LEADING By Faith

If you haven't read it in a while, or at all, take time right now to read Hebrews 11. Read it slowly and listen for the excitement of the author as he speaks of these faith forerunners and their obedience, sacrifice and willingness to follow the Lord's call in their lives.

As I read that just now, it hit me - do I lead from a place of such confidence in God? Do I lead from a heart willing to go the distance, even not knowing where it will take me? Do I lead in my home the way that GOD has called me to lead, from faith, in obedience?

I love the last verses - GOD planned something better for US! WHAT? He was talking about the saints, not us. What the...? When did...?

It made me step back and reread it again, even though I've seen this many times before. Part of God's plan in sharing this passage is to remind us that others have gone before, have paved the way, and blazed trails FOR US and for those who will follow. It is NOT COMPLETE until He says it is, when He comes back. WHICH MEANS - we need to continue on in our fight to bring the gospel to the lost - PERIOD! No exceptions, no excuses, no running when things get hairy.

Yeah, it's gonna get tough, it's gonna get uncomfortable, it may even get 'testy'. But if you're a leader, welcome to leadership! If you're a Christ follower, welcome to the reality of a tougher time. AND THEY NEVER GAVE UP! Stop your whining and get after it!

And get this - the verse says that God had planned something better - not good, not okay, not 'just enough' - BETTER!

God's BETTER is always greater than our best. The only way we're going to experience God's better in our lives is to completely surrender everything - yeah, everything! Do you think it's worth the risk?

Just a thought I wanted to share. It's going to show up in my message on Sunday, so I will be just a little EXCITED!!!!!!

See ya in church...

Your Vision

Had a great word from Patty Duckworth, our Assoc. Exec. Area Minister, yesterday from the book of Acts. She shared on the conversion of Paul and spoke on the idea of personal vision and God's vision. Great reminder that if we don't get our own vision in our lives figured out, we'll never be able to see beyond ourselves for what God is up to in our church!

So, how's the personal vision coming? I hope all that were there listened to all she had to say about this very important step in our lives. Paul's vision before his conversion was drastically different from what God's vision for his life looked like. He couldn't see it, so God intervened. My prayer for us is that no one will have to encounter God in that way. I would pray that we would be willing enough to surrender our own agendas in pursuit of a greater life than the one we came up with.

Please let me or any of the staff know if we can help you discover what a personal vision looks like. It's obviously going to be different for each person, but if we can help you flush out ideas, concepts about the vision, we would be happy to help.

As we look ahead:

• We are beginning a 3 week series on vision for the church called "Windows". Taking time to look at where we are, as a church, with the vision that is in place and what we need to do to continue to grow that vision into what God wants it to be. CANNOT WAIT!!!\

• Following this series, we will begin ONE Prayer which will take place each week in June. We will be joining over 800 churches worldwide in engaging in a time of unified prayer, teaching, service and giving. We will be featuring messages from some of today's top speakers in our services. This is going to be an incredible time of learning, growing, sharing and serving not only the local church, but the larger global church as well. Keep you eyes open for more information.
  

LOVE what God is doing in us during this transition time. Are you seeing Him? Are you JOINING Him? BE the body of Christ with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Hang on for an AWESOME ride!

Influence

I've spent the better part of the last two days in different court rooms listening to the stories and struggles of complete strangers. People who are hurting, lost, broken, abused, rejected, confused and at the bottom of their rope. You may be wondering, why would I spend time sitting in a court room for the last couple of days? Simply, there was a family in need. So, along with some key people from their community group, I went to support and encourage where I could.

In every case, without exception, someone had to influence their behavior somehow. Whether it was spoken or modeled or challenged, someone was influenced to make a choice, albeit a bad one.

In one courtroom, 100% of the cases presented in almost 2 1/2 hours were drug and/or alcohol related.

What has happened to our society? Who taught these folks that this was an acceptable choice? In most of these cases, there were kids in the picture. What kind of picture are these folks painting for their kids? Please understand me - I am NOT JUDGING! I am hurting for these families that are now shattered and forever scared. Families that are in need of the love and grace of Christ!

The even bigger question in my mind that I can't get rid of now is where is the church in all of this? What should our role be? How can we best impact the culture around us? Is God showing this to us, in greater detail, so we can begin to get equipped for a greater thing?

Makes me wonder.

Leaders, what are you 'teaching' your followers in how you lead? Does your life reflect the truth of who you follow? Great leaders were at one time great followers. Have you modeled this for your team? How well do you follow the senior leadership of your church in public and in private?

If we're going to make a difference, then we have to be different. Proverbs 2:1-5 is all about letting God influence our lives. How will this verse impact you and your ministry?

Just sharing some messed up thoughts on a blessed and messed up day!