What color is it? The question seems pretty trivial to me. After all, how important is color? So what if it's red, green, or blue; each has its own beauty.
"Well, not so quick there mister black and white," I can hear all you fashion and decorating folks mumbling about my ignorance. You're about to tell me that color sets the mood, creates energy, soothes the soul, and makes a statement about personality and style. Perhaps.
Over the years, my simplistic approach to color has created problems for me with the fashion police. I've even been arrested as I prepared to leave my own home. I hear the stern voice, "you're not wearing that are you?" I stop in my tracks, quickly retreating to the closet for a quick change - but into what? The really frustrating part about the whole thing is that my transgression of established color law hinges on issues of which I am totally unaware.
Why? I'm somewhat color blind. The various shades of green and blue seem all the same to me. I try really hard, you know. I've even thought about using some kind of coding on my socks so matching is easy.
Perhaps you've laughed at me behind my back... Whispered to a friend about my style. It's understandable... You see colors so much more clearly than me. I'm simply asking for your mercy, or perhaps a fashion tip. Because no matter how long I stand before the mirror - peering, squinting, it all looks the same. The light that enters my eye reveals shades you fashion buffs simply don't see.
So, if you see me in clashing colors, I ask for patience and mercy. Be kind and look the other way if you must. I really am trying hard to dress just right. Umm, excuse me madam...Could you tell me, is this shirt green or blue? (Galatians6:1)
September 28, 2005
September 25, 2005
The Future is Now
I entered the auditorium and was seated among more than 500 others who had gathered to hear the internationally known preacher and Christian leader. His life was a story of great accomplishments, rising from the mire of poverty in a third world country. His lifetime of achievements had escorted him to places of influence and he was nearing celebrity status, not only in his homeland, but in North America as well. He was a regular guest on Christian television and a coveted conference speaker. It was a special day in church, for he was a member of our organization.
As he strode across the platform to take his place behind the microphone, the people rose in unison, greeting him with enthusiastic applause. With his unique expression of warmth and humility, he settled the folks back into their seats, making his introductory remarks and sharing a few brief personal stories.
He paused and glanced down at the front row. Breaking into a broad smile and a mischievous look, he slowly scanned the audience and made his announcement. “This morning I have a surprise for you. I’ve asked one of my spiritual sons to preach for me.”
I was stunned… the audience was uncertain. As the young man left his seat and walked across the stage the auditorium grew uncomfortably quiet. As the Preacher stepped back from the microphone, his hand reached out gently to guide the novice to his place behind the microphone and into the spotlight.
I was mesmerized by the moment. The symbolism was overwhelming – the emotions were welling up quickly. Then, as the older preacher began walking to his seat adjacent to the podium, he stopped briefly and looked back at the audience. With a nod to the young man, he commented to everyone, “I will sit here and watch him.” I lost it at that point!
While I didn’t have a vision on Sunday morning in church, I know I saw heaven’s balcony filled with an overwhelming number of onlookers. What caught my eye, standing in the front, leaning close to catch the moment, was the Apostle Paul, flanked by Titus and Timothy. I looked up just in time to see Paul turn toward them and make a comment that brought a smile to their faces.
I couldn’t hear what was said, but given the moment, I’d bet it was something like: “just like old times boys, just like old times.”
As he strode across the platform to take his place behind the microphone, the people rose in unison, greeting him with enthusiastic applause. With his unique expression of warmth and humility, he settled the folks back into their seats, making his introductory remarks and sharing a few brief personal stories.
He paused and glanced down at the front row. Breaking into a broad smile and a mischievous look, he slowly scanned the audience and made his announcement. “This morning I have a surprise for you. I’ve asked one of my spiritual sons to preach for me.”
I was stunned… the audience was uncertain. As the young man left his seat and walked across the stage the auditorium grew uncomfortably quiet. As the Preacher stepped back from the microphone, his hand reached out gently to guide the novice to his place behind the microphone and into the spotlight.
I was mesmerized by the moment. The symbolism was overwhelming – the emotions were welling up quickly. Then, as the older preacher began walking to his seat adjacent to the podium, he stopped briefly and looked back at the audience. With a nod to the young man, he commented to everyone, “I will sit here and watch him.” I lost it at that point!
While I didn’t have a vision on Sunday morning in church, I know I saw heaven’s balcony filled with an overwhelming number of onlookers. What caught my eye, standing in the front, leaning close to catch the moment, was the Apostle Paul, flanked by Titus and Timothy. I looked up just in time to see Paul turn toward them and make a comment that brought a smile to their faces.
I couldn’t hear what was said, but given the moment, I’d bet it was something like: “just like old times boys, just like old times.”
September 24, 2005
Hives or Cocoons
Given our druthers, we will spend our time building cocoons, when God is really looking for His people to build hives. We prefer cocoons because they are places of safety, but God wants hives because he resides in places of community, activity, and fellowship.
Hives are inclusive, and so building and living in hives will involve a bit of risk. Hives have a continuous buzz of activity and most anyone can hang around and fly right on in. To many people, hives can seem out of control.
God tasked Paul to lead the expansion and growth of His newly formed church. Paul knew he would never see the fruit of that vision unless he would stay outward looking. He would have to engage and captivate the towns and countries through which he traveled. Yes, he needed to build hives. It required not only a clear purpose and mission, there was a need for specific strategies to reach targeted people. He saw his task as finding unique paths into the hearts of those he met.
From my view of the church, I see strategy as a missing or neglected ingredient in leadership. When faced with the reality of our task, strategy becomes the issue with which every leader and ministry must wrestle. With few exceptions, it will determine our effectiveness as ministers of the gospel. Paul's listening audience back in 55 A.D. was no different than his reading audience today. The tendency then, as is our tendency now - protect the status quo and resist change.
Strategy, it's a plan designed to implement precise activities for accomplishing specific goals. When considering expansion of our influence as a church or ministry, are we willing to wrestle with issue of strategy? Consider the following questions...
* Generally, how much time is spent by senior leaders and church boards to strategize for Kingdom expansion?
* Do we regularly seek God for a divine strategy to implement the vision given us?
* Have we sought the counsel of other men and women whose giftings may shake us loose, re-energize, or focus our efforts?
* Have we identified and chosen a specific path to reach our destination?
If your answers were positive, the encouragement is to continue attentiveness for staying on course - avoid wandering about aimlessly. Our lives should not reflect the image of Paul's futile fighter in 1 Corinthians 9:26, a man vainly beating the air. Let's throw our punches so they land squarely and effectively... let's make our actions count as we usher in the kingdom of God.
Hives are inclusive, and so building and living in hives will involve a bit of risk. Hives have a continuous buzz of activity and most anyone can hang around and fly right on in. To many people, hives can seem out of control.
God tasked Paul to lead the expansion and growth of His newly formed church. Paul knew he would never see the fruit of that vision unless he would stay outward looking. He would have to engage and captivate the towns and countries through which he traveled. Yes, he needed to build hives. It required not only a clear purpose and mission, there was a need for specific strategies to reach targeted people. He saw his task as finding unique paths into the hearts of those he met.
From my view of the church, I see strategy as a missing or neglected ingredient in leadership. When faced with the reality of our task, strategy becomes the issue with which every leader and ministry must wrestle. With few exceptions, it will determine our effectiveness as ministers of the gospel. Paul's listening audience back in 55 A.D. was no different than his reading audience today. The tendency then, as is our tendency now - protect the status quo and resist change.
Strategy, it's a plan designed to implement precise activities for accomplishing specific goals. When considering expansion of our influence as a church or ministry, are we willing to wrestle with issue of strategy? Consider the following questions...
* Generally, how much time is spent by senior leaders and church boards to strategize for Kingdom expansion?
* Do we regularly seek God for a divine strategy to implement the vision given us?
* Have we sought the counsel of other men and women whose giftings may shake us loose, re-energize, or focus our efforts?
* Have we identified and chosen a specific path to reach our destination?
If your answers were positive, the encouragement is to continue attentiveness for staying on course - avoid wandering about aimlessly. Our lives should not reflect the image of Paul's futile fighter in 1 Corinthians 9:26, a man vainly beating the air. Let's throw our punches so they land squarely and effectively... let's make our actions count as we usher in the kingdom of God.
September 21, 2005
How Does That Make You Feel?
As a former mental health counselor at a local hospital, my wife, Linda, came to understand the power of the question, "how does that make you feel?" The question underscores an important life principle: people's behavior is often a result of how they feel about themselves or their situations.
A fundamental task of leadership is to create an environment where people "feel" affirmed and empowered. Change of any kind can be unsettling for that very reason. Those caught in the process of change often struggle with how it will erode their importance and empowerment. Consequently, the task of appointing church leaders should be cautious and strategic - place people in areas of responsibility that complement their gifting. If the "gift factor" is a secondary consideration, ministries will wander aimlessly and reflect mediocrity. Conversely, attentiveness to the "gift factor" brings passionate and effective ministry. A good leader will find creative ways to continually ask his staff that pivotal and revealing question: how does that make you feel? It could preempt a lot of struggles down the road.
The apostle Paul's opening admonition to the Philippian church (Philp. 1:5,9) reveals his appreciation for the value of keeping people feeling right about themselves. His letter is filled with references to his own sense of value and purpose, and so he affirms and encourages his readers, outlining their value to him and the kingdom of God.
When our churches or businesses are filled with people who feel good about themselves - become people who understand their call and purpose, the flock will be content and active in those areas important for success. How does that make you feel?
A fundamental task of leadership is to create an environment where people "feel" affirmed and empowered. Change of any kind can be unsettling for that very reason. Those caught in the process of change often struggle with how it will erode their importance and empowerment. Consequently, the task of appointing church leaders should be cautious and strategic - place people in areas of responsibility that complement their gifting. If the "gift factor" is a secondary consideration, ministries will wander aimlessly and reflect mediocrity. Conversely, attentiveness to the "gift factor" brings passionate and effective ministry. A good leader will find creative ways to continually ask his staff that pivotal and revealing question: how does that make you feel? It could preempt a lot of struggles down the road.
The apostle Paul's opening admonition to the Philippian church (Philp. 1:5,9) reveals his appreciation for the value of keeping people feeling right about themselves. His letter is filled with references to his own sense of value and purpose, and so he affirms and encourages his readers, outlining their value to him and the kingdom of God.
When our churches or businesses are filled with people who feel good about themselves - become people who understand their call and purpose, the flock will be content and active in those areas important for success. How does that make you feel?
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