Last night was the commemoration of the Passover at Cornerstone. It was a beautiful, moving, thought-provoking service, remembering that night some 2000 years ago when Jesus willingly took on the sins of the world. The whole service grabbed my heart, but my heart nearly stood still as three actors told "their stories", explaining how life would be "were it not for Him."
My heart and mind took a significant detour. Where would I be, were it not for Jesus?
That thought humbles me and brings me to my knees this Good Friday morning.
His sinless HOLY life exchanged for my sinful UNHOLY Life.
His wholeness laid down for my brokenness.
It is staggering, and life-changing.
"Jesus Messiah, Name above All names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel.
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven...Jesus Messiah.
Lord of All...all our hope is in you,,,the Light of the World."
I put all my hope in this Rescue 40 years ago. Where would I be without Him? Thank God, I will never know.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
BECOMING A GREAT LEADER
My son JL pointed out in his blog(THE LINCOLN LETTERS)that the BIBLE is a great handbook on leadership, as well as the subjects for which we commonly count on it. He picked a few of the areas where the Book gives great leadership principles. One of my favorites was the word on wise networking.
You may not think so, but the people you surround yourself with say all there is to know about yourself. The Bible says in the book of Proverbs, “A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." To be a successful leader, you have to surround yourself with like minded, solid people. Jesus was a perfect example of this. He had tons of people who wanted to be close to him, but he made sure that only a select few had access to influence him. Of the thousands that followed him, he had only 12 disciples, and from the he had 3 who were in his inner circle – James, Peter, and John. Jesus made sure he was surrounded by people who would be a benefit to him, not a drag on him.
I am so grateful for the wonderful people who influence my life. Any good I have done or impact I have made is due to the wise people who have surrounded my life. I have made it a life principle to have a "wisdom council" that remains steady throughout my life---it's a small group of people with great wisdom in life and ministry, have experienced the kind of success I want to experience, and know me VERY well...well enough to know when I am skating, skimming, or shying away from something I need to face. They are people with enough courage to tell me the truth, even when they know I won't like it. They are people who love ME and my future with Jesus MORE than they love our friendship, so they are willing to risk our relationship in order to tell me the helpful truth I need to know. I owe them everything.
Watch who you hang with. Your associations can help you or hang you. :-)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Mother Madelaine
She is just a few years shy of 100. She was helped to the front of the room this morning to share a word at the CUE Conference, calling us to be faithful, aggressive, and effective beacons of Christ's light in the city. This tiny, fragile African-American lady had a voice far stronger than her body led me to anticipate. She is Mother Madelaine Johnson, the grand-daughter of an escaped slave, and heroine in the Free Methodist Church.
Mother Madelaine and her husband Walter (recently gone to heaven) planted 9 different churches in the US and Canada over the years. Her husband was described as one who "showed the Father's heart." Together they were used of God to change thousands of people's destinies.
Mother Madelaine looked at us and called us all "beautiful young people". At 56, that felt pretty good. Then she leaned towards us and said, "My grandfather, an escaped slave, always said to me, 'If I could do it, YOU can do it.' And I say to you. YOU can do it. Don't ever quit. Keep going. YOU are needed in this world."
OK..I am pumped. Ready. This world needs us. ARE YOU IN???
Mother Madelaine and her husband Walter (recently gone to heaven) planted 9 different churches in the US and Canada over the years. Her husband was described as one who "showed the Father's heart." Together they were used of God to change thousands of people's destinies.
Mother Madelaine looked at us and called us all "beautiful young people". At 56, that felt pretty good. Then she leaned towards us and said, "My grandfather, an escaped slave, always said to me, 'If I could do it, YOU can do it.' And I say to you. YOU can do it. Don't ever quit. Keep going. YOU are needed in this world."
OK..I am pumped. Ready. This world needs us. ARE YOU IN???
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sad Cities
According to MSN, "Some U.S. cities were depressed even before the economy went on life support. These were the cities that saw the highest depression and suicide rates even while the Dow Jones was climbing to 14,000 and Countrywide Financial was considered a respected mortgage lender. Why? Blame a variety of reasons, from divorce and crime to lousy weather and job loss. As the rest of the country struggles with the financial crisis, it is possible that some of these cities may soon become even unhappier."
Then, MSN went on to list the 10 unhappiest US Cities...they'll shock you.
1. Portland
2. St. Louis
3. New Orleans
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
6. Jacksonville
7. Las Vegas
8. Nashville-Davidson
9. Cincinnati
10. Atlanta
When you think of the size of these cities, you realize we are talking about a massive number of people with a high degree of sadness. This morning I heard Supt. Paul Walter (Ohio FMC Superintendent) speak about what God said to Jonah about Nineveh. Niniveh would have ranked as one of the Old Testament 10 saddest cities because of the sin, dysfunction, and violence there. God said to the runaway prophet Jonah, "Isn't it right that I should care about what happens to this great city?" It was his heartfelt desire that Jonah would care, too, and would willingly be a tool to help the sad people in the sad, sad city see hope.
I think God feels the same way today about these cities. Do you care? Do I care? Let's pray today for the sad people in sad cities--let's pray for the believers to rise above circumstances, and be lights in a dark place. Pray for churches to care about what matters most, and be beacons of hope. "Is it not right that we should care for these great cities?"
Then, MSN went on to list the 10 unhappiest US Cities...they'll shock you.
1. Portland
2. St. Louis
3. New Orleans
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
6. Jacksonville
7. Las Vegas
8. Nashville-Davidson
9. Cincinnati
10. Atlanta
When you think of the size of these cities, you realize we are talking about a massive number of people with a high degree of sadness. This morning I heard Supt. Paul Walter (Ohio FMC Superintendent) speak about what God said to Jonah about Nineveh. Niniveh would have ranked as one of the Old Testament 10 saddest cities because of the sin, dysfunction, and violence there. God said to the runaway prophet Jonah, "Isn't it right that I should care about what happens to this great city?" It was his heartfelt desire that Jonah would care, too, and would willingly be a tool to help the sad people in the sad, sad city see hope.
I think God feels the same way today about these cities. Do you care? Do I care? Let's pray today for the sad people in sad cities--let's pray for the believers to rise above circumstances, and be lights in a dark place. Pray for churches to care about what matters most, and be beacons of hope. "Is it not right that we should care for these great cities?"
Saturday, March 21, 2009
John Maxwell at the Airport
John Maxwell, leadership guru and author of many books selling over 16 million copies, is an old friend of our family. I have known and respected John C. Maxwell since I was in high school. He is the person most responsible for my wonderful husband’s (of 35 years) salvation, and was a groomsman in our wedding.
Imagine my surprise when I read that John had been arrested an an airport for trying to board a jet with a weapon in his carry-on! A man where John had been speaking gave him the gun as a gift for protection for John's wife Margaret when John travels. John carried it with him for the next couple days and completely forgot about it until a few seconds after he casually laid his bag down on the conveyor belt. Thankfully, our security systems were working well, and despite John's explanation, he was cuffed and arrested, and eventually released on bail. True to form for John, he cooperated fully, took full responsibility for his "Mr. Magoo moment", and paid the piper.
He wrote about his experience on his blog, and many comments have been made. One writer bemoaned the fact that, though John has been "forgiven" by his followers, other people like Ted Haggard (former leader of the National Association of Evangelicals) who was caught and forced to resign over repeated sexual misconduct have been "unforgiven", and made to pay for their sins. Kim says they all deserve equal forgiveness.
Several of the writer's responses are understandable, but I would point out major differences that need to be considered. Ted Haggard’s issue was deliberate, ongoing sin, done by knowing choice. John’s was a stupid mistake, without intent to deceive. I have been very appreciative of Ted Haggard’s contributions in our world, my heart broke at his fall, and I pray for his complete restoration. He has long been forgiven by me. Ted and John both are due our forgiveness. But restoration to leadership is a different matter. A stupid, careless mistake clearly has different ramifications with God and with people than does a chosen pathway of sin. It is irresponsible and lacks wise love to the leader himself/herself and to the people who follow to equate all actions in their impact, and want the consequences to be the same. Mr. Haggard needs and deserves for the Body of Christ to love him, forgive him, walk with him–and withhold leadership from him until such a time as capable people are able to say that the issues that caused his very public sin and fall are resolved in a way that minimizes the chance of further heartbreak for him, his family, and anyone who follows him. That’s not a lack of forgiveness–that is Christ-like love at it’s best.
As for John? Maybe we should pay his tuition for a memory improvement course. His heart and his lifestyle are right on; his memory was bad.
Even so, he made no excuses, acknowledged it, and stepped up to pay the price for his failure. That is always what is at the the heart of true, godly repentance, whether it is for deliberate, chosen sin, or a unintentional mistake.
Imagine my surprise when I read that John had been arrested an an airport for trying to board a jet with a weapon in his carry-on! A man where John had been speaking gave him the gun as a gift for protection for John's wife Margaret when John travels. John carried it with him for the next couple days and completely forgot about it until a few seconds after he casually laid his bag down on the conveyor belt. Thankfully, our security systems were working well, and despite John's explanation, he was cuffed and arrested, and eventually released on bail. True to form for John, he cooperated fully, took full responsibility for his "Mr. Magoo moment", and paid the piper.
He wrote about his experience on his blog, and many comments have been made. One writer bemoaned the fact that, though John has been "forgiven" by his followers, other people like Ted Haggard (former leader of the National Association of Evangelicals) who was caught and forced to resign over repeated sexual misconduct have been "unforgiven", and made to pay for their sins. Kim says they all deserve equal forgiveness.
Several of the writer's responses are understandable, but I would point out major differences that need to be considered. Ted Haggard’s issue was deliberate, ongoing sin, done by knowing choice. John’s was a stupid mistake, without intent to deceive. I have been very appreciative of Ted Haggard’s contributions in our world, my heart broke at his fall, and I pray for his complete restoration. He has long been forgiven by me. Ted and John both are due our forgiveness. But restoration to leadership is a different matter. A stupid, careless mistake clearly has different ramifications with God and with people than does a chosen pathway of sin. It is irresponsible and lacks wise love to the leader himself/herself and to the people who follow to equate all actions in their impact, and want the consequences to be the same. Mr. Haggard needs and deserves for the Body of Christ to love him, forgive him, walk with him–and withhold leadership from him until such a time as capable people are able to say that the issues that caused his very public sin and fall are resolved in a way that minimizes the chance of further heartbreak for him, his family, and anyone who follows him. That’s not a lack of forgiveness–that is Christ-like love at it’s best.
As for John? Maybe we should pay his tuition for a memory improvement course. His heart and his lifestyle are right on; his memory was bad.
Even so, he made no excuses, acknowledged it, and stepped up to pay the price for his failure. That is always what is at the the heart of true, godly repentance, whether it is for deliberate, chosen sin, or a unintentional mistake.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)