Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength. —Corrie Ten Boom
Worry often gives small things a big shadow. —Swedish Proverb
If you do the best and the most you can today, don't worry about tomorrow.—B.C. Forbes
Worry is the interest you pay on trouble before it comes. —Dan Cresten
If you have a worry problem, do these three things:
1. Ask yourself "What is the worst that can happen?"
2. Prepare to accept it if you have to.
3. Calmly proceed to improve on the worst.—Dale Carnegie
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. (Proverbs 12:25)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
About Change
It's been said that the seven last words of the church are: "We never done it that way before." (The seven last words of the church in Missouri, that is!) We tend to resist change — and I've noticed that "contemporary" churches are just as reluctant to change as "traditional" churches. That's not necessarily a bad thing; change for the sake of change rarely leads to success.
Too often we keep changing the things that working and ignore what really needs to be fixed.
I've seen churches that are constantly changing their music ministry or the structure of their service when what they really need to change is the friendliness of their people to visitors.
The approach to any kind of change in our personal lives or ministry should be handled with thoughtfulness and prayerful consideration. Here are some notable quotes on the topic.
"If you want to truly understand something, try to change it." — Kurt Lewin
"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things." — Nicolo Machiavelli
"Don't take the fence down until you know the reason it was put up." — G.K. Chesterton
"Not all change is improvement, but without change there can be no improvement." — John Maxwell, Developing the Leader within You
"In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are." — Max Depree, Leadership is an Art
Too often we keep changing the things that working and ignore what really needs to be fixed.
I've seen churches that are constantly changing their music ministry or the structure of their service when what they really need to change is the friendliness of their people to visitors.
The approach to any kind of change in our personal lives or ministry should be handled with thoughtfulness and prayerful consideration. Here are some notable quotes on the topic.
"If you want to truly understand something, try to change it." — Kurt Lewin
"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things." — Nicolo Machiavelli
"Don't take the fence down until you know the reason it was put up." — G.K. Chesterton
"Not all change is improvement, but without change there can be no improvement." — John Maxwell, Developing the Leader within You
"In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are." — Max Depree, Leadership is an Art
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Team Work
In his book, Becoming a Person of Influence, John Maxwell tells the story about a famous 19th century organist who traveled from town to town giving concerts.
In each town he hired a boy to pump the organ during the concert. After one performance, the hired boy said to the organist, "We sure had a great concert tonight, didn't we?"
"What do you mean -- 'we'?" the organist said. "I had a great concert. Now run on home."
The next night when the organist was halfway through a magnificent piece, the organ suddenly quit. The organist continued to pound the keys, but no sound came out.
The audience became restless. At this point, the little boy stuck his head around the corner of the organ and said, "We're not having a great concert tonight, are we?"
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8)
In each town he hired a boy to pump the organ during the concert. After one performance, the hired boy said to the organist, "We sure had a great concert tonight, didn't we?"
"What do you mean -- 'we'?" the organist said. "I had a great concert. Now run on home."
The next night when the organist was halfway through a magnificent piece, the organ suddenly quit. The organist continued to pound the keys, but no sound came out.
The audience became restless. At this point, the little boy stuck his head around the corner of the organ and said, "We're not having a great concert tonight, are we?"
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8)
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Hunger!
Solomon said, "The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on." (Proverbs 16:26)
We are all driven by one appetite or another, one hunger or another. Which one is driving you today? The hunger to provide for your family? The hunger to succeed? The hunger for recognition?
Or the hunger to make a difference in eternity? The hunger to please God? The hunger to change lives?
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6) Let this be the hunger that drives you today: The hunger to do good, the hunger to be good.
We are all driven by one appetite or another, one hunger or another. Which one is driving you today? The hunger to provide for your family? The hunger to succeed? The hunger for recognition?
Or the hunger to make a difference in eternity? The hunger to please God? The hunger to change lives?
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6) Let this be the hunger that drives you today: The hunger to do good, the hunger to be good.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Romans Road
If you've not read the Book of Romans lately I'd encourage you to do so. I know it can be a hard book to completely understand, but Paul basically hits the same themes over and over again.
We do not live by our power, we live by God's power.
We're not saved by our own goodness, we're saved by his goodness.
We don't live to serve ourselves, we live to serve him by serving others.
Romans is a testament of Faith In Action. It tells what to believe and how to live out our beliefs. The Christ follower who lives by the "Romans way" is an extraordinary person.
And you can be that person. Make this your prayer: "God use me, God work through me, God make me strong!"
We do not live by our power, we live by God's power.
We're not saved by our own goodness, we're saved by his goodness.
We don't live to serve ourselves, we live to serve him by serving others.
Romans is a testament of Faith In Action. It tells what to believe and how to live out our beliefs. The Christ follower who lives by the "Romans way" is an extraordinary person.
And you can be that person. Make this your prayer: "God use me, God work through me, God make me strong!"
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Be An Encourager!
You know what happens when a boxer goes to his corner between rounds. His team gathers round him, dressing his wounds, keeping his muscles loose, offering encouragement and advice: "You can do this. You can win this fight. Watch for his left hook. Keep your guard up. You can do it." And on and on. They keep doing this, even when the fighter is getting beat.
Every person needs one or two people in their corner encouraging them to stay in the fight. Especially when we're getting beaten up by our circumstances -- we need encouragement and support.
I hope you have someone doing this for you, but right now I want you to think of something even more important. There are one or two people in your life with whom you have special influence. Your words carry more weight with them than anyone else's. Don't be stingy with them. Use your words generously. Be an encourager.
A few years back Pepper Rogers, then head football coach at UCLA, was going through a terrible season. He was very upset about it, and he didn't think his wife was encouraging him enough. He said, "My dog is my best friend. I told my wife that a man needs at least two friends. She told me to go out and buy another dog."
Don't make your friends go out and buy another dog. Give them encouragement and support when they need it!
Every person needs one or two people in their corner encouraging them to stay in the fight. Especially when we're getting beaten up by our circumstances -- we need encouragement and support.
I hope you have someone doing this for you, but right now I want you to think of something even more important. There are one or two people in your life with whom you have special influence. Your words carry more weight with them than anyone else's. Don't be stingy with them. Use your words generously. Be an encourager.
A few years back Pepper Rogers, then head football coach at UCLA, was going through a terrible season. He was very upset about it, and he didn't think his wife was encouraging him enough. He said, "My dog is my best friend. I told my wife that a man needs at least two friends. She told me to go out and buy another dog."
Don't make your friends go out and buy another dog. Give them encouragement and support when they need it!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Repentance...
Repentance is the most positive, uplifting, empowering experience you'll ever have. When you repent, all the obstacles between you and God's fullness are broken into pieces.
When you repent of your sin -- whether it is the first time or the five-hundredth time -- all of heaven rejoices. [Luke 15:10]
When you repent, the past is put away, it is erased, it is forgotten. Do we deserve this? Absolutely not. But it is God's gift to all who will ask.
When you repent, God can begin working in your life again, using you, blessing you, comforting you, empowering you.
This is why Peter spoke these words in the book of Acts: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
Times of refreshing. That's what we all need. Are you ready for God to restore you? Do you want to wash away the past? Do you want God to comfort you and strengthen and bless you with his goodness? Then don't let any sin -- no matter how big or small it may seem -- to stand in your way.
Give yourself fully to him, and let him do his work in you.
When you repent of your sin -- whether it is the first time or the five-hundredth time -- all of heaven rejoices. [Luke 15:10]
When you repent, the past is put away, it is erased, it is forgotten. Do we deserve this? Absolutely not. But it is God's gift to all who will ask.
When you repent, God can begin working in your life again, using you, blessing you, comforting you, empowering you.
This is why Peter spoke these words in the book of Acts: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
Times of refreshing. That's what we all need. Are you ready for God to restore you? Do you want to wash away the past? Do you want God to comfort you and strengthen and bless you with his goodness? Then don't let any sin -- no matter how big or small it may seem -- to stand in your way.
Give yourself fully to him, and let him do his work in you.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Responding To Criticism
Every Christ follower should commit Nehemiah 4 to memory -- or at the very least, meditate on it frequently. It's that good!
Nehemiah 4 is about an unfortunate but inevitable companion to life: criticism and opposition. We all face it. When you try to do anything at all -- especially something good -- there will be those who think it's their job to criticize you, and sometimes there will even be those who think it's their job to stop you in your tracks.
Criticism is a fact of life, because, as Benjamin Disraeli once said, "It is easier to be critical than to be correct." It is also easier for some to criticize others than it is to actually get involved doing good things themselves. For this reason, criticism is unavoidable.
Critics are like the gnats you have to deal with you're outdoors. The sun is warm, the scenery is beautiful, the fresh air is invigorating -- but those gnats can be really annoying. But sometimes they're just part of the outdoor experience. You've got to put up with them.
And if you're in leadership, you have to put up with criticism and opposition. The key is not to fight back. The key is to keep moving forward, doing what God has called you to do. Keep focused on him, keep focused on the work, keep your guard up, keep in contact with the right people, and keep reminding yourself of why you do what you do -- this is how you respond to criticism!
Nehemiah 4 is about an unfortunate but inevitable companion to life: criticism and opposition. We all face it. When you try to do anything at all -- especially something good -- there will be those who think it's their job to criticize you, and sometimes there will even be those who think it's their job to stop you in your tracks.
Criticism is a fact of life, because, as Benjamin Disraeli once said, "It is easier to be critical than to be correct." It is also easier for some to criticize others than it is to actually get involved doing good things themselves. For this reason, criticism is unavoidable.
Critics are like the gnats you have to deal with you're outdoors. The sun is warm, the scenery is beautiful, the fresh air is invigorating -- but those gnats can be really annoying. But sometimes they're just part of the outdoor experience. You've got to put up with them.
And if you're in leadership, you have to put up with criticism and opposition. The key is not to fight back. The key is to keep moving forward, doing what God has called you to do. Keep focused on him, keep focused on the work, keep your guard up, keep in contact with the right people, and keep reminding yourself of why you do what you do -- this is how you respond to criticism!
Monday, September 15, 2008
FORGIVING AGAIN
God's act of forgiveness toward us is a one-time event. We ask once, he forgives, he forgets, and that's the end of it. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Our forgiveness of others should be the same, but sometimes it's not that cut and dried.
Sometimes, forgiveness is a process that has to be repeated again and again. Maybe as many as ten years ago—or even twenty—someone hurt you. You forgave them and, for all practical purposes, forgot about it...until something happened to re-open the wound. It could be a conversation, or a circumstance, or a chance event, or any number of other things that causes you to find yourself struggling again with unforgiveness. It's not that you weren't sincere in your first (or second, or third) attempt to forgive them, it's just that the hurt will not go completely away.
Sometimes we have to forgive someone again and again before it is settled completely in our own mind.
Jesus told Peter that we are to forgive our brother "seventy-times-seven." [Matthew 18:22] I always assumed he was referring to "seventy-times-seven" separate offenses. The fact is, he could have been referring to one single event.
If you want to succeed in life, you must be able to forgive. In fact, if you want to survive in life, you must be able to forgive. We strive to forgive as we have been forgiven—immediately and absolutely—but sometimes it takes us awhile to reach that point.
When old wounds are re-opened, we have to treat them as if they were brand new: take them to cross, lay them at Jesus feet, and ask him for the grace to forgive as he has forgiven you.
Don't let past hurts hold you back. Reliving the pain from last month, or last year, or your previous church, or from junior high, isn't worth the price you have to pay. It keeps you from focusing on what God has called you to do today: serve him with joy, and love him with all your heart.
Our forgiveness of others should be the same, but sometimes it's not that cut and dried.
Sometimes, forgiveness is a process that has to be repeated again and again. Maybe as many as ten years ago—or even twenty—someone hurt you. You forgave them and, for all practical purposes, forgot about it...until something happened to re-open the wound. It could be a conversation, or a circumstance, or a chance event, or any number of other things that causes you to find yourself struggling again with unforgiveness. It's not that you weren't sincere in your first (or second, or third) attempt to forgive them, it's just that the hurt will not go completely away.
Sometimes we have to forgive someone again and again before it is settled completely in our own mind.
Jesus told Peter that we are to forgive our brother "seventy-times-seven." [Matthew 18:22] I always assumed he was referring to "seventy-times-seven" separate offenses. The fact is, he could have been referring to one single event.
If you want to succeed in life, you must be able to forgive. In fact, if you want to survive in life, you must be able to forgive. We strive to forgive as we have been forgiven—immediately and absolutely—but sometimes it takes us awhile to reach that point.
When old wounds are re-opened, we have to treat them as if they were brand new: take them to cross, lay them at Jesus feet, and ask him for the grace to forgive as he has forgiven you.
Don't let past hurts hold you back. Reliving the pain from last month, or last year, or your previous church, or from junior high, isn't worth the price you have to pay. It keeps you from focusing on what God has called you to do today: serve him with joy, and love him with all your heart.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday!
5:15 Sunday morning and I can't wait for church today! It's going to be a great day! For many of you, you will not read this until afterwards, but I'm sure it was a great experience.
Now that schools are back in full swing and the summer travel season has come to a close we're starting to gear up for the fall. There are some exciting things coming up in the next few months at CLC, and we don't want you to miss out!
Now that schools are back in full swing and the summer travel season has come to a close we're starting to gear up for the fall. There are some exciting things coming up in the next few months at CLC, and we don't want you to miss out!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
GRAHAM ON SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
When Jerry Jenkins was working with Billy Graham in the writing of Graham's autobiography Just As I Am, Jenkins asked Graham about his spiritual disciplines. He said, "...you're seen as almost the Protestant Pope. Surely there are secrets, hints you can offer laypeople on how to maintain their walk with God."
Graham demurred, insisting that he is no authority. Jenkins asked Graham to explain, at least, how he maintains his own spiritual disciplines.
Graham answered, "There's no secret to that. God doesn't hide the key from us. The Bible says to pray without ceasing and to search the Scriptures. And I do that."
Graham went on to say that he has a habit of leaving his Bible open somewhere where he will notice it during the day. He said, "I pick it up at odd moments and read a verse or two or a chapter or two or for an hour or two. And this is not for study or sermon preparation. This is just for my own spiritual nourishment." [Adapted from Jerry Jenkins, Writing for the Soul]
Bible reading and prayer: these are the habits that have sustained one of the greatest Christian leaders of history. We will never outgrow or "out-succeed" the need for these basic disciplines. This is why Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." (1 Peter 2:2)
Graham demurred, insisting that he is no authority. Jenkins asked Graham to explain, at least, how he maintains his own spiritual disciplines.
Graham answered, "There's no secret to that. God doesn't hide the key from us. The Bible says to pray without ceasing and to search the Scriptures. And I do that."
Graham went on to say that he has a habit of leaving his Bible open somewhere where he will notice it during the day. He said, "I pick it up at odd moments and read a verse or two or a chapter or two or for an hour or two. And this is not for study or sermon preparation. This is just for my own spiritual nourishment." [Adapted from Jerry Jenkins, Writing for the Soul]
Bible reading and prayer: these are the habits that have sustained one of the greatest Christian leaders of history. We will never outgrow or "out-succeed" the need for these basic disciplines. This is why Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." (1 Peter 2:2)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
ONE STEP FORWARD
One winter morning, an employee explained why he had shown up for work 45 minutes late. "It was so slippery out that for every step I took ahead, I slipped back two."
The boss eyed him with suspicion, and asked, "Oh yeah? Then how did you get here?"
The employee said, "I finally gave up and started home."
One step forward, two steps back. Ever felt like that was you? Bruce Springsteen wrote about it...
When I look at myself at myself I don't seeThe man I wanted to be.Somewhere along the line I slipped off trackOne step up, two steps back.
The Bible has a word for those backward steps: sin. It also has a solution: repentance. When we find ourselves moving in the wrong direction, we need to repent. We need to do what the above mentioned employee did—head back home. That will get us where we need to be.
Isaiah said, Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)
Listen to that voice...and keep moving forward.
The boss eyed him with suspicion, and asked, "Oh yeah? Then how did you get here?"
The employee said, "I finally gave up and started home."
One step forward, two steps back. Ever felt like that was you? Bruce Springsteen wrote about it...
When I look at myself at myself I don't seeThe man I wanted to be.Somewhere along the line I slipped off trackOne step up, two steps back.
The Bible has a word for those backward steps: sin. It also has a solution: repentance. When we find ourselves moving in the wrong direction, we need to repent. We need to do what the above mentioned employee did—head back home. That will get us where we need to be.
Isaiah said, Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)
Listen to that voice...and keep moving forward.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Prayer
It's been a few days since I've logged an entry...forgive my infrequency. I had intended to over the weekend. My thoughts have been a bit scattered, however.
Sadly, Marvina's father, Mr. Marvin Skidmore, passed away on Sunday evening. At 85 yrs of age he lived a remarkable like, and his passing is his graduation into the presence of the God he so faithfully served.
Please keep Marvina and our family in prayer this week as we go through the difficult, but necessary things that must be done when a family member passes away.
Sadly, Marvina's father, Mr. Marvin Skidmore, passed away on Sunday evening. At 85 yrs of age he lived a remarkable like, and his passing is his graduation into the presence of the God he so faithfully served.
Please keep Marvina and our family in prayer this week as we go through the difficult, but necessary things that must be done when a family member passes away.
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