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Category Archives: Spiritual Leadership

Striving for a Low Level of Christianity

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Grab the brass ring

Reach for the stars

Look out for number one

You deserve it

All these commonly heard phrases and many more just like them emphasize the success-oriented, self-centered nature of our culture. We are encouraged to “get ahead” and to not let anyone keep us down. If we want to make a name for ourselves we must be first, be the best, and do it all before the other guy does. If you do, then the sky is the limit!

But the world’s wisdom usually runs contrary to God’s wisdom. In fact, God’s wisdom reveals that the world’s wisdom is really foolishness (1 Cor 18:20).

Worldly wisdom even affected Jesus’ followers. Remember when the mother of the “Sons of Thunder” (James and John) asked Jesus to give her boys places of honor when He came into His Kingdom? Here was Jesus’ response:

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28, NIV

If any person that ever lived deserved to be first, had the right to be served, then it was Jesus, God in human flesh. But He lived a life of service and sacrifice. And He calls us to follow His example!

To be the kind of Christian God calls me to be – to truly succeed at this life of faith – I must reach low, not for the stars.  I must humbly serve others and put their needs before my own. I must seek to love, encourage, and build up my fellow believer. That’s a tough order for this weak, selfish woman.

But here’s the good news: I have God’s Spirit living within me. As I yield myself to His authority and direction He continues to work on my character, exhibiting His attributes in my life. His love, His kindness, His goodness, His self-control.

So, I’m striving to reach low.  Because He deserves it.

How are you “reaching low” for Christ?

 

 

Stealing God's Thunder

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You’ve probably heard and maybe even used the old expression “stole my thunder.” Essentially, it means to take credit for something really done by someone else. I’ve done it (though I’m sure unintentionally!) and had it done to me. But have I ever stolen God’s thunder? Read more

Recipe for Faith

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I smiled at the yellowed recipe card. Memories rushed back at the sight of my recipes-picgrandmother’s familiar handwriting. She had lovingly prepared this very dish for many family feasts. As she got older, there were lots of grandchildren and even great-children to help with the cooking, but she always insisted on contributing. Even now, years after her death, my grandmother’s recipes are still found at family gatherings.

Her love of cooking was not the only thing my grandmother shared with her family. She was quick to tell us what God was teaching her and she strongly encouraged each of us in our own faith. She often wrote us notes or sent us timely devotionals. And I knew she was always praying for me. Read more

Surprised by Teenagers

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I’m in Canada right now with a bunch of teenagers. I’m leading a small, short-term mission team from our Texas church to help two churches in Alberta. The team includes four relatively sane adults and eight high school students. These four young men and four young women are loud, hyper, and always-hungry. And they aren’t shy at all when it comes to burping or making other “noises” in public.pict0012

I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I’ve known these kids for years. They’ve all spent time in my home. I certainly wasn’t taken off guard by their “zest for life” or their voracious appetite. But they have surprised me.

Before we left Texas I selected a Bible study for us to do as a team. Each person works through the assigned material during their individual morning quiet time. Then we discuss it together during our evening team devotions. In addition to a time of service, I really wanted this mission trip to be a time of spiritual growth for these young people. I had it all figured out. I would be a mentor to each of them. A spiritual encourager. An inspiration! Well, the truth is, they’ve challenged me.

The Bible study we’re going through together as a team is on discipleship. We are exploring what it really means to follow Jesus? What does it look like in our day to day lives? Are we prepared to pay the cost? Because, like the author said, “You can’t go into discipleship halfway.” And “when you’re a disciple of Christ, there’s no graduation.”

I was prepared to share all my wisdom and years of experience of following Christ with these young Christians. But as they shared with the group I realized that they are truly living in the trenches of discipleship. I wouldn’t want to be a teenager today. I don’t know if I would take the stand for Jesus that these kids from my church make during an average day of high school. They love Jesus and they want people to know it. They’re my new heroes. Burps and all.

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25

Imitating Ezra: Spiritually Preparing Yourself to Serve Others

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One of my heroes is a writer named Ezra, who lived about 450 years before the birth of Christ. The Bible describes this priest and scribe as a man who “had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the LORD and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:10, NIV).” Ezra passionately pursued God through the study and obedience of His Word. As he learned from God, Ezra then taught others and helped them apply God’s Word to their lives.

God has led me along a similar path. He gave me an insatiable desire to study His Word. As I study, His Word disciplines and refines me. God is faithfully shaping me into the woman He wants me to be. Meanwhile, He regularly brings teaching opportunities my way to share what He has taught me. Read more