Leadership 101

In our lives, there are times we look at things we don't understand and make assumptions. We typically choose to err on the side of things we know. If we choose to go down the path we have always traveled, it is safe, stable, secure. If we witness something going on that we don't understand, our first reaction is to hunker down. Pull up the armor and get into the bunker. Protect those around us and cast shadows around the intruder. Even when we send out scouts to check it out, and they come back with amazing stories of the "enemy", then we determine the scout must have been brainwashed and is therefore no longer a reliable source. We burn the bridges and set up the rear guard. No, we will not let the intruder in here.

And yet, we look around and some more of our number are starting to peak over the wall and see the sun rising and the "enemy" actually enjoying themselves. Maybe they are not so bad after all. Some decide to crawl over the wall and they are labeled as traitors and our mentality begins to evade all logical reasoning. We have to make excuses or present evidence as to why the enemy is the enemy. Before long, we look around at our miserable selves and finally decide... It really was Father just calling us home.

I am amazed at the story in Acts 11. Stephen has been stoned, people of "The Way" had been scattered all around the known part of the world. Some landed in Antioch. Eventually, they began talking to the Greeks. Wait a minute - why would they do that? They are not Jews. But, instead of the bunker mentality, the leaders in Jerusalem sent one named Barnabas to see what was going on. Instead of returning with news of an enemy, he found that God was with everything that was going on there and threw himself into the middle of it.

We could sure learn a lot from this little story. I hope it impacts you the way it does me.

Acts 11:19:24

Those who had been scattered by the persecution triggered by Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they were still only speaking and dealing with their fellow Jews. Then some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch started talking to Greeks, giving them the Message of the Master Jesus. God was pleased with what they were doing and put his stamp of approval on it—quite a number of the Greeks believed and turned to the Master.

When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit's ways. The community grew large and strong in the Master.

If the Good Samaritan Were Told Today

Somewhere in hypothetical church land...

One one occasion, the senior pastor of a large church stood among the leaders in a specially called meeting and asked Jesus - “what must one do to inherit eternal life”.

Jesus answered, you know the scripture – what does the bible say. The senior pastor replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”

“You have answered correctly”, Jesus said. “Go and do likewise and you will live”

But, wishing to drive his point home and prepare for this weeks sermon, the senior pastor pressed the question. “Then Jesus, tell me, who is my neighbor”?

Jesus replied. There was a certain man that had beaten down by life. His family had left him, he resorted to alcohol, pornography and drugs. His life was in shambles. Yet something kept him returning to church. Each time the church met, he would come in late, sit at the back and stare into the distance. Many times, he would exit the auditorium, especially during a passionate song and just sit in the foyer asking himself, does anyone even care.

An elder would come into the foyer and, seeing him sitting by himself asked “How are you today”? After receiving the expected response of “Fine, just fine”, he would walk away saying “Now there's a good man” and proceed to check on those that were counting the contribution.

A deacon would show up in that same foyer, and knowing the individual personally, and knowing the mess he made of his life would say to himself, “I can't believe he still shows up after what he did to his family and friends. I need to tell Sally that he's at it again. Boy, what a loser.”

But a sinner in the midst saw him and loved him. He came along side of him and asked “How can I help?” He stayed with him and fed him and promised to come by and check on him. He ministered to him on a daily basis showing the love of the Father in everything he did, provided him with everything he needed to show him someone cared.

Which of these 3 do you believe showed the love of the Father by showing mercy to his neighbor?

BLog Redefined!

Well, it's been a long time. I mean, it's not like I have run out of things to say, I've just not posted anything in a long time. You see, when I originally began this blog posting, it was my intent that it be a forum for anyone who within our group who wanted to share something with others, particularly those that had the shared experience of going to Quest or HeartQuest. What I determined is that a shared blog is called Facebook. Go figure. So, from this moment forward, this would be called "my blog". Now, I may feel free to post something of yours if you would like me to, but for now, expect to hear my heart.

Father has given me a direction that He wants me to share. So, over the next few weeks, I will unwrap some things on my mind. You are welcome to read them or not. You are welcome to comment or not. If your thoughts are positive and uplifting, I will leave them up. If not... I own the delete key!

So, I'm signing off for now. Blessings as you journey along the road that Father has laid out for you today. Enjoy the scenery. The purpose is the journey - the reward begins along the way.