#30
September 27, 20910
#1
We have had 25 days without rain in September here in Columbia. When you walked across the lawn, it crackled. Dry is an understatement. The grass was as brown as a paper sack, lifeless, unattractive. Scorched by the daily 95+ temperatures we have had. Record number of days above 90 for September (Al Gore excepted!!).
#2
I flew back last night from Baltimore. By the time I landed in Columbia it was pouring rain. By 10 o'clock this morning the grass was already showing signs of recovery - that memorable 'green' was emerging, colorful, succulent, refreshing like the rain itself.
God's goodness is like that. There are persistent 'dry times' in our life spiritually. We long for refreshing. When it comes, like the 'greening of the lawn' we know that He has visited us. He has once again poured His indescribable favor upon us. We breath a sigh of cool relief. Thank you Lord!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Taking Responsibility as a Leader
#29
September 20, 2010
Failure to Accept Responsibility is a Failure to Lead
It was caused by forces out of our control. That line is not from a 1950s sci-fi movie in reference to aliens taking over the world. Rather it seems to be the assessment of many senior leaders in the financial services industry as to the causes of the economic meltdown.
"Nobody was prepared for this" is what Robert Rubin, a senior official at Citigroup, told the Wall Street Journal. "Maybe there are things, in context of the facts [the board] knew then, we should have done differently," Rubin admits.
Not acting "differently," however, caused Citigroup to lose $20 billion over the past year and to receive $45 billion in federal assistance. Although Rubin turned down his 2007 bonus, he has earned $115 million from Citigroup since joining the firm in 1999. As for "regrets," Rubin told the Journal, "I guess I don't think of it quite that way... If you look back from now, there's an enormous amount that needs to be learned."
One thing that may need to be learned (or re-learned) is a lesson in responsibility. It rests on three principles.
1. Be aware. Every leader needs to take a moment to drink up the action. You need to step back from the day to day flow and assess what is happening. Acknowledge what is going well as well as what is going poorly. Always be aware that things are not always as they seem and be prepared for surprises.
2. Accept consequences. Few executives need schooling in taking credit, but too many need some reminding about what happens when things go wrong. Accepting the consequences for failure is not a sign of weakness; it's a measure of leadership. While no one likes to fail, the sooner you accept what happened, the sooner you can move forward.
3. Resolve to improve. Some crises are too great for the current leadership to continue. We are seeing replacements of CEOs in nearly every business sector. But the majority of senior executives have their jobs, or new ones, and so they will need to discover ways to improve things. That starts with a resolution to make a positive difference. In crisis it means sacrificing short-term gains, e.g. bonus compensation, for long-term growth.
Behavioral scientists teach us that the first step in recovery is an acknowledgement of responsibility. But sadly too few executives are holding themselves accountable. This is not only bad for the future of our economy. It sets a poor example to younger managers and those about to become managers. Forget what you might have learned in school (or from your parents), these executives seem to say, do what you want to do and deny responsibility.
"The price of greatness," said Winston Churchill, "is responsibility." Something that all of us facing tough times need to remember.
This article is from 2008 and relates to the Finance Industry. It has wide and
legitimate application for many disciplines. Take Responsibility!!
September 20, 2010
Failure to Accept Responsibility is a Failure to Lead
It was caused by forces out of our control. That line is not from a 1950s sci-fi movie in reference to aliens taking over the world. Rather it seems to be the assessment of many senior leaders in the financial services industry as to the causes of the economic meltdown.
"Nobody was prepared for this" is what Robert Rubin, a senior official at Citigroup, told the Wall Street Journal. "Maybe there are things, in context of the facts [the board] knew then, we should have done differently," Rubin admits.
Not acting "differently," however, caused Citigroup to lose $20 billion over the past year and to receive $45 billion in federal assistance. Although Rubin turned down his 2007 bonus, he has earned $115 million from Citigroup since joining the firm in 1999. As for "regrets," Rubin told the Journal, "I guess I don't think of it quite that way... If you look back from now, there's an enormous amount that needs to be learned."
One thing that may need to be learned (or re-learned) is a lesson in responsibility. It rests on three principles.
1. Be aware. Every leader needs to take a moment to drink up the action. You need to step back from the day to day flow and assess what is happening. Acknowledge what is going well as well as what is going poorly. Always be aware that things are not always as they seem and be prepared for surprises.
2. Accept consequences. Few executives need schooling in taking credit, but too many need some reminding about what happens when things go wrong. Accepting the consequences for failure is not a sign of weakness; it's a measure of leadership. While no one likes to fail, the sooner you accept what happened, the sooner you can move forward.
3. Resolve to improve. Some crises are too great for the current leadership to continue. We are seeing replacements of CEOs in nearly every business sector. But the majority of senior executives have their jobs, or new ones, and so they will need to discover ways to improve things. That starts with a resolution to make a positive difference. In crisis it means sacrificing short-term gains, e.g. bonus compensation, for long-term growth.
Behavioral scientists teach us that the first step in recovery is an acknowledgement of responsibility. But sadly too few executives are holding themselves accountable. This is not only bad for the future of our economy. It sets a poor example to younger managers and those about to become managers. Forget what you might have learned in school (or from your parents), these executives seem to say, do what you want to do and deny responsibility.
"The price of greatness," said Winston Churchill, "is responsibility." Something that all of us facing tough times need to remember.
This article is from 2008 and relates to the Finance Industry. It has wide and
legitimate application for many disciplines. Take Responsibility!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sense in an Age of Senselessness
September 6, 2010
#28
Bill Gates speech: 11 rules your kids did not and will not learn in school
by Kent Summers on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 8:34am
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
This should be required reading once per week in every calssroom in America. THANKS Bill.
#28
Bill Gates speech: 11 rules your kids did not and will not learn in school
by Kent Summers on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 8:34am
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
This should be required reading once per week in every calssroom in America. THANKS Bill.
Friday, August 13, 2010
In a Multitude of Speaking . . .
August 16, 2010
#27
Part 1
The Scripture teaches that when we speak, we open the prospect that we will err, sin, stick our foot in our yapper. Dr. Laura proves this aphorism in spades. Caution - listening is much more profitable than speaking. We should listen on a ratio of about 5-1. I had a Conference Call this morning. I wrote in 72 font across the top of my notes LISTEN!
Sure enough. Each time I was inclined to speak (in an hour long call) I noticed that 'neon' banner on the top of the page telling me to LISTEN! Good advice for all.
Part 2
Check out the text of this snafu.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38684474/?gt1=43001
#27
Part 1
The Scripture teaches that when we speak, we open the prospect that we will err, sin, stick our foot in our yapper. Dr. Laura proves this aphorism in spades. Caution - listening is much more profitable than speaking. We should listen on a ratio of about 5-1. I had a Conference Call this morning. I wrote in 72 font across the top of my notes LISTEN!
Sure enough. Each time I was inclined to speak (in an hour long call) I noticed that 'neon' banner on the top of the page telling me to LISTEN! Good advice for all.
Part 2
Check out the text of this snafu.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38684474/?gt1=43001
Monday, August 2, 2010
Freedom of Religion or Freedom of Worship?
#25 August 2, 2010
Part 1
In the opening segment of COSMOS, Carl Sagan intones innocently these words: "The COSMOS is all there is, all there ever was and all there ever will be".
In that statement, using the language of accommodation (1984 calls it 'New Speak'), he quietly but absolutely removes the existence of the Triune God who CREATED the COSMOS from the minds of his listeners and proceeds to build an entire worldview on that premise. Lethal!
We are being attacked by this very methodology as I write. There is a Global initiative under way to exchange Freedom of Religion for Freedom of Worship. There is a vast and crucial difference. Freedom of Religion guarantees the right to speak and debate in the Market Place. Freedom of worship removes that free exchange of Truth and limits such endeavors to the confines of an assembly hall, etc. (if even there)
Freedom of Religion
Did you know that you have two Freedoms granted by the First Amendment regarding Religion?
Pilgrims were called Separatists back in England because they wanted independence from the established Church of England. In 1620, they sailed the stormy Atlantic for 63 days on the tiny Mayflower, seeking freedom of religion in the New World.
The First Amendment contains two clauses about the Freedom of Religion. The first part is known as the Establishment Clause, and the second as the Free Exercise Clause.
The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from passing laws that will establish an official religion or preferring one religion over another. The courts have interpreted the establishment clause to accomplish the separation of church and state.
The Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from interfering with a person’s practice of his or her religion. However, religious actions and rituals can be limited by civil and federal laws.
Religious freedom is an absolute right, and includes the right to practice any religion of one’s choice, or no religion at all, and to do this without government control.
Your rights to Freedom of Religion and the free exercise thereof means:
•The Freedom of Religion is an inalienable right.
•The First Amendment provides for the Freedom of Religion for all Americans.
•The Free Exercise Clause provides that government will neither control nor prohibit the free exercise of one’s religion.
•The government will remain neutral.
(the above material was secured from Google with the simple string - Freedom of Religion)
Part 2
View this Video by Chuck Colson. Then Pray & ACT while it is still day because the night is surely upon us!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROmD64hrv9c
Part 1
In the opening segment of COSMOS, Carl Sagan intones innocently these words: "The COSMOS is all there is, all there ever was and all there ever will be".
In that statement, using the language of accommodation (1984 calls it 'New Speak'), he quietly but absolutely removes the existence of the Triune God who CREATED the COSMOS from the minds of his listeners and proceeds to build an entire worldview on that premise. Lethal!
We are being attacked by this very methodology as I write. There is a Global initiative under way to exchange Freedom of Religion for Freedom of Worship. There is a vast and crucial difference. Freedom of Religion guarantees the right to speak and debate in the Market Place. Freedom of worship removes that free exchange of Truth and limits such endeavors to the confines of an assembly hall, etc. (if even there)
Freedom of Religion
Did you know that you have two Freedoms granted by the First Amendment regarding Religion?
Pilgrims were called Separatists back in England because they wanted independence from the established Church of England. In 1620, they sailed the stormy Atlantic for 63 days on the tiny Mayflower, seeking freedom of religion in the New World.
The First Amendment contains two clauses about the Freedom of Religion. The first part is known as the Establishment Clause, and the second as the Free Exercise Clause.
The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from passing laws that will establish an official religion or preferring one religion over another. The courts have interpreted the establishment clause to accomplish the separation of church and state.
The Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from interfering with a person’s practice of his or her religion. However, religious actions and rituals can be limited by civil and federal laws.
Religious freedom is an absolute right, and includes the right to practice any religion of one’s choice, or no religion at all, and to do this without government control.
Your rights to Freedom of Religion and the free exercise thereof means:
•The Freedom of Religion is an inalienable right.
•The First Amendment provides for the Freedom of Religion for all Americans.
•The Free Exercise Clause provides that government will neither control nor prohibit the free exercise of one’s religion.
•The government will remain neutral.
(the above material was secured from Google with the simple string - Freedom of Religion)
Part 2
View this Video by Chuck Colson. Then Pray & ACT while it is still day because the night is surely upon us!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROmD64hrv9c
Monday, July 26, 2010
Pastor, We're Leaving!!
#24 July 26, 2010
Part 1
Some of the most troubling words that a Pastor hears are "Pastor, we are leaving." That is of course when the Pastor is even informed. Usually, people just disappear and speak to every one in the county EXCEPT the Pastor about their departure. This list is designed to bring perspective to the reader and encouragement to every godly Pastor.
GUEST POST from Jason Helopoulos (Between Two Worlds, July 26, 2010) THANKS to Jason & to Justin!! - Appreciated
Part 2
“What right do you ever have to leave a church?” I can remember that question being asked by my ecclesiology professor in seminary. It is a good question and one that would benefit us all to wrestle with. As Kevin has recently pointed out on this blog, there is biblical warrant and there are practical reasons for entering into covenant through local church membership. Having entered into that covenant our breaking of it should never be done lightly. Clearly, there are reasons to leave a local church. But what are they? I have been thinking about this for the past ten years and this is my attempt at answering the question:
Good Reasons for Moving On—The Four P’s
1. Providential moving—If my job, family, or life has moved me from Dallas to Austin then I should probably find a local church in Austin, let alone if I moved from Michigan to North Carolina. It is right and good to belong to a local church and covenant with brothers and sisters in my own “backyard.”
2. Planting another church—It may be that I haven’t left my home town, but the church I belong to has decided to send me out with others to plant another church in the area. Notice though, that I am being sent out by my church, not leaving with a group of people because I am disgruntled or think it is a good idea.
3. Purity has been lost— It may take different forms, but primarily this occurs when the Word is no longer proclaimed. It could be that heresy is being taught, the Bible is never read or preached, or a much more prominent manifestation these days is that the Word is no longer seen as sufficient; it is used as a seasoning for the message of the week rather than the diet by which the congregation is fed and nourished upon. However, we must be careful here; patience should always be exercised and I must always test my own heart to see if I am “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
4. Peace of the church is in jeopardy due to my presence— This “reason” is hard to suggest for fear of it being abused, as it is by far the most subjective “reason.” However, there are cases where an individual/family can personally become a hindrance to the ministry of the local church and it is best for that person/family to move-on. If this is the reason I am contemplating leaving the church, then I must first test myself and discern whether it is because of sin on my own part. If that is the case then I must be quick to repent rather than move-on. This “reason” should always be approached with trepidation,
Possible Reasons for Moving On – The Three S’s
1. Spouse—An unbelieving or non-church attending spouse is not willing to attend this church, but will attend another with you.
2. Special Needs—Every family has special needs, so this one needs to be handled with care. A possible example may be that my family has a disabled child and another faithful church in the area has a wonderful ministry to disabled people which can help us.
3. Special Gifts—Another faithful church in the area may have asked for you to use your special gifts in their midst for the building up of the body (i.e. organist). Never decide this one on your own. If it is a possible reason, then it is too easy to think too highly of oneself and go running to the greener pastures. This is always something that should be taken to the leadership of your current church and wrestled through.
Reasons Often Used Which are Insufficient
1. Children’s Ministry—The Children’s ministry at another church is better. This cannot be a reason for changing churches. It is rather an opportunity for you to get involved in the children’s ministry of your church.
2. Buzz—Many people will flow to whatever church in town has the current “buzz.” The argument will be that the Spirit is at work there and we want to be part of it. But buzzes come and go. And so do the people that follow them.
3. Youth Group—The unhappiness of our teenage children in the current Youth Group, because of activities, other youth, etc. is not a reason for leaving the church we have covenanted with. I know this one will be controversial. Believe me, I have empathy as a parent and a former Youth Pastor. But our children are not the spiritual directors of our home. They should not be choosing the church we attend based upon their social status and network.
4. Church has changed—Churches always change. Unless the changes are unbiblical than we don’t have a reason to move on. We don’t move on when our wife or husband changes! We are we so quick to do so with the church we have covenanted with.
5. New Pastor—A new pastor is not a sufficient reason to change churches. It doesn’t matter how stiff, impersonal, unfunny, etc. he is. The list is endless. It doesn’t even matter if he is not the most interesting preacher. He is the man God called to this church for this time. And this is your church. Again, unless he is unbiblical why move on? You haven’t covenanted with a man, but with this body.
6. I’m Not Being Ministered to—I tell every one of our new member classes, “If we all walked into church each week and had a list of people we were going to try and ‘touch,’ encourage, or minister to, do you know how dynamic this church would be? Just on Sunday mornings, let alone if we did it during the week. If we each were concerned about the other person and walked in each Sunday with that in the forefront of our mind instead of, “Why didn’t he talk to me?,” “Why doesn’t anyone care about me?,” “Why isn’t anyone ministering to me?” Start ministering to others and you will find that you are being ministered to.
7. Music—Not a reason—whether it is slow, fast, traditional, contemporary, Psalms, hymns, or gospel choruses. Stop using it as an excuse!
8. There are others…we haven’t even mentioned the service is too early, the coffee is terrible, the pastor doesn’t know how to shuck corn (Yep…those are all true ones I have heard).
Monday, July 19, 2010
Swimming in a Pool of Caramel
#23 July 19, 2010
Part 1
Part 2
Part 1
Things here are about the same. I feel like ministry here has been like swimming in a pool of caramel the past four years. Everything has been harder than it has to be.
This is a response I recently received to an inquiry I made of a Pastor asking how he was doing.
When you encounter this scenario, and it is pervasively common, rest assured that the ministry he refers to is not ordered by the text of Scripture and enabled by the Holy Spirit. God's work is simply not of that sort. This is not to say there are not obstacles in ministry but they should not come from the people of God that are supposed to be serving with us. If they do, change of a radical magnitude is in order.
When you encounter this scenario, and it is pervasively common, rest assured that the ministry he refers to is not ordered by the text of Scripture and enabled by the Holy Spirit. God's work is simply not of that sort. This is not to say there are not obstacles in ministry but they should not come from the people of God that are supposed to be serving with us. If they do, change of a radical magnitude is in order.
Part 2
Herein is the problem. COURAGE - - simple God given raw courage is lacking in most so called leaders. They fear men plain and simple. They tell me, "Tom, if I do that they will fire me." Really! You would be blessed. What are you afraid of? How do you know what they will do.? Proverbs says that the farmer did not plow because he thought he may have seen a few clouds in the air. What shameful cowardice.
Please understand, I am not promoting over-lording or leading as a thug rather than a compassionate shepherd. But, when you continue to promote swimming in a pool of caramel and call it ministry without addressing the causal factors you sir are a COWARD!
Change, institutional change from cultural lethargy to biblical effectiveness is a process not an event. it is accomplished by loving and teaching not by fiat declaration. It takes time, lots of time.
My point is, almost none of the pseudo leaders I encounter have taken even the first baby steps in the direction of change. They are filled with fear (the most frequent command in all of scripture is "Fear Not" - 366 times).
So Pastor, what is in your pool? Just thought I would ask now because there is a day coming when Jesus will ask you that very question.
Please understand, I am not promoting over-lording or leading as a thug rather than a compassionate shepherd. But, when you continue to promote swimming in a pool of caramel and call it ministry without addressing the causal factors you sir are a COWARD!
Change, institutional change from cultural lethargy to biblical effectiveness is a process not an event. it is accomplished by loving and teaching not by fiat declaration. It takes time, lots of time.
My point is, almost none of the pseudo leaders I encounter have taken even the first baby steps in the direction of change. They are filled with fear (the most frequent command in all of scripture is "Fear Not" - 366 times).
So Pastor, what is in your pool? Just thought I would ask now because there is a day coming when Jesus will ask you that very question.
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