The You're a Star!

“The only girl in the world" (Got your attention huh?!)
I’m not promoting Rihanna - lol.  Really, as I considering a topic this week the song came on the radio - yes, I've got teens that have "jacked" car my radio! I monitor it though :)  Anyway ... it’s a great concept and reality. Ladies, you know it ... men, we better get it! However, in the world of leadership, the principle is paramount.  The people you lead have to know that they matter. What they do, what they accomplish, how they feel, how much they have achieved, etc. This of course has to be genuinely felt. If it’s not they WILL KNOW … and LET YOU KNOW! The important thing is that you understand everyone’s need for validation, fairness, guidance and integrity. The wise leader will take these notions to heart. Solomon says in the book of Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” He says in Proverbs 18:13 "He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame."  Also in Proverbs 28:21 “To have respect of persons is not good …” Again in Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Lastly he says in Proverbs 16:23 “A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.”  These and many, many more speak to the wisdom a leader so desperately needs. A leader (in the home, church, or organization) must among other things be a disseminator of knowledge i.e. give people what they need to succeed. In doing this you make them feel that they matter. When people know without a doubt that they matter – and not just lip service – they will begin to live out their purpose for being in the group! In the home and church, where young people are concerned; if your only dealings with them are to constantly shine a negative light on their doings, they will cower, shrink, and disappear. Part of making sure people matter is simply telling them! Withholding your praise will only make matters worse. Let people hear from you that they matter … that you care what happens in their lives … that you are excited about their progress and achievements. When they do a good thing, let them know (even if it’s half way right). When Peter expressed his personal growth in his proclamation that Jesus was the “Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16), Jesus was excited that Peter opened his mind to the Father above and received the truth of who He was. He was heard to say “Blessed are you!” I’m sure Peter felt pretty good at that moment. (Wouldn’t you?) John C. Maxwell calls this “The Law of Connection”. You have to connect with people before you can lead, confront, discipline, or challenge them. People will gladly spend and be spent with a group where they know they are appreciated. If the connection is not there, you will fail every time and instead of your follower, child, spouse, group, etc knowing for sure that they matter, the suspense may drive them wild and they will begin to rebel, complain, or worse, “hit the road”. If God has placed you in a leadership function, always to “Make them feel, like they’re the only ones in the world”! So, I’ll give it to the pop star this time, she made me think!

Now you have the CLUE!

Thank God for the Pressure?!

Thank God For The Pressure! (2 Corinthians 1:1-11)

This text is about pressure … but also about Hope. It is also about Community and even Leadership.

The apostle refers to a time when he was under enormous strain, stress, and intense pressure. His human capacity to endure was at its limit. The pressure points were swelling and the proverbial walls were caving in. Among the thoughts in Paul’ mind was to prove and settle the fact that his ministry was indeed of God unto whom he was called to be an apostle for. Some of the very folk he loved were getting his service to God “twisted.”

The only thing clear to him was death. Trouble was at his doorstep … Tribulations were awaiting him … Trials were after him … and Triumph was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps you have been there? Pressure! Today’s world is full of pressure. Pressure to win (at all costs) … pressure to perform, achieve, and just to get by. No sector of society is immune to it. Preacher and President … congressmen and church men … first lady and bag lady … We all feel its effects. Emotionally and financially we are drained … Spiritually we are spent … Physically we are broke-down. The question is not how to avoid it, but how to deal with it. Running is not the answer. Ignoring it is not the answer. Avoiding it will only make it worse. What should a person in today’s world do? I need to remind you that many a person's mettle was forged in the battle to overcome and deal with the pressures of life. Someone has said “If you don't go through a test, you have no test-i-mony.”

So, how shall we deal with the pressure-cookers of life? While we may never be faced with the pressures Paul felt and underwent, we all have pressure points – pressure that makes us want to scream! Yes, I almost screamed when I saw those gas prices the other day! J

-          Mornings we want to run away

-          Afternoons we wish we could hide

-          Nights we wish could go on forever

-          Days we don’t feel like going on

-          Times we just want to quit

But rather than run, hide, or quit … I suggest another option. Use the pressure points of life to God’s glory!

A close look at the text reveals at least five (5) things pressure can do for us.

1. Pressure can lead us to God’s comfort- God of all comfort = paraklesis – parakeleo = call or come to our side.  Like the comforter i.e. Holy Spirit  ... IOW God is near! How near? Very near – closer than close – easier than using a cell phone, quicker than using e-mail … God is so close – God is there when you need him! Just ask Martha and Mary – (John 11) … Lazarus was sick, Jesus was away, they found him! He is always close by – Psalms 121 … “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills …” He is there when you need him – whatever you are facing, whatever you are up against, whatever you are afraid of, etc

2. Pressure can equip us to comfort others God comforts us  “in” all our tribultation so that we can help others! God is with you while going through your test and when he delivers you you must help others ... get it? When God helps you through something he is positioning you to help someone else … its like a cycle …- When you go through your pain of sickness, death of loved ones, difficulties, etc. and God’s helping Spirit (Comforter) is with you and keeps you from losing it; you in turn help someone else who might be stuck and can’t get out …
3. Pressure can produce patient endurance - Hope
   The book of James (1:3) says the trying of your faith worketh patience
   This speaks of “hope” i.e. cheerful or hopeful endurance ... Back in John 11, Jesus said "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God" ...  God is in the mix, don't worry!
   We read in Hebrews 12:2 … Jesus for the joy endured the cross, despising the shame, etc

- Resurrection comes only after the cross!

4. Pressure can teach us to rely on God- Trust in God, not in self, other men, situation, etc. but trust in God even when things look their worst … when you are at a Dead end – when you must take an unfamiliar Detour – when you are at a Dry place … Trust God! The Children of Israel had to learn to trust God’s leading …When there was no food, he fed the, when there was no water, he gave them water from a rock … he protected them, he guided them, he kept them! So we rely on Him today. Why? If he can raise the dead, feed a nation of people, walk on water, etc.. he can bring life to your issues … financially, health, relationship, housing, educational

5. – Pressure can generate prayerful thanksgiving among believers  - Community  Helping by praying for each other … Paul says – “Because I was under pressure and you prayed for me and God delivered me –the gift – they can also rejoice and give God the glory!” When we use those words "I'm praying for you", let's mean it and see what God does! You are also blessed by asking God to bless others who are in the pressure cooker!

As a fellow minister friend of mine says "Let's be HopeDealers!" 

Hope can build us a bridge from despair to deliverance

Hope can lead us from grief to grace

Hope can move us from bitterness to blessing

Hope can lift us from tragedy to triumph

Hope can push us from suicide to salvation

 

We sing the song sometimes: “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness … On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

You've Got the CLUE!

So you've got talent?

This morning during the pre-dawn, hours I was watching an old episode of “I Love Lucy” – the black & white ones! This episode like so many others centered on Lucy’s insatiable desire to perform in one of Ricky’s musicals. There seemed to be no length that she wouldn’t go to make sure she was available to be a part of the show! Ricky, knowing that his lovely wife wasn’t suited for the spotlight (so he thought), would still devise or rework a scene in the show that would feature Lucy in a “minor” role. Those minor role’s would become “major” roles once Lucy got involved … she would see to that! What a comedienne!

As I laughed to myself (remember it’s the pre-dawn hour), it occurred to me that in the workplace, church, religious organization or the home, there always seems to be a “Lucy” trying to get the spotlight. Many times they are honest people who just simply want an opportunity to experience the “limelight” for a moment and then they will be fine and will allow things to continue as they were. Kind of like little Johnny wanting to sing for his aunts & uncles at Thanksgiving just to get a rise out of them for a moment and after the attention he’s fine. Well what do you do when you know someone is not suited for the stage, but insists to you and everyone else who will listen that they are? Well for starters it’s a good idea to see if they are serious in their request. Do they have a true passion for the work?! Then, which is often the case, training or mentoring is in order. In the bible the older Apostle Paul trained and mentored the younger minster Timothy. I don’t think Timothy was vying for attention (especially since some of Paul’s words to him may suggest that he was timid) but nonetheless he started out ill-equipped for the job i.e. he was young, inexperienced, at a large church, and compared to Paul, he was a complete novice!

Yet the apostle spent his time and attention on him to assure him that although he may not be ready for center-stage at the moment, if he followed his lead, he would one day be an equipped and empowered minster! We get a glimpse of this in 1 Timothy 4:12-14 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you …” (NKJV). That may very well be what Lucy needed! Maybe if Ricky recognized that she was talented and just needed to be directed (or re-directed) he would’ve experienced less of her shenanigans and would have welcomed her as a valued member of his team. That’s a function of leadership! John C. Maxwell writes “God doesn’t necessarily choose leaders based on their natural talent or ability. Neither does He always choose them based on their age and experience. God chooses leaders based on their availability not their ability …” (The Maxwell Leadership Bible).  Although Lucy may not have been really talented, she was always there and ready!

In your home, job, or church, if you are leader you must keep your eyes and ears open for those looking for opportunities to shine. Sometimes they will purposely jump in your eyesight or scream in your ears, but your job is to evaluate the desire or request and determine with God’s help, where and when they can be utilized to share their gifts and talents. It is also your job to refer “Lucy’s” to a sideline position if that is necessary! “Lucy, you’ve got some splaining to do!”

Now you have the CLUE!

Winter Workshop. A brief summary.

“Whatever Happened to the Family? Where Are the Leaders?” This was the theme of our annual Winter Workshop and Revival Meeting. It is always refreshing to begin each year with intelligent and stimulating discussion designed to affect change in the hearts and minds of believers. In previous years we have hosted seminars dealing with finances, grief & depression, relationship issues, evangelism, and aging to name a few. This year we invited one of the nation’s foremost scholars and historians with an expertise in church leadership and administration as well as the dynamic of the African American family. Dr. Jefferson R. Caruthers, the evangelist of the Carver Road Church of Christ in Winston-Salem, NC, addressed the above mentioned topics with the professionalism, adeptness, and dedication to the “text” as he has been noted for in the churches of Christ for many years. He presents a thorough and keen insight into many of the historical and practical issues that we have come to be familiar with in our fellowship. One such issue is “Faith after 18 years” i.e. how & why many in our churches make a mass exodus from the church after they reach the age of 18. In speaking with Dr. Caruthers it became clear to me that many of us have been guilty of spiritual sabotage by saying things like “As long as you are in my house you will do as I say” or “Until your 18^th birthday you are my responsibility and then you can do what you want”! Both of those statements as well as others have been used in the family context for many years among many in our number. However, he brought out the fact (biblically) that our faith should be passed down from generation to generation whether the child is 18, 48 or 108! In his piece on administration and leadership, he dealt with the leaders in the bible from a biblical historical context i.e. how God prepares his leaders for the functions they undertake. He also dealt with many of the historical positions “brethren” have taken on a leaders qualifications. In his presentations, which are immersed in scripture, he brings out the “meat” of the passage and allows those in attendance to arrive at the biblical and logical conclusion based on the present and surrounding context staying true to the un-prejudicial and original meaning. My congregation as well as many others in our fellowship must come to grips individually with the many issues of our day, and in doing so must remain faithful to the written word of God. Our lives at the “Well” have been richly blessed! Our families are stronger; our leaders (in the home and church) have been strengthened and challenged as well.

You have the CLUE!

LOOK BEHIND YOU ...

One of my favorite sayings and mantra’s of life is “The final test of leadership is whether or not anyone is following”. Another way to say it is, “If you are leading and no one is following, you are just taking a walk”. As a leader, especially in the religious context, followers mean a lot; a whole lot. Not for the reason you may first think, however. Certainly as a leader you want to “lead”. But more importantly those behind you must be learning, and growing into leaders themselves. A major part of a leader’s job is to make other leaders.

Kenneth O. Gangel writes:

            “Church leaders need to produce leaders who will reproduce leaders precisely as it is done in the family – through experience, instruction, and modeling. The true leader      practices all of them all the time. The leadership process remains at heart a discipling   process with modeling the first indispensible part of the task.” Feeding and Leading.

Think of your ministry, life, work, or organization for a minute … how well are you preparing your followers to lead? As a father my primary job is to prepare my young sons for the experience of manhood. My daily “up-close-and-personal” life must radiate confidence, maturity, compassion and competence … all vital necessities of leadership and must have’s for men and women today.  Compassion may seem like the odd-man-out, but leadership without the ability to feel for and with people is barbarism! People are attracted to you based on what they see “in” you, not by what they see “on” you. That leads to my main CLUE …

1 Sam 22:1-2 says … “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.” NIV

David endeared himself tremendously with not only his father’s household, but all of those who were in particular straits themselves.

The text says that among the people, certain sorts were attracted to David.

   (a) The Distressed - 22:2a "everyone who was in distress” (Lit. a narrow place; confinement)

   (b) The Debtors - 22:2b "everyone who was in debt" (you know what debt is - lol)

   (c) The Discontented - 22:2c "everyone who was discontented (Lit. Bitter about life)

These were people on the run, in trouble, and in need of serious help. They knew that their situation was bad and but would get worse if David wasn’t there. David had made a connection with the people. God had blessed him and the people had an affinity with him. We read in

1 Sam. 18:16 (v.5) that “all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.”

This means that he was a man of the people. He walked with them, he talked with them … he shared in their pains and successes … he was with them on the battlefield … he was available; he was touchable; he was lovable … the people knew if anybody cared for them David did … if anyone could understand them David could … if anyone could help them David was certainly the one!

How well do you identify with those you lead or work with? Would your presence be missed if you were to leave? I’m not speaking of a self-serving, narcissistic type of environment where you have made yourself the center of everything … but would there be a general consensus that things are better when you are there because you have “connected or bonded” with others?  they gladly give up the comfort and stability of their surroundings to be where you are? This at the outset seems strange to think about, but think again of your family and what you provide for them: food, shelter, security, love, etc. Well as a leader you have been placed there to be a provider … a giver … a supplier … a FEEDER!  It’s only when people grasp a deep sense of care and concern that they will long to be where you are. They will come HUNGRY! Competence & courage will take you a long way … but the real test of your leadership is if anyone is actually following your lead! A person with no compassion for the plight of others will soon find that no one behind his back has his back! For David this was a critical reason for his success with people. So much so that he “became their leader” i.e. the people made him their leader.  Look behind you. Anybody there?

You have the CLUE!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

@•#* No, I won't Go!

H@%l No,  I won't Go!

As a leader, I am drawn to the situation in Egypt. It has become apparent to everyone in the world except Pres. Mubarak, that his time as leader has come to an abrupt end. His backing of course comes from his military force. But it remains to be seen just how long they will support him. 

What if any Lesson can leaders learn from this display of wills. Well, at first, it must be understood that leadership is a "granted" position ie people grant you the power to lead them. They may follow you out of a sense of obligation or because of your title only for a short time - it has been because of his army that he has stayed this long - but in general people will not support you if they feel they can't trust you or they feel that you don't represent their interests. Biblically speaking, leaders must not compromise the Word of God or their convictions, but still, people allow you to lead them and they will leave you if they don't feel your compassion and concern for them. They will find another preacher or leader to lead them; one who cares. What we do, we don't do for accolades, but we must lead Gods people in a God honoring way; a way that considers them and helps them become all they can become! That was the apostle Paul's teaching in Ephesians 4 "perfecting the saints for the work of ministry".  My prayers are with our friends in Egypt and I hope no more lives are lost and that good leadership and common sense will prevail.

A short CLUE    

What's in YOUR hand?

"And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? and he said, A rod." (Ex. 4:2)

If you are familiar with this account of Moses, you will appreciate this ... even if you are not, you can apreciate this moment of transition in the life of a  great leader! Moses was chosen by God Himself to leave his position of relative obscurity and take up a very prominent role of leadership … He was being tasked to abandon his shepherding of his four legged flocks to step up and into a very demanding position in which he would lead another kind of flock … A two legged one … the children of Israel. God had assured him that he in fact was God’s choice and that the Almighty would certainly be with him. At this point all Moses had to do was accept his position and task and surely he would be successful! What an opportunity!However, it appears that Moses heard the LORD talking, but his mind was wandering … he could understand what the LORD was saying but he wasn’t really hearing him … he understood the words, but he began to wonder and entertain hypothetical scenarios. I believe he went in to “Panic mode”!

Life can make you panic … there are some circumstances that cause us to panic sometimes … financial, medical, familial … panic is a response to an uncertain stimulus … many have “panic” attacks … brought on by any number of situations … usually a fear of an unfavorable outcome … a childhood phobia … an anxiety … many are frozen in their tracks … the root of Moses’ panic was a fear of rejection – they won’t believe me … they will say The LORD didn’t appear to me … they will think I’m crazy … he allowed his inner fear and insecurity to overcome him and question the very God who appeared to him and declared himself to be “I AM THAT I AM” …

-         He allowed his minor insecurities to overshadow God’s major possibilities

-         He allowed his personal limitations to overshadow God’s universal preparations

-         He let his private boundaries overshadow God’s expansive borders … yes when he thought of the fact that God would call him, a desert dweller, a shepherd, and former Egyptian to go back to Egypt and stand before a powerful king, he looked at himself then looked at the task before him and came to the conclusion that surely he was the wrong man for the job! Surely they would need someone with more prominence and notoriety … certainly someone of greater significance …

I don’t know what it is about a man sometimes (I mean a male here) that makes him/us panic and show signs of trepidation from time to time … every once in a while I hear a sister say “he wasn’t ready for commitment” or I hear a brother say “I don’t know if I am ready to make that step yet” …

Well, let me speak from my limited experience: “The only way to assure failure is not to try” … when I went to college many years ago, I had hesitation because it was new, but I went anyway …

When I joined the military many years ago, I had anxieties because it was something different, but I went anyway …

When I met my wife over 20 years ago, I had never been married … I had never proposed … I had never taken care of anybody but myself … it was new, it was different, I was a little nervous … but I went on ahead anyway … and today I thank God because he has brought us a mighty long way! When our first son was born … I had never been a father before … I had never had someone call me “daddy” … I never thought I could love another person like that … but God helped me “man-up” … God’s word directed me … God’s people protected me … God’s ministers selected me … and taught me all I needed to know!

I’m saying when you are given a task by someone greater than you, or you are venturing out into unknown territory … have faith in God, have faith in the ability that he has given you, and have a little faith in yourself … after all, we are made in His image! He put something/someone/situation in your hand ... what are you gonna do?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
 ----from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.

Now you have the CLUE!