One Day the marching will stop.

One day the marching will stop.

I remember as boy I would lay my head on my bed sideways (with my ear deep in the pillow) and listen to the marching of the soldiers. To my childhood ears it seemed as though they were marching in the frozen snow; you know the sound, perhaps – crunch, crunch, crunch. I always imagined them with red solider suits on and big hats, sort of like the Beefeaters in London, England. I could see them in my mind just marching in the snow on a sunny day (Hey I was 8 years old). At any rate, they always marched when I laid down to rest and I wondered how long they could go on marching. It’s been over 40 year and they still show up!

I know you’re saying, “What in the world is he talking about?” Well, as I lay in the silence of my room, head sideways on the pillow, I hear the pulse in my ear or temple, and against the pillow it sounds like a steady march in the cold snow.  That sound of course lets me know my heart is still beating after all these years. But I know, one day the marchers will stop marching and come to an abrupt halt!

I just pray that when they do stop, I’m occupied in the Lord’s work; his vineyard; his purpose. Even if I’m lying on my bed sideways … with my ear deep in the pillow … thinking of His will!

TheCLUEfromLeu ®

Hey, I've been really busy these last few months since the beginning of the year! I hope to bring many more CLUEs in the coming months ... Peace.

My Name is Leu ... Karma or Christ?

My name is Leu ...

Some Saturday mornings  ... I watch about 2 or three episodes/re-runs of "My name is Earl" ... it’s a hilarious sitcom about a group of misfits who take life as it comes ... literally. The main character, "Earl", was a career criminal that comes to the realization that in order to fix his messed up life, he must undo all the bad things in his life and allow "Karma" to set his universe back in order. You've heard of Karma, right? (What goes around comes back around – non-technical definition). He carries a list of all his past dastardly deeds and one by one he crosses them off as he sets right the wrongs done by him and/or his crew.
Wouldn't life be so easy if we all could carry a list of our wrongs and correct them one by one? All of our calloused spoken words that caused others grief would be erased. All of our selfish actions that caused reactions to that selfishness would be magically done away with, etc. The only problem with that is there are far too many and I'm not sure if we could ever find the time to fix everything we've done wrong. However, I'm thankful that by Gods grace and Christ's sacrifice, we don't have to even try! Once you're covered by his blood, that's it! Done! Bam! Forgiven! I'm glad that Jesus took all of my past sins to the cross with him and "poof", they're gone! (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) I accepted him ... I thank him. Yes, I believe you should treat people right, and I do concur that you reap what you sow in life (Galatians 6:7, 8), but I’ll leave the covering of my sins to the one who can really do something with my list ... and it's got some length to it! Peace.

You have been CLUEd!

It's In the Bag!

HAPPY 2012! 

Well, here we are ... the start of a new year! Newness - What a feeling. Time to start ...or at least start over; or again. Seems like the same thing either way! Well, this time it can be better, bigger, brighter! The bag is empty, time to begin to fill it. Where to begin? Your 2011 bag may have been filled with grand dreams that didn't quite come to fruition, high expectations that fell short, and lofty goals that were unrealized. That's fine. Throw them in ... again. This time however; this year, how about "placing" in the "proverbial bag," A little Hope, A little Faith, and A little Love. A "little?" you say. Why not a lot?! Well, it only takes a little. When you consider that Hope is "A strong, confident, expectation", and faith is "the substance of things hoped for ...", and love is, well, love described is that which will never fail, and the "greatest of these ..." When you consider that, all you need to begin with is just a little. Decide now, right now what’s going into your bag this year. As much as you can, keep things like doubt, discouragement, depression out of the bag ... do what you must. Those things come in abundance and will consume your thoughts, goals, and intentions because of their weight … they’re heavy!  Keep it simple ... add Hope, Faith, and love. These are expanding i.e. they grow, but they don’t get heavy. As a matter of fact, they give you strength … power … resolve … Endurance!  See what a difference these "little" things make in your year ... your family, your leadership, your life! Peace. Happy New Year!

You have the CLUE!

Yeah, you messed up but

2 Chronicles 19:1-3

19:1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."

Yeah, you messed up ... But there are good things about you! Jehoshaphat was a pretty good king, like his father, Asa. However even those of us who are "pretty good", sometimes Mess up ... Make bad judgments ... Don't get it right sometimes! (Are you listening?) Well, when you acquaint yourself with Jehoshaphat, you'll find that was indeed the case. I believe that when your heart is in the right place, even if there are moments of poor judgment, misplaced steps, and unchanneled energy,  the purpose will match the plan in the end, in other words although you messed up, there's still good in you, and God can still use you to His glory! A critical factor in leadership is that as a leader you have to recognize the good and good intentions of people ... Your followers are followers for a reason: they have entrusted You to lead them because who you are (check out John Maxwell's 5 P's of leadership). It is a vital function of leadership to find and extract the good in others, even when they "mess up"! Someone has said "failure doesn't have to be final!" Many people in our organizations (church, business, Home) accomplish tasks and complete assignments that may fall below your standards, but that does not mean they (people, church members, children, etc) are sub-standard! The function of a leader among other things is that of a teacher. Teachers teach because they know what they are teaching is valuable, but they also know that some of life's most valuable lessons are gained when students try and fail, only to try again and succeed beyond measure! In Jehoshaphat’s case, he failed by joining forces with a wicked King, but God forgave him and he went on to truly demonstrate where his heart was, and in humility and bravery, cried out to the Lord and gave us perhaps the best example of how to deal with adversity ... "The battle is not yours, but God's" (2Chron. 20:15). Remember, God is The Best Leader ... Ever, and He saw beyond the faults and failures of Jehoshaphat and gave him another chance! Should we do any less?

You Have the CLUE!

Beauty out of the darkness!

Sometimes it has to be dark in order to see the beauty!

The other night I became one of the few people to see a rare sight! I saw a Luna Moth. Now come on, when's the last time you saw a Luna Moth?! I've lived for almost 5 decades (depending on who you ask or when you're reading this) and I had never seen one - until that night! It seemed to want to come thru my front door window trying as moths do, to get to the light. At first it was terrifying (well, you know ... I'm really a tough guy - lol) because I thought it was a small bird or bat. But wait, birds don't fly at night, and bats try to avoid the light! I turned the porch light off to keep it and other bugs away, but it was too late – I was intrigued. What is that thing?!  So I did what we all do when we don't know or understand something nowadays ... I googled it! Big green moth  "click". There it was surprisingly beautiful: actias lunas. Wow! Thanks Wikipedia! The Luna Moth only comes out at night; its beauty is rarely seen; certain areas of the country, etc ... However, I also found out that it's been used for a number of years in popular culture from things like rock songs to sleeping pill commercials. Who knew? Not me! Well, I said "I" never saw one. Let's get a CLUE ...

We all have dark days ... Weeks, months, etc. We wonder and grapple with the "why" of these dark days and we know inside our hearts that we must have them from time to time. We just don't like them to be too frequent. However frequent or infrequent they may be, we do experience them: break-ups, financial setbacks, family drama, sickness, confusion, etc. The list goes on. But sometimes when it's dark on the outside and your light is shining on the inside, something beautiful will try to get in! It may appear as frightening at first because you've never seen it before. But when you stop and examine it you see its usefulness. I realized that even in the midst of the darkest night God has still designed and provided beauty! This beauty is of course, attracted to our light. Its purpose is to remind us that even when dark, our lights must still shine; and when they shine, beautiful things can still be seen no matter the darkness, difficulty, or dreariness. Open your heart, no matter how dark the night, God will give you something to see that may surprise and even terrify you at first, but know that it is His will to keep you out of the darkness if you keep the light inside shining bright … it attracts beauty!

You have the CLUE!

Kisser, Keeper, or just plain Desperate?

Alright ... I'm gonna be honest and tell on myself ... On Sunday nights, after a long day in class and the pulpit, I veg out on the couch and watch "Mindless TV"! Usually the TV is watching me (LOL). However I have managed to watch a few early episodes of "Desparate Housewives" ... Yeah, I know, but you've got your show too, now dont't ya! I have noticed that each character has some charater flaws and traits that are worth mentioning.

Let's refresh the characters on the Show …  First there is the fickle, people pleaser, and can’t seem to keep a man. Next the ever so controlling, insecure,  perfectionist. Then there is the self centered, materialistic,  prima-donna. Of course the domineering, corporate ladder climbing, frustrated business woman. (These folk sound like people you know?)

What they all share in common, besides Bridge and Tea parties, is that fact that each week they find themselves in “Desperate” situations where choices are made that have an adverse affect on their lives and the lives of those around them.

The fact that life creates some desperate situations is no surprise … the fact that these situations require solutions is also no surprise … what matters is what we do when we are faced with them ... Are you a Kisser or a Keeper?
Let's get a CLUE...

In the biblical book of Ruth we are introduced to three women who share something in common. A single thread weaves them together in the fact that with the loss of their husbands they are vulnerable, at risk, and susceptible to mistreatment in a male dominated society. Due to this fact, Naomi made a wise decision to return to her place of origin, the land of Judah. This decision became the origin of stress … it made an already stressful situation (the fact that they had lost their husbands) even more so. Now the two maidens were forced to consider leaving their current place of abode and return with Naomi to a place that meant nothing to them (it was Naomi’s home). They were faced with a life changing decision that once made would affect them for the rest of their lives.  What can we learn from these women that will assist us in our Desperate situations? The book of Ruth sets up a classroom environment conducive to learning several lessons … among them are lessons in Leadership and Discipleship.

Let's start with a lesson in Leadership … Naomi was a Leader. A true leader has care and concern for others needs. She knew the plight before them so she directed her daughters to return to their homes. She assured them that God will surely deal kindly with them. She knew that God would grant them to find “rest” i.e. security. She gave candid and clear-cut information ... she kept it real … didn’t sugar coat it. She knew that sooner or later they would faint and wain due to thier "human-ness." She said, "Look I am old, I have no more sons, if I did you wouldn’t wait for them!" Our Lord Jesus was candid and clear. Think of the conversations he had with the following:

§  Woman at the well … you’ve had five husbands

§  Rich young man … sell what you have, give to the poor

§  To multitudes … if you love mother/father more than me …

§  To his disciples … they will persecute you

§  To disciples … the way to greatness is service

Like Jesus and his leaders of that day, Leaders today must be candid and clear! Say what you mean and mean it!

Let's take a lesson in Discipleship … Ruth would become a Learner (one who conforms his words, thoughts, and actions to that of his master/leader). One thing a disciple does is commit to new Leadership. She was heard to say" Wherever you go, I will go … lodge, I will lodge". This meant committing to a new lifestyle, new people, new concepts, etc. She willingly committed herself to Naomi's world. Christians are "called out of the world"! Our leader is Jesus ... we are his disciples committed HIs words, thoughts, and actions!

Now the other young lady, Orpah would eventually become a Loser . She Went back to ‘her’ people! Bad move ... there's nothing like God’s People ... Her people couldn’t save her ... Her people had no relationship with the true God. Today, people make the grave mistake of putting ‘their people’ before God i.e. relatives, spouses, children, friends, etc … Orpah put her people over God’s people, they had more influence over her than Naomi did, she was a “friend” of the world! She went back to ‘her’ gods. Today, people make the mistake and forsake God Almighty for false gods: False gods of: money, power, jobs, people worship. You always lose when you turn away from God! She had an opportunity but passed it up. She may have been a good person, but you always lose without God!

Let me conclude by saying that in every walk of life, there are at least two types of people … the "Kissers" like Orpah, and the "Keepers" like Ruth (1:14). It’s the kissers that more often find themselves in “Desperate” situations. The Keepers have committed themselves to the cause and will not let go! They “cleave”.  The “Kissers”, are there for a while, but when the going gets rough and uncertain, they will “kiss” you goodbye in a Desperate minute! Which one are you?

You've been CLUEd!

Listen to your Father ...

On an episode of the iconic “Sanford and son” (The Card Sharps, a 1972 episode), Lamont gets involved in a card game with three shady characters. Fred quickly recognizes that these dudes are about to take advantage of his grown, but somehow childish son! Now Fred, like Lucy of I Love Lucy, had a particular knack for getting into the most humorous and idiotic situations (sitcom), but many times, they were able to come out shining. This time the egg would be on Lamont’s face … if he didn’t heed the voice of his father. Fred tries with comedic acumen to keep Lamont from playing a losing hand … dealt with marked cards, but his antics fail. The hand is played, the other guys win, Lamont is broke i.e. a “Broke Dummy” according to Fred! He should have listened! Well, he didn’t. Now it was time for “Father knows best”! He sends Lamont out on an errand and turns the tables on those “Card Sharps”. You know the “G” in Fred G. Sanford stands for “Gambler” right?! Well, by the time he gets back, Lamont’s “friends” are speeding away with empty pockets and embarrassed feelings! The look on Lamont’s face says it all “Gee, I should have listened to pops!”

Let’s get a CLUE …

Proverbs 1:8a “Listen, my son, to your father's instruction” (NIV)

The book of Proverbs is written to instruct the young (man), the kings, and all leaders. Elements for these can be found throughout the book. The writer was not interested in the status quo but with the receiving of wisdom and in the getting of “understanding”. He knew that the acquiring the “principal thing” would go farther than any degree, fame, or fortune that one could amass in a life time.

The key verse in the book: Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (KJV)

In today’s world the father or father figure is an enigma to many, but rest assured that the father is alive and well among us! God’s word declares that the father is to be the central figure in the home, a leader of his family, and a staple in the community. He was to be listened to (Prov. 4:1), He was to correct (Prov. 3:12), He was not to be cursed (Prov. 20:20), and He was to be considered even when the son made friends (Prov. 28:7). We have traveled light years from that standard in some circles, but among God’s people, the father still strives!

You may not know or have an earthly father to share this coming Father’s Day with … perhaps he has been selected to go on ahead of you to enter the rest from his labors. Maybe you have an estranged relationship with him. That’s reality. However, an even greater reality is the relationship you can and hopefully do have with your Heavenly Father. That relationship never ends, not in this life or in the next. Every day with God is Father’s Day because every day he provides, protects, and is present … always. 

What does the Heavenly Father want? He wants what all fathers want … to be listened to! To be taken seriously. To be honored and respected, not because He knows it all, because he’s your Father! Lamont should’ve listened to his father. He would’ve been much happier many of the times … but he often didn’t. We should listen to our heavenly Father. He cares for us. He prepares for us. He is there for us! Now, I don’t think our Father in heaven would ever call us a “Broke Dummy” … but when I think of all the times I didn’t listen to him, I sure felt like one! I’m thankful for my Heavenly Father’s grace, mercy, and longsuffering! Thank God for fathers. Thank God for … God!

You have the CLUE!