeping others from meeting the same Jesus that has changed my life. Sharing the Good News is just that; telling others the Good Stuff that God is doing in your life. When something happens share it, tell it, shout it...over and over. Eventually someone is going to notice and ask about. They need to hear the possiblity that there is Something more than what they are experiencing and that can only come from someone who has experienced IT. Don't miss the opportunity to share the Good Stuff and introduce others to the ONE who brings the Goods.

A Leader (pt 2)....Serves

The meal was about to begin. Everyone was present and the table was set. Jesus knew that all power had been given to Him by the Father, SO He rose from the table to do something. Something that was NOT His responsibility, but it had not been done, and someone needed to do it. He replaced his outer garment with only a towel, and proceeded with a task that was normally reserved for the lowest level of all servants.

He knelt before each disciple, to their surprise, and washed their feet. Once finished, He put back on His robe and asked.

"Do you understand what I have just done?"

Ummm you washed our feet. Thanks Jesus, but really, you shouldn't have. I mean you're Jesus. (italics my imagination)

"I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done. Slaves are not greater than their masters. Nor is the messenger more important than the One who sends the message."

Think for a minute about what just happened and the last statement of Jesus.

He knew He had been given all Power from the Father, SO he took the place of a servant. He lowered himself to a place and fulfilled a role the others didn't even think about doing. Why didn't they step up...or in this case step down? Was it someone else's responsibility? Was the job beneath them? Were they too important? If that's the case, then wouldn't Jesus also had been too important?

Jesus was and is more important than the disciples and us. He is the one sending the message. The disciples were the messengers. We are His messengers. If Jesus lowers himself, and we are no greater than He, THEN we must lower ourselves, serve, and even at times do things that are not our responsibility.

Jesus was simply modeling what He had taught the disciples earlier in their relationship.

Matthew 20:25-28
²⁵ But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

I carry this verse in my heart daily as a reminder of the attitude of Jesus. Within the culture of the American Church today is growing the same entitlement mentality that caused Jesus' rebuke. James and John wanted to sit where they felt they deserved. The others became indignant and jealous. Many who believe they have "Reached IT" feel they are deserving of titles, rewards, and recognition. BUT JESUS WAS IT, had always and WILL ALWAYS be IT. Yet He sought no entitlement, but only to serve more than being served. Which do you seek, even unconsciously? Being a Leader entitles you to nothing more than Leading and SERVING those that you are responsible for.

A Leader (pt 1)....intro

According to John Maxwell, Leadership is Influence. Nothing more, nothing less. If you have no influence with people you cannot lead them. In my pursuit for scholarships for college I interviewed for the President's Emerging Leaders Program (PELP) at Austin Peay and I was asked, "What is a Leader?"

My answer, as a super intelligent 18 year old, "Um, Someone who leads others. Yea, that's it, a leader is someone who leads." "Ahh you idiot!"

I knew I had bombed the interview. I knew I would not get into the program or receive the nice $8000 scholarship that would come with it. Thankfully I was wrong! I did get in. Over the course of 4 years we were supposed to learn the basics of Leadership and take enough classes to almost earn a minor in Leadership. I remember very little from any of the classes or the experience, and they have since added 2 more classes to the program to allow for a minor in Leadership. John Maxwell's name was never even mentioned. Hopefully they have caught on since then.

But my experience over the past 8 years (has it been that long since I graduated college) along with a few conferences, many conversations, and books I have learned a little more of what a leader should and should not be, do, and say. Over the past few months I have contemplated the qualities that I believe as a leader I should hold very tightly in importance. These are also qualities that I also look for in others to serve along side me in whatever I do in ministry and out. I have taken them to one of the greatest expert on leadership that has ever lived to hear what He has to say about these qualities. Not only did He initiate change in his own time but instilled certain values into His followers that are still impacting and changing the world today. That Leader is Jesus Christ. Through both word and deed with the disciples, Pharisee, and outcasts He defined a leader in a way that was counter-cultural then.....and still is today. I'm sure their are several qualities, but for what I see as important this is my list. This is just the list....the breakdown will follow later.

A LEADER........
.....SERVES
.....IS HUMBLE
.....IS RESPONSIBLE
.....HAS INTEGRITY

Twit/Face - it

Yea so it's been over 2 months since my last post. I don't know what has happened. This time last year I was averaging about 3 posts a week. Writing was more of a priority. I don't know what has happened? (Waite didn't I just say that? Yea I did, sorry). I originally started this thing to get some of the random thoughts out of my head to make room for newer ones. Lately I haven't taken the time to write anything out AND I've definitely been thinking more than ever.

I recently read an article in Relevant Magazine about silencing our digital world. I don't have the issue with me, so I can't quote exactly what it said. But basically we are NEVER EVER unplugged or disconnect and we want everyone to know what we are doing and thinking at all times. We twitter, post, and blog about every little detail and passing thought in our life; interesting and mundane. I'm a tech savvy guy, with accounts @ youtube, vimeo, dailymotion, twitter, facebook, myspace, 3 e-mail addresses AND a cell phone that allows me to do all of this plus text. I stay pretty connected...too much most of the time.

And lets face it, with the introduction and popularity of twitter and facebook updates...people want to give and receive as much info as possible without doing the work. To be honest that is probably why I haven't wrote as much on here, simply because 140 characters is a lot less work and allows the grace of misspelling to keep it fewer than 140. But really? How much information are we really sharing.

Basically we have just fed our insatiable appetite for gossip...NOT knowledge. Gossip is usually spread in just a few passing phrases about someone. Knowledge is gained reading about something worth thinking about...and then actually thinking about it. Knowledge is shared by making that thought, idea, and information available and with more than 140 characters.

Don't get me wrong I'm not bashing Twitter/Facebook. They are great ways to stay in touch and up to date on your friends, followers, and stalkies. I even use a program that checks and updates both at the same time. But don't rely on your total daily reading and writing regiment to come from 140-200 characters at a time. Find something worth chewing on...maybe even something not digital...where you actually have to turn a page and dog ear it to mark your spot instead of adding to your favorites.

So with that.

Gd nite all. I'm now going 2 bd & will B getting up in the morning 2 start a wonderful work week. Lots 2 do in such a short amount of time.

Equip God's People

I've had a moment recently. After seven and half years in ministry, six of those full time, I'm finally starting to get it. I CAN'T do it all. In fact, I DON'T have to do it all. It is hard for me to ask for help. Not b/c I don't think others are capable of contributing, I just hate to ask them. I feel like I'm bothering them. After all I get paid pretty good to this and the tithe paying members of the church should get what they pay for. BUT that is so NOT the way it is supposed to be.

I've been teaching alot lately in our student ministry about the body of Chirst. And I think it is finally starting to sink in....to me. It hit me as I was getting one of our classrooms ready for our new BreakOut groups. I don't have to hit a home run sermon every week, I don't have to be at EVERY sporting, band, drama event, I don't have to be the one to plan every event and trip, remind students of those events and their responsibilities. I don't have to be the one to greet every new student and contact every student that's MIA. I don't have to be the one to pick out every piece of curriculum and teach it page by page. I don't have to be the one to send out letters, do the bulletin, do the attendance, make videos, set up, tear down, pick up, take home, and a multitude of details that come with student ministry. I have been doing this, I am doing this, but I'm working on no longer doing this.

Up until about 3 years ago, I could do almost everything fairly well. My wife and I were both in full time ministry and we had no children. We worked everyday until the sun went down, even our days off. Now she has a teaching job outside of our ministry (and is darn good) and we have three year old angel of a daughter with plans for another offspring.....and I just can't do what I used to could do....at least not successfully.

The church has been given GiftS from Christ, not the gift of a young savvy youth pastor to do all the work. But a training team to "Equip God's people to do his work and build up the church" and "it is each parts job to help the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing." (Ephesians 4:11-16)

There is some relief and release in those scripture. But also some conviction and confrontation. So actually by "not bothering people" I have been hurting them and preventing them from doing His work. I have kept them from growing, helping others grow, and even preventing the whole Body of Christ from growing. Most of the time we prevent others from growing, because we don't want to take the time on the front end to train them for their work. Instead we'd rather work a little harder and do it our-self.

It's not our job to do it everything. It's not our job to make those we lead, God's people, to do everything we are supposed to do. It IS our job to help those we lead, God's people, to do everything He wants them to do.

HeartBeat

Last night as Ella was winding down on the couch, I laid down beside her in hopes to read a little. That didn't happen. She took the book out of my hands and crawled up in my lap, laid her head on my chest, and pulled the blankets over her head. She wiggled a bit trying to get comfortable as she positioned herself completely on me.

As she laid there snuggled underneath the blanket I began to remember the first few weeks she was home and she would fall asleep on my chest, with room to spare. I began just thanking God for the opportunity that He's given me to be a father...we'll then it just became one of moments. My eyes began to "water" and things just got all mushy.

It was real quiet for a couple of minutes. Ella peaked her head out from under her blanket and said, "Daddy I hear your heartbeat!". Pulling the covers over her head again to listen. She excitedly repeated her discovery. As she was covering her head back up to listen again, I asked, "What's it saying?"

Softly she spoke these words, "It saying I love you."

WOW - How'd she know!

Then one of those AMAZING teaching moments occurred when the Father reminds me of Himself. He asked "When was the last time you were quiet, still, and heard my heartbeat. When was the last time you shut yourself out from the rest of the world, got close and really listened? If you did, you'd know my heartbeat and what it says."

So often we forget the Heart of God because we fail to hear it. For Ella to hear my heartbeat, the TV was off, the House was quiet, she pulled the blanket over her head, and got close to me. To hear God today; Turn of the noise, get quiet, get close, block everything else from your thoughts, and then listen. What's His heartbeat telling you?